Sirach 19:20-27

Wisdom and cleverness

20 Fearing the Lord is the whole of wisdom, and all wisdom involves doing the Law.

22 The knowledge of wickedness isn't wisdom, and there is no prudence in the advice that sinners give.

23 There is a kind of cleverness that is detestable, and there is a senseless person who lacks wisdom.

24 Someone who fears God but who has inferior intelligence is better than someone who abounds in intelligence but who violates the Law.

25 There is cleverness that is precise but unjust, and there are people who abuse favors in order to get a favorable decision.

26 And there are people who act wickedly, bowed down gloomily, and their insides are full of treachery.

27 They hide their faces, and they pretend they can't hear; when you aren't paying attention, they will outrun you.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXXb adds 19:20c-21 and there is knowledge of his omnipotence. When household slaves say to the master, I won’t do what pleases you,and if after this they do those things, they still anger the one who provides for them.
• [b]. LXXb adds and whoever treats others justly is wise in judgment.