Sirach

1He that touches pitch shall be defiled; And he that has fellowship with a proud man shall become like to him.

2Take not up a burden above your strength; And have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? This shall strike, and that shall be dashed in pieces.

3The rich man does a wrong, and he threatens withal: The poor is wronged, and he shall entreat withal.

4If you be profitable, he will make merchandise of you; And if you be in lack, he will forsake you.

5If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry.

6Hath he had need of you? then he will deceive you, And smile upon you, and give you hope: He will speak you fair, and say, What need you?

7And he will shame you by his meats, Until he have made you bare twice or thrice, And at the last he will laugh you to scorn: Afterward will he see you, and will forsake you, And shake his head at you.

8Beware that you be not deceived, and brought low in your mirth.

9If a mighty man invite you, be retiring, And so much the more will he invite you.

10Press not upon him, lest you be thrust back; And stand not far off, lest you be forgotten.

11Affect not to speak with him as an equal, And believe not his many words: For with much talk will he try you, And in a smiling manner will search you out.

12He that keeps not to himself words spoken is unmerciful; And he will not spare to hurt and to bind.

13Keep them to yourself, and take earnest heed, For you walk in peril of your falling.

15Every living creature loves his like, And every man loves his neighbor.

16All flesh consorts according to kind, And a man will cleave to his like.

17What fellowship shall the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly.

18What peace is there between the hyena and the dog? And what peace between the rich man and the poor?

19Wild asses are the prey of lions in the wilderness; So poor men are pasture for the rich.

20Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; So a poor man is an abomination to the rich.

21A rich man when he is shaken is held up of his friends; But one of low degree being down is thrust away also by his friends.

22When a rich man is fallen, there are many helpers; He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him: A man of low degree falls, and men rebuke him withal; He utters wisdom, and no place is allowed him.

23A rich man speaks, and all keep silence; And what he says they extol to the clouds: A poor man speaks, and they say, Who is this? And if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.

24Riches are good that have no sin; And poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.

25The heart of a man changes his countenance, Whether it be for good or for evil.

26A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; And the finding out of parables is a weariness of thinking.