Sirach 20

KING JAMES BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.	1 How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer.
2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.	2 The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;
3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.	3 similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.
4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.	4 How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.
5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.	5 There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.
6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.	6 There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.
7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.	7 A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.
8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.	8 Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.
9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.	9 There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.
10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.	10 There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.	11 There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.
12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.	12 There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.
13 A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.	13 Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.
14 The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.	14 A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.
15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.	15 He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.
16 The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.	16 There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.
17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.	17 A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.
18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.	18 For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!
19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.	19 For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.
20 A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.	20 The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.
21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.	21 A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.
22 There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.	22 A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.
23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.	23 There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.
24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.	24 There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself.
25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.	25 There is one who, for the sake of what other’s think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason.
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.	26 A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.
27 A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.	27 A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.
28 He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.	28 The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.	29 A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?	30 Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment.
31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.	31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.
32 Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.	32 Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?
	33 He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.