Ben Sira - chapter 7

7: 1 - 36 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
Do no evil, and evil will not overtake you.  Avoid what is wrong, and it will turn away from you.  My son, do not sow among the furrows of iniquity, and you will not reap them sevenfold.  Do not ask the Lord for pre-eminence, or the king for a seat of honor.  Do not justify yourself in the sight of the Lord, or show off your wisdom before the king; do not seek to be made a judge, or you may not be able to put down wrongdoing; or you may show partiality to the powerful, and put a stumbling block in the way of your own uprightness.  do not sin against the multitude of the city, and do not disgrace yourself among the throng.  Do not repeat a sin, for with even one offense you are not innocent.  Do not say, "He will consider the number of my offerings, and when I sacrifice to the Most High God, He will accept it."  do not be discouraged about your prayers, and do not fail to give to charity.  Do not laugh at a person who is in bitterness of spirit; for there is One who can humble and can exalt!  Do not devise a lie against your brother, or do such a thing to your friend.  Do not consent to utter any lie, for the practice of it is not beneficial.  Do not indulge in idle talk in the throng of elders, and do not repeat yourself when you pray.  Do not hate hard work, or farming which was created by the Most High.  Do not be counted in the crowd of sinners; remember that wrath will not delay.  Humble your heart exceedingly , for fire and worms are the punishment of the ungodly.  Do not exchange a friend for an advantage, or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.  Do not dismiss a wife, good wife, for her charm is worth more than gold.  Do not ill-treat a slave who does his work faithfully, or hired laborers who devote themselves to their task.  Let your soul love intelligent slaves / Love a wise slave as yourself; do not withhold from them their freedom.  If you have cattle, look after them, and if they are profitable, keep them.  If you have children, discipline them, and from their youth up bend their necks.  If you have daughters, look after their chastity (Greek: body), and do not show yourself too indulgently with them.  If you give your daughter in marriage, you will have done a great thing, but bestow her on a man of understanding.  If you have a wife after your own heart, do not divorce her; but do not trust yourself to one whom you hate.  Honor your father with your whole heart, and do not forget the pangs of your mother.  Remember that it was of them you were born, and how can you requite them for what they have done for you?  Honor the Lord with all your soul, and revere his priests.   Love Him who made you with all your strength, and do not forsake his ministers.  Fear the Lord and honor the priest, and give him his portion, as you were commanded, the first fruits, and the sin offering, and the gift of the shoulders, and the sacrifice of consecration, and the first fruits of holy things.  Stretch out your hand to the poor also, that your blessing may be accomplished.  A present pleases all the living, and in the case of the dead, do not withhold your kindness.  Do not be wanting to those who weep, but mourn with those who mourn.  Do not hesitate to visit the sick, for you will be loved for such acts.  In all that you say remember your end, and you will never sin.