| 1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!" |
| 2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength; |
| 3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree, |
| 4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies. |
| 5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. |
| 6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant. |
| 7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him |
| 8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress. |
| 9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame. |
| 10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes. |
| 11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants; |
| 12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you. |
| 13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends. |
| 14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure. |
| 15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth. |
| 16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds; |
| 17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself. |
| 18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair. |
| 19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops. |
| 20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits. |
| 21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her. |
| 22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside. |
| 23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many. |
| 24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel. |
| 25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke. |
| 26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds. |
| 27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways. |
| 28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go; |
| 29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy. |
| 30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord. |
| 31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown. |
| 32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. |
| 33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise. |
| 34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him. |
| 35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you. |
| 36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep! |
| 37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant. |