Sirach 19

19He that doeth this will not become rich,

And he that despiseth small thingswill become wholly poor.

Wine and women make the heart lustful,

And he that cleaveth to harlots will perish.

Moulder and worms will take possession of him,

And a brazen soul will destroy its owner.

He that is hasty in reposing confidence is unwise,

And he that erreth sinneth against his own soul.

He that hath pleasure in wickednessshall be brought to destruction,

And he that hateth gossip is without malice.

Never repeat a word,—

Then no one will reproach thee—

Speak not of it to friend or foe—

Unless it be a sin to thee reveal it not—

Lest he who hear thee hate thee,

And regard thee as an evil-doer.

Hast thou heard something? let it die with thee;

Be of good courage, it will not burst thee.

A fool travaileth in pain because of a word,

As a woman in labour because of a child.

Like an arrow that sticketh in the fleshy thigh,

So is a word in the inward parts of a fool.

Reprove a friend, that he do no evil,

And if he have done anything, that he do it not again.

Reprove a friendlest he speak ^[evil^[,

And if he have said ⁽it⁽, that he do it not again.

Reprove a friend, for often there is slander,

And believe not every word.

Many a man there is that slippeth, though unintentionally,

And who hath not sinned with his tongue!

Reprove thy friendbefore thou threaten him,

And give place to the law of the Most High.

All wisdom is the fear of the Lord,

And all wisdom is the fulfilling of the Law.

But the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,

And the counsel of sinners is not understanding.

There is a prudence, and the same is abomination,

And there is a fool who is without sins.

Better is one that hath small understanding, and feareth,

Than one that hath much prudence and transgresseth the Law.

There is a subtle ⁽form of⁽ craftiness which is unrighteous,

And there is the man who dealeth tortuously to gain a judgement.

There is one that walkethbent and mournfully,

But inwardly he is full of deceit.

There is one with downcast look, pretending to be deaf,

But when unobserved, he will get the better of thee;

And there is one who, if for want of power he be hindered from sinning,

Will do harm when he findeth opportunity.

A man is known by his appearance,

And the wise man recognizeth him by his look,

A man’s attire proclaimeth his occupation,

And his gait showeth what he is.