Sirach 19

1. 1A labouring man that is given to drunkenness shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little.
2. 2Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become impudent.
3. 3Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.
4. 4He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
5. 5Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
6. 6He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
7. 7Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
8. 8Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men’s lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.
9. 9For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
10. 10If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
11. 11A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.
12. 12As an arrow that sticketh in a man’s thigh, so is a word within a fool’s belly.
13. 13Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
14. 14Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.
15. 15Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.
16. 16There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?
17. 17Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.
18. 18The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted of him, and wisdom obtaineth his love.
19. 19The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
20. 20The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.
21. 21If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.
22. 22The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence.
23. 23There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom.
24. 24He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
25. 25There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment.
26. 26There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit,
27. 27Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not: where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware.
28. 28And if for want of power he be hindered from sinning, yet when he findeth opportunity he will do evil.
29. 29A man may be known by his look, and one that hath understanding by his countenance, when thou meetest him.
30. 30A man’s attire, and excessive laughter, and gait, shew what he is.

King James Version (Authorized Version), public domain. USFM edition by eBible.org (https://ebible.org/eng-kjv/). Public Domain. Sources and licences