Chapter 20

¹ There is a reproof that is not comely:

Sir 20:1

² It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly:

Sir 20:2

³ And he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.

Sir 20:3

⁴ As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin;

Sir 20:4

⁵ There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise:

Sir 20:5

⁶ Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer:

Sir 20:6

⁷ A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity:

Sir 20:7

⁸ He that useth many words shall be abhorred;

Sir 20:8

⁹ There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things;

Sir 20:9

¹⁰ There is a gift that shall not profit thee;

Sir 20:10

¹¹ There is an abasement because of glory;

Sir 20:11

¹² There is that buyeth much for a little,

Sir 20:12

¹³ A wise man by his words maketh himself beloved:

Sir 20:13

¹⁴ The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it;

Sir 20:14

¹⁵ He giveth little, and upbraideth much;

Sir 20:15

¹⁶ The fool saith, I have no friends,

Sir 20:16

¹⁷ How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn!

Sir 20:17

¹⁸ To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue:

Sir 20:18

¹⁹ An unseasonable tale

Sir 20:19

²⁰ A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool’s mouth;

Sir 20:20

²¹ There is that is hindered from sinning through want:

Sir 20:21

²² There is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness,

Sir 20:22

²³ There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend,

Sir 20:23

²⁴ A lie is a foul blot in a man,

Sir 20:24

²⁵ A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie:

Sir 20:25

²⁶ The disposition of a liar is dishonorable,

Sir 20:26

²⁷ A wise man shall promote himself [to honor] with his words:

Sir 20:27

²⁸ He that tilleth his land shall increase his heap:

Sir 20:28

²⁹ Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,

Sir 20:29

³⁰ Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is hoarded up,

Sir 20:30

³¹ Better is he that hideth his folly

Sir 20:31