Sirach 27 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

27 Many have committed sin for gain,[a]
and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.
2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones,
so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.
3 If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord,
his house will be quickly overthrown.

Tests in Life

4 When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so do a person’s faults when he speaks.
5 The kiln tests the potter’s vessels;
so the test of a person is in his conversation.
6 Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of his mind.
7 Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.

Reward and Retribution

8 If you pursue justice, you will attain it
and wear it like a glorious robe.
9 Birds roost with their own kind,
so honesty comes home to those who practise it.
10 A lion lies in wait for prey;
so does sin for evildoers.

Varieties of Speech

11 The conversation of the godly is always wise,
but the fool changes like the moon.
12 Among stupid people limit your time,
but among thoughtful people linger on.
13 The talk of fools is offensive,
and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
14 Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end,
and their quarrels make others stop their ears.
15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed,
and their abuse is grievous to hear.

Betraying Secrets

16 Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence,
and will never find a congenial friend.
17 Love your friend and keep faith with him;
but if you betray his secrets, do not follow after him.
18 For as a person destroys his enemy,
so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbour.
19 And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
so you have let your neighbour go, and will not catch him again.
20 Do not go after him, for he is too far off,
and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
21 For a wound may be bandaged,
and there is reconciliation after abuse,
but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.

Hypocrisy and Retribution

22 Whoever winks the eye plots mischief,
and those who know him will keep their distance.
23 In your presence his mouth is all sweetness,
and he admires your words;
but later he will twist his speech
and with your own words he will trip you up.
24 I have hated many things, but him above all;
even the Lord hates him.
25 Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head,
and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds.
26 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever sets a snare will be caught in it.
27 If a person does evil, it will roll back upon him,
and he will not know where it came from.
28 Mockery and abuse issue from the proud,
but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion.
29 Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare,
and pain will consume them before their death.

Anger and Vengeance

30 Anger and wrath, these also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds on to them.

Footnotes

  1. Sirach 27:1 Other ancient authorities read a trifle

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Sirach 27 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

27 Many men have trespassed for neediness [or for mis-ease]; and he that seeketh to be made rich, turneth away his eye. 2 As a stake is fastened in the midst of a heap of stones, so and a man shall be anguished by sins betwixt the midst of selling and buying. Trespass shall be all-broken with him th...
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Sirach 27 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

27 Many have committed sin for a trifle,[a] and whoever seeks to get rich will avert his eyes.2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.3 If a man is not steadfast and zealous in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthr...
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Sirach 27 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

27 Many have committed sin for a trifle,[a] and whoever seeks to get rich will avert his eyes.2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.3 If a man is not steadfast and zealous in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthr...
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Sirach 27 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

27 Many have committed sin for gain,[a] and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.3 If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown. Tests...
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Sirach 27 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

27 Many have committed sin for gain,[a] and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes.(A)2 As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying.(B)3 If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown....
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Sirach 27 - Good News Translation (GNT)

27 1 Many people have sinned while looking for a profit; if you want to be rich you have to keep blinders on your eyes. 2 It is hard to remove a peg that is stuck between two stones of a house, and it is just as hard to remove dishonesty from buying and selling. 3 Unless you are determined in your ...
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Sirach 27 - Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

27 Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye. 2 As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast. 3 Sin shall be destroyed with the sinner. 4 Unless thou hold thyself dili...
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Sirach 27 - Common English Bible (CEB)

27 Many have sinned because of money, and whoever seeks to get more will turn a blind eye.2 A stake is drivenbetween cracks in stones, and sin will be wedged between selling and buying.3 If people don’t remain mindfulof the respect due the Lord, their houses will be quickly overthrown. 4 When a siev...
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