Ben Sira 37:8-17

8 Be careful when somebody offers you advice. Find out first what his interest in the matter is, because you can be sure that he is thinking primarily of himself. Why should he come out on top instead of you?
9 He will assure you that things look good, and then stand back to watch what happens to you.
10 Don't ask advice of anyone who doesn't trust you, and don't give advice to anyone who is jealous of you.
11 Don't ask a woman for advice about a rival of hers, 37:a coward about war,37:a merchant about a bargain,37:a buyer about selling,37:a stingy person about gratitude,37:a cruel person about kindness,37:a lazy person about work,37:a casual worker about finishing a job,37:a lazy slave about a difficult task.Pay no attention to any advice they may give.
12 Instead, rely on someone who is religious and known to keep the Lord's commands, someone who is sympathetic with you, who will be sorry to see you fail.
13 And trust your own judgment; no one's advice is more reliable.
14 Sometimes your own intuition can tell you more than seven watchmen on a high tower.
15 Above all, pray to the Most High that he will show you the right thing to do.
16 Planning and thought lie behind everything that is done.
17 The mind concerns itself with four things: these are good and evil, life and death. They all begin in the mind, but the tongue is their absolute ruler.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Hebrew] Why . . . you?; [Greek] He may use his influence against you.
  • [b]. [Hebrew] The mind . . . the mind; [Greek] There are four things that show the changes of the heart: good and evil, life and death.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.