1 Every friend says, "I am your friend, too," but some friends are only friends in name.
2 Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friend turns into an enemy?
3 O evil intention! From where have you sprung, to cover the earth with deceit? One kind of comrade takes advantage of his friend's good fortune; in time of trouble he turns against him.
5 Another kind shares his friend's suffering, for the sake of a meal; when it comes to a fight, he thinks only of saving himself.
6 Do not neglect a friend or forget him once you are wealthy.
7 All advisers give advice but some seek only their own gain.
8 Distrust the person who offers advice, lest he take advantage of you; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks, and what his own interest suggests to him.
9 Perhaps he says to you, "You are on the right road," while he keeps his distance, to see what happens to you.
10 Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your plans from those who envy you.
11 Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker about finishing a job, or a lazy servant about an important task. Do not rely on these people for any advice.
12 But go to a trustworthy man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul reflects your own and who will suffer with you, if you fail.
13 In the end, keep to your own heart's advice, since no one deserves to be trusted more than your heart.
14 For a man's soul often gives better advice than seven watchmen placed on a height.
15 Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth.
16 A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes before every action.
17 When you decide, four ways are open before you:
18 good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the choice.
19 A clever man may teach many but do no good for himself.
20 A man may be wise, but if his words are rejected he will end up starving,
21 not having won the favor of the Lord and being destitute of all wisdom.
22 Another man is wise for himself. He himself takes advantage of his wisdom.
23 The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit by his knowledge.
24 The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call him happy.
25 Man's days are numbered but Israel's days are countless.
26 The wise man will win the confidence of his people; his name will live forever.
27 My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see what is harmful and avoid it.
28 For everything does not suit everybody, nor is everyone satisfied with all things.
29 Do not be insatiable in every pleasure, or be excessive in what you eat;
30 for overeating leads to sickness and gluttony brings indigestion.
31 Many have died because of gluttony; he who takes care prolongs his life.
Versículos relacionados com Ecclesiasticus, 37:
Chapter 37 of Ecclesiastical addresses mainly the importance of the friendship and council of wise people. The author highlights the need to carefully choose our friends and seek wise advice when we are facing life difficulties. Following are five verses related to these themes:
Proverbs 13:20: "Walks with the wise and you will become wise; but the companion of the fools suffer distress." This verse highlights the importance of choosing our friends wisely, as this can influence our own behavior and attitudes.
Proverbs 11:14: "Where there is no counsel failing the projects, but with the multitude of counselors they are realized." This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking wise people advice when we are making important decisions in life.
Proverbs 27:9: "The olive oil and the perfume rejoice in the heart; so is the friend's sweet advice." This verse highlights the value of a friend who can offer sincere and comforting advice at difficult times.
Proverbs 22:24-25: "Do not associate you with the choleric man, nor Andes with the violent man; so that he does not learn his paths, and take a bond to your soul." This verse highlights the importance of choosing friends who have a good character and behavior, and to avoid those who are choleric or violent.
Proverbs 18:24: "The man who has many friends can congratulate, but there is a more come friend than a brother." This verse emphasizes the importance of friendship and proximity between friends, which can be even more important than blood ties.
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