SIRACH 6

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¹And instead of a friend become not an enemy; For an evil name shall inherit shame and reproach: Even so shall the sinner that hath a double tongue.

²Exalt not thyself in the counsel of thy soul; That thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull:

³Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruits, And leave thyself as a dry tree.

⁴A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath gotten it, And shall make him a laughingstock to his enemies.

⁵Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends; And a fair-speaking tongue will multiply courtesies.

⁶Let those that are at peace with thee be many; But thy counsellors one of a thousand.

⁷If thou wouldest get thee a friend, get him by proving, And be not in haste to trust him.

⁸For there is a friend that is so for his own occasion; And he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

⁹And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; And he will discover strife to thy reproach.

¹⁰And there is a friend that is a companion at the table; And he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

¹¹And in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, And will be bold over thy servants:

¹²If thou shalt be brought low, he will be against thee, And will hide himself from thy face.

¹³Separate thyself from thine enemies; And beware of thy friends.

¹⁴A faithful friend is a strong defence; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.

¹⁵There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend; And his excellency is beyond price.

¹⁶A faithful friend is a medicine of life; And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

¹⁷He that feareth the Lord directeth his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbour also.

¹⁸My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: And even unto hoar hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

¹⁹Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, And wait for her good fruits; For thy toil shall be little in the tillage of her, And thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

²⁰How exceeding harsh is she to the unlearned! And he that is without understanding will not abide in her.

²¹As a mighty stone of trial shall she rest upon him; And he will not delay to cast her from him.

²²For wisdom is according to her name; and she is not manifest unto many.

²³Give ear, my son, and accept my judgement, And refuse not my counsel,

²⁴And bring thy feet into her fetters, And thy neck into her chain.

²⁵Put thy shoulder under her, and bear her, And be not grieved with her bonds.

²⁶Come unto her with all thy soul, And keep her ways with thy whole power.

²⁷Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee; And when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

²⁸For at the last thou shalt find her rest; And she shall be turned for thee into gladness.

²⁹And her fetters shall be to thee for a covering of strength, And her chains for a robe of glory.

³⁰For there is a golden ornament upon her, And her bands are a riband of blue.

³¹Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, And shalt array thee with her as a crown of rejoicing.

³²My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be instructed; And if thou wilt yield thy soul, thou shalt be prudent.

³³If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive; And if thou incline thine ear, thou shalt be wise.

³⁴Stand thou in the multitude of the elders; And whoso is wise, cleave thou unto him.

³⁵Be willing to listen to every godly discourse; And let not the proverbs of understanding escape thee.

³⁶If thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, And let thy foot wear out the steps of his doors.

³⁷Let thy mind dwell upon the ordinances of the Lord, And meditate continually in his commandments: He shall establish thine heart, And thy desire of wisdom shall be given unto thee.