Sirach 37 — WEBC
37Verse 1Every friend will say, “I also am his friend”;but there is a friend which is only a friend in name.Verse 2Isn’t there a grief in it even to deathwhen a companion and friend is turned into an enemy?Verse 3O wicked imagination, why were you formedto cover the dry land with deceit?Verse 4There is a companion who rejoices in the gladness of a friend,but in time of affliction will be against him.Verse 5There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend,yet in the face of battle will carry his buckler.Verse 6Don’t forget a friend in your soul.Don’t be unmindful of him in your riches.Verse 7Every counselor extols counsel,but some give counsel in their own interest.Verse 8Let your soul beware of a counselor,and know in advance what is his interest
(for he will take counsel for himself),
lest he cast the lot against you,
Verse 9and say to you, “Your way is good.”
Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you.Verse 10Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you.Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.Verse 11Don’t consult with a woman about her rival,with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business,
with a buyer about selling,
with an envious man about thankfulness,
with an unmerciful man about kindliness,
with a sluggard about any kind of work,
with a hireling in your house about finishing his work,
or with an idle servant about much business.
Pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.Verse 12But rather be continually with a godly man,whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
who in his soul is as your own soul,
and who will grieve with you, if you fail.Verse 13Make the counsel of your heart stand,for there is no one more faithful to you than it.Verse 14For a man’s soul is sometimes inclined to inform himbetter than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watch-tower.Verse 15Above all this ask the Most Highthat he may direct your way in truth.Verse 16Let reason be the beginning of every work.Let counsel go before every action.Verse 17As a token of the changing of the heart,Verse 18four kinds of things rise up:
good and evil, life and death.
That which rules over them continually is the tongue.Verse 19There is one who is clever and the instructor of many,and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.Verse 20There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated.He will be destitute of all food.Verse 21For grace was not given to him from the Lord,because he is deprived of all wisdom.Verse 22There is one who is wise to his own soul;and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.Verse 23A wise man will instruct his own people.The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.Verse 24A wise man will be filled with blessing.All those who see him will call him happy.Verse 25The life of a man is counted by days.The days of Israel are innumerable.Verse 26The wise man will inherit confidence among his people.His name will live forever.Verse 27My son, test your soul in your life.See what is evil for it, and don’t give in to it.Verse 28For not all things are profitable for all men.Not every soul has pleasure in everything.Verse 29Don’t be insatiable in any luxury.Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat.Verse 30For overeating brings disease,and gluttony causes nausea.Verse 31Because of gluttony, many have perished,but he who takes heed shall prolong his life.
(for he will take counsel for himself),
lest he cast the lot against you,
Verse 9and say to you, “Your way is good.”
Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you.Verse 10Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you.Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.Verse 11Don’t consult with a woman about her rival,with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business,
with a buyer about selling,
with an envious man about thankfulness,
with an unmerciful man about kindliness,
with a sluggard about any kind of work,
with a hireling in your house about finishing his work,
or with an idle servant about much business.
Pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.Verse 12But rather be continually with a godly man,whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
who in his soul is as your own soul,
and who will grieve with you, if you fail.Verse 13Make the counsel of your heart stand,for there is no one more faithful to you than it.Verse 14For a man’s soul is sometimes inclined to inform himbetter than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watch-tower.Verse 15Above all this ask the Most Highthat he may direct your way in truth.Verse 16Let reason be the beginning of every work.Let counsel go before every action.Verse 17As a token of the changing of the heart,Verse 18four kinds of things rise up:
good and evil, life and death.
That which rules over them continually is the tongue.Verse 19There is one who is clever and the instructor of many,and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.Verse 20There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated.He will be destitute of all food.Verse 21For grace was not given to him from the Lord,because he is deprived of all wisdom.Verse 22There is one who is wise to his own soul;and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.Verse 23A wise man will instruct his own people.The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.Verse 24A wise man will be filled with blessing.All those who see him will call him happy.Verse 25The life of a man is counted by days.The days of Israel are innumerable.Verse 26The wise man will inherit confidence among his people.His name will live forever.Verse 27My son, test your soul in your life.See what is evil for it, and don’t give in to it.Verse 28For not all things are profitable for all men.Not every soul has pleasure in everything.Verse 29Don’t be insatiable in any luxury.Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat.Verse 30For overeating brings disease,and gluttony causes nausea.Verse 31Because of gluttony, many have perished,but he who takes heed shall prolong his life.