Sirach 37

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

37 Every friend says, “I too am a friend”;
    but some friends are friends only in name.
² Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself
    when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
³ O inclination to evil, why were you formed
    to cover the land with deceit?
⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend,
    but in time of trouble they are against him.
⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
    yet in battle they will carry his shield.
⁶ Do not forget a friend during the battle,^[a]
    and do not be unmindful of him when you distribute your spoils.^[b]

⁷ All counselors praise the counsel they give,
    but some give counsel in their own interest.
⁸ Be wary of a counselor,
    and learn first what is his interest,
    for he will take thought for himself.
He may cast the lot against you
⁹     and tell you, “Your way is good,”
    and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
¹⁰ Do not consult the one who regards you with suspicion;
    hide your intentions from those who are jealous of you.
¹¹ Do not consult with a woman about her rival
    or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business
    or with a buyer about selling,
with a miser about generosity^[c]
    or with the merciless about kindness,
with an idler about any work
    or with a seasonal laborer about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
    pay no attention to any advice they give.
¹² But associate with a godly person
    whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
who is like-minded with yourself,
    and who will grieve with you if you fail.
¹³ And heed^[d] the counsel of your own heart,
    for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
¹⁴ For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed
    than seven sentinels sitting high on a watchtower.
¹⁵ But above all pray to the Most High
    that he may direct your way in truth.

¹⁶ Discussion is the beginning of every work,
    and counsel precedes every undertaking.
¹⁷ The mind is the root of all conduct;
¹⁸     it sprouts four branches,^[e]
good and evil, life and death;
    and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
¹⁹ Some people may be clever enough to teach many,
    and yet be useless to themselves.
²⁰ A skillful speaker may be hated;
    he will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
    since he is lacking in all wisdom.
²² If a person is wise to his own advantage,
    the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy.^[f]
23 A wise person instructs his own people,
    and the fruits of his good sense will endure.
²⁴ A wise person will have praise heaped upon him,
    and all who see him will call him happy.
²⁵ The days of a person’s life are numbered,
    but the days of Israel are without number.
²⁶ One who is wise among his people will inherit honor,^[g]
    and his name will live forever.

²⁷ My child, test yourself while you live;
    see what is bad for you and do not give in to it.
²⁸ For not everything is good for everyone,
    and no one enjoys everything.
²⁹ Do not be greedy for every delicacy,
    and do not eat without restraint;
³⁰ for overeating brings sickness,
    and gluttony leads to nausea.
³¹ Many have died of gluttony,
    but the one who guards against it prolongs his life.