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Wisdom of Ben Sira 18:17-19
New Catholic Bible
Wisdom of Ben Sira 18:17-19
New Catholic Bible
17 Sometimes a word is better than an expensive gift;
both are the hallmark of a gracious person.
18 A fool offers nothing but insult,
and a gift given begrudgingly dims the expectant eyes.
Know How To Reflect and Foresee[a]
19 Be fully informed before you speak;
before you fall sick, take care of your health.
Footnotes
- Wisdom of Ben Sira 18:19 The ancients regarded sickness as a punishment for sin. Living a good life gave some assurance of escaping sickness and of avoiding the threat of a premature death. In this and in other things, the sage is concerned with a prudent way of acting.
