Sirach 6
A person should not seek to be an enemy to their neighbor, as evil and envy lead to reproach and disgrace. True friends are faithful and provide strong shelter, while false friends can turn to animosity. To find a faithful friend, one must test them and not trust readily. Wisdom is a treasure that can be obtained through instruction and diligence, and it provides rest, protection, and glory. To gain wisdom, one must listen, learn, and adapt their mind, and seek the counsel of prudent elders and the precepts of God.
1Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued2You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness3which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert4For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious5A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man6Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor7If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily8For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation9And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults10And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need11A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household12If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship13Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends14A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure15Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity16A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one17He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him18Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs19Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits20For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce21How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her22She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay23For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God24Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice25Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains26Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings27Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength28Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her29For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight30Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory31For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage32You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing33Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise34If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise35Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you36And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors37Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you
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