1 He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. (WEB) 2 Don’t take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces. (WEB) 3 The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes. (WEB) 4 If you are profitable, he will exploit you. If you are in need, he will forsake you. (WEB) 5 If you own something, he will live with you. He will drain your resources and will not be sorry. (WEB) 6 Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?” (WEB) 7 He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, will forsake you, and shake his head at you. (WEB) 8 Beware that you are not deceived and brought low in your enjoyment. (WEB) 9 If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, and he will invite you more. (WEB) 10 Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten. (WEB) 11 Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. (WEB) 12 He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind. (WEB) 13 Keep them to yourself and be careful, for you walk in danger of falling. (WEB) 14 Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation. (KJV) 15 Every living creature loves its own kind, and every man loves his neighbor. (WEB) 16 All flesh associates with their own kind. A man will stick to people like himself. (WEB) 17 What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly. (WEB) 18 What peace is there between a hyena and a dog? What peace is there between a rich man and the poor? (WEB) 19 Wild donkeys are the prey of lions in the wilderness; likewise poor men are feeding grounds for the rich. (WEB) 20 Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; likewise a poor man is an abomination to the rich. (WEB) 21 When a rich man is shaken, he is supported by his friends, but when the humble is down, he is pushed away even by his friends. (WEB) 22 When a rich man falls, there are many helpers. He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him. A humble man falls, and men rebuke him. He utters wisdom, and is not listened to. (WEB) 23 A rich man speaks, and all keep silence. They extol what he says to the clouds. A poor man speaks, and they say, “Who is this?” If he stumbles, they will help to overthrow him. (WEB) 24 Riches are good if they have no sin. Poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly. (WEB) 25 The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether it is for good or for evil. (WEB) 26 A cheerful countenance is a sign of a prosperous heart. Devising proverbs takes strenuous thinking. (WEB)
Sirach 13
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Semantically similar passages
Sirach 4:26–28
26 Don’t be ashamed to confess your sins. Don’t fight the river’s current. (WEB) 27 Don’t lay yourself down for a fool to tread upon. Don’t be partial to one who is mighty. (WEB) 28 Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God will fight for you. (WEB)
Sirach 8:1–3
1 Don’t contend with a mighty man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands. (WEB) 2 Don’t strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpower you; for gold has destroyed many, and turned away the hearts of kings. (WEB) 3 Don’t argue with a loudmouthed man. Don’t heap wood upon his fi… (WEB)
Sirach 8:18–19
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger, for you don’t know what it will cause. (WEB) 19 Don’t open your heart to every man. Don’t let him return you a favor. (WEB)
Sirach 12:8–10
8 A man’s friend won’t be fully tried in prosperity. His enemy won’t be hidden in adversity. (WEB) 9 In a man’s prosperity, his enemies are grieved. In his adversity, even his friend leaves. (WEB) 10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in copper. (WEB)
Sirach 12:14–16
14 Even so, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, and is associated with him in his sins? (WEB) 15 For a while he will stay with you, and if you falter, he will not stay. (WEB) 16 The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy… (WEB)
Sirach 37:5–7
5 There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, yet in the face of battle will carry his buckler. (WEB) 6 Don’t forget a friend in your soul. Don’t be unmindful of him in your riches. (WEB) 7 Every counselor extols counsel, but some give counsel in their… (WEB)
Sirach 9:10–12
10 Don’t forsake an old friend; for a new one is not comparable to him. A new friend is like new wine: if it becomes old, you will drink it with gladness. (WEB) 11 Don’t envy the success of a sinner; for you don’t know what his end will be. (WEB) 12 Don’t delight in the delights of… (WEB)
Sirach 7:10–12
10 Don’t be faint-hearted in your prayer. Don’t neglect to give alms. (WEB) 11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul, for there is one who humbles and exalts. (WEB) 12 Don’t devise a lie against your brother, or do the same to a friend. (WEB)