KJB-1611 by section SIR 37:0

⌂ ← SIR 37:0–37:31 → ║ ©

Wisdom of Sirach / Ecclesiasticus 37

0 1 How to know friends and counsellers. 12 The discretion and wisedome of a godly man blesseth him. 27 Learne to refraine thine appetite. XXXVII ¶ Euery friend saieth, I am his friend also: but there is a friend which is onely a friend in name. 2 Is it not a griefe vnto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemie? 3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to couer the earth with deceit? 4 There is a companion, which reioyceth in the prosperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him. 5 [fn]There is a companion which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh vp the buckler against the enemie. 6 Forget not thy friend in thy minde, and be not vnmindfull of him in thy riches. 7 Euery counseller extolleth counsell; but there is some that counselleth for himselfe. 8 [fn]Beware of a counseller, and know before what neede he hath (for he will counsell for himselfe) lest hee cast the lot vpon thee: 9 And say vnto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee. 10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsell from such as enuie thee. 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. 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. 13 And let the counsell of thine owne heart stand: for there is no man more faithfull vnto thee then it. 14 For a mans minde is sometime wont to tell him more then seuen watchmen, that sit aboue in an high towre. 15 And aboue all this pray to the most high, that he will direct thy way in trueth. 16 Let reason goe before euery enterprise, & counsell before euery action. 17 The countenance is a signe of changing of the heart. 18 Foure maner of things appeare: good and euill, life and death: but the tongue ruleth ouer them continually. 19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is vnprofitable to himselfe. 20 [fn]There is one that sheweth wisedome in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all foode. 21 For grace is not giuen him from the Lord: because he is depriued of all wisedome. 22 Another is wise to himselfe: and the fruits of vnderstanding are commendable in his mouth. 23 A wise man instructeth his people, and the fruits of his vnderstanding faile not. 24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing, and all they that see him, shall count him happy. 25 The daies of the life of man may be numbred: but the daies of Israel are innumerable. 26 [fn]A wise man shall inherite glory among his people, and his name shalbe perpetuall. 27 My sonne prooue thy soule in thy life, and see what is euill for it, and giue not that vnto it. 28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath euery soule pleasure in euery thing. 29 Be not vnsatiable in any dainty thing: nor too greedy vpon meates. 30 [fn]For excesse of meates, bringeth sicknesse, and surfetting will turne into choler. 31 By surfetting haue many perished, but hee that taketh heed, prolongeth his life.

37:5 Or, in presence of the enemie.

37:8 Or, what vse there is of him.

37:20 Or, wisedome.

37:26 Or, credit.

37:30 Or, varietie of meates.