> [[sirach-20|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-22|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 21 ## Chapter 21 ### Dangers from sin 1 My child, if you have sinned, do so no more, ^sirach-21-1 and for your past sins pray to be forgiven. 2 Flee from sin as from a serpent ^sirach-21-2 that will bite you if you go near it; Its teeth, lion’s teeth, destroying human lives. 3 All lawlessness is like a two-edged sword; ^sirach-21-3 when it cuts, there is no healing. 4 Panic and pride wipe out wealth; ^sirach-21-4 so too the house of the proud is uprooted. 5 Prayer from the lips of the poor is heard at once, ^sirach-21-5 and justice is quickly granted them. 6 Whoever hates correction walks the sinner’s path, ^sirach-21-6 but whoever fears the Lord repents in his heart. 7 Glib speakers are widely known, ^sirach-21-7 but when they slip the sensible perceive it. 8 Those who build their houses with someone else’s money ^sirach-21-8 are like those who collect stones for their funeral mounds. 9 A band of criminals is like a bundle of tow; ^sirach-21-9 they will end in a flaming fire. 10 The path of sinners is smooth stones, ^sirach-21-10 but its end is the pit of Sheol. ### The Wise and Foolish: a Contrast 11 Those who keep the Law control their thoughts; ^sirach-21-11 perfect fear of the Lord is wisdom. 12 One who is not clever can never be taught, ^sirach-21-12 but there is a cleverness filled with bitterness. 13 The knowledge of the wise wells up like a flood, ^sirach-21-13 and their counsel like a living spring. 14 A fool’s mind is like a broken jar: ^sirach-21-14 it cannot hold any knowledge at all. 15 When the intelligent hear a wise saying, ^sirach-21-15 they praise it and add to it. The wanton hear it with distaste and cast it behind their back. 16 A fool’s chatter is like a load on a journey, ^sirach-21-16 but delight is to be found on the lips of the intelligent. 17 The views of the prudent are sought in an assembly, ^sirach-21-17 and their words are taken to heart. 18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool; ^sirach-21-18 to the stupid, knowledge is incomprehensible chatter. 19 To the senseless, education is fetters on the feet, ^sirach-21-19 like manacles on the right hand. 20 Fools raise their voice in laughter, ^sirach-21-20 but the prudent at most smile quietly. 21 Like a gold ornament is education to the wise, ^sirach-21-21 like a bracelet on the right arm. 22 A fool steps boldly into a house, ^sirach-21-22 while the well-bred are slow to make an entrance. 23 A boor peeps through the doorway of a house, ^sirach-21-23 but the educated stay outside. 24 It is rude for one to listen at a door; ^sirach-21-24 the discreet person would be overwhelmed by the disgrace. 25 The lips of the arrogant talk of what is not their concern, ^sirach-21-25 but the discreet carefully weigh their words. 26 The mind of fools is in their mouths, ^sirach-21-26 but the mouth of the wise is in their mind. 27 When the godless curse their adversary, ^sirach-21-27 they really curse themselves. 28 Slanderers sully themselves, ^sirach-21-28 and are hated by their neighbors. \* (21:1] – [10) Under various figures, the consequences of sin are described as destructive of wealth, and even of life, deserving of death (vv. [2] – [4], [6a], [8] – [10]). Fear of the Lord motivates repentance (vv. [5], [6b]). \* (21:10) The path of sinners…Sheol: Ben Sira refers to the death that awaits unrepentant sinners; see notes on [11:26] – [28]; [17:24] – [32]. \* (21:11] – [28) The mind of the wise is a fountain of knowledge (vv. [13], [15]); their will is trained to keep the Law (v. [11]); their words are gracious, valued, carefully weighed, sincere (vv. [16] – [17], [25] – [26]); their conduct is respectful, cultured and restrained (vv. [20], [22] – [24]). The mind of the foolish is devoid of knowledge and impenetrable to it (vv. [12], [14], [18] – [19]); their will rejects it (v. [15]); their talk is burdensome (v. [16]), their laughter unrestrained (v. [20]), their conversation shallow and meddlesome (vv. [25] – [26]); their conduct is bold and rude (vv. [22] – [24]); their abuse of others redounds on themselves (vv. [27] – [28]). \* (21:26) A clever play on words. \* (21:27) Curse their adversary: the curse of the godless often recoils on their own head; cf. [Gn 27:29]; [Nm 24:9]. a. (21:3) [Prv 5:4]. b. (21:6) [Prv 12:1]. c. (21:9) [[sirach-16|Sir 16]]:6; ([[psalm-21|Ps 21]]:10]. d. (21:13) [Prv 13:14]; [16:22]; [18:4]. e. (21:20) [Eccl 7:6]. f. (21:22) [Prv 25:17]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-20|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-22|Next →]]