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.^(C)

Tests in Life

⁴ When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears;
so does a person’s waste when he speaks.
⁵ The kiln tests the potter’s vessels,
and the test of a person is in his conversation.^(D)
6 Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree;
so does speech^[b] the thoughts of the human mind.^(E)
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.^(F)
9 Birds roost with their own kind,
so honesty comes home to those who practice it.^(G)
10 A lion lies in wait for prey;
so does sin for evildoers.^(H)

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.^(I)
13 The talk of fools is offensive,
and their laughter is wantonly sinful.^(J)
14 Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end,
and their quarrels make others stop their ears.^(K)
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.^(L)
17 Love your friends and keep faith with them,
but if you betray their secrets, do not follow after them.^(M)
18 For as a person destroys an enemy,^[c]
so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.
¹⁹ And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
so you have let your neighbor go and will not catch him again.^(N)
20 Do not go after him, for he is too far off
and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.^(O)
21 For a wound may be bandaged,
and there is reconciliation after abuse,
but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.^(P)

Hypocrisy and Retribution

²² Whoever winks the eye plots harm,
and those who know such a one will keep their distance.^(Q)
23 In your presence their mouths are all sweetness,
and they admire your words,
but later they will twist their speech
and with your own words they will cause a scandal.^(R)
24 I have hated many things but them above all;
even the Lord hates them.^(S)
25 Those who throw a stone straight up throw it on their own heads,
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.^(T)
27 If people do evil, it will roll back upon them,
and they 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.^(U)
29 Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare,
and pain will consume them before their death.^(V)

Anger and Vengeance

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

Footnotes

1. 27.1Other ancient authorities read a trifle
2. 27.6Other ancient authorities read reasoning
3. 27.18Other ancient authorities read corpse

Cross references

1. 27.1 : Prov 23.4; Sir 7.18; 1 Tim 6.9, 10
2. 27.2 : Sir 26.29
3. 27.3 : Ezek 33.13
4. 27.5 : Prov 17.3; 27.21
5. 27.6 : Mt 7.16, 17; 12.33, 34; Lk 6.45
6. 27.8 : Ex 28.2; Job 29.14; Sir 45.8
7. 27.9 : Sir 13.16
8. 27.10 : v 28; Sir 28.23
9. 27.12 : Sir 9.15
10. 27.13 : Eccl 7.5, 6
11. 27.14 : Sir 23.9
12. 27.16 : Sir 22.22
13. 27.17 : Sir 22.22
14. 27.19 : Ps 91.3; 124.7
15. 27.20 : Prov 6.5
16. 27.21 : Sir 22.22
17. 27.22 : Prov 6.13, 14; 10.10
18. 27.23 : Ps 28.3; 55.21
19. 27.24 : Ps 12.2, 3
20. 27.26 : Ps 7.15; 9.15; 35.8
21. 27.28 : v 10; Sir 28.23
22. 27.29 : Ps 112.10