- My son, envy not bad men, nor desire to be with them.
- For their heart meditates falsehoods, and their lips speak
mischiefs.
- A house is built by wisdom, and is set up by understanding.
- By discretion the chambers are filled with all precious and
excellent wealth.
- A wise man is better than a strong man; and a man who has prudence
than a large estate.
- War is carried on with generalship, and aid is supplied to the
heart of a counsellor.
- Wisdom and good understanding are in the gates of the wise: the
wise turn not aside from the mouth of the Lord, but deliberate in
council.
- Death befalls uninstructed men. The fool also dies in sins;
and uncleanness attaches to a pestilent man.
- He shall be defiled in the evil day, and in the day of affliction,
until he be utterly consumed.
- Deliver them that are led away to death, and redeem them that are
appointed to be slain; spare not thy help.
- But if thou shouldest say, I know not this man; know that the Lord
knows the hearts of all; and he that formed breath for all, he knows
all things, who renders to every man according to his works.
- My son, eat honey, for the honeycomb is good, that thy
throat may be sweetened.
- Thus shalt thou perceive wisdom in thy soul: for if thou find it,
thine end shall be good, and hope shall not fail thee.
- Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous:
neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly.
- For a righteous man will fall seven times, and rise
again: but the ungodly shall be without strength in troubles.
- If thine enemy should fall, rejoice not over him, neither be
elated at his overthrow.
- For the Lord will see it, and it will not please him, and
he will turn away his wrath from him.
- Rejoice not in evil-doers, neither be envious of sinners.
- For the evil man shall have no posterity: and the light of the
wicked shall be put out.
- My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either
of them.
- For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the
vengeance inflicted by both?
Note: The verses of this chapter are much intermingled with
parts of other chapters.
[English translation of the Septuagint by Sir Lancelot Charles Lee
Brenton (1807-1862) originally published by Samuel Bagster & Sons,
Ltd., London, 1851]