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 ungodly: 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 God 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 ungodly 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 mass 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 God.
22:24. He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh 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?