Old Testament
Sirach 20
1A parable from the lips of a fool will be rejected, For he does not tell it at its proper time.
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2How much better it is to rebuke than to seethe with anger.
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3He who confesses his fault will be kept from loss.
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4Like the desire of a eunuch to violate a maiden, So is the man who executes justice by violence.
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5There is a man who is silent but is found to be wise, And there is a man who is hateful because he talks too much.
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6There is a man who is silent because he has no answer, And there is a man who is silent because he knows when to speak.
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7A wise man will keep silent until it is the right time to speak, But an arrogant and undiscerning man will speak out of turn.
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8The man who talks too much will be detested, And the man who stands on his rights will be hated.
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9There is prosperity in the midst of adversities, But there is also a sum realized by a sale for a loss.
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10There is a gift that will not profit you, And there is a gift where the repayment is double.
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11There is a loss because of glory, And there is a man who raises his head from a humble state.
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12There is a man who buys much with little, But pays for it sevenfold.
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13A wise man will make himself beloved through his words, But the kindnesses of fools will be forgotten.
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14The gift of a senseless man will not benefit you, For his eyes are many instead of one.
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15He will give little but insult much, And he will open his mouth like a herald. Today he will lend but tomorrow he will demand it back; Such a man is hateful.
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16A fool will say, 'I have no friend, And I get no thanks for my good deeds.
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17Those who eat my bread are worthless in their speech.' How many will laugh scornfully at him, and how often?
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18A slip on the ground is better than a slip of the tongue; Thus the downfall of evil will come speedily.
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19A man without grace is like a story told at the wrong time; It will continue on the lips of the ignorant.
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20A parable from the lips of a fool will be rejected, For he does not tell it at its proper time.
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21There is one who is hindered from sinning because of his poverty, So when he rests, he will not be pierced with sorrow.
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22There is one who may lose his life through shame, Or lose it because of his foolish countenance.
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23There is one who makes a promise to a friend because of shame, And needlessly gains him as an enemy.
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24A lie is an evil disgrace in a man; It will continue on the lips of the ignorant.
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25A thief is preferable to a continual liar; Both, however, will inherit destruction.
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26The character of a liar brings dishonor, And his shame is continually with him.
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27A wise man will advance himself with his words, And a man with discernment will please great men.
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28A man who works the earth will raise up his harvest, And he who pleases great men will atone for wrongdoing.
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29Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, And like a muzzle on the mouth they turn aside rebukes.
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30Wisdom hidden and unseen treasure: What profit is there in either of them?
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31Better is the man who hides his foolishness Than a man who hides his wisdom.
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