Sirach 21

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
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 child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.
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 snake, if you approach it, it wil bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they takehuman life away.
3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.	3 Al law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.
4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.	4 Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.
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 A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes withoutdelay.
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 Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.
7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.	7 The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.
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 To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.	9 A meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they wil end in a blazing fire.
10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.	10 The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.
11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.	11 Whoever keeps the Law wil master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.
12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.	12 No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.
13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.	13 The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is like a living spring.
14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.	14 The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.
15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.	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 knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.	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 heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.	17 The utterance of the shrewd wil be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says wil be givenserious consideration.
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 The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.
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 To the senseless fel ow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the 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 laughs at the top of his voice, but the intel igent quietly smiles.
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 To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the right arm.
22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.	22 The step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectfulapproach;
23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.	23 the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.
24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.	24 Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.
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 gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are careful y 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 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.	27 When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.
28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.	28 The scandal-monger sul ies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.
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.