Sirach - Chapter 37

Passage

Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death? But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy. O wicked presumption, from where did you come to cover the earth with your malice, and deceitfulness? There is a companion who rejoices with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him. There is a companion who condoles with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy. Forget not your friend in your mind, and be not unmindful of him in your riches. Consult not with him that lays a snare for you, and hide your counsel from them that envy you. Every counsellor gives out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself. Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he has: for he will devise to his own mind: Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to you: Your way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall you. Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks, Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work, Nor with him that works by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel. But be continually with a holy man, whomever you shall know to observe the fear of God, Whose soul is according to your own soul: and who, when you shall stumble in the dark, will be sorry for you. And establish within yourself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to you than it. The soul of a holy man discovers sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch. But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct your way in truth. In all your works let the true word go before you, and steady counsel before every action. A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul. A skilful man has taught many, and is sweet to his own soul. He that speaks sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing. Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom. There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable. A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful. A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him. The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable. A wise man shall inherit honor among his people, and his name shall live for ever. My son, prove your soul in your life: and if it be wicked, give it no power: For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind does not please every soul. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out yourself upon any meat: For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler. By surfeiting many have perished, but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.