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37:1  Every friend will say, “I too am a friend”; but some friends are friends only in name.
37:2  Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity?
37:3  O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit?
37:4  Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him.
37:5  Some companions help a friend for their stomach’s sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield.
37:6  Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth.
37:7  Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest.
37:8  Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest— for he will take thought for himself— lest he cast the lot against you
37:9  and tell you, “Your way is good,” and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you.
37:10  Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you.
37:11  Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task— pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel.
37:12  But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail.
37:13  And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
37:14  For a man’s soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
37:15  And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
37:16  Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.
37:17  As a clue to changes of heart
37:18  four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
37:19  A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself.
37:20  A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
37:21  for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom.
37:22  A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips.
37:23  A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy.
37:24  A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.
37:25  The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number.
37:26  He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever.
37:27  My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that.
37:28  For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything.
37:29  Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food;
37:30  for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.
37:31  Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life.