Sirach 13:1-16: a reflection

1He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. 2Don’t take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, and the pot will be dashed in pieces. 3The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes. 4If you are profitable, he will exploit you. If you are in need, he will forsake you. 5If you own something, he will live with you. He will drain your resources and will not be sorry. 6Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?” 7He will shame you by his delicacies until he has made you bare twice or thrice, and in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, will forsake you, and shake his head at you. 8Beware that you are not deceived and brought low in your enjoyment. 9If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, and he will invite you more. 10Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten. 11Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. 12He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind. 13Keep them to yourself and be careful, for you walk in danger of falling. 15Every living creature loves its own kind, and every man loves his neighbor. 16All flesh associates with their own kind. A man will stick to people like himself.

This passage begins with a vivid warning about the influence of our company: He who touches pitch will be defiled; he who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. As pitch defiles the one who touches it, so keeping company with the proud, or with those given to wrong, shapes and defiles us; we become like those we keep company with. The passage warns that our associations are not neutral; they shape us, for good or ill, and close fellowship with the wrong sort can defile and corrupt us.

Notice the warning about the shaping influence of company: we become like those we keep company with. Company is not neutral; as pitch defiles the one who handles it, so our close associations shape us, drawing us toward the character of those we spend time with. Keep company with the proud, and we become proud; associate closely with those given to wrong, and we are shaped and defiled by it. Our company shapes us, for good or ill; we become like those we spend our time with. This is why the choice of our close company matters.

That warning is worth taking to heart, for we can be shaped and defiled by the company we keep, often without noticing. We spend our time with certain people, and are shaped by them; their attitudes, values, and ways rub off on us, drawing us toward their character, whether for good or ill. Close company with those given to pride or wrong can defile us, as pitch defiles. Be thoughtful about the company you keep, aware that it shapes you; do not keep close company with those whose influence would defile and corrupt you, as touching pitch defiles. Choose your close associations wisely, mindful that we become like those we keep company with, and that fellowship with the wrong sort shapes and defiles us, while good company shapes us toward good; for our company is not neutral, but shapes our character, as this passage warns that he who touches pitch is defiled, and he who keeps company with the proud becomes like him.

Lord, this passage begins with a vivid warning about the influence of my company: he who touches pitch will be defiled; he who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. As pitch defiles the one who touches it, so keeping company with the proud, or with those given to wrong, shapes and defiles me; I become like those I keep company with. The passage warns that my associations are not neutral; they shape me, for good or ill. Show me the warning about the shaping influence of company: I become like those I keep company with. Company is not neutral; as pitch defiles the one who handles it, so my close associations shape me, drawing me toward the character of those I spend time with. Keep company with the proud, and I become proud; associate closely with those given to wrong, and I am shaped by it. My company shapes me, for good or ill. Take that warning to my heart, for I can be shaped and defiled by the company I keep, often without noticing. I spend my time with certain people, and am shaped by them; their attitudes, values, and ways rub off on me. Close company with those given to pride or wrong can defile me. Help me be thoughtful about the company I keep, aware that it shapes me; keep me from keeping close company with those whose influence would defile and corrupt me, Lord. Help me choose my close associations wisely, mindful that I become like those I keep company with.