Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)

6:1 In stead of a friend, become not an enemie; for [thereby] thou shalt inherite an ill name, shame, and reproch: euen so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.

6:1 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.

6:2 Extoll not thy selfe in the counsell of thine owne heart, that thy soule bee not torne in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]

6:2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]

6:3 Thou shalt eat vp thy leaues, and loose thy fruit, and leaue thy selfe as a dry tree.

6:3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.

6:4 A wicked soule shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorne of his enemies.

6:4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

6:5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a faire speaking tongue will increase kinde greetings.

6:5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

6:6 Be in peace with many: neuerthelesse haue but one counseller of a thousand.

6:6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

6:7 If thou wouldst get a friend, proue him first, and be not hasty to credit him.

6:7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.

6:8 For some man is a friend for his owne occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

6:8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

6:9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmitie, and strife, will discouer thy reproch.

6:9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.

6:10 Againe some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

6:10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

6:11 But in thy prosperitie hee will be as thy selfe, and will be bould ouer thy seruants.

6:11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.

6:12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himselfe from thy face.

6:12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

6:13 Separate thy selfe from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

6:13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

6:14 A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and hee that hath found such an one, hath found a treasure.

6:14 A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.

6:15 Nothing doeth counteruaile a faithful friend, and his excellencie is vnualuable.

6:15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

6:16 A faithfull friend is the medicine of life, and they that feare the Lord shal finde him.

6:16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.

6:17 Who so feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright, for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

6:17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

6:18 My sonne, gather instruction from thy youth vp: so shalt thou finde wisedome till thine old age.

6:18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

6:19 Come vnto her as one that ploweth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits, for thou shalt not toile much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soone.

6:19 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.

6:20 She is very vnpleasant to the vnlearned: he that is without vnderstanding, will not remaine with her.

6:20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.

6:21 She wil lye vpon him as a mightie stone of triall, and hee will cast her from him ere it be long.

6:21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.

6:22 For wisedome is according to her name, and she is not manifest vnto many.

6:22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.

6:23 Giue eare, my sonne, receiue my aduice, and refuse not my counsell,

6:23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,

6:24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy necke into her chaine.

6:24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

6:25 Bow downe thy shoulder, and beare her, and be not grieued with her bonds.

6:25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.

6:26 Come vnto her with thy whole heart, and keepe her wayes with all thy power.

6:26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.

6:27 Search and seeke, and shee shall bee made knowen vnto thee, and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not goe.

6:27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

6:28 For at the last thou shalt finde her rest, and that shalbe turned to thy ioy.

6:28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.

6:29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chaines a robe of glory.

6:29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.

6:30 For there is a golden ornament vpon her, and her bandes are purple lace.

6:30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.

6:31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour: and shalt put her about thee as a crowne of ioy.

6:31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.

6:32 My sonne, if thou wilt, thou shalt bee taught: and if thou wilt apply thy minde, thou shalt be prudent.

6:32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

6:33 If thou loue to heare, thou shalt receiue vnderstanding: and if thou bow thine eare, thou shalt be wise.

6:33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,

6:34 Stand in the multitude of the elders, and cleaue vnto him that is wise.

6:34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.

6:35 Be willing to heare euery godly discourse, and let not the parables of vnderstanding escape thee.

6:35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.

6:36 And if thou seest a man of vnderstanding, get thee betimes vnto him, and let thy foote weare the steps of his doore.

6:36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

6:37 Let thy minde be vpon the ordinances of the Lord, & meditate continually in his commandements: he shal establish thine heart, and giue thee wisedome at thine owne desire.

6:37 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.