The Book of Jesus Sirach

⭑ Douay-Rheims :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

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

Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.

Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,

And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.

For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.

A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.

Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.

If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.

For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.

And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.

A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.

If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.

Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.

Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.

A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.

He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.

My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:

For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.

How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.

She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.

For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.

Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.

Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:

Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.

Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.

Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:

For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.

Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:

For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.

Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.

My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.

If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.

Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.

And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.

Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.

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