Of the choice of friends and counsellors.
37:1. Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
37:2. But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
37:3. O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?
37:4. There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.
37:5. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.
37:6. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
37:7. Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
37:8. Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.
37:9. Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind: