Sirach 22
22
Sirach 22
The Idler
1The idler is like a filthy stone,
and every one hisses at his disgrace.
2The idler is like a lump of dung;
anyone who picks it up will shake it off his hand.
Degenerate Children
3 #
Prov 10.1
It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son,
and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
4 #
Sir 42.10
A sensible daughter obtains a husband of her own,
but one who acts shamefully is a grief to her father.
5 #
Prov 12.4
An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband
and is despised by both.
6 #
Prov 25.20; 29.15; Sir 20.20 Like music in time of mourning is ill-timed conversation,
but a thrashing and discipline are at all times wisdom.#22.6 Other ancient authorities add 22.7–8: 7 Children who are brought up in a good life conceal the lowly birth of their parents. 8 Children who glory in contempt and ignorance stain the nobility of their kindred.
Wisdom and Folly
9Whoever teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together
or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.
10Whoever tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man,
and at the end he will say, “What is it?”
11 #
Jer 22.10; Sir 38.16 Weep for the dead, for they have left the light behind,
and weep for the fool, for they have left intelligence behind.
Weep less bitterly for the dead, for they are at rest,
but the life of the fool is worse than death.
12 #
Jdt 16.24
Mourning for the dead lasts seven days,
but for the foolish or the ungodly it lasts all the days of their lives.
13Do not talk much with senseless people
or visit unintelligent people.#22.13 Other ancient authorities add For being without sense he will despise everything about you
Stay clear of them, or you may have trouble
and be spattered when they shake themselves off.
Avoid them and you will find rest,
and you will never be wearied by their lack of sense.
14What is heavier than lead?
And what is its name except “Fool”?
15 #
Prov 27.3; Sir 21.16 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron
are easier to bear than a stupid person.
16 #
Ps 112.7; Prov 1.33 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building
is not loosened by an earthquake;
so the mind firmly resolved after due reflection
will not be afraid in a crisis.
17A mind settled on an intelligent thought
is like plaster decoration that makes a wall smooth.
18 #
Prov 28.1
Fences#22.18 Other ancient authorities read Pebbles set on a high place
will not stand firm against the wind;
so a timid mind with a fool’s resolve
will not stand firm against any fear.
The Preservation of Friendship
19One who pricks the eye brings tears,
and one who pricks the heart makes clear its feelings.
20 #
Deut 28.26; Jer 7.33 One who throws a stone at birds scares them away,
and one who reviles a friend destroys a friendship.
21Even if you draw your sword against a friend,
do not despair, for there is a way back.
22 #
Prov 20.19; Sir 27.16, 17, 21 If you open your mouth against your friend,
do not worry, for reconciliation is possible.
But as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow—
in these cases any friend will take to flight.
23 #
Prov 17.17
Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty,
so that you may rejoice#22.23 Other ancient authorities read you also may be filled with him in his prosperity.
Stand by him in time of distress,
so that you may share with him in his inheritance.#22.23 Other ancient authorities add For one should not always despise restricted circumstances or admire a rich person who has no resolve.
24 #
Prov 15.18; 26.21 The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire;
so insults precede bloodshed.
25I am not ashamed to shelter a friend,
and I will not hide from him,
26but if harm should come to me because of him,
whoever hears of it will beware of him.
A Prayer for Help against Sinning
27 #
Ps 39.1; 141.3; Sir 28.25 Who will set a guard over my mouth
and an effective seal upon my lips,
so that I may not fall because of them
and my tongue may not destroy me?
Currently Selected:
Sirach 22: NRSVUE
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Sirach 22
22
Sirach 22
The Idler
1The idler is like a filthy stone,
and every one hisses at his disgrace.
2The idler is like a lump of dung;
anyone who picks it up will shake it off his hand.
Degenerate Children
3 #
Prov 10.1
It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son,
and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
4 #
Sir 42.10
A sensible daughter obtains a husband of her own,
but one who acts shamefully is a grief to her father.
5 #
Prov 12.4
An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband
and is despised by both.
6 #
Prov 25.20; 29.15; Sir 20.20 Like music in time of mourning is ill-timed conversation,
but a thrashing and discipline are at all times wisdom.#22.6 Other ancient authorities add 22.7–8: 7 Children who are brought up in a good life conceal the lowly birth of their parents. 8 Children who glory in contempt and ignorance stain the nobility of their kindred.
Wisdom and Folly
9Whoever teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together
or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.
10Whoever tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man,
and at the end he will say, “What is it?”
11 #
Jer 22.10; Sir 38.16 Weep for the dead, for they have left the light behind,
and weep for the fool, for they have left intelligence behind.
Weep less bitterly for the dead, for they are at rest,
but the life of the fool is worse than death.
12 #
Jdt 16.24
Mourning for the dead lasts seven days,
but for the foolish or the ungodly it lasts all the days of their lives.
13Do not talk much with senseless people
or visit unintelligent people.#22.13 Other ancient authorities add For being without sense he will despise everything about you
Stay clear of them, or you may have trouble
and be spattered when they shake themselves off.
Avoid them and you will find rest,
and you will never be wearied by their lack of sense.
14What is heavier than lead?
And what is its name except “Fool”?
15 #
Prov 27.3; Sir 21.16 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron
are easier to bear than a stupid person.
16 #
Ps 112.7; Prov 1.33 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building
is not loosened by an earthquake;
so the mind firmly resolved after due reflection
will not be afraid in a crisis.
17A mind settled on an intelligent thought
is like plaster decoration that makes a wall smooth.
18 #
Prov 28.1
Fences#22.18 Other ancient authorities read Pebbles set on a high place
will not stand firm against the wind;
so a timid mind with a fool’s resolve
will not stand firm against any fear.
The Preservation of Friendship
19One who pricks the eye brings tears,
and one who pricks the heart makes clear its feelings.
20 #
Deut 28.26; Jer 7.33 One who throws a stone at birds scares them away,
and one who reviles a friend destroys a friendship.
21Even if you draw your sword against a friend,
do not despair, for there is a way back.
22 #
Prov 20.19; Sir 27.16, 17, 21 If you open your mouth against your friend,
do not worry, for reconciliation is possible.
But as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow—
in these cases any friend will take to flight.
23 #
Prov 17.17
Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty,
so that you may rejoice#22.23 Other ancient authorities read you also may be filled with him in his prosperity.
Stand by him in time of distress,
so that you may share with him in his inheritance.#22.23 Other ancient authorities add For one should not always despise restricted circumstances or admire a rich person who has no resolve.
24 #
Prov 15.18; 26.21 The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire;
so insults precede bloodshed.
25I am not ashamed to shelter a friend,
and I will not hide from him,
26but if harm should come to me because of him,
whoever hears of it will beware of him.
A Prayer for Help against Sinning
27 #
Ps 39.1; 141.3; Sir 28.25 Who will set a guard over my mouth
and an effective seal upon my lips,
so that I may not fall because of them
and my tongue may not destroy me?
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.