Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)

37:1 Euery friend saieth, I am his friend also: but there is a friend which is onely a friend in name.

37:1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.

37:2 Is it not a griefe vnto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemie?

37:2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?

37:3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to couer the earth with deceit?

37:3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?

37:4 There is a companion, which reioyceth in the prosperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him.

37:4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.

37:5 There is a companion which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh vp the buckler against the enemie.

37:5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.

37:6 Forget not thy friend in thy minde, and be not vnmindfull of him in thy riches.

37:6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

37:7 Euery counseller extolleth counsell; but there is some that counselleth for himselfe.

37:7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.

37:8 Beware of a counseller, and know before what neede he hath (for he will counsell for himselfe) lest hee cast the lot vpon thee:

37:8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,

37:9 And say vnto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.

37:9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.

37:10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsell from such as enuie thee.

37:10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.

37:11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is iealous; neither with a coward in matters of warre, nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an enuious man of thankfulnesse; nor with an vnmercifull man touching kindnesse; nor with the slouthfull for any worke; nor with an hireling for a yeere, of finishing worke; nor with an idle seruant of much businesse: Hearken not vnto these in any matter of counsell.

37:11 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.

37:12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keepe the commandements of the Lord, whose minde is according to thy minde, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.

37:12 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.

37:13 And let the counsell of thine owne heart stand: for there is no man more faithfull vnto thee then it.

37:13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.

37:14 For a mans minde is sometime wont to tell him more then seuen watchmen, that sit aboue in an high towre.

37:14 For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.

37:15 And aboue all this pray to the most high, that he will direct thy way in trueth.

37:15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.

37:16 Let reason goe before euery enterprise, & counsell before euery action.

37:16 Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.

37:17 The countenance is a signe of changing of the heart.

37:17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.

37:18 Foure maner of things appeare: good and euill, life and death: but the tongue ruleth ouer them continually.

37:18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.

37:19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is vnprofitable to himselfe.

37:19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.

37:20 There is one that sheweth wisedome in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all foode.

37:20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.

37:21 For grace is not giuen him from the Lord: because he is depriued of all wisedome.

37:21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.

37:22 Another is wise to himselfe: and the fruits of vnderstanding are commendable in his mouth.

37:22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.

37:23 A wise man instructeth his people, and the fruits of his vnderstanding faile not.

37:23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.

37:24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing, and all they that see him, shall count him happy.

37:24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.

37:25 The daies of the life of man may be numbred: but the daies of Israel are innumerable.

37:25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.

37:26 A wise man shall inherite glory among his people, and his name shalbe perpetuall.

37:26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.

37:27 My sonne prooue thy soule in thy life, and see what is euill for it, and giue not that vnto it.

37:27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.

37:28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath euery soule pleasure in euery thing.

37:28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.

37:29 Be not vnsatiable in any dainty thing: nor too greedy vpon meates.

37:29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:

37:30 For excesse of meates, bringeth sicknesse, and surfetting will turne into choler.

37:30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.

37:31 By surfetting haue many perished, but hee that taketh heed, prolongeth his life.

37:31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.