Sirach 20

NEW JERUSALEM	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 There is the rebuke that is untimely, and there is the person who keeps quiet, and he is the shrewd one.	1 There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
2 But how much better to rebuke than to fume!	2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
3 The person who acknowledges a fault wards off punishment.	3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
4 Like a eunuch trying to take a girl's virginity is someone who tries to impose justice by force.	4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
5 There is the person who keeps quiet and is considered wise, another incurs hatred for talking too much.	5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
6 There is the person who keeps quiet, not knowing how to answer, another keeps quiet, knowing whento speak.	6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
7 The wise wil keep quiet til the right moment, but a garrulous fool wil always misjudge it.	7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
8 Someone who talks too much wil earn dislike, and someone who usurps authority wil earn hatred.	8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
9 There is the person who finds misfortune a boon, and the piece of luck that turns to loss.	9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
10 There is the gift that affords you no profit, and the gift that repays you double.	10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
11 There is the honour that leads to humiliation, and there are people in a low state who raise theirheads.	11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
12 There is the person who buys much for little, yet pays for it seven times over.	12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
13 The wise wins love with words, while fools may shower favours in vain.	13 A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
14 The gift of the stupid wil bring you no advantage, his eyes look for seven times as much in return.	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.
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.	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.
16 The fool will say, 'I have no friends, I get no gratitude for my good deeds;	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.
17 those who eat my bread have malicious tongues.' How often he wil be laughed at, and by how many!	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.
18 Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue; this is how ruin takes the wicked by surprise.	18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
19 A coarse-grained person is like an indiscreet story endlessly retold by the ignorant.	19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
20 A maxim is rejected when coming from a fool, since the fool does not utter it on the apt occasion.	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.
21 There is a person who is prevented from sinning by poverty; no qualms of conscience disturb thatperson's rest.	21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
22 There is a person who courts destruction out of false shame, courts destruction for the sake of a fool'sopinion.	22 There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
23 There is a person who out of false shame makes promises to a friend, and so makes an enemy fornothing.	23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
24 Lying is an ugly blot on anyone, and ever on the lips of the undisciplined.	24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
25 A thief is preferable to an inveterate liar, but both are heading for ruin.	25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
26 Lying is an abominable habit, the liar's disgrace lasts for ever.	26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
27 The wise gains advancement by words, the shrewd wins favour from the great.	27 A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
28 Whoever til s the soil wil have a full harvest, whoever wins favour from the great wil secure pardon foroffences.	28 He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise and stifle rebukes like a muzzle on the mouth.	29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
30 Wisdom concealed, and treasure undiscovered, what use is either of these?	30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
31 Better one who conceals his fol y than one who conceals his wisdom.	31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
	32 Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.