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The Apocrypha (Deuterocanonical Books) · 117 of 174
Sirach 5
Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.
Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart:
And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.
Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.
Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:
And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.
Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.
Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same.
Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience give answer.
If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.
Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.
Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.
Asked of Guide
Why does Sirach warn 'Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord' so urgently?
Sirach warns that delay in turning to God invites sudden judgment: “suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth,” so security can lead to destruction. The chapter ties urgency to moral seriousness—mercy and wrath both come from God, so presumptuous postponement risks meeting indignation instead of pardon.
The text frames repentance as immediate action: do not “put off from day to day” and do not rely on assumed forbearance. This emphasis matches Proverbs’ practical urgency about wisdom; Proverbs also urges swift correction and warns that procrastination brings ruin.
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