Sirach 37

¹ Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.

² Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?

³ "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"

⁴ A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.

⁵ A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.

⁶ Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.

⁷ Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;

⁸ Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself alone; why should the profit fall to him?

⁹ He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.

¹⁰ Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.

¹¹ Speak not to a woman about her rival, nor to a coward about war, to a merchant about business, to a buyer about value, to a miser about generosity, to a cruel man about mercy, to a lazy man about work, to a seasonal laborer about the harvest, to an idle slave about a great task: pay no attention to any advice they give.

¹² Instead, associate with a religious man, who you are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will feel for you if you fall.

¹³ Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?

¹⁴ A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.

¹⁵ Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.

¹⁶ A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.

¹⁷ The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:

¹⁸ Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.

¹⁹ A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.

²⁰ Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.

²¹ When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;

²² When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:

²³ Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.

²⁴ One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;

²⁵ One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.

²⁶ My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;

²⁷ For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.

²⁸ Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,

²⁹ For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.

³⁰ Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.