Sirach 15

1 Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge. 2 Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue. 3 Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee. 4 Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom. 5 If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded. 6 Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin. 7 Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded. 8 For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach. 9 Justify alike the small and the great. 11 Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued. 12 Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly, 13 And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit, and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness. 14 For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked. 15 A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth. 16 Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor. 17 If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily. 18 For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble. 19 And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches. 20 And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.