Sirach 37:16-26

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

¹⁶ Discussion is the beginning of every work,
    and counsel precedes every undertaking.^(A)
17 The mind is the root of all counsel;^[a]
18     it sprouts four branches,^[b]
good and evil, life and death,
    and it is the tongue that continually rules them.^(B)
19 Some people may be clever enough to teach many
    and yet be useless to themselves.^(C)
20 Skillful speakers may be hated;
    they will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
    since they are lacking in all wisdom.
²² If people are wise to their own advantage,
    the fruits of their good sense will be praiseworthy.^[c]
23 The wise instruct their own people,
    and the fruits of their good sense are trustworthy.^(D)
24 The wise will have praise heaped upon them,
    and all who see them will call them happy.
²⁵ The days of a person’s life are numbered,
    but the days of Israel are without number.^(E)
26 Those who are wise among their people will inherit honor,^[d]
    and their names will live forever.^(F)