Sirach Chapter 27

1: Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away. edit

2: As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling. edit

3: Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown. edit

4: As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk. edit

5: The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning. edit

6: The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man. edit

7: Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men. edit

8: If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe. edit

9: The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her. edit

10: As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity. edit

11: The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon. edit

12: If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding. edit

13: The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin. edit

14: The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears. edit

15: The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear. edit

16: Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. edit

17: Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him. edit

18: For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor. edit

19: As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again edit

20: Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare. edit

21: As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope. edit

22: He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him. edit

23: When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings. edit

24: I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him. edit

25: Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds. edit

26: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein. edit

27: He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh. edit

28: Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them. edit

29: They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die. edit

30: Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both. edit