Flee from Sin
Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 1. My son, have you sinned? No longer add to them, but pray about your former sins. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 2. Flee from sin as you would from the presence of a snake, For if you approach it, it will bite you; Its teeth are like lion's teeth, destroying the souls of men. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 3. All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword, For there is no healing from its wound. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 4. Panic and violence will lay waste to wealth. Likewise, the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 5. The prayer of a poor man goes from his mouth to God's ears, And His judgment comes speedily. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 6. Whoever hates rebuke walks in the steps of a sinner, But he who fears the Lord will return to Him with his heart. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 7. A man powerful in speech is known from afar, But an intelligent man knows when he slips. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 8. He who builds his house with other people's money Is like a man who gathers his stones in a storm. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 9. The assembly of the lawless is like a bundle of kindling Whose end is a flame of fire. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 10. The way of sinners is paved with stones, But at its end is the pit of Hades.
Wise or Foolish?
Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 11. He who keeps the law controls his thoughts; The end result of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 12. He who is not astute cannot be taught, But there is an astuteness that increases bitterness. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 13. The knowledge of a wise man is like a flood, And his counsel will flow abundantly as a fountain of life. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 14. The inner workings of a fool are like a broken vessel, For he will not hold onto any knowledge. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 15. If a man of understanding hears a wise word, He will praise it and add to it; But if a self-indulgent man hears it, it displeases him, And he turns his back on it. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 16. The explanation of a fool is like a burden on a journey, But grace will be on the lips of an intelligent man. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 17. The utterance of a sensible person will be sought in the assembly, And they will ponder his words in their heart. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 18. Like a house that has disappeared, So is wisdom to a fool, And the knowledge of a foolish man is words That will not stand up to examination. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 19. To a foolish man, instruction is like chains on the feet And like handcuffs on the right hand. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 20. A fool raises his voice when he laughs, But an astute man will smile quietly with some hesitation. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 21. To a wise man instruction is like a golden ornament And like a bracelet on the right arm. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 22. The foot of a fool quickly enters a house, But a man with much experience will stand respectfully outside. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 23. A man without discernment peers into a house from the door, But a well-educated man will stand outside. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 24. A man shows his lack of education when he listens at the door, But a prudent man will be grieved by this disgrace. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 25. The lips of the unwise will describe things in detail, But the words of the prudent will balance the scale. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 26. The heart of fools is in their mouth, But the mouth of the wise is in their heart. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 27. When an ungodly man curses Satan, He curses his own soul. Wisdom of Sirach 21, verse 28. The whisperer defiles his own soul And will be hated in his own neighborhood.