Sirach 37

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Every friend will say: “I also am a close friend.” But there is a friend who is a friend in name only. Is this not a grief even unto death?	1 Any friend wil say, 'I am your friend too,' but some friends are friends only in name.
2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.	2 Is it not a deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?
3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?	3 O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?
4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.	4 One kind of comrade congratulates a friend in prosperity but in time of trouble appears on the otherside.
5 There is a companion who commiserates with a friend for the sake of the stomach, but he will shield himself from the enemy.	5 One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.
6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.	6 Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.
7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.	7 Any adviser wil offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.
8 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.	8 Beware of someone who offers advice; first find out what he wants himself- since his advice coincideswith his own interest -- in case he has designs on you
9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.	9 and tel s you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands wel clear to see what will happen to you.
10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:	10 Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.
11 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.	11 Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, a merchant about prices, or a buyerabout sel ing, anyone mean about gratitude, or anyone selfish about kindness, a lazy fel ow about any sort ofwork, or a casual worker about finishing a job, an idle servant about a major undertaking -- do not rely on thesefor any advice.
12 Do not discuss holiness with an irreligious man, nor justice with one who is unjust. You should not speak with a woman about her who is a rival, nor with a coward about war, nor with a merchant about exaggeration, nor with a buyer about selling, nor with a spiteful man about giving thanks,	12 But have constant recourse to some devout person, whom you know to be a keeper of thecommandments, whose soul matches your own, and who, if you go wrong, wil be sympathetic.
13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,	13 Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;
14 nor with a worker hired for a year about the end of the year, nor with a lazy servant about great works. You should pay no heed to these persons in any matter of counsel.	14 since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.
15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,	15 And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.
16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.	16 Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.
17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.	17 Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:
18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.	18 good and evil, life and death, and mistress of them always is the tongue.
19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.	19 One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;
20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.	20 another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,
21 A wicked word can change the heart. From the heart four kinds of things arise: good and evil, life and death. And the tongue is continually their ruler. There is a man who is an astute teacher of many, and yet this is useless to his own soul.	21 not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of al wisdom.
22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.	22 Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intel ectual conclusions as certainties.
23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.	23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intel ectual conclusions are certainties.
24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.	24 The wise is showered with blessings, and al who see him wil cal him happy.
25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.	25 Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.
26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.	26 The wise wil earn confidence among the people, his name wil live for ever.
27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.	27 During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution, do not give it what you find disagrees withit;
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.	28 for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything.
29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.	29 Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,
30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.	30 for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.
31 For not all things are fitting for all persons, and not every kind of thing is agreeable to every soul.	31 Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.
32 Do not choose to be eager during any feast, and you should not act with excess toward any food.
33 For in excessive eating there will be infirmity, and gluttony will continue even unto illness.
34 By excessive drinking, many have passed away. But he who abstains will add to his life.