Jul 19 - Sirach 19-21
Sirach
1An inebriated worker will not be wealthy. And whoever despises littleness will fall a little at a time2Wine and women cause wise men to fall away, and then they will complain against those who understand3And whoever joins himself to fornicators will become wicked. Decay and worms will inherit him, and he will be denounced as the greater example, and his soul will be deducted from the number4Whoever is quick to believe has a trivial heart and will be diminished. And whoever offends against his own soul will have even less5Whoever rejoices in iniquity will be condemned. And whoever hates correction will have less in life. But whoever hates excessive talk extinguishes evil6Whoever sins against his own soul will be punished. And whoever rejoices in malice will be condemned7You should not repeat a wicked and harsh word, and then you will not be diminished8Do not reveal your mind to friend or foe. And if there is a sin within you, do not disclose it9For he will listen to you and watch you, and while pretending to defend your sin, he will despise you, and so he will be whenever he is with you10Have you heard a word against your neighbor? Let it die within you, trusting that it will not burst forth from you11Before the face of a word, a foolish man labors, like a woman groaning as she gives birth to a child12Like an arrow fixed in the flesh of the thigh, so is a word in the heart of a foolish man13Correct a friend, though perhaps there was a misunderstanding, and he may say, "I did not do it." Or, if he did do it, correct him, so that he may not do it again14Correct your neighbor, for perhaps he did not say it. But if he did say it, correct him, so that he may not say it again15Correct your friend. For often a fault has been committed16And do not believe every word. There is one who slips with his word, but not with his heart17For who is there who has not offended with his words? Correct your neighbor before you reprimand him18And make a place for the fear of the Most High. For all wisdom is fear of God, and it is wise to fear God, and in all wisdom is the orderly disposition of the law19But the discipline of wickedness is not wisdom. And there is no prudence in the thoughts of sinners20There is a wickedness, and in it there is abomination. And there is a foolish man who has been diminished in wisdom21Better is a man who has been diminished in wisdom because his mind is failing, but with the fear of God, than he who abounds in intelligence, but with transgression against the law of the Most High22There is a certain cleverness, and it is unjust23And there is one who utters a careful word, explaining away the truth. There is one who humbles himself wickedly, for his interior is filled with deceit24And there is one who lowers himself excessively with a great debasement. And there is one who inclines his face downward, and pretends as if he did not see what has not been made known25And if he is prevented from sinning by a lack of ability, and then finds an opportunity for evildoing, he will do evil26A man is recognized by his appearances. But when you meet an understanding man, he is recognized by his face27The clothing of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the walk of a man, give a report about him28There is a lying correction in the anger of a contemptuous man. And there is a judgment which does not prove to be good. But there is one who is silent, and the same is prudent
1How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer2The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden3similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment4How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin5There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out6There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time7A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times8Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated9There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment10There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double11There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness12There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold13Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away14A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold15He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame16There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful17A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds18For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him19For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess20The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly21A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined22A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time23There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed24There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself25There is one who, for the sake of what others think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason26A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline27A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition28The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing29A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful30Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment31Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction32Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these33He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom
1Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you2Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you3Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men4All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound5Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated6Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly7Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart8He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him9Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter10The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire11The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments12Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it13The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding14One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction15Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness16The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life17The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom18A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back19The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found20The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts21Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words22Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand23A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself24Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm25The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful26A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside27It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace28The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance29The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts30Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul31Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored