Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 34
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34:1 The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.
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34:2 The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
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34:3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.
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34:4 What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false?
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34:5 Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity:
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34:6 And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them.
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34:7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
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34:8 The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.
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34:9 What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.
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34:10 He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.
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34:11 He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.
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34:12 I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things.
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34:13 Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.
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34:14 The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed.
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34:15 For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.
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34:16 He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope.
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34:17 The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.
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34:18 To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?
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34:19 The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,
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34:20 A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.
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34:21 The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.
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34:22 The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice.
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34:23 The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.
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34:24 He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.
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34:25 The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.
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34:26 He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour.
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34:27 He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire, are brothers.
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34:28 When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour?
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34:29 When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?
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34:30 He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?
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34:31 So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?
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