Sirach 37

1Every friend says, “I love him,” but there is a friend who is a friend in name only.

2Is there not grief that reaches to death, when a companion as your own soul turns into an enemy?

3Alas for an evil thought—why were you created, to fill the face of the world with deceit?

4A bad friend looks to the table, but in a time of distress he will stand aloof.

5A friend fights with a stranger over a good thing, and against cities he will take up a shield.

6Do not forget a friend in your heart, and do not neglect him when you have wealth.

7Every counselor waves his hand, but there is a counselor whose advice is for himself.

8Every counselor says, “See!” but there is a counselor who trips him up.

9Guard yourself from a counselor, and know beforehand what his need is.

10For he too will think for himself: “Why should this fall to him?”

11He will speak to you of the good of your way, and then stand opposite to watch your downfall.

12Do not consult with your father-in-law, and conceal a secret from one who is jealous.

13Consult with a woman about her rival, and with a coward about his warfare;

14Do not bargain with a merchant, nor over buying and selling.

15And more than all this, pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.

16A vain laborer for his work, a vain guard for one who brings forth evil.

17But a man is always fearful; whom you know keeps the commandment.

18But with one whose heart is like your heart, if you stumble, he will be affected also.

19There is also a wise man whose own understanding is trustworthy to him.

20A man's heart tells of his thoughts, more than seven watchmen on a lookout.

21And with all these things, pray earnestly to God, who will truly direct your steps.

22The beginning of every deed is a word, and the beginning of every work is a thought.

23A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.

24Good and evil, life and death—over them all the tongue rules.

25There is a wise man who is wise for many, but for himself he is worthless.

26There is a wise man who is despised for his words, and he is deprived of every pleasant food.

27And there is a wise man who is wise for himself; the fruit of his understanding is upon his own body.

28For not everything is beneficial for everyone, and not every person delights in every kind of thing.

29A man's life is a numbered span of days, but the life of the people of Israel is days without number.

30A wise man for himself will be filled with delight, and all who see him will call him happy.

31A wise man among his people will inherit honor, and his name will endure for everlasting life.