Timely Speech and Silence
Sirach 20
This chapter weighs the value of timely silence against ill-timed reproof or babbling, observing that a wise man knows when to speak and a fool does not. It contrasts profitable and profitless gifts, honest and shameful gain, and closes by asking what good there is in wisdom that is hidden away and never used.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
1
BrentonThere is a reproof that is not comely: again, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wise.
GreekἜστιν ἔλεγχος ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ὡραῖος, καὶ ἔστι σιωπῶν καὶ αὐτὸς φρόνιμος.
2
BrentonIt is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly:
GreekὩς καλὸν ἐλέγξαι ἢ θυμοῦσθαι,
3
Brentonand he that confesseth his fault shall be preserved from hurt.
Greekκαὶ ὁ ἀνθομολογούμενος ἀπὸ ἐλαττώσεως κωλυθήσεται.
4
BrentonAs is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence.
GreekἘπιθυμία εὐνούχου ἀποπαρθενῶσαι νεανίδα, οὕτως ὁ ποιῶν ἐν βίᾳ κρίματα.
5
BrentonThere is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise: and another by much babbling becometh hateful.
GreekΕστι σιωπῶν εὑρισκόμενος σοφὸς, καὶ ἔστι μισητὸς ἀπὸ πολλῆς λαλιᾶς.
6
BrentonSome man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time.
GreekἜστι σιωπῶν, οὐ γὰρ ἔχει ἀπόκρισιν, καὶ ἔστι σιωπῶν εἰδὼς καιρόν.
7
BrentonA wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
GreekἌνθρωπος σοφὸς σιγήσει ἕως καιροῦ, ὁ δὲ λαπιστὴς καὶ ἄφρων ὑπερβήσεται καιρόν.
8
BrentonHe that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated.
GreekὉ πλεονάζων λόγῳ βδελυχθήσεται, καὶ ὁ ἐνεξουσιαζόμενος μισηθήσεται.
9
BrentonThere is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss.
GreekἜστιν εὐοδία ἐν κακοῖς ἀνδρί, καὶ ἔστιν εὕρεμα εἰς ἐλάττωσιν.
10
BrentonThere is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double.
GreekἜστι δόσις ἣ οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, καὶ ἔστι δόσις ἧς τὸ ἀνταπόδομα διπλοῦν.
11
BrentonThere is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate.
GreekἜστιν ἐλάττωσις ἕνεκεν δόξης, καὶ ἔστιν ὃς ἀπὸ ταπεινώσεως ᾖρε κεφαλήν.
12
BrentonThere is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold.
GreekἜστιν ἀγοράζων πολλὰ ὀλίγου, καὶ ἀποτιννύων αὐτὰ ἑπταπλάσιον.
13
BrentonA wise man by his words maketh himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
GreekὉ σοφὸς ἐν λόγῳ ἑαυτὸν προσφιλῆ ποιήσει, χάριτες δὲ μωρῶν ἐκχυθήσονται.
14
BrentonThe gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity: for he looketh to receive many things for one.
GreekΔόσις ἄφρονος οὐ λυσιτελήσει σοι, οἱ γὰρ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ ἀνθʼ ἑνὸς πολλοί.
15
BrentonHe giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to-day he lendeth, and to-morrow will he ask it again: such an one is to be hated of God and man.
GreekὈλίγα δώσει καὶ πολλὰ ὀνειδίσει, καὶ ἀνοίξει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὡς κήρυξ· σήμερον δανειεῖ καὶ αὔριον ἀπαιτήσει· μισητὸς ἄνθρωπος ὁ τοιοῦτος.
16
BrentonThe fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me.
GreekΜωρὸς ἐρεῖ, οὐχ ὑπάρχει μοι φίλος, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι χάρις τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς μου· οἱ ἔσθοντες τὸν ἄρτον μου, φαῦλοι γλώσσῃ.
17
BrentonHow oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn!
GreekΠοσάκις, καὶ ὅσοι καταγελάσονται αὐτοῦ;
18
BrentonTo slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
GreekὈλίσθημα ἀπὸ ἐδάφους μᾶλλον ἢ ἀπὸ γλώσσης, οὕτως πτῶσις κακῶν κατὰ σπουδὴν ἥξει.
19
BrentonAn unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
GreekἌνθρωπος ἄχαρις, μύθος ἄκαιρος, ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
20
BrentonA wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season.
GreekἈπὸ στόματος μωροῦ ἀποδοκιμασθήσεται παραβολὴ, οὐ γὰρ μὴ εἴπῃ αὐτὴν ἐν καιρῷ αὐτῆς.
21
BrentonThere is that is hindered from sinning through want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not be troubled.
GreekἜστι κωλυόμενος ἁμαρτάνειν ἀπὸ ἐνδείας, καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀναπαύσει αὐτοῦ οὐ κατανυγήσεται.
22
BrentonThere is that destroyeth his own soul through bashfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself.
GreekἜστιν ἀπολλύων τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ διʼ αἰσχύνην, καὶ ἀπὸ ἄφρονος προσώπου ἀπολεῖ αὐτήν.
23
BrentonThere is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
GreekἜστι χάριν αἰσχύνης ἐπαγγελλόμενος φίλῳ, καὶ ἐκτήσατο αὐτὸν ἐχθρὸν δωρεάν.
24
BrentonA lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
GreekΜῶμος πονηρὸς ἐν ἀνθρώπῳ ψεῦδος, ἐν στόματι ἀπαιδεύτων ἐνδελεχισθήσεται.
25
BrentonA thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.
GreekΑἱρετὸν κλέπτης, ἢ ὁ ἐνδελεχίζων ψεύδει, ἀμφότεροι δὲ ἀπώλειαν κληρονομήσουσιν.
26
BrentonThe disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him.
GreekἮθος ἀνθρώπου ψευδοῦς ἀτιμία, καὶ ἡ αἰσχύνη αὐτοῦ μετʼ αὐτοῦ ἐνδελεχῶς. ΛΟΓΟΙ ΠΑΡΑΒΟΛΩΝ.
27
BrentonA wise man shall promote himself to honour with his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men.
GreekΟ σοφὸς ἐν λόγοις προάξει ἑαυτὸν, καὶ ἄνθρωπος φρόνιμος ἀρέσει μεγιστᾶσιν.
28
BrentonHe that tilleth his land shall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity.
GreekὉ ἐργαζόμενος γῆν ἀνυψώσει θημωνίαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ἀρέσκων μεγιστᾶσιν ἐξιλάσεται ἀδικίαν.
29
BrentonPresents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
GreekΞένια καὶ δῶρα ἀποτυφλοῖ ὀφθαλμοὺς σοφῶν, καὶ ὡς φιμὸς ἐν στόματι ἀποτρέπει ἐλεγμούς.
30
BrentonWisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
GreekΣοφία κεκρυμμένη καὶ θησαυρὸς ἀφανὴς, τίς ὠφέλεια ἐν ἀμφοτέροις;
31
BrentonBetter is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom.
GreekΚρείσσων ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν μωρίαν αὐτοῦ, ἢ ἄνθρωπος ἀποκρύπτων τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ.