1Do not envy evil men, nor desire to be with them. 2For their hearts plot destruction, and they talk of mischief. 3Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established; 4And by knowledge shall its rooms be filled with precious valuables. 5A wise man is strong; and a man of knowledge increases strength. 6Surely, you need wise counsel to make war, and there is safety in many counselors. 7Wisdom is too lofty for fools; they dare not open their mouths among leaders. 8He who plots evil shall get a reputation as a trouble-maker. 9The schemes of fools are sin, and the scoffer is detestable by men. 10If you faint in adversity, your strength is small. 11If you refuse to speak in defense of those who are unjustly condemned to death, and are about to be slain; 12If you say, “We didn’t know about it”; does He Who weighs the heart not know you knew? And will He not render to every man according to his works? 13My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste; 14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be like honey to your soul. When you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your hopes will not be thwarted. 15Do not lay in wait, O wicked man, to ambush the righteous; nor raid his home: 16For though a just man falls seven times, he will rise again; but one disaster is enough to destroy the wicked. 17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, nor be glad when he stumbles, 18Or the LORD will see it, and be displeased, and turn His wrath away from him. 19Do not fret yourself about evil men, nor envy them; 20For the evil man has no future; the candle of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and stay clear of rebels; 22For their calamity shall strike them suddenly, and who knows what punishment may come from ether LORD or the king?

23These are also sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judging is not good. 24He that says to the guilty, “You are innocent”, the people will curse; nations shall denounce him; 25But it will go well with those who convict the guilty; rich blessings shall be showered upon them. 26An honest answer given is like a kiss. 27Put your outdoor work in order, and prepare your fields; and after that, build your house. 28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause; and do not lie about him. 29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will get even with him.” 30I went past the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking understanding; 31And it was all grown over with thorns, and weeds had covered the surface of it, and its stone wall was broken down. 32Then I saw, and considered it well; as I looked upon it, I learned wisdom. 33“Just a little more sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep” - 34So shall your poverty come like a thief; and your scarcity like an armed man.