Sirach 37 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

False Friends

37 Every friend will say, “I too am a friend”;
but some friends are friends only in name.
² Is it not a grief to the death
when a companion and friend turns to enmity?
³ O evil imagination, 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 are against him.
⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomach’s sake,
and in the face of battle take up the shield.
⁶ Do not forget a friend in your heart,
and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.

Caution in Taking Advice

⁷ Every counselor praises counsel,
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—
lest he cast the lot against you
⁹ and tell you, “Your way is good,”
and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.
¹⁰ Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously;
hide your counsel 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 barter
or with a buyer about selling,
with a grudging man about gratitude
or with a merciless man about kindness,
with an idler about any work
or with a man hired for a year about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
¹² But stay constantly with a godly man
whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
whose soul is in accord with your soul,
and who will sorrow with you if you fail.
¹³ And establish the counsel of your own heart,
for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
¹⁴ For a man’s soul sometimes keeps him better informed
than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
¹⁵ And besides all this pray to the Most High
that he may direct your way in truth.

True and False Wisdom

¹⁶ Reason is the beginning of every work,
and counsel precedes every undertaking.
¹⁷ As a clue to changes of heart
¹⁸ four turns of fortune appear,
good and evil, life and death;
and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
¹⁹ A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many,
and yet be unprofitable to himself.
²⁰ A man skilled in words may be hated;
he will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for grace was not given him by the Lord,
since he is lacking in all wisdom.
²² A man may be wise to his own advantage,
and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.
²³ A wise man will instruct his own people,
and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.
²⁴ A wise man will have praise heaped upon him,
and all who see him will call him happy.
²⁵ The life of a man is numbered by days,
but the days of Israel are without number.
²⁶ He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence,^[a]
and his name will live for ever.

Concerning Moderation

²⁷ My son, test your soul while you live;
see what is bad for it and do not give it that.
²⁸ For not everything is good for every one,
and not every person enjoys everything.
²⁹ Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury,
and do not give yourself up to food;
³⁰ for overeating brings sickness,
and gluttony leads to nausea.
³¹ Many have died of gluttony,
but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.

Footnotes

1. Sirach 37:26 Other authorities read honor