Sirach 20

¹There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent. ²How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm. ⁴As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence. ⁵There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk. ⁶There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak. ⁷A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time. ⁸He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. ⁹There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss. ¹⁰There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double. ¹¹There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate. ¹²There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold. ¹³He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted. ¹⁴The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one. ¹⁵He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man. ¹⁶The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.” ¹⁷How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn! ¹⁸A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily. ¹⁹A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. ²⁰A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time. ²¹There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled. ²²There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. ²³There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing. ²⁴A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. ²⁵A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction. ²⁶The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually. ²⁷He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men. ²⁸He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity. ²⁹Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. ³⁰Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them? ³¹Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.