Sirach 12:10–18
10Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in copper.↗
11Though he humbles himself and walks bowed down, still be careful and beware of him. You will be to him as one who has wiped a mirror, to be sure it doesn’t completely tarnish.↗
12Don’t set him next to you, lest he overthrow you and stand in your place. Don’t let him sit on your right hand, lest he seek to take your seat, and at the last you acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.↗
13Who will pity a charmer that is bitten by a snake, or any who come near wild beasts?↗
14Even so, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, and is associated with him in his sins?↗
15For a while he will stay with you, and if you falter, he will not stay.↗
16The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy may weep with his eyes, but if he finds opportunity, he will want more blood.↗
17If adversity meets you, you will find him there before you. Pretending to help you, he will trip you.↗
18He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper much, and change his countenance.↗
Source: World English Bible (Catholic), public domain. Text is taken directly from the source. Headings are editorial, not biblical verses.
Languages: English public-domain source is available throughout all 73 books. Slovenian and German Scripture editions will be published only after their precise source texts are verified; we do not substitute machine-written translations.