Sirach 11:8

⁸ Don’t answer before you have heard. Don’t interrupt while someone else is speaking. (WEB)

Semantically similar passages

Sirach 32:8–10

⁸ Sum up your speech, many things in few words. Be as one who knows and yet holds his tongue. (WEB) ⁹ When among great men, don’t behave as their equal. When another is speaking, don’t babble. (WEB) ¹⁰ Lightning speeds before thunder. Approval goes before one who is modest. (WEB)

Sirach 5:10–12

¹⁰ Be steadfast in your understanding. Let your speech be consistent. (WEB) ¹¹ Be swift to hear and answer with patience. (WEB) ¹² If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand over your mouth. (WEB)

Proverbs 18:12–14

¹² Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. ¹³ He who answers a matter before he hears it— this is folly and disgrace to him. ¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, but who can survive a broken spirit?

Sirach 7:13–15

¹³ Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit results in no good. (WEB) ¹⁴ Don’t babble in the assembly of elders. Don’t repeat your words in your prayer. (WEB) ¹⁵ Don’t hate hard labor or farm work, which the Most High has created. (WEB)

Sirach 31:14–16

¹⁴ Don’t stretch your hand wherever it looks. Don’t thrust yourself with it into the dish. (WEB) ¹⁵ Consider your neighbor’s feelings by your own. Be discreet in every point. (WEB) ¹⁶ Eat like a human being those things which are set before you. Don’t eat greedily, lest you be hate… (WEB)

1 Corinthians 14:29–31

²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. ³⁰ And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

Leviticus 19:10–12

¹⁰ You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God. ¹¹ You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another. ¹² You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of y…

Proverbs 26:3–5

³ A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the backs of fools! ⁴ Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him. ⁵ Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

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