Sirach 21

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.	1 My son, if you have sinned, do so no more, and for your past sins pray to be forgiven.
2 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.	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 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.	3 Every offense is a two-edged sword; when it cuts, there can be no healing.
4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.	4 Violence and arrogance wipe out wealth; so too a proud man's home is destroyed.
5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.	5 Prayer from a poor man's lips is heard at once, and justice is quickly granted him.
6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.	6 He who hates correction walks the sinner's path, but he who fears the LORD repents in his heart.
7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.	7 Widely known is the boastful speaker but the wise man knows his own faults.
8 He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.	8 He who builds his house with another's money is collecting stones for his funeral mound.
9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.	9 A band of criminals is like a bundle of tow; they will end in a flaming fire.
10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.	10 The path of sinners is smooth stones that end in the depths of the nether world.
11 He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.	11 He who keeps the law controls his impulses; he who is perfect in fear of the LORD has wisdom.
12 He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.	12 He can never be taught who is not shrewd, but one form of shrewdness is thoroughly bitter.
13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.	13 A wise man's knowledge wells up in a flood, and his counsel, like a living spring;
14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.	14 A fool's mind is like a broken jar-- no knowledge at all can it hold.
15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.	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 talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.	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 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.	17 The views of a prudent man are sought in an assembly, and his words are considered with care.
18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.	18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool; the stupid man knows it only as inscrutable words.
19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.	19 Like fetters on the legs is learning to a fool, like a manacle on his right hand.
20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.	20 A fool raises his voice in laughter, but the prudent man at the most smiles gently.
21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.	21 Like a chain of gold is learning to a wise man, like a bracelet on his right arm.
22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.	22 The fool steps boldly into a house, while the well-bred man remains outside;
23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.	23 A boor peeps through the doorway of a house, but a cultured man keeps his glance cast down.
24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.	24 It is rude for one to listen at a door; a cultured man would be overwhelmed by the disgrace of it.
25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.	25 The lips of the impious talk of what is not their concern, but the words of the prudent are carefully weighed.
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.	26 Fools' thoughts are in their mouths, wise men's words are in their hearts.
27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.	27 When a godless man curses his adversary he really curses himself.
28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.	28 A slanderer besmirches himself, and is hated by his neighbors.