The Word Am I

The Book of Jesus Sirach

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- Chapter 20 -

Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.

1
How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer.
2
The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;
3
similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.
4
How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.
5
There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.
6
There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.
7
A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.
8
Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.
9
There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.
10
There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.
11
There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.
12
There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.
13
Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.
14
A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.
15
He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.
16
There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.
17
A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.
18
For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!
19
For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.
20
The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.
21
A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.
22
A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.
23
There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.
24
There 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 himself.(a)
25
There 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 reason.
26
A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.
27
A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.
28
The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.
29
A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.
30
Whoever 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 treatment.
31
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.
32
Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?
33
He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.

Footnotes

(a)20:24 This verse refers to someone who follows the imprudent example of another, in order to please that person (because that person has an undeserved reputation); this individual destroys his own soul by seeking to please someone other than God.(Conte)

Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.

1
There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.
2
How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm.
3
(a)
4
As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence.
5
There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk.
6
There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.
7
A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time.
8
He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it.
9
There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss.
10
There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double.
11
There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
12
There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold.
13
He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
14
The gift of a fool will not profit you,(b) for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
15
He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man.
16
The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”
17
How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!(c)
18
A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
19
A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
20
A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time.
21
There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled.
22
There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.
23
There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing.
24
A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
25
A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction.
26
The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually.
27
He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men.
28
He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
29
Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
30
Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them?
31
Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom. (d)

Footnotes

(a)20:3 Verse 3 is omitted by the best authorities.
(b)20:14 A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities.
(c)20:17 The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities.
(d)20:32 Verse 32 is omitted by the best authorities.
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