The Reckless Soul
Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 1. A working man who is a drunk will not become wealthy, And he who despises small things will fail little by little. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 2. Wine and women will draw away intelligent men, And he who joins himself to prostitutes shall become very reckless. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 3. Decay and worms will inherit him, And his reckless soul will be carried away.
Don’t Gossip
Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 4. He who trusts quickly is unwise in heart, And he who sins will err against his own soul. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 5. He who rejoices in evil shall be condemned, Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 6. And he who hates talkativeness will sin less. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 7. Never repeat a word and you will lose nothing at all; Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 8. With friend or enemy, do not report it, And unless it is a sin for you, do not reveal it. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 9. For someone heard you and watched you, And in time will hate you. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 10. Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Take courage; it will not burst you. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 11. But a fool will suffer birth-pangs because of such a word, Like a woman in labor with a child. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 12. Like an arrow stuck in the flesh of a thigh, So is a word inside a fool. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 13. Question a friend; perhaps he did not do it. And if he did something, perhaps he will not repeat it. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 14. Question a neighbor; perhaps he did not say it. And if he did say it, may he not say it twice. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 15. Question a friend, for often it is slander. So do not believe every word. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 16. A person slips, but it was not his intention; For who has not sinned with his tongue? Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 17. Question your neighbor before you threaten him, And give place to the law of the Most High.
The Wise and the Clever
Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 18. All wisdom is the fear of the Lord, And in all wisdom there is the doing of the Law. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 19. Wisdom is not the knowledge of evil, Nor is there discernment in the counsel of sinners. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 20. There is a cleverness that is an abomination, And there is a fool who is lacking in wisdom. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 21. Better is a man who is afraid but lacks understanding, Than a man who abounds in discernment but transgresses the law. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 22. There is a precise cleverness which itself is unjust; And there is one who is offensive that justice may be revealed. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 23. There is an evildoer bowed down in mourning, But inwardly he is full of deceit. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 24. He covers his face and pretends to be deaf, But when no one notices, he will take advantage of you. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 25. If he is prevented from sinning because he lacks strength, When he later finds an opportunity, he will do evil. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 26. A man will be known by his appearance, And a man of intelligence will be known By his countenance when you meet him. Wisdom of Sirach 19, verse 27. The clothing of a man and the way he laughs and walks Give indication of who he is.