Sirach 27
27
Sirach 27
1 #
Prov 23.4; Sir 7.18; 1 Tim 6.9, 10 Many have committed sin for gain,#27.1 Other ancient authorities read a trifle
and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.
2 #
Sir 26.29
As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones,
so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.
3 #
Ezek 33.13
If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord,
his house will be quickly overthrown.
Tests in Life
4When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so does a person’s waste when he speaks.
5 #
Prov 17.3; 27.21 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels,
and the test of a person is in his conversation.
6 #
Mt 7.16, 17; 12.33, 34; Lk 6.45 Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so does speech#27.6 Other ancient authorities read reasoning the thoughts of the human mind.
7Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.
Reward and Retribution
8 #
Ex 28.2; Job 29.14; Sir 45.8 If you pursue justice, you will attain it
and wear it like a glorious robe.
9 #
Sir 13.16
Birds roost with their own kind,
so honesty comes home to those who practice it.
10 #
v 28
; Sir 28.23A lion lies in wait for prey;
so does sin for evildoers.
Varieties of Speech
11The conversation of the godly is always wise,
but the fool changes like the moon.
12 #
Sir 9.15
Among stupid people limit your time,
but among thoughtful people linger on.
13 #
Eccl 7.5, 6 The talk of fools is offensive,
and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
14 #
Sir 23.9
Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end,
and their quarrels make others stop their ears.
15The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed,
and their abuse is grievous to hear.
Betraying Secrets
16 #
Sir 22.22
Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence
and will never find a congenial friend.
17 #
Sir 22.22
Love your friends and keep faith with them,
but if you betray their secrets, do not follow after them.
18For as a person destroys an enemy,#27.18 Other ancient authorities read corpse
so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.
19 #
Ps 91.3; 124.7 And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
so you have let your neighbor go and will not catch him again.
20 #
Prov 6.5
Do not go after him, for he is too far off
and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
21 #
Sir 22.22
For a wound may be bandaged,
and there is reconciliation after abuse,
but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.
Hypocrisy and Retribution
22 #
Prov 6.13, 14; 10.10 Whoever winks the eye plots harm,
and those who know such a one will keep their distance.
23 #
Ps 28.3; 55.21 In your presence their mouths are all sweetness,
and they admire your words,
but later they will twist their speech
and with your own words they will cause a scandal.
24 #
Ps 12.2, 3 I have hated many things but them above all;
even the Lord hates them.
25Those who throw a stone straight up throw it on their own heads,
and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds.
26 #
Ps 7.15; 9.15; 35.8 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever sets a snare will be caught in it.
27If people do evil, it will roll back upon them,
and they will not know where it came from.
28 #
v 10
; Sir 28.23Mockery and abuse issue from the proud,
but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.
29 #
Ps 112.10
Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare,
and pain will consume them before their death.
Anger and Vengeance
30Anger and wrath, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.
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Sirach 27: NRSVUE
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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.