Sirach 21
King James Version with ApocryphaTranslation
King James Version with Apocrypha
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
1My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.
1My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
2Flee 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.
2Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.
3All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
3The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
4To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
4All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.
5A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.
5Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.
6He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.
6The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
7An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
7He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
8He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
8He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.
9The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
9He that buildeth his house at other men’s charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
10The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
10The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.
11He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.
11The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.
12He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.
12He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
13The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
13The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
14The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.
14He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.
15If 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.
15But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
16The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.
16The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
17They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
17The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.
18As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
18A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.
19Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
19The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.
20A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.
20The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.
21Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
21As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.
22A foolish man’s foot is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
22Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
23A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.
23A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.
24It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
24Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
25The 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.
25The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour’s house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.
26The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
26A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.
27When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.
27It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
28A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.
28The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.
no verse 29 in this text
29The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.
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30While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.
no verse 31 in this text
31The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.
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