Given by: Jesus ben Sira (the sage), teaching on care of the soul. Given to: 'my son' — the reader.

Ben Sira joins pity on one's soul to pleasing God and to holiness, so that self-care is neither self-neglect nor self-indulgence but a gathering of the heart toward God.

Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.

Have pity on your own soul in a way that pleases God, gather your heart into His holiness, and drive sadness far from you.

Sirach 30:24

Your Spirit

Loves God

Loves Neighbor

Your Body

Moral Behaviour