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37:1  Every friend says, ‘I too am a friend’; but some friends are friends only in name.
37:2  Is it not a sorrow like that for death itself when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
37:3  O inclination to evil, 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 they are against him.
37:5  Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake, yet in battle they will carry his shield.
37:6  Do not forget a friend during the battle, and do not be unmindful of him when you distribute your spoils.
37:7  All counsellors praise the counsel they give, but some give counsel in their own interest.
37:8  Be wary of a counsellor, and learn first what is his interest, for he will take thought for himself. He may cast the lot against you
37:9  and tell you, ‘Your way is good’, and then stand aside to see what happens to you.
37:10  Do not consult one who regards you with suspicion; hide your intentions 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 business or with a buyer about selling, with a miser about generosity or with the merciless about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a seasonal labourer about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task— pay no attention to any advice they give.
37:12  But associate with a godly person whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who is like-minded with yourself, and who will grieve with you if you fail.
37:13  And heed the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is.
37:14  For our own mind sometimes keeps us better informed than seven sentinels sitting high on a watch-tower.
37:15  But above all pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.
37:16  Discussion is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking.
37:17  The mind is the root of all conduct;
37:18  it sprouts four branches, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them.
37:19  Some people may be clever enough to teach many, and yet be useless to themselves.
37:20  A skilful speaker may be hated; he will be destitute of all food,
37:21  for the Lord has withheld the gift of charm, since he is lacking in all wisdom.
37:22  If a person is wise to his own advantage, the fruits of his good sense will be praiseworthy.
37:23  A wise person instructs his own people, and the fruits of his good sense will endure.
37:24  A wise person will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy.
37:25  The days of a person’s life are numbered, but the days of Israel are without number.
37:26  One who is wise among his people will inherit honour, and his name will live for ever.
37:27  My child, test yourself while you live; see what is bad for you and do not give in to it.
37:28  For not everything is good for everyone, and no one enjoys everything.
37:29  Do not be greedy for every delicacy, and do not eat without restraint;
37:30  for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea.
37:31  Many have died of gluttony, but one who guards against it prolongs his life.