Sirach 21

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.	1 My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.
2 Flee from sin as from a snake, if you approach it, it wil bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they takehuman life away.	2 Flee from sin as from a snake, if you approach it, it wil bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they takehuman life away.
3 Al law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.	3 Al law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.
4 Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.	4 Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.
5 A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes withoutdelay.	5 A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes withoutdelay.
6 Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.	6 Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.
7 The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.	7 The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.
8 To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.	8 To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
9 A meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they wil end in a blazing fire.	9 A meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they wil end in a blazing fire.
10 The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.	10 The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.
11 Whoever keeps the Law wil master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.	11 Whoever keeps the Law wil master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.
12 No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.	12 No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.
13 The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is like a living spring.	13 The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is like a living spring.
14 The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.	14 The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.
15 If the educated hears a wise saying, he praises it and caps it with another; if a debauchee hears it, hedoes not like it and tosses it behind his back.	15 If the educated hears a wise saying, he praises it and caps it with another; if a debauchee hears it, hedoes not like it and tosses it behind his back.
16 The talk of a fool is like a load on a journey, but it is a pleasure to listen to the intelligent.	16 The talk of a fool is like a load on a journey, but it is a pleasure to listen to the intelligent.
17 The utterance of the shrewd wil be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says wil be givenserious consideration.	17 The utterance of the shrewd wil be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says wil be givenserious consideration.
18 The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.	18 The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.
19 To the senseless fel ow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.	19 To the senseless fel ow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.
20 A fool laughs at the top of his voice, but the intel igent quietly smiles.	20 A fool laughs at the top of his voice, but the intel igent quietly smiles.
21 To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the right arm.	21 To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the right arm.
22 The step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectfulapproach;	22 The step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectfulapproach;
23 the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.	23 the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.
24 Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.	24 Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.
25 The lips of gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are careful y weighed.	25 The lips of gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are careful y weighed.
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.	26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27 When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.	27 When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.
28 The scandal-monger sul ies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.	28 The scandal-monger sul ies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.