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.
13. And make the counsel of your heart to stand; For there is none more faithful to you than it.
14. For a man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings, More than seven watchmen that sit on high on a watch-tower.
15. And above all this entreat the Most High, That he may direct your way in truth.
16. Let reason be the beginning of every work, And let counsel go before every action.