Ben Sira 7:1-10

1 DO no evils, and no evils shall lay hold of thee.
2 Depart from the unjust, and evils shall depart from thee.
3 My son, sow not evils in the furrows of injustice, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold.
4 Seek not of the Lord a pre-eminence, nor of the king the seat of honour.
5 Justify not thyself before God, for he knoweth the heart: and desire not to appear wise before the king.
6 Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities: lest thou fear the person of the powerful, and lay a stumblingblock for thy integrity.
7 Offend not against the multitude of a city, neither cast thyself in upon the people,
8 Nor bind sin to sin: for even in one thou shalt not be unpunished.
9 Be not fainthearted in thy mind:
10 Neglect not to pray, and to give alms.
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