The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

chapter 27


Chapters:


verse #1

Many have sinned for profit. He who seeks to multiply wealth will turn his eye away.


verse #2

As a nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones, so sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling.


verse #3

Unless a person holds on diligently to the fear of the Lord, his house will be overthrown quickly.


verse #4

In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains, so does the filth of man in his thoughts.


verse #5

The furnace tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his thoughts.


verse #6

The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation, so is the utterance of the thought of a person’s heart.


verse #7

Praise no man before you hear his thoughts, for this is how people are tested.


verse #8

If you follow righteousness, you will obtain it, and put it on like a long robe of glory.


verse #9

Birds will return to their own kind, so truth will return to those who practice it.


verse #10

The lion lies in wait for prey. So does sin for those who do evil.


verse #11

The discourse of a godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.


verse #12

Limit your time among people void of understanding, but persevere among the thoughtful.


verse #13

The talk of fools is offensive. Their laughter is wantonly sinful.


verse #14

Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright. Their strife makes others plug their ears.


verse #15

The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed. Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear.


verse #16

He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend.


verse #17

Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him;


verse #18

for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.


verse #19

As a bird which you have released out of your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and you will not catch him again.


verse #20

Don’t pursue him, for he has gone far away, and has escaped like a gazelle out of the snare.


verse #21

For a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation; but he who reveals secrets is without hope.


verse #22

One who winks the eye contrives evil things; and those who know him will keep their distance.


verse #23

When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words; but afterward he will twist his speech and set a trap in your words.


verse #24

I have hated many things, but nothing like him. The Lord will hate him.


verse #25

One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head. A deceitful blow opens wounds.


verse #26

He who digs a pit will fall into it. He who sets a snare will be caught in it.


verse #27

He who does evil things, they will roll back upon him, and he will not know where they came from.


verse #28

Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant. Vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.


verse #29

Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare. Anguish will consume them before they die.


verse #30

Wrath and anger, these also are abominations. A sinner will possess them.

Chapters:


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