Sirach 4:20-5:7

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

²⁰ Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
    and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
²¹ For there is a shame that leads to sin,
    and there is a shame that is glory and favor.
²² Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
    or deference, to your downfall.
²³ Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,^[a]
    and do not hide your wisdom.^[b]
24 For wisdom becomes known through speech,
    and education through the words of the tongue.
²⁵ Never speak against the truth,
    but be ashamed of your ignorance.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
    and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁷ Do not subject yourself to a fool,
    or show partiality to a ruler.
²⁸ Fight to the death for truth,
    and the Lord God will fight for you.

²⁹ Do not be reckless in your speech,
    or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
³⁰ Do not be like a lion in your home,
    or suspicious of your servants.
³¹ Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
    and closed when it is time to give.

⁴ Do not say, “I sinned, yet what has happened to me?”
    for the Lord is slow to anger.
⁵ Do not be so confident of forgiveness^[c]
    that you add sin to sin.
⁶ Do not say, “His mercy is great,
    he will forgive^[d] the multitude of my sins,”
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
    and his anger will rest on sinners.
⁷ Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,
    and do not postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you,
    and at the time of punishment you will perish.