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Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13-15
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13-15
New Catholic Bible
The Courtesies and Discourses of Fools[a]
13 A wise man can become beloved by means of his[b] words,
but the courtesies of fools are futile.
14 The gift of a fool will profit you nothing,
[neither will that of a miser who gives solely out of obligation][c]
for he covets to receive more than he gave.
15 He gives little and criticizes much,
opening his mouth like a town crier.
He lends today and demands payment tomorrow;
such a man is detestable.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13 Rather than being a gift, certain presents are acts of guile and wickedness.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:13 His: Hebrew reads: “few.”
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 20:14 Added by some early MSS.
