Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 21

¹My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins. ²Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men. ³All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed. ⁴To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate. ⁵A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily. ⁶He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart. ⁷An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth. ⁸He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

⁹The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them. ¹⁰The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell. ¹¹He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. ¹²He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness. ¹³The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life. ¹⁴The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth. ¹⁵If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back. ¹⁶The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

¹⁷They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart. ¹⁸As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense. ¹⁹Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. ²⁰A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little. ²¹Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm. ²²A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him. ²³A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without. ²⁴It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

²⁵The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance. ²⁶The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. ²⁷When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul. ²⁸A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.