The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus
37. fejezet
1. vers
Every friend will say, “I also am his friend”; but there is a friend which is only a friend in name.
2. vers
Isn’t there a grief in it even to death when a companion and friend is turned into an enemy?
3. vers
O wicked imagination, why were you formed to cover the dry land with deceit?
4. vers
There is a companion who rejoices in the gladness of a friend, but in time of affliction will be against him.
5. vers
There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, yet in the face of battle will carry his buckler.
6. vers
Don’t forget a friend in your soul. Don’t be unmindful of him in your riches.
7. vers
Every counselor extols counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.
8. vers
Let your soul beware of a counselor, and know in advance what is his interest (for he will take counsel for himself), lest he cast the lot against you,
9. vers
and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you.
10. vers
Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you. Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
11. vers
Don’t consult with a woman about her rival, with a coward about war, with a merchant about business, with a buyer about selling, with an envious man about thankfulness, with an unmerciful man about kindliness, with a sluggard about any kind of work, with a hireling in your house about finishing his work, or with an idle servant about much business. Pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
12. vers
But rather be continually with a godly man, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who in his soul is as your own soul, and who will grieve with you, if you fail.
13. vers
Make the counsel of your heart stand, for there is no one more faithful to you than it.
14. vers
For a man’s soul is sometimes inclined to inform him better than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watch-tower.
15. vers
Above all this ask the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
16. vers
Let reason be the beginning of every work. Let counsel go before every action.
17. vers
As a token of the changing of the heart,
18. vers
four kinds of things rise up: good and evil, life and death. That which rules over them continually is the tongue.
19. vers
There is one who is clever and the instructor of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
20. vers
There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated. He will be destitute of all food.
21. vers
For grace was not given to him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
22. vers
There is one who is wise to his own soul; and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.
23. vers
A wise man will instruct his own people. The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.
24. vers
A wise man will be filled with blessing. All those who see him will call him happy.
25. vers
The life of a man is counted by days. The days of Israel are innumerable.
26. vers
The wise man will inherit confidence among his people. His name will live forever.
27. vers
My son, test your soul in your life. See what is evil for it, and don’t give in to it.
28. vers
For not all things are profitable for all men. Not every soul has pleasure in everything.
29. vers
Don’t be insatiable in any luxury. Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat.
30. vers
For overeating brings disease, and gluttony causes nausea.
31. vers
Because of gluttony, many have perished, but he who takes heed shall prolong his life.
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