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Ecclesiasticus
Chapter 20
Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.
1 |
How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer. |
2 |
The lust of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden: |
3 |
So is he that by violence executeth of the unwise. |
4 |
How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin. |
5 |
There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech. |
6 |
There 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. |
7 |
A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time. |
8 |
He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated. |
9 |
There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss. |
10 |
There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double. |
11 |
There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate. |
12 |
There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold. |
13 |
A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out. |
14 |
The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold. |
15 |
He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire. |
16 |
To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful. |
17 |
A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds. |
18 |
For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn! |
19 |
For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had. |
20 |
The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. |
21 |
A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise. |
22 |
A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season. |
23 |
There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked. |
24 |
There 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. |
25 |
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing. |
26 |
A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline. |
27 |
A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction. |
28 |
The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing. |
29 |
A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones. |
30 |
He 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. |
31 |
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct. |
32 |
O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both? |
33 |
Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom. |