Lesson sequence
Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing
Sirach 20:1–8; Sirach 20:9–17; Sirach 20:18–26; Sirach 20:27–32
Sirach 20:1–8 teaches that correction, silence, speech and authority all depend on timing and self-control. The passage does not praise silence in every case or speaking in every case. Instead, it weighs when words are fitting and when they become harmful. This lesson also brings together Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses, Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace, Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment.
Before you teach
This passage comes from Sirach, a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. In these verses, the writer places short sayings side by side. They compare timely reproof, anger, confession, silence, wise speech, much talk and self-appointed authority, so the reader can consider how conduct should match the moment.
Explain the central teaching of Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing, using two details from the reading. This passage teaches that wisdom is shown not simply by speaking or being silent, but by knowing the right time, right spirit and right measure. This passage teaches that apparent gain or generosity should be judged by its real outcome, especially when foolish speech and selfish repayment spoil it. This passage teaches that foolish speech, false shame, and lying bring lasting dishonour, so a person should treat words and promises with care. This passage says wisdom brings benefit, but gifts can hinder clear judgment and reproof, so hidden wisdom is of little profit.
Your lesson sequence
Use the teaching outline below for each session, with these reading and activity choices.
Wise correction and silence depend on timing
Sirach 20:1–8
This passage teaches that wisdom is shown not simply by speaking or being silent, but by knowing the right time, right spirit and right measure.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 20:1–8. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses
Sirach 20:9–17
This passage teaches that apparent gain or generosity should be judged by its real outcome, especially when foolish speech and selfish repayment spoil it.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 20:9–17. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace
Sirach 20:18–26
This passage teaches that foolish speech, false shame, and lying bring lasting dishonour, so a person should treat words and promises with care.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 20:18–26. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment
Sirach 20:27–32
This passage says wisdom brings benefit, but gifts can hinder clear judgment and reproof, so hidden wisdom is of little profit.
Try together: Use the evidence sheet for Sirach 20:27–32. Record key details, compare the opening and closing of this reading, and prepare a short explanation with a supporting Bible reference for each point.
Welcome: Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing
5 minIntroduce “Wise correction and silence depend on timing”, “Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses”, “Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace”, “Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment” and locate Sirach 20:1–8; Sirach 20:9–17; Sirach 20:18–26; Sirach 20:27–32. This passage teaches that wisdom is shown not simply by speaking or being silent, but by knowing the right time, right spirit and right measure. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for. Choose the reading for today’s session from the sequence above.
Sirach 20:1, Sirach 20:5, Sirach 20:8
Read and explain the passage
12 minWise correction and silence depend on timing (Sirach 20:1–8): The passage opens by saying that some reproof is untimely, yet some silence is wise. It then adds that reproof can be good, better than anger. This means correction itself is not rejected. The issue is whether it is given in the right way, instead of letting anger rule. Confession is also linked with being kept back from harm.
Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses (Sirach 20:9–17): 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.
Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace (Sirach 20:18–26): Sirach begins with a comparison: falling on pavement is bad, but a verbal slip is worse. The saying then links this kind of evil speech with the downfall of the wicked. The point is not about physical clumsiness, but about the serious damage careless or wicked words can bring.
Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment (Sirach 20:27–32): The first saying names two related benefits. One who is wise in words will advance himself, and one who is prudent will please great men. The verse connects wisdom in speech with progress, and prudence with gaining approval from people in high places.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Wise correction and silence depend on timing”, “Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses”, “Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace”, “Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 20:1, Sirach 20:2, Sirach 20:9, Sirach 20:10, Sirach 20:11, Sirach 20:18, Sirach 20:27
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “According to these verses, what makes reproof good or bad?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This passage says wisdom brings benefit, but gifts can hinder clear judgment and reproof, so hidden wisdom is of little profit. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 20:1, Sirach 20:2, Sirach 20:23, Sirach 20:24, Sirach 20:25, Sirach 20:26, Sirach 20:27
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Wise correction and silence depend on timing”, “Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses”, “Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace”, “Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 20:1, Sirach 20:17, Sirach 20:31
Closing: return to Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment
3 minRevisit Sirach 20:27–32. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 20:27, Sirach 20:29, Sirach 20:31
Questions to explore
According to these verses, what makes reproof good or bad?
Compare the untimely reproof in verse 1 with the statement that reproof is good and better than anger in verse 2.
Sirach 20:1, Sirach 20:2
How do verses 23–26 connect foolish promises, lies, and dishonour?
Trace the movement from making promises out of bashfulness to the repeated shame attached to lying.
Sirach 20:23, Sirach 20:24, Sirach 20:25, Sirach 20:26
What two qualities are named in verse 27, and what result is linked with each one?
Read each half of the saying carefully. The verse pairs wise words with advancing oneself, and prudence with pleasing great men.
Sirach 20:27
Make, think or respond
Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 20:1–8; Sirach 20:9–17; Sirach 20:18–26; Sirach 20:27–32. Use “Wise correction and silence depend on timing”, “Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses”, “Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace”, “Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Sirach 20: Wise correction and silence depend on timing connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Wise correction and silence depend on timing”, “Apparent gains and foolish gifts may become losses”, “Careless speech, false shame, and lies bring disgrace”, “Use wisdom openly without letting gifts silence judgment” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 20:1–8; Sirach 20:9–17; Sirach 20:18–26; Sirach 20:27–32. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 20:1–8; Sirach 20:9–17; Sirach 20:18–26; Sirach 20:27–32. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 20
1 There is a reproof that is not timely; and there is a person who is wise enough to keep silent.
2 How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from harm.
4 As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, so is he who executes judgments with violence.
5 There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; and there is one who is hated for his much talk.
6 There is one who keeps silent, for he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, knowing when to speak.
7 A wise man will be silent until his time has come, but the braggart and fool will miss his time.
8 He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it.
9 There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; and there is a gain that turns to loss.
10 There is a gift that will not profit you; and there is a gift that pays back double.
11 There are losses because of glory; and there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate.
12 There is one who buys much for a little, and pays for it again sevenfold.
13 He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; but the pleasantries of fools will be wasted.
14 The gift of a fool will not profit you, for he looks for repayment many times instead of one.
15 He 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.
16 The 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.”
17 How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn!
18 A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
19 A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
20 A parable from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; for he won’t tell it at the proper time.
21 There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled.
22 There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it.
23 There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; and he makes him his enemy for nothing.
24 A lie is an ugly blot on a person. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.
25 A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, but they both will inherit destruction.
26 The destination of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually.
27 He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men.
28 He who tills his land will raise his harvest high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
29 Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.
30 Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight— what profit is in either of them?
31 Better is a man who hides his folly than a man who hides his wisdom.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.