Be Careful in Choosing Friends

Sirach
Chapter 11

Bring not every man into your house, for many are the snares of the crafty one;

Though he seem like a bird confined in a cage, yet like a spy he will pick out the weak spots.

The talebearer turns good into evil; with a spark he sets many coals afire.

The evil man lies in wait for blood, and plots against your choicest possessions.

Avoid a wicked man, for he breeds only evil, lest you incur a lasting stain.

Lodge a stranger with you, and he will subvert your course, and make a stranger of you to your own household.

Sirach
Chapter 12

1

¹ If you do good, know for whom you are doing it, and your kindness will have its effect.

2

Do good to the just man and reward will be yours, if not from him, from the LORD.

3

² No good comes to him who gives comfort to the wicked, nor is it an act of mercy that he does.

4

Give to the good man, refuse the sinner; refresh the downtrodden, give nothing to the proud man.

5

No arms for combat should you give him, lest he use them against yourself;

6

With twofold evil you will meet for every good deed you do for him.

7

The Most High himself hates sinners, and upon the wicked he takes vengeance.

8

³ In our prosperity we cannot know our friends; in adversity an enemy will not remain concealed.

9

When a man is successful even his enemy is friendly; in adversity even his friend disappears.

10

Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in bronze.

11

⁴ Even though he acts humbly and peaceably toward you, take care to be on your guard against him. Rub him as one polishes a brazen mirror, and you will find that there is still corrosion.

12

Let him not stand near you, lest he oust you and take your place. Let him not sit at your right hand, lest he then demand your seat, And in the end you appreciate my advice, when you groan with regret, as I warned you.

13

Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten, or anyone who goes near a wild beast?

14

So is it with the companion of the proud man, who is involved in his sins:

15

While you stand firm, he makes no bold move; but if you slip, he cannot hold back.

16

With his lips an enemy speaks sweetly, but in his heart he schemes to plunge you into the abyss. Though your enemy has tears in his eyes, if given the chance, he will never have enough of your blood.

17

If evil comes upon you, you will find him at hand; feigning to help, he will trip you up,

18

Then he will nod his head and clap his hands and hiss repeatedly, and show his true face.

Sirach
Chapter 13

1

¹ He who touches pitch blackens his hand; he who associates with an impious man learns his ways.

2

Bear no burden too heavy for you; go with no one greater or wealthier than yourself. How can the earthen pot go with the metal cauldron? When they knock together, the pot will be smashed:

3

The rich man does wrong and boasts of it, the poor man is wronged and begs forgiveness.

4

As long as the rich man can use you he will enslave you, but when you are exhausted, he will abandon you.

5

As long as you have anything he will speak fair words to you, and with smiles he will win your confidence;

6

When he needs something from you he will cajole you, then without regret he will impoverish you.

7

While it serves his purpose he will beguile you, then twice or three times he will terrify you; When later he sees you he will pass you by, and shake his head over you.

8

Guard against being presumptuous; be not as those who lack sense.

9

When invited by a man of influence, keep your distance; then he will urge you all the more.

10

Be not bold with him lest you be rebuffed, but keep not too far away lest you be forgotten.

11

Engage not freely in discussion with him, trust not his many words; For by prolonged talk he will test you, and though smiling he will probe you.

12

Mercilessly he will make of you a laughingstock, and will not refrain from injury or chains.

13

Be on your guard and take care never to accompany men of violence.

14

Every living thing loves its own kind, every man a man like himself.

15

Every being is drawn to its own kind; with his own kind every man associates.

16

Is a wolf ever allied with a lamb? So it is with the sinner and the just.

17

² Can there be peace between the hyena and the dog? Or between the rich and the poor can there be peace?

18

Lion's prey are the wild asses of the desert; so too the poor are feeding grounds for the rich.

19

A proud man abhors lowliness; so does the rich man abhor the poor.

20

When a rich man stumbles he is supported by a friend; when a poor man trips he is pushed down by a friend.

21

Many are the supporters for a rich man when he speaks; though what he says is odious, it wins approval. When a poor man speaks they make sport of him; he speaks wisely and no attention is paid him.

22

A rich man speaks and all are silent, his wisdom they extol to the clouds. A poor man speaks and they say: "Who is that?" If he slips they cast him down.

23

Wealth is good when there is no sin; but poverty is evil by the standards of the proud.

24

The heart of a man changes his countenance, either for good or for evil.

25

The sign of a good heart is a cheerful countenance; withdrawn and perplexed is the laborious schemer.