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Sirach 27, RSV

27:1 Many have committed sin for a trifle, and whoever seeks to get rich will avert his eyes.

27:2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.

27:3 If a man is not steadfast and zealous in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown.

27:4 When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains; so a man's filth remains in his thoughts.

27:5 The kiln tests the potter's vessels; so the test of a man is in his reasoning.

27:6 The fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so the expression of a thought discloses the cultivation of a man's mind.

27:7 Do not praise a man before you hear him reason, for this is the test of men.

27:8 If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it as a glorious robe.

27:9 Birds flock with their kind; so truth returns to those who practice it.

27:10 A lion lies in wait for prey; so does sin for the workers of iniquity.

27:11 The talk of the godly man is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon.

27:12 Among stupid people watch for a chance to leave, but among thoughtful people stay on.

27:13 The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wantonly sinful.

27:14 The talk of men given to swearing makes one's hair stand on end, and their quarrels make a man stop his ears.

27:15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed, and their abuse is grievous to hear.

27:16 Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence, and he will never find a congenial friend.

27:17 Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not run after him.

27:18 For as a man destroys his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.

27:19 And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and will not catch him again.

27:20 Do not go after him, for he is too far off, and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.

27:21 For a wound may be bandaged, and there is reconciliation after abuse, but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.

27:22 Whoever winks his eye plans evil deeds, and no one can keep him from them.

27:23 In your presence his mouth is all sweetness, and he admires your words; but later he will twist his speech and with your own words he will give offense.

27:24 I have hated many things, but none to be compared to him; even the Lord will hate him.

27:25 Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head; and a treacherous blow opens up wounds.

27:26 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who sets a snare will be caught in it.

27:27 If a man does evil, it will roll back upon him, and he will not know where it came from.

27:28 Mockery and abuse issue from the proud man, but vengeance lies in wait for him like a lion.

27:29 Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare, and pain will consume them before their death.

27:30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, and the sinful man will possess them.

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