Sirach 37

Geneva(i) 1 Every friend sayth, I am a friend vnto him also: but there is some friend, which is onely a friend in name. 2 Remaineth there not heauines vnto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemie? 3 O wicked presumption, from whence art thou sprong vp to couer the earth with deceite? 4 There is some companion which in prosperitie reioyceth with his friend: but in the time of trouble he is against him. 5 There is some companion that helpeth his friend for the bellies sake, and taketh vp the buckler against the enemie. 6 Forget not thy friend in thy minde, and thinke vpon him in thy riches. 7 Seeke no counsell at him of whome thou art suspected, and disclose not thy counsell vnto such as hate thee. 8 Euery counseller prayseth his owne counsell: but there is some that counselleth for himselfe. 9 Beware of the counseller, and bee aduised afore whereto thou wilt vse him: for he wil counsell for himselfe, least he cast the lot vpon thee, 10 And say vnto thee, Thy way is good, and afterward he stand against thee, and looke what shall become of thee. 11 Aske no counsell for religion of him, that is without religion, nor of iustice, of him that hath no iustice, nor of a woman touching her of whom she is ielous, nor of a coward in matters of warre, nor of a marchant concerning exchange, nor of a buyer for the sale, nor of an enuious man touching thankfulnesse, nor of the vnmercifull touching kindnesse, nor of an vnhonest man of honestie, nor of the slouthfull for any labour, nor of an hireling for the finishing of a worke, nor of an idle seruant for much busines: hearken not vnto these in any matter of counsell. 12 But be continuall with a godly man whome thou knowest to keepe the commaundements of the Lord, whose minde is according to thy minde, and is sorie for thee when thou stumblest. 13 Take counsell of thine owne heart: for there is no man more faithfull vnto thee, then it. 14 For a mans minde is sometime more accustomed to shew more then seuen watchmen that sit aboue in an hie towre. 15 And aboue all this pray vnto the most High, that he will direct thy way in trueth. 16 Let reason goe before euery enterprise, and counsell before euery action. 17 The changing of the countenance is a signe of the changing of the heart: foure things appeare, good & euill, life & death, but the tongue hath euermore the gouernement ouer them. 18 Some man is wittie, and hath instructed many, and yet is vnprofitable vnto him selfe. 19 Some man will be wise in wordes, and is hated, yea, he is destitute of all foode, 20 Because grace is not giuen him of the Lord: for he is destitute of all wisdome. 21 Another is wise for himselfe, and the fruites of vnderstanding are faithfull in his mouth. 22 A wise man instructeth his people, and the fruites of his wisdome faile not. 23 A wise man shall be plenteously blessed, and all they that see him, shall thinke him blessed. 24 The life of man standeth in the number of dayes: but the dayes of Israel are innumerable. 25 A wise man shall obteine credite among his people, and his name shall be perpetuall. 26 My sonne, prooue thy soule in thy life, and see what is euill for it, and permit it not to doe it. 27 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath euery soule pleasure in euery thing. 28 Be not griedy in all delites, and be not too hastie vpon all meates. 29 For excesse of meates bringeth sicknesse, and gluttonie commeth into cholericke diseases. 30 By surfet haue many perished: but hee that dieteth him selfe, prolongeth his life.