Sirach 20
King James Version with ApocryphaTranslation
King James Version with Apocrypha
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
1There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
1How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.
2It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
2The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:
3How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
3So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.
4As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
4How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.
5There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
5There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
6Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
6There 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.
7A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
7A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
8He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
8He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
9There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
9There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.
10There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
10There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.
11There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
11There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.
12There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
12There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.
13A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
13A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
14The 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.
14The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
15He 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.
15He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
16The 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.
16Today a man lendeth, and tomorrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.
17How 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.
17A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.
18To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
18For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!
19An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
19For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
20A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
20The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
21There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
21A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.
22There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
22A parable coming out, of a fool’s mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.
23There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
23There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.
24A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
24There 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.
25A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
25There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
26The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
26A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.
27A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
27A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.
28He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
28The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.
29Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
29A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.
30Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
30He 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.
31Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
31Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
32Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
32Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
no verse 33 in this text
33Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
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