Sirach 6:5-17

Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition

⁵ A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

⁶ Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.

⁷ If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.

⁸ For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

⁹ And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.

¹⁰ And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

¹¹ A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.

¹² If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.

¹³ Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

¹⁴ A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

¹⁵ Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.

¹⁶ A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

¹⁷ He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.