But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his own ruin.
[20] Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed when it concerneth thy soul.
[21] For there is a shame that bringeth sin; and there is a shame which is glory and grace.
[22] Accept no person against thy soul, and let not the reverence of any man cause thee to fall.
[23] And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
[24] For by speech wisdom shall be known: and learning by the word of the tongue.
[25] In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of thine ignorance.
[26] Be not ashamed to confess thy sins; and force not the course of the river.
[27] Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.
[28] Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee.
[29] Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack and remiss.
[30] Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantick among thy servants.
[31] Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldest repay.

Sir.5

[1] Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.
[2] Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of thy heart:
[3] And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the Lord will surely revenge thy pride.
[4] Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.
[5] Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:
[6] And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation resteth upon sinners.
[7] Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
[8] Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity.
[9] Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.
[10] Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same.
[11] Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience give answer.
[12] If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
[13] Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.
[14] Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.
[15] Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.

Sir.6

[1] 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.
[2] Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]
[3] Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself as a dry tree.
[4] A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.
[5] Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
[6] Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.
[7] If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to credit him.
[8] For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
[9] And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will discover thy reproach.
[10] Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction.
[11] But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants.
[12] If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.
[13] Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
[14] A faithfu1l friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.
[15] Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.
[16] A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.
[17] Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.
[18] My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.
[19] Come 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.
[20] She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
[21] She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long.
[22] For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many.
[23] Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,
[24] And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.
[25]