Sirach 22

1A lazy man may be compared to a filthy stone, And everyone hisses at his dishonor.

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2A lazy man may be compared to the filth of manure; Everyone who picks it up will shake it off his hand.

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3The disgrace of a father is begetting an undisciplined son, And a foolish daughter is born to his loss.

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4A sensible daughter will bring an inheritance to her husband, But a shameful one is a grief to her father.

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5An arrogant daughter shames both father and husband, And she will be dishonored by both.

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6An ill-timed statement is like mournful music, But the chastising and instruction of wisdom are always timely.

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7He who teaches a fool is like one who glues pottery together, Or like trying to arouse one from a sound sleep.

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8He who tells something to a fool tells it to a drowsy man, And at the end he will say, 'What is it?'

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9If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, They shall cover the baseness of their parents.

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10But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture Stain the nobility of their kindred.

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11Weep for a dead man, for he left the light behind; But weep over a fool, for he left intelligence behind. Weep gladly for a dead man, because he is at rest; But the life of the fool is worse than death.

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12Mourning for a dead man lasts seven days, But mourning for a fool or an ungodly man lasts all his life.

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13Do not hold a conversation with a fool, And do not visit with a senseless man. Beware of him, so as to avoid trouble, And you will not be defiled when he shakes himself off. Stay away from him, and you will find rest And not be exhausted by his insanity.

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14What will be heavier than lead? And what will be his name but 'Fool'?

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15Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear Than a senseless man.

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16A wooden beam bound together in a building Will not be broken loose in an earthquake; So a heart strengthened by reasonable counsel Will not be afraid in a crisis.

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17A heart settled on intelligent thought Is like a plaster decoration on a smooth wall.

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18As fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind, So a cowardly heart in the thought of a fool Cannot stand firm against any kind of fear.

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19He who pokes his eye will cause tears to fall, And he who pierces a heart reveals its feeling.

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20Throwing a rock at birds scares them away, And disgracing a friend will break up a friendship.

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21If you draw a sword against a friend, Do not despair, for a restoration of friendship is possible.

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22If you open your mouth against a friend, Do not worry, for reconciliation is possible. But as for reviling or arrogance or revealing secrets or a treacherous blow—with behavior like this any friend will flee.

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23Gain your neighbor's trust when he is poor, So you may be fulfilled with him when he prospers. Stand by him in his time of trouble, That when he gets his inheritance, you may share it with him.

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24As the smoke and vapor of a furnace precede a fire, So abuses precede bloodshed.

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25I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend, And I will not hide from his face.

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26If anything bad happens to me because of him, Everyone who hears about it will beware of him.

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27Who will set a guard over my mouth, And a prudent seal over my lips, That I may not fall because of them, And that my tongue may not destroy me?

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