Sirach 6:5-17

Common English Bible

⁵ Pleasant speech gains more friends for itself,
    and a sweet-speaking tongue
will multiply pleasant exchanges.
Let those who are at peace with you
be many,
    but let only one in a thousand
    be your advisor.
⁷ If you make friends, test them thoroughly
    and don’t trust them quickly.
⁸ Some are friends when it is convenient,
    but they won’t stay around
    during hard times.
⁹ There are friends who turn into enemies,
    and they will reveal
    your disgraceful arguments.
¹⁰ There are friends who are companions
at your table,
    but they won’t stay during hard times.
¹¹ They will act as if your belongings
are theirs,
    and they will be bold
    toward your household slaves.
¹² If you are brought low,
they will be against you,
    and they will abandon you.
¹³ Stay away from your enemies,
    and be careful with your friends.
¹⁴ Trustworthy friends are a strong shelter;
    whoever finds one
    has found a treasure.
¹⁵ Trustworthy friends have no price,
    and no one can estimate their worth.
¹⁶ Trustworthy friends are life’s medicine,
    and those who fear the Lord
will find them.
¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord
will direct their friendships well,
    because they will associate with people
    of like mind.^[a]