Sirach 37

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?	1 Every friend declares his friendship, but there are friends who are friends in name only.
2 But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.	2 Is it not a sorrow unto death when your bosom companion becomes your enemy?
3 O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?	3 "Alas, my companion! Why were you created to blanket the earth with deceit?"
4 There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.	4 A false friend will share your joys, but in time of trouble he stands afar off.
5 There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against enemy.	5 A true friend will fight with you against the foe, against your enemies he will be your shield-bearer.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.	6 Forget not your comrade during the battle, and neglect him not when you distribute your spoils.
7 Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.	7 Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of their own;
8 Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.	8 Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself alone; why should the profit fall to him?
9 Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:	9 He may tell you how good your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune.
10 Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:	10 Seek no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who envy you, keep your intentions hidden.
11 Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.	11 Speak not to a woman about her rival, nor to a coward about war, to a merchant about business, to a buyer about value, to a miser about generosity, to a cruel man about mercy, to a lazy man about work, to a seasonal laborer about the harvest, to an idle slave about a great task: pay no attention to any advice they give.
12 Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,	12 Instead, associate with a religious man, who you are sure keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will feel for you if you fall.
13 Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the held labourer of every work	13 Then, too, heed your own heart's counsel; for what have you that you can depend on more?
14 Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.	14 A man's conscience can tell him his situation better than seven watchmen in a lofty tower.
15 But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,	15 Most important of all, pray to God to set your feet in the path of truth.
16 Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.	16 A word is the source of every deed; a thought, of every act.
17 And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.	17 The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth:
18 The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.	18 Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue.
19 But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.	19 A man may be wise and benefit many, yet be of no use to himself.
20 In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.	20 Though a man may be wise, if his words are rejected he will be deprived of all enjoyment.
21 A wicked word shall change the beast: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.	21 When a man is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are seen in his own person;
22 A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.	22 When a man is wise to his people's advantage, the fruits of his knowledge are enduring:
23 He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.	23 Limited are the days of one man's life, but the life of Israel is days without number.
24 Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.	24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, and all who see him praise him;
25 There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.	25 One wise for his people wins a heritage of glory, and his name endures forever.
26 A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.	26 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite so that you allow it not what is bad for you;
27 A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.	27 For not every food is good for everyone, nor is everything suited to every taste.
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.	28 Be not drawn after every enjoyment, neither become a glutton for choice foods,
29 A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.	29 For sickness comes with overeating, and gluttony brings on biliousness.
30 My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:	30 Through lack of self-control many have died, but the abstemious man prolongs his life.
31 For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.
32 Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
33 For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
34 By surfeiting many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.