Sirach 37 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

False Friends

37 Every friend says, “I too am a friend”;
but some friends are friends only in name.
² Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself
when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
³ O inclination to evil, why were you formed
to cover the land with deceit?
⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend,
but in time of trouble they are against him.
⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
yet in battle they will carry his shield.
⁶ Do not forget a friend during the battle,^[a]
and do not be unmindful of him when you distribute your spoils.^[b]

Caution in Taking Advice

⁷ All counselors praise the counsel they give,
but some give counsel in their own interest.
⁸ Be wary of a counselor,
and learn first what is his interest,
for he will take thought for himself.
He may cast the lot against you
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^[c]
or with the merciless about kindness,
with an idler about any work
or with a seasonal laborer about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
pay no attention to any advice they give.
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.
¹³ And heed^[d] 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.
¹⁵ But above all pray to the Most High
that he may direct your way in truth.

True and False Wisdom

¹⁶ Discussion is the beginning of every work,
and counsel precedes every undertaking.
¹⁷ The mind is the root of all conduct;
¹⁸ it sprouts four branches,^[e]
good and evil, life and death;
and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
¹⁹ Some people may be clever enough to teach many,
and yet be useless to themselves.
²⁰ A skillful speaker may be hated;
he will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
since he is lacking in all wisdom.
²² If a person is wise to his own advantage,
the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy.^[f]
23 A wise person instructs his own people,
and the fruits of his good sense will endure.
²⁴ A wise person will have praise heaped upon him,
and all who see him will call him happy.
²⁵ The days of a person’s life are numbered,
but the days of Israel are without number.
²⁶ One who is wise among his people will inherit honor,^[g]
and his name will live forever.

Concerning Moderation

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.
²⁹ Do not be greedy for every delicacy,
and do not eat without restraint;
³⁰ for overeating brings sickness,
and gluttony leads to nausea.
³¹ Many have died of gluttony,
but the one who guards against it prolongs his life.

Footnotes

1. Sirach 37:6 Heb: Gk in your heart
2. Sirach 37:6 Heb: Gk him in your wealth
3. Sirach 37:11 Heb: Gk gratitude
4. Sirach 37:13 Heb: Gk establish
5. Sirach 37:18 Heb: Gk As a clue to changes of heart four kinds of destiny appear
6. Sirach 37:22 Other ancient witnesses read trustworthy
7. Sirach 37:26 Other ancient authorities read confidence