Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 21
21
Various Sins
1Have you sinned, my child? Do so no more,
but ask forgiveness for your past sins.
2Flee from sin as from a snake;
for if you approach sin, it will bite you.
Its teeth are lion's teeth,
and can destroy human lives.
3All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword;
there is no healing for the wound it inflicts.
4Panic and insolence will waste away riches;
thus the house of the proud will be laid waste.#21.4 Other ancient authorities read uprooted
5The prayer of the poor goes from their lips to the ears of God,#21.5 Gk his ears
and his judgment comes speedily.
6Those who hate reproof walk in the sinner's steps,
but those who fear the Lord repent in their heart.
7The mighty in speech are widely known;
when they slip, the sensible person knows it.
8Whoever builds his house with other people's money
is like one who gathers stones for his burial mound.#21.8 Other ancient authorities read for the winter
9An assembly of the wicked is like a bundle of tow,
and their end is a blazing fire.
10The way of sinners is paved with smooth stones,
but at its end is the pit of Hades.
Wisdom and Foolishness
11Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts,
and the fulfillment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
12The one who is not clever cannot be taught,
but there is a cleverness that increases bitterness.
13The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood,
and their counsel like a life-giving spring.
14The mind#21.14 Syr Lat: Gk entrails of a fool is like a broken jar;
it can hold no knowledge.
15When an intelligent person hears a wise saying,
he praises it and adds to it;
when a fool#21.15 Syr: Gk reveler hears it, he laughs at#21.15 Syr: Gk dislikes it
and throws it behind his back.
16A fool's chatter is like a burden on a journey,
but delight is found in the speech of the intelligent.
17The utterance of a sensible person is sought in the assembly,
and they ponder his words in their minds.
18Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool,
and to the ignorant, knowledge is talk that has no meaning.
19To a senseless person education is fetters on his feet,
and like manacles on his right hand.
20A fool raises his voice when he laughs,
but the wise#21.20 Syr Lat: Gk clever smile quietly.
21To the sensible person education is like a golden ornament,
and like a bracelet on the right arm.
22The foot of a fool rushes into a house,
but an experienced person waits respectfully outside.
23A boor peers into the house from the door,
but a cultivated person remains outside.
24It is ill-mannered for a person to listen at a door;
the discreet would be grieved by the disgrace.
25The lips of babblers speak of what is not their concern.#21.25 Other ancient authorities read of strangers speak of these things
but the words of the prudent are weighed in the balance.
26The mind of fools is in their mouth,
but the mouth of the wise is in#21.26 Other ancient authorities omit in their mind.
27When an ungodly person curses an adversary,#21.27 Or curses Satan
he curses himself.
28A whisperer degrades himself
and is hated in his neighborhood.
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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 21: 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.