Ben Sira 27:1-9

1 Many have sinned for a small matter, and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

2 As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones, so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

4 As when one sifteth with a sieve the refuse remaineth, so the filth of man in his talk.

5 The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

6 The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conception in the heart of man.

7 Praise no man before thou hearest him speak, for this is the trial of men.

8 If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

9 The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practice in her.