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)
Sirach 20:15–17
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 13:6–8
6 Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?” (WEB) 7 He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Aft… (WEB)
Sirach 11:30–32
30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of a proud man. Like a spy, he looks for your weakness. (WEB) 31 For he lies in wait to turn things that are good into evil, and assigns blame in things that are praiseworthy. (WEB) 32 From a spark of fire, a heap of many coals i… (WEB)
Sirach 27:22–24
22 One who winks the eye contrives evil things; and those who know him will keep their distance. (WEB) 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. (WEB) 24 I have hated many things,… (WEB)
Sirach 18:17–19
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 31:23–25
23 People bless him who is liberal with his food. The testimony of his excellence will be believed. (WEB) 24 The city will murmur at him who is a stingy with his food. The testimony of his stinginess will be accurate. (WEB) 25 Don’t show yourself valiant in wine, for wine has destr… (WEB)
Sirach 30:9–11
9 Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will grieve you. (WEB) 10 Don’t laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him, and you gnash your teeth in the end. (WEB) 11 Give him no liberty in his youth, and don’t ignore his follies. (WEB)
Sirach 6:8–10
8 For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction. (WEB) 9 And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach. (WEB) 10 And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in… (WEB)
Sirach 29:4–6
4 Many have considered a loan to be a windfall, and have given trouble to those who helped them. (WEB) 5 Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands. For his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively. Then when payment is due, he will prolong the time, return ex… (WEB)
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