New American Bible, Revised Edition

Ben Sira 21:8-16 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

8. Those who build their houses with someone else’s moneyare like those who collect stones for their funeral mounds.

9. A band of criminals is like a bundle of tow;they will end in a flaming fire.

10. The path of sinners is smooth stones,but its end is the pit of Sheol.

11. Those who keep the Law control their thoughts;perfect fear of the Lord is wisdom.

12. One who is not clever can never be taught,but there is a cleverness filled with bitterness.

13. The knowledge of the wise wells up like a flood,and their counsel like a living spring.

14. A fool’s mind is like a broken jar:it cannot hold any knowledge at all.

15. When the intelligent hear a wise saying,they praise it and add to it.The wanton hear it with distasteand cast it behind their back.

16. A fool’s chatter is like a load on a journey,but delight is to be found on the lips of the intelligent.