VI. Instead of a friend become not an enemy;

For thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach:

Even so shall a sinner athat hath a double tongue.

2  bExtol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart;

That thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

3  Thou shalt eat up thy leaves,

And lose thy fruit,

And leave thyself as ca dry tree.

4  A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it,

And shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

5  * dSweet language will multiply friends:

And a fair speaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

6  Be in peace with many:

Nevertheless have but one counseller of a thousand.

7  If thou wouldest get a friend, * prove him first,

And be not hasty to credit him.

8  For some man is a friend for his own occasion,

And ewill not abide in the day of thy trouble.

9  And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife

Will discover thy reproach.

10  Again, fsome friend is a companion at the table,

And ewill not continue in the day of thy affliction.

11  But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself,

And will be bold over thy servants.

12  If thou be brought low, he will be against thee,

And will hide himself from thy face.

13  Separate thyself from thine enemies,

And gtake heed of hthy friends.

14  A faithful friend is a strong defence:

And he that hath found such a one hath found a treasure.

15  Nothing doth icountervail a faithful friend,

And his excellency is unvaluable.

16  A faithful friend is the medicine of life;

And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

17  Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright:

For as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

18  My son, gather instruction kfrom thy youth up:

So shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

19  Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth,

And lwait for her good fruits:

For mthou shalt not toil much in labouring about her,

But thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

20  nShe is very unpleasant to the unlearned:

He that is without * understanding will not remain with her.

21  She will lie upon him as oa mighty stone of trial;

And he will cast her from him ere it be long.

22  For wisdom is paccording to her name,

And she is not manifest unto many.

23  Give ear, my son, receive my advice,

And refuse not my counsel,

24  And put thy feet into her fetters,

And thy neck into her * chain.

25  qBow down thy shoulder, And bear her,

And be not grieved with her bonds.

26  Come unto her rwith thy whole heart,

And keep her ways rwith all thy power.

27  Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee:

And when sthou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

28  For tat the last thou shalt ufind her rest,

And that shall be turned to thy joy.

29  Then shall wher fetters be a strong defence for thee,

And wher chains a robe of glory.

30  For there is a golden ornament upon her,

And her bands are * purple lace.

31  Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour,

And shalt put her about thee as xa crown of joy.

32  My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught:

And if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be yprudent.

33  If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding:

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

34  Stand in the multitude of the zelders;

And cleave unto him that is wise.

35  Be willing to hear every godly discourse;

And let not the aparables of understanding escape thee.

36  And if thou seest a man of understanding, bget thee betimes unto him,

And let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

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

And cmeditate continually in his commandments:

dHe shall establish thine heart,

And give thee wisdom at thine own desire.