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1and do not become an enemy instead of a friend,[#Sir 5.14; Jas 1.8]
for a bad name incurs shame and reproach;
so it is with the double-tongued sinner.
2Do not fall into the grip of passion,[#6.2 Heb: Meaning of Gk uncertain]
or you may be torn apart as by a bull.
3Your leaves will be devoured and your fruit destroyed,[#Dan 4.14, 15; Mt 3.10]
and you will be left like a withered tree.
4Strong passion destroys those who have it[#Sir 18.31; #6.4 Heb: Gk An evil soul]
and makes them the laughingstock of their enemies.
5Pleasant speech multiplies friends,[#Sir 20.13]
and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
6Let those who are at peace with you be many,[#Eccl 7.28]
but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
7When you gain friends, gain them through testing,[#Sir 12.8, 9]
and do not trust them hastily.
8For there are friends who are such when it suits them,[#Prov 14.20; 19.4, 7]
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
9And there are friends who turn to enmity
and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.
10And there are friends who are companions at the table,[#Prov 14.20; 19.4, 7; Sir 37.4, 5]
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
11When you are prosperous, they become your second self
and boldly command your slaves,
12but if you are brought low, they turn against you
and hide themselves from you.
13Keep away from your enemies,
and be on guard with your friends.
14Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter;[#Prov 17.17; 18.24]
whoever finds one has found a treasure.
15Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
16Faithful friends are life-saving medicine,
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
17Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbors also.
18My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
19Come to her like one who plows and sows,[#Jas 5.7]
and wait for her good harvest.
For when you cultivate her you will toil but little,
and soon you will eat of her produce.
20She seems very harsh to the undisciplined;[#Prov 1.22; 17.16]
fools will not remain with her.
21She will be like a heavy stone to test them,[#Prov 1.7; Zech 12.3]
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22For wisdom is like her name;
she is not readily perceived by many.
23Listen, my child, and accept my judgment;[#Prov 3.1; 5.1]
do not reject my counsel.
24Put your feet into her fetters[#v 29 ; Prov 1.9]
and your neck into her collar.
25Bend your shoulder and carry her,[#Sir 51.26; Mt 11.29]
and do not become angry with her bonds.
26Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
27Search out and seek, and she will become known to you,[#Prov 2.4, 5; 4.13; Sir 4.11]
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28For at last you will find her rest,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
29Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense,[#v 24]
and her collar a glorious robe.
30Her yoke is a golden ornament[#Num 15.38; Sir 51.26; Mt 11.29; #6.30 Heb: Gk Upon her]
and her bonds a purple cord.
31You will wear her like a glorious robe[#Sir 1.11; 15.6]
and put her on like a splendid crown.
32If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined,
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
33If you love to listen you will accept discipline,
and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34Stand in the company of the elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,[#Sir 8.9; 39.3]
and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;[#Prov 8.34; Sir 37.12]
let your foot wear out his doorstep.
37Reflect on the statutes of the Lord,[#Ps 1.2]
and meditate at all times on his commandments.
It is he who will give insight to your mind,
and your desire for wisdom will be granted.