Sirach 22

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace.	1 The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection.
2 The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands.	2 The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands.
3 An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty.	3 An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation.
4 A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief.	4 A prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived her.
5 A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised.	5 She who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by both.
6 Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.	6 An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely.
7 Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep;	7 Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot.
8 He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?"	8 Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep.
9 Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him.	9 Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: “Who is this?”
10 Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool.	10 Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.
11 Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime.	11 Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.
12 Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute;	12 But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.
13 Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense.	13 The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life.
14 What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"?	14 You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.
15 Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man.	15 Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin.
16 Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear.	16 Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.
17 A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall.	17 What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?
18 Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind.	18 Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.
19 One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings.	19 A bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counsel.
20 He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship.	20 The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation.
21 Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone.	21 Just as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the wind,
22 Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend.	22 so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear.
23 Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes.	23 Despite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of God.
24 Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed.	24 He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding.
25 From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame;	25 He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship.
26 But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it.	26 But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.
27 Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me?	27 If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee away.
	28 Hold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperity.
	29 In the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritance.
	30 Just as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshed.
	31 I shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endure.
	32 Anyone who hears of this will be wary around him.
	33 Who will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me?