Sirach 20

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.	1 An admonition can be inopportune, and a man may be wise to hold his peace.
2 The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:	2 It is much better to admonish than to lose one's temper, for one who admits his fault will be kept from disgrace.
3 So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.	3 Like a eunuch lusting for intimacy with a maiden is he who does right under compulsion.
4 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.	4 One man is silent and is thought wise, another is talkative and is disliked.
5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.	5 One man is silent because he has nothing to say; another is silent, biding his time.
6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.	6 A wise man is silent till the right time comes, but a boasting fool ignores the proper time.
7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.	7 He who talks too much is detested; he who pretends to authority is hated.
8 He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.	8 Some misfortunes bring success; some things gained are a man's loss.
9 There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.	9 Some gifts do one no good, and some must be paid back double.
10 There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.	10 Humiliation can follow fame, while from obscurity a man can lift up his head.
11 There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.	11 A man may buy much for little, but pay for it seven times over.
12 There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.	12 A wise man makes himself popular by a few words, but fools pour forth their blandishments in vain.
13 A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.	13 A gift from a rogue will do you no good, for in his eyes his one gift is equal to seven.
14 The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.	14 He gives little and criticizes often, and like a crier he shouts aloud. He lends today, he asks it back tomorrow; hateful indeed is such a man.
15 He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.	15 A fool has no friends, nor thanks for his generosity;
16 To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.	16 Those who eat his bread have an evil tongue. How many times they laugh him to scorn!
17 A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.	17 A fall to the ground is less sudden than a slip of the tongue; that is why the downfall of the wicked comes so quickly.
18 For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!	18 Insipid food is the untimely tale; the unruly are always ready to offer it.
19 For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.	19 A proverb when spoken by a fool is unwelcome, for he does not utter it at the proper time.
20 The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.	20 A man through want may be unable to sin, yet in this tranquility he cannot rest.
21 A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.	21 One may lose his life through shame, and perish through a fool's intimidation.
22 A parable coming out, of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.	22 A man makes a promise to a friend out of shame, and has him for his enemy needlessly.
23 There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.	23 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is constantly on the lips of the unruly.
24 There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.	24 Better a thief than an inveterate liar, yet both will suffer disgrace;
25 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.	25 A liar's way leads to dishonor, his shame remains ever with him.
26 A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.	26 A wise man advances himself by his words, a prudent man pleases the great.
27 A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.	27 He who works his land has abundant crops, he who pleases the great is pardoned his faults.
28 The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.	28 Favors and gifts blind the eyes; like a muzzle over the mouth they silence reproof.
29 A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.	29 Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure-- of what value is either?
30 He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.	30 Better the man who hides his folly than the one who hides his wisdom.
31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
32 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
33 Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.