The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 444

18:21. Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.

18:22. Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of G.o.d continueth for ever.

18:23. Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth G.o.d.

18:24. Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.

18:25. Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.

18:26. From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of G.o.d.

18:27. A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.

18:28. Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.

18:29. They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.

18:30. Go not after thy l.u.s.ts, but turn away from thy own will.

18:31. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.

18:32. Take no pleasure in riotous a.s.semblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.

18:33. Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 19

Admonition against sundry vices.

19:1. A workman that is a drunkard shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little.

19:2. Wine and women make wise men fall off, and shall rebuke the prudent:

19:3. And he that joineth himself to harlots, will be wicked.

Rottenness and worms shall inherit him, and he shall be lifted up for a greater example, and his soul shall be taken away out of the number.

19:4. He that is hasty to give credit, is light of heart, and shall be lessened: and he that sinneth against his own soul, shall be despised.

19:5. He that rejoiceth in iniquity, shall be censured, and he that hateth chastis.e.m.e.nt, shall have less life: and he that hateth babbling, extinguisheth evil.

19:6. He that sinneth against his own soul, shall repent: and he that is delighted with wickedness, shall be condemned.

19:7. Rehea.r.s.e not again a wicked and harsh word, and thou shalt not fare the worse.

19:8. Tell not thy mind to friend or foe: and if there be a sin with thee, disclose it not.

19:9. For he will hearken to thee, and will watch thee, and as it were defending thy sin he will hate thee, and so will he be with thee always.

19:10. Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee.

19:11. At the hearing of a word the fool is in travail, as a woman groaning in the bringing forth a child.

19:12. As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh: so is a word in the heart of a fool.

19:13. Reprove a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more.

19:14. Reprove thy neighbour, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again.

19:15. Admonish thy friend: for there is often a fault committed.

19:16. And believe not every word. There is one, that slippeth with the tongue, but not from his heart.

19:17. For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue?

Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him.

19:18. And give place to the fear of the most High: for the fear of G.o.d is all wisdom, and therein is to fear G.o.d, and the disposition of the law is in all wisdom.

19:19. But the learning of wickedness is not wisdom: and the device of sinners is not prudence.

19:20. There is a subtle wickedness, and the same is detestable: and there is a man that is foolish, wanting in wisdom.

19:21. Better is a man that hath less wisdom, and wanteth understanding, with the fear of G.o.d, than he that aboundeth in understanding, and transgresseth the law of the most High.

19:22. There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust.

19:23. And there is one that uttereth an exact word telling the truth.

There is one that humbleth himself wickedly, and his interior is full of deceit:

19:24. And there is one that submitteth himself exceedingly with a great lowliness: and there is one that casteth down his countenance, and maketh as if he did not see that which is unknown:

19:25. And if he be hindered from sinning for want of power, if he shall find opportunity to do evil, he will do it.

19:26. A man is known by his look, and a wise man, when thou meetest him, is known by his countenance.

19:27. The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, shew what he is.

19:28. There is a lying rebuke in the anger of an injurious man: and there is a judgment that is not allowed to be good: and there is one that holdeth his peace, he is wise.

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 20

Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.

20:1. How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.

20:2. The l.u.s.t of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden:

20:3. So is he that by violence executeth of the unwise.

20:4. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.