1Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
2But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
3O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?
4There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.
5There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.
6Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
7Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
8Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.
9Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:
10Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:
11Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.
12Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,
13Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work,
14Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.
15But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,
16Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.
17And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
18The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch.
19But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.
20In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.
21A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
22A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.
23He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.
24Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.
25There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.
26A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.
27A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.
28The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
29A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.
30My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:
31For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.
32Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
33For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
34By surfeiting many have perished, but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.