20 Whoever casts a stone at birds scares them away. He who insults a friend will dissolve friendship. (WEB) 21 If you have drawn a sword against a friend, don’t despair, for there may be a way back. (WEB) 22 If you have opened your mouth against a friend, don’t be afraid, for there may be reconciliation, unless it is for insulting, arrogance, disclosing of a secret, or a treacherous blow— for these things any friend will flee. (WEB)
Sirach 22:20–22
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 27:17–19
17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him; (WEB) 18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. (WEB) 19 As a bird which you have released out of your hand, so you have let you… (WEB)
Sirach 6:8–10
8 For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction. (WEB) 9 And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach. (WEB) 10 And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in… (WEB)
Sirach 6:1–2
1 Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. (WEB) 2 Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull. (WEB)
Proverbs 17:8–10
8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends. 10 A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
Sirach 20:22–24
22 There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. (WEB) 23 There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing. (WEB) 24 A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continuall… (WEB)
Sirach 19:13–15
13 Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more. (WEB) 14 Question your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again. (WEB) 15 Question a friend; for many times there is sla… (WEB)
Job 6:13–15
13 Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? 14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
Proverbs 27:5–7
5 Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. 6 The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 7 The soul that is full loathes honey, but to a hungry soul, any bitter thing is sweet.
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