Sirach 42 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

¹ if you repeat rumors or tell someone's secret. If someone catches you doing any of these things, show how ashamed you are, then others will forgive you. Don't ever be ashamed to do what is right, even if others don't approve.

When Not To Be Ashamed

² For example, don't be ashamed if you obey the Law of God Most High; or if a godless person is on trial, and you vote “innocent” because you believe it's true;

³ if you pay your fair share of the expenses for business or travel; if you divide up an inheritance among all those who deserve a share;

⁴ if you have accurate scales for weighing what you buy and sell; if you buy much or little,

⁵ or if you make a profit on what you sell; if you punish your children when they need it; if your slaves do wrong, and you whip them until they bleed.

Some Good Advice

⁶ Husbands, if your wife cannot be trusted, or if a lot of visitors will be in your home, lock up everything of value.

⁷ If you leave valuable items with someone for safekeeping, be sure to get a receipt, and keep records of everything you give or receive.

⁸ Do not be embarrassed to correct stupid fools or even an older person who is being immoral. If you follow my advice, others will honor you for the lessons of wisdom you have learned.

Advice to Fathers about Daughters

⁹ I know that secretly you fathers worry about your daughters and lose sleep, while questions trouble your minds. Will she find a husband? Will he love her,

¹⁰ and will she be faithful to him? Will she get pregnant before she gets married and leaves your home? Or will she be able to have children?

¹¹ If your daughter always wants her own way, watch her closely, or she may embarrass you. Your enemies will laugh, and everyone in town will talk about it. Don't let her bedroom window look down on the front door, and a room without a window is even better.

¹² Don't let men see her beauty, and keep her away from married women,

¹³ because evil comes from women as fast as moths that fly from wool clothing.

¹⁴ Women are the cause of so much disgrace, that the wrong things men do are better than the good done by women.

The Lord's Creation

¹⁵ Now let me tell you what the Lord has done; this is what I have seen. When he gives a command, things begin to happen, and his creatures obey.

¹⁶ When the sun starts shining, God's glory can be seen in all the earth.

¹⁷ Even his angels cannot explain everything he has done, because he wants all creation to show how great he is.

¹⁸ God knows everything— from the unseen world of the ocean floor, to the secret thoughts deep in our hearts, to those things that change from one age to the next.

¹⁹ God explains the past to us and tells what lies ahead; he even shows us clues to the mysteries of creation.

²⁰ Each thought and word are known to him.

²¹ The laws of nature show his great wisdom. God has never changed and never will; he has no need of advice.

²² Look at his creation— it sparkles with beauty,

²³ and year after year, each part fulfills its purpose.

²⁴ Every part has an opposite, and together, they make creation complete,

²⁵ each one contributing something good to the other. Who could ever see enough of such majestic beauty?