| 1 | Do not envy the wicked, nor desire to be with them; |
| 2 | for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of mischief. |
| 3 | By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; |
| 4 | by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. |
| 5 | Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; |
| 6 | for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. |
| 7 | Wisdom is too high for fools; in the gate they do not open their mouths. |
| 8 | Whoever plans to do evil will be called a mischief-maker. |
| 9 | The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to all. |
| 10 | If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength being small; |
| 11 | if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death, those who go staggering to the slaughter; |
| 12 | if you say, “Look, we did not know this” — does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it? And will he not repay all according to their deeds? |
| 13 | My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. |
| 14 | Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, you will find a future, and your hope will not be cut off. |
| 15 | Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous; do no violence to the place where the righteous live; |
| 16 | for though they fall seven times, they will rise again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. |
| 17 | Do not rejoice when your enemies fall, and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble, |
| 18 | or else the LORD will see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from them. |
| 19 | Do not fret because of evildoers. Do not envy the wicked; |
| 20 | for the evil have no future; the lamp of the wicked will go out. |
| 21 | My child, fear the LORD and the king, and do not disobey either of them; |
| 22 | for disaster comes from them suddenly, and who knows the ruin that both can bring? |
| 23 | These also are sayings of the wise: Partiality in judging is not good. |
| 24 | Whoever says to the wicked, “You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations; |
| 25 | but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them. |
| 26 | One who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips. |
| 27 | Prepare your work outside, get everything ready for you in the field; and after that build your house. |
| 28 | Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. |
| 29 | Do not say, “I will do to others as they have done to me; I will pay them back for what they have done.” |
| 30 | I passed by the field of one who was lazy, by the vineyard of a stupid person; |
| 31 | and see, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. |
| 32 | Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. |
| 33 | A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, |
| 34 | and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want, like an armed warrior. |