Miscellaneous Advice

1Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.

2Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.

3Do7.3 Gk My child, do not sow in the furrows of injustice,

and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.

4Do not seek from the Lord high office,

or the seat of honour from the king.

5Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,

or display your wisdom before the king.

6Do not seek to become a judge,

or you may be unable to root out injustice;

you may be partial to the powerful,

and so mar your integrity.

7Commit no offence against the public,

and do not disgrace yourself among the people.

8Do not commit a sin twice;

not even for one will you go unpunished.

9Do not say, ‘He will consider the great number of my gifts,

and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.’

10Do not grow weary when you pray;

do not neglect to give alms.

11Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,

for there is One who humbles and exalts.

12Do not devise7.12 Heb: Gk plough a lie against your brother,

or do the same to a friend.

13Refuse to utter any lie,

for it is a habit that results in no good.

14Do not babble in the assembly of the elders,

and do not repeat yourself when you pray.

15Do not hate hard labour

or farm work, which was created by the Most High.

16Do not enrol in the ranks of sinners;

remember that retribution does not delay.

17Humble yourself to the utmost,

for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.7.17 Heb for the expectation of mortals is worms

Relations with Others

18Do not exchange a friend for money,

or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.

19Do not dismiss7.19 Heb: Gk deprive yourself of a wise and good wife,

for her charm is worth more than gold.

20Do not abuse slaves who work faithfully,

or hired labourers who devote themselves to their task.

21Let your soul love intelligent slaves;7.21 Heb Love a wise slave as yourself

do not withhold from them their freedom.

22Do you have cattle? Look after them;

if they are profitable to you, keep them.

23Do you have children? Discipline them,

and make them obedient7.23 Gk bend their necks from their youth.

24Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,7.24 Gk body

and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.

25Give a daughter in marriage, and you complete a great task;

but give her to a sensible man.

26Do you have a wife who pleases you?7.26 Heb Syr lack who pleases you Do not divorce her;

but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.

27With all your heart honour your father,

and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.

28Remember that it was of your parents7.28 Gk them you were born;

how can you repay what they have given to you?

29With all your soul fear the Lord,

and revere his priests.

30With all your might love your Maker,

and do not neglect his ministers.

31Fear the Lord and honour the priest,

and give him his portion, as you have been commanded:

the first fruits, the guilt-offering, the gift of the shoulders,

the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.

32Stretch out your hand to the poor,

so that your blessing may be complete.

33Give graciously to all the living;

do not withhold kindness even from the dead.

34Do not avoid those who weep,

but mourn with those who mourn.

35Do not hesitate to visit the sick,

because for such deeds you will be loved.

36In all you do, remember the end of your life,

and then you will never sin.