Sirach 37

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Any friend wil say, 'I am your friend too,' but some friends are friends only in name.	1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.
2 Is it not a deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?	2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?
3 O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?	3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"
4 One kind of comrade congratulates a friend in prosperity but in time of trouble appears on the otherside.	4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.
5 One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.	5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.
6 Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.	6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.
7 Any adviser wil offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.	7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;
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	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 and tel s you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands wel clear to see what will happen to you.	9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.
10 Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.	10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.
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.	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 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.	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 Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;	13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?
14 since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.	14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.
15 And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.	15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.
16 Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.	16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.
17 Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:	17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:
18 good and evil, life and death, and mistress of them always is the tongue.	18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.
19 One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;	19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.
20 another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,	20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.
21 not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of al wisdom.	21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;
22 Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intel ectual conclusions as certainties.	22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:
23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intel ectual conclusions are certainties.	23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.
24 The wise is showered with blessings, and al who see him wil cal him happy.	24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;
25 Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.	25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.
26 The wise wil earn confidence among the people, his name wil live for ever.	26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;
27 During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution, do not give it what you find disagrees withit;	27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.
28 for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything.	28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,
29 Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,	29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.
30 for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.	30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.
31 Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.