Sirach 22

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.	1 The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection.
2 The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.	2 The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands.
3 It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.	3 An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation.
4 A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.	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 An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.	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 music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.	6 An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely.
7 He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.	7 Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot.
8 He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, "What is it?"	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 .	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 .	10 Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.
11 Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.	11 Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.
12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.	12 But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.
13 Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.	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 except "Fool"?	14 You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.
15 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron 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 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake; so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.	16 Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.
17 A mind settled on an intelligent thought is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.	17 What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?
18 Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind; so a timid heart with a fool's purpose will not stand firm against any fear.	18 Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.
19 A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall, and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling.	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 One who throws a stone at birds scares them away, and one who reviles a friend will break off the friendship.	20 The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation.
21 Even if you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, for a renewal of friendship is possible.	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 If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry, for reconciliation is possible; but as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow-- in these cases any friend will flee.	22 so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear.
23 Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity; stand by him in time of affliction, that you may share with him in his inheritance.	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 The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire; so insults precede bloodshed.	24 He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding.
25 I will not be ashamed to protect a friend, and I will not hide from him;	25 He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship.
26 but if some harm should happen to me because of him, whoever hears of it will beware of him.	26 But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.
27 O that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling, so 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?