{"collection":"Bible & Christianity","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/bib/apo/sir037.htm","path":"bib/apo/sir037.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/sir037.htm","text":"1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.\n2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?\n3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?\n4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.\n5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.\n6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.\n7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.\n8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,\n9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.\n10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.\n11 Neither 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: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.\n12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.\n13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.\n14 For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.\n15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.\n16 Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.\n17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.\n18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.\n19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.\n20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.\n21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.\n22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.\n23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.\n24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.\n25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.\n26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.\n27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.\n28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.\n29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:\n30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.\n31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.","title":"The Apocrypha: Sirach: Sirach Chapter 37","type":"page"}