Sirach 37

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?	1 Any friend wil say, 'I am your friend too,' but some friends are friends only in name.
2 But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.	2 Is it not a deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?
3 O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?	3 O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?
4 There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.	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 condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against enemy.	5 One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.	6 Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.
7 Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.	7 Any adviser wil offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.
8 Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.	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 Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:	9 and tel s you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands wel clear to see what will happen to you.
10 Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:	10 Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.
11 Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.	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 Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of 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 ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the held labourer of every work	13 Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;
14 Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these 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, whomsoever thou shalt 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 according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.	16 Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.
17 And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.	17 Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:
18 The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.	18 good and evil, life and death, and mistress of them always is the tongue.
19 But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.	19 One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;
20 In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.	20 another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,
21 A wicked word shall change the beast: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.	21 not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of al wisdom.
22 A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.	22 Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intel ectual conclusions as certainties.
23 He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.	23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intel ectual conclusions are certainties.
24 Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is 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 that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.	25 Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.
26 A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.	26 The wise wil earn confidence among the people, his name wil live for ever.
27 A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall 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 shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.	29 Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,
30 My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:	30 for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.
31 For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.	31 Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.
32 Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
33 For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
34 By surfeiting many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.