20:31. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct. 20:32. O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both? 20:33. Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom. Ecclesiasticus Chapter 21 Cautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular. 21:1. My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee. 21:2. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee. 21:3. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men. 21:4. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof. 21:5. Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out. 21:6. The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily. 21:7. He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart. 21:8. He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him. 21:9. He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter. 21:10. The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire. 21:11. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains. 21:12. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof. 21:13. The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding. 21:14. He that is not wise in good, will not be taught. 21:15. But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness. 21:16. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life. 21:17. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold. 21:18. A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back. 21:19. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found. 21:20. The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts. 21:21. As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense. 21:22. Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand. 21:23. A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself. 21:24. Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.