Ecclesiasticus 21

Ecclesiasticus

Chapter 21

21:1 My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.

21:2 Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.

21:3 The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.

21:4 All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.

21:5 Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride : so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.

21:6 The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.

21:7 He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.

21:8 He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.

21:9 He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.

21:10 The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.

21:11 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.

21:12 He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.

21:13 The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

21:14 He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.

21:15 But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil : and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

21:16 The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.

21:17 The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.

21:18 A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.

21:19 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.

21:20 The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.

21:21 As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool : and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.

21:22 Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.

21:23 A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.

21:24 Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.

21:25 The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.

21:26 A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.

21:27 It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.

21:28 The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.

21:29 The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.

21:30 While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.

21:31 The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.

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Douay Rheims Version of the Catholic Bible