Ben Sira - chapter 14

14: 3 - 27 (translated by Edgar Goodspeed)
Wealth does not become a small-minded person, and what use is money to an miser?  That one who withholds from himself amasses for others, and others will enjoy those goods.  If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be good?  He will not take any pleasure in his own riches.  No one is worse than the one who is grudging to himself, and that is the penalty of his wickedness.  If he ever does any good, he does it through forgetfulness, and shows his wickedness in the end.  The miser is an evil person who has an envious eye, turning away his face, and pretending not to see human souls.  The eye of the greedy person is not satisfied with his share; greedy injustice withers the soul.  A miser begrudges bread, and is in want of it at his own table.  My child, if you have any means, provide well for yourself and make suitable offerings to the Lord.  Remember that death will not delay, and the agreement / covenant (Greek) of Hades has not been shown to you.  Treat your friends well before you die, and reach out and give to them as much as your strength permits.  Do not miss the time of prosperity, and do not let the good fortune that you desire escape you.  Will you not leave the fruit of your labors to someone else, and the result of your toil to be cast lots for?  Give and take, and indulge yourself, for there is no looking for luxury in Hades.  Human life grows old like a cloak, for from the beginning the decree has read, "You will surely die."  Like the thick leaves on a flourishing tree, which drops some and puts forth others, are the generations of flesh and blood; one dies, and another is born; everything made will decay and disappear, and the one who made it will depart with it.  Happy is the person who meditates on wisdom, who reasons with his understanding; who considers her ways in his mind, and reflects on her secrets. Go after her like a hunter and lie in wait by her ways! The one who peers in at her windows, and listens at her doorways; who lodges close to her house, and fastens his pegs in her walls; who pitches his tent close beside her, and finds comfortable lodgings; who puts his children under her shelter, and spends the night under her branches; who is sheltered by her from the heat, and will lodge in her splendors.