Parallel
Sirach 37
King James Version (1769 Blayney revision, with Apocrypha) · Berean Standard Bible
Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
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There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
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There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
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Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
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And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
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Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
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But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
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And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
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For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
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Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
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For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
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