Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

2Do good to the righteous, and find recompense; If not from him, from the Lord.

3No good cometh of bestowing upon (?) him that is wicked; And (?) that hath not done righteousness.

4A double portion of evil shalt thou obtain in time of need By all the good thou shalt have brought him.

5Weapons of war (H S) give not to him; Wherefore should he fight with them against thee?

6For God also hateth them that are evil; And to the wicked he will repay vengeance.

7Give to the good, and withhold from the evil; Honour the humble, and give not to the proud.

8A friend will not be known in prosperity; And an enemy will not be hid in adversity.

9In a man's prosperity even an enemy is a friend; And in his adversity even a friend separateth himself.

10Never trust an enemy; For like as brass his wickedness cankereth.

11And even though he hearken to thee, and go crouching; Give thy heart to fear him.

12Be to him as one that revealeth a mystery (H S); And he shall not find opportunity to harm thee. And know thou the end of jealousy (H S).

13Make him not to stand beside thee: Wherefore should he thrust thee away, and stand in thy place?

14Set him not on thy right hand: Wherefore should he seek thy seat?

15And afterwards thou shalt attain unto my words; And shalt lament at my lament.

16Who will pity (?) a charmer that is stung; Or anyone that cometh nigh to a ravenous beast?

17So is he that joineth himself to an impious man (G S), And walloweth in his iniquities.

18He shall not escape, until a fire be kindled in him.

19When he cometh with thee, he will not bewray himself unto thee;

20And if thou fall, thou shalt not be able (S) to deliver thyself (?).

21So long as thou standest (?), he will not shew himself; And if thou (G) totter, he will not bear up.

22With his lips will an adversary speak sweetly (G), While he deviseth deep pitfalls in his heart.

23And even though an enemy weep with his eyes; When he hath found a season, he will not be satiated with blood.

24If mischief hath befallen thee, he is found there; As a man that would help, he will seek reward (or to supplant).

25He will shake his head, and wave his hand; And with much whispering (?) he will change his countenance.