Sirach

1False Friends Every friend will say, “I too am a friend”; but some friends are friends only in name.💡

2Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?💡

3O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?💡

4Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.💡

5Some companions help a friend for their stomach’s sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.💡

6Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.💡

7Caution in Taking Advice Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.💡

8Be 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💡

9and tell you, “Your way is good,” and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.💡

10Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.💡

11Do 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.💡

12But 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.💡

13And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.💡

14For a man’s soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.💡

15And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.💡

16True and False Wisdom Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.💡

17As a clue to changes of heart💡

18four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.💡

19A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.💡

20A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,💡

21for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.💡

22A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.💡

23A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.💡

24A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.💡

25The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.💡

26He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.💡

27Concerning Moderation My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.💡

28For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.💡

29Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;💡

30for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.💡

31Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.💡