Good News Translation
A slip of the tongue is worse than a slip on the pavement; the wicked will go to ruin just as suddenly as a person slips and falls.

New Revised Standard Version
A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue; the downfall of the wicked will occur just as speedily.

Contemporary English Version
It is better to slip and fall than to suffer a slip of the tongue. And something that small can bring sudden disaster to those who are evil.

New American Bible
A slip on the floor is better than a slip of the tongue; in like manner the downfall of the wicked comes quickly.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!

For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!

Sirach 20:16
To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.

Sirach 20:17
A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.

Sirach 20:19
For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.

Sirach 20:20
The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.