Sirach 37

¹ Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.

² Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?

³ O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?

⁴ There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.

⁵ There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.

⁶ Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

⁷ Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.

⁸ Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,

⁹ And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.

¹⁰ Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.

¹¹ Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.

¹² But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.

¹³ And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.

¹⁴ For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.

¹⁵ And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.

¹⁶ Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.

¹⁷ The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.

¹⁸ Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.

¹⁹ There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.

²⁰ There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.

²¹ For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.

²² Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.

²³ A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.

²⁴ A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.

²⁵ The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.

²⁶ A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.

²⁷ My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.

²⁸ For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.

²⁹ Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:

³⁰ For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.

³¹ By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.