> [[sirach-18|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-20|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 19 ## Chapter 19 1 Whoever does this grows no richer; ^sirach-19-1 those who waste the little they have will be stripped bare. 2 Wine and women make the heart lustful, ^sirach-19-2 and the companion of prostitutes becomes reckless. 3 Rottenness and worms will possess him, ^sirach-19-3 and the reckless will be snatched away. 4 Whoever trusts others too quickly has a shallow mind, ^sirach-19-4 and those who sin wrong themselves. ### The Proper Use of Speech 5 Whoever gloats over evil will be destroyed, ^sirach-19-5 6 and whoever repeats gossip has no sense. ^sirach-19-6 7 Never repeat gossip, ^sirach-19-7 and no one will reproach you. 8 Tell nothing to friend or foe; ^sirach-19-8 and unless it be a sin for you, do not reveal a thing. 9 For someone may have heard you and watched you, ^sirach-19-9 and in time come to hate you. 10 Let anything you hear die with you; ^sirach-19-10 never fear, it will not make you burst! 11 Having heard something, the fool goes into labor, ^sirach-19-11 like a woman giving birth to a child. 12 Like an arrow stuck in a fool’s thigh, ^sirach-19-12 so is gossip in the belly of a fool. 13 Admonish your friend—he may not have done it; ^sirach-19-13 and if he did, that he may not do it again. 14 Admonish your neighbor—he may not have said it; ^sirach-19-14 and if he did, that he may not say it again. 15 Admonish your friend—often it may be slander; ^sirach-19-15 do not believe every story. 16 Then, too, a person can slip and not mean it; ^sirach-19-16 who has not sinned with his tongue? 17 Admonish your neighbor before you break with him; ^sirach-19-17 and give due place to the Law of the Most High. ### How to Recognize True Wisdom 20 All wisdom is fear of the LORD; ^sirach-19-20 and in all wisdom, the observance of the Law. 22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, ^sirach-19-22 nor is there prudence in the counsel of sinners. 23 There is a shrewdness that is detestable, ^sirach-19-23 while the fool may be free from sin. 24 Better are the God-fearing who have little understanding ^sirach-19-24 than those of great intelligence who violate the Law. 25 There is a shrewdness keen but dishonest, ^sirach-19-25 and there are those who are duplicitous to win a judgment. 26 There is the villain bowed in grief, ^sirach-19-26 but full of deceit within. 27 He hides his face and pretends not to hear, ^sirach-19-27 but when not observed, he will take advantage of you: 28 Even if his lack of strength keeps him from sinning, ^sirach-19-28 when he finds the right time he will do harm. 29 People are known by their appearance; ^sirach-19-29 the sensible are recognized as such when first met. 30 One’s attire, hearty laughter, and gait ^sirach-19-30 proclaim him for what he is. \* (19:5] – [17) An excellent commentary on bearing false witness (([[exodus-20|Ex 20]]:16]; [Dt 5:20]). Ben Sira speaks harshly about calumny, rash judgment, and detraction (vv. [5] – [7]), and urges discreet silence (vv. [8] – [12]). Justice requires that an accused neighbor be given a hearing, and charity urges fraternal correction; both together fulfill the law of the Most High (vv. [13] – [17]); cf. ([[matthew-07|Mt 7]]:1] – [2]; [18:15] – [16]. † (19:17) Other ancient texts read as vv. 18–19: ¹⁸ Fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance; and wisdom from him obtains love. ¹⁹ Knowledge of the Lord’s commandments is life-giving instruction; those who do what pleases him will harvest the fruit of the tree of immortality. \* (19:20] – [30) True wisdom is contrasted with a dishonest shrewdness. † (19:20) Other ancient texts read as v. 21: The slave who says to his master, “What pleases you I will not do”— even if he does it later, provokes the one who feeds him. a. (19:2) [Prv 20:1]; [23:20] – [28]. b. (19:3) [Gal 6:8]. c. (19:7) [Prv 25:10]. d. (19:8) [Sir 8:18] – [19]. e. (19:13) [Lv 19:17]; ([[matthew-18|Mt 18]]:15]; ([[luke-17|Lk 17]]:3]. f. (19:16) [[sirach-14|Sir 14]]:1; [Jas 3:2]. g. (19:17) [Lv 19:17]. h. (19:20) [Sir 1:1], [12], [14]; [Jb 28:28]; [Ps 111:10]; [Prv 1:7]; [9:10]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-18|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-20|Next →]]