18 Do no secret thing before a stranger, for you don’t know what it will cause. (WEB) 19 Don’t open your heart to every man. Don’t let him return you a favor. (WEB)
Sirach 8:18–19
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 11:28–30
28 Call no man happy before his death. A man will be known in his children. (WEB) 29 Don’t bring every man into your house, for many are the tricks of a deceitful man. (WEB) 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)
Sirach 37:9–11
9 and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you. (WEB) 10 Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you. Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you. (WEB) 11 Don’t consult with a woman about her rival, with a coward… (WEB)
Sirach 19:7–9
7 Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything. (WEB) 8 Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it. (WEB) 9 For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you. (WEB)
Sirach 27:15–17
15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed. Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear. (WEB) 16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend. (WEB) 17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not foll… (WEB)
Sirach 13:11–13
11 Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. (WEB) 12 He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind. (WEB) 13 Keep them to y… (WEB)
Sirach 9:1–3
1 Don’t be jealous over the wife of your bosom, and don’t teach her an evil lesson against yourself. (WEB) 2 Don’t give your soul to a woman and let her trample down your strength. (WEB) 3 Don’t go to meet a woman who plays the prostitute, lest perhaps you fall into her snares. (WEB)
Sirach 4:26–28
26 Don’t be ashamed to confess your sins. Don’t fight the river’s current. (WEB) 27 Don’t lay yourself down for a fool to tread upon. Don’t be partial to one who is mighty. (WEB) 28 Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you. (WEB)
Sirach 4:30–31
30 Don’t be like a lion in your house, or suspicious of your servants. (WEB) 31 Don’t let your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay. (WEB)
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