{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/apo/sir027.htm","path":"bib/apo/sir027.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/sir027.htm","text":"1 Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.\n2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.\n3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.\n4 As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.\n5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.\n6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.\n7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.\n8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.\n9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.\n10 As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.\n11 The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.\n12 If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.\n13 The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.\n14 The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.\n15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.\n16 Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.\n17 Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.\n18 For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor.\n19 As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again\n20 Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.\n21 As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.\n22 He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.\n23 When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.\n24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.\n25 Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.\n26 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.\n27 He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.\n28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.\n29 They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.\n30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.","title":"The Apocrypha: Sirach: Sirach Chapter 27","type":"page"}