It took a year to read the Bible, then almost 9 months to read the Apocrypha. Now, I'm going to try to offer reflections on the Narrative Lectionary. But, I won't be posting daily--at least, for a while.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sirach 20-23

Some truths stay true; e.g,
     Some people keep silent because they have nothing to say, while others keep silent because they know when to speak.
     A liar's way leads to disgrace.
     Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise; like a muzzle on the mouth they stop reproofs.
     Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure, of what value is either?
     Flee from sin as from a snake; for if you approach sin, it will bite you.
     Panic and insolence will waste away riches.
     When an intelligent person hears a wise saying, he praises it and adds to it; when a fool hears it, he laughs.
     Weep for the dead, for he left the light behind; and weep for the fool for he has left intelligence behind. Weep less bitterly for the dead, for he is at rest; but the life of the fool is worse than death.
     One who throws a stone at birds scares then away, and one who reviles a friend destroys a friendship.
     Gain the trust of your neighbor in his poverty, so that you may rejoice with him in his prosperity.
     Sinners are overtaken through their lips; by them the reviler and the arrogant are tripped up.

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