Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 19
19
1The one who does this#19.1 Heb: Gk A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich;
one who despises small things will fail little by little.
2Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
and the man who consorts with prostitutes is reckless.
3Decay and worms will take possession of him,
and the reckless person will be snatched away.
Against Loose Talk
4One who trusts others too quickly has a shallow mind,
and one who sins does wrong to oneself.
5One who rejoices in wickedness#19.5 Other ancient authorities read heart will be condemned,#19.5 Other ancient authorities add but one who withstands pleasures crowns his life. 6 One who controls the tongue will live without strife,
6but one who hates gossip has less evil.
7Never repeat a conversation,
and you will lose nothing at all.
8With friend or foe do not report it,
and unless it would be a sin for you, do not reveal it;
9for someone may have heard you and watched you,
and in time will hate you.
10Have you heard something? Let it die with you.
Be brave, it will not make you burst!
11Having heard something, the fool suffers birth pangs
like a woman in labor with a child.
12Like an arrow stuck in a person's thigh,
so is gossip inside a fool.
13Question a friend; perhaps he did not do it;
or if he did, so that he may not do it again.
14Question a neighbor; perhaps he did not say it;
or if he said it, so that he may not repeat it.
15Question a friend, for often it is slander;
so do not believe everything you hear.
16A person may make a slip without intending it.
Who has not sinned with his tongue?
17Question your neighbor before you threaten him;
and let the law of the Most High take its course.#19.17 Other ancient authorities add and do not be angry. 18 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance, and wisdom obtains his love. 19 The knowledge of the Lord's commandments is life-giving discipline; and those who do what is pleasing to him enjoy the fruit of the tree of immortality.
True and False Wisdom
20The whole of wisdom is fear of the Lord,
and in all wisdom there is the fulfillment of the law.#19.20 Other ancient authorities add and the knowledge of his omnipotence. 21 When a slave says to his master, “I will not act as you wish,” even if later he does it, he angers the one who supports him.
22The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,
nor is there prudence in the counsel of sinners.
23There is a cleverness that is detestable,
and there is a fool who merely lacks wisdom.
24Better are the God-fearing who lack understanding
than the highly intelligent who transgress the law.
25There is a cleverness that is exact but unjust,
and there are people who abuse favors to gain a verdict.
26There is the villain bowed down in mourning,
but inwardly he is full of deceit.
27He hides his face and pretends not to hear,
but when no one notices, he will take advantage of you.
28Even if lack of strength keeps him from sinning,
he will nevertheless do evil when he finds the opportunity.
29A person is known by his appearance,
and a sensible person is known when first met, face to face.
30A person's attire and hearty laughter,
and the way he walks, show what he is.
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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 19: NRSV-CI
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.