Ben Sira 5:1-8

1 Don't rely on money to make you independent.
2 Don't think you have to have everything you want, and then spend your energy trying to get it.
3 Don't think that no one can exercise authority over you; if you do, the Lord is certain to punish you.
4 Don't think that you can sin and get away with it; the Lord does not mind waiting to punish you. 1
5 Don't be so certain of the Lord's forgiveness that you go on committing one sin after another.
6 Don't think that his mercy is so great that he will forgive your sins no matter how many they are. He does show mercy, but he also shows his furious anger with sinners.
7 Come back to the Lord quickly. Don't think that you can keep putting it off. His anger can come upon you suddenly, and you will die under his punishment.
8 Don't rely on dishonest wealth; it will do you no good on that day of disaster.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 5.4Ecclesiastes 8.11.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.