1Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. 2For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of mischief. 3Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; 4and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge increases strength. 6For by wise counsel you shall wage war; and in a multitude of counselors is safety. 7Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate. 8He who plots to do evil shall be called a master of evil plots. 9The wicked devices of foolishness is sin; and the scorner is an abomination to men. 10If you faint in the day of distress, your strength is small. 11If you refrain from delivering those being led away to death, those about to die; 12if you say, Behold, we did not know it; does not He who ponders the heart consider it? And the Keeper of your soul, does He not know it? And shall He not repay to a man according to his deeds? 13My son, eat honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste. 14So shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; when you have found it, then there shall be a reward, and your expectation shall not be cut off. 15O wicked one, do not lie in wait at the dwelling of the righteous; do not assault his resting place; 16for a just man may fall seven times, and rise up again; but the wicked shall stumble into evil. 17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; 18lest Jehovah see it, and it displease Him, and He turns away His wrath from him. 19Do not fret yourself because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; 20for there shall not be a posterity to the evil; the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished. 21My son, fear Jehovah and the king; and do not fellowship with those who are given to change; 22for their disaster shall rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin of them both? 23These things also are to the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24He who says to the wicked, You are righteous; the people will curse him and nations will abhor him. 25But to those who rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. 26He shall kiss the lips that return right words. 27Prepare your work outside, and make ready for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house. 28Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause, nor deceive with your lips. 29Do not say, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his deeds. 30I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man lacking heart; 31and, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down. 32Then I saw; I set my heart on it; I observed and received instruction. 33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest; 34so shall your poverty come like a prowler, and your want like an armed man.