Sirach
19:1 A labouring man that A is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he
that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.
19:2 Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that
cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.
19:3 Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be
taken away.
19:4 He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth
shall offend against his own soul.
19:5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that
resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
19:6 He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that
hateth babbling shall have less evil.
19:7 Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt
fare never the worse.
19:8 Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if
thou canst without offence, reveal them not.
19:9 For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
19:10 If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will
not burst thee.
19:11 A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
19:12 As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh, so is a word within a fool's
belly.
19:13 Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done
it, that he do it no more.
19:14 Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that
he speak it not again.
19:15 Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every
tale.
19:16 There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and
who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
19:17 Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry,
give place to the law of the most High.
19:18 The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted [of him,] and
wisdom obtaineth his love.
19:19 The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life:
and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the
tree of immortality.
19:20 The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance
of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
19:21 If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee;
though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.
19:22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the
counsel of sinners prudence.
19:23 There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool
wanting in wisdom.
19:24 He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one
that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
19:25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one
that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that
justifieth in judgment.
19:26 There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he
is full of deceit,
19:27 Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is
not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.
19:28 And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he
findeth opportunity he will do evil.
19:29 A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his
countenance, when thou meetest him.
19:30 A man's attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.
