Ecclesiasticus, 6

1. for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the double-talking sinner.

1. Do not set your heart on your wealth, nor say, "I have enough."

2. Do not get carried aloft on the wings of passion, for fear your strength tear itself apart like a bull,

2. Do not follow your inclination and strength, walking according to the desires of your heart.

3. and you devour your own foliage and destroy your own fruit and end by making yourself like a piece of dried-up wood.

3. Do not say, "Who will have power over me?" for the Lord will surely punish you.

4. An evil temper destroys the person who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.

4. Do not say, "I sinned, and what happened to me?" for the Lord is slow to anger.

5. A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous tongue invites many a friendly response.

5. Do not be so confident of atonement that you add sin to sin.

6. Let your acquaintances be many, but for advisers choose one out of a thousand.

6. Do not say, "His mercy is great, he will forgive the multitude of my sins," for both mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger rests on sinners.

7. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and do not be in a hurry to trust him;

7. Do not delay to turn to the Lord, nor postpone it from day to day; for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will go forth, and at the time of punishment you will perish.

8. for one kind of friend is so only when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.

8. Do not depend on dishonest wealth, for it will not benefit you in the day of calamity.

9. Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,

9. Do not winnow with every wind, nor follow every path: the double-tongued sinner does that.

10. and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:

10. Be steadfast in your understanding, and let your speech be consistent.

11. when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about;

11. Be quick to hear, and be deliberate in answering.

12. but, if disaster befalls you, he will recoil from you and keep out of your way.

12. If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; but if not, put your hand on your mouth.

13. Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.

13. Glory and dishonor come from speaking, and a man's tongue is his downfall.

14. A loyal friend is a powerful defence: whoever finds one has indeed found a treasure.

14. Do not be called a slanderer, and do not lie in ambush with your tongue; for shame comes to the thief, and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.

15. A loyal friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.

15. In great and small matters do not act amiss,

16. A loyal friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.

16.

17. Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a person is, so is his friend too.

17.

18. My child, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and till your hair is white you will keep finding wisdom.

18.

19. Like ploughman and sower, cultivate her and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you will toil a little while, but very soon you will be eating her crops.

19.

20. How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless does not stay with her for long:

20.

21. she will weigh as heavily on the senseless as a touchstone and such a person will lose no time in throwing her off;

21.

22. for Wisdom is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.

22.

23. Listen, my child, and take my advice, do not reject my counsel:

23.

24. put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her collar;

24.

25. offer your shoulder to her burden, do not be impatient of her bonds;

25.

26. court her with all your soul, and with all your might keep in her ways;

26.

27. search for her, track her down: she will reveal herself; once you hold her, do not let her go.

27.

28. For in the end you will find rest in her and she will take the form of joy for you:

28.

29. her fetters you will find a mighty defence, her collars, a precious necklace.

29.

30. Her yoke will be a golden ornament, and her bonds be purple ribbons;

30.

31. you will wear her like a robe of honour, you will put her on like a crown of joy.

31.

32. If you wish it, my child, you can be taught; apply yourself, and you will become intelligent.

32.

33. If you love listening, you will learn, if you pay attention, you will become wise.

33.

34. Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.

34.

35. Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let wise proverbs escape you.

35.

36. If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.

36.

37. Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at all times with his commandments. He will strengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.

37.