Sirach
37:1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which
is only a friend in name.
37:2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to
an enemy?
37:3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with
deceit?
37:4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but
in the time of trouble will be against him.
37:5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh
up the buckler against the enemy.
37:6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy
riches.
37:7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth
for himself.
37:8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will
counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
37:9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other
side, to see what shall befall thee.
37:10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from
such as envy thee.
37:11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous;
neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning
exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of
thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the
slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing
work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these
in any matter of counsel.
37:12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the
commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will
sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
37:13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more
faithful unto thee than it.
37:14 For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen,
that sit above in an high tower.
37:15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in
truth.
37:16 Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
37:17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
37:18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the
tongue ruleth over them continually.
37:19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to
himself.
37:20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be
destitute of all food.
37:21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all
wisdom.
37:22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are
commendable in his mouth.
37:23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding
fail not.
37:24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him
shall count him happy.
37:25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are
innumerable.
37:26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be
perpetual.
37:27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and
give not that unto it.
37:28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul
pleasure in every thing.
37:29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
37:30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into
choler.
37:31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his
life.
