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False Friends

37Every friend says, ‘I too am a friend’;
   but some friends are friends only in name.
² Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself
   when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
³ O inclination to evil, why were you formed
   to cover the land with deceit?
⁴ Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend,
   but in time of trouble they are against him.
⁵ Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
   yet in battle they will carry his shield.
⁶ Do not forget a friend during the battle,^*
   and do not be unmindful of him when you distribute your spoils.^*

Caution in Taking Advice

⁷ All counsellors praise the counsel they give,
   but some give counsel in their own interest.
⁸ Be wary of a counsellor,
   and learn first what is his interest,
   for he will take thought for himself.
He may cast the lot against you
⁹   and tell you, ‘Your way is good’,
   and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
¹⁰ Do not consult one who regards you with suspicion;
   hide your intentions from those who are jealous of you.
¹¹ Do not consult with a woman about her rival
   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 labourer about completing his work,
with a lazy servant about a big task—
   pay no attention to any advice they give.
¹² But associate with a godly person
   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.
¹³ And heed^* the counsel of your own heart,
   for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
¹⁴ For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed
   than seven sentinels sitting high on a watch-tower.
¹⁵ But above all pray to the Most High
   that he may direct your way in truth.

True and False Wisdom

¹⁶ Discussion is the beginning of every work,
   and counsel precedes every undertaking.
¹⁷ The mind is the root of all conduct;
¹⁸   it sprouts four branches,^*
good and evil, life and death;
   and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
¹⁹ Some people may be clever enough to teach many,
   and yet be useless to themselves.
²⁰ A skilful speaker may be hated;
   he will be destitute of all food,
²¹ for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm,
   since he is lacking in all wisdom.
²² If a person is wise to his own advantage,
   the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy.^*
23 A wise person instructs his own people,
   and the fruits of his good sense will endure.
²⁴ A wise person will have praise heaped upon him,
   and all who see him will call him happy.
²⁵ The days of a person’s life are numbered,
   but the days of Israel are without number.
²⁶ One who is wise among his people will inherit honour,^*
   and his name will live for ever.

Concerning Moderation

²⁷ My child, test yourself while you live;
   see what is bad for you and do not give in to it.
²⁸ For not everything is good for everyone,
   and no one enjoys everything.
²⁹ Do not be greedy for every delicacy,
   and do not eat without restraint;
³⁰ for overeating brings sickness,
   and gluttony leads to nausea.
³¹ Many have died of gluttony,
   but one who guards against it prolongs his life.