These are times when it is proper for you to be ashamed, and people will respect you for it.
A Sense of Pride
42 On the other hand, it is possible to sin by giving in to other people too much. Here are some things you should not be ashamed of:
2 the Law of the Most High and his covenant,
judging even godless people fairly,
3 sharing expenses with a business partner or a traveling companion,
sharing an inheritance,
4 using accurate weights and measures,
5 making a profit, whether great or small,
bargaining with a merchant,
disciplining your children often,
beating a disloyal slave until the blood flows.
6 It is wise to lock things up if you cannot trust your wife or if too many people are around. 7 Keep an accurate record of any deposits you make or of anything you give or receive. 8 Don't hesitate to correct someone who is acting foolishly or an old man who goes around with prostitutes. All of this is worthwhile advice, and if you follow it, everyone will approve of your behavior.
Fathers and Daughters
9 (A)Although he will not let his daughter know it, a father will lie awake at night worrying about her. If she is young, he worries that she might not get married. If she is already married, he worries about her happiness. 10 If she is a virgin, he worries that she might be seduced and become pregnant while living in his house. If she is married, he worries that she might be unfaithful, or that she might not be able to have children.
11 Keep a close watch over your daughter if she is determined to have her own way. If you don't, she may make a fool of you in front of your enemies. You will be a constant joke to everyone in town, a public disgrace. Make sure that her room has no windows or any place where she can look out to the entrance of the house.[a] 12 Don't let her show off her beauty in front of men, or spend her time talking with the women.[b] 13 Women hurt other women just as moths damage clothing.
14 A man's wickedness is better than a woman's goodness; women bring shame and disgrace.
The Glory of God in Nature
15 Now I will remind you of the works of the Lord
and describe the things I have seen.
The words of the Lord brought his works into being,
and the whole creation obeys his commands.
16 The light of the sun shines down on everything,
and everything is filled with the Lord's glory.
17 Not even to his holy angels has the Lord given power
to describe all his mighty deeds,
even though he has given them power
to stand unharmed in his glorious presence.[c]
18 He sees into the oceans and into the human heart,
and he knows the secrets of both.
The Most High knows everything that can be known
and understands the signs of the ages.
19 He knows all that has ever been and all that ever will be;
he uncovers the deepest of mysteries.
20 He takes notice of our every thought
and hears our every word.
21 The orderly world shows the greatness of his wisdom;
he is the same forever and ever.[d]
Nothing can be added to him, and nothing taken away;
he needs no one to give him advice.
22 All his works are beautiful,
down to the smallest and faintest spark of light.[e]
23 All these things go on forever,
and all of them have their purpose.
24 All things are in pairs, each the opposite of the other,
but nothing the Lord made is incomplete.
25 Everything completes the goodness of something else.
Could anyone ever see enough of this splendor?
Footnotes
- Sirach 42:11 Hebrew Make sure...house; Greek does not have these words.
- Sirach 42:12 Hebrew Don't let...women; Greek unclear.
- Sirach 42:17 Hebrew even though...presence; Greek which the Lord Almighty established so that everything may stand firm in his glory.
- Sirach 42:21 Hebrew he is...ever; Greek he is before eternity and is eternal.
- Sirach 42:22 Hebrew down to...spark of light; Greek unclear.