[1] Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
[2] for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
[3] Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
[4] by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
[5] A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
[6] for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
[7] Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
[8] One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
[9] The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
[10] If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
[11] Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
[12] If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
[13] My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
[14] so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.
[15] Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place:
[16] for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
[17] Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
[18] lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
[19] Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
[20] for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
[21] My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:
[22] for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?
[23] These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
[24] He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him—
[25] but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
[26] An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
[27] Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
[28] Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
[29] Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
[30] I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
[31] Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
[32] Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
[33] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
[34] so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.