Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 20
20
Silence and Speech
1There is a rebuke that is untimely,
and there is the person who is wise enough to keep silent.
2How much better it is to rebuke than to fume!
3And the one who admits his fault will be kept from failure.
4Like a eunuch lusting to violate a girl
is the person who does right under compulsion.
5Some people keep silent and are thought to be wise,
while others are detested for being talkative.
6Some people keep silent because they have nothing to say,
while others keep silent because they know when to speak.
7The wise remain silent until the right moment,
but a boasting fool misses the right moment.
8Whoever talks too much is detested,
and whoever pretends to authority is hated.#20.8 Other ancient authorities add How good it is to show repentance when you are reproved, for so you will escape deliberate sin!
Paradoxes
9There may be good fortune for a person in adversity,
and a windfall may result in a loss.
10There is the gift that profits you nothing,
and the gift to be paid back double.
11There are losses for the sake of glory,
and there are some who have raised their heads from humble circumstances.
12Some buy much for little,
but pay for it seven times over.
13The wise make themselves beloved by only few words,#20.13 Heb: Gk by words
but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14A fool's gift will profit you nothing,#20.14 Other ancient authorities add so it is with the envious who give under compulsion
for he looks for recompense sevenfold.#20.14 Syr: Gk he has many eyes instead of one
15He gives little and upbraids much;
he opens his mouth like a town crier.
Today he lends and tomorrow he asks it back;
such a one is hateful to God and humans.#20.15 Other ancient authorities lack to God and humans
16The fool says, “I have no friends,
and I get no thanks for my good deeds.
Those who eat my bread are evil-tongued.”
17How many will ridicule him, and how often!#20.17 Other ancient authorities add for he has not honestly received what he has, and what he does not have is unimportant to him
Inappropriate Speech
18A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue;
the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily.
19A coarse person is like an inappropriate story,
continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20A proverb from a fool's lips will be rejected,
for he does not tell it at the proper time.
21One may be prevented from sinning by poverty;
so when he rests he feels no remorse.
22One may lose his life through shame,
or lose it because of human respect.#20.22 Other ancient authorities read his foolish look
23Another out of shame makes promises to a friend,
and so makes an enemy for nothing.
Lying
24A lie is an ugly blot on a person;
it is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
25A thief is preferable to a habitual liar,
but the lot of both is ruin.
26A liar's way leads to disgrace,
and his shame is ever with him.
PROVERBIAL SAYINGS#20.26 This heading is included in the Gk text.
27The wise person advances himself by his words,
and one who is sensible pleases the great.
28Those who cultivate the soil heap up their harvest,
and those who please the great atone for injustice.
29Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise;
like a muzzle on the mouth they stop reproofs.
30Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure,
of what value is either?
31Better are those who hide their folly
than those who hide their wisdom.#20.31 Other ancient authorities add 32 Unwearied endurance in seeking the Lord is better than a masterless charioteer of one's own life.
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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 20: 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.
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 20
20
Silence and Speech
1There is a rebuke that is untimely,
and there is the person who is wise enough to keep silent.
2How much better it is to rebuke than to fume!
3And the one who admits his fault will be kept from failure.
4Like a eunuch lusting to violate a girl
is the person who does right under compulsion.
5Some people keep silent and are thought to be wise,
while others are detested for being talkative.
6Some people keep silent because they have nothing to say,
while others keep silent because they know when to speak.
7The wise remain silent until the right moment,
but a boasting fool misses the right moment.
8Whoever talks too much is detested,
and whoever pretends to authority is hated.#20.8 Other ancient authorities add How good it is to show repentance when you are reproved, for so you will escape deliberate sin!
Paradoxes
9There may be good fortune for a person in adversity,
and a windfall may result in a loss.
10There is the gift that profits you nothing,
and the gift to be paid back double.
11There are losses for the sake of glory,
and there are some who have raised their heads from humble circumstances.
12Some buy much for little,
but pay for it seven times over.
13The wise make themselves beloved by only few words,#20.13 Heb: Gk by words
but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14A fool's gift will profit you nothing,#20.14 Other ancient authorities add so it is with the envious who give under compulsion
for he looks for recompense sevenfold.#20.14 Syr: Gk he has many eyes instead of one
15He gives little and upbraids much;
he opens his mouth like a town crier.
Today he lends and tomorrow he asks it back;
such a one is hateful to God and humans.#20.15 Other ancient authorities lack to God and humans
16The fool says, “I have no friends,
and I get no thanks for my good deeds.
Those who eat my bread are evil-tongued.”
17How many will ridicule him, and how often!#20.17 Other ancient authorities add for he has not honestly received what he has, and what he does not have is unimportant to him
Inappropriate Speech
18A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue;
the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily.
19A coarse person is like an inappropriate story,
continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20A proverb from a fool's lips will be rejected,
for he does not tell it at the proper time.
21One may be prevented from sinning by poverty;
so when he rests he feels no remorse.
22One may lose his life through shame,
or lose it because of human respect.#20.22 Other ancient authorities read his foolish look
23Another out of shame makes promises to a friend,
and so makes an enemy for nothing.
Lying
24A lie is an ugly blot on a person;
it is continually on the lips of the ignorant.
25A thief is preferable to a habitual liar,
but the lot of both is ruin.
26A liar's way leads to disgrace,
and his shame is ever with him.
PROVERBIAL SAYINGS#20.26 This heading is included in the Gk text.
27The wise person advances himself by his words,
and one who is sensible pleases the great.
28Those who cultivate the soil heap up their harvest,
and those who please the great atone for injustice.
29Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise;
like a muzzle on the mouth they stop reproofs.
30Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure,
of what value is either?
31Better are those who hide their folly
than those who hide their wisdom.#20.31 Other ancient authorities add 32 Unwearied endurance in seeking the Lord is better than a masterless charioteer of one's own life.
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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.