Read & explore together
Test friendship and treasure the faithful friend
This wisdom passage weighs words, caution and loyalty. It begins with pleasant speech, then warns that not every friendly person will stay, and finally praises the rare value of a faithful friend.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
Sirach 6:5–17 is a piece of wisdom teaching from the Catholic additional books. In this passage, the speaker gives guidance about gaining friends, testing them, recognising unreliable friendship, and valuing a faithful friend as something precious and life-giving. The teaching moves from speech, to testing, to warning, to praise.
Sirach 6:5–17Main takeaway
This passage teaches that friendship should be approached carefully, tested over time, and treasured when it proves faithful.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Pleasant words and careful counselThe passage starts by noticing that kind speech affects relationships. “Sweet words” and a “gracious tongue” can increase friends and courtesies.
Explanation
The passage starts by noticing that kind speech affects relationships. “Sweet words” and a “gracious tongue” can increase friends and courtesies. Yet having many peaceful relationships is not the same as trusting many advisers. The text values warmth in speech, while also urging great care about whose counsel we rely on.
02Friendship should be testedThe next instruction is deliberate. If someone wants to gain a friend, the text says to test that person and not trust too quickly.
Explanation
The next instruction is deliberate. If someone wants to gain a friend, the text says to test that person and not trust too quickly. The reason follows immediately. Some people act like friends only for a moment or for a convenient occasion, and they do not remain when trouble comes.
03Hardship exposes unreliable companionsSirach then describes unreliable friendship in several forms. One supposed friend becomes an enemy and exposes conflict to bring reproach.
Explanation
Sirach then describes unreliable friendship in several forms. One supposed friend becomes an enemy and exposes conflict to bring reproach. Another is only a pleasant table companion. In prosperity such a person may seem close, but when someone is brought low, that companion turns away. So verse 13 sums up the warning: keep away from enemies and be watchful even in friendship.
04A faithful friend is beyond priceIn contrast, a faithful friend is called a strong defence and a treasure. Nothing can be exchanged for such a friend, because that friend’s worth is beyond price.
Explanation
In contrast, a faithful friend is called a strong defence and a treasure. Nothing can be exchanged for such a friend, because that friend’s worth is beyond price. The passage even compares a faithful friend to life-saving medicine, then links good friendship with fearing the Lord and directing friendship properly.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What is the difference in this passage between having many people at peace with you and having a true adviser or friend?
Notice that the text welcomes many peaceful relationships, but limits trusted advisers and urges testing before trust.
02How does the passage show that hardship reveals whether a friendship is genuine?
Look for repeated lines about what some friends do “in the day of your affliction” or when someone is “brought low.”
03Which pictures are used for a faithful friend, and what do they emphasise?
The text compares a faithful friend to protection, treasure and medicine, showing safety, value and help.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 6:5–17
5Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends. A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies.
6Let those that are at peace with you be many, but your advisers one of a thousand.
7If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing, and don’t be in a hurry to trust him.
8For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction.
9And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach.
10And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in the day of your affliction.
11In your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.
12If you are brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.
13Separate yourself from your enemies, and beware of your friends.
14A faithful friend is a strong defense. He who has found him has found a treasure.
15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend. His excellency is beyond price.
16A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine. Those who fear the Lord will find him.
17He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly; for as he is, so is his neighbor also.