Sirach 20
20
1If you are smart,
you will know
when to keep quiet
and when to criticize.
2It is better to speak up
than to let anger
eat away at you.
3When you are wrong, admit it,
and you will save yourself
a lot of trouble.
4If a man is unable to have sex,
he can't be forced to do so;
but it seems harder to force
some people to do right.
Things Might Not Be As They Seem
5People who talk too much
are not well liked,
but people who keep quiet
are often considered wise.
6Their silence may just mean
they have nothing to say.
Or it may mean they are waiting
for the right time to speak,
7and that is true wisdom.
But fools who always talk
about themselves
are never quiet.
8They are disgusting,
and others who grab for power
also earn our hatred.
9Sometimes our troubles
end up helping us,
and other times, good luck
turns out to be bad.
10Often a gift
isn't really helpful,
and when some people give,
they expect to be repaid
twice what the gift is worth.
11If you search for glory
you may lose what you have,
but success can come to those
who had humble beginnings.
12What seems to be a bargain
may cost you seven times
what it is worth.
13People love to hear
wise people speak.
But fools, though polite,
are still fools,
14and you would be better off
without gifts from them,
because they will expect you
to give even more in return.
15A small gift, they think,
gives them the right
to criticize—loudly.
Today, they make a loan;
tomorrow, they ask
for their money back.
I cannot stand people like this!
16Fools think they have no friends
and that no one appreciates
their good deeds.
They invite you over for a meal
but believe that you will later
say bad things about them.
17They deserve to be mocked,
and few people
will pass up the chance.
18It is better to slip and fall
than to suffer a slip
of the tongue.
And something that small
can bring sudden disaster
to those who are evil.
19A rude person is disgusting,
just like the dirty stories
ignorant people tell.
20Everyone ignores a proverb
repeated by a fool,
because fools never choose
the right one.
21You may be too poor
to commit some sins,
but you can sleep at night
with a clear conscience.
22Have a little self-respect
and don't act like a fool,
or you may risk disaster.
23Broken promises turn friends
into enemies,
so do not make promises
that you cannot keep.
24The ignorant are always lying,
not knowing that telling a lie
leaves an ugly scar.
25Liars are worse than thieves,
but both are on the road
to destruction.
26Telling lies brings disgrace
and shame that never ends.
Some Proverbs#20.27 Some Proverbs: Most Greek manuscripts include this title.
27If you are wise
and want to succeed,
you will try to please
those in power.
28If you plow and plant,
you will harvest a crop,
and if you please the powerful,
they will overlook
your mistakes.
29Favors and gifts keep the wise
from seeing the truth
and muzzle the mouths of those
who criticize.
* 30Wisdom kept secret
and wealth never used
do not help anybody,
31but a fool does best
to keep foolishness hidden.
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Sirach 20: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.