Precepts for Everyday Living

1Do not rely on your wealth,

or say, ‘I have enough.’

2Do not follow your inclination and strength

in pursuing the desires of your heart.

3Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’

for the Lord will surely punish you.

4Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’

for the Lord is slow to anger.

5Do not be so confident of forgiveness5.5 Heb: Gk atonement

that you add sin to sin.

6Do not say, ‘His mercy is great,

he will forgive5.6 Heb: Gk he (or it) will atone for the multitude of my sins’,

for both mercy and wrath are with him,

and his anger will rest on sinners.

7Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,

and do not postpone it from day to day;

for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you,

and at the time of punishment you will perish.

8Do not depend on dishonest wealth,

for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity.

9Do not winnow in every wind,

or follow every path.5.9 Gk adds so it is with the double-tongued sinner (see 6.1)

10Stand firm for what you know,

and let your speech be consistent.

11Be quick to hear,

but deliberate in answering.

12If you know what to say, answer your neighbour;

but if not, put your hand over your mouth.

13Honour and dishonour come from speaking,

and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.

14Do not be called double-tongued5.14 Heb: Gk a slanderer

and do not lay traps with your tongue;

for shame comes to the thief,

and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.

15In great and small matters cause no harm,5.15 Heb Syr: Gk be ignorant