Advice Concerning Women

1Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom,

or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.

2Do not give yourself to a woman

and let her trample down your strength.

3Do not go near a loose woman,

or you will fall into her snares.

4Do not dally with a singing-girl,

or you will be caught by her tricks.

5Do not look intently at a virgin,

or you may stumble and incur penalties for her.

6Do not give yourself to prostitutes,

or you may lose your inheritance.

7Do not look around in the streets of a city,

or wander about in its deserted sections.

8Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,

and do not gaze at beauty belonging to another;

many have been seduced by a woman's beauty,

and by it passion is kindled like a fire.

9Never dine with another man's wife,

or revel with her at wine;

or your heart may turn aside to her,

and in blood9.9 Heb: Gk by your spirit you may be plunged into destruction.

Choice of Friends

10Do not abandon old friends,

for new ones cannot equal them.

A new friend is like new wine;

when it has aged, you can drink it with pleasure.

11Do not envy the success of sinners,

for you do not know what their end will be like.

12Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;

remember that they will not be held guiltless all their lives.

13Keep far from those who have power to kill,

and you will not be haunted by the fear of death.

But if you approach them, take no false step,

or they may rob you of your life.

Know that you are stepping among snares,

and that you are walking on the city battlements.

14As much as you can, aim to know your neighbours,

and consult with the wise.

15Let your conversation be with intelligent people,

and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High.

16Let the righteous be your dinner companions,

and let your glory be in the fear of the Lord.

Concerning Rulers

17A work is praised for the skill of the artisan;

so a people's leader is proved wise by his words.

18The loud of mouth are feared in their city,

and the one who is reckless in speech is hated.