English Bible
Sirach 37
Big screen- 1Every friend says, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
- 2Is it not a grief to death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
- 3O wicked imagination, whence came you in to cover the earth with deceit?
- 4There is a companion, which rejoices in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
- 5There is a companion, which helps his friend for the belly, and takes up the buckler against the enemy.
- 6Forget not your friend in your mind, and be not unmindful of him in your riches.
- 7Every counsellor extols counsel; but there is some that counsels for himself.
- 8Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he has; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon you,
- 9And say to you, Your way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall you.
- 10Consult not with one that suspects you: and hide your counsel from such as envy you.
- 11Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: listen not to these in any matter of counsel.
- 12But be continually with a godly man, whom you know to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to your mind, and will sorrow with you, if you shall miscarry.
- 13And let the counsel of your own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful to you than it.
- 14For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
- 15And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct your way in truth.
- 16Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.
- 17The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
- 18Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue rules over them continually.
- 19There is one that is wise and teaches many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
- 20There is one that shows wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
- 21For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
- 22Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
- 23A wise man instructs his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
- 24A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
- 25The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
- 26A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
- 27My son, prove your soul in your life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that to it.
- 28For all things are not profitable for all men, neither has every soul pleasure in every thing.
- 29Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
- 30For excess of meats brings sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
- 31By surfeiting have many perished; but he that takes heed prolongs his life.