Sirach 6

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW JERUSALEM
1 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.	1 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.
2 Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bul ,	2 Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bul ,
3 and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.	3 and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.
4 An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.	4 An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.
5 A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.	5 A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.
6 Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.
7 If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;	7 If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;
8 for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but wil not stand by you in your day of trouble.	8 for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but wil not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9 Another kind of friend wil fal out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,	9 Another kind of friend wil fal out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,
10 and a third kind of friend wil share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:	10 and a third kind of friend wil share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:
11 when you are doing well he wil be your second self, ordering your servants about;	11 when you are doing well he wil be your second self, ordering your servants about;
12 but, if disaster befal s you, he wil recoil from you and keep out of your way.	12 but, if disaster befal s you, he wil recoil from you and keep out of your way.
13 Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.	13 Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.
14 A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.	14 A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.
15 A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.	15 A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.
16 A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.	16 A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17 Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.	17 Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.
18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and til your hair is white you wil keep findingwisdom.	18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and til your hair is white you wil keep findingwisdom.
19 Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you wil toil a littlewhile, but very soon you wil be eating her crops.	19 Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you wil toil a littlewhile, but very soon you wil be eating her crops.
20 How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:	20 How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:
21 she wil weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time inthrowing her off;	21 she wil weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time inthrowing her off;
22 for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.	22 for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.
23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:	23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:
24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;	24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;
25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;	25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;
26 court her with al your soul, and with al your might keep in her ways;	26 court her with al your soul, and with al your might keep in her ways;
27 search for her, track her down: she wil reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.	27 search for her, track her down: she wil reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.
28 For in the end you wil find rest in her and she wil take the form of joy for you:	28 For in the end you wil find rest in her and she wil take the form of joy for you:
29 her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her col ars, a precious necklace.	29 her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her col ars, a precious necklace.
30 Her yoke wil be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;	30 Her yoke wil be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;
31 you wil wear her like a robe of honour, you wil put her on like a crown of joy.	31 you wil wear her like a robe of honour, you wil put her on like a crown of joy.
32 If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intel igent.	32 If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intel igent.
33 If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.	33 If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.
34 Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.	34 Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.
35 Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.	35 Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.
36 If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.	36 If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.
37 Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at al times with his commandments. He wilstrengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.	37 Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at al times with his commandments. He wilstrengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.