Sirach 22

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.	1 The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace.
2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.	2 The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands.
3 An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.	3 An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty.
4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father's heaviness.	4 A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief.
5 She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.	5 A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised.
6 A tale out of season [is as] musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.	6 Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.
7 Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.	7 Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep;
8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?	8 He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?"
9 If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.	9 Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him.
10 But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.	10 Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool.
11 Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.	11 Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime.
12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.	12 Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute;
13 Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.	13 Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense.
14 What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?	14 What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"?
15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.	15 Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man.
16 As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.	16 Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear.
17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.	17 A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall.
18 Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.	18 Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind.
19 He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.	19 One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings.
20 Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.	20 He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship.
21 Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning [to favour.]	21 Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone.
22 If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will depart.	22 Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend.
23 Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.	23 Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes.
24 As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.	24 Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed.
25 I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.	25 From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame;
26 And if any evil happen unto me by him, every one that heareth it will beware of him.	26 But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it.
27 Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?	27 Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me?