Sirach 6 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

6 and do not become an enemy instead of a friend,
for a bad name incurs shame and reproach;
so it is with the double-tongued sinner.^(A)

² Do not fall into the grip of passion,^[a]
or you may be torn apart as by a bull.^[b]
3 Your leaves will be devoured and your fruit destroyed,
and you will be left like a withered tree.^(B)
4 Strong passion^[c] destroys those who have it
and makes them the laughingstock of their enemies.^(C)

Friendship, False and True

⁵ Pleasant speech multiplies friends,
and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.^(D)
6 Let those who are at peace with you be many,
but let your advisers be one in a thousand.^(E)
7 When you gain friends, gain them through testing,
and do not trust them hastily.^(F)
8 For there are friends who are such when it suits them,
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.^(G)
9 And there are friends who turn to enmity
and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.
¹⁰ And there are friends who are companions at the table,
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.^(H)
11 When you are prosperous, they become your second self
and boldly command your slaves,
¹² but if you are brought low, they turn against you
and hide themselves from you.
¹³ Keep away from your enemies,
and be on guard with your friends.

¹⁴ Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter;
whoever finds one has found a treasure.^(I)
15 Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
¹⁶ Faithful friends are life-saving medicine,
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbors also.

Blessings of Wisdom

¹⁸ My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
¹⁹ Come to her like one who plows and sows,
and wait for her good harvest.
For when you cultivate her you will toil but little,
and soon you will eat of her produce.^(J)
20 She seems very harsh to the undisciplined;
fools will not remain with her.^(K)
21 She will be like a heavy stone to test them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.^(L)
22 For wisdom is like her name;
she is not readily perceived by many.

²³ Listen, my child, and accept my judgment;
do not reject my counsel.^(M)
24 Put your feet into her fetters
and your neck into her collar.^(N)
25 Bend your shoulder and carry her,
and do not become angry with her bonds.^(O)
26 Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
²⁷ Search out and seek, and she will become known to you,
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.^(P)
28 For at last you will find her rest,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
²⁹ Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense,
and her collar a glorious robe.^(Q)
30 Her yoke^[d] is a golden ornament
and her bonds a purple cord.^(R)
31 You will wear her like a glorious robe
and put her on like a splendid crown.^[e](S)

³² If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined,
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
³³ If you love to listen you will accept discipline,
and if you pay attention you will become wise.
³⁴ Stand in the company of the elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
³⁵ Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,
and let no wise proverbs escape you.^(T)
36 If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;
let your foot wear out his doorstep.^(U)
37 Reflect on the statutes of the Lord,
and meditate at all times on his commandments.
It is he who will give insight to^[f] your mind,
and your desire for wisdom will be granted.^(V)

Footnotes

1. 6.2Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain
2. 6.2Meaning of Gk uncertain
3. 6.4Heb: Gk An evil soul
4. 6.30Heb: Gk Upon her
5. 6.31Heb: Gk crown of gladness
6. 6.37Heb: Gk will confirm

Cross references

1. 6.1 : Sir 5.14; Jas 1.8
2. 6.3 : Dan 4.14, 15; Mt 3.10
3. 6.4 : Sir 18.31
4. 6.5 : Sir 20.13
5. 6.6 : Eccl 7.28
6. 6.7 : Sir 12.8, 9
7. 6.8 : Prov 14.20; 19.4, 7
8. 6.10 : Prov 14.20; 19.4, 7; Sir 37.4, 5
9. 6.14 : Prov 17.17; 18.24
10. 6.19 : Jas 5.7
11. 6.20 : Prov 1.22; 17.16
12. 6.21 : Prov 1.7; Zech 12.3
13. 6.23 : Prov 3.1; 5.1
14. 6.24 : v 29; Prov 1.9
15. 6.25 : Sir 51.26; Mt 11.29
16. 6.27 : Prov 2.4, 5; 4.13; Sir 4.11
17. 6.29 : v 24
18. 6.30 : Num 15.38; Sir 51.26; Mt 11.29
19. 6.31 : Sir 1.11; 15.6
20. 6.35 : Sir 8.9; 39.3
21. 6.36 : Prov 8.34; Sir 37.12
22. 6.37 : Ps 1.2