20:5. There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
20:6. There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
20:7. A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
20:8. He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
20:9. There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.
20:10. There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.
20:11. There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.
20:12. There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.
20:13. A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
20:14. The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
20:15. He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
20:16. To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.
20:17. A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.
20:18. For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!
20:19. For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
20:20. The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
20:21. A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.
20:22. A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.
20:23. There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.
20:24. There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.
20:25. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
20:26. A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.
20:27. A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.
20:28. The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.
20:29. A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.
20:30. He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.
20:31. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
20:32. O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
20:33. Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 21
Cautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular.
21:1. My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
21:2. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.
21:3. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
21:4. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.
21:5. Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.
21:6. The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
21:7. He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
21:8. He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.
21:9. He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
21:10. The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.
21:11. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.
21:12. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
21:13. The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
21:14. He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.
21:15. But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
21:16. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
21:17. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.
21:18. A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.
21:19. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.