Eclesiástico 37

1Every friend will say, I also am his friend: 2Is there not a grief in it even to death, 3O wicked imagination, whence came you rolling in 4There is a companion, which rejoices in the gladness of a friend, 5There is a companion, which for the belly’s sake labores with his friend, 6Forget not a friend in your soul; 7Every counsellor extols counsel; 8Let your soul beware of a counsellor, 9And say to you, Your way is good: 10Take not counsel with one that looks askance at you; 11Take not counsel with a woman about her rival; his work; 12But rather be continually with a godly man, 13And make the counsel of your heart to stand; 14For a man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings, 15And above all this entreat the Most High, 16Let reason be the beginning of every work, 17As a token of the changing of the heart, 18four manner of things do rise up, 19There is one that is shrewd and the instructor of many, 20There is one that is subtle in words, and is hated; 21For grace was not given him from the Lord; 22There is one that is wise to his own soul; 23A wise man will instruct his own people; 24A wise man shall be filled with blessing; 25The life of man is counted by days; 26The wise man shall inherit confidence among his people, 27My son, prove your soul in your life, 28For all things are not profitable for all men, 29Be not insatiable in any luxury, 30For in multitude of meats there shall be disease, 31Because of surfeiting have many perished;