Sirach Chapter 37

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1: Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name. edit

2: Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy? edit

3: O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit? edit

4: There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him. edit

5: There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy. edit

6: Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches. edit

7: Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself. edit

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, edit

9: And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee. edit

10: Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee. edit

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. edit

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. edit

13: And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it. edit

14: For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower. edit

15: And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth. edit

16: Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action. edit

17: The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart. edit

18: Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually. edit

19: There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself. edit

20: There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food. edit

21: For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom. edit

22: Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth. edit

23: A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not. edit

24: A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy. edit

25: The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable. edit

26: A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual. edit

27: My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it. edit

28: For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing. edit

29: Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats: edit

30: For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler. edit

31: By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life. edit