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Sirach Chapter 5

1 Set thy heart upon thy goods;
and say not, I have enough for my life.
2 Follow not thine own mind and thy strength,
to walk in the ways of thy heart:
3 And say not,
Who shall control me for my works?
for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.
4 Say not, I have sinned,
and what harm hath happened unto me?
for the Lord is longsuffering,
he will in no wise let thee go.
5 Concerning propitiation,
be not without fear to add sin unto sin:
6 And say not His mercy is great;
he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins:
for mercy and wrath come from him,
and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord,
and put not off from day to day:
for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth,
and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed,
and perish in the day of vengeance.
8 Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten,
for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.
9 Winnow not with every wind,
and go not into every way:
for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.
10 Be stedfast in thy understanding;
and let thy word be the same.
11 Be swift to hear;
and let thy life be sincere;
and with patience give answer.
12 If thou hast understanding,
answer thy neighbour;
if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
13 Honour and shame is in talk:
and the tongue of man is his fall.
14 Be not called a whisperer,
and lie not in wait with thy tongue:
for a foul shame is upon the thief,
and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.
15 Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small. NRSV


How much trouble could we avoid by following these directions?