The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 19

1 A labouring man that is given to drunkenness shall not be rich and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little

2 Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent

3 Moths and worms shall have him to heritage and a bold man shall be taken away

4 He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul

5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life

6 He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil

7 Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee and thou shalt fare never the worse

8 Whether it be to friend or foe talk not of ot r men’s lives and if thou canst without offence reveal them not

9 For he heard and observed thee and when time cometh he will hate thee

10 If thou hast heard a word let it die with thee and be bold it will not burst thee

11 A fool travaileth with a word as a woman in labour of a child

12 As an arrow that sticketh i a man’s thigh so is a word within fool’s belly

13 Admonish a friend it may be he hath not done it and if he have done it that he do it no more

14 Admonish thy friend it may be he hath not said it and if he have that he speak it not again

15 Admonish a friend for many times it is a slander and believe not every tale

16 There is one that slippeth in his speech but not from his heart and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue

17 Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him and not being angry give place to the law of the most High

18 The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted of him and wisdom obtaineth his love

19 The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality

20 The fear of the Lord is all wisdom and in all wisdom is the performance of the law and the knowledge of his omnipotency

21 If a servant say to his master I will not do as it pleaseth thee though afterward he do it he angereth him that nourisheth him

22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence

23 There is a wickedness and the same an abomination and there is a fool wanting in wisdom

24 He that hath small understanding and feareth God is better than one that hath much wisdom and transgresseth the law of the most High

25 There is an exquisite subtilty and the same is unjust and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment

26 There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly but inwardly he is full of deceit

27 Casting down his countenance and making as if he heard not where he is not known he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware

28 And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil

29 A man may be known by his look and one that hath understanding by his countenance when thou meetest him

30 A man’s attire and excessive laughter and gait shew what he is