Sirach 21:11-28
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Wisdom and Foolishness
11 Those who keep the law control their thoughts,
and the fulfillment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.(A)
12 Those who are not clever cannot be taught,
but there is a cleverness that increases bitterness.(B)
13 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood
and their counsel like a life-giving spring.(C)
14 The mind[a] of a fool is like a broken jar;
it can hold no knowledge.(D)
15 When intelligent people hear a wise saying,
they praise it and add to it;
when fools[b] hear it, they laugh at[c] it
and throw it behind their backs.(E)
16 The chatter[d] of fools is like a burden on a journey,
but delight is found in the speech of the intelligent.(F)
17 The utterance of sensible people is sought in the assembly,
and they ponder their words in their minds.
18 Like a house in ruins is wisdom to a fool,
and the knowledge of the ignorant is meaningless talk.(G)
19 To the senseless, education is fetters on their feet
and like manacles on their right hands.
20 Fools raise their voices when they laugh,
but the wise[e] smile quietly.(H)
21 To the sensible, education is like a golden ornament
and like a bracelet on the right arm.
22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house,
but an experienced person waits respectfully outside.(I)
23 A boor peers into the house from the door,
but a cultivated person remains outside.
24 It is ill-mannered for a person to listen at a door;
the discreet would be grieved by the disgrace.
25 The lips of babblers speak of what is not their concern,[f]
but the words of the prudent are weighed in the balance.(J)
26 The mind of fools is in their mouth,
but the mouth of the wise is in[g] their mind.(K)
27 When ungodly people curse an adversary,
they curse themselves.(L)
28 Whisperers degrade themselves
and are hated in their neighborhoods.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.