1 Be not envious of evil men,
and do not desire to be with them;
2 for they cherish designs of plunder,
and mischief is on their lips.
3 By wisdom a house is built up,
by intelligence it is established;
4 by knowledge its shambers are filled
with all precious and pleasant substance.
5 Wise men are better than strong men,
and knowledge is better than might;
6 for wars are waged by wise guidance.
and victory lies in counsellors.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool;
so he opens not his mouth in the gate.
8 The man who deviseth mischief
is known among men as a schemer.
9 The scheming of fools is sin,
and the scoffer is hated of men.
10 If you have been slack, in the day of distress
your resource will be scanty.
11 Rescue those that are taken to death;
save those that are tottering to slaughter.
12 If you say, “It is not in my power,”
he who weighs the heart, he discerns;
He who watches your soul, he knows,
and on each he will bring back his deeds.
13 As the honey you eat, my son, is wholesome.
and sweet to your taste is the honeycomb,
14 even so, be assured, to your soul is wisdom.
15 Lie not in wait for the home of the just,
and do not assail his dwelling-place;
16 for the just, though he fall seven times, will rise,
but the wicked will stumble to ruin.
17 At the fall of your foe rejoice not,
and do not exult at his overthrow;
18 lest the Lord be displeased when he sees it,
and turn His anger away from him.
19 Be not fretful because of evil-doers.
nor envious of the wicked;
20 for the bad man will have no future.
The lamp of the wicked is quenched.
21 Fear the Lord, my son, and the king,
be not haughty to one or the other;
22 for swift is the ruin they raise,
the disaster they send unforeseen.
23 These also belong to the wise men:
It is wrong to be partial in giving of judgment.
24 All men will curse and all people will execrate
him who pronounces the guilty man innocent.
25 But those whose decisions are just will fare pleasantly;
blessings of fortune will rest upon them.
26 As one who kisses the lips
is he who returns a straight answer.
27 Set your business in order without,
make all ready in your fields:
after that you may build up your house.
28 Bear not false witness against your neighbour,
nor let your lips be deceitful.
29 Do not threaten to treat him as he treated you,
and to visit his deed with retribution.
30 By the field of the sluggard I passed.
by the vineyard of one that was foolish.
31 It was all overgrown with thistles;
its surface was covered with nettles;
its wall of stone was in ruins.
32 As I looked, I thought upon it,
and I drew from the sight a lesson.
33 “Just a little more sleep, a little more slumber,
a little more lying with folded hands.”
34 So will poverty come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.