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Sirach 21

1My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins.
1My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.
2Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls.
2Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.
3All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing.
3All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
4Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.
4To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
5Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.
5A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
6One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.
6He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.
7He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips.
7An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
8He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.
8He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
9The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them.
9The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
10The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.
10The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
11He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
11He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
12He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound.
12He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.
13The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life.
13The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
14The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.
14The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.
15If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back.
15If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.
16The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.
16The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.
17The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.
17They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
18As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.
18As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
19Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand.
19Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
20A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.
20A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.
21Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm.
21Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
22The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.
22A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
23A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside.
23A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.
24It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace.
24It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
25The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.
25The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.
26The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart.
26The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul.
27When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.
28A whisperer defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.
28A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.