Sirach 27:3-5

Common English Bible

³ If people don’t remain mindful
of the respect due the Lord,
    their houses will be quickly overthrown.

⁴ When a sieve is shaken,
rubbish remains behind;
    so in the process of reasoning,
    a person’s flaws appear.
⁵ A kiln tests a potter’s jars,
    and decision making tests a person.