Sirach 13:9–13

9 Doth a noble wdraw nearw? xkeep at a distancex—

yAnd so much the morey zwill he cause thee to approachz.

10 aDo not thyself draw neara, lest thou be put at a distance;

And keep not (too) far away, lest b[thou be forgotten]b.

11 cVenture notc dto be freed with him,

And mistrust his much conversation.

eFor fby his conversation at largef ghe is testing theeg,

hAnd when he smileth at thee he is probing theeh e.

12 iA ruthless one maketh peace,

While plotting against the life of manyi.

HA 13 Take heed jand be waryj,

kAnd go not about with men of violencekl.

(h) 13:15–20. Like consorteth with like: what common bond can there be between rich and poor?

(= 2 + 3 + 1 distichs).