Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

1 Whoever touches pitch will be contaminated by it. And whoever associates with the arrogant will be clothed by arrogance.

2 Whoever associates with those more honorable than himself sets a burden on himself. And so, you should have no fellowship with someone who is wealthier than you.

3 What will the cooking pot have in common with the earthen vessel? And when they collide with one another, one will be broken.

4 The rich man has suffered no injustice, and yet he fumes. But the poor man, though he has been wounded, will remain silent.

5 If you are generous, he will take you up; and when you have nothing, he will cast you aside.

6 If you possess, he will feast with you, and he will empty you, and he will not grieve over you.

7 If he has need of you, he will deceive you; and while smiling, he will give you hope. He will converse with you pleasantly, and he will say: “What is it that you need?”

8 And he will impress you with his foods, until he has drained you two or three times, and in the very end, he will ridicule you. And afterward, when he sees you, he will abandon you, and he will shake his head at you.

9 Humble yourself before God, and wait for his hands.

10 Be careful. Otherwise, having been seduced into foolishness, you will be humiliated.

11 Do not choose to be low in your wisdom, otherwise, having been brought low, you will be seduced into foolishness.

12 If you are invited by someone who is more powerful than you, you should decline. Otherwise, he will invite you all the more.

13 You cannot be rude to him, lest you be pushed away. And you cannot stray far from him, lest you be forgotten.

14 You cannot hold a discussion with him as with an equal. You should not trust his many words. For by much talking, he will probe you, and while smiling, he will question you about your secrets.

15 His cruel mind will store up your words; and he will not spare you from affliction, nor from prison.

16 Be cautious of yourself, and attend diligently to what you are hearing. For you are walking toward your own destruction.

17 Yet truly, while listening to these things, consider it as if it were a dream, and you will awaken.

18 Love God for your entire life, and call upon him for your salvation.

19 Every animal loves its own kind; so also every man loves those closest to himself.

20 All flesh will join with whatever is similar to itself, and every man will associate with whomever is similar to himself.

21 If a wolf would at any time have fellowship with a lamb, so also would a sinner have fellowship with the just.

22 What fellowship does a holy man have with a dog? Or what portion do the wealthy have with the poor?

23 In the desert, the wild donkey is the prey of the lion. So also are the poor the pasture of the rich.

24 And just as humility is an abomination to the arrogant, so also does the rich man abhor the poor man.

25 When a wealthy man has been shaken, he is strengthened by his friends. But when a lowly man has fallen, he is expelled even by those who know him well.

26 When a rich man has been deceived, many will help him recover; he has spoken arrogantly, and yet they justify him.

27 When a poor man has been deceived, in addition he is rebuked; he has spoken with understanding, and no place is given to him.

28 The rich man has spoken, and all remain silent, and they repeat his words, even to the clouds.

29 The poor man has spoken, and they say: “Who is this?” And if he stumbles, they will overthrow him.

30 Substance is good for him who has no sin on his conscience. And poverty is called very wicked by the mouth of the impious.

31 The heart of a man changes his face, either for better or for worse.

32 You will find, with difficulty and much labor, the sign of a good heart and a good face.

1 Blessed is the man who has not slipped because of a word from his mouth, and who has not been stung by grief because of an offense.

2 Happy is he who does not have sadness in his mind, and who has not fallen away from his hope.

3 Substance is senseless for a greedy and stingy man. And what would a spiteful man do with gold?

4 Whoever acquires unjustly, according to his own mind, gathers for others. For another will spend his goods lavishly.

5 Whoever is wicked to himself, to whom will he be good? For he will not take enjoyment in his own goods.

6 Whoever has ill will toward himself, nothing is more worthless than he is. But such is the reward of his wickedness.

7 And if he does good, he does it ignorantly and unwillingly. And in the very end, he realizes his own malice.

8 The eye of the spiteful man is wicked, and he averts his face and despises his own soul.

9 The eye of the greedy man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity. He will not be satisfied until he has consumed his own soul, withering it away.

10 An evil eye is directed at evil things. And he will not be satisfied by bread; instead, he will be needy and grieving at his own table.

11 Son, if you have anything, do good to yourself, and offer worthy oblations to God.

12 Remember that death has not been delayed, and that the covenant of the grave has been revealed to you. For the covenant of this world will pass away in death.

13 Do good to your friend before you die. And according to your ability, extend your hand and give to the poor.

14 Do not cheat yourself out of a good day, and do not let the smallest good gift pass you by.

15 Should you not leave it to others to divide your sorrows and labors by lot?

16 Give, and receive, and justify your soul.

17 Before your passing, accomplish justice. For in death, there is no food to be found.

18 All flesh grows old like the grass, and like the foliage that springs forth from a green tree.

19 Some spring up, and others fall away. Such is the generation of flesh and blood. One is finished, and another is born.

20 Every corruptible work will fail in the end. And its worker will go with it.

21 But every excellent work will be justified. And whoever worked it will be honored by it.

22 Blessed is the man who will abide in wisdom, and who will meditate on her righteousness, and who, in his mind, will consider the circumspection of God.

23 He considers her ways in his heart, and he finds understanding in her secrets. He goes after her like an investigator, and he is constant in her ways.

24 He gazes through her windows, and he listens at her door.

25 He rests next to her house, and, fastening a peg in her walls, he sets up his cottage by her hands. And so, good things will find rest in his cottage as time passes.

26 He will station his sons under her covering, and he will abide under her branches.

27 He will be protected by her covering from the heat, and he will rest in her glory.

1 Whoever fears God will do good. And whoever holds to justice will obtain it.

2 And like an honorable mother, she will meet him, and like a virgin bride, she will receive him.

3 She will feed him with the bread of life and understanding. And she give him to drink from the water of salvific wisdom. And she will be confirmed in him, and he will not waver.

4 And she will hold to him, and he will not be confounded. And she will exalt him, along with those closest to him.

5 And in the midst of the Church, she will open his mouth, and she will fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and she will clothe him with a robe of glory.

6 She will store up in him a treasure of rejoicing and exultation, and she will cause him to inherit an everlasting name.

7 But foolish men will not take hold of her. And though understanding men will meet her, foolish men will not catch sight of her. For she is far from arrogance and deceit.

8 Lying men will be wary of her. But men who speak the truth will be found with her, and they will have success, even when examined by God.

9 Praise is not beautiful in the mouth of a sinner.

10 For wisdom was sent from God. And praise will stand before the wisdom of God, and praise will abound in the mouths of the faithful, and the sovereign Lord will give praise to wisdom.

11 You should not say: “It is because of God that wisdom is absent.” For you should not do what he detests.

12 You should not say: “He has led me astray.” For the impious are of no use to him.

13 The Lord hates all abominable error, and those who fear him will not love such things.

14 God established man from the beginning, and he left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15 He added his commandments and precepts.

16 If you choose to keep the commandments, and if, having chosen them, you fulfill them with perpetual fidelity, they will preserve you.

17 He has set water and fire before you. Extend your hand to whichever one you would choose.

18 Before man is life and death, good and evil. Whichever one he chooses will be given to him.

19 For the wisdom of God is manifold. And he is strong in power, seeing all things without ceasing.

20 The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him, and he knows each one of the works of man.

21 He has commanded no one to act impiously, and he has given no one permission to sin.

22 For he does not desire a multitude of unfaithful and useless sons.

1 You should not rejoice in impious children, if they are successful; nor should you take delight in them, if the fear of God is not in them.

2 You should not approve of their life, nor should you look with favor on their labors.

3 For one child who fears God is better than one thousand impious children.

4 And it is better to die without children, than to leave behind impious children.

5 By means one person with understanding, a country will be inhabited. The tribe of the impious will become desolate.

6 Many such things my eyes have seen, and greater things than these my ear has heard.

7 In the synagogue of sinners, a fire will blaze forth; and amid an unbelieving people, wrath will flare up.

8 The giants of antiquity did not obtain pardon for their sins; they were destroyed by trusting in their own abilities.

9 And he did not spare the place of Lot’s sojourn, and he abhorred them because of the arrogance of their words.

10 He did not take pity on them, destroying an entire people, who even extolled themselves concerning their sins.

11 And this was so with six hundred thousand men, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. And if even a single obstinate person had escaped unpunished, it would be a wonder.

12 For mercy and wrath are with him. He is powerful in forgiveness, and he pours forth wrath.

13 As is his mercy, so also is his correction; he judges a man according to his works.

14 The sinner, in his violations, will not escape; but the patience of the One who shows mercy will not be diminished.

15 Every mercy will make a place for each man, according to the merit of his works, and according to the understanding of his sojourn.

16 You should not say: “I am hidden from God,” or, “Who, from on high, will take note of me?”

17 or, “Among a great number of people, I will not be noticed. For what is my soul amid such an immense creation?”

18 Behold: the heavens, and the heaven of the heavens, the abyss, and the entire earth, and the things that are within these, will be shaken by his gaze,

19 together with mountains and hills, and the foundations of the earth. When God casts his gaze upon them, they will be struck with trembling.

20 And concerning all these things, the heart is without understanding; but every heart is understood by him.

21 And who will understand his ways, or the tempest, which no eye of man will see?

22 For many of his works are concealed. But who will announce the works of his justice? Or who will endure them? For the testament is far from some persons, and the examination of each thing is in its end.

23 Whoever diminishes the heart, thinks empty thoughts. For the imprudent and erring man thinks up foolishness.

24 Listen to me, son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in your heart.

25 And I will speak with equity about discipline, and I will strive to announce wisdom. So attend to my words in your heart, and I will speak with equity of spirit, about the virtues that God has set within his works from the beginning, and I will announce his knowledge in truth.

26 With the judgment of God, his works have been done from the beginning; and from their institution, he himself distinguished their parts and set their beginnings, in their kinds.

27 He has beautified their works unto eternity. They have neither hungered, nor labored, and they have not ceased from their works.

28 Neither will any one of them cause anguish to his neighbor, forever.

29 You should not be incredulous at his word.

30 Afterward, God looked with favor upon the earth, and he filled it with his goodness.

31 The soul of every living thing brought word from before his face, and their return again is to him.

1 God created man from the earth, and he made him according to his own image.

2 And he returned him again to it, and he clothed him with virtue according to himself.

3 He gave him the number and time of his days, and he gave him authority over all the things that are upon the earth.

4 He placed the fear of him over all flesh, and he had dominion over wild beasts and flying things.

5 He created from him a helper, similar to himself. He gave them counsel, and language, and sight, and hearing, and a heart, in order to think. And he filled them with the discipline of understanding.

6 He created within them the knowledge of the spirit. He filled their heart with understanding, and he showed them both good and evil.

7 He set his eye upon their hearts, to reveal to them the greatness of his works,

8 so that they might highly praise the name of sanctification, and give glory to his wonders, so that they might declare the greatness of his works.

9 In addition, he gave them discipline and the law of life, as their inheritance.

10 He established an eternal covenant with them, and he revealed to them his justice and judgments.

11 And their eye saw the greatness of his honor, and their ears heard the honor of his voice, and he said to them: “Beware of all iniquity.”

12 And he commanded each one concerning his neighbor.

13 Their ways are always in his sight; they are not hidden from his eyes.

14 Over each and every people, he has appointed a ruler.

15 And Israel was made to be the manifest portion of God.

16 And in the sight of God, all their works are like the sun. And his eyes, without ceasing, inspect their ways.

17 The covenants are not hidden by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.

18 The almsgiving of a man is like a seal upon him, which will guard the grace of a man like the pupil of an eye.

19 And afterward, it will rise up and repay them their reward, each one upon his head, and it will return to the hidden places of the earth.

20 Now, to the repentant, he has given the way of justice, and he has strengthened those lacking in patience, and he has fastened them to a destiny of truth.

21 Convert to the Lord, and relinquish your sins.

22 Make supplication before the face of the Lord, and diminish your offenses.

23 Return to the Lord, and turn away from your injustice, and have immense hatred for abomination.

24 And acknowledge the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the circumstances set before you and in prayer to the most high God.

25 Go to the side of the holy generation, to those who live in order to give praise to God.

26 You should not linger in the error of the impious; confess before death. Confession perishes from the dead as if it were nothing.

27 Confess while living; you should give thanks while you are still alive and healthy. And you should praise God and glory in his compassion.

28 How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness, for those who convert to him!

29 For not all things can be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and because they are pleased by the emptiness of malice.

30 What is brighter than the sun? Yet this will fail. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood has invented? And this will be reproved.

31 He beholds the power of the heights of heaven. And all men are earth and ashes.

1 The One who dwells in eternity created all things together. God alone will be justified, and he remains an invincible King for eternity.

2 Who is able to declare his works?

3 For who can examine his greatness?

4 And who will announce the power of his magnitude? Or who would be able to describe his mercy?

5 There is no diminishing, and no increasing, and there is no discovering, the greatness of God.

6 When man has reached the end, then he will begin. And when he ceases, he will be in need.

7 What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?

8 The number of the days of men are as many as one hundred years. Like a drop of water in the ocean, so they are considered to be. And like a grain of sand on the shore, so do these few years compare to the days of all time.

9 For this reason, God is patient with them, and he pours forth his mercy upon them.

10 He has seen that the presumption of their heart is evil, and he knows that their rebelliousness is wicked.

11 Therefore, he has bestowed his forgiveness on them, and he has revealed to them the way of equity.

12 The compassion of man is toward those closest to him. But the mercy of God is upon all flesh.

13 He is merciful, and he teaches and corrects, like a shepherd with his flock.

14 He takes pity on those who accept the doctrine of compassion, and he applies his judgments promptly.

15 Son, in your good works, you should not complain, and in giving anything, you should not cause grief with evil words.

16 Is heat not refreshed by the dew? So also is a good word better than a gift.

17 Behold, is a word not greater than a gift? But both are with a justified man.

18 The foolish place blame sharply. And a gift from the undisciplined causes the eyes to fail.

19 Before you judge, put justice in order within yourself, and before you speak, learn.

20 Before you become sick, obtain medicine. And before you judge, examine yourself. And then you will find forgiveness in the sight of God.

21 Before you become weak, humble yourself; and in a time of infirmity, show your way of life.

22 Let nothing impede you from praying always. And then you will not dread to be justified, even unto death. For the reward of God dwells in eternity.

23 Before you pray, prepare your soul. And do not choose to be like a man who tempts God.

24 Remember the wrath that will be on the day of consummation, and remember the time of retribution, when he will turn away his face.

25 Remember poverty in a time of abundance, and remember the deficiency of poverty in a day of riches.

26 From morning until evening, the time will be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.

27 A wise man will be cautious in all things, and during a time of many offenses, he will be attentive against inaction.

28 Anyone who is astute recognizes wisdom, and he will acknowledge anyone who finds it.

29 Those who show understanding with words also have acted wisely themselves, and they have understood truth and justice, and they have fulfilled proverbs and judgments.

30 You should not go after your desires; instead, turn away from your own will.

31 If you offer your desires to your soul, this will cause you to become a joy to your enemies.

32 Take no delight in disorderly gatherings, whether large or small. For their commission of offenses is unceasing.

33 You should not be reduced by the contention of borrowing, even if there is nothing in your purse. For you would be contending against your own life.

1 An inebriated worker will not be wealthy. And whoever despises littleness will fall a little at a time.

2 Wine and women cause wise men to fall away, and then they will complain against those who understand.

3 And whoever joins himself to fornicators will become wicked. Decay and worms will inherit him, and he will be denounced as the greater example, and his soul will be deducted from the number.

4 Whoever is quick to believe has a trivial heart and will be diminished. And whoever offends against his own soul will have even less.

5 Whoever rejoices in iniquity will be condemned. And whoever hates correction will have less in life. But whoever hates excessive talk extinguishes evil.

6 Whoever sins against his own soul will be punished. And whoever rejoices in malice will be condemned.

7 You should not repeat a wicked and harsh word, and then you will not be diminished.

8 Do not reveal your mind to friend or foe. And if there is a sin within you, do not disclose it.

9 For he will listen to you and watch you, and while pretending to defend your sin, he will despise you, and so he will be whenever he is with you.

10 Have you heard a word against your neighbor? Let it die within you, trusting that it will not burst forth from you.

11 Before the face of a word, a foolish man labors, like a woman groaning as she gives birth to a child.

12 Like an arrow fixed in the flesh of the thigh, so is a word in the heart of a foolish man.

13 Correct a friend, though perhaps there was a misunderstanding, and he may say, “I did not do it.” Or, if he did do it, correct him, so that he may not do it again.

14 Correct your neighbor, for perhaps he did not say it. But if he did say it, correct him, so that he may not say it again.

15 Correct your friend. For often a fault has been committed.

16 And do not believe every word. There is one who slips with his word, but not with his heart.

17 For who is there who has not offended with his words? Correct your neighbor before you reprimand him.

18 And make a place for the fear of the Most High. For all wisdom is fear of God, and it is wise to fear God, and in all wisdom is the orderly disposition of the law.

19 But the discipline of wickedness is not wisdom. And there is no prudence in the thoughts of sinners.

20 There is a wickedness, and in it there is abomination. And there is a foolish man who has been diminished in wisdom.

21 Better is a man who has been diminished in wisdom because his mind is failing, but with the fear of God, than he who abounds in intelligence, but with transgression against the law of the Most High.

22 There is a certain cleverness, and it is unjust.

23 And there is one who utters a careful word, explaining away the truth. There is one who humbles himself wickedly, for his interior is filled with deceit.

24 And there is one who lowers himself excessively with a great debasement. And there is one who inclines his face downward, and pretends as if he did not see what has not been made known.

25 And if he is prevented from sinning by a lack of ability, and then finds an opportunity for evildoing, he will do evil.

26 A man is recognized by his appearances. But when you meet an understanding man, he is recognized by his face.

27 The clothing of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the walk of a man, give a report about him.

28 There is a lying correction in the anger of a contemptuous man. And there is a judgment which does not prove to be good. But there is one who is silent, and the same is prudent.

1 How much better is it to reprove, than to become angry, so as not to hinder him who may confess in prayer.

2 The lust of an eunuch will deflower a young maiden;

3 similar is he who by violence gives an iniquitous judgment.

4 How good it is, when you are corrected, to show contrition! For in this way, you will escape deliberate sin.

5 There is one who, by remaining silent, is found to be wise. And there is another who is hateful and who provokes by speaking out.

6 There is one who, not having the understanding to speak, remains silent. And there is another who remains silent, knowing the proper time.

7 A wise man will remain silent until the proper time. But an unrestrained and imprudent person will not heed the times.

8 Whoever uses many words will wound his own soul. And whoever unjustly takes authority upon himself will be hated.

9 There is advancement in evil for an undisciplined man, and there is a plan which turns to his detriment.

10 There is a gift which is not helpful, and there is a gift, the repayment for which is double.

11 There is a loss for the sake of boasting, and there is one who will lift up his head from lowliness.

12 There is one who buys much for a small price, and who pays it back sevenfold.

13 Anyone wise in words makes himself loved. But the graces of the foolish will be poured away.

14 A gift from the unwise will not benefit you. For his gaze is divided, sevenfold.

15 He will give little, and reproach much. And the opening of his mouth is like a burning flame.

16 There is one who lends today and demands repayment tomorrow. A man such as this is hateful.

17 A foolish man will not have a friend, and there will be no thanks for his good deeds.

18 For those who eat his bread have a false tongue. How often and how many are those who will ridicule him!

19 For what he possesses, he does not distribute with correct understanding. And he acts similarly with what he does not possess.

20 The slip of a false tongue is like someone who falls upon pavement. Such a fall for the wicked will arrive quickly.

21 A disagreeable man is like a pointless fable; it will be continually in the mouth of the undisciplined.

22 A parable from the mouth of a fool will be rejected. For he does not speak it at the proper time.

23 There is one who is prevented from sinning by poverty, and in his rest, he will be vexed.

24 There is one who will lose his own soul because of pretense, and he will lose it by an example of imprudence. For by seeking the approval of another, he will destroy himself.

25 There is one who, for the sake of what other’s think, makes a promise to a friend, and so he gains him as an enemy for no reason.

26 A lie is a wicked disgrace to a man, and yet lies will be continually in the mouths of those without discipline.

27 A thief is better than a man who constantly lies. But both of them will inherit perdition.

28 The habits of lying men are without honor. And their shame is with them without ceasing.

29 A wise man will benefit himself by his own words, and a prudent man will please the powerful.

30 Whoever works his land will raise high a stockpile of grain. And whoever works justice will himself be raised high. Yet truly, whoever pleases the powerful will escape unfair treatment.

31 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and silence their mouths, turning them aside from their task of correction.

32 Wisdom hidden, and treasure unseen: of what use is either of these?

33 He who hides his foolishness is better than a man who conceals his wisdom.

1 Son, have you sinned? You should not add further sins. Then too, for your former sins, pray so that they may be forgiven you.

2 Flee from sins, as if from the face of a serpent. For if you approach them, they will take hold of you.

3 Their teeth are like the teeth of a lion, bringing death to the souls of men.

4 All iniquity is like a two-edged spear; there is no healing in its wound.

5 Reproach and injury will make resources useless. And a house that is exceedingly wealthy will become powerless through pride. In this way, the resources of the arrogant will be eradicated.

6 Supplications from the mouth of the pauper will reach all the way to the ears of God, and judgment will come to him quickly.

7 Whoever hates correction is walking in the steps of a sinner. But whoever fears God will convert within his heart.

8 He who has power by means of a bold tongue will be known from far away. But an understanding man knows to slip past him.

9 Whoever builds his house, paid for by another, is like one who gathers his building stones in winter.

10 The synagogue of sinners is like stubble piled up; for the end of them both is a burning fire.

11 The way of sinners is paved and level, and at their end is hell and darkness and punishments.

12 Whoever observes justice will obtain an understanding of it.

13 The consummation of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

14 One who is not wise in goodness will not accept instruction.

15 Now there is a wisdom which abounds in evil. But there is no understanding where there is bitterness.

16 The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood, and his counsel will continue like a fountain of life.

17 The heart of the foolish is like a broken vessel, for it will not hold any wisdom.

18 A knowledgeable man will praise any wise word he hears, and he will apply it to himself. The self-indulgent man has heard it, and it displeases him, and so he casts it behind his back.

19 The talk of the foolish is like a burden on a journey. But in the lips of the understanding, grace will be found.

20 The mouth of the prudent is sought in the Church, and they will consider his words in their hearts.

21 Like a house which has been demolished, so is wisdom to the foolish. And the knowledge of the unwise is like meaningless words.

22 Doctrine to the senseless is like fetters on the feet, and like chains on the right hand.

23 A foolish man lifts up his voice in laughter. But a wise man will not even laugh quietly to himself.

24 Doctrine is to the prudent like a gold ornament, and like an armband on the right arm.

25 The feet of the foolish step easily into his neighbor’s house. But an experienced man will be apprehensive in the presence of the powerful.

26 A senseless man will gaze through a window into the house. But a man who has been well-taught will stand outside.

27 It is foolish for a man to listen through the door. And a prudent man will be grieved at this disgrace.

28 The lips of the imprudent will describe senseless things. But the words of the prudent will be weighed on a balance.

29 The hearts of the foolish are in their mouths. But the mouths of the wise are with their hearts.

30 Whenever the impious curse the devil, they curse their own soul.

31 Those who whisper accusations defile their own souls, and they will be hated by all. And whoever abides with them will be hateful. The silent and understanding man will be honored.

1 The lazy man is pelted with a dirty stone, and all will speak about his rejection.

2 The lazy man is pelted with the dung of oxen, and all who touch him will brush off their hands.

3 An undisciplined son is the shame of his father, but an undisciplined daughter will be to his degradation.

4 A prudent daughter brings an inheritance to her husband. But she who causes shame will be a disgrace to him who conceived her.

5 She who is bold shames her father and her husband, and she will not be less offensive to the impious. For she will be held in dishonor by both.

6 An untimely explanation is like music in a time of mourning. But the sharp correction and doctrine of wisdom are ever timely.

7 Whoever teaches the foolish is like someone who glues together a broken pot.

8 Whoever explains a word to one who is not listening is like someone who suddenly awakens a sleeping person from a deep sleep.

9 Whoever explains wisdom to the senseless is like one speaking to a sleeping person. And at the end of the explanation, he says: “Who is this?”

10 Weep over the dead, for his light has failed. And weep over the foolish, for his understanding has failed.

11 Weep only a little over the dead, for he is at rest.

12 But the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

13 The mourning for the dead is seven days; but for the foolish and the impious, it is all the days of their life.

14 You should not talk at length with the foolish, and you should not go with the senseless.

15 Keep yourself from him, so that you may not have problems, and so that you will not be polluted by his sin.

16 Turn away from him, and you will find rest, and you will not be discouraged by his foolishness.

17 What is heavier than lead? And what else can he be called but foolish?

18 Sand, and salt, and an iron weight are each easier to bear than an imprudent man, who is both foolish and impious.

19 A bundle of wood strapped together in the foundation of a building will not be loosened. And similar is the heart that has been strengthened by thoughtful counsel.

20 The thoughts of one who is understanding will not be corrupted by fear in any situation.

21 Just as chaff in a high place, or a wall made of mortar without stones set within, will not continue against the face of the wind,

22 so also a timid heart, and the thoughts of the senseless, will not withstand the forcefulness of fear.

23 Despite a cowardly heart, the thoughts of the foolish will not fear any situation; yet neither will one who continues always in the precepts of God.

24 He who jabs an eye produces tears. And he who jabs the heart produces understanding.

25 He who throws a stone at birds will drive them away. So also, he who accuses his friend dissolves the friendship.

26 But if you have drawn a sword against a friend, you should not despair; for there may be a way back.

27 If you have opened a harsh mouth against a friend, you should not fear; for there may be a reconciliation. However, if there are accusations, or abuse, or arrogance, or the revealing of secrets, or a wound from deceitfulness, in all these cases, a friend will flee away.

28 Hold to faithfulness with a friend in his poverty, so that you may also rejoice in his prosperity.

29 In the time of his tribulation, remain faithful to him, so that you may also be an heir with him in his inheritance.

30 Just as the steam from an oven, or the smoke from a fire, rises up before a flame, so also do curses and insults and threats rise up before bloodshed.

31 I shall not be ashamed to greet a friend, nor shall I hide myself from his face. And if misfortunes befall me because of him, I will endure.

32 Anyone who hears of this will be wary around him.

33 Who will provide a keeper for my mouth, and a reliable seal over my lips, so that I may not fall because of them, and so that my tongue does not destroy me?