Sirach 19

1A workman that is a drunkard will not become rich: He that despises small things will fall by little and little.

2Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: And he that cleaves to harlots will be the more reckless.

3Moths and worms will have him to heritage; And a reckless soul will be taken away.

4He that is hasty to trust is light-minded; And he that sins will offend against his own soul.

5He that makes merry in his heart will be condemned:

6And he that hates talk has the less wickedness.

7Never repeat what is told you, And you will fare never the worse.

8Whether it be of friend or foe, tell it not; And unless it is a sin to you, reveal it not.

9For he has heard you, and observed you, And when the time comes he will hate you.

10Hast you heard a word? let it die with you: Be of good courage, it will not burst you.

11A fool will travail in pain with a word, As a woman in labor with a child.

12As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, So is a word in a fool’s belly.

13Reprove a friend; it may be he did it not: And if he did something, that he may do it no more.

14Reprove your neighbor; it may be he said it not: And if he has said it, that he may not say it again.

15Reprove a friend; for many times there is slander: And trust not every word.

16There is one that slips, and not from the heart: And who is he that has not sinned with his tongue?

17Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; And give place to the law of the Most High.

20All wisdom is the fear of the Lord; And in all wisdom is the doing of the law.

22And the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom; And the prudence of sinners is not counsel.

23There is a wickedness, and the same is abomination; And there is a fool lacking in wisdom.

24Better is one that has small understanding, and fears, Than one that has much prudence, and transgresses the law.

25There is an exquisite subtlety, and the same is unjust; And there is one that perverteth favor to gain a judgement.

26There is one that does wickedly, that hangs down his head with mourning; But inwardly he is full of deceit,

27Bowing down his face, and making as if he were deaf of one ear: Where he is not known, he will be beforehand with you.

28And if for lack of power he be hindered from sinning, If he find opportunity, he will do mischief.

29A man will be known by his look, And one that has understanding will be known by his face, when you meet him.

30A man’s attire, and grinning laughter, And gait, show what he is.