(No prolog)

[1] Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them: [2] Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits. [3] By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened. [4] By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with all precious and most beautiful wealth. [5] A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant.

[6] Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there are many counsels. [7] Wisdom is too high for a fool, in the gate he shall not open his mouth. [8] He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool. [9] The thought of a fool is sin: and the detracter is the abomination of men. [10] If thou lose hope being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished.

[11] Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death forbear not to deliver. [12] If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall render to a man according to his works. [13] Eat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy throat: [14] So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish. [15] Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.

[16] For a just man shall fall seven times and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil. [17] When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice: [18] Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. [19] Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly: [20] For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

[21] My son, fear the Lord and the king: and have nothing to do with detracters. [22] For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both? [23] These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment. [24] They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor them. [25] They that rebuke him, shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them.

[26] He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words. [27] Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house. [28] Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips. [29] Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work. [30] I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man:

[31] And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down. [32] Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction. [33] Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest: [34] And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man.