Sir.37

[1] Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
[2] Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
[3] O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
[4] There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
[5] There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
[6] Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
[7] Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
[8] Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
[9] And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
[10] Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
[11] Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
[12] But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
[13] And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
[14] For a man's mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
[15] And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
[16] Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
[17] The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
[18] Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
[19] There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
[20] There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
[21] For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
[22] Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
[23] A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
[24] A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
[25] The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
[26] A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
[27] My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
[28] For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
[29] Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
[30] For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
[31] By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.

Sir.38

[1] Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him.
[2] For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king.
[3] The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.
[4] The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.
[5] Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known?
[6] And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works.
[7] With such doth he heal [men,] and taketh away their pains.
[8] Of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth,
[9] My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.
[10] Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.
[11] Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being.
[12] Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.
[13] There is a time when in their hands there is good success.
[14] For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life.
[15] He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician.
[16] My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom, and neglect not his burial.
[17] Weep bitterly, and make great moan, and use lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of: and then comfort