Ben Sira 22:8-18

8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber; when he hath told his tale, he will say, "What is the matter?"
9 If children live honestly and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.
10 But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.
11 Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light; and weep for the fool, for he wanteth in understanding; make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.
12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.
13 Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries; depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.
14 What is heavier than lead? And what is the name thereof, but a fool?
15 Sand and salt and a mass of iron is easier to bear than a man without understanding.
16 As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking, so the heart that is established by advised counsel shall fear at no time.
17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plastering on the wall of a gallery.
18 Fences set on a high place will never stand against the wind; so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.