Sirach 8:14-9:10

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

¹⁴Do not go to law against a judge,
    for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
¹⁵Do not travel on the road with a foolhardy fellow,
    lest he be burdensome to you;
for he will act as he pleases,
    and through his folly you will perish with him.
¹⁶Do not fight with a wrathful man,
    and do not cross the wilderness with him;
because blood is as nothing in his sight,
    and where no help is at hand, he will strike you down.
¹⁷Do not consult with a fool,
    for he will not be able to keep a secret.
¹⁸In the presence of a stranger do nothing that is to be kept secret,
    for you do not know what he will divulge.^[a]
¹⁹Do not reveal your thoughts to every one,
    lest you drive away your good luck.^[b]

Advice Concerning Women

9 Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,
    and do not teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.
²Do not give yourself to a woman
    so that she gains mastery over your strength.
³Do not go to meet a loose woman,
    lest you fall into her snares.
⁴Do not associate with a woman singer,
    lest you be caught in her intrigues.
⁵Do not look intently at a virgin,
    lest you stumble and incur penalties for her.
⁶Do not give yourself to harlots
    lest you lose your inheritance.
⁷Do not look around in the streets of a city,
    nor wander about in its deserted sections.
⁸Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,
    and do not look intently at beauty belonging to another;
many have been misled by a woman’s beauty,
    and by it passion is kindled like a fire.
⁹Never dine with another man’s wife,
    nor revel with her at wine;
lest your heart turn aside to her,
    and in blood^[c] you be plunged into destruction.

Choice of Friends

¹⁰Forsake not an old friend,
for a new one does not compare with him.
A new friend is like new wine;
when it has aged you will drink it with pleasure.

Footnotes

Sirach 8:18 Or it will bring forth
Sirach 8:19 Heb: Gk let him not return a favor to you
Sirach 9:9 Heb: Gk by your spirit

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.