Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

1 The sons of wisdom are the Church of the just: and their generation is obedience and love.

2 Sons, listen to the judgment of your father, and act accordingly, so that you may be saved.

3 For God has honored the father in the sons, and, when seeking the judgment of the mother, he has confirmed it in the children.

4 He who loves God will plead with him on behalf of sins, and will keep himself away from sin, and will be heeded in the prayers of his days.

5 And, like one who stores up treasure, so also is he who honors his mother.

6 He who honors his father will find happiness in his own children, and he will be heeded in the day of his prayer.

7 He who honors his father will live a long life. And he who obeys his father will be a refreshment to his mother.

8 He who fears the Lord honors his parents, and he will serve them as masters, for it is they who conceived him.

9 In word and deed, and in all things, honor your father with patience,

10 so that a blessing may come to you from him, and so that his blessing may remain to the very end.

11 The blessing of the father strengthens the houses of the sons; but the curse of the mother uproots even its foundation.

12 Do not boast in the disgrace of your father; for his shame is not your glory.

13 For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, and a father without honor is a discredit to the son.

14 Son, support your father in his old age, and do not grieve him in his life.

15 And if his mind should fail, show kindness; and do not spurn him when you are in your strength. For almsgiving to the father will never be forgotten.

16 For even in return for the sin of the mother, good will be repaid to you.

17 And you will be built up in justice, and you will be remembered in the day of tribulation. And your sins will dissolve like ice in warm weather.

18 What an evil form has he who forsakes his father! And whoever exasperates his mother is accursed by God.

19 Son, perform your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of men.

20 However great you may be, humble yourself in all things, and you will find grace in the presence of God.

21 For only the power of God is great, and he is honored by the humble.

22 You should not seek the things that are too high for you, and you should not examine the things that are beyond your ability. But as for the things that God has entrusted to you, consider these always. But you should not be curious in too many of his works.

23 For it is not necessary for you to see with your own eyes the things that are hidden.

24 In unnecessary matters, do not choose to be an examiner of many different things, and you should not be curious about too many of his works.

25 For many things have been revealed to you, beyond the understanding of men.

26 Yet uncertainty in these things has also undermined many persons and has detained their minds in vanity.

27 A hardened heart will have evil in the very end, and he who loves peril will perish in it.

28 A heart advancing in two directions will not have success, and the depraved heart will be scandalized in this way.

29 A wicked heart will be burdened with sorrows, and a sinner will add further sins.

30 The synagogue of the arrogant will not be healed. For the stalk of sinfulness will take root in them, and it will not be understood.

31 The heart of the wise is understood by wisdom, and a good ear will listen to wisdom with all its desire.

32 A wise and understanding heart will abstain from sins, and will have success in works of justice.

33 Water extinguishes a burning fire, and almsgiving withstands sins.

34 And God is the watchman for him who repays a kindness. He remembers him afterwards, and in the time of his fall, he will find a firm support.

1 Son, you should not cheat the poor out of alms, nor should you avert your eyes from a poor man.

2 You should not despise the hungry soul, and you should not aggravate a poor man in his need.

3 You should not afflict the heart of the needy, and you should not delay an offer to someone in anguish.

4 You should not make requests of one who is greatly troubled, and you should not avert your face from the indigent.

5 You should not avert your eyes from the needy out of anger. And you should not abandon those who seek help from you, so that they speak curses behind your back.

6 For the pleadings of him who speaks curses of you, in the bitterness of his soul, will be heeded. For the One who made him will heed him.

7 Make yourself a friend to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before an elder, and humble your head before the great.

8 Turn your ear without sadness toward the poor, and repay your debt, and respond to him peacefully in meekness.

9 Free him who suffers injury at the hand of the arrogant, and do not carry animosity in your soul.

10 In judging, be merciful to the orphan, like a father, and be merciful to their mother, like a husband.

11 And then you shall be like an obedient son of the Most High, and he will take pity on you more than a mother would.

12 Wisdom breathes life into her sons, and she lifts up those who are seeking her, and she will precede them in the way of justice.

13 And he who loves her loves life. And those who watch for her shall embrace her delights.

14 Those who hold to her will inherit life. And whatever place she enters, God will bless.

15 Those who serve her will yield to what is holy. And God loves those who love wisdom.

16 He who listens to her shall judge the nations. And he who gazes upon her will remain secure.

17 If he believes in her, he will inherit her, and whatever arises from him will be confirmed.

18 For she walks with him through temptation, and she chooses him from the beginning.

19 She will lead fear and dread and trials over him, and she will crucify him with the tribulation of her doctrine, until she has tested him in his thoughts and she can trust in his soul.

20 And then she will strengthen him, and lead him along a straight path, and rejoice in him.

21 And she will disclose her secrets to him, and she will store up treasure, of the knowledge and understanding of justice, in him.

22 But if he has wandered astray, she will leave him behind, and she will deliver him into the hands of his enemy.

23 Son, be continually observant, and keep away from evil.

24 For the sake of your soul, you should not be ashamed to speak the truth.

25 For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace.

26 You should not accept a face contrary to your own face, nor should you accept a lie contrary to your own soul.

27 You should not enjoy the fall of your neighbor.

28 Neither should you withhold words at an opportunity for salvation. You should not conceal your wisdom in her beauty.

29 For wisdom is discerned within speech. And understanding and knowledge and doctrine are discerned in the words of those who understand and by their steadfastness in the works of justice.

30 You should not contradict a word of truth in any way. Otherwise, by a falsehood born of ignorance, you will be confounded.

31 You should not be ashamed to confess your sins, but do not subject yourself to any man because of sin.

32 Do not choose to stand against the face of the powerful, for you should not strive against the current of the river.

33 Suffer for justice, on behalf of your soul, and struggle, even unto death, on behalf of justice, and God will fight against your enemies on your behalf.

34 Do not choose to be quick with your words, nor unproductive or neglectful in your works.

35 Do not choose to be like a lion in your house, distressing those of your household, and oppressing those who are subject to you.

36 Do not let your hand be open when receiving, but closed when giving.

1 Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness.

2 You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart.

3 And you should not say: “How powerful am I?” or, “Who will cast me down because of my deeds?” For God will vindicate with vengeance.

4 You should not say, “I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?” For the Most High is a patient recompensor.

5 Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin.

6 And you should not say: “The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.”

7 For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners.

8 You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day.

9 For his wrath will approach suddenly, and in the time of vindication, he will destroy you.

10 Do not choose to be anxious for unjust wealth. For these things will not benefit you in the day of darkness and retribution.

11 You should not winnow in every wind, and you should not go forth into every path. For so is every sinner proven by his duplicitous tongue.

12 Be steadfast in the way of the Lord and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let words of peace and justice overtake you.

13 Be meek when listening to a word, so that you may understand. And offer a true response in wisdom.

14 If you understand, then answer your neighbor. But if you do not, then let your hand be over your mouth, so that you are not caught by an inept word, and then confounded.

15 Honor and glory are in the words of those who understand, yet truly, the tongue of the imprudent man is his undoing.

16 You should not be called a whisperer, and you should not be caught by your own tongue, and then confounded.

17 For confusion and remorse is upon a thief, and a wicked mark is upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, there is hatred and animosity and disgrace.

18 Justify the small and the great similarly.

1 Do not be willing to become an enemy instead of a friend to your neighbor. For an evil man will inherit reproach and disgrace, as will every sinner who is envious and double-tongued.

2 You should not extol yourself, like a bull, in the thoughts of your soul, lest perhaps your strength may be cast down through foolishness,

3 which would consume your leaves, and destroy your fruit, and leave you behind like a dry tree in the desert.

4 For a wicked soul will destroy the one who has it. For it gladly provides enemies to him, and it will lead him to the fate of the impious.

5 A sweet word multiplies friends and mitigates enemies. And thankful words abound in a good man.

6 Allow many to be at peace with you, but allow one out of a thousand to be your counselor.

7 If you would obtain a friend, test him before you accept him, and do not trust him readily.

8 For there is a friend according to his own time, but he will not remain in the day of tribulation.

9 And there is a friend who can be turned to animosity. And there is a friend who will reveal hatred and ridicule and insults.

10 And there is a friend who is a companion at table, but he will not remain in a day of need.

11 A friend, if he remains steadfast, will be to you as you are to yourself, and he will act with faithfulness among those of your household.

12 If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a noble and harmonious friendship.

13 Distance yourself from your enemies, and pay attention to your friends.

14 A faithful friend is a strong shelter, and whoever has found one has found a treasure.

15 Nothing is comparable to a faithful friend, and no weight of silver or gold is worth more than the goodness of his fidelity.

16 A faithful friend is a medicine for life and immortality; and those who fear the Lord will find one.

17 He who fears God will have a similar good friendship, because his friend will be like him.

18 Son, from your youth receive instruction, and then you will find wisdom, even to your grey hairs.

19 Approach wisdom like one who plows and sows, and then wait for her good fruits.

20 For in doing her work, you will labor a little, but you will soon eat from her produce.

21 How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to unlearned men! And so, the witless will not remain with her.

22 She will be to them like a great stone of trial, and they will cast her away from them without delay.

23 For the wisdom of doctrine is in accord with her name, and she is not manifest to many. But she continues with those by whom she is recognized, even in the sight of God.

24 Listen, son, and accept an understanding counsel, for you should not discard my advice.

25 Set your feet in her fetters and your neck in her chains.

26 Incline your shoulder, and carry her, for you will not be grieved by her bindings.

27 Approach her with all your soul, and serve her ways with all your strength.

28 Examine her, and she will be revealed to you, and when you have obtained her, you should not abandon her.

29 For, in the very end, you will find rest in her, and she will turn into your delight.

30 Then her fetters will be a strong protection and a firm foundation for you, and her chains will be a robe of glory.

31 For in her is the beauty of life, and her bindings are a healing bandage.

32 You will be clothed with her as with a robe of glory, and you will set her upon your head like a crown of rejoicing.

33 Son, if you heed me, you will learn. And if you adapt your mind, you will be wise.

34 If you incline your ear, you will receive doctrine. And if you love to listen, you will be wise.

35 Stand among the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself to their wisdom from the heart, so that you may be able to hear every discourse about God, and so that the proverbs of praise may not flee from you.

36 And if you see a man of understanding, stand watch for him, and let your feet wear down the steps of his doors.

37 Set your thoughts on the precepts of God, and be entirely constant in his commandments. And he himself will give a heart to you, and the desire of wisdom will be given to you.

1 Do not choose to do evil, and evil will not take hold of you.

2 Withdraw from the iniquitous, and evil will withdraw from you.

3 Son, do not sow evil in the furrows of injustice, and you will not reap them sevenfold.

4 Do not seek a role of leadership from the Lord, and do not seek a seat of honor from the king.

5 You should not justify yourself before God, for he is the Knower of hearts. And by no means should you wish to seem wise before the king.

6 Do not seek to become a judge, unless you have sufficient strength to shatter iniquities. Otherwise, you might fear the face of the powerful, and so establish a scandal within your integrity.

7 You should not sin against the multitude of a city, nor should you cast yourself against the people.

8 And you should not bind two sins together. For even in one sin, you will not go unpunished.

9 Do not be cowardly in your soul.

10 You should not be unwilling to beg, nor to give alms.

11 You should not say: “God will look with favor on the multitude of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the most high God, he will accept my gift.”

12 You should not ridicule a man in bitterness of soul. For there is One who humbles and who exalts: the all-seeing God.

13 Do not love a lie against your brother, nor should you act the same toward your friend.

14 Do not be willing to devise a lie of any kind. For the practice of lying is not good.

15 Do not choose to be verbose among a multitude of elders, and you should not repeat the words of your prayers.

16 You should not hate laborious works, nor the rustic life created by the Most High.

17 You should not consider yourself to be among the multitude of the undisciplined.

18 Remember wrath. For it will not be delayed.

19 Humble your spirit greatly. For the retribution against the flesh of the impious is with fire and worms.

20 Do not betray your friend for the sake of money, and you should not spurn your dearest brother for the sake of gold.

21 Do not choose to depart from a good and understanding wife, whom you have been allotted in the fear of the Lord. For the grace of her modesty is above gold.

22 You should not harm the servant whose works are honest, nor the hired hand who entrusts his life to you.

23 Let an understanding servant be loved by you like your own soul. You should not cheat him out of freedom, nor abandon him to destitution.

24 Are cattle yours? Tend to them. And if they are useful, let them remain with you.

25 Are sons yours? Instruct them, and bow them down from their childhood.

26 Are daughters yours? Watch over their bodies. And you should not display a light-hearted attitude toward them.

27 Give your daughter in marriage, and give her to an understanding man, and you will be doing a great work.

28 If a wife in accord with your soul is yours, you should not reject her. But do not entrust yourself to her who is hateful.

29 With your whole heart, honor your father. And you should not forget the complaints of your mother.

30 Remember that you would not have been born except through them. And so, give back to them as they also have done for you.

31 With all your soul, fear the Lord, and consider his priests to be holy.

32 With all your strength, love him who made you, and you should not abandon his ministers.

33 Honor God from your whole soul, and confer honor on the priests, and continue to purify yourself with your strength.

34 Give them their portion, just as it has been commanded of you, from the first-fruits and from the purifications. And for your ignorant offenses, purify yourself with a smaller offering.

35 You should offer to the Lord the gift of your strength, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first-fruits of what is holy.

36 And reach out your hand to the poor, so that your atonement and your blessing may be perfected.

37 A gift has grace in the sight of all the living, but you should not prohibit grace for the dead.

38 You should not fail to console those who are weeping, nor to walk with those who are mourning.

39 Do not let yourself be slow to visit the sick. For in this way, you will be confirmed in love.

40 In all your works, remember your very end, and so you will not sin, unto eternity.

1 You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.

2 You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.

3 For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.

4 You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.

5 You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.

6 You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.

7 You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.

8 Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others rejoice over us.

9 You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.

10 For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.

11 Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.

12 And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.

13 You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.

14 You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.

15 You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.

16 You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.

17 You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.

18 You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.

19 You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.

20 You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.

21 You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.

22 You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.

1 You should not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, lest she reveal, because of you, the malice of a wicked lesson.

2 You should not give authority over your soul to a woman, lest she obtain your strength, and then you would be confounded.

3 You should not look with favor on a woman with many desires, lest perhaps you may fall into her traps.

4 You should not be continually in need of entertainment, nor should you be persuaded by it, lest perhaps you may perish by its effectiveness.

5 You should not stare at a virgin, lest perhaps you may be scandalized by her beauty.

6 You should not give your soul, in any way, to fornicators, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance.

7 Do not choose to look around in the streets of the city, nor should you wander along its thoroughfares.

8 Avert your face from an ornate woman, for you should not gaze upon strange beauty.

9 Many have perished because of the beauty of a woman; and by this, desire is kindled like a fire.

10 Every woman who is a fornicator will be trampled down, like the filth in the street.

11 Many, by admiring the beauty of the wife of another, have become reprobate. For familiarity with her flares up like a fire.

12 You should not sit down at all with another man’s wife, nor recline with her on a couch.

13 And you should not argue with her over wine, lest perhaps your heart may turn toward her, and by your emotion, you would be toppled into perdition.

14 You should not abandon a old friend. For a new one will not be similar to him.

15 A new friend is like new wine. It will grow old, and then you will enjoy drinking it.

16 You should not envy the glory and wealth of a sinner. For you do not know what may be his undoing in the future.

17 The injury of the unjust should not please you, knowing that, until they are in hell, the impious will not please.

18 Keep yourself far from a man having the power to kill, and then you will not have the fear of death suspended over you.

19 But if you do approach him, do nothing to offend, lest perhaps he may take away your life.

20 Know that this is a communion with death. For you would be entering the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of the grieving.

21 According to your ability, be cautious of your neighbor, and treat him as the wise and prudent would.

22 Let just men be your companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God.

23 And let the thought of God be in your mind, and let all your discourse be on the precepts of the Most High.

24 Works will be praised for the hands of the artists, and a leader of the people will be praised for the wisdom of his words, yet truly, the word of the elders will be praised for its understanding.

25 A man full of words is a dread to his city, but one who speaks rashly will be hated for his word.

1 A wise judge will judge his people, and the leadership of an understanding man will be steadfast.

2 As the judge of the people is, so also are his assistants. And whatever kind of man the ruler of a city is, of such a kind also are those who live in it.

3 A foolish king will be the ruin of his people. For cities will be inhabited through the understanding of those with power.

4 Power over the earth is in the hand of God, and, in due time, he will raise up a helpful leader over the earth.

5 The prosperity of a man is in the hand of God, and he will place his honor above the face of the scribe.

6 You should forget all injury done to you by your neighbor, and you should do nothing among the works of injury.

7 Arrogance is hateful in the sight of God and of men. And all iniquity among the nations is abominable.

8 A kingdom is transferred from one people to another because of injustices, and injuries, and contempt, and every kind of deceit.

9 But nothing is more wicked than a greedy man. Why should that which is earth and ashes be arrogant?

10 There is nothing more iniquitous than to love money. For such a one has sold even his own soul. For in his life, he casts aside his innermost being.

11 All power is of short life. A prolonged sickness is of grave concern to a physician.

12 A physician causes a sickness to be shortened. So also, a king is here today, and tomorrow he will die.

13 For when a man dies, he will inherit serpents, and wild beasts, and worms.

14 The beginning of the arrogance of man is apostasy from God.

15 For his heart has withdrawn from the One who made him. For arrogance is the beginning of all sin. Whoever holds to it, will be filled with evil words, and it will overthrow him in the end.

16 Because of this, the Lord has dishonored the gatherings of the evil, and he has destroyed them, even unto the end.

17 God has destroyed the seats of arrogant leaders, and he has caused the meek to be seated in their place.

18 The roots of arrogant nations, God has dried up, and the humble among these nations, he has planted.

19 The Lord has overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and he has utterly destroyed them, even to their foundation.

20 He has dried up some of them, and he has utterly destroyed them, and he has caused their memory to depart from the earth.

21 God has abolished the memory of the arrogant, and he has left behind only the memory of those who are humble in mind.

22 Arrogance was not created for men, nor was an angry temperament created for the gender of women.

23 Those who fear God among the offspring of men will be honored. But those among the offspring who ignore the commandments of the Lord will be dishonored.

24 In the midst of his brothers, a ruler has honor. And those who fear the Lord will have honor in his eyes.

25 The fear of God is the glory of the wealthy, and of the honorable, and of the poor.

26 Do not choose to despise a just man who is poor, and do not choose to magnify a sinful man who is rich.

27 The great man, and the judge, and the powerful have honor. But no one is greater than he who fears God.

28 Those who are free will serve an understanding servant. And a prudent and disciplined man will not murmur at correction. But an ignorant man will not be honored.

29 Do not choose to extol yourself in doing your work, and do not be unproductive during the time of distress.

30 He who works, and so abounds in all things, is better than he who boasts, and so lacks bread.

31 Son, preserve your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its merit.

32 Who will justify one who sins in his soul? And who will honor one who dishonors his soul?

33 The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear. And there is a man who is honored because of his substance.

34 But if someone is glorified in poverty, how much more in substance? And whoever is glorified in substance, let him fear poverty.

1 The wisdom of one who is humble will exalt his head, and will cause him to sit down in the midst of great men.

2 You should not praise a man for his beauty, and you should not despise a man for his appearances.

3 The bee is small among flying things, but its fruit holds the summit of sweetness.

4 You should not glory in clothing at any time, and you should not let yourself be extolled in the day of your honor. For the works of the Most High alone are wondrous; and glorious and hidden and unseen are his works.

5 Many tyrants have sat upon a throne, and one whom no one would admire has worn a diadem.

6 Many powerful men have been powerfully cast down, and the illustrious have been handed over into the hands of others.

7 Before you inquire, you should not place blame on anyone; and when you have inquired, reprove justly.

8 Before you listen, you should not respond a word; and you should not interrupt in the middle of a discourse.

9 You should not contend in a matter which does not concern you, and you should not sit in judgment together with sinners.

10 Son, you should not be involved in many matters. And if you become rich, you will not be free from transgression. For if you pursue, you will not apprehend; and if you run ahead, you will not escape.

11 There is an impious man who labors and hurries and grieves, but all the more will he be without abundance.

12 There is a debilitated man in need of recovery, who is lacking in strength and abundant in poverty.

13 Yet the eye of God has looked with favor upon him for his benefit, and he has lifted him up from his humiliation, and he has exalted his head. And many have wondered at him, and they have honored God.

14 Good things and misfortune, life and death, poverty and wealth, are from God.

15 Wisdom, and discipline, and knowledge of the law are with God. Love and the ways of good things are with him.

16 Error and darkness have been created by sinners. And those who exult in evil, grow old in evil.

17 The gift of God remains with the just man, and his advancement will have success unto eternity.

18 There is one who is enriched by spending sparingly, and this is the extent of his reward.

19 About this, he says: “I have found rest for myself, and now I alone will eat from my goods.”

20 But he does not know how much time will pass before death approaches, and then he must leave everything behind to others and die.

21 Stand fast in your covenant, and become familiar with it, and grow old in the work of your commandments.

22 You should not spend time in the works of sinners. Instead, trust in God and remain in your own place.

23 For it is easy, in the eyes of God, to make a pauper suddenly rich.

24 The blessing of God hurries to reward the just man, and in a fleeting hour his advancement bears fruit.

25 You should not say: “What do I need?” or, “What good will there be for me in this?”

26 You should not say: “I have enough for myself,” or, “What could be worse than this?”

27 In a day of good things, you should not be forgetful of misfortunes. And in a day of misfortunes, you should not be forgetful of good things.

28 For it is easy, in the sight of God, on the day of one’s passing, to repay each one according to his ways.

29 The affliction of an hour causes one to forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the uncovering of his works.

30 You should not praise any man before death. For a man is known by his children.

31 You should not bring every man into your house. For many are the snares of the deceitful.

32 For as a stomach with a bad smell vomits, and as a partridge is led into a cage, and like a deer led into a snare, so also is the heart of the arrogant. And it is like a bystander watching his neighbor fall.

33 For it lies in ambush, and then turns good into evil, and it will place the blame on the elect.

34 From one spark, a great fire grows; and from one deceitful man, much blood flows. But a very sinful man lies in ambush for blood.

35 Pay close attention to yourself before a harmful man, for he fabricates evils. Otherwise, he may lead over you a whispered reproach unceasingly.

36 Receive a stranger to yourself, and he will overthrow you with a whirlwind, and he will alienate you from what is your very own.

1 If you do good, know to whom you do it, and there will be many thanks for your good deeds.

2 Do good to the just, and you will find great recompense, and if not from him, certainly from the Lord.

3 For there is no good for someone who is always occupied in evil, or who does not give alms. For the Most High holds hatred for sinners, but he takes pity on the repentant.

4 Give to the merciful, and you should not assist the sinner. For the impious and the sinner will be repaid with the vengeance being held for them on the day of retribution.

5 Give to the good, but you should not receive from a sinner.

6 Do good to the humble, but you should not give to the impious; withhold your bread, do not give it to him, otherwise he may overpower you with it.

7 For you will find twice the evil for all the good you will have done to him. For the Most High also holds hatred for sinners, and he will repay vengeance to the impious.

8 A friend will not be known in good times, and an enemy will not be hidden in adversity.

9 By the good fortune of a man, his enemies are grieved; and by his misfortune, a friend is revealed.

10 You should never trust your enemy. For his wickedness rusts like a brass pot.

11 And if he humbles himself and goes about bowed down, increase your alertness and guard yourself from him.

12 You should not sit down anywhere near him, nor should you allow him to sit at your right hand, lest perhaps he may turn toward your place, and seek your seat, and then, in the very end, you would understand my words and be stung by my sermon.

13 Who will take pity on an enchanter struck by a serpent, or on someone who draws near to wild beasts? And so it is with one who keeps company with an iniquitous man and is involved in his sins.

14 For one hour, he will abide with you. But if you begin to turn aside, he will not permit it.

15 An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart, he waits in ambush, so that he may throw you into a pit.

16 An enemy has tears in his eyes. But if he finds an opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.

17 And if misfortunes happen upon you, you will find him there first.

18 An enemy has tears in his eyes, but while pretending to help you, he will dig under your feet.

19 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his expression.