Ben Sira 6:12-22

12 If your situation takes a turn for the worse, they will turn against you, and you won't be able to find them anywhere.
13 Stay away from your enemies and be on guard against your friends.
14 A loyal friend is like a safe shelter; find one, and you have found a treasure.
15 Nothing else is as valuable; there is no way of putting a price on it.
16 A loyal friend is like a medicine that keeps you in good health. Only those who fear the Lord can find such a friend.
17 A person who fears the Lord can make real friendships, because he will treat his friends as he does himself.
18 My child, learn to value Wisdom while you are young, and you will still be able to find her when you grow old.
19 Work as hard to find Wisdom as a farmer works to plow and plant his fields; then you can expect a good harvest. You will have to work at it for a while, but you will soon be enjoying what you have earned. 1
20 Undisciplined people find Wisdom's demands too hard and don't have enough determination to meet them.
21 Her requirements are a burden heavier than they are willing to bear, and they quickly lay them aside.
22 "Discipline" means just that - discipline, and not many people are able to discipline themselves.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 6.19James 5.7, 8.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. because . . . himself; [or] because his friends will also fear the Lord.
  • [b]. [Hebrew] "Discipline" . . . discipline; [Greek] "Wisdom" . . . wisdom.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.