Sirach 20:27-31

Proverbial sayingsl

27 Wise people distinguish themselves by their words, and prudent people will please the powerful.

28 Those who work the soil will pile up their harvest, and those who please the powerful will secure reconciliation for injuries.

29 Friendly relationships and gifts will blind the eyes of the wise; like a muzzle on a mouth, they turn away reproof.

30 Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure— of what benefit is either?

31 Better are those who hide their foolishness than those who hide their wisdom.

Footnotes

• [a]. The title appears in Gk manuscripts.
• [b]. LXXb adds 20:32 Better is unmovable endurance when seeking the Lord than a charioteer of one’s life that has no master.