Sirach chapter 8
[This chapter is in Orthodox and Catholic Bibles] Be circumspect with other people.
The Book of Sirach is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches
BE CIRCUMSPECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE
VERSE 1. Contend not with a mighty man, Lest haply you fall into his hands.
Contend not with a mighty man. Do not fight with an influential person.
VERSE 2. Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh you: For gold has destroyed many, And turned away the hearts of kings.
VERSE 3. Contend not with a man that is full of tongue, And heap not wood upon his fire.
full of tongue. Some people are always raging out. They are to be avoided, not esteemed. Read more »
VERSE 4. Jest not with a rude man, Lest your ancestors be dishonored.
VERSE 5. Reproach not a man when he turns from sin: Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
we are all worthy of punishment. To sin is to violate God’s will for us. It harms our relationship with God. We all have missed the mark and sinned. Here are the verses we’ve found »
VERSE 6. Dishonor not a man in his old age; For some of us also are waxing old.
VERSE 7. Rejoice not over one that is dead: Remember that we die all.
VERSE 8. Neglect not the discourse of the wise, And be conversant with their proverbs; For of them you will learn instruction, And how to minister to great men.
VERSE 9. Miss not the discourse of the aged; For they also learned of their fathers: Because from them you will learn understanding, And to give answer in time of need.
VERSE 10. Kindle not the coals of a sinner, Lest you be burned with the flame of his fire.
VERSE 11. Rise not up from the presence of an insolent man, Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth.
an insolent man. That is, “an impious man.”
lie in wait as an ambush. Some people are vigilant for ways to stir up trouble for others.
VERSE 12. Lend not to a man that is mightier than yourself; And if you lend, be as one that has lost.
if you lend, be as one that has lost. If you lend money, consider it gone forever.
VERSE 13. Be not surety above your power: And if you be surety, take thought as one that will have to pay.
VERSE 14. Go not to law with a judge; For according to his honor they will give judgement for him.
VERSE 15. Go not in the way with a rash man, Lest he be aggrieved with you; For he will do according to his own will, And you will perish with his folly.
VERSE 16. Fight not with a wrathful man, And travel not with him through the desert: For blood is as nothing in his sight; And where there is no help, he will overthrow you.
VERSE 17. Take not counsel with a fool; For he will not be able to conceal the matter.
Take not counsel with a fool. From the perspective of the Book of Sirach, many people are fools.
Do not ask them for advice.
VERSE 18. Do no secret thing before a stranger; For you know not what he will bring forth.
VERSE 19. Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor.
SIRACH
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Chronology
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.