Bible Text & Cross-references:
Of the choice of friends and counsellors.
1 Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that
is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
2 But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
3 O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy
malice, and deceitfulness?
4 There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in
the time of trouble he will be against him.
5 There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake,
and he will take up a shield against enemy.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy
riches.
7 Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel
from them that envy thee.
8 Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor
for himself.
9 Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will
devise to his own mind:
10 Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:
11 Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall
befall thee.
12 Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with
an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war,
nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,
13 Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor
with the field-labourer of every work,
14 Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year,
nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.
15 But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe
the fear of God,
16 Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble
in the dark, will be sorry for thee.
17 And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no
other thing of more worth to thee than it.
18 The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than
seven watchmen that sit in a high piece to watch.
19 But above all these things pray to the Most High, that he may direct
thy way in truth.
20 In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel
before every action.
21 A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things
arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a
teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
22 A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.
23 He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of
every thing.
24 Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.
25 There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his
understanding is commendable.
26 A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding
are faithful.
27 A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise
him.
28 The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel
are innumerable.
29 A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall
live forever.
30 My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no
power:
31 For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not
every soul.
32 Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
33 For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to
choler.
34 By surfeiting many have perished: but he that is temperate, shall prolong
life.