Sirach 4:21
Ben Sira, Ecclesiasticus19 If they go astray she will forsake them, and hand them over to their ruin. 20 Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself. 21 For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favor. 22 Do not show partiality, to your own harm, or deference, to your downfall. 23 Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment, and do not hide your wisdom.
2 Corinthians 13:7
5 Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless, indeed, you fail the test! 6 And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! 7 Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. 9 For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified.
Notes and References
"... In the final analysis, however, what matters to Paul is that they will do what is right—even if it means that his work at Corinth may seem to have failed. Not that Paul expected to fail the test. But such a price would be worth paying if it guaranteed that the Corinthians would do the right thing. The Greek term kalos denotes what is beautiful, noble and honorable. As Christians, we are called to live in a way that commands the respect and esteem of those around us - and Paul asks no less of the Corinthians. In fact, he makes it his prayer to God. It would be far worse if they 'do what is wrong' just so that Paul and his coworkers might appear approved. The NIV translation 'do wrong' is somewhat weak. The Greek term actually means to 'do what is evil' (kakos) - that is, what is morally reprehensible in the eyes of others. A somewhat similar thought is found in Sirach 4:21: 'There is shame which brings sin and there is a shame which is glory and favor' ..."
Belleville, Linda L. 2 Corinthians (pp. 229-230) IVP Academic, 2011