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Sirach 22, RSV

22:1 The indolent may be compared to a filthy stone, and every one hisses at his disgrace.

22:2 The indolent may be compared to the filth of dunghills; any one that picks it up will shake it off his hand.

22:3 It is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son, and the birth of a daughter is a loss.

22:4 A sensible daughter obtains her husband, but one who acts shamefully brings grief to her father.

22:5 An impudent daughter disgraces father and husband, and will be despised by both.

22:6 Like music in mourning is a tale told at the wrong time, but chastising and discipline are wisdom at all times.

22:7 He who teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together, or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.

22:8 He who tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man; and at the end he will say, "What is it?"

22:11 Weep for the dead, for he lacks the light; and weep for the fool, for he lacks intelligence; weep less bitterly for the dead, for he has attained rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.

22:12 Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, but for a fool or an ungodly man it lasts all his life.

22:13 Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man; guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off; avoid him and you will find rest, and you will never be wearied by his madness.

22:14 What is heavier than lead? And what is its name except "Fool"?

22:15 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are easier to bear than a stupid man.

22:16 A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building will not be torn loose by an earthquake; so the mind firmly fixed on a reasonable counsel will not be afraid in a crisis.

22:17 A mind settled on an intelligent thought is like the stucco decoration on the wall of a colonnade.

22:18 Fences set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind; so a timid heart with a fool's purpose will not stand firm against any fear.

22:19 A man who pricks an eye will make tears fall, and one who pricks the heart makes it show feeling.

22:20 One who throws a stone at birds scares them away, and one who reviles a friend will break off the friendship.

22:21 Even if you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not despair, for a renewal of friendship is possible.

22:22 If you have opened your mouth against your friend, do not worry, for reconciliation is possible; but as for reviling, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or a treacherous blow -- in these cases any friend will flee.

22:23 Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity; stand by him in time of affliction, that you may share with him in his inheritance.

22:24 The vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire; so insults precede bloodshed.

22:25 I will not be ashamed to protect a friend, and I will not hide from him;

22:26 but if some harm should happen to me because of him, whoever hears of it will beware of him.

22:27 O that a guard were set over my mouth, and a seal of prudence upon my lips, that it may keep me from falling, so that my tongue may not destroy me!

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