Bible Text & Cross-references:
Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding
lies.
1 How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder
him that confesseth in prayer?
2* The lust of an eunuch shall deflower a young maiden:
3 So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.
4 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou
shalt escape wilful sin.
5 There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is
another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
6 There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say:
and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
7 A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler,
and a fool, will regard no time.
8 He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh
authority to himself unjustly, shall be hated.
9 There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there
is a finding that turneth to loss.
10 There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense
of which is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall
lift up his head from a low estate.
12 There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same
sevenfold.
13 A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools
shall be poured out.
14 The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
15 He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his
mouth is the kindling of a fire.
16 To day a man lendeth, and to-morrow he asketh it again: such a man as
this is hateful.
17 A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good
deeds.
18 For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how
many will laugh him to scorn?
19 For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to
be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had. 20 The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth
on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
21 A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the
mouth of the unwise.
22 A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth
not speak it in due season.
23 There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest
he shall be pricked.
24 There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and
by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.
25 There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him
his enemy for nothing.
26 A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the
mouth of men without discipline.
27 A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them
shall inherit destruction.
28 The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is
with them without ceasing.
29 A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall
please the great ones.
30 He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that
worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.
31 *Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in
the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
32 *Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there
in them both?
33 Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
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*
2: Ecclesiasticus xxx. 21.
31: Exodus xxiii. 8.; Deuteronomy xvi. 19.
32: Ecclesiasticus xli. 17.