Sirach 22

1A lazy man is compared to a filthy stone, and everyone will whistle at his disgrace.

2A lazy man is compared to a lump of dung; everyone who picks it up will shake off his hand.

3A father’s shame is the birth of an undisciplined son, and a daughter is born for loss.

4A prudent daughter will obtain a husband, but one who brings shame is a grief to the one who fathered her.

5A shameless woman brings shame on father and husband, and she will be dishonored by both.

6Music during mourning is an untimely discourse, but beatings and discipline are wisdom at all times.

7Teaching a fool is like gluing a potsherd, like waking one from a deep sleep.

8Telling a story to one who is drowsy is like telling it to a fool, and at the end he will say, “What was it?”

9Weep over the dead, for the light has failed; and weep over the fool, for understanding has failed.

10Weep more sweetly over the dead, because he has found rest,

11But for a fool, an evil life is worse than death.

12Mourning for the dead is seven days, but for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.

13Do not multiply words with a fool, and do not go to an unintelligent man. Keep away from him, so that you may not have trouble and may not be defiled by his shaking-off. Turn aside from him, and you will find rest, and you will not grow weary because of his madness.

14What is heavier than lead? And what name does such a one have but “fool”?

15It is easier to carry sand and salt and a lump of iron than a senseless man.

16A wooden binding fastened into a building will not be loosened in an earthquake; so a heart made firm by deliberate counsel will not lose courage in time of trouble.

17A heart set firm on thoughtful understanding is like a plastered wall with a sanded finish.

18Stakes set on a height opposite the wind will never hold out; so a timid heart, set on a foolish thought, will never hold out against any fear.

19One who pricks an eye brings forth tears, and one who pricks a heart reveals feeling.

20One who throws a stone at birds drives them away, and one who reproaches a friend will break up friendship.

21If you draw a sword against a friend, do not despair, for there can be a return.

22If you open your mouth against a friend, do not be afraid, for there can be reconciliation—except in the case of insult and arrogance and the revealing of a secret and a treacherous blow; in these things every friend will flee.

23Gain faith with your neighbor in poverty, so that in his good things you may be filled together. In a time of distress remain with him, so that you may inherit along with him in his inheritance.

24Before bloodshed come the furnace’s vapor and smoke; so before bloodshed comes abuse.

25I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend, and from his presence I will certainly not hide myself,

26And if harm comes to me through him, everyone who hears will guard himself from him.

27Who will set a guard over my mouth, and a shrewd seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of it, and my tongue destroy me?