1 D on’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:

2 f or their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.

3 T hrough wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;

4 b y knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

6 f or by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.

7 W isdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.

8 O ne who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

9 T he schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

10 I f you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

11 R escue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

12 I f you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?

13 M y son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

14 s o you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.

15 D on’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place:

16 f or a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

17 D on’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

18 l est Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

19 D on’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:

20 f or there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

21 M y son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:

22 f or their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?

23 T hese also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

24 H e who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him—

25 b ut it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

26 A n honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 P repare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

28 D on’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.

29 D on’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

30 I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

31 B ehold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 T hen I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

33 a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;

34 s o your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.