Ecclesiasticus 5-8

Chapter 6

Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shall inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that has a double tongue. 2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone. 3 Thou shall eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree. 4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that has it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies. 5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fair speaking tongue will increase kind greetings. 6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counselor of a thousand.

7 If thou would get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him. 8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. 9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach. 10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. 11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. 12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends. 14 A faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that has found such a one has found a treasure. 15 Nothing does countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable. 16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. 17 Whoso fears the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbor be also. 18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shall thou find wisdom till thine old age. 19 Come unto her as one that plows and sows, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shall not toil much in laboring about her, but thou shall eat of her fruits right soon. 20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her. 21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long. 22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.

23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel, 24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain. 25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds. 26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power. 27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou has got hold of her, let her not go. 28 For at the last thou shall find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy. 29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defense for thee, and her chains a robe of glory. 30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace. 31 Thou shall put her on as a robe of honor, and shall put her about thee as a crown of joy.

32 My son, if thou will, thou shall be taught: and if thou will apply thy mind, thou shall be prudent. 33 If thou love to hear, thou shall receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shall be wise, 34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise. 35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee. 36 And if thou see a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door. 37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.

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Chapter 7

Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee. 2 Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee. 3 My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, and thou shall not reap them sevenfold.

4 Seek not of the Lord preeminence, neither of the king the seat of honor. 5 justify not thyself before the Lord; and boast not of thy wisdom before the king. 6 Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity; lest at any time thou fear the person of the mighty, and lay a stumbling-block in the way of thy uprightness.

7 Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then thou shall not cast thyself down among the people.

8 Bind not one sin upon another; for in one thou shall not be unpunished.

9 Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my oblations, and when I offer to the Most High God, He will accept it.

10 Be not fainthearted when thou make thy prayer, and neglect not to give alms.

11 Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one which humbles and exalts.

12 Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy friend. 13 Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good.

14 Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and make not much babbling when thou pray.

15 Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which the Most High has ordained.

16 Number not thyself among the multitude of sinners, but remember that wrath will not tarry long. 17 Humble thyself greatly: for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire and worms.

18 Change not a friend for any good by no means; neither a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir. 19 Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace is above gold. 20 Whereas thy servant works truly, entreat him not evil. nor the hireling that bestows himself wholly for thee. 21 Let thy soul love a good servant, and defraud him not of liberty.

22 Has thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy profit, keep them with thee. 23 Has thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their youth. 24 Has thou daughters? have a care of their body, and show not thyself cheerful toward them. 25 Marry thy daughter, and so shall thou have performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding. 26 Has thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not thyself over to a light woman. 27 Honor thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows of thy mother. 28 Remember that thou was begotten of them; and how can thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee?

29 Fear the Lord with all thy soul, and reverence his priests. 30 Love Him that made thee with all thy strength, and forsake not His ministers. 31 Fear the Lord, and honor the priest; and give him his portion, as it is commanded thee; the first-fruits, and the trespass offering, and the gift of the shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first-fruits of the holy things.

32 And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thy blessing may be perfected. 33 A gift has grace in the sight of every man living; and for the dead detain it not. 34 Fail not to be with them that weep, and mourn with them that mourn. 35 Be not slow to visit the sick: for that shall make thee to be beloved. 36 Whatsoever thou take in hand, remember the end, and thou shall never do amiss.