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Wisdom of Ben Sira 23:12-14
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 23:12-14
New Catholic Bible
The Wise Watch Their Words[a]
12 There are words that are fraught with death;
may they never be heard among Jacob’s descendants.
For such conduct will be avoided by the devout;
they will not wallow in sin.
13 Do not use your mouth for coarse and foul language,
since that involves sinful speech.
14 Remember your father and mother
when you are sitting among the mighty,
or you may forget yourself in their presence
and by such habits make a fool of yourself.
Then you will wish you had never been born
and curse the day of your birth.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 23:12 Using abusive, coarse, and foul speech is habit-forming. The wise watch their every word to avoid such a habit.