01_Biblica_1_F_Gregory_Layout 1 05/11/12 12:13 Pagina 330 330 BRADLEY C. GREGORY to deduce anything firm about the culpability of the person who makes the slip. While the speech error of a wicked person may still be the primary referent in view, the structure of the Greek makes the phenomenon of a slip in general, regardless of who makes it, an appropriate illustration for the downfall of the wicked. It can be concluded that in 20,18-20 Ben Sira appears to have adopted the traditional sapiential correlation between speech errors and the wicked and expressed it in relation to the concept of a slip- pery tongue. The Greek has then adapted the saying to a well- known proverb in the Hellenistic world and in so doing introduced new comparative relationships into the verse. While the wicked may be especially prone to downfall through a slip of the tongue, the slip itself functions more paradigmatically. 2. A Slip of the Tongue as a Common Human Error (Sir 19,13-17) Another occurrence of the idea of a slip of the tongue is found in the previous chapter. In the course of a discussion on gossip Ben Sira strongly urges his students not to repeat anything they have heard; instead they are to let it die with them (19,7-11). Instead of speaking to others about such information, the student should ap- proach the subject of such gossip directly. Ben Sira counsels: Reprove a friend; perhaps he did not do it 20 and if he did, lest he continue. Reprove a neighbor; perhaps he did not say it and if he did say it, that he might not repeat it. Reprove a friend; for often slander occurs and do not believe every word. Someone can slip, though unintentionally. Who has not sinned 21 with his tongue? Reprove your neighbor before becoming angry and give place to the Law of the Most High. (19,13-17) 20 So the Greek: mh,pote ouvk evpoi,hsen. The Syriac has “lest he do some- thing wrong.” The Greek is also favored by R. SMEND, Die Weisheit des Jesus Sirach erklärt (Berlin 1906) 176. Similarly for two lines below. 21 The two verbs in this verse are reversed in the Syriac. For “slip” the Syriac has “stumble”.