Ecclesiasticus, 22

1. The sluggard is like a stone in the mud; everyone hisses at his disgrace.

1. An idler is like a stone covered in filth, everyone whistles at his disgrace.

2. The sluggard is like a lump of dung; whoever touches him wipes his hands.

2. An idler is like a lump of dung, anyone picking it up shakes it off his hand.

3. An unruly child is a disgrace to its father; if it be a daughter she brings him to poverty.

3. It is a disgrace to have fathered a badly brought-up son, but the birth of any daughter is a loss;

4. A thoughtful daughter becomes a treasure to her husband, a shameless one is her father's grief.

4. a sensible daughter will find a husband, but a shameless one is a grief to her father.

5. A hussy shames her father and her husband; by both she is despised.

5. A brazen daughter puts father and mother to shame, and will be disowned by both.

6. Like a song in time of mourning is inopportune talk, but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.

6. An untimely remonstrance is like music at a funeral, but a thrashing and correction are wisdom at all times.

7. Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken pot, or like disturbing a man in the depths of sleep;

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8. He talks with a slumberer who talks with a fool, for when it is over, he will say, "What was that?"

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9. Weep over the dead man, for his light has gone out; weep over the fool, for sense has left him.

9. Teaching a fool is like gluing bits of pottery together -- you are rousing someone who is besotted with sleep.

10. Weep but a little over the dead man, for he is at rest; but worse than death is the life of a fool.

10. You might as well talk to someone sound asleep; when you have finished the fool will say, 'What's up?'

11. Seven days of mourning for the dead, but for the wicked fool a whole lifetime.

11. Shed tears for the dead, who has left the light behind; shed tears for the fool, who has left his wits behind. Shed quieter tears for the dead who is at rest, for the fool life is worse than death.

12. Speak but seldom with the stupid man, be not the companion of a brute;

12. Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, for the foolish and ungodly all the days of their lives.

13. Beware of him lest you have trouble and be spattered when he shakes himself; Turn away from him and you will find rest and not be wearied by his lack of sense.

13. Do not waste many words on the stupid, do not go near a dolt. Beware of him, or you will have trouble and be soiled by contact with him; keep away from him, and you will have peace of mind and not be exasperated by his folly.

14. What is heavier than lead, and what is its name but "Fool"?

14. What is heavier than lead, and what is its name if not 'fool'?

15. Sand and salt and an iron mass are easier to bear than a stupid man.

15. Sand and salt and a lump of iron are a lighter burden than a dolt.

16. Masonry bonded with wooden beams is not loosened by an earthquake; Neither is a resolve constructed with careful deliberation shaken in a moment of fear.

16. A tie-beam bonded into a building will not be dislodged by an earthquake; so too, a heart resolved after due reflection will not flinch at the critical moment.

17. A resolve that is backed by prudent understanding is like the polished surface of a smooth wall.

17. A heart founded on intelligent reflection is like a stucco decoration on a smooth wall.

18. Small stones lying on an open height will not remain when the wind blows; Neither can a timid resolve based on foolish plans withstand fear of any kind.

18. Pebbles placed on top of a wall will not stand up to the wind; no more can the heart of a fool frightened at his own thoughts stand up to fear.

19. One who jabs the eye brings tears: he who pierces the heart bares its feelings.

19. Prick an eye and you will draw a tear, prick a heart and you reveal its feelings.

20. He who throws stones at birds drives them away, and he who insults a friend breaks up the friendship.

20. Throw stones at birds and you scare them away, reproach a friend and you destroy a friendship.

21. Should you draw a sword against a friend, despair not, it can be undone.

21. If you have drawn your sword on a friend, do not despair; there is a way back.

22. Should you speak sharply to a friend, fear not, you can be reconciled. But a contemptuous insult, a confidence broken, or a treacherous attack will drive away any friend.

22. If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry; there is hope for reconciliation; but insult, arrogance, betrayal of secrets, and the stab in the back -- in these cases any friend is lost.

23. Make fast friends with a man while he is poor; thus will you enjoy his prosperity with him. In time of trouble remain true to him, so as to share in his inheritance when it comes.

23. Win your neighbour's confidence when he is poor, so that you may enjoy his later good fortune with him; stand by him in times of trouble, in order to have your share when he comes into a legacy.

24. Before flames burst forth an oven smokes; so does abuse come before bloodshed.

24. Fire is heralded by the reek of the furnace and smoke, so too, bloodshed by insults.

25. From a friend in need of support no one need hide in shame;

25. I shall not be ashamed to shelter a friend nor shall I hide away from him,

26. But from him who brings harm to his friend all will stand aloof who hear of it.

26. and if evil comes to me through him, everyone who hears about it will beware of him.

27. Who will set a guard over my mouth, and upon my lips an effective seal, That I may not fail through them, that my tongue may not destroy me?

27. Who will set a guard on my mouth, and an efficient seal on my lips, to keep me from falling, and my tongue from causing my ruin?