1Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.
2You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,
3which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.
4For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.
5A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.
6Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.
7If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.
8For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.
9And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.
10And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.
11A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.
12If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.
13Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.
14A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.
15Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.
16A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.
17He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.
18Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.
19Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.
20For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.
21How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.
22She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.
23For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.
24Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.
25Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.
26Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.
27Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.
28Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.
29For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.
30Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.
31For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.
32You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.
33Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.
34If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.
35Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.
36And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.
37Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.
Verse 15
Friendship isn't a means to profit but is filled with respect and grace. It is a virtue, not a transaction. Friendship grows from mutual respect, not from money or rewards, but from a shared desire to do good for one another.
Verse 16
If the words in Ecclesiasticus show that a friend is the medicine of life and immortality, then it's clear that love is our greatest defense. As the Apostle says, "It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; love never fails."
Share your heart with a friend, so they may be loyal to you, and so you can experience the joy they bring to your life. A faithful friend is life’s medicine and a blessing that endures.
Verse 17
The gift of a full and perfect friendship cannot last if it is not among people of similar virtue. And this is what the holy Fathers taught, establishing certain stages in order to arrive at a perfect and unchanging condition of friendship. They said that the first step of true friendship is to despise earthly things and all possessions. Second, everyone should put in check his own will in order to avoid thinking that he is the only wise and sensible person around, preferring his own opinions to those of his neighbor. Third, they said that he should know to defer everything, even the things that he considers useful and necessary, when it will benefit charity and peace. Fourth, he should be convinced that he must not anger himself for no reason at all, whether the anger is just or unjust. Fifth, he should desire that the anger of his brother be assuaged like his own, even if that anger rises against him without reason, knowing that the pain of the one is equally damaging to both; if he lashes out against someone else, he will make every effort to remove that offense of his brother as well. Finally, he should believe that every day might be his last, which sentiment undoubtedly brings about the death of any vice. This conviction not only leaves no place for any sadness in our heart but furthermore stops any movement of evil desire and impedes all sins. Whoever, then, respects these things cannot experience or carry out the bitterness of anger and discord.
Verse 24
The weakness and the corruptibility of the body are truly fetters that weigh down the soul. The body’s fragility is like the material a persecutor could use for causing pain and suffering, thus forcing many of the saints into impiety. The apostle longed to be unbound from these fetters and to be with Christ, but to remain in the flesh was necessary for the sake of those to whom he was ministering the gospel. Until, then, this corruptible puts on incorruption, and this mortal puts on immortality, the weak flesh will imprison the willing spirit. No one feels these fetters except those who groan inwardly, who are burdened5 and wanting to be clothed with the tabernacle that is from heaven, because death is terrifying and mortal life brings sorrow. The prophet redoubles his own groaning in behalf of these individuals who are suffering so that their groaning may come before the sight of the Lord.Those who are bound by the disciplines of wisdom may also be understood to be fettered. But these disciplines, if patiently endured, can be turned into adornments, which is why it is written, “Put your feet into [wisdom’s] fetters.”
Verse 36
Andrew was Peter’s brother, and we know from the Gospel that the Lord called Peter and Andrew from the ship, saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And from that time they joined him and did not leave him. On the present occasion these two followed him, however, not as those who were not again to leave him but to see where he was living and to fulfill the Scripture, “Let your foot wear out the threshold of his doors; get up and come to him continually and be instructed in his commandments.” He showed them where he lived. They came and remained with him.