20 Whoever casts a stone at birds scares them away. He who insults a friend will dissolve friendship. (WEB)
Sirach 22:20
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 27:17–19
17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him; (WEB) 18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. (WEB) 19 As a bird which you have released out of your hand, so you have let you… (WEB)
Sirach 27:24–26
24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him. The Lord will hate him. (WEB) 25 One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head. A deceitful blow opens wounds. (WEB) 26 He who digs a pit will fall into it. He who sets a snare will be caught in it. (WEB)
Sirach 6:1–2
1 Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. (WEB) 2 Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull. (WEB)
Proverbs 26:26–28
26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Job 17:4–6
4 You have closed their minds to understanding; therefore You will not exalt them. 5 If a man denounces his friends for a price, the eyes of his children will fail. 6 He has made me a byword among the people, a man in whose face they spit.
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)
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.
Sirach 28:8–10
8 Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, for a passionate man will kindle strife. (WEB) 9 A man who is a sinner will trouble friends and sow discord among those who are at peace. (WEB) 10 As is the fuel of the fire, so it will burn; and as the stoutness of the stri… (WEB)
Search the collection All books and codes Translations and sources