Sirach 20

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.	1 There is the rebuke that is untimely, and there is the person who keeps quiet, and he is the shrewd one.
2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.	2 But how much better to rebuke than to fume!
3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.	3 The person who acknowledges a fault wards off punishment.
4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.	4 Like a eunuch trying to take a girl's virginity is someone who tries to impose justice by force.
5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.	5 There is the person who keeps quiet and is considered wise, another incurs hatred for talking too much.
6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.	6 There is the person who keeps quiet, not knowing how to answer, another keeps quiet, knowing whento speak.
7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.	7 The wise wil keep quiet til the right moment, but a garrulous fool wil always misjudge it.
8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.	8 Someone who talks too much wil earn dislike, and someone who usurps authority wil earn hatred.
9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.	9 There is the person who finds misfortune a boon, and the piece of luck that turns to loss.
10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.	10 There is the gift that affords you no profit, and the gift that repays you double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.	11 There is the honour that leads to humiliation, and there are people in a low state who raise theirheads.
12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.	12 There is the person who buys much for little, yet pays for it seven times over.
13 A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.	13 The wise wins love with words, while fools may shower favours in vain.
14 The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.	14 The gift of the stupid wil bring you no advantage, his eyes look for seven times as much in return.
15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.	15 He gives little and reviles much, he opens his mouth like the town crier, he lends today and demandspayment tomorrow; he is a detestable fellow.
16 The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.	16 The fool will say, 'I have no friends, I get no gratitude for my good deeds;
17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.	17 those who eat my bread have malicious tongues.' How often he wil be laughed at, and by how many!
18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.	18 Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue; this is how ruin takes the wicked by surprise.
19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.	19 A coarse-grained person is like an indiscreet story endlessly retold by the ignorant.
20 A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.	20 A maxim is rejected when coming from a fool, since the fool does not utter it on the apt occasion.
21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.	21 There is a person who is prevented from sinning by poverty; no qualms of conscience disturb thatperson's rest.
22 There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.	22 There is a person who courts destruction out of false shame, courts destruction for the sake of a fool'sopinion.
23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.	23 There is a person who out of false shame makes promises to a friend, and so makes an enemy fornothing.
24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.	24 Lying is an ugly blot on anyone, and ever on the lips of the undisciplined.
25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.	25 A thief is preferable to an inveterate liar, but both are heading for ruin.
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.	26 Lying is an abominable habit, the liar's disgrace lasts for ever.
27 A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.	27 The wise gains advancement by words, the shrewd wins favour from the great.
28 He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.	28 Whoever til s the soil wil have a full harvest, whoever wins favour from the great wil secure pardon foroffences.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.	29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise and stifle rebukes like a muzzle on the mouth.
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?	30 Wisdom concealed, and treasure undiscovered, what use is either of these?
31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.	31 Better one who conceals his fol y than one who conceals his wisdom.
32 Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.