Ben Sira 32:17-24

17 Sinners have no use for correction, and will interpret the Law to suit themselves.

18 Sensible people will consider every opinion, but arrogant people will let nothing stand in their way.

19 Never do anything without thinking it through, and once you have done something, don't look back and wish you had done something else.

20 Don't take a course of action that is dangerous, and don't make the same mistake twice.

21 Don't be too sure of yourself, even when the way looks easy.

22 Always watch where you are going.

23 Whatever you do be careful; this is keeping the Lord's commands.

24 Believing in the Law means keeping the Lord's commands. If you trust the Lord, you cannot lose.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Hebrew] arrogant; [Greek] foreign and arrogant.
• [b]. [Hebrew] make . . . twice; [Greek] stumble on stones.
• [c]. [Hebrew] watch . . . going; [Greek] look out for your children.
• [d]. [Hebrew] be careful; [Greek] have confidence in yourself.