en_RV1895 - Sir 6 - Ozzuu Bible

¹ And instead of a friend become not an enemy; For an evil name shall inherit shame and reproach: Even so shall the sinner [1]that hath a double tongue.

² [2]Exalt not thyself in the counsel of thy soul; That thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull:

³ Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruits, And leave thyself [3]as a dry tree.

⁴ A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath gotten it, And shall make him [4][5]a laughingstock to his enemies.

⁵ [6] [7]Sweet words will multiply [8]a man's friends; And a fair-speaking tongue will multiply courtesies.

⁶ Let those that are at peace with thee be many; But thy counsellors [9]one of a thousand.

⁷ [10]If thou wouldest get thee a friend, get him [11]by proving, And be not in haste to trust him.

⁸ For there is a friend that is so for his own occasion; And [12]he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

⁹ And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; And he will discover strife to thy reproach.

¹⁰ And [13]there is a friend that is a companion at the table; And [14]he will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

¹¹ And in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, And will be bold over thy servants:

¹² If thou shalt be brought low, he will be against thee, And will hide himself from thy face.

¹³ Separate thyself from thine enemies; And beware of thy friends.

¹⁴ [15]A FAITHFUL friend is a strong [16]defence; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.

¹⁵ There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend; And his excellency is beyond [17]price.

¹⁶ A faithful friend is a medicine of life; And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

¹⁷ He that feareth the Lord directeth his friendship aright; [18]For as he is, so is his neighbour also.

¹⁸ My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: And even unto hoar hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

¹⁹ Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, And [19]wait for her good fruits; [20]For thy toil shall be little in the tillage of her, And thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

²⁰ [21]How exceeding harsh is she to the unlearned! And he that is without understanding will not abide in her.

²¹ As [22]a mighty stone of trial shall she rest upon him; And [23]he will not delay to cast her from him.

²² For wisdom is according to her name; and she is not manifest unto many.

²³ [24]GIVE ear, my son, and accept my judgement, And refuse not my counsel,

²⁴ And bring thy feet into her fetters, And thy neck into [25]her chain.

²⁵ [26]Put thy shoulder under her, and bear her, And be not grieved with her bonds.

²⁶ Come unto her with all thy soul, And keep her ways with thy whole power.

²⁷ [27]Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee; And when thou hast got hold of her, [28]let her not go.

²⁸ For at the last [29]thou shalt find her rest; [30]And [31]she shall be turned for thee into gladness.

²⁹ And her fetters shall be to thee for a covering of strength, And [32]her chains for a robe of glory.

³⁰ For there is a golden ornament upon her, And her bands are [33]a riband of blue.

³¹ Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, And shalt array thee with her as [34]a crown of rejoicing.

³² My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be instructed; And if thou wilt yield thy soul, thou shalt be [35]prudent.

³³ If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive; And if thou incline thine ear, thou shalt be wise.

³⁴ [36]Stand thou in the multitude of the elders; And whoso is wise, cleave thou unto him.

³⁵ Be willing to listen to every godly discourse; And let not [37]the proverbs of understanding escape thee.

³⁶ [38]If thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, [39]And let thy foot wear out the steps of his doors.

³⁷ Let thy mind dwell upon the ordinances of the Lord, And [40]meditate continually in his commandments: [41]He shall establish thine heart, And thy desire of wisdom shall be given unto thee.