| 1 | Many have committed sin for gain, and those who seek to get rich will avert their eyes. |
| 2 | As a stake is driven firmly into a fissure between stones, so sin is wedged in between selling and buying. |
| 3 | If a person is not steadfast in the fear of the Lord, his house will be quickly overthrown. |
| 4 | When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears; so do a person’s faults when he speaks. |
| 5 | The kiln tests the potter’s vessels; so the test of a person is in his conversation. |
| 6 | Its fruit discloses the cultivation of a tree; so a person’s speech discloses the cultivation of his mind. |
| 7 | Do not praise anyone before he speaks, for this is the way people are tested. |
| 8 | If you pursue justice, you will attain it and wear it like a glorious robe. |
| 9 | Birds roost with their own kind, so honesty comes home to those who practice it. |
| 10 | A lion lies in wait for prey; so does sin for evildoers. |
| 11 | The conversation of the godly is always wise, but the fool changes like the moon. |
| 12 | Among stupid people limit your time, but among thoughtful people linger on. |
| 13 | The talk of fools is offensive, and their laughter is wantonly sinful. |
| 14 | Their cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end, and their quarrels make others stop their ears. |
| 15 | The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed, and their abuse is grievous to hear. |
| 16 | Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence, and will never find a congenial friend. |
| 17 | Love your friend and keep faith with him; but if you betray his secrets, do not follow after him. |
| 18 | For as a person destroys his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. |
| 19 | And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand, so you have let your neighbor go, and will not catch him again. |
| 20 | Do not go after him, for he is too far off, and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare. |
| 21 | For a wound may be bandaged, and there is reconciliation after abuse, but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope. |
| 22 | Whoever winks the eye plots mischief, and those who know him will keep their distance. |
| 23 | In your presence his mouth is all sweetness, and he admires your words; but later he will twist his speech and with your own words he will trip you up. |
| 24 | I have hated many things, but him above all; even the Lord hates him. |
| 25 | Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it on his own head, and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds. |
| 26 | Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever sets a snare will be caught in it. |
| 27 | If a person does evil, it will roll back upon him, and he will not know where it came from. |
| 28 | Mockery and abuse issue from the proud, but vengeance lies in wait for them like a lion. |
| 29 | Those who rejoice in the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare, and pain will consume them before their death. |
| 30 | Anger and wrath, these also are abominations, yet a sinner holds on to them. |