BenSira:27

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* Many have sinned for a small matter ; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away . * As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones ; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling . * Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord , his house shall soon be overthrown . * As when one sifteth with a sieve , the refuse remaineth ; so the filth of man in his talk . * The furnace proveth the potter 's vessels ; so the trial of man is in his reasoning . * The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed ; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man . * Praise no man before thou hearest him speak ; for this is the trial of men . * If thou followest righteousness , thou shalt obtain her , and put her on , as a glorious long robe . * The birds will resort unto their like ; so will truth return unto them that practise in her . * As the lion lieth in wait for the prey ; so sin for them that work iniquity . * The discourse of a godly man is always with wisdom ; but a fool changeth as the moon . * If thou be among the indiscreet , observe the time ; but be continually among men of understanding . * The discourse of fools is irksome , and their sport is the wantonness of sin . * The talk of him that sweareth much maketh the hair stand upright ; and their brawls make one stop his ears . * The strife of the proud is bloodshedding , and their revilings are grievous to the ear . * Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit ; and shall never find friend to his mind . * Love thy friend , and be faithful unto him : but if thou betrayest his secrets , follow no more after him . * For as a man hath destroyed his enemy ; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbor . * As one that letteth a bird go out of his hand , so hast thou let thy neighbour go , and shalt not get him again * Follow after him no more , for he is too far off ; he is as a roe escaped out of the snare . * As for a wound , it may be bound up ; and after reviling there may be reconcilement : but he that betrayeth secrets is without hope . * He that winketh with the eyes worketh evil : and he that knoweth him will depart from him . * When thou art present , he will speak sweetly , and will admire thy words : but at the last he will writhe his mouth , and slander thy sayings . * I have hated many things , but nothing like him ; for the Lord will hate him . * Whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head ; and a deceitful stroke shall make wounds . * Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein : and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein . * He that worketh mischief , it shall fall upon him , and he shall not know whence it cometh . * Mockery and reproach are from the proud ; but vengeance , as a lion , shall lie in wait for them . * They that rejoice at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare ; and anguish shall consume them before they die . * Malice and wrath , even these are abominations ; and the sinful man shall have them both .

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