Sir 12
1
When you will do good know to whom you do it; so shall you be thanked for your benefits.
2
Do good to the godly man, and you shall find a recompence; and if not from him, yet
from the most High.
3
There can no good come to him whom is always occupied in evil, nor to him whom gives
no alms.
4
Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.
5
Do well to him whom is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back your bread, and
give it not to him, lest he overmaster you thereby: for else you shall receive twice
as much evil for all the good you shall have done to him.
6
For the most High hates sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly, and keeps
them against the mighty day of their punishment.
7
Give to the good, and help not the sinner.
8
A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.
9
In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity even a friend
will depart.
10
Never trust your enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.
11
Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him,
and you shall be to him as if you had wiped a lookingglass, and you shall know that
his rust has not been altogether wiped away.
12
Set him not by you, lest, when he has overthrown you, he stand up in your place; neither
let him sit at your right hand, lest he seek to take your seat, and you at the last
remember my words, and be pricked therewith.
13
Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come nigh wild
beasts?
14
So one that goes to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins, who will pity?
15
For a while he will abide with you, but if you begin to fall, he will not tarry.
16
An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagines how to throw you
into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be
satisfied with blood.
17
If adversity come upon you, you shall find him there first; and though he pretend
to help you, yet shall he undermine you.
18
He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.