Ben Sira 13:1-7

1 Whoever touches pitch gets dirty, and whoever associates with a proud person becomes like him.

2 Do not lift a weight too heavy for you, or associate with one mightier and richer than you. How can the clay pot associate with the iron kettle? The pot will strike against it and be smashed.

3 A rich person does wrong, and even adds insults; a poor person suffers wrong, and must add apologies.

4 A rich person will exploit you if you can be of use to him, but if you are in need he will abandon you.

5 If you own something, he will live with you; he will drain your resources without a qualm.

6 When he needs you he will deceive you, and will smile at you and encourage you; he will speak to you kindly and say, "What do you need?"

7 He will embarrass you with his delicacies, until he has drained you two or three times, and finally he will laugh at you. Should he see you afterwards, he will pass you by and shake his head at you.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk [He]