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Ecclesiasticus

  Chapter 22  

22:1 The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace.

22:2 The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that toucheth him will shake his hands.

22:3 A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss.

22:4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.

22:5 She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.

22:6 A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.

22:7 He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd together.

22:8 He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that waketh a man out of a deep sleep.

22:9 He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?

22:10 Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding faileth.

22:11 Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest.

22:12 For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

22:13 The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.

22:14 Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that hath no sense.

22:15 Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.

22:16 Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be wearied out with his folly.

22:17 What is heavier than lead? and what other name hath he but fool?

22:18 Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.

22:19 A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.

22:20 The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear.

22:21 As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind:

22:22 So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear.

22:23 As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.

22:24 He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.

22:25 He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.

22:26 Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend,

22:27 If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away.

22:28 Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also thou mayst rejoice.

22:29 In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance.

22:30 As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood.

22:31 I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it.

22:32 But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him.

22:33 Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?