Sirach 27 — LXXSA
27Verse 1Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeks for abundance will turn his eyes away.Verse 2As a nail sticks fast between the joinings of the stones; so does sin stick close between buying and selling.Verse 3Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.Verse 4As when one sifts with a sieve, the refuse remains; so the filth of man in his talk.Verse 5The furnace proves the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.Verse 6The fruit declares if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.Verse 7Praise no man before you hear him speak; for this is the trial of men.Verse 8If you follow righteousness, you shall obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.Verse 9The birds will resort to their like; so will truth return to them that practise in her.Verse 10As the lion lies in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.Verse 11The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changes as the moon.Verse 12If you be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.Verse 13The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.Verse 14The talk of him that swears much makes the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.Verse 15The strife of the proud is blood shedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.Verse 16Whoso discovers secrets loses his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.Verse 17Love your friend, and be faithful to him: but if you betray his secrets, follow no more after him.Verse 18For as a man has destroyed his enemy; so have you lost the love of your neighbor.Verse 19As one that lets a bird go out of his hand, so have you let your neighbor go, and shall not get him againVerse 20Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.Verse 21As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrays secrets is without hope.Verse 22He that winks with the eyes works evil: and he that knows him will depart from him.Verse 23When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander your sayings.Verse 24I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.Verse 25Whoso casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.Verse 26Whoso digs a pit shall fall therein: and he that sets a trap shall be taken therein.Verse 27He that works mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it comes.Verse 28Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.Verse 29They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.Verse 30Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.