The King James Version Bible

Sirach 19:7-21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  10. There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue?

  11. Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.

  12. The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love.

  13. The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.

  14. The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency.

  15. If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him.