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Sirach 19

19
Sirach 19
1 # Prov 21.17 The 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.
2 # 1 Kings 11.1–4; Prov 31.3–5; Hos 4.11 Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
and the man who consorts with prostitutes is reckless.
3 # Isa 51.8 Decay and worms will take possession of him,
and the reckless person will be snatched away.
Against Loose Talk
4One who trusts quickly has a shallow mind,
and one who sins does wrong to himself.
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,
6 # Prov 21.23; Jas 3.2 but one who hates discussion lacks understanding.
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.
10 # Job 32.19 Have 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.
12 # Sir 21.14; 33.5 Like an arrow stuck in a person’s thigh,
so is gossip in the belly of a fool.
13 # Lev 19.17 Question 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 every word.
16 # Sir 14.1 A person may make a slip without intending it.
Who has not sinned with his tongue?
17 # Lev 19.17 Question your neighbor before you threaten him,
and make room for the law of the Most High.#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
20 # Sir 1.14 The 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.
22 # Jer 4.22 The 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.
24 # Sir 25.10, 11 Better 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.#19.25 Other ancient authorities add and the one who justifies is wise in judgment.
26 # Sir 12.11 There are villains bowed down in mourning,
but inwardly they are full of deceit.
27They hide their faces and pretend not to hear,
but when no one notices, they will take advantage of you.
28Even if lack of strength keeps them from sinning,
they will nevertheless do evil when they find the opportunity.
29 # Isa 3.9 People will be known by their appearances,
and sensible people will be known when first met face to face.
30 # Eccl 7.6; Isa 3.16; Sir 21.20 People’s attire and hearty laughter
and the way they walk proclaim things about them.

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Sirach 19: NRSVUE

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