Sirach 6

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.	1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"
2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]	2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;
3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.	3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,
4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.	4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.	5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.	7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.	8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.	9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.	10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.	11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.	12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.	13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
14 A faithfu1l friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.	14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.	15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.	16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.	17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.	18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.	19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.	20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.	21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.	22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,	23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.	24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.	25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.	26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.	27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.	28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.	29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.	30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.	31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.	32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,	33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.	34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.	35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.	36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.	37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.