Chapter 6

Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue.

²Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

³Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.

⁴A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

⁵Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

⁶Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

⁷If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.

⁸For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

⁹And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.

¹⁰Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

¹¹But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.

¹²If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

¹³Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

¹⁴A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.

¹⁵Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

¹⁶A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.

¹⁷Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

¹⁸My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

¹⁹Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

²⁰She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.

²¹She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.

²²For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.

²³Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,

²⁴And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

²⁵Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bonds.

²⁶Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy power.

²⁷Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

²⁸For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned to thy joy.

²⁹Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her chains a robe of glory.

³⁰For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple lace.

³¹Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.

³²My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

³³If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,

³⁴Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.

³⁵Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.

³⁶And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

³⁷Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.