01_Biblica_1_F_Gregory_Layout 1 05/11/12 12:13 Pagina 329 329 SLIPS OF THE TONGUE IN THE SPEECH ETHICS OF BEN SIRA Thus, the concept of a “slip” of the tongue is likely original to Ben Sira but has been glossed by the grandson in the Greek version. In the Syriac version of v. 18, taken as original here, the idea of slip- periness is associated with the speech behavior of the wicked, since the image of water gliding off a rock describes the nature of their speech in the presence of the righteous. This shows conceptual con- sistency with Proverbs, where careless speech is coordinated with foolishness (12,13; 29,20; cf. Qoh 5,2). The context suggests that the issue is poor timing 18. The words themselves may not be culpable, but the timing makes them like a fatty tail without salt. According to the commonly emended text of 1 Sam 9,24 the fatty tail was consid- ered a delicacy 19, but its inherent value is marred when not seasoned properly with salt (cf. Job 6,6). So, Ben Sira says, is the word offered at the wrong time. The same basic concept is reiterated in v. 20, in which Ben Sira notes that a proverbial saying (probably having some inherent value since it had become proverbial) is simply rejected when not well timed (also note earlier statements in vv. 1-8). However, in the Greek version of v. 18 the image is slightly dif- ferent. Here slipping on the ground is not connected directly with the speech of the wicked, but is compared to a slip of the tongue, where the latter element has been made explicit in the Greek. The basic idea, obviously, is that a momentary physical injury is far preferable to the kinds of damage that can result from a slip of the tongue. Yet, in adapting v. 18a to a popular Greek proverb its orig- inal connection with 18b was obscured and so seems to have prompted the grandson to make a necessary adjustment, which does not wholly relieve the awkwardness of their relationship. The point of comparison is shifted from the tongue of the wicked to the down- fall of the wicked, namely the swiftness of such a fall. Therefore, in the Greek version of 20,18 the primary point of the “slipping” imagery is its unexpected and sudden nature. This makes it difficult Ankhsheshonq: “A slip of the tongue in the royal palace is a slip of the helm at sea” (23,10). Earlier commentators frequently cite a reference in Ahiqar, but it is found only in the Syriac, Ethiopic, and Slavonic versions. The Ethiopic (line 13) is almost exactly the same as Sir 20,18a, but the version in the Syriac (ii 23) has “better to stumble in the heart than with the tongue”, which reflects a different concept despite the formal similarity. 18 So MARBÖCK, Sirach 1-23, 245. 19 See P.K. MCCARTER, I Samuel (AB 8; New York 1980) 170.