3:23. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid. 3:24. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive. 3:25. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men. 3:26. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity. 3:27. A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it. 3:28. A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein. 3:29. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin. 3:30. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived. 3:31. The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire. 3:32. A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success. 3:33. Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins: 3:34. And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay. Ecclesiasticus Chapter 4 An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom. 4:1. Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor. 4:2. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want. 4:3. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress. 4:4. Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy. 4:5. Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back. 4:6. For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him. 4:7. Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man. 4:8. Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness. 4:9. Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul. 4:10. In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother. 4:11. And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother. 4:12. Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice. 4:13. And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness. 4:14. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing. 4:15. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.