Sirach - Chapter 22

Passage

The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace. The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that touches him will shake his hands. A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss. A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confounds, becomes a disgrace to her father. She that is bold shames both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both. A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time. He that teaches a fool, is like one that glues a potsherd together. He that tells a word to him that does not hear, is like one that wakes a man out of a deep sleep. He speaks with one that is asleep, who utters wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he says: Who is this? Weep for the dead, for his light has failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding fails. Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest. For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death. The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life. Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that has no sense. Keep yourself from him, that you may not have trouble, and you shall not be defiled with his sin. Turn away from him, and you shall find rest, and shall not be wearied out with his folly. What is heavier than lead? and what other name has he but fool? Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked. A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel. The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear. As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind: So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear. As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continues always in the commandments of God. He that pricks the eye, brings out tears: and he that pricks the heart, brings forth resentment. He that flings a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraids his friend, breaks friendship. Although have drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend, If you have opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away. Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also you may rejoice. In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that you may also be heir with him in his inheritance. As the vapor of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goes up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood. I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it. But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him. Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?