Practical advice
1 Don't do evil things, and evil will never catch up with you.
2
Keep your distance from anything unjust, and it will turn away from you.
3
Don't sow in furrows of injustice, and you won't reap evil things sevenfold.
4
Don't seek political power from the Lord or a seat of honor from the king.
5
Don't justify yourself in the Lord's presence, and don't make a show of your wisdom with a king.
6
Don't aspire to become a judge; you might not be strong enough to get rid of injustice. Perhaps you will be too cautious in the presence of a powerful person and bring a scandal on your good name.
7
Don't sin against a city's inhabitants, and don't bring yourself down in their estimation. for you won't be innocent even of committing it the first time.
9
Don't say, "He will look at the heap of my gifts, and when I make an offering to the Most High, he will accept it."
10
Don't be timid in your prayer, and don't neglect caring for those in need.
11
Don't mock a person who is bitter in spirit; for there's one who humbles and who exalts.
12
Don't cultivate a lie against your relative or do the same thing to a friend.
13
Don't desire to tell a lie; continuing in a lie results in no good.
14
Don't babble when the elders are assembled, and don't repeat yourself when praying.
15
Don't hate hard work and farming, which were created by the Most High.
16
Don't count yourself among a group of sinners; remember that God's anger won't delay.
17
Humble your whole being as much as possible, because fire and worms are the punishment of the ungodly.