Sirach 37 — LXXSB
37Verse 1Every friend says, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.Verse 2Is it not a grief to death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?Verse 3O wicked imagination, whence came you in to cover the earth with deceit?Verse 4There is a companion, which rejoices in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.Verse 5There is a companion, which helps his friend for the belly, and takes up the buckler against the enemy.Verse 6Forget not your friend in your mind, and be not unmindful of him in your riches.Verse 7Every counsellor extols counsel; but there is some that counsels for himself.Verse 8Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he has; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon you,Verse 9And say to you, Your way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall you.Verse 10Consult not with one that suspects you: and hide your counsel from such as envy you.Verse 11Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: listen not to these in any matter of counsel.Verse 12But be continually with a godly man, whom you know to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to your mind, and will sorrow with you, if you shall miscarry.Verse 13And let the counsel of your own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful to you than it.Verse 14For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.Verse 15And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct your way in truth.Verse 16Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.Verse 17The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.Verse 18Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue rules over them continually.Verse 19There is one that is wise and teaches many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.Verse 20There is one that shows wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.Verse 21For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.Verse 22Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.Verse 23A wise man instructs his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.Verse 24A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.Verse 25The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.Verse 26A wise man shall inherit glory amongst his people, and his name shall be perpetual.Verse 27My son, prove your soul in your life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that to it.Verse 28For all things are not profitable for all men, neither has every soul pleasure in every thing.Verse 29Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:Verse 30For excess of meats brings sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.Verse 31By surfeiting have many perished; but he that takes heed prolongs his life.