Open English Translation SIR Chapter 27

4 In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains,

so does the filth of man in his thoughts.

5 The furnace tests the potter’s vessels;

so the test of a person is in his thoughts.

6 The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation,

so is the utterance of the thought of a person’s heart.

7 Praise no man before you hear his thoughts,

for this is how people are tested.

8 If you follow righteousness, you’ll obtain it,

and put it on like a long robe of glory.

9 Birds will return to their own kind,

so truth will return to those who practise it.

10 The lion lies in wait for prey.

So does sin for those who do evil.

11 The discourse of a godly man is always wise,

but the fool changes like the moon.

12 Limit your time among people void of understanding,

but persevere among the thoughtful.

13 The talk of fools is offensive.

Their laughter is wantonly sinful.

14 Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright.

Their strife makes others plug their ears.

15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed.

Their abuse of each other is a grievous thing to hear.

16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust,

and won’t find a close friend.

17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him;

but if you reveal his secrets,

you won’t catch him;

18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy,

so you’ve destroyed the friendship of your neighbour.

19 As a bird which you’ve released out of your hand,

so you’ve let your neighbour go, and you won’t catch him again.

20 Don’t pursue him, for he’s gone far away,

and has escaped like a gazelle out of the snare.

21 Because a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation;

but he who reveals secrets is without hope.

22 One who winks the eye contrives evil things;

and those who know him will keep their distance.

23 When you’re present, he’ll speak sweetly,

and will admire your words;

but afterward he’ll twist his speech

and set a trap in your words.

24 I’ve hated many things, but nothing like him.

The master will hate him.

25 One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head.

A deceitful blow opens wounds.

26 He who digs a pit will fall into it.

He who sets a snare will be caught in it.

27 He who does evil things, they’ll roll back on him,

and he won’t know where they came from.

28 Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant.

Vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.

29 Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare.

Anguish will consume them before they die.

30 Anger and anger, these also are abominations.

A sinner will possess them.