Sirach, Chapter 6
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1
Reproach will give you an evil name and shame to inherit;So [it will be with] an evil man [who is] double-tongued.
2
Do not fall into the hand of your desire;Or it will smother your strength over you.
3
It will eat your leaves and root out your fruit;And leave you like a dry tree.
6
Let the men who greet you [saying], Peace, be many;But the owner of your secret, one among a thousand.[fn]
7
Have you gotten a friend? Get him in trial;And do not be in a hurry to rely on him.
8
For there is a fair-weathered friend,Who will not continue in the day of trouble.
9
There is a friend who turns into an enemy,And with strife he will uncover your reproach.
10
There is a friend who is company at a table,But will not be found in the day of evil.
11
When things are good for you, he is like you;But when things are bad for you, he will despise you.
12
If evil overtakes you, he will turn against you;And he will hide himself from your face.
13
Separate yourself from your enemies;Take heed of your friends.
14
A faithful friend is a solid friend;And he who finds him, finds wealth.
15
For a faithful friend, there is no price;And there is no weight for his goodness.
16
A faithful friend is a bundle of life;He who fears God will obtain it.
17
For as much as he is, so is his fellow man;And as his name is, so is his value.
18
My son, from your youth choose understanding;And until your gray head you will attain wisdom.
19
As the plowman and as the reaper, come near to her;And wait for the abundance of her increase.For in serving her, you will serve a little;And tomorrow you will eat her fruit.
20
To a fool, she is one who restrains;And he who is void of understanding will not bear her.
21
She will be like a burdensome stone on him;And he will not delay to cast her away.
27
Inquire and conduct a search; seek and find.And take hold of her and don't let her go.
29
And she will be for you a net, a place of strength;And she will bundle [the net] with garments of gold.
30
Her yoke is an ornament of gold;And her bonds are a cord of blue.
31
You will put her on as garments of glory;And crown yourself with her as a crown of beauty.
32
If it pleases you, my son, you will become wise;And if you establish your heart, you will become prudent.
35
Be pleased to hear all talk;And do not let a proverb of understanding get away from you.
36
See who understands and seek him diligently;And let your foot wear away his threshold.
37
Diligently consider the fear of the Most High;And always study his commandments.And he will give your heart understanding;And according to that which you desire, he will teach you wisdom.
Footnotes
4
excessive desire, this phrase is also used at Isaiah 56:11.
5
Peace - In Hebrew, 'Shalom', a common word of greeting.
6
Peace - In Hebrew, 'Shalom', a common word of greeting.
22
The Hebrew text of verses 23-24 is not available. Translations from other languages exist, but could differ substantially from the original.
25
The Hebrew text of verse 26 is not available. See footnote at verse 22.
28
[it] - Based on the Hebrew, what is changed to a delight does not refer to wisdom, rest, bundle, or stone. It could mean that the time afterward will change to a delight. Or perhaps it refers to some previous hardship.
33
The Hebrew text of verse 34 is not available. See footnote at verse 22.