> [[sirach-36|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-38|Next →]] --- # Sirach, Chapter 37 ## Chapter 37 1 Every friend declares friendship, ^sirach-37-1 but there are friends who are friends in name only. 2 Is it not a sorrow unto death ^sirach-37-2 when your other self becomes your enemy? 3 “Alas, my companion! Why were you created ^sirach-37-3 to fill the earth with deceit?” 4 A harmful friend will look to your table, ^sirach-37-4 but in time of trouble he stands aloof. 5 A good friend will fight with you against the foe, ^sirach-37-5 and against your enemies he will hold up your shield. 6 Do not forget your comrade during the battle, ^sirach-37-6 and do not neglect him when you distribute your spoils. 7 Every counselor points out a way, ^sirach-37-7 but some counsel ways of their own. 8 Watch out when one offers advice; ^sirach-37-8 find out first of all what he wants. For he also may be thinking of himself— Why should the opportunity fall to him? 9 He may tell you how good your way will be, ^sirach-37-9 and then stand by to see you impoverished. 10 Seek no advice from your father-in-law, ^sirach-37-10 and from one who is envious of you, keep your intentions hidden. 11 Seek no advice from a woman about her rival, ^sirach-37-11 from a coward about war, from a merchant about business, from a buyer about value, from a miser about generosity, from a cruel person about well-being, from a worthless worker about his work, from a seasonal laborer about the harvest, from an idle slave about a great task— pay no attention to any advice they give. 12 Instead, associate with a religious person, ^sirach-37-12 who you know keeps the commandments; Who is like-minded with yourself and will grieve for you if you fall. 13 Then, too, heed your own heart’s counsel; ^sirach-37-13 for there is nothing you can depend on more. 14 The heart can reveal your situation ^sirach-37-14 better than seven sentinels on a tower. 15 Then with all this, pray to God ^sirach-37-15 to make your steps firm in the true path. ### Wisdom and Temperance 16 A word is the source of every deed; ^sirach-37-16 a thought, of every act. 17 The root of all conduct is the heart; ^sirach-37-17 18 four branches it shoots forth: ^sirach-37-18 Good and evil, death and life, and their absolute mistress is the tongue. 19 One may be wise and benefit many, ^sirach-37-19 yet appear foolish to himself. 20 One may be wise, but if his words are rejected, ^sirach-37-20 he will be deprived of all enjoyment. 22 When one is wise to his own advantage, ^sirach-37-22 the fruits of knowledge are seen in his own person. 23 When one is wise to the advantage of people, ^sirach-37-23 the fruits of knowledge are lasting. 24 One wise for himself has full enjoyment, ^sirach-37-24 and all who see him praise him. 25 The days of one’s life are numbered, ^sirach-37-25 but the life of Israel, days without number. 26 One wise among the people wins a heritage of glory, ^sirach-37-26 and his name lives on and on. 27 My son, while you are well, govern your appetite, ^sirach-37-27 and see that you do not allow it what is bad for you. 28 For not everything is good for everyone, ^sirach-37-28 nor is everything suited to every taste. 29 Do not go to excess with any enjoyment, ^sirach-37-29 neither become a glutton for choice foods; 30 For sickness comes with overeating, ^sirach-37-30 and gluttony brings on nausea. 31 Through lack of self-control many have died, ^sirach-37-31 but the abstemious one prolongs life. \* (37:16] – [26) Thoughts determine action. Wisdom is the source of good and life; folly, of evil and death (vv. [16] – [18]). If the fruits of a person’s wisdom benefit himself, he may be praised in his own lifetime; if they benefit others, the praise endures after him, in their lives (vv. [19] – [26]). \* (37:20) Verse 21 appears only in Greek, but not in the Hebrew, which is the basis for the translation here. \* (37:27] – [31) Temperance and self-control should govern appetite for food, which is intended not to destroy but to preserve life. a. (37:1) [Sir 6:7] – [17]. b. (37:16) [Sir 32:19]. c. (37:18) [Prv 18:21]. d. (37:23) [Sir 39:10] – [11]. e. (37:26) [Sir 39:9]; [44:13] – [16]. f. (37:28) ([[1-corinthians-06|1 Cor 6]]:12]; [10:23]. g. (37:29] – [31) [Sir 31:13], [16] – [21]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[sirach-36|← Previous]] | [[sirach-00|TOC]] | [[sirach-38|Next →]]