Ben Sira 7:1-9

1 If you do no wrong, no wrong will ever come to you.
3 Do not plow the ground to plant seeds of injustice; you may reap a bigger harvest than you expect.
4 Don't ask the Lord for a place of honor or ask the king for an important position.
5 Don't try to convince the Lord that you are righteous or make a show of your wisdom before the king.
6 Don't set your heart on being a judge, unless you have the strength of character it takes to put an end to injustice. If you let yourself be influenced by someone in a position of power, your integrity will be damaged.
7 Don't commit any crime against the general public, and don't disgrace yourself among your townspeople.
8 Don't commit the same sin twice. The punishment you get the first time ought to be enough.
9 Don't think that God Most High is going to take into account how very generous you are and so accept any offering you decide to make.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.