| 1 | My child, do not cheat the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting. |
| 2 | Do not grieve the hungry, or anger one in need. |
| 3 | Do not add to the troubles of the desperate, or delay giving to the needy. |
| 4 | Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor. |
| 5 | Do not avert your eye from the needy, and give no one reason to curse you; |
| 6 | for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you, their Creator will hear their prayer. |
| 7 | Endear yourself to the congregation; bow your head low to the great. |
| 8 | Give a hearing to the poor, and return their greeting politely. |
| 9 | Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor; and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict. |
| 10 | Be a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother. |
| 11 | Wisdom teaches her children and gives help to those who seek her. |
| 12 | Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy. |
| 13 | Whoever holds her fast inherits glory, and the Lord blesses the place she enters. |
| 14 | Those who serve her minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her. |
| 15 | Those who obey her will judge the nations, and all who listen to her will live secure. |
| 16 | If they remain faithful, they will inherit her; their descendants will also obtain her. |
| 17 | For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths; she will bring fear and dread upon them, and will torment them by her discipline until she trusts them, and she will test them with her ordinances. |
| 18 | Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them, and will reveal her secrets to them. |
| 19 | If they go astray she will forsake them, and hand them over to their ruin. |
| 20 | Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself. |
| 21 | For there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favor. |
| 22 | Do not show partiality, to your own harm, or deference, to your downfall. |
| 23 | Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment, and do not hide your wisdom. |
| 24 | For wisdom becomes known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue. |
| 25 | Never speak against the truth, but be ashamed of your ignorance. |
| 26 | Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not try to stop the current of a river. |
| 27 | Do not subject yourself to a fool, or show partiality to a ruler. |
| 28 | Fight to the death for truth, and the Lord God will fight for you. |
| 29 | Do not be reckless in your speech, or sluggish and remiss in your deeds. |
| 30 | Do not be like a lion in your home, or suspicious of your servants. |
| 31 | Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give. |