“Say not: ‘I have the power’ ” (Sir 5:1).
Rather: “In weakness power reaches perfection” (2 Cor 12:9).
“Say not: ‘Who can prevail against Me?’ ” (Sir 5:3)
Rather: “Without Jesus I can do nothing” (see Jn 15:5).
“Say not: ‘I have sinned, yet what has befallen me?’ ” (Sir 5:4)
Rather: “The Lord, indeed, knows how to rescue devout men from trial,
and how to continue the punishment of the wicked up to the day of judgment” (2 Pt 2:9).
“Say not: ‘Great is His mercy; my many sins He will forgive’ ” (Sir 5:6).
Rather: “Return to the Lord and give up sin” (Sir 17:20, 21).
“I assure you, on judgment day people will be held accountable for every unguarded word they speak.
By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt 12:36-37).