Ben Sira 21:23-28

23 A boor peers into the house from the door, but a cultivated person remains outside.

24 It is ill-mannered for a person to listen at a door; the discreet would be grieved by the disgrace.

25 The lips of babblers speak of what is not their concern, but the words of the prudent are weighed in the balance.

26 The mind of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their mind.

27 When an ungodly person curses an adversary, he curses himself.

28 A whisperer degrades himself and is hated in his neighborhood.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other ancient authorities read [of strangers speak of these things]
• [b]. Other ancient authorities omit [in]
• [c]. Or [curses Satan]