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Sirach 6

1Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.
1Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue.
2Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.
2Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull.
3Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.
3You will eat up your leaves, destroy your fruit, and leave yourself like a dry tree.
4A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.
4A wicked soul will destroy him who has it, and will make him a laughing stock to his enemies.
5Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
5Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends. A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies.
6Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.
6Let those that are at peace with you be many, but your advisers one of a thousand.
7If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.
7If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing, and don’t be in a hurry to trust him.
8For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
8For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction.
9And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.
9And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach.
10Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
10And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction.
11But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.
11In your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.
12If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.
12If you are brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.
13Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
13Separate yourself from your enemies, and beware of your friends.
14A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
14A faithful friend is a strong defense. He who has found him has found a treasure.
15Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend. His excellency is beyond price.
16A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.
16A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine. Those who fear the Lord will find him.
17Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
17He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly; for as he is, so is his neighbor also.
18My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
18My son, gather instruction from your youth up. Even when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
19Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.
19Come to her as one who plows and sows and wait for her good fruit; for your toil will be little in her cultivation, and you will soon eat of her fruit.
20She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
20How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned! He who is without understanding will not remain in her.
21She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
21She will rest upon him as a mighty stone of trial. He won’t hesitate to cast her from him.
22For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.
22For wisdom is according to her name. She isn’t manifest to many.
23Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,
23Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment. Don’t refuse my counsel.
24And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.
24Bring your feet into her fetters, and your neck into her chain.
25Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.
25Put your shoulder under her and bear her. Don’t be grieved with her bonds.
26Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.
26Come to her with all your soul. Keep her ways with your whole power.
27Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.
27Search and seek, and she will be made known to you. When you get hold of her, don’t let her go.
28For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.
28For at the last you will find her rest; and she will be turned for you into gladness.
29Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.
29Her fetters will be to you for a covering of strength, and her chains for a robe of glory.
30For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.
30For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are a purple cord.
31Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.
31You shall put her on as a robe of glory, and shall put her on as a crown of rejoicing.
32My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.
32My son, if you are willing, you will be instructed. If you will yield your soul, you will be prudent.
33If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,
33If you love to hear, you will receive. If you incline your ear, you will be wise.
34Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.
34Stand in the multitude of the elders. Attach yourself to whomever is wise.
35Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.
35Be willing to listen to every godly discourse. Don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you.
36And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.
36If you see a man of understanding, get to him early. Let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.
37Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.
37Let your mind dwell on the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually on his commandments. He will establish your heart and your desire for wisdom will be given to you.