The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus 21

¹ My son hast thou sinned do so no more but ask pardon for thy former sins ⚑

² Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent for if thou comest too near it it will bite thee the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion slaying the souls of men ⚑

³ All iniquity is as a two edged sword the wounds whereof cannot be healed ⚑

⁴ To terrify and do wrong will waste riches thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate ⚑

⁵ A prayer out of a p r man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God and his judgment cometh speedily ⚑

⁶ He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart ⚑

⁷ An eloquent man is known far and near but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth ⚑

⁸ He that buildeth his house with ot r men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial ⚑

⁹ The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them ⚑

¹⁰ The way of sinners is made plain with stones but at the end thereof is the pit of hell ⚑

¹¹ He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom ⚑

¹² He that is not wise will not be taught but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness ⚑

¹³ The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life ⚑

¹⁴ The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth ⚑

¹⁵ If a skilful man hear a wise word he will commend it and add unto it but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it it displeaseth him and he casteth it behind his back ⚑

¹⁶ The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise ⚑

¹⁷ They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation and they shall ponder his words in their heart ⚑

¹⁸ As is a house that is destroyed so is wisdom to a fool and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense ⚑

¹⁹ Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet and like manacles on the right hand ⚑

²⁰ A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter but a wise man doth scarce smile a little ⚑

²¹ Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold and like a bracelet upon his right arm ⚑

²² A fool h man’s foot is soon in his ne hbour’s house but a man of experience is ashamed of him ⚑

²³ A fool will peep in at the door into the house but he that is well nurtured will stand without ⚑

²⁴ It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace ⚑

²⁵ The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance ⚑

²⁶ The heart of fools is in their mouth but the mouth of the wise is in their heart ⚑

²⁷ When the ungodly curseth Satan he curseth his own soul ⚑

²⁸ A whisperer defileth his own soul and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth ⚑