Sirach

¹ How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.

² The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:

³ So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.

⁴ How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.

⁵ There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.

⁶ There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.

⁷ A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.

⁸ He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.

⁹ There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.

¹⁰ There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.

¹¹ There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.

¹² There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.

¹³ A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

¹⁴ The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.

¹⁵ He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.

¹⁶ Today a man lendeth, and tomorrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.

¹⁷ A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.

¹⁸ For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!

¹⁹ For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.

²⁰ The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

²¹ A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.

²² A parable coming out, of a fool’s mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.

²³ There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.

²⁴ There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.

²⁵ There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

²⁶ A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.

²⁷ A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.

²⁸ The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.

²⁹ A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.

³⁰ He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.

³¹ Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.

³² Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?

³³ Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.