Ecclesiasticus, 23

Revised Standard Version

1 The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.

2 The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.

3 It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.

4 A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.

5 An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.

6 Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.

7 He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.

8 He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, "What is it?"

11 Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.

12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.

13 Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.

14 What is heavier than lead? And what is its name except "Fool"?

15 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear than a stupid man.

16 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake; so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.

17 A mind settled on an intelligent thought is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.

18 Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind; so a timid heart with a fool's purpose will not stand firm against any fear.

19 A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall, and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling.

20 One who throws a stone at birds scares them away, and one who reviles a friend will break off the friendship.

21 Even if you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, for a renewal of friendship is possible.

22 If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry, for reconciliation is possible; but as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow -- in these cases any friend will flee.

23 Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity; stand by him in time of affliction, that you may share with him in his inheritance.

24 The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire; so insults precede bloodshed.

25 I will not be ashamed to protect a friend, and I will not hide from him;

26 but if some harm should happen to me because of him, whoever hears of it will beware of him.

27 O that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling, so that my tongue may not destroy me!




Versículos relacionados com Ecclesiasticus, 23:

Ecclesiastical 23 deals mainly with the importance of controlling carnal desires and maintaining sexual purity. The author warns of the disastrous consequences of adultery, fornication and lust, and advises to seek divine wisdom to avoid these sins. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Ecclesiastical 23:

Proverbs 6:32: "What adulterates with a woman is a lack of understanding; he who does it destroys his own soul." This verse highlights the foolishness of adultery and the damage it can cause the person who commits it.

1 Corinthians 6:18: "I ran away from fornication. All the sin that man commits is outside the body; but what fornic is sinning against his own body." The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of staying far from sexual immorality and points out that this sin is especially harmful to the body.

Matthew 5:27-28: "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, You will not commit adultery. But I say unto you, whatever looking at a woman with impure intention, in his heart has committed adultery with her." Jesus teaches that sexual purity is not limited to actions, but also to thoughts and desires.

Colossians 3:5: "Mortify, therefore, your members, who are upon the earth: prostitution, impurity, disordered appetite, vile lust, and greed, which is idolatry." The apostle Paul instructs Christians to mortify their carnal desires and seek things from above.

Hebrews 13:4: "Worthy of honor among all is marriage and the bed without macula; but to those who give themselves to prostitution, and to the adulterers, God will judge them." This verse highlights the holiness of marriage and the seriousness of sin of prostitution and adultery.


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