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Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 6
Sir
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Chapter 6
1
for a bad name will earn you shame and reproach, as happens to the deceitful sinner.
2
Do not give in to the promptings of your temper, in case it gores your soul like a mad bull;
3
in case it gobbles up your leaves and you lose your fruits, and are left like a withered tree.
4
An evil temper destroys the man who has it and makes him the laughing-stock of his enemies.
Friendship
5
A kindly turn of speech multiplies a man’s friends, and a courteous way of speaking invites many a friendly reply.
6
Let your acquaintances be many, but your advisers one in a thousand.
7
If you want to make a friend, take him on trial, and be in no hurry to trust him;
8
for one kind of friend is only so when it suits him but will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
9
Another kind of friend will fall out with you and to your dismay make your quarrel public,
10
and a third kind of friend will share your table, but not stand by you in your day of trouble:
11
when you are doing well he will be your second self, ordering your servants about;
12
but if ever you are brought low he will turn against you and will hide himself from you.
13
Keep well clear of your enemies, and be wary of your friends.
14
A faithful friend is a sure shelter, whoever finds one has found a rare treasure.
15
A faithful friend is something beyond price, there is no measuring his worth.
16
A faithful friend is the elixir of life, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17
Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends, for as a man is, so is his friend.
Apprenticeship to wisdom
18
My son, from your earliest youth choose instruction, and till your hair is white you will keep finding wisdom.
19
Cultivate her like the ploughman and the sower, and wait for her fine harvest, for in tilling her you will toil a little while, but very soon you will be eating her crops.
20
How very harsh she is to the undisciplined! The senseless man does not stay with her for long:
21
she will weigh on him like a heavy stone, and he will lose no time in throwing her off;
22
for discipline is true to her name, she is not accessible to many.
23
Listen, son, and take my warning, do not reject my advice:
24
put your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her harness;
25
give your shoulder to her yoke, do not be restive in her reins;
26
court her with all your soul, and with all your might keep in her ways;
27
go after her and seek her; she will reveal herself to you; once you hold her, do not let her go.
28
For in the end you will find rest in her and she will take the form of joy for you:
29
her fetters you will find are a strong defence, her harness, a robe of honour.
30
Her yoke will be a golden ornament, her reins, purple ribbons;
31
you will wear her like a robe of honour, you will put her on like a crown of honour.
32
If you wish, my son, you can acquire instruction, if you give your mind to it, subtlety will be yours.
33
If you love listening you will learn, if you lend an ear, wisdom will be yours.
34
Attend the gathering of elders; if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him.
35
Listen willingly to any discourse coming from God, do not let shrewd proverbs escape you.
36
If you see a man of understanding, visit him early, let your feet wear out his doorstep.
37
Reflect on the injunctions of the Lord, busy yourself at all times with his commandments. He will strengthen your mind, and the wisdom you desire will be granted you.
Chapters of Ecclesiasticus (Sirach)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
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