Ecclesiasticus 37:1-31
[1]Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
[2]Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
[3]O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
[4]There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
[5]There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
[6]Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
[7]Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
[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,
[9]And say unto 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 counsel from such as envy thee.
[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.
[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.
[13]And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
[14]For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
[15]And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
[16]Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
[17]The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
[18]Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
[19]There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
[20]There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
[21]For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
[22]Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
[23]A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
[24]A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
[25]The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
[26]A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
[27]My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
[28]For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
[29]Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
[30]For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
[31]By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
