Sirach 21

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.	1 My child, have you sinned? Do so no more, and ask forgiveness for your previous faults.
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 snake, if you approach it, it wil bite you; its teeth are lion's teeth, they takehuman life away.
3 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.	3 Al law-breaking is like a two-edged sword, the wounds it inflicts are beyond cure.
4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.	4 Terror and violence make havoc of riches, similarly, desolation overtakes the houses of the proud.
5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.	5 A plea from the mouth of the poor goes straight to the ear of God, whose judgement comes withoutdelay.
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 Whoever resents reproof walks in the sinner's footsteps; whoever fears the Lord is repentant of heart.
7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.	7 The glib speaker is known far and wide, but the wary detects every slip.
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 To build your house with other people's money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
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 meeting of the lawless is like a heap of tow: they wil end in a blazing fire.
10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.	10 The sinner's road is smoothly paved, but it ends at the pit of Sheol.
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 Whoever keeps the Law wil master his instincts; the fear of the Lord is made perfect in wisdom.
12 He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.	12 No one who lacks aptitude can be taught, but certain aptitudes give rise to bitterness.
13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.	13 The sage's knowledge is as rich as the abyss and his advice is 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 The heart of a fool is like a broken jar, it will not hold any knowledge.
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 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 talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.	16 The talk of a fool is like a load on a journey, but it is a pleasure to listen to the intelligent.
17 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.	17 The utterance of the shrewd wil be eagerly awaited in the assembly, what he says wil be givenserious consideration.
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 The wisdom of a fool is like the wreckage of a house, the knowledge of a dolt is incoherent talk.
19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.	19 To the senseless fel ow instruction is like fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.
20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.	20 A fool laughs at the top of his voice, but the intel igent quietly smiles.
21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.	21 To the shrewd instruction is like a golden ornament, like a bracelet on the 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 step of a fool goes straight into a house, but a person of much experience makes a respectfulapproach;
23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.	23 the stupid peeps inside through the door, a well-bred person waits outside.
24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.	24 Listening at doors is a sign of bad upbringing, the perceptive would be ashamed to do so.
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 gossips repeat the words of others, the words of the wise are careful y weighed.
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.	26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.	27 When the godless curses Satan, he is cursing himself.
28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.	28 The scandal-monger sul ies himself and earns the hatred of the neighbourhood.