The King James Version Bible

Sirach 19:3-15

  1. Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away.

  2. He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul.

  3. Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life.

  4. He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil.

  5. Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse.

  6. Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not.

  7. For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee.

  8. If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee.

  9. A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child.

  10. As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh, so is a word within a fool's belly.

  11. Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it: and if he have done it, that he do it no more.

  12. Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it: and if he have, that he speak it not again.

  13. Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale.