Sirach 27 — GMV
27
Verse 1
Many have sinned for a small matter;
Verse 2
As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones;
Verse 3
Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord,
Verse 4
As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth;
Verse 5
The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels;
Verse 6
The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed;
Verse 7
Praise no man before thou hearest him speak;
Verse 8
If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her,
Verse 9
The birds will resort unto their like;
Verse 10
As the lion lieth in wait for the prey;
Verse 11
The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom;
Verse 12
If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time;
Verse 13
The discourse of fools is irksome,
Verse 14
The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright;
Verse 15
The strife of the proud is bloodshedding,
Verse 16
Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit;
Verse 17
Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him:
Verse 18
For as a man hath destroyed his enemy;
Verse 19
As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand,
Verse 20
Follow after him no more, for he is too far off;
Verse 21
As for a wound, it may be bound up;
Verse 22
He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil:
Verse 23
When thou art present, he will speak sweetly,
Verse 24
I have hated many things, but nothing like him;
Verse 25
Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head;
Verse 26
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein:
Verse 27
He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him,
Verse 28
Mockery and reproach are from the proud;
Verse 29
They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare;
Verse 30
Malice and wrath, even these are abominations;