Sirach 37:1–6

1 Every friend saith: hI am a friendh;

iBut there is a friend who is (only) friend in namei.

2 Is there not j [a sorrow]j kthat cometh nigh unto deathk—

lA deeply loved friendl mwho changeth to an enemym?

3 nO base nature! why then wast thou createdn,

oTo fillo pthe world’s facep qwith deceitq!

H D(B) 4 rBase is the friend who hath regard to (one’s) tabler,

But in the time of stress standeth aloof.

5 sA good friend contendeth with (one’s) enemys,

tAndt against uadversariesu holdeth the shield.

6 vForget notv a comrade win conflictw,

xAnd forsake him not when thou takest spoilx.

(d) 37:7–15: Of counsellors true and false

(= 4 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 distichs).

(	indicates that the word or words so enclosed or printed are supplied for the sake of clearness.
[	indicate an intrusion into the original text.
H	Manuscript D (= Lévi’s C), containing 36:24–38:1.
B	Manuscript B, containing 30:11–33:3, 35:11–38:27, 39:15–49:15a; this consists of 19 leaves, and may be of the twelfth century.
+	indicates that the authority or authorities quoted insert the word or words following this mark.