The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

chapter 21


Chapters:


verse #1

My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins.


verse #2

Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls.


verse #3

All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing.


verse #4

Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.


verse #5

Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.


verse #6

One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.


verse #7

He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips.


verse #8

He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.


verse #9

The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them.


verse #10

The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.


verse #11

He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.


verse #12

He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound.


verse #13

The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life.


verse #14

The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.


verse #15

If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back.


verse #16

The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.


verse #17

The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.


verse #18

As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.


verse #19

Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand.


verse #20

A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.


verse #21

Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm.


verse #22

The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.


verse #23

A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside.


verse #24

It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace.


verse #25

The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.


verse #26

The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart.


verse #27

When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul.


verse #28

A whisperer defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.

Chapters:


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