Sirach 12

1 When you do good, know to whom you are doing it, and your good deeds will be met with favor. 2 Do good to a devout person, and you will find repayment—if not from him, then from the Most High. 3 No good will come to someone continually occupied with evil or unwilling to perform acts of mercy. 4 Give to the devout person, and do not support a sinner. 5 Do good to a humble person, but do not give to the ungodly. Hold back his bread and do not give it to him, or he may overpower you with it. You will receive twice as much evil for all the good you do to him.

6 The Most High himself hates sinners and will repay the ungodly with punishment. 7 Give to the good person, and do not support the sinner. 8 A true friend will not be exposed when things go well, and an enemy will not remain hidden when things go badly. 9 When things go well for a man, his enemies are grieved; when things go badly, even his friend leaves him. 10 Never trust your enemy. Just as bronze develops corrosion, so does his wickedness.

11 Even if he humbles himself and walks bent over, keep your soul alert and guard against him. Treat him like a mirror you have polished, and you will know that the corrosion has not been completely removed. 12 Do not place him beside you, or he may overthrow you and stand in your place. Do not seat him at your right hand, or he may seek your seat. Then in the end you will recognize my words and feel their sting. 13 Who will show mercy to a snake charmer bitten by a snake, or to anyone who approaches wild animals? 14 The same applies to one who approaches a sinful man and becomes entangled in his sins. 15 He will remain with you for an hour, but if you begin to fall, he will not endure beside you.

16 An enemy sweetens his lips, but in his heart he plans to overturn you into a pit. An enemy weeps with his eyes, but if he finds an opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood. 17 If evil meets you, you will find him there ahead of you. Pretending to help, he will undermine your footing. 18 He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper repeatedly, and change his expression.