Sirach 37

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name.	1 Any friend wil say, 'I am your friend too,' 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?	2 Is it not a deadly sorrow when a comrade or a friend turns enemy?
3 O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?	3 O evil inclination, why were you created, to cover the earth with deceit?
4 Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.	4 One kind of comrade congratulates a friend in prosperity but in time of trouble appears on the otherside.
5 Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.	5 One kind of comrade genuinely feels for a friend and when it comes to a fight, springs to arms.
6 Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.	6 Do not forget the genuine friend, do not push him out of mind once you are rich.
7 Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.	7 Any adviser wil offer advice, but some are governed by self-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	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
9 and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.	9 and tel s you, 'You are on the right road,' but stands wel clear 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.	10 Do not consult anyone who looks at you askance, conceal your plans from people 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.	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.
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.	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.
13 And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.	13 Finally, stick to the advice your own heart gives you, no one can be truer to you than that;
14 For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.	14 since a person's soul often gives a clearer warning than seven watchmen perched on a watchtower.
15 And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.	15 And besides all this beg the Most High to guide your steps into the truth.
16 Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.	16 Reason should be the basis for every activity, reflection must come before any undertaking.
17 As a clue to changes of heart	17 Thoughts are rooted in the heart, and this sends out four branches:
18 four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.	18 good and evil, life and death, and mistress of them always is the tongue.
19 A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.	19 One kind of person is clever at teaching others, yet is no good whatever to himself;
20 A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,	20 another, very eloquent, is detested and ends by starving to death,
21 for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.	21 not having won the favour of the Lord, and being destitute of al wisdom.
22 A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.	22 Another considers himself wise and proclaims his intel ectual conclusions as certainties.
23 A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.	23 But the truly wise instructs his people and his intel ectual conclusions are certainties.
24 A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.	24 The wise is showered with blessings, and al who see him wil cal him happy.
25 The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.	25 Human life lasts a number of days, but the days of Israel are beyond counting.
26 He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.	26 The wise wil earn confidence among the people, his name wil live for ever.
27 My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.	27 During your life, my child, see what suits your constitution, do not give it what you find disagrees withit;
28 For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.	28 for not everything is good for everybody, nor does everybody like everything.
29 Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;	29 Do not be insatiable for any delicacy, do not be greedy for food,
30 for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.	30 for over-eating leads to illness and excess leads to liver-attacks.
31 Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.	31 Many people have died from over-eating; control yourself, and so prolong your life.