¹ Do not be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:

² for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.

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

⁴ by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.

⁵ A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;

⁶ for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.

⁷ Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn't open his mouth in the gate.

⁸ One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.

⁹ The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.

¹⁰ If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.

¹¹ Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!

¹² If you say, "Behold, we did not know this;" doesn't he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn't he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?¹

1. Romans 2:6

¹³ My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:

¹⁴ so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.

¹⁵ Do not lie in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Do not destroy his resting place:

¹⁶ for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.

¹⁷ Do not rejoice when your enemy falls. Do not let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;

¹⁸ lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

¹⁹ Do not fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:

²⁰ for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.

²¹ My son, fear the Lord and the king. Do not join those who are rebellious:

²² for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both-who knows?

²³ These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.

²⁴ He who says to the wicked, "You are righteous;" peoples shall curse him, and nations shall abhor him-

²⁵ but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.

²⁶ An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

²⁷ Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.

²⁸ Do not be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Do not deceive with your lips.

²⁹ Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

³⁰ I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

³¹ Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

³² Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:

³³ a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;

³⁴ so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.