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1Every friend says, “I, too, am a friend,”[#Prov 20.6]
but some friends are friends only in name.
2Does not sorrow draw near to death[#Ps 35.12–14]
when a companion and friend turns into an enemy?
3O inclination to evil, why were you formed
to cover the land with deceit?
4Some companions rejoice in the happiness of friends,[#Sir 6.8]
but in time of trouble they are against them.
5Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,[#Sir 6.10]
yet in battle they will carry his shield.
6Do not forget friends during the battle,[#Prov 27.10; #37.6 Heb: Gk in your heart]
and do not be unmindful of them when you distribute your spoils.
7All counselors praise the counsel they give,
but some give counsel in their own interest.
8Be wary of counselors[#2 Sam 17.7; Joel 3.3; Add Esth 9.24]
and learn first what is their interest,
for they will take thought for themselves.
They may cast the lot against you
9and tell you, “Your way is good,”
and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
10Do not consult the one who regards you with suspicion;
hide your intentions from those who are jealous of you.
11Do not consult with a woman about her rival[#Prov 18.9; Sir 26.6, 29; 27.2]
or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business
or with a buyer about selling,
with a miser about generosity
or with the merciless about kindness,
with an idler about any work
or with a seasonal laborer about finishing the job,
with a lazy slave about a big task—
pay no attention to any advice they give.
12But associate with a godly person[#Sir 6.36; 7.34; 8.9]
whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments,
who is like-minded with yourself,
and who will grieve with you if you fail.
13And heed the counsel of your own heart,[#37.13 Heb: Gk establish]
for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
14For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed[#2 Sam 18.24; 2 Kings 9.17]
than seven sentinels sitting high on a watchtower.
15But above all pray to the Most High
that he may direct your way in truth.
16Discussion is the beginning of every work,[#Sir 32.19]
and counsel precedes every undertaking.
17The mind is the root of all counsel;[#37.17 Heb: Gk change]
18it sprouts four branches,[#Deut 30.19; Prov 18.21; Mt 12.36, 37; #37.18 Heb: Gk four kinds of destiny appear]
good and evil, life and death,
and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
19Some people may be clever enough to teach many[#Rom 2.17–23]
and yet be useless to themselves.
20Skillful speakers may be hated;
they will be destitute of all food,
21for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
since they are lacking in all wisdom.
22If people are wise to their own advantage,
the fruits of their good sense will be praiseworthy.
23The wise instruct their own people,[#Prov 8.18, 19]
and the fruits of their good sense are trustworthy.
24The wise will have praise heaped upon them,
and all who see them will call them happy.
25The days of a person’s life are numbered,[#Ps 39.4; 90.12]
but the days of Israel are without number.
26Those who are wise among their people will inherit honor,[#Prov 3.35; Sir 4.13; #37.26 Other ancient authorities read confidence]
and their names will live forever.
27My child, test yourself while you live;
see what is bad for you, and do not give in to it.
28For not everything is good for everyone,[#1 Cor 6.12; 10.23]
and no one enjoys everything.
29Do not be greedy for every delicacy,[#Sir 31.12, 16, 17]
and do not eat without restraint,
30for overeating brings sickness,[#Sir 31.20]
and gluttony leads to nausea.
31Many have died of gluttony,
but those who guard against it prolong their lives.