Sirach
21:1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former
sins.
21:2 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near
it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion,
slaying the souls of men.
21:3 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be
healed.
21:4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men
shall be made desolate.
21:5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his
judgment cometh speedily.
21:6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that
feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.
21:7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding
knoweth when he slippeth.
21:8 He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that
gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
21:9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end
of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
21:10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is
the pit of hell.
21:11 He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof:
and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
21:12 He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which
multiplieth bitterness.
21:13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel
is like a pure fountain of life.
21:14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no
knowledge as long as he liveth.
21:15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it:
but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him,
and he casteth it behind his back.
21:16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be
found in the lips of the wise.
21:17 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they
shall ponder his words in their heart.
21:18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the
knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
21:19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the
right hand.
21:20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce
smile a little.
21:21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet
upon his right arm.
21:22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of
experience is ashamed of him.
21:23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well
nurtured will stand without.
21:24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will
be grieved with the disgrace.
21:25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto
them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the
balance.
21:26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in
their heart.
21:27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.
21:28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.
