Wisdom of Ben Sira 12:8-18

New Catholic Bible

⁸ When you are enjoying prosperity it is not easy to know who your friends are,
    but in times of adversity there is no problem in discerning your enemies.
⁹ When you prosper even your enemies are grieved,^[b]
    but in adversity even your friends will shun you.
¹⁰ Never trust your enemy;
    just as bronze tarnishes, so does his wickedness.
¹¹ Even if he acts humbly and in a subservient manner,
    take care to be on your guard against him.
Behave toward him as if you were polishing a mirror,
    and you will see that his tarnish does not last.
¹² Do not allow him to stand near you,
    lest he overthrow you and take your place.
Do not let him sit on your right hand
    or he may oust you and take your seat,
and in the end you will realize the truth of my warning
    and recall my admonition with regret.
¹³ Who has sympathy for a snake charmer when he is bitten,
    or for those who go near wild animals?
¹⁴ In the same way, no one pities a person who associates with sinners
    and becomes involved in their evil deeds.
¹⁵ He may stand by you for a while,
    but if you falter, he will not stay around.
¹⁶ An enemy utters honeyed words,
    but his heart is scheming to cast you into a pit.
The eyes of an enemy may be filled with tears,
    but if an opportunity arises, he will never have enough of your blood.
¹⁷ If misfortune overtakes you, you will find him there ahead of you,
    and, pretending to help, he will trip you up.
¹⁸ Then he will shake his head^[c] and clap his hands,
    go about whispering, and change his countenance.