Ben Sira 20:11-21

11 There are losses for the sake of glory, and there are some who have raised their heads from humble circumstances.
12 Some buy much for little, but pay for it seven times over.
13 The wise make themselves beloved by only few words, but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14 A fool's gift will profit you nothing, for he looks for recompense sevenfold.
15 He gives little and upbraids much; he opens his mouth like a town crier. Today he lends and tomorrow he asks it back; such a one is hateful to God and humans.
16 The fool says, "I have no friends, and I get no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread are evil-tongued."
17 How many will ridicule him, and how often!
18 A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily.
19 A coarse person is like an inappropriate story, continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20 A proverb from a fool's lips will be rejected, for he does not tell it at the proper time.
21 One may be prevented from sinning by poverty; so when he rests he feels no remorse.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Heb: Gk [by words]
  • [b]. Other ancient authorities add [so it is with the envious who give under compulsion]
  • [c]. Syr: Gk [he has many eyes instead of one]
  • [d]. Other ancient authorities lack [to God and humans]
  • [e]. Other ancient authorities add [for he has not honestly received what he has, and what he does not have is unimportant to him]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.