Chapter Twelve

Offer help to those who need and will benefit from it. Be cautious regarding your enemies.

Sirach 12:1. If you do good, know to whom you do it, and you will have gratitude for your good deeds. Sirach 12:2. Do good to the pious, and you will receive a reward, and if not from him, then from the Most High. Sirach 12:3. There is no good for one who constantly engages in evil and who does not give alms. Sirach 12:4. Give to the pious, and do not help the sinner. Sirach 12:5. Do good to the humble, and do not give to the wicked: withhold bread from him and do not give to him, so that he does not thereby overcome you; 4-5. These are clarified in verse 6.

Sirach 12:6. for you would receive double evil for all the good you would have done to him; for the Most High also hates sinners and pays back the wicked with vengeance. Sirach 12:7. Give to the good, and do not help the sinner. Sirach 12:8. A friend is not recognized in prosperity, and an enemy is not hidden in adversity. Sirach 12:9. In the prosperity of a man his enemies are sorrowful, and in his adversity even a friend will depart from him. Sirach 12:10. Do not trust your enemy ever, for, as copper rusts, so too his malice: Sirach 12:11. although he may have humbled himself and walked bent over, be watchful in your soul and be cautious of him, and you will be before him like a polished mirror, and you will know that he has not completely cleansed himself of rust; Sirach 12:12. do not place him beside you, so that he, by overthrowing you, does not take your place; do not seat him at your right hand, so that he does not someday seek your throne, and you finally understand my words and will remember with sorrow my teachings. Sirach 12:13. Who will pity one who has been bitten by a snake charmer, and all who come near wild beasts? So also with one who associates with a sinner and shares in his sins: Sirach 12:14. he will remain with you for a while, but if you falter, he will not stand firm. 14. Will not stand firm to harm you.

Sirach 12:15. With his mouth an enemy will gratify you, but in his heart he plots to cast you into a pit: with his eyes an enemy will weep, and when he finds an opportunity, his thirst for blood will not be satisfied. Sirach 12:16. If misfortune comes upon you, you will find him there before you, Sirach 12:17. and as if wanting to help, he will stretch out his foot to trip you: Sirach 12:18. he will nod his head and clap his hands, he will whisper much, and will change his expression. 18. By harming you and rejoicing in your misfortune your enemy will pretend deep sympathy for you.