[1] There shall no evil happen to him that feareth the Lord; But in temptation once and again will he deliver him.
[2] A wise man will not hate the law; But he that is a hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
[3] A man of understanding will put his trust in the law; And the law is faithful to him, as when one asketh at the oracle.
[4] Prepareyour speech, and so shall you be heard; Bind up instruction, and make your answer.
[5] The heart of a fool isas a cartwheel; And his thoughts like a rolling axletree.
[6] A stallion horse is as a mocking friend; He neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.
[7] Why does one day excel another, When all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
[8] By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished; And he varied seasons and feasts:
[9] Some of them he exalted and hallowed, And some of them has he made ordinary days.
[10] And all men are from the ground, And Adam was created of earth.
[11] In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them, And made their ways various:
[12] Some of them he blessed and exalted, And some of them he hallowed and brought near to himself: Some of them he cursed and brought low, And overthrew them from their place.
[13] As the clay of the potter in his hand, All his ways are according to his good pleasure; So men are in the hand of him that made them, To render to them according to his judgement.
[14] Good is set over against evil, And life over against death: So is the sinner over against the godly.
[15] And thus look upon all the works of the Most High; Two and two, one against another.
[16] And I waked up last, As one that gleaneth after the grape-gatherers: By the blessing of the Lord I got before them, And filled my winepress as one that gathers grapes.
[17] Consider that I laboured not for myself alone, But for all them that seek instruction.
[18] Hear me, you⌃ great men of the people, And hearken with your ears, you⌃ rulers of the congregation.
[19] To son and wife, to brother and friend, Give not power over you while you live; And give not your goods to another, Lest you repent and make supplication for themagain.
[20] Whilst you yet live, and breath is in you, Give not thyself over to anybody.
[21] For better it is that your children should supplicate you, Than that you should look to the hand of your sons.
[22] In all your works keep the upper hand; Bring not a stain on your honor.
[23] In the day that you endest the days of your life, And in the time of death, distribute your inheritance.
[24] Fodder, a stick, and burdens, for an ass; Bread, and discipline, and work, for a servant.
[25] Set your servant to work, and you shall find rest: Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.
[26] Yoke and thong will bow the neck: And for an evil servant there are racks and tortures.
[27] Send him to labor, that he be not idle; For idleness teacheth much mischief.
[28] Set him to work, as is fit for him; And if he obey not, make his fetters heavy.
[29] And be not excessive toward any; And without judgement do nothing.
[30] If you have a servant, let him be as thyself, Because you have bought him with blood.
[31] If you have a servant, treat him as thyself; For as your own soul will you have need of him: If you treat him ill, and he depart and run away, Which way will you go to seek him?