Sirach 12:3-14
-
3 There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.
-
4 Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.
-
5 Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby: for [else] thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.
-
6 For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.
-
7 Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.
-
8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.
-
9 In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart.
-
10 Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.
-
11 Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.
-
12 Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked therewith.
-
13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts?
-
14 So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity?