Sefarim
Ben Sira20
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 20
There is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly: and he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin.
As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
A wise man by his words maketh him beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of Elohim and man.
The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not.
To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
There is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
There is that destroyeth his own nephesh through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
A wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
Necessary patience in seeking ing the master is better than he that leadeth his life without a guide.
Sefarim
Ben Sira21
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 21
My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.
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.
All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed.
To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men shall be made desolate.
A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of Elohim, and his judgment cometh speedily.
He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the master will repent from his heart.
An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippeth.
He that buildeth his house with other men’s money is like one that gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell.
He that keepeth the torah of the master getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the master is wisdom.
He that is not wise will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness.
The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, and he will hold no knowledge as long as he liveth.
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.
The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise.
They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart.
As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little.
Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
A foolish man’s foot is soon in his
neighbour’s house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is well nurtured will stand without.
It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
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.
The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own nephesh.
A whisperer defileth his own nephesh, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth.
Sefarim
Ben Sira22
Sirach / Ecclesiasticus · Chapter 22
A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.
A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.
An evilnurtured man is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a
foolish daughter is born to his loss.
A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father’s heaviness.
She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.
A tale out of season
is as musick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.
Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.
He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?
If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.
But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.
Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.
Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.
Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.
What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?
Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding.
As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is stablished by advised counsel shall fear at no time.
A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plaistering on the wall of a gallery.
Pales set on an high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.
He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.
Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.
Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning
to favour.
If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for for these things every friend will depart.
Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide stedfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned: nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.
As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.
I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.
And if any evil happen unto me by him, every one that heareth it will beware of him.
Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?