Don't Be Envious of Evil Men

1My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.

2For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak mischiefs.

3A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.

4By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and excellent wealth.

5A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence than a large estate.

6War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the heart of a counsellor.

7Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord,

8but deliberate in council. Death befalls uninstructed men.

9The fools also dies in sins; and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.

10He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction, until he be utterly consumed.

11Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are appointed to be slain; spare not thy help.

12But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows all things, who renders to every man according to his works.

13My son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy throat may be sweetened.

14Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it, thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.

15Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.

16For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise again: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.

17If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be elated at his overthrow.

18For the Lord will see it, and it will not please him, and he will turn away his wrath from him.

19Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.

20For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the wicked shall be put out.

21My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them.

22For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted by both? [A son that keeps the commandment shall escape destruction; for such an one has fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the king from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to it shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not even fit to be eaten by the young eagles. My son, reverence my words, and receive them, and repent.]

Further Sayings of the Wise

23And this thing I say to you that are wise for you to learn: It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

24He that says of the ungodly, He is righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations.

25But they that reprove him shall appear more excellent, and blessing shall come upon them;

26and men will kiss lips that answer well.

27Prepare thy works for thy going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thine house.

28Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips.

29Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat him, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me.

30A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard.

31If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down.

32Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might receive instruction.

33The sluggard says,I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while I fold my arms across my breast.

34But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.