Sirach - Chapter 6

Passage

Instead of a friend become not an enemy to your neighbor: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued. Extol not yourself in the thoughts of your soul like a bull: lest your strength be quashed by folly, And it eat up your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and you be left as a dry tree in the wilderness. For a wicked soul shall destroy him that has it, and makes him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked. A sweet word multiplies friends, and appeases enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man abounds. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be your counsellor. If you would get a friend, try him before you take him, and do not credit him easily. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of your trouble. And there is a friend that turns to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress. A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to you as yourself, and shall act with confidence among them of your household. If he humble himself before you, and hide himself from your face, you shall have unanimous friendship for good. Separate yourself from your enemies, and take heed of your friends. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that has found him, has found a treasure. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him. He that fears God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be. My son, from your youth up receive instruction, and even to your grey hairs you shall find wisdom. Come to her as one that ploughs, and sows, and wait for her good fruits: For in working about her you shall labor a little, and shall quickly eat of her fruits. How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her. She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long. For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest to many, but with them to whom she is known, she continues even to the sight of God. Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice. Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her chains: Bow down your shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands. Come to her with all your mind, and keep her ways with all your power. Search for her, and she shall be made known to you, and when you have gotten her, let her not go: For in the latter end you shall find rest in her, and she shall be turned to your joy. Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for you, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory: For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding. You shall put her on as a robe of glory, and you shall set her upon you as a crown of joy. My son, if you will attend to me, you shall learn: and if you will apply your mind, you shall be wise. If you will incline your ear, you shall receive instruction: and if you love to hear, you shall be wise. Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join yourself from your heart to their wisdom, that you may hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape you. And if you see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let your foot wear the steps of his doors. Let your thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give you a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given to you.