Ecclesiasticus 6 - Revised Version with Apocrypha 1885, 1895(RV1895)

1And instead of a friend become not an enemy;

For an evil name shall inherit shame and reproach:

Even so shall the sinner a man's friends;

And a fair-speaking tongue will multiply courtesies.

6Let those that are at peace with thee be many;

But thy counsellors by proving,

And be not in haste to trust him.

8For there is a friend that is so for his own occasion;

And defence;

And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.

15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend;

And his excellency is beyond price.

16A faithful friend is a medicine of life;

And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

17He that feareth the Lord directeth his friendship aright;

she shall be turned for thee into gladness.

29And her fetters shall be to thee for a covering of strength,

And prudent.

33If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive;

And if thou incline thine ear, thou shalt be wise.

34 Cp. ch. 8.9. Stand thou in the multitude of the elders;

And whoso is wise, cleave thou unto him.

35Be willing to listen to every godly discourse;

And let not Cp. ch. 8.8 & 39.3.the proverbs of understanding escape thee.

36 Cp. ch. 8.9 & 37.12. If thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him,

Prov. 8.34. And let thy foot wear out the steps of his doors.

37Let thy mind dwell upon the ordinances of the Lord,

And Ps. 1.2.meditate continually in his commandments:

Cp. 1 Thes. 3.13. He shall establish thine heart,

And thy desire of wisdom shall be given unto thee.