Catholic Public Domain Version

Sirach 20:6-22 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

6. There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.

7. A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.

8. Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.

9. There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.

10. There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.

11. There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.

12. There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.

13. Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.

14. A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.

15. He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.

16. There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.

17. A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.

18. For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!

19. For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.

20. The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.

21. A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.

22. A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.