Sirach 41:14–42:2

14 [vHidden wisdom and concealed treasure,

What is the use of either?

15 Better the man who hideth his folly,

Than the man who hideth his wisdom.]

(2) 41:16–42:8. x Instruction concerning shamex

(= 2 + 10 + 1 + 1 + 9 distichs).

16 yHear, O children, instruction concerning shamez y,

And be abashed aaccording to my judgementa.

(16)For not every kind of shame is meet to retain,

bAnd not every kind of abashment is to be approvedb.

17 cBe ashamed of a father and a mother of whoredom,

Of a prince and a rulercc of lies,

HB 18 dOf a master and a mistressd of deceit,

Of an assembly and a people of transgression,

Of a comrade and friend of treachery,

19 And of a place, where thou sojournest, of pridee.

ee[Be ashamed] to break an oath or a covenantee,

To stretch out thine elbow at meat,

fTo withholdg a gift that is asked forf,

21a (G) hTo turn away the faceh of thy friend,

21b (G) iTo cause the dividing of portions to ceasei,

20a (G) To be silent towards jhim that greeteth (thee)j,

20b (G) To look upon a woman that is a whore,

G 21c kTo gaze on a woman that hath a husband,

22a To be busy with his maidk l,

HB 22b (G) mAnd to violate her bedm,

22c (G) To [speak to] a friend with reproachful words;—

22d (G) And after giving a gift contemn not,—

42 1 nTo repeat othe word thou hast heardo,

And to lay bare any secret counsel:

So shalt thou be truly pshamefastp,

And find favour in the sight of all living.

qBut of these things be not ashamed,

And accept not persons runto sinr:

2 Of the Law of the Most High, and the statute;

And of justice, to do right by the wicked;

HB