1Just as the wicked man inherits confusion and shame so will the sinner accustomed to lying. 2Do not give yourself over to your passions; they will turn against you and, like a bull, tear you to pieces. 3They will devour the foliage and destroy the fruit, leaving you like a dry stump. 4An evil passion will destroy the one who is held in its power; it will make him the laughingstock of his enemies.
Friends
5 ① A gentle word makes many friends, an agreeable tongue calls forth gracious replies. 6Let your friends be many; but your counselors, one in a thousand!
7If you would gain a friend, begin by testing him and do not put your confidence in him too quickly. 8For there is the friend who is such when it suits him but he does not remain faithful in the time of your adversity.
9There is the friend who becomes an enemy and, to your confusion, makes known why you quarreled.
10There is the friend who shares your table but does not remain faithful when things go against you. 11In times of prosperity he will be like your shadow and he will speak freely to those of your household. 12But if you are humiliated, he will turn against you and will avoid meeting you.
13Distance yourself from your enemies and be careful about your friends.
14The faithful friend is a secure refuge; whoever has found one has found a treasure. 15A faithful friend is beyond all price; hold him as priceless. 16A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17Whoever fears the Lord will make true friends for, as a man is, such will his friend be.
18My son, dedicate yourself to learning from your youth, and you will grow in wisdom until old age. 19Work at it like the worker and the sower, cultivate wisdom and wait for her excellent fruits. For in cultivating her you will have some trouble, but soon you will enjoy her fruits.
20Wisdom is very severe with the ignorant. Fools will not persevere. 21She will be like a heavy weight or a difficult test which he will quickly throw away.
22For wisdom brings her own honor, she does not reveal herself to everyone. 23Listen, my son, and receive my teaching, do not reject my counsel. 24Put her constraints on your feet and her yoke on your neck. 25Put your shoulder to the burden and bear her yoke; do not rebel against her chains. 26Come to her with all your soul and with all your strength observe her ways. 27Pursue her, search for her, she will make herself known to you; when you have her, do not let her go.
28For, in the end, you will find in her your rest and she will become your joy. 29Her constraints will strengthen your steps and her collar will be like a glorious garment. 30Her yoke will become an ornament of gold and her chains like precious girdles of hyacinth blue. 31You will adorn yourself as with a garment of glory and you will put her on like a crown of jubilation.
32If you wish, my son, you will be learned; if you pay attention, you will become clever. 33If you love to listen, you will learn; if you really pay attention, you will become wise.
34Be on your guard in the assembly of the elders and if there is a wise man there, attach yourself to him. 35Be willing to listen to all discourses on divine things, and do not let the sayings of the wise escape you.
36If you see an intelligent man, follow him from daybreak and let your feet beat a pathway to his door.
37Meditate on the precepts of the Lord and apply yourself unceasingly to his commandments. He will strengthen your heart and the wisdom you desire will be given to you.
- Sir 6,5 Here, we have a text concerning true friendship. Ben Sira invites us not to be naive or off guard. We should reflect before confiding in a friend, but should also have this life-saving remedy which a true friend is, a grace that God grants to those who fear him. Also see 12:8-18 and 37:1-15. 6:18-37. We obtain wisdom through a disciplined life. 7:15. Ben Sira appreciates manual work, specifically work in the fields.
