Sirach 20 Revised Version with Apocrypha

201 There is a reproof that is not comely; And there is a man that keepeth silence, and he is wise. 2 How good is it to reprove, rather than to be wroth; And he that maketh confession shall be kept back from hurt. 3 Not in this translation 4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; So is he that executeth judgements with violence. 5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise; And there is one that is hated for his much talk. 6 There is one that keepeth silence, for he hath no answer to make; And there is that keepeth silence, as knowing his time. 7 A wise man will be silent till his time come; But the braggart and fool will overpass his time. 8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; And he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated. 9 There is a prosperity that a man findeth in misfortunes; And there is a gain that turneth to loss. 10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; And there is a gift whose recompense is double. 11 There is an abasement because of glory; And there is that hath lifted up his head from a low estate. 12 There is that buyeth much for a little, And payeth for it again sevenfold. 13 He that is wise in words shall make himself beloved; But the pleasantries of fools shall be wasted. 14 The gift of a fool shall not profit thee; For his eyes are many instead of one. 15 He will give little, and upbraid much; And he will open his mouth like a crier: To-day he will lend, and to-morrow he will ask it again: Such an one is a hateful man. 16 The fool will say, I have no friend, And I have no thanks for my good deeds; They that eat my bread are of evil tongue. 17 How oft, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn! 18 A slip on a pavement is better than [a slip ] with the tongue; So the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. 19 A man without grace is [as ] a tale out of season: It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 20 A wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; For he will not speak it in its season. 21 There is that is hindered from sinning through want; And when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled. 22 There is that destroyeth his soul through bashfulness; And by a foolish countenance he will destroy it. 23 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend; And he maketh him his enemy for nothing. 24 A lie is a foul blot in a man: It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. 25 A thief is better than a man that is continually lying: But they both shall inherit destruction. 26 The disposition of a liar is dishonour; And his shame is with him continually. 27 He that is wise in words shall advance himself; And one that is prudent will please great men. 28 He that tilleth his land shall raise his heap high; And he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity. 29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. 30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is out of sight, What profit is in them both? 31 Better is a man that hideth his folly Than a man that hideth his wisdom. 32 Not in this translation