Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)

21:1 My sonne, hast thou sinned? Doe so no more, but aske pardon for thy former sinnes.

21:1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.

21:2 Flee from sinne as from the face of a Serpent: for if thou commest too neere it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof, are as the teeth of a lyon, slaying the soules of men.

21:2 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.

21:3 All iniquitie is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.

21:3 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.

21:4 To terrifie and doe wrong, will waste riches: thus the house of proude men shalbe made desolate.

21:4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

21:5 A prayer out of a poore mans mouth reacheth to the eares of God, and his iudgement commeth speedily.

21:5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.

21:6 He that hateth to be reprooued, is in the way of sinners: but hee that feareth the Lord, will repent from his heart.

21:6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.

21:7 An eloquent man is knowen farre and neere, but a man of vnderstanding knoweth when he slippeth.

21:7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.

21:8 He that buildeth his house with other mens money, is like one that gathereth himselfe stones for the tombe of his buriall.

21:8 He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

21:9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

21:9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

21:10 The way of sinners is made plaine with stones, but at the ende thereof is the pit of hell.

21:10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.

21:11 Hee that keepeth the Law of the Lord, getteth the vnderstanding thereof: and the perfection of the feare of the Lord, is wisedome.

21:11 He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

21:12 He that is not wise, will not be taught: but there is a wisedome which multiplieth bitternesse.

21:12 He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.

21:13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsell is like a pure fountaine of life.

21:13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.

21:14 The inner parts of a foole, are like a broken vessell, and he will holde no knowledge as long as he liueth.

21:14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.

21:15 If a skilfull man heare a wise word, hee will commend it, and adde vnto it: but assoone as one of no vnderstanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behinde his backe.

21:15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.

21:16 The talking of a foole is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

21:16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

21:17 They inquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.

21:17 They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.

21:18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisedome to a foole: and the knowledge of the vnwise, is as talke without sense.

21:18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.

21:19 Doctrine vnto fooles, is as fetters on the feete, and like manacles on the right hand.

21:19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.

21:20 A foole lifteth vp his voyce with laughter, but a wise man doeth scarce smile a litle.

21:20 A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.

21:21 Learning is vnto a wise man, as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet vpon his right arme.

21:21 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

21:22 A foolish mans foote is soone in his [neighbours] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.

21:22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.

21:23 A foole will peepe in at the doore into the house, but he that is well nurtured, will stand without.

21:23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.

21:24 It is the rudenesse of a man to hearken at the doore: but a wise man will be grieued with the disgrace.

21:24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

21:25 The lips of talkers will bee telling such things as pertaine not vnto them: but the words of such as haue vnderstanding, are weighed in the balance.

21:25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.

21:26 The heart of fooles is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

21:26 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

21:27 When the vngodly curseth Satan, he curseth his owne soule.

21:27 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.

21:28 A whisperer defileth his owne soule, and is hated wheresoeuer hee dwelleth.

21:28 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.