Sirach, Chapter 13 Vs 1-8
CAUTION REGARDING ASSOCIATES
1Touch pitch and you blacken your hand;
associate with scoundrels and you learn their ways.
2Do not lift a weight too heavy for you,
or associate with anyone wealthier than you.
How can the clay pot go with the metal cauldron?
When they knock together, the pot will be smashed:
3The rich do wrong and boast of it,
while the poor are wronged and beg forgiveness.
4As long as the rich can use you they will enslave you,
but when you are down and out they will abandon you.
5As long as you have anything they will live with you,
but they will drain you dry without remorse.
6When they need you they will deceive you
and smile at you and raise your hopes;
they will speak kindly to you and say, "What do you need?"
7They will embarrass you at their dinner parties,
and finally laugh at you.
Afterwards, when they see you, they will pass you by,
and shake their heads at you.
8Be on guard: do not act too boldly;
do not be like those who lack sense.