en_cepher - Sir 6 - Ozzuu Bible

¹ INSTEAD of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby you shall inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that has a double tongue.

² Extol not yourself in the counsel of your own heart; that your soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

³ You shall eat up your leaves, and lose your fruit, and leave yourself 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 fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

⁶ Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counselor of a thousand.

⁷ If you 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 your trouble.

⁹ And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover your reproach.

¹⁰ Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of your affliction.

¹¹ But in your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.

¹² If you be brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.

¹³ Separate yourself from your enemies, and take heed of your friends.

¹⁴ A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that has found such one has found a treasure.

¹⁵ Nothing countervails a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

¹⁶ A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear Yahuah shall find him.

¹⁷ Whoso fears Yahuah shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbor be also.

¹⁸ My son, gather instruction from your youth up: so shall you find wisdom till your old age.

¹⁹ Come unto her as one that plows and sows, and wait for her good fruits: for you shall not toil much in laboring about her, but you 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 your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her chain.

²⁵ Bow down your shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.

²⁶ Come unto her with your whole heart, and keep her ways with all your power.

²⁷ Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto you: and when you have got hold of her, let her not go.

²⁸ For at the last you shall find her rest, and that shall be turned to your joy.

²⁹ Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for you, and her chains a robe of glory.

³⁰ For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.

³¹ You shall put her on as a robe of honor, and shall put her about you as a crown of joy.

³² My son, if you will, you shall be taught: and if you will apply your mind, you shall be prudent.

³³ If you love to hear, you shall receive understanding: and if you bow your ear, you shall be wise,

³⁴ Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.

³⁵ Be willing to hear every holy discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape you.

³⁶ And if you see a man of understanding, get you early unto him, and let your foot wear the steps of his door.

³⁷ Let your mind be upon the ordinances of Yahuah and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish your heart, and give you wisdom at your own desire.