Sirach 27

1For the sake of gain many have sinned, and whoever seeks to increase it will turn away his eye.

2A peg will be driven in between the joints of stones, and sin will be wedged in between selling and buying.

3If he does not hold fast with diligence in the fear of the Lord, his house will quickly be overthrown.

4When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a person's filth is revealed in his thoughts.

5A potter’s vessels are tested by the kiln, and likewise a man by his reasoning.

6The fruit shows the cultivation of a tree; so a man's reasoning shows the inclination of his heart.

7Do not praise a man before he speaks his mind, for this is the test of men.

8If you pursue righteousness, you will attain it, and put it on like a robe of glory.

9Birds settle with their own kind, and truth returns to those who practice it.

10A lion lies in wait for prey; so sins do for those who practice injustice.

11The speech of the godly is always wisdom, but the fool changes like the moon.

12Among the senseless, watch for the right time; but among the thoughtful, be constant.

13The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is in the indulgence of sin.

14The talk of one who swears much makes the hair stand up, and their quarrel stops the ears.

15The quarrel of the proud is bloodshed, and their reviling is grievous to hear.

16Whoever reveals secrets destroys trust, and will never find a friend for his soul.

17Cherish a friend and be faithful to him; but if you reveal his secrets, you will certainly not pursue after him.

18For just as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor;

19And as a bird from your hand you have let go, so you have let your neighbor go, and you will not catch him.

20Do not pursue him, for he has gone far away, and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.

21For a wound may be bound up, and after insults there may be reconciliation; but one who has revealed secrets has lost hope.

22One who winks with the eye devises evil things, and no one will turn him away from them.

23Before your eyes his mouth speaks sweetly, and he will marvel at your words; but afterward he will twist his mouth and, in regard to your words, he will cause offense.

24I have hated many things, but I have not become like him; and the Lord will hate him.

25Whoever throws a stone upward throws it on his own head, and a treacherous blow opens wounds.

26The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and the one who sets a snare will be caught in it.

27Whoever does evil, onto himself it will roll, and he will certainly not know from where it came upon him.

28Mockery and reproach are for the proud, and vengeance will lie in wait for him like a lion.

29Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a trap, and pain will consume them before their death.

30Resentment and anger—these also are abominations, and a sinful man will cling to them.