Sirach 37

DOUAI-RHEIMS	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
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 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 But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.	2 But a companion and friend may turn into an enemy.
3 O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?	3 O wicked presumption! From what were you created that you would cover the dry land with your malice and deceitfulness?
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 companion may rejoice with his friend in good times, but in a time of tribulation, he will be an adversary.
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 There is a companion who commiserates with a friend for the sake of the stomach, but he will shield himself from the enemy.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.	6 You should not forget your friend in your soul, and you should not be unmindful of him in your wealth.
7 Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.	7 Do not choose to consult with someone who waits in ambush for you. And hide your counsel from those who rival you.
8 Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.	8 Every counselor offers advice, but some are counselors only for themselves.
9 Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:	9 Guard your soul from a counselor. And know beforehand what his interests are. For he will form thoughts from his own soul.
10 Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:	10 Otherwise, he may set a signpost in the ground, and he may say to you:
11 Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.	11 “Your own way is good.” But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.
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 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 Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the held labourer of every work	13 nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,
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 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 But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,	15 But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,
16 Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.	16 whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.
17 And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.	17 And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.
18 The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.	18 At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.
19 But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.	19 But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.
20 In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.	20 In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.
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 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 skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.	22 A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.
23 He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.	23 Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.
24 Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.	24 Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.
25 There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.	25 There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.
26 A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.	26 A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.
27 A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.	27 A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.	28 The life of a man is in the number of his days. But the days of Israel are innumerable.
29 A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.	29 A wise man will inherit honor among the people, and his name will live in eternity.
30 My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:	30 Son, test your own mind in your life, and if it is lacking, you should not give it authority.
31 For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.	31 For not all things are fitting for all persons, and not every kind of thing is agreeable to every soul.
32 Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:	32 Do not choose to be eager during any feast, and you should not act with excess toward any food.
33 For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.	33 For in excessive eating there will be infirmity, and gluttony will continue even unto illness.
34 By surfeiting many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.	34 By excessive drinking, many have passed away. But he who abstains will add to his life.