Sirach 12

12If thou do an act of kindness, know to whom thou doest it,

That thou mayst have hope of thy kindness.

Do acts of kindness to the righteous and find recompense;

If not from him, from Jahveh.

No ⁽return of⁽ kindness ⁽cometh⁽ to him that giveth satisfaction to the ungodly,

Nor hath he done any act of benevolence.

Weapons of bread give him not,

Lest he attack thee with them.

Twofold evil shalt thou obtain

For all the good thou shalt have brought him.

For God also hateth them that are evil,

And to the ungodly He repayeth vengeance.

Give to the good and withhold from the evil;

Refreshthe humble, and give notto the arrogant.

A friend is not known in prosperity

And an enemy is not hidden in adversity.

In a man’s prosperity even an enemy is friendly,

But in his adversity even a friend holdeth aloof.

Never trust an enemy,

For even as brass his wickedness rusteth.

Yea, when he is obsequiousand walketh humbly,

Take careto have a fear of him:

Be to him as one that brighteneth a mirror

And so ⁽thou shalt⁽ know how to be rid of rust.

Let him not stand beside thee

Lest he thrust thee aside and stand in thy place:

Set him not at thy right hand

Lest he seek thy seat—

And too late thou shalt comprehend my words,

And sigh o’er my plea!

Who pitieththe charmer that is stung,

Or any one that cometh nigh a ravening beast?

So is he that associateth with an impious man,

And polluteth himself with his iniquities.

So long as thou standest he doth not reveal himself,

But if thou fallhe no longer restraineth himself.

With his lips an adversary speaketh sweetly,

But in his heart he deviseth deep pitfalls.

Yea, though an enemy weep with his eyes,

When he findeth opportunity he will not be satiated with blood.

If misfortune have befallen thee he is at hand;

As though ready to help he seizeth the heel.

He shaketh the headand waveth the hand,

And with much whisperingchangeth his countenance.