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 unG.o.dly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.

While the unG.o.dly, etc... He condemneth and curseth himself: inasmuch as by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member and subject.

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.

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 22

Wise sayings on divers subjects.

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 unG.o.dly: 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.

For the fool... In the language of the Holy Ghost, he is styled a fool, that turns away from G.o.d to follow vanity and sin. And what is said by the wise man against fools is meant of such fools as these.

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 unG.o.dly 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 ma.s.s 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 G.o.d.

22:24. He that p.r.i.c.keth the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that p.r.i.c.keth 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?

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 23