Sirach 20

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.	1 There is the rebuke that is untimely, and there is the person who keeps quiet, and he is the shrewd one.
2 The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:	2 But how much better to rebuke than to fume!
3 So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.	3 The person who acknowledges a fault wards off punishment.
4 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.	4 Like a eunuch trying to take a girl's virginity is someone who tries to impose justice by force.
5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.	5 There is the person who keeps quiet and is considered wise, another incurs hatred for talking too much.
6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.	6 There is the person who keeps quiet, not knowing how to answer, another keeps quiet, knowing whento speak.
7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.	7 The wise wil keep quiet til the right moment, but a garrulous fool wil always misjudge it.
8 He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.	8 Someone who talks too much wil earn dislike, and someone who usurps authority wil earn hatred.
9 There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.	9 There is the person who finds misfortune a boon, and the piece of luck that turns to loss.
10 There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.	10 There is the gift that affords you no profit, and the gift that repays you double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.	11 There is the honour that leads to humiliation, and there are people in a low state who raise theirheads.
12 There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.	12 There is the person who buys much for little, yet pays for it seven times over.
13 A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.	13 The wise wins love with words, while fools may shower favours in vain.
14 The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.	14 The gift of the stupid wil bring you no advantage, his eyes look for seven times as much in return.
15 He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.	15 He gives little and reviles much, he opens his mouth like the town crier, he lends today and demandspayment tomorrow; he is a detestable fellow.
16 To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.	16 The fool will say, 'I have no friends, I get no gratitude for my good deeds;
17 A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.	17 those who eat my bread have malicious tongues.' How often he wil be laughed at, and by how many!
18 For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!	18 Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue; this is how ruin takes the wicked by surprise.
19 For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.	19 A coarse-grained person is like an indiscreet story endlessly retold by the ignorant.
20 The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.	20 A maxim is rejected when coming from a fool, since the fool does not utter it on the apt occasion.
21 A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.	21 There is a person who is prevented from sinning by poverty; no qualms of conscience disturb thatperson's rest.
22 A parable coming out, of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.	22 There is a person who courts destruction out of false shame, courts destruction for the sake of a fool'sopinion.
23 There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.	23 There is a person who out of false shame makes promises to a friend, and so makes an enemy fornothing.
24 There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.	24 Lying is an ugly blot on anyone, and ever on the lips of the undisciplined.
25 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.	25 A thief is preferable to an inveterate liar, but both are heading for ruin.
26 A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.	26 Lying is an abominable habit, the liar's disgrace lasts for ever.
27 A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.	27 The wise gains advancement by words, the shrewd wins favour from the great.
28 The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.	28 Whoever til s the soil wil have a full harvest, whoever wins favour from the great wil secure pardon foroffences.
29 A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.	29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise and stifle rebukes like a muzzle on the mouth.
30 He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.	30 Wisdom concealed, and treasure undiscovered, what use is either of these?
31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.	31 Better one who conceals his fol y than one who conceals his wisdom.
32 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
33 Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.