Sirach 12:8-15

1. 8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.

2. 9 In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend will depart.

3. 10 Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild beasts?

7. 14 So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity?

8. 15 For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall, he will not tarry.

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