Sirach 21:1–28

¹ My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins. (WEB) ² Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls. (WEB) ³ All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing. (WEB) ⁴ Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste. (WEB) ⁵ Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily. (WEB) ⁶ One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart. (WEB) ⁷ He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips. (WEB) ⁸ He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb. (WEB) ⁹ The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them. (WEB) ¹⁰ The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades. (WEB) ¹¹ He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. (WEB) ¹² He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound. (WEB) ¹³ The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life. (WEB) ¹⁴ The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge. (WEB) ¹⁵ If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back. (WEB) ¹⁶ The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise. (WEB) ¹⁷ The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart. (WEB) ¹⁸ As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense. (WEB) ¹⁹ Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand. (WEB) ²⁰ A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly. (WEB) ²¹ Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm. (WEB) ²² The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering. (WEB) ²³ A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside. (WEB) ²⁴ It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace. (WEB) ²⁵ The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance. (WEB) ²⁶ The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart. (WEB) ²⁷ When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul. (WEB) ²⁸ A whispere… (WEB)