Sirach 37

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.	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?
2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?	2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.
3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"	3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?
4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.	4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.
5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.	5 There is a companion who commiserates with a friend for the sake of the stomach, but he will shield himself from the enemy.
6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.	6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.
7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;	7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.
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?	8 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.
9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.	9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.
10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.	10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:
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.	11 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.
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.	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,
13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?	13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,
14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.	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.
15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.	15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,
16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.	16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.
17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:	17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.
18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.	18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.
19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.	19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.
20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.	20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.
21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;	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.
22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:	22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.
23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.	23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.
24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;	24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.
25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.	25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.
26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;	26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.
27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.	27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.
28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,	28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.
29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.	29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.
30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.	30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.
	31 For not all things are fitting for all persons, and not every kind of thing is agreeable to every soul.
	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.