OET-RV SIR Chapter 19

4 He who’s hasty to trust is shallow-hearted.

He who sins offends against his own soul.

5 He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned.[fn]

6 He who hates gossip has less wickedness.[fn]

7 Never repeat what’s told you,

and you won’t lose anything.

8 Whether it’s of friend or foe, don’t tell it.

Unless it’s a sin to you, don’t reveal it.

9 Because if he’s heard you and observed you,

when the time comes, he’ll hate you.

10 Have you heard something? Let it die with you.

Be brave: it won’t make you burst!

11 A fool will travail in pain with a word,

as a woman in labour with a child.

12 As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh,

so is gossip in a fool.

13 Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it.

If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more.

14 Question your neighbour; it may be he didn’t say it.

If he’s said it, it may be that he may not say it again.

15 Question a friend; for many times there’s slander.

Don’t trust every word.

16 There’s one who slips, and not from the heart.

Who’s he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?

17 Reprove your neighbour before you threaten him;

and give place to the Most High’s law.18-19 [fn]

20 All wisdom is the fear of the master.

In all wisdom is the doing of the law. 21 [fn]

22 The knowledge of wickedness isn’t wisdom.

The prudence of sinners isn’t counsel.

23 There’s a wickedness, and it’s an abomination.

There’s a fool lacking in wisdom.

24 Better is one who has little understanding, and fears God,

than one who has much intelligence and transgresses the law.

25 There’s an exquisite subtlety, and it’s unjust.

And there’s one who perverts favour to gain a judgement.[fn]

26 There’s one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning;

but inwardly he’s full of deceit,

27 bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear.

Where he isn’t known, he’ll take advantage of you.

28 And if for lack of power he’s hindered from sinning,

if he finds opportunity, he’ll do mischief.

29 A man will be known by his appearance.

One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him.

30 A man’s attire, grinning laughter,

and the way he walks show what he is.