Ecclesiasticus, 21

1. My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.

1. Have you sinned, my son? Do not do it again and beg forgiveness for your past sins.

2. Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men.

2. Escape from sin as you would from a snake; if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like those of a lion and destroy human lives.

3. All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.

3. All evil is like a double-edged sword which inflicts wounds past remedy.

4. To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.

4. Violence and pride bring down the rich; the arrogant man's house will be brought low.

5. A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.

5. The poor man's prayer reaches the ears of the Lord and his judgment will not delay.

6. He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart.

6. Whoever hates correction goes the way of sinners; he who fears the Lord turns to him in his heart.

7. An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.

7. The chatterer is known everywhere, but the discreet man recognizes his weakness.

8. He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.

8. Building a house with borrowed money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.

9. The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.

9. The meeting of sinners is like a pile of rope which will go up in fire and flames.

10. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.

10. The path of sinners is well paved but it ends in the fiery abyss.

11. He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

11. He who keeps the Law is in control of his thoughts; the fear of the Lord brings wisdom.

12. He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.

12. The man who is not clever will never be taught; but there is a cleverness which leads to bitterness.

13. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.

13. The wise man's knowledge spreads out like a flood and his advice is like a spring.

14. The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.

14. The fool's heart is like a broken glass which cannot hold any teaching.

15. If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behind his back.

15. If an educated man hears a wise saying he values it and adds another. If the good-for-nothing hears it he is annoyed and tosses it over his shoulder.

16. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.

16. The fool's talk weighs like a load while the wise man's words give rest.

17. They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.

17. The assembly awaits the wise man's words; each one takes to heart whatever he says.

18. As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.

18. The fool's wisdom is like a house in ruins, the knowledge of the fool amounts to nonsense.

19. Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.

19. As far as the fool is concerned, instruction is no more than handcuffs and fetters.

20. A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.

20. The idiot laughs aloud while the intelligent man merely smiles quietly.

21. Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

21. Instruction is like a golden ornament to the shrewd man, like a bracelet on his right arm.

22. A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.

22. The fool steps inside the house immediately, the experienced man would not be so bold.

23. A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.

23. The fool looks in through the door, the polite man remains outside.

24. It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

24. Listening outside doors reveals a bad upbringing, the upright man would be ashamed of doing so.

25. The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.

25. Strangers speak thoughtlessly of everything, while wise men's words are carefully weighed.

26. The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.

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

27. When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own soul.

27. When the godless man curses his opponent, the curse descends on himself.

28. A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.

28. The slanderer taints himself and makes himself hated by all around him.