Sirach 20 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[1] There is a reproof that is not timely;
and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.
[2] How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry.
He who confesses will be kept back from harm. [3] ⓘ
[4] As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin,
so is he who executes judgments with violence.
[5] There is one who keeps silent and is found wise;
and there is one who is hated for his much talk.
[6] There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make;
And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.
[7] A wise man will be silent until his time has come,
but the braggart and fool will miss his time.
[8] He who uses many words will be abhorred.
He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. [9] There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes;
and there is a gain that turns to loss.
[10] There is a gift that will not profit you;
and there is a gift that pays back double.
[11] There are losses because of glory;
and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
[12] There is one who buys much for a little,
and pays for it again sevenfold.
[13] He who is wise in words will make himself beloved;
but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
[14] The gift of a fool will not profit you,ⓘ
for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
[15] He will give little and insult much.
He will open his mouth like a crier.
Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back.
Such a one is a hateful man.
[16] The fool will say, “I have no friend,
and I have no thanks for my good deeds.
Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”
[17] How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!ⓘ [18] A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue.
So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
[19] A man without grace is a tale out of season.
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
[20] A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected;
for he won’t tell it at the proper time. [21] There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack.
When he rests, he will not be troubled.
[22] There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness.
By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.
[23] There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend;
and he makes him his enemy for nothing. [24] A lie is an ugly blot on a person.
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
[25] A thief is better than a man who is continually lying,
but they both will inherit destruction.
[26] The destination of a liar is dishonor.
His shame is with him continually. [27] He who is wise in words will advance himself.
And one who is prudent will please great men.
[28] He who tills his land will raise his harvest high.
He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
[29] Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,
and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
[30] Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight—
what profit is in either of them?
[31] Better is a man who hides his folly
than a man who hides his wisdom. [32] ⓘ
and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.
[2] How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry.
He who confesses will be kept back from harm. [3] ⓘ
[4] As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin,
so is he who executes judgments with violence.
[5] There is one who keeps silent and is found wise;
and there is one who is hated for his much talk.
[6] There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make;
And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.
[7] A wise man will be silent until his time has come,
but the braggart and fool will miss his time.
[8] He who uses many words will be abhorred.
He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. [9] There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes;
and there is a gain that turns to loss.
[10] There is a gift that will not profit you;
and there is a gift that pays back double.
[11] There are losses because of glory;
and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
[12] There is one who buys much for a little,
and pays for it again sevenfold.
[13] He who is wise in words will make himself beloved;
but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
[14] The gift of a fool will not profit you,ⓘ
for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
[15] He will give little and insult much.
He will open his mouth like a crier.
Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back.
Such a one is a hateful man.
[16] The fool will say, “I have no friend,
and I have no thanks for my good deeds.
Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”
[17] How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!ⓘ [18] A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue.
So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
[19] A man without grace is a tale out of season.
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
[20] A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected;
for he won’t tell it at the proper time. [21] There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack.
When he rests, he will not be troubled.
[22] There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness.
By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.
[23] There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend;
and he makes him his enemy for nothing. [24] A lie is an ugly blot on a person.
It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
[25] A thief is better than a man who is continually lying,
but they both will inherit destruction.
[26] The destination of a liar is dishonor.
His shame is with him continually. [27] He who is wise in words will advance himself.
And one who is prudent will please great men.
[28] He who tills his land will raise his harvest high.
He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
[29] Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,
and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
[30] Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight—
what profit is in either of them?
[31] Better is a man who hides his folly
than a man who hides his wisdom. [32] ⓘ
Footnotes
- ⓘ 20:3 Verse 3 is omitted by the best authorities.
- ⓘ 20:14 A line of this verse is here omitted by the best authorities.
- ⓘ 20:17 The latter part of verse 17 is omitted by the best authorities.
- ⓘ 20:32 Verse 32 is omitted by the best authorities.
King James Version
Book not available in King James Version
Septuaginta
Septuaginta, in place of Byzantine Greek New Testament
[1] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἔλεγχος G1650 (N-NSM) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ὡραῖος, G5611 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) σιωπῶν G4623 (V-PAP-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) αὐτὸς G846 (P-NSM) φρόνιμος. G5429 (A-NSM) [2] Ὡς G5613 (ADV) καλὸν G2570 (A-NSN) ἐλέγξαι G1651 (V-AAN) ἢ G2228 (PRT) θυμοῦσθαι, G2373 (V-PEN) [3] καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἀνθομολογούμενος G437 (V-PEP-NSM) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ἐλαττώσεως (N-GSF) κωλυθήσεται. G2967 (V-FPI-3S) [4] Ἐπιθυμία G1939 (N-NSF) εὐνούχου G2135 (N-GSM) ἀποπαρθενῶσαι (V-AAN) νεάνιδα, (N-ASF) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ποιῶν G4160 (V-PAP-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) βίᾳ G970 (N-DSF) κρίματα. G2917 (N-APN) [5] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) σιωπῶν G4623 (V-PAP-NSM) εὑρισκόμενος G2147 (V-PEP-NSM) σοφός, G4680 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) μισητὸς (A-NSM) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) πολλῆς G4183 (A-GSF) λαλιᾶς. G2981 (N-GSF) [6] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) σιωπῶν, G4623 (V-PAP-NSM) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ἔχει G2192 (V-PAI-3S) ἀπόκρισιν, G612 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) σιωπῶν G4623 (V-PAP-NSM) εἰδὼς G1492 (V-RAP-NSM) καιρόν. G2540 (N-ASM) [7] Ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) σοφὸς G4680 (A-NSM) σιγήσει G4601 (V-FAI-3S) ἕως G2193 (ADV) καιροῦ, G2540 (N-GSM) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) λαπιστὴς (N-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἄφρων G878 (A-NSM) ὑπερβήσεται G5233 (V-FMI-3S) καιρόν. G2540 (N-ASM) [8] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) πλεονάζων G4121 (V-PAP-NSM) λόγῳ G3056 (N-DSM) βδελυχθήσεται, (V-FPI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἐνεξουσιαζόμενος (V-PEP-NSM) μισηθήσεται. G3404 (V-FPI-3S) [9] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) εὐοδία (N-NSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) κακοῖς G2556 (A-DPN) ἀνδρί, G435 (N-DSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) εὕρεμα (N-NSN) εἰς G1519 (PREP) ἐλάττωσιν. (N-NSF) [10] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) δόσις, G1394 (N-NSF) ἣ G3739 (R-NSF) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) λυσιτελήσει G3081 (V-FAI-3S) σοι, G4671 (P-2DS) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) δόσις, G1394 (N-NSF) ἧς G3739 (R-GSF) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) ἀνταπόδομα G468 (N-ASN) διπλοῦν. G1362 (A-ASN) [11] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἐλάττωσις (N-NSF) ἕνεκεν G1752 (PREP) δόξης, G1391 (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ὃς G3739 (R-NSM) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ταπεινώσεως G5014 (N-GSF) ἦρεν G142 (V-AAI-3S) κεφαλήν. G2776 (N-ASF) [12] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἀγοράζων G59 (V-PAP-NSM) πολλὰ G4183 (A-APN) ὀλίγου G3641 (A-GSN) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀποτιννύων (V-PAP-NSM) αὐτὰ G846 (P-APN) ἑπταπλάσιον. (A-ASN) [13] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) σοφὸς G4680 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) λόγοις G3056 (N-DPM) ἑαυτὸν G1438 (F-3ASM) προσφιλῆ G4375 (A-ASM) ποιήσει, G4160 (V-FAI-3S) χάριτες G5485 (N-NPF) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) μωρῶν G3474 (A-GPM) ἐκχυθήσονται. G1632 (V-FPI-3P) [14] Δόσις G1394 (N-NSF) ἄφρονος G878 (A-GSM-C) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) λυσιτελήσει G3081 (V-FAI-3S) σοι, G4671 (P-2DS) οἱ G3588 (T-NPM) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) ὀφθαλμοὶ G3788 (N-NPM) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἀνθ’ G473 (PREP) ἑνὸς G1520 (A-GSM) πολλοί G4183 (A-NPM) [15] ὀλίγα G3641 (A-APN) δώσει G1325 (V-FAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) πολλὰ G4183 (A-APN) ὀνειδίσει G3679 (V-FAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀνοίξει G455 (V-FAI-3S) τὸ G3588 (T-ASN) στόμα G4750 (N-ASN) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ὡς G5613 (ADV) κῆρυξ· G2783 (N-NSM) σήμερον G4594 (ADV) δανιεῖ G1155 (V-FAI-3S) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) αὔριον G839 (ADV) ἀπαιτήσει, G523 (V-FAI-3S) μισητὸς (A-NSM) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) τοιοῦτος. G5108 (D-NSM) [16] Μωρὸς G3474 (A-NSM) ἐρεῖ G2046 (V-FAI-3S) Οὐχ G3756 (PRT-N) ὑπάρχει G5225 (V-PAI-3S) μοι G3427 (P-1DS) φίλος, G5384 (A-NSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) οὐκ G3756 (PRT-N) ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) χάρις G5485 (N-NSF) τοῖς G3588 (T-DPN) ἀγαθοῖς G18 (A-DPN) μου· G3450 (P-1GS) [17] οἱ G3588 (T-NPM) ἔσθοντες (V-PAP-NPM) τὸν G3588 (T-ASM) ἄρτον G740 (N-ASM) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) φαῦλοι G5337 (A-NPM) γλώσσῃ, G1100 (N-DSF) ποσάκις G4212 (ADV) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὅσοι G3745 (K-NPM) καταγελάσονται G2606 (V-FMI-3P) αὐτοῦ; G846 (P-GSM) [18] Ὀλίσθημα (N-NSN) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ἐδάφους G1475 (N-GSN) μᾶλλον G3123 (ADV) ἢ G2228 (PRT) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) γλώσσης, G1100 (N-GSF) οὕτως G3779 (ADV) πτῶσις G4431 (N-NSF) κακῶν G2556 (A-GPN) κατὰ G2596 (PREP) σπουδὴν G4710 (N-ASF) ἥξει. G2240 (V-FAI-3S) [19] Ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) ἄχαρις, (A-NSM) μῦθος G3454 (N-NSM) ἄκαιρος· (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) στόματι G4750 (N-DSN) ἀπαιδεύτων G521 (A-GPM) ἐνδελεχισθήσεται. (V-FPI-3S) [20] Ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) στόματος G4750 (N-GSN) μωροῦ G3474 (A-GSM) ἀποδοκιμασθήσεται G593 (V-FPI-3S) παραβολή· G3850 (N-NSF) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) γὰρ G1063 (CONJ) μὴ G3361 (PRT-N) εἴπῃ (V-2AAS-3S) αὐτὴν G846 (P-ASF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) καιρῷ G2540 (N-DSM) αὐτῆς. G846 (P-GSF) [21] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) κωλυόμενος G2967 (V-PEP-NSM) ἁμαρτάνειν G264 (V-PAN) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ἐνδείας, (N-GSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐν G1722 (PREP) τῇ G3588 (T-DSF) ἀναπαύσει G372 (N-DSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) οὐ G3756 (PRT-N) κατανυγήσεται. (V-FPI-3S) [22] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) ἀπολλύων G623 (N-NSM) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) ψυχὴν G5590 (N-ASF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) δι’ G1223 (PREP) αἰσχύνην, G152 (N-ASF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἀπὸ G575 (PREP) ἄφρονος G878 (A-GSN-C) προσώπου G4383 (N-GSN) ἀπολεῖ G622 (V-FAI-3S) αὐτήν. G846 (P-ASF) [23] Ἔστιν G2076 (V-PAI-3S) χάριν G5485 (N-ASF) αἰσχύνης G152 (N-GSF) ἐπαγγελλόμενος (V-PEP-NSM) φίλῳ, G5384 (A-DSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἐκτήσατο G2932 (V-ADI-3S) αὐτὸν G846 (P-ASM) ἐχθρὸν G2190 (A-ASM) δωρεάν. G1431 (N-ASF) [24] Μῶμος G3470 (N-NSM) πονηρὸς G4190 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀνθρώπῳ G444 (N-DSM) ψεῦδος, G5579 (N-NSN) ἐν G1722 (PREP) στόματι G4750 (N-DSN) ἀπαιδεύτων G521 (A-GPM) ἐνδελεχισθήσεται. (V-FPI-3S) [25] Αἱρετὸν (A-NSN) κλέπτης G2812 (N-NSM) ἢ G2228 (PRT) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἐνδελεχίζων (V-PAP-NSM) ψεύδει, (V-PAI-3S) ἀμφότεροι G297 (A-NPM) δὲ G1161 (CONJ) ἀπώλειαν G684 (N-ASF) κληρονομήσουσιν. G2816 (V-FAI-3P) [26] Ἦθος G2239 (N-NSN) ἀνθρώπου G444 (N-GSM) ψευδοῦς G5571 (A-GSM) ἀτιμία, G819 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἡ G3588 (T-NSF) αἰσχύνη G152 (N-NSF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) μετ’ G3326 (PREP) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἐνδελεχῶς. (ADV) [27] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) σοφὸς G4680 (A-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) λόγοις G3056 (N-DPM) προάξει G4254 (V-FAI-3S) ἑαυτόν, G1438 (F-3ASM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) φρόνιμος G5429 (A-NSM) ἀρέσει (V-FAI-3S) μεγιστᾶσιν. G3175 (N-DPM-S) [28] Ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἐργαζόμενος G2038 (V-PNP-NSM) γῆν G1093 (N-ASF) ἀνυψώσει (V-FAI-3S) θιμωνιὰν (N-ASF) αὐτοῦ, G846 (P-GSM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὁ G3588 (T-NSM) ἀρέσκων G700 (V-PAP-NSM) μεγιστᾶσιν G3175 (N-DPM-S) ἐξιλάσεται (V-FMI-3S) ἀδικίαν. G93 (N-ASF) [29] Ξένια G3578 (N-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) δῶρα G1435 (N-NPN) ἀποτυφλοῖ (V-PAI-3S) ὀφθαλμοὺς G3788 (N-APM) σοφῶν G4680 (A-GPM) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) ὡς G5613 (ADV) φιμὸς (N-NSM) ἐν G1722 (PREP) στόματι G4750 (N-DSN) ἀποτρέπει G665 (V-PAI-3S) ἐλεγμούς. (N-APM) [30] Σοφία G4678 (N-NSF) κεκρυμμένη G2928 (V-RMP-NSF) καὶ G2532 (CONJ) θησαυρὸς G2344 (N-NSM) ἀφανής, G852 (A-NSM) τίς G5101 (I-NSF) ὠφέλεια G5622 (N-NSF) ἐν G1722 (PREP) ἀμφοτέροις; G297 (A-DPM) [31] Κρείσσων G2908 (A-NSM-C) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) ἀποκρύπτων G613 (V-PAP-NSM) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) μωρίαν G3472 (N-ASF) αὐτοῦ G846 (P-GSM) ἢ G2228 (PRT) ἄνθρωπος G444 (N-NSM) ἀποκρύπτων G613 (V-PAP-NSM) τὴν G3588 (T-ASF) σοφίαν G4678 (N-ASF) αὐτοῦ. G846 (P-GSM)