Ben Sira 7:2-12

2 Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3 My son, do not sow the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4 Do not seek from the Lord the highest office, nor the seat of honor from the king.
5 Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord, nor display your wisdom before the king.
6 Do not seek to become a judge, lest you be unable to remove iniquity, lest you be partial to a powerful man, and thus put a blot on your integrity.
7 Do not offend against the public, and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8 Do not commit a sin twice; even for one you will not go unpunished.
9 Do not say, "He will consider the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High God he will accept it."
10 Do not be fainthearted in your prayer, nor neglect to give alms.
11 Do not ridicule a man who is bitter in soul, for there is One who abases and exalts.
12 Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to a friend.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.