Font Size
Wisdom of Ben Sira 5:12-14
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 5:12-14
New Catholic Bible
12 If you have understanding, reply to your neighbor,
but if not, put your hand over your mouth.[a]
13 Both honor and dishonor can result from speaking;
the tongue[b] can be the cause of a person’s downfall.
14 Do not gain a reputation for spreading scandal,
or set traps with your tongue.
For shame lies in store for the thief,
and severe condemnation for the double-tongued.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 5:12 Put your hand over your mouth: a graphic expression to indicate one should keep silent inasmuch as one has no competency to speak.
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 5:13 The tongue: The author will return frequently to the theme of the use and abuse of the tongue (Sir 19:6-17; 20:17-20; 22:27—23:15; 28:13-26).
