Ben Sira 5:9-15

9 Be certain about what you believe and consistent in what you say. Don't try to please everyone or agree with everything people say.
11 Always be ready to listen, but take your time in answering.
12 Answer only if you know what to say, and if you don't know what to say, keep quiet.
13 Speaking can bring you either honor or disgrace; what you say can ruin you.
14 Don't get a reputation for being a gossip, and don't tell tales that will hurt people. Just as robbers will suffer disgrace, so liars will suffer severe condemnation.
15 Do nothing destructive, whether it seems insignificant or not,

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Hebrew] everything people say; [Greek adds] That is what double-tongued sinners do.
  • [b]. [Hebrew] Do nothing destructive; [Greek] Do not be ignorant in anything.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.