Sirach 37

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Any friend wil say, 'I am your friend too,' but some friends are friends only in name.	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 deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?	2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.
3 O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover 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 One kind of comrade congratulates a friend in prosperity but in time of trouble appears on the otherside.	4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.
5 One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.	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 Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.	6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.
7 Any adviser wil offer advice, but some are governed by self-interest.	7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.
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 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.
9 and tel s you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands wel clear to see what will happen to you.	9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.
10 Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people jealous of you.	10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:
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 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.
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 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 Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;	13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,
14 since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.	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 And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.	15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,
16 Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.	16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.
17 Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:	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, life and death, and mistress of them always 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 One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;	19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.
20 another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,	20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.
21 not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of al wisdom.	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 Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intel ectual conclusions as certainties.	22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.
23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intel ectual conclusions are certainties.	23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.
24 The wise is showered with blessings, and al who see him wil cal him happy.	24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.
25 Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.	25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.
26 The wise wil earn confidence among the people, his name wil live for ever.	26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.
27 During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution, do not give it what you find disagrees withit;	27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.
28 for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything.	28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.
29 Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,	29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.
30 for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.	30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.
31 Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.	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.