1Do not envy the wicked,

nor desire to be with them;

2for their minds devise violence,

and their lips talk of mischief.

3By wisdom a house is built,

and by understanding it is established;

4by knowledge the rooms are filled

with all precious and pleasant riches.

5Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones,24.5 Gk Compare Syr Tg: Heb A wise man is strength

and those who have knowledge than those who have strength;

6for by wise guidance you can wage your war,

and in abundance of counsellors there is victory.

7Wisdom is too high for fools;

in the gate they do not open their mouths.

8Whoever plans to do evil

will be called a mischief-maker.

9The devising of folly is sin,

and the scoffer is an abomination to all.

10If you faint in the day of adversity,

your strength being small;

11if you hold back from rescuing those taken away to death,

those who go staggering to the slaughter;

12if you say, ‘Look, we did not know this’—

does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?

Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it?

And will he not repay all according to their deeds?

13My child, eat honey, for it is good,

and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.

14Know that wisdom is such to your soul;

if you find it, you will find a future,

and your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against the home of the righteous;

do no violence to the place where the righteous live;

16for though they fall seven times, they will rise again;

but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17Do not rejoice when your enemies fall,

and do not let your heart be glad when they stumble,

18or else the LORD will see it and be displeased,

and turn away his anger from them.

19Do not fret because of evildoers.

Do not envy the wicked;

20for the evil have no future;

the lamp of the wicked will go out.

21My child, fear the LORD and the king,

and do not disobey either of them;24.21 Gk: Heb do not associate with those who change

22for disaster comes from them suddenly,

and who knows the ruin that both can bring?

Further Sayings of the Wise

23These also are sayings of the wise:

Partiality in judging is not good.

24Whoever says to the wicked, ‘You are innocent’,

will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations;

25but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight,

and a good blessing will come upon them.

26One who gives an honest answer

gives a kiss on the lips.

27Prepare your work outside,

get everything ready for you in the field;

and after that build your house.

28Do not be a witness against your neighbour without cause,

and do not deceive with your lips.

29Do not say, ‘I will do to others as they have done to me;

I will pay them back for what they have done.’

30I passed by the field of one who was lazy,

by the vineyard of a stupid person;

31and see, it was all overgrown with thorns;

the ground was covered with nettles,

and its stone wall was broken down.

32Then I saw and considered it;

I looked and received instruction.

33A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest,

34and poverty will come upon you like a robber,

and want, like an armed warrior.