Sirach 6:2-9

1. 2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]

2. 3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.

3. 4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

4. 5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

5. 6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

6. 7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.

7. 8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

8. 9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.

• ‹ Sirach 6:1
• Sirach 6:10 ›