The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

Of true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom.

Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.

You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,

which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.

For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.

A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.

Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.

If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.

For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.

And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.

And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.

A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.

If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.

Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.

A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.

Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.

A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.

He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.

Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.

Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.

For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.

How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.

She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.

For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.

Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.

Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.

Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.

Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.

Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.

For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.

Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.

For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.

You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.

Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.

If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.

Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.

And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.

Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.

Of true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom.

Don’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.

Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull.

You will eat up your leaves, destroy your fruit, and leave yourself like a dry tree.

A wicked soul will destroy him who has it, and will make him a laughing stock to his enemies.

Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends. A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies.

Let those that are at peace with you be many, but your advisers one of a thousand.

If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing, and don’t be in a hurry to trust him.

For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction.

And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach.

And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction.

In your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.

If you are brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.

Separate yourself from your enemies, and beware of your friends.

A faithful friend is a strong defense. He who has found him has found a treasure.

There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend. His excellency is beyond price.

A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine. Those who fear the Lord will find him.

He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly; for as he is, so is his neighbor also.

My son, gather instruction from your youth up. Even when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.

Come to her as one who plows and sows and wait for her good fruit; for your toil will be little in her cultivation, and you will soon eat of her fruit.

How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned! He who is without understanding will not remain in her.

She will rest upon him as a mighty stone of trial. He won’t hesitate to cast her from him.

For wisdom is according to her name. She isn’t manifest to many.

Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment. Don’t refuse my counsel.

Bring your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her chain.

Put your shoulder under her and bear her. Don’t be grieved with her bonds.

Come to her with all your soul. Keep her ways with your whole power.

Search and seek, and she will be made known to you. When you get hold of her, don’t let her go.

For at the last you will find her rest; and she will be turned for you into gladness.

Her fetters will be to you for a covering of strength, and her chains for a robe of glory.

For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are (a) a purple cord.

You shall put her on as a robe of glory, and shall put her on as a crown of rejoicing.

My son, if you are willing, you will be instructed. If you will yield your soul, you will be prudent.

If you love to hear, you will receive. If you incline your ear, you will be wise.

Stand in the multitude of the elders. Attach yourself to whomever is wise.

Be willing to listen to every godly discourse. Don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you.

If you see a man of understanding, get to him early. Let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.

Let your mind dwell on the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually on his commandments. He will establish your heart and your desire for wisdom will be given to you.

Footnotes

(a)6:30 ℘ Numbers 15:38