February 28th : First Reading A faithful friend is a sure shelter A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 6: 5-17

 February 28th : First Reading

A faithful friend is a sure shelter

A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 6: 5-17 

A kindly turn of speech multiplies a man’s friends,  and a courteous way of speaking invites many a friendly reply.

Let your acquaintances be many,  but your advisers one in a thousand. If you want to make a friend, take him on trial,

  and be in no hurry to trust him; for one kind of friend is only so when it suits him   but will not stand by you in your day of trouble. Another kind of friend will fall out with you  and to your dismay make the quarrel public, and a third kind of friend will share your table,  but not stand by you in your day of trouble:

when you are doing well he will be your second self,

  ordering your servants about; but if ever you are brought low he will turn against you  and will hide himself from you. Keep well clear of your enemies,  and be wary of your friends. A faithful friend is a sure shelter,  whoever finds one has found a rare treasure. A faithful friend is something beyond price,  there is no measuring his worth. A faithful friend is the elixir of life,  and those who fear the Lord will find one. Whoever fears the Lord makes true friends,  for as a man is, so is his friend.

The word of the Lord.