Sirach 6:15 kjva — Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

King James Version with Apocrypha

“Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.”

— Sirach 6:15, King James Version with Apocrypha

What does this verse mean?

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Sirach 6 — Context

If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide himself from thy face.

Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure.

Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him.

Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

Sirach 6:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Sirach 6:15 say?

Sirach 6:15 in the King James Version with Apocrypha reads: “Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.”

Where is Sirach 6:15 in the Bible?

Sirach 6:15 is found in the Apocrypha, in the book of Sirach, chapter 6, verse 15.

Who wrote Sirach?

Sirach is traditionally attributed to Jesus ben Sira of Jerusalem (Greek translation by his grandson). Also known as Ecclesiasticus ("the church book"). The grandson's prologue dates the Greek translation to Egypt c. 132 BC. Significant Hebrew portions survive in the Cairo Geniza and at Masada. It was written c. 180 BC (Hebrew original); c. 132 BC (Greek translation).

What is the book of Sirach about?

Sirach is the longest wisdom book in the broader canon — fifty-one chapters of proverbs, hymns, and reflections on the fear of the Lord. Ben Sira touches every corner of life: speech and silence, business and friendship, family and discipline, table manners and grief. The book closes with the "Praise of the Fathers" (chs. 44–50), a hymnic survey of Israel's heroes from Enoch to the high priest Simon — a forerunner of Hebrews 11.

What are the major themes of Sirach?

Sirach explores themes including Fear of the Lord, Wisdom, Ethics, Friendship, Heroes of Faith. These themes shape the meaning and context of Sirach 6:15.

What translation should I read Sirach 6:15 in?

Sirach 6:15 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.

How can I memorize Sirach 6:15?

Sirach 6:15 reads (KJVA): “Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.

Sirach 6:15 kjva — Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is invaluable.

What does this verse mean?

Read in Another Translation

Sirach 6 — Context

Sirach 6:15 — Frequently Asked Questions

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