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 own interest. (WEB)
Sirach 37:5–7
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 37:1–2
1 Every friend will say, “I also am his friend”; but there is a friend which is only a friend in name. (WEB) 2 Isn’t there a grief in it even to death when a companion and friend is turned into an enemy? (WEB)
Sirach 6:9–11
9 And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach. (WEB) 10 And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction. (WEB) 11 In your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over… (WEB)
Proverbs 18:23–24
23 The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly. 24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
Sirach 27:16–18
16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend. (WEB) 17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him; (WEB) 18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. (WEB)
Sirach 7:17–19
17 Humble your soul greatly, for the punishment of the ungodly man is fire and the worm. (WEB) 18 Don’t exchange a friend for something, neither a true brother for the gold of Ophir. (WEB) 19 Don’t deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, for her grace is worth more than gold. (WEB)
Sirach 22:22–24
22 If you have opened your mouth against a friend, don’t be afraid, for there may be reconciliation, unless it is for insulting, arrogance, disclosing of a secret, or a treacherous blow— for these things any friend will flee. (WEB) 23 Gain trust with your neighbor in his… (WEB) 24 … (WEB)
Sirach 6:13–15
13 Separate yourself from your enemies, and beware of your friends. (WEB) 14 A faithful friend is a strong defense. He who has found him has found a treasure. (WEB) 15 There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend. His excellency is beyond price. (WEB)
Sirach 37:12–14
12 But rather be continually with a godly man, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who in his soul is as your own soul, and who will grieve with you, if you fail. (WEB) 13 Make the counsel of your heart stand, for there is no one more faithful to you than it. (WEB)
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