Sirach 6 — WEBU
6Verse 1Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend;for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach.
So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue.Verse 2Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul,that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull.Verse 3You will eat up your leaves, destroy your fruit,and leave yourself like a dry tree.Verse 4A wicked soul will destroy him who has it,and will make him a laughing stock to his enemies.Verse 5Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends.A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies.Verse 6Let those that are at peace with you be many,but your advisers one of a thousand.Verse 7If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing,and don’t be in a hurry to trust him.Verse 8For there is a friend just for an occasion.He won’t continue in the day of your affliction.Verse 9And there is a friend who turns into an enemy.He will discover strife to your reproach.Verse 10And there is a friend who is a companion at the table,but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction.Verse 11In your prosperity he will be as yourself,and will be bold over your servants.Verse 12If you are brought low, he will be against you,and will hide himself from your face.Verse 13Separate yourself from your enemies,and beware of your friends.Verse 14A faithful friend is a strong defense.He who has found him has found a treasure.Verse 15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend.His excellency is beyond price.Verse 16A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine.Those who fear the Lord will find him.Verse 17He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly;for as he is, so is his neighbor also.Verse 18My son, gather instruction from your youth up.Even when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.Verse 19Come to her as one who plows and sowsand wait for her good fruit;for your toil will be little in her cultivation,and you will soon eat of her fruit.Verse 20How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned!He who is without understanding will not remain in her.Verse 21She will rest upon him as a mighty stone of trial.He won’t hesitate to cast her from him.Verse 22For wisdom is according to her name.
She isn’t manifest to many.Verse 23Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment.Don’t refuse my counsel.Verse 24Bring your feet into her fetters,and your neck into her chain.Verse 25Put your shoulder under her and bear her.Don’t be grieved with her bonds.Verse 26Come to her with all your soul.Keep her ways with your whole power.Verse 27Search and seek, and she will be made known to you.When you get hold of her, don’t let her go.Verse 28For at the last you will find her rest;and she will be turned for you into gladness.Verse 29Her fetters will be to you for a covering of strength,and her chains for a robe of glory.Verse 30For there is a golden ornament upon her,and her bands are a purple cord.Verse 31You shall put her on as a robe of glory,and shall put her on as a crown of rejoicing.Verse 32My son, if you are willing, you will be instructed.If you will yield your soul, you will be prudent.Verse 33If you love to hear, you will receive.If you incline your ear, you will be wise.Verse 34Stand in the multitude of the elders.Attach yourself to whomever is wise.Verse 35Be willing to listen to every godly discourse.Don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you.Verse 36If you see a man of understanding, get to him early.Let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.Verse 37Let your mind dwell on the ordinances of the Lordand meditate continually on his commandments.He will establish your heartand your desire for wisdom will be given to you.
So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue.Verse 2Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul,that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull.Verse 3You will eat up your leaves, destroy your fruit,and leave yourself like a dry tree.Verse 4A wicked soul will destroy him who has it,and will make him a laughing stock to his enemies.Verse 5Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends.A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies.Verse 6Let those that are at peace with you be many,but your advisers one of a thousand.Verse 7If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing,and don’t be in a hurry to trust him.Verse 8For there is a friend just for an occasion.He won’t continue in the day of your affliction.Verse 9And there is a friend who turns into an enemy.He will discover strife to your reproach.Verse 10And there is a friend who is a companion at the table,but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction.Verse 11In your prosperity he will be as yourself,and will be bold over your servants.Verse 12If you are brought low, he will be against you,and will hide himself from your face.Verse 13Separate yourself from your enemies,and beware of your friends.Verse 14A faithful friend is a strong defense.He who has found him has found a treasure.Verse 15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend.His excellency is beyond price.Verse 16A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine.Those who fear the Lord will find him.Verse 17He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly;for as he is, so is his neighbor also.Verse 18My son, gather instruction from your youth up.Even when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.Verse 19Come to her as one who plows and sowsand wait for her good fruit;for your toil will be little in her cultivation,and you will soon eat of her fruit.Verse 20How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned!He who is without understanding will not remain in her.Verse 21She will rest upon him as a mighty stone of trial.He won’t hesitate to cast her from him.Verse 22For wisdom is according to her name.
She isn’t manifest to many.Verse 23Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment.Don’t refuse my counsel.Verse 24Bring your feet into her fetters,and your neck into her chain.Verse 25Put your shoulder under her and bear her.Don’t be grieved with her bonds.Verse 26Come to her with all your soul.Keep her ways with your whole power.Verse 27Search and seek, and she will be made known to you.When you get hold of her, don’t let her go.Verse 28For at the last you will find her rest;and she will be turned for you into gladness.Verse 29Her fetters will be to you for a covering of strength,and her chains for a robe of glory.Verse 30For there is a golden ornament upon her,and her bands are a purple cord.Verse 31You shall put her on as a robe of glory,and shall put her on as a crown of rejoicing.Verse 32My son, if you are willing, you will be instructed.If you will yield your soul, you will be prudent.Verse 33If you love to hear, you will receive.If you incline your ear, you will be wise.Verse 34Stand in the multitude of the elders.Attach yourself to whomever is wise.Verse 35Be willing to listen to every godly discourse.Don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you.Verse 36If you see a man of understanding, get to him early.Let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.Verse 37Let your mind dwell on the ordinances of the Lordand meditate continually on his commandments.He will establish your heartand your desire for wisdom will be given to you.