The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach — Ecclesiasticus

chapter 37


Chapters:


verse #1

Every friend will say, “I also am his friend”; but there is a friend which is only a friend in name.


verse #2

Isn’t there a grief in it even to death when a companion and friend is turned into an enemy?


verse #3

O wicked imagination, why were you formed to cover the dry land with deceit?


verse #4

There is a companion who rejoices in the gladness of a friend, but in time of affliction will be against him.


verse #5

There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, yet in the face of battle will carry his buckler.


verse #6

Don’t forget a friend in your soul. Don’t be unmindful of him in your riches.


verse #7

Every counselor extols counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.


verse #8

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,


verse #9

and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you.


verse #10

Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you. Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.


verse #11

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.


verse #12

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.


verse #13

Make the counsel of your heart stand, for there is no one more faithful to you than it.


verse #14

For a man’s soul is sometimes inclined to inform him better than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watch-tower.


verse #15

Above all this ask the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.


verse #16

Let reason be the beginning of every work. Let counsel go before every action.


verse #17

As a token of the changing of the heart,


verse #18

four kinds of things rise up: good and evil, life and death. That which rules over them continually is the tongue.


verse #19

There is one who is clever and the instructor of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.


verse #20

There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated. He will be destitute of all food.


verse #21

For grace was not given to him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.


verse #22

There is one who is wise to his own soul; and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth.


verse #23

A wise man will instruct his own people. The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.


verse #24

A wise man will be filled with blessing. All those who see him will call him happy.


verse #25

The life of a man is counted by days. The days of Israel are innumerable.


verse #26

The wise man will inherit confidence among his people. His name will live forever.


verse #27

My son, test your soul in your life. See what is evil for it, and don’t give in to it.


verse #28

For not all things are profitable for all men. Not every soul has pleasure in everything.


verse #29

Don’t be insatiable in any luxury. Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat.


verse #30

For overeating brings disease, and gluttony causes nausea.


verse #31

Because of gluttony, many have perished, but he who takes heed shall prolong his life.

Chapters:


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