Read & explore together
Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses
Sirach 20:9–17 is a short wisdom passage about outcomes that do not match first appearances. It compares profit and loss, honour and hardship, and generous-looking gifts that turn sour because of foolish speech and selfish expectations.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage from the Catholic additional books speaks in paired observations: gain can become loss, loss can be linked with glory, and some gifts do not truly help. It moves from broad sayings about reversals to a sharper description of the fool whose giving is small, noisy, insulting, and demanding.
Sirach 20:9–17Main takeaway
This passage teaches that apparent gain or generosity should be judged by its real outcome, especially when foolish speech and selfish repayment spoil it.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Gain is not always gainThe passage begins with reversals. Prosperity may be found in misfortunes, while a gain may become a loss.
Explanation
The passage begins with reversals. Prosperity may be found in misfortunes, while a gain may become a loss. A gift may fail to profit, and some losses stand beside glory. These sayings warn readers not to judge situations only by surface appearance or immediate advantage.
02Value can be deceptiveSirach continues with contrasts in value. One person buys much for a little, yet pays again sevenfold.
Explanation
Sirach continues with contrasts in value. One person buys much for a little, yet pays again sevenfold. The point is not a shopping method but a warning that what looks cheap or successful at first may prove costly later. Wisdom notices the final result, not only the first exchange.
03Wise words and wasted pleasantriesThe focus then turns to speech. A person wise in words becomes beloved, but the pleasantries of fools are wasted.
Explanation
The focus then turns to speech. A person wise in words becomes beloved, but the pleasantries of fools are wasted. In this passage, speech is not merely decoration. Words reveal whether a person brings real help or empty noise, and they strongly affect how others receive them.
04The fool’s gift comes with a priceThe fool’s gift does not profit because he wants repayment many times over. He gives little, insults much, lends today, and asks for it back tomorrow.
Explanation
The fool’s gift does not profit because he wants repayment many times over. He gives little, insults much, lends today, and asks for it back tomorrow. His giving sounds public and loud, yet it is mean-spirited. The passage therefore calls such a person hateful rather than generous.
05Complaint and scorn follow foolish givingAt the end, the fool complains that he has no friend and receives no thanks, while those who eat his bread speak badly.
Explanation
At the end, the fool complains that he has no friend and receives no thanks, while those who eat his bread speak badly. But the passage does not present him as mistreated. Instead, it concludes that he will often be laughed to scorn, showing the poor fruit of his behaviour.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which reversals in verses 9–12 show that first appearances can mislead?
List the pairs in the text, such as gain turning to loss or buying much for a little and then paying again.
02How does Sirach contrast a wise speaker with a fool?
Notice that wise words make a person beloved, while a fool’s pleasant-sounding words are wasted and his loud giving is tied to insult and demands.
03Why does the fool’s gift fail to profit others?
The text says he looks for repayment many times over, gives little, insults much, and quickly asks for the loan back.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 20:9–17
9There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss.
10There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double.
11There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
12There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold.
13He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
14The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
15He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man.
16The fool will say, “I have no friend, and I have no thanks for my good deeds. Those who eat my bread have an evil tongue.”
17How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!