KJVA - Sirach - 27

27:1  Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

27:2  As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

27:3  Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

27:4  As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

27:5  The furnace proveth the potter’s vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

27:6  The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

27:7  Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.

27:8  If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a glorious long robe.

27:9  The birds will resort unto their like; so will truth return unto them that practise in her.

27:10  As the lion lieth in wait for the prey; so sin for them that work iniquity.

27:11  The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom; but a fool changeth as the moon.

27:12  If thou be among the indiscreet, observe the time; but be continually among men of understanding.

27:13  The discourse of fools is irksome, and their sport is the wantonness of sin.

27:14  The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright; and their brawls make one stop his ears.

27:15  The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, and their revilings are grievous to the ear.

27:16  Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind.

27:17  Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou betrayest his secrets, follow no more after him.

27:18  For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor.

27:19  As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and shalt not get him again

27:20  Follow after him no more, for he is too far off; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.

27:21  As for a wound, it may be bound up; and after reviling there may be reconcilement: but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope.

27:22  He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil: and he that knoweth him will depart from him.

27:23  When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander thy sayings.

27:24  I have hated many things, but nothing like him; for the Lord will hate him.

27:25  Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds.

27:26  Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein.

27:27  He that worketh mischief, it shall fall upon him, and he shall not know whence it cometh.

27:28  Mockery and reproach are from the proud; but vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for them.

27:29  They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

27:30  Malice and wrath, even these are abominations; and the sinful man shall have them both.