Ecclesiasticus, 27

1. Many have sinned for the sake of profit, one who hopes to be rich must turn a blind eye.

1. Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled.

2. A peg will stick in the joint between two stones, and sin will wedge itself between selling and buying.

2. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace.

3. Whoever does not firmly hold to the fear of the Lord, his house will soon be overthrown.

3. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord.

4. In a shaken sieve the rubbish is left behind, so too the defects of a person appear in speech.

4. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful.

5. The kiln tests the work of the potter, the test of a person is in conversation.

5. Of three things my heart is afraid, and of a fourth I am frightened: The slander of a city, the gathering of a mob, and false accusation -- all these are worse than death.

6. The orchard where the tree grows is judged by its fruit, similarly words betray what a person feels.

6. There is grief of heart and sorrow when a wife is envious of a rival, and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.

7. Do not praise anyone who has not yet spoken, since this is where people are tested.

7. An evil wife is an ox yoke which chafes; taking hold of her is like grasping a scorpion.

8. If you pursue virtue, you will attain it and put it on like a festal gown.

8. There is great anger when a wife is drunken; she will not hide her shame.

9. Birds consort with their kind, truth comes home to those who practise it.

9. A wife's harlotry shows in her lustful eyes, and she is known by her eyelids.

10. The lion lies in wait for its prey, so does sin for those who do wrong.

10. Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter, lest, when she finds liberty, she use it to her hurt.

11. The conversation of the devout is wisdom at all times, but the fool is as changeable as the moon.

11. Be on guard against her impudent eye, and do not wonder if she sins against you.

12. When visiting stupid people, choose the right moment, but among the thoughtful take your time.

12. As a thirsty wayfarer opens his mouth and drinks from any water near him, so will she sit in front of every post and open her quiver to the arrow.

13. The conversation of fools is disgusting, raucous their laughter in their sinful pleasures.

13. A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones.

14. The talk of hard-swearing people makes your hair stand on end, their brawling makes you stop your ears.

14. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul.

15. A quarrel between the proud leads to bloodshed, and their insults are embarrassing to hear.

15. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul.

16. A betrayer of secrets forfeits all trust and will never find the kind of friend he wants.

16. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home.

17. Be fond of a friend and keep faith with him, but if you have betrayed his secrets, do not go after him any more;

17. Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand, so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.

18. for, as one destroys a person by killing him, so you have killed your neighbour's friendship,

18. Like pillars of gold on a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart.

19. and as you let a bird slip through your fingers, so you have let your friend go, and will not catch him.

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20. Do not go after him -- he is far away, he has fled like a gazelle from the snare.

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21. For a wound can be bandaged and abuse forgiven, but for the betrayer of a secret there is no hope.

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22. Someone with a sly wink is plotting mischief, no one can dissuade him from it.

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23. Honey-tongued to your face, he is lost in admiration at your words; but behind your back he has other things to say, and turns your words into a stumbling-block.

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24. I have found many things to hate, but nothing as much as him, and the Lord hates him too.

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25. Whoever throws a stone in the air, throws it on to his own head; a treacherous blow cuts both ways.

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26. The man who digs a pit falls into it, whoever sets a snare will be caught by it.

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27. On anyone who does evil, evil will recoil, without his knowing where it comes from.

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28. Sarcasm and abuse are the mark of the arrogant, but vengeance lies in wait like a lion for such a one.

28. At two things my heart is grieved, and because of a third anger comes over me: a warrior in want through poverty, and intelligent men who are treated contemptuously; a man who turns back from righteousness to sin -- the Lord will prepare him for the sword!

29. The trap will close on all who rejoice in the downfall of the devout, and pain will eat them up before they die.

29. A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing, and a tradesman will not be declared innocent of sin.

30. Resentment and anger, these are foul things too, and a sinner is a master at them both.

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