Sirach (Ecclesiasticus)

1Reproach shall inherit (H) an evil name and disgrace: So an evil man that is a double dealer.

2Fall not into the hand of thine appetite; That it should consume thy strength like an ox (?).

3It shall eat thy leaves and uproot thy fruit; And leave thee like a dry tree.

4For fierce appetite corrupteth them that have it; And the joy of an enemy overtaketh (H) them.

5Many a friend doth a sweet palate make; And gracious lips that greet (?) with peace.

6Be they that are at peace with thee many; But he that hath thy secret one of a thousand.

7Hast thou gotten a friend? get him in trial (?); And be not in haste to trust on him.

8For there is a friend that is for a season; And that will not (?) continue in the day of affliction.

9There is a friend that turneth to an enemy; And he will make bare the strife to thy reproach.

10There is a friend that is a companion at the table; But he will not be found in the day of adversity.

11In thy prosperity he is as thou art; And in thine adversity he will remove away from thee.

12If evil overtake thee, he will turn against thee; And will hide himself from thy face.

13Separate thyself from thine enemies; And beware of thy friends.

14A faithful friend is a firm friend; And he that findeth him hath found a treasure.

ወዳጅ ምእመን ወዳጅ ጽኑዕ ውእቱ ወዘረከቦ ረከበ መዝገበ።

15There is no exchange for a faithful friend; Nor price that can be weighed for his goodness.

16A faithful friend is a balm (G S) of life; He that feareth God shall obtain it.

17For as he is, so is his neighbour; And as his name, so are his works.

18Child, from your youth acquire learning, and until gray hairs reach for wisdom.

19As one that plougheth and as one that reapeth approach unto her; And wait for the abundance of her increase. For in the tillage of her thou shalt toil a little; And on the morrow (H) thou shalt eat her fruit.

20Rough is she to the fool; And he that is void of understanding cannot bear her.

21As a burdensome weight shall she be upon him; And he will not tarry to cast her away.

22For discipline is according to its (?) name; And to the more part she is not plain (or right).

23A potter's vessel is for the furnace to bake (?); And like unto it, a man is according to his thought.

24Upon the bough (?) of a tree will be its fruit; So the thought of a man is according to his mind (?).

25Incline thy shoulder, and carry her; And loathe not her cords (?).

27Search and examine, seek and find; And hold her fast, and let her not go.

28For afterward thou shalt find her rest; And she (?) shall turn to a delight unto thee.

29And her net shall be to thee a strong defence; And her cordage robes of fine gold.

30Her yoke (G Upon her) is an ornament (G) of gold; And her bands are thread of purple.

31Thou shalt put her on as robes of honour; And crown thyself with her as a crown of beauty.

32If thou be desirous, my son, thou mayest become wise; And if thou apply thy heart, thou shalt be prudent.

33If thou art wishful to hear (H); And incline thine ear (H), thou shalt be instructed.

34Be desirous to hear all discourse; And let no proverb of understanding escape thee.

35See who (?) hath understanding, and seek him early; And let thy foot wear my (H) threshold.

36And let thy mind be upon the fear of the Most High; And meditate (?) in his commandments continually.

37And he shall make thy heart discerning (H); And make thee wise according as thou desirest.