Sirach 6

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.	1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"
2 Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,	2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;
3 And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.	3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,
4 For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.	4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
5 A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.	5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
6 Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.	6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
7 If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.	7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
8 For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.	8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
9 And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.	9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
10 And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.	10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
11 A friend ii he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.	11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
12 If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.	12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
13 Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.	13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
14 A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.	14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
15 Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.	15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.	16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
17 He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.	17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
18 My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.	18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
19 Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:	19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
20 For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.	20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
21 How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.	21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
22 She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.	22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
23 For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.	23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
24 Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.	24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
25 Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:	25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
26 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.	26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
27 Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.	27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
28 Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:	28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
29 For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.	29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
30 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:	30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
31 For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.	31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
32 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.	32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
33 My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.	33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
34 If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.	34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
35 Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.	35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
36 And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.	36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
37 Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.	37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.