Ecclesiasticus, 34

[1] The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools. •

[2] The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

[3] The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man. •

[4] What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false? •

[5] Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity: •

[6] And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them. •

[7] For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. •

[8] The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful. •

[9] What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding. •

[10] He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence. •

[11] He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety. •

[12] I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things. •

[13] Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God. •

[14] The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. •

[15] For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.

[16] He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope.

[17] The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.

[18] To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?

[19] The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, •

[20] A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing. •

[21] The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable. •

[22] The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. •

[23] The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices. •

[24] He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father. •

[25] The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.

[26] He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour. •

[27] He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire, are brothers. •

[28] When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour? •

[29] When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?

[30] He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail? •

[31] So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer? •