1. Every friend will say, I also am his friend: But there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
2. Is there not a grief in it even to death, When a companion and friend is turned to enmity?
3. O wicked imagination, whence came you rolling in To cover the dry land with deceitfulness?
4. There is a companion, which rejoices in the gladness of a friend, But in time of affliction will be against him.
5. There is a companion, which for the belly’s sake labores with his friend, In the face of battle will take up the buckler.
6. Forget not a friend in your soul; And be not unmindful of him in your riches.
7. Every counsellor extols counsel; But there is that counsels for himself.
8. Let your soul beware of a counsellor, And know you before what is his interest (For he will take counsel for himself); Lest he cast the lot upon you,
9. And say to you, Your way is good: And he will stand over against you, to see what shall befall you.
10. Take not counsel with one that looks askance at you; And hide your counsel from such as are jealous of you.
11. Take not counsel with a woman about her rival; Neither with a coward about war; Nor with a merchant about exchange; Nor with a buyer about selling; Nor with an envious man about thankfulness; Nor with an unmerciful man about kindliness; Nor with a sluggard about any kind of work; Nor with a hireling in your house about finishing his work; Nor with an idle servant about much business: Give not heed to these in any matter of counsel.
12. But rather be continually with a godly man, Whom you shall have known to be a keeper of the commandments, Who in his soul is as your own soul, And who will grieve with you, if you shall miscarry.