13
Keep away from your enemies, and be on guard with your friends.
14
Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure.
15
Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth.
16
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them.
17
Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright, for as they are, so are their neighbors also.
18
My child, from your youth choose discipline, and when you have gray hair you will still find wisdom.
19
Come to her like one who plows and sows, and wait for her good harvest. For when you cultivate her you will toil but little, and soon you will eat of her produce.
20
She seems very harsh to the undisciplined; fools cannot remain with her.
21
She will be like a heavy stone to test them, and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22
For wisdom is like her name; she is not readily perceived by many.
23
Listen, my child, and accept my judgment; do not reject my counsel.