1 ¶ Do not envy evil men, or desire to be with them.

2 For their minds plan crime, and their words stir up trouble.

3 ¶ A house is built by wisdom; and it is established by understanding:

4 By knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.

5 A wise man is better than a strong one; and, a man of knowledge than one who has physical strength.

6 For with wise counsel you can successfully wage your war: and there is safety in many counselors.

7 ¶ Wisdom is too high for a fool: he does not open his mouth at the gate.

8 He who plans to do wrong will be known as a conspirator.

9 It is a sin to plan sin: and one who scorns God’s law is hated by men.

10 ¶ If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

11 ¶ Rescue those who are being led to their destruction, and those who are about to be slain;

12 If you say, Look, it is none of our business; will not he who weighs the heart consider it? does not he who keeps your soul know it? and won’t he repay every man according to his works?

13 ¶ My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste:

14 And realize that is what the knowledge of wisdom is to your soul: when you find it, then you have a future reward, and your hope will not be disappointed.

15 ¶ Do not lie in ambush, O wicked man, at the home of the righteous; do not rob his fold:

16 For a righteous man may fall seven times, and get up again: but the wicked will fall into disaster.

17 ¶ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not allow your heart to be glad when he stumbles:

18 Lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn his wrath away from him.

19 ¶ Do not fret over evildoers, or be envious of the wicked;

20 Because an evildoer has no future reward; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21 ¶ My son, fear the LORD and the king: and do not mix with those who plan rebellion:

22 For disaster will come upon them suddenly; and who knows what misery both may bring on them?

23 ¶ These also are sayings of the wise. It is not good to show partiality to people in court.

24 He who says to the wicked, You are righteous; will be cursed by the people, and nations will detest him:

25 But things will go well for those who convict the guilty, and a good blessing will come upon them.

26 Giving an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 ¶ Complete your work outside, and prepare your field; and after that build your house.

28 ¶ Do not testify against your neighbor for no reason; or deceive anyone with your lips.

29 Do not say, I will do to him what he did to me: I will pay him back for what he has done.

30 ¶ I passed by the field of the slothful, and the vineyard of a man void of understanding;

31 And it was all grown over with thorns, the ground was covered with weeds, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 When I saw this, I considered it well: I looked at it, and learned a lesson.

33 A little more sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest:

34 Then poverty will come upon you like a thief; and your need like an armed robber.