DRC - Sirach - 34

34:1  The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.

34:2  The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

34:3  The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.

34:4  What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false?

34:5  Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity:

34:6  And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them.

34:7  For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.

34:8  The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.

34:9  What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.

34:10  He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.

34:11  He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.

34:12  I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things.

34:13  Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.

34:14  The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed.

34:15  For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.

34:16  He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope.

34:17  The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.

34:18  To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?

34:19  The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,

34:20  A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.

34:21  The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.

34:22  The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice.

34:23  The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.

34:24  He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.

34:25  The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.

34:26  He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour.

34:27  He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire, are brothers.

34:28  When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour?

34:29  When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?

34:30  He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?

34:31  So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?