Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 34

¹The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools. ²Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. ³The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face. ⁴Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come? ⁵Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail. ⁶If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them. ⁷For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. ⁸The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

⁹A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom. ¹⁰He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence. ¹¹When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express. ¹²I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things. ¹³The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them. ¹⁴Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope. ¹⁵Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength? ¹⁶For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.

¹⁷He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing. ¹⁸He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted. ¹⁹The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices. ²⁰Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes. ²¹The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood. ²²He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder. ²³When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour? ²⁴When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?

²⁵He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? ²⁶So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?