Ecclesiasticus, 22

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

1. Have you sinned, my son? Do so no more, but pray about your former sins.

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

2. Flee from sin as from a snake; for if you approach sin, it will bite you. Its teeth are lion's teeth, and destroy the souls of men.

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

3. All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword; there is no healing for its wound.

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

4. Terror and violence will lay waste riches; thus the house of the proud will be laid waste.

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

5. The prayer of a poor man goes from his lips to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.

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

6. Whoever hates reproof walks in the steps of the sinner, but he that fears the Lord will repent in his heart.

7.

7. He who is mighty in speech is known from afar; but the sensible man, when he slips, is aware of it.

8.

8. A man who builds his house with other people's money is like one who gathers stones for his burial mound.

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

9. An assembly of the wicked is like tow gathered together, and their end is a flame of fire.

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

10. The way of sinners is smoothly paved with stones, but at its end is the pit of Hades.

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.

11. Whoever keeps the law controls his thoughts, and wisdom is the fulfilment of the fear of the Lord.

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

12. He who is not clever cannot be taught, but there is a cleverness which increases bitterness.

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.

13. The knowledge of a wise man will increase like a flood, and his counsel like a flowing spring.

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

14. The mind of a fool is like a broken jar; it will hold no knowledge.

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

15. When a man of understanding hears a wise saying, he will praise it and add to it; when a reveler hears it, he dislikes it and casts it behind his back.

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.

16. A fool's narration is like a burden on a journey, but delight will be found in the speech of the intelligent.

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

17. The utterance of a sensible man will be sought in the assembly, and they will ponder his words in their minds.

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.

18. Like a house that has vanished, so is wisdom to a fool; and the knowledge of the ignorant is unexamined talk.

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

19. To a senseless man education is fetters on his feet, and like manacles on his right hand.

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

20. A fool raises his voice when he laughs, but a clever man smiles quietly.

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

21. To a sensible man education is like a golden ornament, and like a bracelet on the right arm.

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.

22. The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience stands respectfully before it.

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.

23. A boor peers into the house from the door, but a cultivated man remains outside.

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

24. It is ill-mannered for a man to listen at a door, and a discreet man is grieved by the disgrace.

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

25. The lips of strangers will speak of these things, but the words of the prudent will be weighed in the balance.

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

26. The mind of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is in their mind.

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?

27. When an ungodly man curses his adversary, he curses his own soul.

28.

28. A whisperer defiles his own soul and is hated in his neighborhood.