Sirach 37
King James Version with ApocryphaTranslation
King James Version with Apocrypha
Douay-Rheims Bible, American Edition (1899)
1Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
1Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
2Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
2But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
3O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
3O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?
4There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
4There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.
5There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
5There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly’s sake, and he will take up a shield against enemy.
6Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
6Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
7Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
7Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
8Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
8Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.
9And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
9Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:
10Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
10Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:
11Neither 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.
11Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.
12But 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.
12Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,
13And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
13Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the held labourer of every work,
14For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
14Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.
15And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
15But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,
16Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
16Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.
17The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
17And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
18Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
18The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.
19There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
19But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.
20There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
20In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.
21For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
21A wicked word shall change the beast: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
22Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
22A skillful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.
23A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
23He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.
24A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
24Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.
25The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
25There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.
26A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
26A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.
27My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
27A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.
28For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
28The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
29Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
29A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.
30For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
30My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:
31By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
31For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.
no verse 32 in this text
32Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
no verse 33 in this text
33For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
no verse 34 in this text
34By surfeiting many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.
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