Sirach 6 — GMV
6
Verse 1
Instead of a friend become not an enemy;
Verse 2
Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart:
Verse 3
Thou shalt eat up thy leaves,
Verse 4
A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it,
Verse 5
Sweet language will multiply friends:
Verse 6
Be in peace with many:
Verse 7
If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first,
Verse 8
For some man is a friend for his own occasion,
Verse 9
And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife
Verse 10
Again, some friend is a companion at the table,
Verse 11
But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself,
Verse 12
If thou be brought low, he will be against thee,
Verse 13
Separate thyself from thine enemies,
Verse 14
A faithful friend is a strong defense:
Verse 15
Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend,
Verse 16
A faithful friend is the medicine of life;
Verse 17
Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright:
Verse 18
My son, gather instruction from thy youth up:
Verse 19
Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth,
Verse 20
She is very unpleasant to the unlearned:
Verse 21
She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial;
Verse 22
For wisdom is according to her name,
Verse 23
Give ear, my son, receive my advice,
Verse 24
And put thy feet into her fetters,
Verse 25
Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her,
Verse 26
Come unto her with thy whole heart,
Verse 27
Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee:
Verse 28
For at the last thou shalt find her rest,
Verse 29
Then shall her fetters be a strong defense for thee,
Verse 30
For there is a golden ornament upon her,
Verse 31
Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honor,
Verse 32
My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught:
Verse 33
If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding:
Verse 34
Stand in the multitude of the elders;
Verse 35
Be willing to hear every godly discourse:
Verse 36
And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him,
Verse 37
Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord,