The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus) [The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Anonymous
19:30 A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.
20:1 There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
20:2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
20:3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
20:4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
20:5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
20:6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
20:7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
20:8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
20:9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
20:10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
20:11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
20:12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
20:13 A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
20:14 The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
20:15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
20:16 The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
20:17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
20:18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
20:19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
20:20 A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
20:21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
20:22 There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
20:23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
20:24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
20:25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
20:26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
20:27 A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
20:28 He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
20:29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
20:30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
20:31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
20:32 Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
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.