Ecclesiasticus

51 chapters

Chapter summaries

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1. 1Wisdom proceedeth from God, appeareth in his creatures. 10. and is given in competent measure to all that fear God, 16. it bringeth all virtues, 27. excludeth all vices, 33. and is to be sought in simplicity of heart.
2. 2Whosoever will serve God must have justice, fear of God, and patience; 6. with confidence in God. 14. Dissemblers, incredulous, and impatient shall be miserable; 18. but the godly shall receive more grace.
3. 3Honour of parents procureth Gods blessing, 11. dishonouring them his curse. 19. Meekness and modesty avail much: but curiosity to know secret mysteries is dangerous. 27. A charitable, sincere, and docile heart, 33. with works of mercy merit reward.
4. 4An exhortation to practise works of mercy. 12. With commendation of wisdom: 23. (and observing due times) not to omit for any fear, or shamefastness, to say the truth, 34. also to be diligent, meek, and liberal.
5. 5Let not riches, youth, nor strength hold thee in sin: 5. but do penance for sins remitted, and add not sin upon sin. 6. Neither presume to sin, because God is merciful. 10. Be not covetous, nor unconstant. 13. Be meek in learning, and careful in teaching. 16. not a batemaker, nor double tongued.
6. 6Reproach, envy, and ferocity hinder from loving our neighbour, 5. sweetness nourisheth it. 6. A trusty friend is much worth. 18. Seek and keep wisdom, with all diligence. 35. Frequent the company of the wise: and meditate in God's law.
7. 7Flee from all evil things, 4. as ambition, presumption, scandal, pusillanimity, lying, and babbling. 16. Husbandry of the ground, 21. a good wife, and good servants are to be cherished, 25. keep children in discipline. 29. Honour parents, and elders, 36. and pity the poor. 40. Memory of the last things preserveth from sin.
8. 8Contend not with a man of power, rich, full of tongue, or very ignorant. 6. Despise not the penitent, nor old folk. 8. Rejoice not at an enemy's death. 9. Learn of the elder. 15. Observe discretion in admonishing, lending, and in being surety. 17. Reprove not Judges. 18. Converse not with the furious, foolish, nor with strangers.
9. 9Great prudence is required in conversation between men and women. 14. Esteem old friends. 16. Emulate not sinners. 18. Avoid the company of the malicious. 21. Consult with the prudent, having God ever before thine eyes.
10. 10Wise superiors are very necessary, because the multitude follow their example. 6. Remit and forget injuries, detest pride, injustice, contumely, and avarice. 12. Life is short. 14. Pride is the root of all sins. 23. Just poverty is better than sinful riches. 31. Meekness and modesty are necessary in all men.
11. 11Wisdom by humility meriteth exaltation. 7. Judge not before examination. 16. Trust not in riches. 14. God sendeth both prosperity and adversity, for the good of his servants. 31. Take heed of the deceitful.
12. 12Use benevolence towards good men. 10. Trust not enemies over much.
13. 13Conversation with the proud, rich, and potent is dangerous. 9. Rely upon God's help, 11. Beware of pusillanimity, and of presumption. 19. A mean is necessary, and the company of equals is most secure.
14. 14Offence of the tongue is a frequent and dangerous sin. 3. Riches are hurtful to a covetous, and to an envious mind. 11. works of mercy necessary. 22. and perseverance in Wisdom.
15. 15The fruits of fearing God; 7. Which fools, and liars reap not, but the wise only. 12. God is no way author of sin, 14. but sinners themselves are the authors, abusing their freewill.
16. 16A few good children, yea none at all, are better than many wicked. 9. God's wrath falleth upon the evil, and his mercy on the good. 14. works of mercy merit great reward. 15. Nothing is hid from God, 20. but many things from men.
17. 17God creating man to his own image, gave him gifts, 9. and precepts. 14. chose the Israelites for his peculiar people. 18. Works of mercy are commended to all men. 20. Repentance to sinners. 28. mercy is offered to all.
18. 18God's wonderful works exceed man's capacity. 7. Our weakness is strengthened by grace. 15. whereto man must cooperate, 19. by purging his conscience, 22. by prayer, 24. by meditating God's judgements, 30. and by mortifying his own concupiscence.
19. 19An admonition against drunkenness, luxury, 4. light suspicion, 7. and detraction. 13. Friendly correption is necessary, 23. and sincere humility. 27. Exterior carriage is a sign of internal disposition.
20. 20Correction ought to be without passion of anger. 5. much discretion is required in speech, and in silence. 14. Also in giving, 20. and promising, 19. and in uttering knowledge, where and when it behoveth.
21. 21An invective against sin in general, 5. and divers in particular.
22. 22Another admonition against sloth, 3. dissolute children, 6. and mirth out of season. 7. Fools are hardly corrected, 10. more to be bewailed than the dead. 14. Much talk doth not profit them. 24. Offend not, nor fear not a friend. 33. Keep always guard of thy tongue.
23. 23A prayer against pride, 6. gluttony, and luxury. 7. Beware of offending in speech. 9. especially of unlawful swearing 15. blasphemy, 17. irreverent and reproachful words. 21. Also of avarice, 24. fornication, and adultery, 30. all which God seeth, and will severely punish. 33. With other sins that follow thereof.
24. 24True and laudable Wisdom, 5. proceeding from God, 6. shineth in his works: 12. especially in his Church; where she bringeth forth all virtues. 26. She inviteth all unto her. 44. and lighteneth her followers with splendour of doctrine.
25. 25Concord between brethren, neighbours, and man and wife, much pleaseth God. 3. A poor man proud, a rich man a liar, and an old man doting in carnal, or worldly things, are very hateful. 9. He that seeth his children good; and his enemies overthrown; hath a good wife; offendeth not in speech; consenteth not to sin; hath a true friend; teacheth good doctrine; hath sacred; and human knowledge: hath undoubtedly nine happy things: but to fear God containeth 14. and excelleth all. 17. A wicked woman (heresy) is very detestable, 30. and most intolerable, if she have supreme dominion.
26. 26The praises of a good woman. 5. The betraying of a city, mutiny of people, and false accusation are terrible, but a jealous woman is more grievous. 10. Divers ill qualities of a bad woman. 16. More commendations of a good woman. 25. A doleful thing to see a valiant warrior wanting livelihood, a wise man not regarded, and greatest grief to see a just man become wicked. 28. A man full of business hardly careth for his soul: and an innkeeper often sinneth in words.
27. 27For want, and desire of riches, many commit sin. 4. from which the fear of God preserveth. 6. Temptation proveth, Who is just, 12. constant, and modest. 17. Friends are bound to secrecy, 25. and fidelity.
28. 28Abstain from revenge, 8. and strife, 15. from making debate, 28. from hearing, and speaking evil.
29. 29Lend charitably, 3. and restore faithfully. 10. For the fault of ill debtors, omit not to help the honest. 12. rather give alms where need is. 19. Be thankful for suretyship, 28. Live frugally. 32. Go not a-guesting for delicate cheer.
30. 30Chastisement of children is necessary, and indulgence very dangerous. 14. Health is better than riches. 17. A troublesome life is worse than death. 21. Be not pensive but cheerful in mind.
31. 31By seeking virtue, and labouring for necessaries, the flesh is subdued to the spirit. 8. Moderate riches are best, 12. with temperance in diet, 30. especially in drinking.
32. 32Superiors must rule with meekness, 4. teaching those wisdom that are capable thereof. 7. Be moderate in music, and in wine. 9. Let young men be diligent to hear, and sparing to speak. 13. especially before their betters. 15. Be always well occupied. 17. serve, and fear God. 21. admit correction. 24. do nothing without counsel.
33. 33Fear of God defendeth from all adversaries. 5. Folly is inconstant. 8. God disposeth all to the best. 13. Man is in God's hand, as clay in the potter's. 20. Superiors must keep their authority: and their subjects in discipline.
34. 34Trust not vain dreams, soothsayings, nor lies. 9. Much good is got by experience: 14. and more by fearing God. 21. God rejecteth the oblations of the wicked. 24. Defrauding the poor is like to manslaughter. 28. Destroy not that another buildeth. 30. Repentance without amendment is nothing worth.
35. 35Observation of the commandments, 4. and sacrifice of the just please God, 12. not the sacrifice of the wicked. 14. God protecteth the poor and desolate, 19. heareth the prayer of the humble, and rendereth to all as they deserve.
36. 36A prayer for conversion of all nations: 14. and for conservation of the Israelites. 20. Discretion is necessary in all actions, and desires.
37. 37Beware of a feigned, and love a sure friend, 7. consult with the wise, trusty, 15. and virtuous, 19. especially relying upon God. 21. The tongue is cause of much good, or much evil. 30. Be temperate in diet.
38. 38God hath ordained corporal, 9. and spiritual medicines. 16. Use moderate, not excessive sorrow for the dead. 26. Tradesmen and artificers are necessary, much more spiritual pastors.
39. 39Godly knowledge, 16. purity of soul, 20. humble conceit of ourselves, 27. and consideration of eternal reward, are good dispositions to spiritual contemplation.
40. 40The first matter of spiritual meditation may be man's misery, contracted by original sin, 4. and increased by actual, 17. relieved by God's grace: 22. which giveth many benefits, 27. man adding his voluntary cooperation.
41. 41Another matter of meditation is death, 8. Whereof sin is the cause. 15. Care of a good fame is necessary. 19. Let shamefastness be a bridle to avoid fornication, 22. iniquity, 24. thefts, and other sins.
42. 42Further admonition to avoid sins in words, and deeds. 6. with care that others offend not by our negligence. 15. Another matter of meditation is God's excellency, appearing in his works.
43. 43God's incomparable excellency appeareth in the heavens; 2. in the sun, 6. moon, 9. other stars, 12. rainbow, 14. snow, 15. clouds, 16. hail, 17. wind, 18. thunder, 21. frost, 22. crystal, 24. dew, 26. the sea, and innumerable things therein. 29. No man is able to praise God sufficiently.
44. 44Praises of holy fathers in general: 16. and in particular of Enoch, 17. Noe, 20. Abraham, 24. Isaac, and Jacob.
45. 45Praises of Moyses, 7. Aaron, 16. and his priestly progeny. 22. Against whom Chore with his accomplices rebelling, were destroyed.
46. 46Praises of Iosue, 9. Caleb, 13. the Judges of Israel, 16. Namely of Samuel Judge and Prophet.
47. 47Praises of Nathan, 2. David, 14. and Salomon; in whose progeny (21. notwithstanding his fall) 27. the royal scepter remained for David's sake, though for his and the people's sins, ten tribes were cut off, and fell into schism.
48. 48Praises of Elias, 13. Eliseus, 19. Ezechias, 23. and Isaias.
49. 49Praises of Josias, who (like to David, and Ezechias) took away occasions of idolatry. 8. Praises of Jeremie, 10. Ezechiel, 12. and the twelve Prophets. 13. Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph, Seth, Sem, and Adam.
50. 50Praises of Simon the High Priest. 27. Detestation of certain persecuting adversaries. 29. With conclusion that the observers of this doctrine shall be wise and happy,
51. 51The author rendereth praises and thanks to God; 18. and inviteth others to do the same, by his own example, 31. and by earnest exhortation.