Ben Sira 18:16-26

16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18 A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25 Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
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