1 A slothful man is compared to a stone that is defiled. Everyone will hiss at him in his disgrace. (WEB) 2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill. Anyone who picks it up will shake it out of his hand. (WEB) 3 An undisciplined child is a disgrace to his father, and a foolish daughter is born to his loss. (WEB) 4 A prudent daughter will inherit a husband of her own. She who brings shame is the grief of her father. (WEB) 5 She who is arrogant brings shame on father and husband. She will be despised by both of them. (WEB) 6 Ill-timed conversation is like music in mourning, but stripes and correction are wisdom in every season. (WEB) 7 He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, even like one who wakes a sleeper out of a deep sleep. (WEB) 8 He who teaches a fool is as one who teaches a man who slumbers. In the end he will say, “What is it?” (WEB) 9 If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents. (KJV) 10 But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred. (KJV) 11 Weep for the dead, for he lacks light. Weep for a fool, for he lacks understanding. Weep more sweetly for the dead, because he has found rest, but the life of the fool is worse than death. (WEB) 12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool and an ungodly man, it lasts all the days of his life. (WEB) 13 Don’t talk much with a foolish man, and don’t go to one who has no understanding. Beware of him, lest you have trouble and be defiled in his onslaught. Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you won’t be wearied in his madness. (WEB) 14 What would be heavier than lead? What is its name, but “Fool”? (WEB) 15 Sand, salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear than a man without understanding. (WEB) 16 Timber girded and bound into a building will not be released with shaking. So a heart established in due season on well advised counsel will not be afraid. (WEB) 17 A heart settled upon a thoughtful understanding is as an ornament of plaster on a polished wall. (WEB) 18 Fences set on a high place will not stand against the wind; so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool will not stand against any fear. (WEB) 19 He who pricks the eye will make tears fall. He who pricks the heart makes it show feeling. (WEB) 20 Whoever casts a stone at birds scares them away. He who insults a friend will dissolve friendship. (WEB) 21 If you have drawn a sword against a friend, don’t despair, for there may be a way back. (WEB) 22 If you have opened your mouth against a friend, don’t be afraid, for there may be reconciliation, unless it is for insulting, arrogance, disclosing of a secret, or a treacherous blow— for these things any friend will flee. (WEB) 23 Gain trust with… (WEB) 24 … (WEB)
Sirach 22:1–27
Semantically similar passages
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,
Sirach 8:16–18
16 Don’t fight with a wrathful man. Don’t travel with him through the desert, for blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you. (WEB) 17 Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret. (WEB) 18 Do no secret thing before a stra… (WEB)
Proverbs 17:24–26
24 Wisdom is the focus of the discerning, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him. 26 It is surely not good to punish the innocent or to flog a noble for his honesty.
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.
Sirach 20:19–21
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… (WEB)
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 27:21–23
21 A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him. 22 Though you grind a fool like grain with mortar and a pestle, yet his folly will not depart from him. 23 Be sure to know the state of your flocks, and pay close attention…
Proverbs 12:15–17
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel. 16 A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17 He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
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