Sirach 37

¹ Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.

² Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?

³ O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?

⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.

⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.

⁶ Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.

⁷ Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.

⁸ Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest-- for he will take thought for himself-- lest he cast the lot against you

⁹ and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.

¹⁰ Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.

¹¹ Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task-- pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.

¹² But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.

¹³ And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.

¹⁴ For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.

¹⁵ And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.

¹⁶ Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.

¹⁷ As a clue to changes of heart

¹⁸ four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.

¹⁹ A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.

²⁰ A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,

²¹ for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.

²² A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.

²³ A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.

²⁴ A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.

²⁵ The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.

²⁶ He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.

²⁷ My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.

²⁸ For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.

²⁹ Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;

³⁰ for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.

³¹ Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.