New American Bible, Revised Edition

Ben Sira 23:9-19 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

9. Do not accustom your mouth to oaths,or habitually utter the Holy Name.

10. Just as a servant constantly under scrutinywill not be without bruises,So one who swears continually by the Holy Namewill never remain free from sin.

11. Those who swear many oaths heap up offenses;and the scourge will never be far from their houses.If they swear in error, guilt is incurred;if they neglect their obligation, the sin is doubly great.If they swear without reason they cannot be declared innocent,for their households will be filled with calamities.

12. There are words comparable to death;may they never be heard in the inheritance of Jacob.To the devout all such words are foreign;they do not wallow in sin.

13. Do not accustom your mouth to coarse talk,for it involves sinful speech.

14. Keep your father and mother in mindwhen you sit among the mighty,Lest you forget yourself in their presenceand disgrace your upbringing.Then you will wish you had never been bornand will curse the day of your birth.

15. Those accustomed to using abusive languagewill never acquire discipline as long as they live.

16. Two types of people multiply sins,and a third draws down wrath:Burning passion is like a blazing fire,not to be quenched till it burns itself out;One unchaste with his kindrednever stops until fire breaks forth.

17. To the unchaste all bread is sweet;he is never through till he dies.

18. The man who dishonors his marriage bedsays to himself, “Who can see me?Darkness surrounds me, walls hide me,no one sees me. Who can stop me from sinning?”He is not mindful of the Most High,

19. fearing only human eyes.He does not realize that the eyes of the Lord,ten thousand times brighter than the sun,Observe every step takenand peer into hidden corners.