Ecclesiasticus, 37

1. Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.

1. Every friend says, "I am your friend, too," but some friends are only friends in name.

2. Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?

2. Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friend turns into an enemy?

3. O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?

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.

4. There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.

4.

5. There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.

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. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

6. Do not neglect a friend or forget him once you are wealthy.

7. Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.

7. All advisers give advice but some seek only their own gain.

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,

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. And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.

9. Perhaps he says to you, "You are on the right road," while he keeps his distance, to see what happens to you.

10. Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.

10. Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your plans from those who envy you.

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.

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 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.

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. And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.

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 mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.

14. For a man's soul often gives better advice than seven watchmen placed on a height.

15. And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.

15. Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your steps in the truth.

16. Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.

16. A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes before every action.

17. The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.

17. When you decide, four ways are open before you:

18. Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.

18. good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the choice.

19. There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.

19. A clever man may teach many but do no good for himself.

20. There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.

20. A man may be wise, but if his words are rejected he will end up starving,

21. For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.

21. not having won the favor of the Lord and being destitute of all wisdom.

22. Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.

22. Another man is wise for himself. He himself takes advantage of his wisdom.

23. A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.

23. The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit by his knowledge.

24. A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.

24. The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call him happy.

25. The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.

25. Man's days are numbered but Israel's days are countless.

26. A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.

26. The wise man will win the confidence of his people; his name will live forever.

27. My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.

27. My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see what is harmful and avoid it.

28. For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.

28. For everything does not suit everybody, nor is everyone satisfied with all things.

29. Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:

29. Do not be insatiable in every pleasure, or be excessive in what you eat;

30. For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.

30. for overeating leads to sickness and gluttony brings indigestion.

31. By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.

31. Many have died because of gluttony; he who takes care prolongs his life.