Sirach 21

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.	1 My son, if you have sinned, do so no more, and for your past sins pray to be forgiven.
2 Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.	2 Flee from sin as from a serpent. that will bite you if you go near it; Its teeth are lion's teeth, destroying the souls of men.
3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.	3 Every offense is a two-edged sword; when it cuts, there can be no healing.
4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.	4 Violence and arrogance wipe out wealth; so too a proud man's home is destroyed.
5 Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.	5 Prayer from a poor man's lips is heard at once, and justice is quickly granted him.
6 Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.	6 He who hates correction walks the sinner's path, but he who fears the LORD repents in his heart.
7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.	7 Widely known is the boastful speaker but the wise man knows his own faults.
8 He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.	8 He who builds his house with another's money is collecting stones for his funeral mound.
9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.	9 A band of criminals is like a bundle of tow; they will end in a flaming fire.
10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.	10 The path of sinners is smooth stones that end in the depths of the nether world.
11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.	11 He who keeps the law controls his impulses; he who is perfect in fear of the LORD has wisdom.
12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.	12 He can never be taught who is not shrewd, but one form of shrewdness is thoroughly bitter.
13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.	13 A wise man's knowledge wells up in a flood, and his counsel, like a living spring;
14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.	14 A fool's mind is like a broken jar-- no knowledge at all can it hold.
15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.	15 When an intelligent man hears words of wisdom, he approves them and adds to them; The wanton hears them with scorn and casts them behind his back.
16 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.	16 A fool's chatter is like a load on a journey, but there is charm to be found upon the lips of the wise.
17 The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.	17 The views of a prudent man are sought in an assembly, and his words are considered with care.
18 A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.	18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool; the stupid man knows it only as inscrutable words.
19 The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.	19 Like fetters on the legs is learning to a fool, like a manacle on his right hand.
20 The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.	20 A fool raises his voice in laughter, but the prudent man at the most smiles gently.
21 Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.	21 Like a chain of gold is learning to a wise man, like a bracelet on his right arm.
22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.	22 The fool steps boldly into a house, while the well-bred man remains outside;
23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.	23 A boor peeps through the doorway of a house, but a cultured man keeps his glance cast down.
24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.	24 It is rude for one to listen at a door; a cultured man would be overwhelmed by the disgrace of it.
25 The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.	25 The lips of the impious talk of what is not their concern, but the words of the prudent are carefully weighed.
26 A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.	26 Fools' thoughts are in their mouths, wise men's words are in their hearts.
27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.	27 When a godless man curses his adversary he really curses himself.
28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.	28 A slanderer besmirches himself, and is hated by his neighbors.
29 The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.
30 Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.
31 Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.