Sirach 37
37
Deceitful Friends
1Someone who claims
to be your friend
may not be telling the truth.
2The sorrow when a close friend
becomes an enemy
is almost like mourning
for a friend who has died.
3Why do people's thoughts
lead them to do wrong
and spread deceit everywhere?
4Some friends are happy for you
when everything is fine,
but when you have trouble
they turn against you.
5Another friend seems to help
only for a free meal,
but when you both go off to war,
he gives you protection.#37.5 gives you protection: Greek “carries your shield.”
6Never forget your friends,
and if you are successful,
share your wealth with them.
7When people claim to offer
advice that is good for you,
it may really be good
for them.
8Before you do what they say,
see if they are looking out
for themselves
and putting you at risk
9with their advice,
while they can safely watch
what happens to you.
10If someone is jealous
or suspicious of you,
don't ask them for advice
or tell them your plans.
11If a man has two wives,
don't ask one about the other.
Take care who you ask
for advice.
A coward can't tell you
how to fight in battle,
and a store owner won't tell
how much something
is really worth.
Can someone with a grudge
show you how to be grateful,
or someone mean
tell you how to be kind?
Don't bother asking
a lazy person
if work needs to be done.
And don't ask someone
who gets paid by the hour
how long a job should take.
12If you need advice, ask someone
who obeys God's commands
and thinks like you—
someone who will be sad
if you fail.
13And trust your own judgment—
you care more about yourself
than anyone else does.
14Thinking for yourself
will often tell you more
than if you had seven lookouts
in a high tower.
15But the most important thing
is to pray that God Most High
will show you what to do.
16Before you begin a project,
talk with others
and get their advice.
17Everything starts as an idea,#37.17 Everything starts as an idea: Hebrew; Greek “What people do shows what they have been thinking.”
18whether it helps or harms,
or brings life or death,
and how people talk
determines what they do.
19Some people can give
excellent advice to others
but show no wisdom
in their own lives.
20And some who can speak well
will be hated and starve,
21because they speak
without wisdom from the Lord,
and they offend others.
22If you see that certain people
make wise choices themselves,
you can depend on the advice
they give to you.#37.22 you can depend … give to you: One possible meaning for the difficult text.
23The wise teach their wisdom
to God's people
so their wisdom will live on.
24The wise are admired and praised
by everyone they meet.
25Life is short for each of us,
but Israel will last forever,
26honoring the memory of those
who shared their wisdom.
Eating
27Take notice, students,
what foods make you feel sick,
and stay away from them.
28After all, no one likes
every kind of food.
29Control any desire to overeat
or to have lots of fancy food
at every meal.
30You will get sick
if you eat too much.
31Be careful!
Many have died young
from overeating.
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Sirach 37: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.