Ecclesiasticus
Ecclesiasticus 22
Chapter XXII · Vol. III, p. 1566
1 Of the slothful man, and a foolish daughter. 11 Weep rather for fools than for the dead. 13 Meddle not with them. 16 The wise man's heart will not shrink.
1 A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace.
2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: every man that takes it up will shake his hand.
3 An evil-nurtured son is the dishonour of his father that begat him: and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.
4 1A wise daughter 2shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father's heaviness.
1 Prov. 13. 22.
2 Or, shall be the heir of her husband.
5 She that is bold dishonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her.
6 A tale out of season [is as] music in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.
7 Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from sound sleep.
8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale he will say, What is the matter?
9 If children live honestly, and have 3wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents.
3 Or, an art.
10 But children, being haughty, through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred.
11 4Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death.
4 ch. 38. 16.
12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.
13 Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: 5beware of him, lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled 6with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be 7disquieted with madness.
5 ch. 12. 12.
6 Or, when he shakes off his filth.
7 Or, wearied.
14 What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof, but a fool?
15 8Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear than a man without understanding.
8 Prov. 27. 3.
16 As timber girt and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking: so the heart that is established by advised counsel shall fear at no time.
17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding is as a fair plastering 9on the wall of a gallery.
9 Or, of a polished wall.
18 Pales set on a high place will never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.
19 He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall: and he that pricketh the heart maketh it to shew her knowledge.
20 Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away: and he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.
21 Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not: for there may be a returning [to favour.]
22 If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not; for there may be a reconciliation: except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for these things every friend will depart.
23 Be faithful to thy neighbour in his poverty, that thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity: abide steadfast unto him in the time of his trouble, that thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage: for a mean estate is not always to be contemned; nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.
24 As the vapour and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire; so reviling before blood.
25 I will not be ashamed to defend a friend; neither will I hide myself from him.
26 And if any evil happen unto me by him every one that heareth it will beware of him.
27 *Who shall set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I fall not suddenly by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?
* Ps. 141. 3.