Chapter 27

“Where buying and selling – there often is sin. Before conversation, do not praise a person. Strive for righteousness – and you will find it. Do not spend time among the foolish. Love a friend and be faithful to him. Avoid double-dealing and deceit. He who throws a stone upward throws it on his own head. He who digs a pit will fall into it himself; he who sets a snare will be caught in it himself.”

Sirach 27:1. “Many have sinned because of small things, and the one who seeks wealth turns away his eyes.” 2. “Just as a nail is driven in between the joints of stones, so sin enters between selling and buying.” 3. “If anyone does not hold himself carefully in the fear of the Lord, his house will soon be ruined.” 4. “When a sieve is shaken, the refuse remains: so the uncleanness of a man remains in his reasoning.” 5. “Earthen vessels are tested in the furnace, and a man is tested in conversation.” 6. “Care for a tree is revealed in its fruit: so in a word – the thoughts of the human heart.” “6. As the quality of fruit – good or bad – depends greatly on the care of the tree and testifies to the degree of that care, so the product of human thoughts and feelings – a word – greatly expresses innate inclinations and the degree of a person’s good upbringing.”

Sirach 27:7. “Do not praise a man before conversation, for it is a test of people.” 8. “If you will earnestly seek righteousness, you will find it and clothe yourself with it like a robe of glory.” “8. A podere is a long garment worn by Jewish high priests and kings.”

Sirach 27:9. “Birds gather with their like, and truth returns to those who practice it.” 10. “Just as a lion lies in wait for prey, so sins lie in wait for those who commit evil.” 11. “The conversation of the pious is always wisdom, but the fool changes like the moon.” 12. “Do not spend your time among the foolish, but spend it constantly among the wise.” 13. “The conversation of fools is repugnant, and their laughter is in the pursuit of sin.” 14. “The idle talk of those who swear much will make your hair stand on end, and their quarreling will deafen your ears.” 15. “The quarrel of the arrogant – bloodshed, and their abuse is unbearable to hear.” 16. “He who reveals secrets has lost trust and will not find a kindred friend.” 17. “Love a friend and be faithful to him;” 18. “But if you reveal his secrets, do not run after him:” 19. “For as a man kills his enemy, so you have killed the friendship of your neighbor;” 20. “And as you would let a bird out of your hands, so you have let go of your friend and will not catch him;” 21. “Do not run after him, for he has gone far away and has escaped like a doe from a net.” 22. “A wound can be bound, and after a quarrel reconciliation is possible;” 23. “But whoever has revealed secrets has lost hope of reconciliation.” 24. “Whoever winks an eye, plots mischief, and no one will keep him from it;” “24. A man of deceit cannot bear a direct, honest gaze.”

Sirach 27:25. “Before your eyes he will speak sweetly and will marvel at your words,” 26. “But later he will pervert his mouth and will reveal a stumbling block in your words;” 27. “Much have I hated, but not so much as him; and the Lord will hate him.” 28. “He who throws a stone upward throws it on his own head, and a treacherous blow will split wounds.” 29. “He who digs a pit will fall into it himself, and he who sets a snare will be caught in it himself.” 30. “He who does evil, it will return upon him, and he will not know where it came to him from;” 31. “Mockery and reproach from the proud, and vengeance like a lion will lie in wait for him.” 32. “Those caught in the net will rejoice at the downfall of the pious, and grief will wear them out before their death.” 33. “Malice and wrath – these too are abominations, and a sinful man will be possessed by them.”