KJB-1611 by section SIR 21:0

⌂ ← SIR 21:0–21:28 → ║ ©

Wisdom of Sirach / Ecclesiasticus 21

0 1 Flee from sinne as from a serpent. 4 His oppression will vndoe the rich. 9 The ende of the vniust shall be naught. 12 The differences betweene the foole and the wise. XXI ¶ [fn]My sonne, hast thou sinned? doe so no more, but aske pardon for thy former sinnes. 2 Flee from sinne as from the face of a Serpent: for if thou commest too neere it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof, are as the teeth of a lyon, slaying the soules of men. 3 All iniquitie is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed. 4 To terrifie and doe wrong, will waste riches: thus the house of proude men shalbe made desolate. 5 [fn]A prayer out of a poore mans mouth reacheth to the eares of God, and his iudgement commeth speedily. 6 [fn]He that hateth to be reprooued, is in the way of sinners: but hee that feareth the Lord, will repent from his heart. 7 An eloquent man is knowen farre and neere, but a man of vnderstanding knoweth when he slippeth. 8 He that buildeth his house with other mens money, is like one that gathereth himselfe stones for the tombe of his buriall. 9 [fn]The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped together: and the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them. 10 The way of sinners is made plaine with stones, but at the ende thereof is the pit of hell. 11 Hee that keepeth the Law of the Lord, getteth the vnderstanding thereof: and the perfection of the feare of the Lord, is wisedome. 12 [fn][fn][fn]He that is not wise, will not be taught: but there is a wisedome which multiplieth bitternesse. 13 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood: and his counsell is like a pure fountaine of life. 14 [fn]The inner parts of a foole, are like a broken vessell, and he will holde no knowledge as long as he liueth. 15 [fn]If a skilfull man heare a wise word, hee will commend it, and adde vnto it: but assoone as one of no vnderstanding heareth it, it displeaseth him, and he casteth it behinde his backe. 16 The talking of a foole is like a burden in the way: but grace shall be found in the lips of the wise. 17 They inquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart. 18 [fn]As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisedome to a foole: and the knowledge of the vnwise, is as talke without sense. 19 Doctrine vnto fooles, is as fetters on the feete, and like manacles on the right hand. 20 [fn]A foole lifteth vp his voyce with laughter, but a wise man doeth scarce smile a litle. 21 Learning is vnto a wise man, as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet vpon his right arme. 22 A foolish mans foote is soone in his [neighbours] house: but a man of experience is ashamed of him. 23 A foole will peepe in at the doore into the house, but he that is well nurtured, will stand without. 24 It is the rudenesse of a man to hearken at the doore: but a wise man will be grieued with the disgrace. 25 The lips of talkers will bee telling such things as pertaine not vnto them: but the words of such as haue vnderstanding, are weighed in the ballance. 26 The heart of fooles is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. 27 When the vngodly curseth Satan, he curseth his owne soule. 28 [fn]A whisperer defileth his owne soule, and is hated wheresoeuer hee dwelleth.

21:1 Psal.41.4. luk. 15.21.

21:5 Exod.3.9. and 22.23.

21:6 Gr. be conuerted.

21:9 Chap. 16. 16.

21:12 Eccles.1. 18.

21:12 Or, wittie.

21:12 Or, subtiltie.

21:14 Cha.33.5.

21:15 Pro.9.9.

21:18 Or, not to be enquired after.

21:20 Chap.19. 27,28.

21:28 Chap.28. 13.