Sirach 22
The lazy and undisciplined bring shame to themselves and their families, while the prudent and wise bring honor. It is futile to try to teach wisdom to the foolish, as they will not listen or understand. One should not associate with the foolish or wicked, as it can lead to problems and corruption. A strong and thoughtful heart can withstand fear and difficulties, but a timid and senseless heart will not. True friendship can withstand disagreements and difficulties, but betrayal and deceit can destroy it. Faithfulness and loyalty to a friend are essential, even in times of tribulation.
The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejectionThe lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their handsAn undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradationA prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived herShe who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by bothAn untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timelyWhoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken potWhoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleepWhoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: "Who is this?Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failedWeep only a little over the dead, for he is at restBut the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than deathThe mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their lifeYou should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senselessKeep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sinTurn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishnessWhat is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolishSand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impiousA bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counselThe thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situationJust as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the windso also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fearDespite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of GodHe who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understandingHe who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendshipBut if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee awayHold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperityIn the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritanceJust as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshedI shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endureAnyone who hears of this will be wary around himWho will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me
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