The King James Version Bible

Sirach 27:1-7

  1. Many have sinned for a small matter; and he that seeketh for abundance will turn his eyes away.

  2. As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; so doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

  3. Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

  4. As when one sifteth with a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so the filth of man in his talk.

  5. The furnace proveth the potter's vessels; so the trial of man is in his reasoning.

  6. The fruit declareth if the tree have been dressed; so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.

  7. Praise no man before thou hearest him speak; for this is the trial of men.