Ben Sira 19:15-25

15 If you hear something bad about a friend, ask him about it. It might be a lie. Don't believe everything you hear.

16 A person may say something carelessly and not really mean it. Everyone has sinned in this way at one time or another.

17 If you hear something that makes you angry with your neighbor, ask him about it before you threaten him. Leave the matter to the Law of the Most High.

20 Fear the Lord and keep his Law; that is what Wisdom is all about.

22 You may know everything there is to know about wickedness, but that does not make you wise. It is not sensible to follow the advice of sinners.

23 It is possible to use cleverness for wicked purposes, but some people act like fools because they don't know any better.

24 A devout person, even if he is not very intelligent, is better off than the cleverest of sinners.

25 It is possible to be marvelously clever and still be dishonest, or to get what you want by being absurdly polite.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Some manuscripts add verses 17c-19:] and don't be angry. +V18+WFearing the Lord is the first step toward his accepting you; he will love you if you are wise. +V19+WLearn the Lord's commands. It is a discipline that gives life. Those who do what pleases him enjoy the fruit of the tree of immortality.
• [b]. [Some manuscripts add verses 20b-21:] and what the knowledge of his omnipotence means. +V21+WIf a servant refuses to obey his master, but later does obey, the master is still angry.