Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Chapter 6

¹Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue. ²Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone . ³Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree. ⁴A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies. ⁵Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings. ⁶Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand. ⁷If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him. ⁸For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

⁹And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach. ¹⁰Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. ¹¹But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. ¹²If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face. ¹³Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. ¹⁴A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure. ¹⁵Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. ¹⁶A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.

¹⁷Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also. ¹⁸My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age. ¹⁹Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon. ²⁰She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her. ²¹She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long. ²²For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many. ²³Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel, ²⁴And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

²⁵Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds. ²⁶Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy 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 that shall be turned to thy joy. ²⁹Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory. ³⁰For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace. ³¹Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy. ³²My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

³³If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise, ³⁴Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise. ³⁵Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee. ³⁶And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door. ³⁷Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.