Sirach · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Sirach 20 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Sirach is not in RV1909.
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 devour a young maiden:
·
3 So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.
·
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 Today a man lendeth, and tomorrow 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 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.
·
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
For he hath plenty, and is with her, but cannot satisfy all his desire; but the same result takes place as some wise man mentions; "The lust of eunuch to deflower a virgin;" and, "Like an eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning;" so are all the rich.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)