The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

Chapters:

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verse #1

A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little.

verse #2

Wine and women will make men of understanding go astray. He who joins with prostitutes is reckless.

verse #3

Decay and worms will have him as their heritage. A reckless soul will be taken away.

verse #4

He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted. He who sins offends against his own soul.

verse #5

He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned.

verse #6

He who hates gossip has less wickedness.

verse #7

Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything.

verse #8

Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it.

verse #9

For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you.

verse #10

Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave: it will not make you burst!

verse #11

A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor with a child.

verse #12

As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, so is gossip in a fool.

verse #13

Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more.

verse #14

Question your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again.

verse #15

Question a friend; for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word.

verse #16

There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?

verse #17

Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High.

verse #18

All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In all wisdom is the doing of the law.

verse #19

The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The prudence of sinners is not counsel.

verse #20

There is a wickedness, and it is an abomination. There is a fool lacking in wisdom.

verse #21

Better is one who has little understanding, and fears God, than one who has much intelligence and transgresses the law.

verse #22

There is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment.

verse #23

There is one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning; but inwardly he is full of deceit,

verse #24

bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear. Where he isn’t known, he will take advantage of you.

verse #25

And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning, if he finds opportunity, he will do mischief.

verse #26

A man will be known by his appearance. One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him.

verse #27

A man’s attire, grinning laughter, and the way he walks show what he is.

Chapters:

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