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)
Sirach 6:1
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 5:13–15
13 Glory and dishonor is in talk. A man’s tongue may be his downfall. (WEB) 14 Don’t be called a whisperer. Don’t lie in wait with your tongue; for shame is on the thief, and an evil condemnation is on him who has a double tongue. (WEB) 15 Don’t be ignorant in a great or small matt… (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 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 7:11–13
11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul, for there is one who humbles and exalts. (WEB) 12 Don’t devise a lie against your brother, or do the same to a friend. (WEB) 13 Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit results in no good. (WEB)
Sirach 28:12–14
12 If you blow on a spark, it will burn; and if you spit upon it, it will be quenched. Both of these come out of your mouth. (WEB) 13 Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, for he has destroyed many who were at peace. (WEB) 14 A slanderer has shaken many, and dispersed them from n… (WEB)
Sirach 5:8–10
8 Don’t set your heart upon unrighteous gains, for you will profit nothing in the day of calamity. (WEB) 9 Don’t winnow with every wind. Don’t walk in every path. This is what the sinner who has a double tongue does. (WEB) 10 Be steadfast in your understanding. Let your speech be… (WEB)
Sirach 19:14–16
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 slander. Don’t trust every word. (WEB) 16 There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinne… (WEB)
Sirach 22:21–23
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 treach… (WEB)
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