1
A drunken worker won't become rich, and whoever neglects the little things will fail little by little.
2
Wine and women will mislead an intelligent person, and the one who has sex with prostitutes will become more reckless.
3
Decay and worms will possess him, and his reckless soul will be carried away.
4
Those who trust others too quickly have empty heads, and those who sin injure themselves.
5
Those who rejoice in wickedness will be condemned.
6
And those who are reticent to speak diminish wickedness.
7
Never repeat something that you've heard, and you will not lose anything.
8
Don't report it to a friend or an enemy, and, as long as it wouldn't be a sin for you, don't reveal it.
9
People might hear you or observe you, and in time they will hate you.
10
Have you heard some word? Let it perish along with you. Have courage! It won't make you burst.
11
Because of something spoken, a fool will suffer labor pains like those caused by a baby about to be delivered.
12
Like an arrow stuck in a thigh, so is a word in the belly of a fool.
13
Question a friend; perhaps he didn't do it. And if he did, question him so he doesn't do it again.
14
Question a neighbor; perhaps she didn't say it. And if she did say it, question her so that she doesn't repeat it.
15
Question a friend, because it often turns out to be a false accusation. Don't trust everything that is said.
16
There are those who slip, and it wasn't intentional. Who hasn't sinned with the tongue?
17
Question your neighbor before issuing a threat, and give the Law of the Most High its place.
Wisdom and cleverness
20 Fearing the Lord is the whole of wisdom, and all wisdom involves doing the Law.
22
The knowledge of wickedness isn't wisdom, and there is no prudence in the advice that sinners give.
23
There is a kind of cleverness that is detestable, and there is a senseless person who lacks wisdom.
24
Someone who fears God but who has inferior intelligence is better than someone who abounds in intelligence but who violates the Law.
25
There is cleverness that is precise but unjust, and there are people who abuse favors in order to get a favorable decision.
26
And there are people who act wickedly, bowed down gloomily, and their insides are full of treachery.
27
They hide their faces, and they pretend they can't hear; when you aren't paying attention, they will outrun you.
28
If they are prevented from sinning, it's because they lack the strength. If they find an occasion, they will do evil.
29
People are known by their appearance, and sensible people are recognized in a face-to-face meeting.
30
A person's clothing, their vigorous laughter, and the way they walk will proclaim things about them.