Sirach 6

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.	1 Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.
2 Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bul ,	2 You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,
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 which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.
4 An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.	4 For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.
5 A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.	5 A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.
6 Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.	6 Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.
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 would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.
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 there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.
9 Another kind of friend wil fal out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,	9 And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.
10 and a third kind of friend wil share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:	10 And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.
11 when you are doing well he wil be your second self, ordering your servants about;	11 A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.
12 but, if disaster befal s you, he wil recoil from you and keep out of your way.	12 If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.
13 Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.	13 Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.
14 A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.	14 A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.
15 A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.	15 Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.
16 A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.	16 A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; 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 He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.
18 My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and til your hair is white you wil keep findingwisdom.	18 Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.
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 Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.
20 How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:	20 For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.
21 she wil weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time inthrowing her off;	21 How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.
22 for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.	22 She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.
23 Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:	23 For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.
24 put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;	24 Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.
25 offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;	25 Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.
26 court her with al your soul, and with al your might keep in her ways;	26 Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.
27 search for her, track her down: she wil reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.	27 Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.
28 For in the end you wil find rest in her and she wil take the form of joy for you:	28 Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.
29 her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her col ars, a precious necklace.	29 For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.
30 Her yoke wil be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;	30 Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.
31 you wil wear her like a robe of honour, you wil put her on like a crown of joy.	31 For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.
32 If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intel igent.	32 You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.
33 If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.	33 Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.
34 Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.	34 If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.
35 Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.	35 Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.
36 If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.	36 And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.
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 Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.