Sirach 37

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

37 Every friend says, “I, too, am a friend,”
    but some friends are friends only in name.^(A)
2 Does not sorrow draw near to death
    when a companion and friend^[a] turns into an enemy?^(B)
3 O inclination to evil, why were you formed
    to cover the land with deceit?
⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of friends,
    but in time of trouble they are against them.^(C)
5 Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
    yet in battle they will carry his shield.^(D)
6 Do not forget friends during the battle,^[b]
    and do not be unmindful of them when you distribute your spoils.^[c](E)

⁷ All counselors praise the counsel they give,
    but some give counsel in their own interest.
⁸ Be wary of counselors
    and learn first what is their interest,
    for they will take thought for themselves.
They may cast the lot against you^(F)
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^[d]
    or with the merciless about kindness,
with an idler about any work
    or with a seasonal laborer about finishing the job,
with a lazy slave about a big task—
    pay no attention to any advice they give.^(G)
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.^(H)
13 And heed^[e] 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.^(I)
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.^(J)
17 The mind is the root of all counsel;^[f]
18     it sprouts four branches,^[g]
good and evil, life and death,
    and it is the tongue that continually rules them.^(K)
19 Some people may be clever enough to teach many
    and yet be useless to themselves.^(L)
20 Skillful speakers may be hated;
    they will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
    since they are lacking in all wisdom.
²² If people are wise to their own advantage,
    the fruits of their good sense will be praiseworthy.^[h]
23 The wise instruct their own people,
    and the fruits of their good sense are trustworthy.^(M)
24 The wise will have praise heaped upon them,
    and all who see them will call them happy.
²⁵ The days of a person’s life are numbered,
    but the days of Israel are without number.^(N)
26 Those who are wise among their people will inherit honor,^[i]
    and their names will live forever.^(O)

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.^(P)
29 Do not be greedy for every delicacy,
    and do not eat without restraint,^(Q)
30 for overeating brings sickness,
    and gluttony leads to nausea.^(R)
31 Many have died of gluttony,
    but those who guard against it prolong their lives.