Sirach
27:1 Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance
will turn his eyes away.
27:2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin
stick close between buying and selling.
27:3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house
shall soon be overthrown.
27:4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of
man in his talk.
27:5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his
reasoning.
27:6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance
of a conceit in the heart of man.
27:7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of
men.
27:8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on,
as a glorious long robe.
27:9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them
that practise in her.
27:10 As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work
iniquity.
27:11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth
as the moon.
27:12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually
among men of understanding.
27:13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of
sin.
27:14 The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and
their brawls make one stop his ears.
27:15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are
grievous to the ear.
27:16 Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend
to his mind.
27:17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his
secrets, follow no more after him.
27:18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy
neighbor.
27:19 As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy
neighbour go, and shalt not get him again
27:20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped
out of the snare.
27:21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be
reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.
27:22 He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will
depart from him.
27:23 When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words:
but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.
27:24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate
him.
27:25 Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a
deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
27:26 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall
be taken therein.
27:27 He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know
whence it cometh.
27:28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall
lie in wait for them.
27:29 They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the
snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.
27:30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall
have them both.
