Sirach

1The Idler The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.💡

2The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.💡

3Degenerate Children It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.💡

4A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.💡

5An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.💡

6Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.💡

7Wisdom and Folly He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.💡

8He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, “What is it?”💡

11Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.💡

12Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.💡

13Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.💡

14What is heavier than lead? And what is its name except “Fool”?💡

15Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear than a stupid man.💡

16A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake; so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.💡

17A mind settled on an intelligent thought is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.💡

18Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind; so a timid heart with a fool’s purpose will not stand firm against any fear.💡

19The Preservation of Friendship A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall, and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling.💡

20One who throws a stone at birds scares them away, and one who reviles a friend will break off the friendship.💡

21Even if you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, for a renewal of friendship is possible.💡

22If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry, for reconciliation is possible; but as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow— in these cases any friend will flee.💡

23Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity; stand by him in time of affliction, that you may share with him in his inheritance.💡

24The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire; so insults precede bloodshed.💡

25I will not be ashamed to protect a friend, and I will not hide from him;💡

26but if some harm should happen to me because of him, whoever hears of it will beware of him.💡

27A Prayer for Help against Sinning O that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling, so that my tongue may not destroy me!💡