Sirach 27:1-7

1 Many have sinned because of money, and whoever seeks to get more will turn a blind eye.

2 A stake is driven between cracks in stones, and sin will be wedged between selling and buying.

3 If people don't remain mindful of the respect due the Lord, their houses will be quickly overthrown.

4 When a sieve is shaken, rubbish remains behind; so in the process of reasoning, a person's flaws appear.

5 A kiln tests a potter's jars, and decision making tests a person.

6 A tree's fruit reveals how well it has been cultivated. In the same way, reasoning makes plain a person's thoughts.

7 Don't praise people until after they present an argument, for this is how people are tested.