17 Behold, isn’t a word better than a gift? Both are with a gracious person. (WEB) 18 A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of a grudging person consumes the eyes. (WEB) 19 Learn before you speak. Take care of your health before you get sick. (WEB)
Sirach 18:17–19
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 20:9–11
9 There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss. (WEB) 10 There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double. (WEB) 11 There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head fr… (WEB)
Sirach 20:13–15
13 He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted. (WEB) 14 The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one. (WEB) 15 He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a cri… (WEB)
Ecclesiastes 10:11–13
11 If the snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
Proverbs 29:19–21
19 A servant cannot be corrected by words alone; though he understands, he will not respond. 20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him. 21 A servant pampered from his youth will bring grief in the end.
Sirach 7:32–34
32 Also stretch out your hand to the poor man, that your blessing may be complete. (WEB) 33 A gift has grace in the sight of every living man. Don’t withhold grace for a dead man. (WEB) 34 Don’t avoid those who weep, and mourn with those who mourn. (WEB)
Proverbs 18:5–7
5 Showing partiality to the wicked is not good, nor is depriving the innocent of justice. 6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7 A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 10:9–11
9 He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out. 10 He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Proverbs 23:8–10
8 You will vomit up what little you have eaten and waste your pleasant words. 9 Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10 Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,
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