English Bible
Sirach 27
Big screen- 1Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeks for abundance will turn his eyes away.
- 2As a nail sticks fast between the joinings of the stones; so does sin stick close between buying and selling.
- 3Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.
- 4As when one sifts with a sieve, the refuse remains; so the filth of man in his talk.
- 5The furnace proves the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
- 6The fruit declares if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
- 7Praise no man before you hear him speak; for this is the trial of men.
- 8If you follow righteousness, you shall obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.
- 9The birds will resort to their like; so will truth return to them that practise in her.
- 10As the lion lies in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.
- 11The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changes as the moon.
- 12If you be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.
- 13The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.
- 14The talk of him that swears much makes the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.
- 15The strife of the proud is blood shedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.
- 16Whoso discovers secrets loses his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.
- 17Love your friend, and be faithful to him: but if you betray his secrets, follow no more after him.
- 18For as a man has destroyed his enemy; so have you lost the love of your neighbor.
- 19As one that lets a bird go out of his hand, so have you let your neighbor go, and shall not get him again
- 20Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
- 21As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrays secrets is without hope.
- 22He that winks with the eyes works evil: and he that knows him will depart from him.
- 23When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander your sayings.
- 24I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.
- 25Whoso casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.
- 26Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that sets a trap shall be taken therein.
- 27He that works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it comes.
- 28Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.
- 29They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.
- 30Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.