Sirach 12:5
King James VersionSource notes
“Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for else thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.”
Context
2Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a recompence; and if not from him, yet from the most High.
3There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.
4Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.
5Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for else thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.
6For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.
7Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.
8A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.