Sirach 20:1–32

¹ There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent. (WEB) ² How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm. (WEB) ³ How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin. (KJV) ⁴ As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence. (WEB) ⁵ There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk. (WEB) ⁶ There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak. (WEB) ⁷ A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time. (WEB) ⁸ He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. (WEB) 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 from a low estate. (WEB) ¹² There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold. (WEB) 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 crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man. (WEB) ¹⁶ The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.” (WEB) ¹⁷ How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn! (WEB) ¹⁸ A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily. (WEB) ¹⁹ A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. (WEB) ²⁰ A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time. (WEB) ²¹ There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled. (WEB) ²² There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. (WEB) ²³ There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing. (WEB) ²⁴ A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. (WEB) ²⁵ A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction. (WEB) ²⁶ The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually. (WEB) ²⁷ He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men. (WEB) ²⁸ H… (WEB)