Sirach

1How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.

2The lust of an eunuch shall devour a young maiden:

3So is he that by violence executeth unjust judgment.

4How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.

5There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.

6There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.

7A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.

8He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.

9There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.

10There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.

11There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.

12There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.

13A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.

14The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.

15He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.

16Today a man lendeth, and tomorrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.

17A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.

18For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!

19For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.

20The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

21A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.

22A parable coming out, of a fool’s mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.

23There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.

24There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.

25There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.

26A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.

27A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.

28The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.

29A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.

30He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.

31Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.

32Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?

33Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.

1có kẻ thinh lặng mà lại biết điều.

2Thà trách mắng còn hơn giận dữ.

3Người thú tội thì tránh được bao hệ luỵ.

4chẳng khác nào hoạn quan muốn hại đời con gái.

5còn kẻ ba hoa thì đáng ghét.

6có kẻ thinh lặng để chờ thời.

7còn kẻ bép xép, dại khờ lại bỏ lỡ cơ may.

8người hiếu thắng thì bị khinh chê.

9gặp may mà hoá thiệt thòi.

10có lúc cho đi lại được trả gấp đôi.

11kẻ thấp hèn lại được ngẩng đầu hiên ngang.

12nhưng thật ra phải trả gấp bảy lần.

13lời hoa mỹ của kẻ ngu đần chỉ là thứ đổ đi.

14nó biếu một mà trông được mười.

15Người như vậy thật đáng ghét.

16việc nghĩa tôi làm, chẳng ai biết đến !”

17biết bao lần chúng cười nhạo nó !

18những kẻ gian ác cũng sụp đổ nhanh như thế.

19kẻ dốt nát cứ kể đi kể lại.

20vì lúc phải nói, nó lại chẳng nói.

21và không bị ray rứt lúc nghỉ ngơi.

22nó tiêu vong vì nể mặt đứa khờ.

23bỗng dưng biến người ấy thành kẻ thù.

24kẻ dốt nát cứ luôn mồm nói dối.

25nhưng cả hai đều chuốc lấy hư vong.

26nỗi nhục không bao giờ rời xa nó.

27người cư xử chín chắn được bậc quyền cao trọng dụng.

28kẻ đẹp lòng các bậc quyền cao, dù có lỗi lầm, cũng được tha thứ.

29khiến miệng họ mắc quai, không còn dám khiển trách.

30cả hai nào có ích chi ?

31vẫn hơn kẻ che giấu sự khôn ngoan.

32Этот перевод не включает этот отрывок.

33Этот перевод не включает этот отрывок.