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WEBC: World English Bible, Catholic Edition

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Early World
Patriarchs
Egypt and Exodus
Desert Wanderings
Conquest and Judges
Royal Kingdom
Divided Kingdom
Exile
Royal Kingdom
Divided Kingdom
Exile
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Maccabean Revolt
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Exile
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Day 215 of 365

about 10 minutes

Sirach 19-21

Sirach Chapter 19

¹A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little. ²Wine and women will make men of understanding go astray. He who joins with prostitutes is reckless. ³Decay and worms will have him as their heritage. A reckless soul will be taken away. ⁴He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted. He who sins offends against his own soul. ⁵He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned. ⁶He who hates gossip has less wickedness. ⁷Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything. ⁸Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it. ⁹For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you. ¹⁰Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave: it will not make you burst! ¹¹A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor with a child. ¹²As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, so is gossip in a fool. ¹³Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more. ¹⁴Question your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again. ¹⁵Question a friend; for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word. ¹⁶There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue? ¹⁷Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High. ²⁰All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In all wisdom is the doing of the law. ²²The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The prudence of sinners is not counsel. ²³There is a wickedness, and it is an abomination. There is a fool lacking in wisdom. ²⁴Better is one who has little understanding, and fears God, than one who has much intelligence and transgresses the law. ²⁵There is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment. ²⁶There is one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning; but inwardly he is full of deceit, ²⁷bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear. Where he isn’t known, he will take advantage of you. ²⁸And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning, if he finds opportunity, he will do mischief. ²⁹A man will be known by his appearance. One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him. ³⁰A man’s attire, grinning laughter, and the way he walks show what he is.

1: A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little.

2: Wine and women will make men of understanding go astray. He who joins with prostitutes is reckless.

3: Decay and worms will have him as their heritage. A reckless soul will be taken away.

4: He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted. He who sins offends against his own soul.

5: He who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned.

6: He who hates gossip has less wickedness.

7: Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything.

8: Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it.

9: For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you.

10: Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave: it will not make you burst!

11: A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labor 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 neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again.

15: Question a friend; for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word.

16: There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?

17: Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High.

20: All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In all wisdom is the doing of the law.

22: The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The prudence of sinners is not counsel.

23: There is a wickedness, and it is an abomination. There is 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 is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment.

26: There is one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning; but inwardly he is full of deceit,

27: bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear. Where he isn’t known, he will take advantage of you.

28: And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning, if he finds opportunity, he will 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.

Sirach Chapter 20

¹There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent. ²How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm. ⁴As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence. ⁵There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk. ⁶There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak. ⁷A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time. ⁸He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. ⁹There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss. ¹⁰There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double. ¹¹There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate. ¹²There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold. ¹³He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted. ¹⁴The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one. ¹⁵He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man. ¹⁶The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.” ¹⁷How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn! ¹⁸A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily. ¹⁹A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. ²⁰A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time. ²¹There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled. ²²There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. ²³There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing. ²⁴A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. ²⁵A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction. ²⁶The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually. ²⁷He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men. ²⁸He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity. ²⁹Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. ³⁰Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them? ³¹Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.

1: There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.

2: How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm.

4: As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence.

5: There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk.

6: There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.

7: A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time.

8: He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it.

9: There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss.

10: There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double.

11: There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.

12: There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold.

13: He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.

14: The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.

15: He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man.

16: The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”

17: How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!

18: A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.

19: A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

20: A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time.

21: There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled.

22: There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.

23: There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing.

24: A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

25: A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction.

26: The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually.

27: He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men.

28: He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.

29: Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.

30: Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them?

31: Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.

Sirach Chapter 21

¹My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins. ²Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls. ³All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing. ⁴Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste. ⁵Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily. ⁶One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart. ⁷He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips. ⁸He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb. ⁹The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them. ¹⁰The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades. ¹¹He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. ¹²He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound. ¹³The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life. ¹⁴The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge. ¹⁵If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back. ¹⁶The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise. ¹⁷The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart. ¹⁸As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense. ¹⁹Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand. ²⁰A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly. ²¹Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm. ²²The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering. ²³A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside. ²⁴It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace. ²⁵The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance. ²⁶The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart. ²⁷When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul. ²⁸A whisperer defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.

1: My son, have you sinned? Do it no more; and ask forgiveness for your past sins.

2: Flee from sin as from the face of a snake; for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, slaying people’s souls.

3: All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing.

4: Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.

5: Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes speedily.

6: One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.

7: He who is mighty in tongue is known far away; but the man of understanding knows when he slips.

8: He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.

9: The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow with a flame of fire at the end of them.

10: The way of sinners is paved with stones; and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.

11: He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfilment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

12: He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound.

13: The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, and his counsel as a fountain of life.

14: The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.

15: If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back.

16: The chatter of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise.

17: The utterance of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.

18: As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.

19: Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, and as manacles on the right hand.

20: A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.

21: Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, and as a bracelet upon his right arm.

22: The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.

23: A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside.

24: It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be grieved with the disgrace.

25: The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.

26: The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is their heart.

27: When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul.

28: A whisperer defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.

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Scripture text: World English Bible, Catholic Edition (WEBC) — public domain

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