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6:1  Do not be a foe instead of a friend. A bad name, disgrace, and dishonor you will inherit. Thus the wicked, the double-tongued!
6:2  Do not fall into the grip of your passion, lest like fire it consume your strength.
6:3  It will eat your leaves and destroy your fruits, and you will be left like a dry tree.
6:4  For fierce passion destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
6:5  Pleasant speech multiplies friends, and gracious lips, friendly greetings.
6:6  Let those who are friendly to you be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
6:7  When you gain friends, gain them through testing, and do not be quick to trust them.
6:8  For there are friends when it suits them, but they will not be around in time of trouble.
6:9  Another is a friend who turns into an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your disgrace.
6:10  Others are friends, table companions, but they cannot be found in time of affliction.
6:11  When things go well, they are your other self, and lord it over your servants.
6:12  If disaster comes upon you, they turn against you and hide themselves.
6:13  Stay away from your enemies, and be on guard with your friends.
6:14  Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter; whoever finds one finds a treasure.
6:15  Faithful friends are beyond price, no amount can balance their worth.
6:16  Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; those who fear God will find them.
6:17  Those who fear the Lord enjoy stable friendship, for as they are, so will their neighbors be.
6:18  My child, from your youth choose discipline; and when you have gray hair you will find wisdom.
6:19  As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then wait for her bountiful crops. For in cultivating her you will work but little, and soon you will eat her fruit.
6:20  She is rough ground to the fool! The stupid cannot abide her.
6:21  She will be like a burdensome stone to them, and they will not delay in casting her aside.
6:22  For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
6:23  Listen, my child, and take my advice; do not refuse my counsel.
6:24  Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
6:25  Bend your shoulders and carry her and do not be irked at her bonds.
6:26  With all your soul draw close to her; and with all your strength keep her ways.
6:27  Inquire and search, seek and find; when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
6:28  Thus at last you will find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
6:29  Her fetters will be a place of strength; her snare, a robe of spun gold.
6:30  Her yoke will be a gold ornament; her bonds, a purple cord.
6:31  You will wear her as a robe of glory, and bear her as a splendid crown.
6:32  If you wish, my son, you can be wise; if you apply yourself, you can be shrewd.
6:33  If you are willing to listen, you can learn; if you pay attention, you can be instructed.
6:34  Stand in the company of the elders; stay close to whoever is wise.
6:35  Be eager to hear every discourse; let no insightful saying escape you.
6:36  If you see the intelligent, seek them out; let your feet wear away their doorsteps!
6:37  Reflect on the law of the Most High, and let his commandments be your constant study. Then he will enlighten your mind, and make you wise as you desire.