Sirach 37

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; 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 grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?	2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.
3 O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?	3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?
4 Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.	4 A companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.
5 Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.	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 a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.	6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.
7 Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own 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 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 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.
9 and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof 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 the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.	10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to 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 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.
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 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 And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.	13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,
14 For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high 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 pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.	15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,
16 Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.	16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.
17 As a clue to changes of heart	17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.
18 four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.	18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.
19 A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.	19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.
20 A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,	20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.
21 for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all 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 A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.	22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.
23 A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.	23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.
24 A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.	24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.
25 The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.	25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.
26 He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.	26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.
27 My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.	27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.
28 For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.	28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.
29 Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;	29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.
30 for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.	30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.
31 Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his 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.