Sirach 37

Revised Standard Version

37 Every friend will say, “I too am a friend”;
    but some friends are friends only in name.
² Is it not a grief to the death
    when a companion and friend turns to enmity?
³ O evil imagination, why were you formed
    to cover the land with deceit?
⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend,
    but in time of trouble are against him.
⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomach’s sake,
    and in the face of battle take up the shield.
⁶ Do not forget a friend in your heart,
    and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.

⁷ Every counselor praises counsel,
    but some give counsel in their own interest.
⁸ Be wary of a counselor,
    and learn first what is his interest—
    for he will take thought for himself—
lest he cast the lot against you
⁹     and tell you, “Your way is good,”
    and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.
¹⁰ Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously;
    hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
¹¹ Do not consult with a woman about her rival
    or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about barter
    or with a buyer about selling,
with a grudging man about gratitude
    or with a merciless man about kindness,
with an idler about any work
    or with a man hired for a year about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
    pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
¹² But stay constantly with a godly man
    whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
whose soul is in accord with your soul,
    and who will sorrow with you if you fail.
¹³ And establish the counsel of your own heart,
    for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
¹⁴ For a man’s soul sometimes keeps him better informed
    than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
¹⁵ And besides all this pray to the Most High
    that he may direct your way in truth.

¹⁶ Reason is the beginning of every work,
    and counsel precedes every undertaking.
¹⁷ As a clue to changes of heart
¹⁸     four turns of fortune appear,
good and evil, life and death;
    and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
¹⁹ A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many,
    and yet be unprofitable to himself.
²⁰ A man skilled in words may be hated;
    he will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for grace was not given him by the Lord,
    since he is lacking in all wisdom.
²² A man may be wise to his own advantage,
    and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.
²³ A wise man will instruct his own people,
    and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.
²⁴ A wise man will have praise heaped upon him,
    and all who see him will call him happy.
²⁵ The life of a man is numbered by days,
    but the days of Israel are without number.
²⁶ He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence,^[a]
    and his name will live for ever.

²⁷ My son, test your soul while you live;
    see what is bad for it and do not give it that.
²⁸ For not everything is good for every one,
    and not every person enjoys everything.
²⁹ Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury,
    and do not give yourself up to food;
³⁰ for overeating brings sickness,
    and gluttony leads to nausea.
³¹ Many have died of gluttony,
    but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.