The Holy Bible
« Chapter 20 «--- Sirach ---» Chapter 22»
Sirach 21 : 1 - 31
Chapter 21
| 1 | My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
|
| 2 | Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.
|
| 3 | The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
|
| 4 | All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.
|
| 5 | Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride : so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.
|
| 6 | The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
|
| 7 | He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
|
| 8 | He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.
|
| 9 | He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
|
| 10 | The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.
|
| 11 | The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.
|
| 12 | He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
|
| 13 | The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
|
| 14 | He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.
|
| 15 | But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil : and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
|
| 16 | The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
|
| 17 | The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.
|
| 18 | A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.
|
| 19 | The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.
|
| 20 | The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.
|
| 21 | As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool : and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.
|
| 22 | Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
|
| 23 | A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.
|
| 24 | Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
|
| 25 | The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.
|
| 26 | A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.
|
| 27 | It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
|
| 28 | The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.
|
| 29 | The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.
|
| 30 | While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.
|
| 31 | The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.
|
Acknowledgement
Opening page