Sirach · King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Sirach 37 King James Version (with Apocrypha)
Sirach is not in RV1909.
1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
·
2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
·
3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
·
4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
·
5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
·
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
·
7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
·
8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
·
9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
·
10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
·
11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
·
12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
·
13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
·
14 For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
·
15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
·
16 Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
·
17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
·
18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
·
19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
·
20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
·
21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
·
22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
·
23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
·
24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
·
25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
·
26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
·
27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
·
28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
·
29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
·
30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
·
31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
·
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… to this also, the first draws his conclusion: "Then you are not a man." Now of this sort of ensnaring arguments, Scripture, as I judge, expresses detestation in that place where it is said, "There is one that showeth wisdom in words, and is hated;" although, indeed, a style of speech which is not intended to entrap, but only aims …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
The man who speaks wisely and eloquently, but lives wickedly, may, it is true, instruct many who are anxious to learn; though, as it is written, he "is unprofitable to himself." Wherefore, also, the apostle says: "Whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached." Now Christ is the truth; yet we see that the truth can be preached, though …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)