Sirach 6

1Do not be an enemy instead of a friend; For a bad name brings shame and disgrace, And a double-tongued sinner is of such a kind.

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2Do not exalt yourself with your own counsel, Lest your soul be torn in pieces as by a bull.

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3You will devour your leaves and lose your fruit, And be left like a withered tree.

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4An evil soul will destroy him who possesses it And make him an object of malignant joy to his enemies.

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5Pleasant speech will multiply his friends, And a gracious tongue will multiply many kind greetings.

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6Let those who live at peace with you be many, But let your counselors be one in a thousand.

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7If you gain a friend, gain him in testing, And do not be in a hurry to trust him.

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8For there is a friend who is such to his own advantage, But he will not remain beside you in the day of your affliction.

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9There is also a friend who changes into an enemy And will reveal a quarrel to your disgrace.

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10Again, there is a friend who is a companion at table, But will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

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11Further, when you prosper, he will be like you And speak boldly to your servants;

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12But if you are brought low, he will be against you, And will hide himself from your presence.

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13Stay away from your enemies And hold onto your friends.

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14A faithful friend is a strong shelter, And he who finds one finds a treasure.

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15There is nothing that can take the place of a faithful friend, And there is no way to measure his worth.

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16A faithful friend is a medicine of life, And those who fear the Lord will find him.

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17He who fears the Lord guides his friendship rightly, Because as he is, so also is his neighbor.

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18My son, from your youth up, choose instruction, And you will find wisdom also into old age.

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19Come to her as one who plows and sows, And wait expectantly for her good fruits; For in her work you will labor a little while, Then you will quickly eat of her fruit.

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20She is very harsh on the undisciplined And on the one who lacks the heart to continue with her.

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21She will be like a heavy stone of trial upon him, And he will not delay to throw her off.

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22For wisdom is like her name and is not manifest to many.

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23Listen, my son, and accept my judgment, And do not reject my advice.

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24Put your feet into her fetters and your neck into her collar.

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25Put your shoulder under her and carry her, And do not be angry with her bonds.

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26Come to her with all your soul, And keep her ways with all your strength.

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27Search for her and seek her out, And she will become known to you; And when you become self-controlled, do not let her go.

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28For in the end you will find her rest, And she will turn to you in gladness.

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29Then her fetters will be as a strong protection for you, And her collar a glorious robe.

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30For there is a golden adornment upon her, And her bonds are a blue thread.

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31You will wear her as a glorious robe And put her on yourself as a crown of exceeding joy.

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32If you are willing, my son, you will be taught, And if you apply yourself, you will be prudent.

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33If you love to listen, you will wait with anticipation, And if you incline your ear, you will be wise.

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34Stand in an assembly of elders, And who is wise? Attach yourself to him.

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35Desire to listen to every divine narrative, And do not let proverbs of understanding escape you.

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36If you see a man who has understanding, Rise early in the morning And let your foot wear out the threshold of his door.

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37Set your mind on the ordinances of the Lord And practice His commandments. He will strengthen your heart continually, And the desire for wisdom will be given to you.

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