Ben Sira 19:4-14

4 He that is hasty to give credit is light-minded, and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.
5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned, but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.
6 He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife, and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.
7 Recount not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.
8 Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if thou canst without offense, reveal them not;
9 for he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.
10 If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.
11 A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labor with a child.
12 As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh, so is a word within a fool's belly.
13 Admonish a friend; it may be he hath not done it; and if he have done it, that he do it no more.
14 Admonish thy friend; it may be he hath not said it; and if he have, that he speak it not again.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.