{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/apo/sir006.htm","path":"bib/apo/sir006.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/sir006.htm","text":"1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.\n2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]\n3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.\n4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.\n5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.\n6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.\n7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.\n8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.\n9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.\n10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.\n11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.\n12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.\n13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.\n14 A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.\n15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.\n16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.\n17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.\n18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.\n19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.\n20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.\n21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.\n22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.\n23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,\n24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.\n25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.\n26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.\n27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.\n28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.\n29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.\n30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.\n31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.\n32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.\n33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,\n34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.\n35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.\n36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.\n37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.","title":"The Apocrypha: Sirach: Sirach Chapter 6","type":"page"}