Sirach 18:15-28
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15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
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16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
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17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
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18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
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19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
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20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
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21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
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22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
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23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
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24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
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25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
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26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
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27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
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28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.