Sirach 11:29-34
Good News Translation
Be Careful in Choosing Friends
29 Be careful about the kind of person you invite into your home, because clever people can fool you in many ways. 30 A proud person is a decoy to lure you into danger; like a spy, he will look for your weaknesses.[a] 31 He will make good appear evil and find fault with the noblest actions. 32 A single spark can set a pile of coals ablaze, and a sinner is just waiting for a chance to do violence. 33 Watch out for such people and their evil plans; they will ruin you permanently. 34 If you bring a stranger home with you, it will only cause trouble, even between you and your own family.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Sirach 11:30 Hebrew look...weaknesses; Greek wait for your downfall.
Sirach 11:29-34
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Care in Choosing Friends
29 Do not invite everyone into your home,
for many are the tricks of the crafty.
30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the mind of the proud,
and like spies they observe your weakness,[a](A)
31 for they lie in wait, turning good into evil,
and to worthy actions they attach blame.(B)
32 From a spark many coals are kindled,
and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood.(C)
33 Beware of scoundrels, for they devise evil,
and they may ruin your reputation forever.(D)
34 Receive strangers into your home, and they will stir up trouble for you
and will make you a stranger to your own family.
Footnotes
- 11.30 Heb: Gk downfall
Ben Sira 11:29-34
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Care in Choosing Friends
29 Not everyone should be brought into your house,
for many are the snares of the crafty.
30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of the proud,
and like a spy they will pick out the weak spots.
31 For they lie in wait to turn good into evil,
and to praiseworthy deeds they attach blame.
32 One spark kindles many coals;
a sinner lies in wait for blood.
33 Beware of scoundrels, for they breed only evil,
and they may give you a lasting stain.
34 Admit strangers into your home, and they will stir up trouble
and make you a stranger to your own family.
Sirach 11:29-34
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
Care in Choosing Friends
29 Do not invite everyone into your home,
for many are the tricks of the crafty.
30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the mind of the proud,
and like spies they observe your weakness;[a]
31 for they lie in wait, turning good into evil,
and to worthy actions they attach blame.
32 From a spark many coals are kindled,
and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood.
33 Beware of scoundrels, for they devise evil,
and they may ruin your reputation for ever.
34 Receive strangers into your home and they will stir up trouble for you,
and will make you a stranger to your own family.
Footnotes
- Sirach 11:30 Heb: Gk downfall
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