Ecclesiasticus, 20

1. There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.

1. There are rebukes which are inopportune; there is the silence of a sensible man.

2. It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

2. Better to rebuke than nurse a grudge. He who recognizes his fault diminishes its consequences.

3. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.

3.

4. As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.

4. Like a eunuch desiring to violate a girl, such is he who uses force in pretending to be just.

5. There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.

5. One keeps silent and is thought to be wise, the other makes himself hated because of his gossiping.

6. Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.

6. One remains silent because he does not know how to reply; the other keeps quiet, waiting for the right moment.

7. A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.

7. The wise man keeps silent until the right moment; the chatterer and fool speak out of turn.

8. He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.

8. He who speaks too much makes himself hated; he who wishes to impose himself stirs up ill will.

9. There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.

9. Man can turn his troubles to his advantage; a lucky chance can turn to loss.

10. There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.

10. There is a type of generosity which will not reward you and another which will repay you double.

11. There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.

11. One is humiliated for having had honors; another is humiliated, and then lifts up his head.

12. There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.

12. One buys much with little money; another pays seven times its value.

13. A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

13. The wise man makes himself lovable through his words alone, while the favors of the fool are lost.

14. The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.

14. The fool's gift is not to your advantage; he gives with greedy eyes.

15. He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.

15. He gives little but puts on a great outward appearance and exclaims for all to hear; he lends today and recovers the loan tomorrow; he is a despicable man.

16. The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.

16. The fool says, "I have no friends, no one welcomes my favors.

17. How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.

17. Those who eat my bread have evil tongues." How often they will mock him, and by how many!

18. To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

18. Better to stumble on the ground than to make a slip with the tongue; this is how easily the wicked fall.

19. An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.

19. The rough-mannered man is like an indiscreet story that ill-mannered people tell out of time.

20. A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.

20. The proverb told by a fool will fail, since he does not speak it at an appropriate time.

21. There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.

21. One keeps himself from sin because he does not have the means to act; when he gets the chance, he will have no remorse.

22. There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.

22. One loses his soul out of false shame; he loses himself for fear of what a foolish man thinks.

23. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

23. Out of false shame he wants to win a friend; he gets an enemy, in fact, for nothing.

24. A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.

24. Lying is a shameful defect in a man; fools are used to it.

25. A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.

25. Better to be a thief than a liar, yet both are heading for disaster.

26. The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.

26. Habitual lying is detestable; disgrace never leaves the liar.

27. A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.

27. The wise man's words advance his cause; the shrewd man will gain favor with the powerful.

28. He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

28. He who tills the earth increases his produce; he who pleases the great is forgiven his wickedness.

29. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.

29. Presents and gifts blind a wise man's eyes; like a muzzle they silence the conscientious.

30. Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?

30. Concealed wisdom and hidden treasure: what good are these?

31. Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.

31. The man who conceals his stupidity is better than one who conceals his wisdom.

32. Necessary patience in seeking ing the Lord is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.

32.