Sirach 8

¹ {cf2 Striue not with a mightie man, least thou fal into his handes.}

² {cf2 Make not variance with a rich man, lest he on the other side weigh downe thy weyght: for golde and siluer hath destroyed many, and hath subuerted the hearts of kings.}

³ {cf2 Striue not with a man that is full of wordes, and lay no stickes vpon his fire.}

⁴ {cf2 Play not with a man that is vntaught, least thy kinred be dishonoured.}

⁵ {cf2 Despise not a man that turneth himselfe away from sinne, nor cast him not in the teeth withall, but remember that we are all worthy blame.}

⁶ {cf2 Dishonour not a man in his olde age: for they were as we which are not olde.}

⁷ {cf2 Be not glad of the death of thine enemy, but remeber that we must die all, & so enter into ioy.}

⁸ {cf2 Despise not the exhortation of the Elders that be wise, but acquaint thy selfe with their wise sentences: for of them thou shalt learne wisdome, and the doctrine of vnderstanding, and how to serue great men without complaynt.}

⁹ {cf2 Go not from the doctrine of the Elders: for they haue learned it of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learne vnderstanding, and to make answere in the time of neede.}

¹⁰ {cf2 Kindle not the coles of sinners, when thou rebukest them, least thou be burnt in the fyerie flames of their sinnes.}

¹¹ {cf2 Rise not vp against him that doeth wrong, that he lay not wayte as a spie for thy mouth.}

¹² {cf2 Lende not vnto him that is mightier then thy selfe: for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.}

¹³ {cf2 Be not suertie aboue thy power: for if thou be suretie, thinke to pay it.}

¹⁴ {cf2 Goe not to law with the Iudge: for they will giue sentence according to his owne honour.}

¹⁵ {cf2 Trauaile not by the way with him that is rash, least he doe thee iniurie: for he followeth his owne wilfulnesse, and so shalt thou perish through his follie.}

¹⁶ {cf2 Striue not with him that is angry, and goe not with him into the wildernesse: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no helpe, he will ouerthrow thee.}

¹⁷ {cf2 Take no counsell at a foole: for he can not keepe a thing close.}

¹⁸ {cf2 Doe no secrete thing before a stranger: for thou canst not tell what he goeth aboue.}

¹⁹ {cf2 Open not thine heart vnto euery man, least he be vnthankful to thee, & put thee to reprofe.}