7 Every counselor extols counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest. (WEB) 8 Let your soul beware of a counselor, and know in advance what is his interest (for he will take counsel for himself), lest he cast the lot against you, (WEB) 9 and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you. (WEB) 10 Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you. Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you. (WEB) 11 Don’t consult with a woman about her rival, with a coward about war, with a merchant about business, with a buyer about selling, with an envious man about thankfulness, with an unmerciful man about kindliness, with a sluggard about any kind of work, with a hireling in your house about finishing his work, or with an idle servant about much business. Pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel. (WEB) 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) 14 For a man’s soul is sometimes inclined to inform him better than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watch-tower. (WEB) 15 Above all this ask the Most High that he may direct your way in truth. (WEB) 16 Let reason be the beginning of every work. Let counsel go before every action. (WEB)
Sirach 37:7–16
Semantically similar passages
Tobit 4:17–19
17 Pour out your bread on the burial of the just, and give nothing to sinners. (WEB) 18 Ask counsel of every man who is wise, and don’t despise any counsel that is profitable. (WEB) 19 Bless the Lord your God at all times, and ask of him that your ways may be made straight, and tha… (WEB)
Sirach 8:16–18
16 Don’t fight with a wrathful man. Don’t travel with him through the desert, for blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you. (WEB) 17 Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret. (WEB) 18 Do no secret thing before a stra… (WEB)
Sirach 9:13–15
13 Keep yourself far from the man who has power to kill, and you will not be troubled by the fear of death. If you come to him, commit no fault, lest he take away your life. Know surely that you go about in the midst of snares, and walk upon the battlements of a… (WEB)
Sirach 6:33–35
33 If you love to hear, you will receive. If you incline your ear, you will be wise. (WEB) 34 Stand in the multitude of the elders. Attach yourself to whomever is wise. (WEB) 35 Be willing to listen to every godly discourse. Don’t let the proverbs of understanding escape you. (WEB)
Sirach 4:21–23
21 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace. (WEB) 22 Don’t show partiality, discrediting your soul. Don’t revere any man to your falling. (WEB) 23 Don’t refrain from speaking when it is for safety. Don’t hide your wisdom for the sake of se… (WEB)
Sirach 5:1–3
1 Don’t set your heart upon your goods. Don’t say, “They are sufficient for me.” (WEB) 2 Don’t follow your own mind and your strength to walk in the desires of your heart. (WEB) 3 Don’t say, “Who will have dominion over me?” for the Lord will surely take vengeance on you. (WEB)
Proverbs 19:19–21
19 A man of great anger must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so again. 20 Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. 21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.
Sirach 6:1–3
1 Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. (WEB) 2 Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull. (WEB) 3 You will eat up yo… (WEB)
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