1 BE not envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them,

2 For their hearts devise evil and their lips talk of iniquity.

3 Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established;

4 And by knowledge the inner chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5 A wise man is better than a strong man; yea, a man of knowledge than a mighty man.

6 For by provocation is war waged; and in a multitude of counsels there is salvation.

7 Wisdom crushes a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate.

8 He who devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9 The thought of a fool is sin; and an abomination of men is evil.

10 The wicked shall be driven away by evil in the day of affliction.

11 Deliver those who are led away to death, and spare not to redeem those who are held to be slain.

12 If you say, Behold, I did not know it, then know that it is God who searches the thought of the heart; and he who keeps your soul knows it, and shall render to 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 Thus shall wisdom find your soul; and you will have good prospects, and your hope shall not be cut off.

15 Do not devise plots of iniquity in the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place;

16 For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he is overthrown,

18 Lest the LORD see it and it displease him and he turn away his anger from him.

19 Do not envy evildoers nor be jealous of the wicked;

20 For there shall be no future for evil men, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21 My son, fear the LORD and give good counsel; and meddle not with the fools;

22 For their calamity shall come suddenly; and who knows the end of their years?

23 These things I say to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment,

24 Nor to say to a wicked man, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, and nations shall abhor him.

25 But to those who rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26 The people shall kiss the lips of those who give admonition.

27 Prepare your work out of doors, and make it ready in the field; and afterwards build your house.

28 Be not a false witness against your neighbor; and do not deceive him with your lips.

29 Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to him according to his works.

30 I passed by the field of a sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding,

31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.

32 Then I looked upon it, and considered it well, and I received instruction:

33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands upon your chest;

34 So shall poverty come upon you, and want shall overtake you suddenly like a runner.