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Sirach 19

1A labouring man that is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.
1A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little.
2Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.
2Wine and women will make men of understanding go astray. He who joins with prostitutes is reckless.
3Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.
3Decay and worms will have him as their heritage. A reckless soul will be taken away.
4He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
4He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted. He who sins offends against his own soul.
5Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
5He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned.
6He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
6He who hates gossip has less wickedness.
7Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
7Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything.
8Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.
8Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it.
9For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
9For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you.
10If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
10Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave: it will not make you burst!
11A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
11A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor with a child.
12As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.
12As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, so is gossip in a fool.
13Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
13Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more.
14Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
14Question your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again.
15Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
15Question a friend; for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word.
16There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
16There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?
17Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.
17Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High.
18The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted of him, and wisdom obtaineth his love.

18Not in World English Bible

19The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.

19Not in World English Bible

20The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
20All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In all wisdom is the doing of the law.
21If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.

21Not in World English Bible

22The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
22The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The prudence of sinners is not counsel.
23There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
23There is a wickedness, and it is an abomination. There is a fool lacking in wisdom.
24He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
24Better is one who has little understanding, and fears God, than one who has much intelligence and transgresses the law.
25There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.
25There is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment.
26There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
26There is one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
27Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.
27bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear. Where he isn’t known, he will take advantage of you.
28And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
28And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning, if he finds opportunity, he will do mischief.
29A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
29A man will be known by his appearance. One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him.
30A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.
30A man’s attire, grinning laughter, and the way he walks show what he is.