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Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 19:23-29 Good News Bible Catholic Edition (GNBDK)

23. It is possible to use cleverness for wicked purposes, but some people act like fools because they don't know any better.

24. A devout person, even if he is not very intelligent, is better off than the cleverest of sinners.

25. It is possible to be marvellously clever and still be dishonest, or to get what you want by being absurdly polite.

26. Then there are those wicked people who go about looking very solemn and mournful, but who are only trying to deceive you.

27. They will turn their faces away and pretend not to hear you, but they'll take advantage of you when you least expect it.

28. If for some reason they are unable to sin now, they'll get round to it at the first opportunity.

29. You can know people by their appearance. The first time you look at them, you can tell if they have good sense.

Read complete chapter Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 19