Sirach 12

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

12 If you do good, know to whom you do it,
    and you will be thanked for your good deeds.^(A)
2 Do good to the devout, and you will be repaid—
    if not by them, certainly by the Most High.^(B)
3 No good comes to one who persists in evil
    or to one who does not give alms.^(C)
4 Give to the devout, but do not help the sinner.^(D)
5     Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly;
hold back their bread, and do not give it to them,
    for by means of it they might subdue you;
then you will receive twice as much evil
    for all the good you have done to them.
⁶ For the Most High also hates sinners
    and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.^[a](E)
7 Give to the one who is good, but do not help the sinner.
⁸ A friend is not known^[b] in prosperity,
    nor is an enemy hidden in adversity.^(F)
9 One’s enemies are friendly^[c] when one prospers,
    but in adversity even one’s friend disappears.^(G)
10 Never trust your enemy,
    for like corrosion in copper, so is his wickedness.
¹¹ Even if he humbles himself and walks bowed down,
    take care to be on your guard against him.
Be to him like one who polishes a mirror,
    to be sure it does not become completely tarnished.^(H)
12 Do not put him next to you,
    or he may overthrow you and take your place.
Do not let him sit at your right hand,
    or else he may try to take your own seat,
and at last you will acknowledge my words
    and be stung by what I have said.

¹³ Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten
    or all those who go near wild animals?^(I)
14 So no one pities people who associate with sinners
    and become involved in their sins.^(J)
15 They stand by you for a while,
    but if you falter, they will not be there.
¹⁶ Enemies speak sweetly with their lips,
    but in their hearts they plan to throw you into a pit;
enemies may have tears in their eyes,
    but if they find an opportunity they will never have enough of your blood.^(K)
17 If evil comes upon you, you will find them there ahead of you;
    pretending to help, they will trip you up.^(L)
18 Then they will shake their heads and clap their hands
    and whisper much and show their true faces.^(M)