Wisdom of Ben Sira 1:1-19:14

New Catholic Bible

¹ All wisdom^[e] derives from the Lord
    and remains with him forever.
² The sands of the sea, the drops of rain,
    and the days of eternity—who can count them?
³ The height of the sky, the breadth of the earth,
    the depth of the abyss^[f]—who can explore them?
⁴ Wisdom was created before all other things;
    and prudent understanding has existed from eternity.
[⁵ The fount of wisdom is God’s word in the highest heaven,
    and her ways are the eternal laws.]^[g]
6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed?
    Who understands her subtleties?
[⁷ To whom has an understanding of wisdom been disclosed?
    And who has known her resourcefulness?]^[h]
8 Only one is wise and greatly to be feared,
    seated upon his throne—the Lord.
⁹ He is the one who created her,^[i]
    observed her, and recognized her value,
    and so poured her forth upon all his works,
¹⁰ upon all flesh as he chose,
    lavishing her upon those who love him.
^[j][The love of the Lord is glorious wisdom;
    he apportions her to those to whom he appears, that they may see him.]

¹¹ The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation,
    happiness and a crown of joy.
¹² The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart,
    bestowing happiness and joy and a long life.
^[l][The fear of the Lord is a gift from the Lord;
    also for love he makes firm paths.]
¹³ The one who fears the Lord will experience a happy end;
    he will be blessed on the day of his death.
¹⁴ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord;
    she is created with the faithful in their mothers’ wombs.
¹⁵ She has made her home among men an age-old foundation,
    and among their descendants she will show her beneficence.
¹⁶ The fear of the Lord is the full measure of wisdom;
    she intoxicates people with her fruits.
¹⁷ She fills their homes with desirable goods
    and their storehouses with her fruits.
¹⁸ The crown of wisdom is the fear of the Lord
    as she bestows peace and perfect health.
^[m][Both are gifts of the Lord for peace;
    glory opens out for those who love him.
    He saw her and recognized her value.]
¹⁹ The Lord has seen and appraised her,
    showering down knowledge and discerning understanding
    and heightening the glory of those who possess her.
²⁰ The root of wisdom is fear of the Lord,
    and her branches bring forth long life.
[²¹ The fear of the Lord takes away sin,
    and he who perseveres turns away all anger.]^[n]

²² Unjustified anger can never be excused;
    anger will be the cause of a man’s downfall.
²³ A patient man endures difficulties for a time,
    and then he regains his sense of contentment.
²⁴ Until the appropriate moment he keeps his thoughts to himself,
    and then the lips of many affirm his wisdom.

²⁵ The treasuries of wisdom contain wise maxims,
    but the fear of God is an abomination to the sinner.
²⁶ If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
    and the Lord will lavish her upon you.^[q]
27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline,
    fidelity and humility are his delight.
²⁸ Do not disregard the fear of the Lord,
    or approach him with a divided heart.
²⁹ Do not act out a role before others;
    keep careful watch over your lips.
³⁰ Do not exalt yourself, lest you fall
    and bring dishonor upon yourself.
For then the Lord will reveal your secrets
    and overthrow you before the whole community,
since you did not practice the fear of the Lord
    and your heart was full of deceit.

¹ My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
    prepare yourself to endure trials.
² Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
    and do not be alarmed when confronted with adversity.
³ Cling to him and do not forsake him,
    so that your final days will be blessed.
⁴ Accept whatever befalls you,
    and be patient whenever you suffer humiliation.
⁵ For gold is tested in the fire,
    and worthy men in the furnace of humiliation.
    [In sickness and poverty, place your trust in him.]^[s]
6 Trust him, and he will help you;
    follow a straight path and hope in him.^[t]
7 You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
    do not stray, for otherwise you will fall.
⁸ You who fear the Lord, trust in him,
    and you will not forfeit your reward.
⁹ You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,
    for everlasting joy and mercy.
    [For his reward is an everlasting gift of joy.]^[u]
10 Recall the former generations and reflect:
    has anyone who trusted in the Lord ever been disappointed?
Has anyone who persevered in fear of the Lord ever been forsaken,
    or has anyone who called upon him been ignored?
¹¹ For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;
    he forgives sins and saves in the time of distress.
¹² Woe to faint hearts and unwilling hands,
    and to the sinner who treads a double path.
¹³ Woe to those with timid hearts who have no faith
    and who therefore will be unprotected.
¹⁴ Woe to you who have forsaken patience;
    what will you do at the coming of the Lord?
¹⁵ Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words,
    and those who love him keep his ways.
¹⁶ Those who fear the Lord seek to please him,
    and those who love him are steeped in his law.
¹⁷ Those who fear the Lord keep their heart prepared
    and humble themselves before him.
¹⁸ Let us fall into the hands of the Lord
    and not into the hands of men.
For equal to his majesty
    is the mercy that he exhibits.
    [And his works are in keeping with his name.]^[v]

¹ My children, listen to me, for I am your father;
    do this to be saved.
² For the Lord desires that a father be honored by his children,
    and he confirms a mother’s rights over her children.
³ He who honors his father atones for sins,
⁴ and he who respects his mother stores up riches.
⁵ He who honors his father will rejoice in his own children,
    and when he prays he will be heard.
⁶ He who respects his father will be blessed with a long life,
    and he who gives comfort to his mother obeys the Lord.
⁷ He who fears the Lord honors his father
    and submits to his parents as his masters.
⁸ Honor your father by word and deed,
    so that his blessing may come upon you;
⁹ for a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of his children,
    but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations.
¹⁰ Do not revel in any disgrace that may affect your father,
    for your father’s dishonor will not be a source of honor to you.
¹¹ The honor of a father is one’s own honor as well,
    and the dishonor of a mother is a disgrace to her children.^[x]
12 My child, look after your father when he is old;
    do nothing to cause him grief as long as he lives.
¹³ Even if his mind fails, be sympathetic toward him;
    do not despise him simply because you yourself are healthy and strong.
¹⁴ Kindness^[y] shown to a father will never be forgotten,
    and it will be credited to you as reparation for your sins.
¹⁵ In the time of your tribulation it will not be forgotten
    and like frost in warm weather your sins will melt away.
¹⁶ If you forsake your father, you are no better than one who blasphemes,
    and if you anger your mother, you will be accursed by the Lord.

¹⁷ My child, carry out your duties with humility,
    and you will be loved more than a benefactor.
¹⁸ The greater you are, the greater should be your humility;
    in this way, you will find favor with the Lord.
[¹⁹ Many are the lofty and the renowned,
    but it is to the humble that he makes known his secrets.]^[aa]
20 For great is the power of the Lord,
    yet he is glorified by the humble.
²¹ Do not seek to learn what is too sublime for you;
    investigate not those things that are beyond your scope.
²² Concentrate on what you have been commanded,
    for what is hidden is not your concern.
²³ Do not meddle in matters that are beyond you,
    for much has been revealed to you that is beyond your comprehension.
²⁴ Many have been led astray by their own presumptions,
    and false deductions have impaired their judgments.
²⁵ Where there are no eyes, there is no light,
    and where there is no knowledge, there is no wisdom.
²⁶ A stubborn person will come to a bad end,
    and the one who loves danger will perish in it.
²⁷ A stubborn man will be burdened by troubles;
    a sinner heaps sin upon sin.
²⁸ When calamity befalls the proud, there is no cure,
    for an evil growth has taken root there.
²⁹ The mind of the intelligent meditates on proverbs,
    and an attentive ear is the desire of the wise.^[ab]

³⁰ As water extinguishes a blazing fire,
    so almsgiving atones for sins.
³¹ He who repays a favor is mindful of the future;
    when he falls, he will find support.

¹ My child, do not cheat the poor man of his livelihood,
    or turn your back on one who is in need.
² Do not grieve one who is hungry
    or exasperate someone in distress.
³ Do not add to the problems of those who are desperate,
    or keep them waiting for your charity.
⁴ Do not neglect a suppliant in distress,
    or turn your face away from the poor.
⁵ Do not avert your eyes from the needy,
    and give no one any reason to curse you.
⁶ For if in bitterness of soul someone should curse you,
    the one who made him will hear his prayer.
⁷ Endear yourself to the community,
    and bow your head in the presence of authority.
⁸ Pay attention to the entreaties of a poor man,
    and return his greeting courteously.
⁹ Rescue the oppressed from the power of the oppressor,
    and deliver your judgments with justice.
¹⁰ Be like a father to the fatherless,
    and be like a husband to their mother.
You will then be like a son of the Most High,
    and his love for you will surpass that of your own mother.^[ad]

¹¹ Wisdom exalts her children
    and helps those who seek her.
¹² Whoever loves her loves life,
    and those who seek her out diligently will be filled with joy.
¹³ Whoever regards her as of great value will inherit glory;
    the Lord will bestow his blessings wherever she enters.
¹⁴ Those who serve her minister to the Holy One,
    and the Lord loves those who love her.
¹⁵ Whoever obeys her will judge nations;
    whoever listens to her will dwell securely.
¹⁶ Whoever entrusts himself to her will possess her,
    and his descendants will also inherit her.
¹⁷ At first she will lead him along tortuous paths,
    putting him to the test,
filling him with fear and dread
    and trying him with her discipline
    until he comes to fully trust her.
¹⁸ Then she returns to lead him along the straight path,
    bring him happiness,
    and reveal her secrets to him.
¹⁹ However, if he goes astray, she will abandon him
    and hand him over to his own destruction.

²⁰ Take account of circumstances and beware of evil
    so that you will have no cause to be ashamed.
²¹ There is a shame that leads to sin,
    and a shame that is honorable and gracious.
²² Do not be the cause of your own downfall by showing favoritism,
    or incur ruin by your deference to others.
²³ Do not refrain from speaking at an opportune time,^[ag]
    and do not conceal your wisdom.
²⁴ For wisdom becomes known through the spoken word,
    and learning through the words of the tongue.
²⁵ Never attempt to speak what is contrary to the truth
    but rather feel ashamed at your own ignorance.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
    and do not attempt to struggle against a river’s currents.^[ah]
27 Do not subject yourself to the foolish,
    or show partiality to the powerful.
²⁸ Fight to the death for truth,
    and the Lord God will ally himself on your side.
²⁹ Do not be impudent in your speech,
    or careless and slack in your deeds.
³⁰ Do not be like a lion^[ai] in your home,
    or be suspicious of your servants.
³¹ Do not keep your hand outstretched to receive
    but closed when it is time to repay.

¹ Do not rely on your wealth
    or say, “Now I am self-sufficient.”
² Do not follow your inclinations and energy
    in pursuing the desires of your heart.
³ Do not say, “Who can prevail against me?”^[ak]
    for the Lord will certainly punish your arrogance.
⁴ Do not say, “Even though I have sinned, nothing has befallen me,”^[al]
    for the Lord is patient.
⁵ Do not be so confident of pardon^[am]
    that you add sin upon sin.
⁶ Do not say, “His mercy is great;
    he will forgive^[an] my many sins.”
For from him will come both mercy and retribution,
    and upon sinners his anger will fall.
⁷ Do not delay your return to the Lord,
    and do not put it off from one day to the next.
For suddenly the wrath of the Lord will descend upon you,
    and on the day of punishment you will be destroyed.
⁸ Do not rely upon ill-gotten gains,
    for they will avail you nothing on the day of disaster.

⁹ Do not winnow in every wind,
    or walk along every road.^[ap]
10 Be steadfast in your convictions
    and consistent in your speech.
¹¹ Be quick to listen
    but deliberate in offering your answer.
¹² If you have understanding, reply to your neighbor,
    but if not, put your hand over your mouth.^[aq]
13 Both honor and dishonor can result from speaking;
    the tongue^[ar] can be the cause of a person’s downfall.
¹⁴ Do not gain a reputation for spreading scandal,
    or set traps with your tongue.
For shame lies in store for the thief,
    and severe condemnation for the double-tongued.
¹⁵ Do not be the cause^[as] of harm in either great or small matters,
    and do not become an enemy instead of a friend.

¹ For a bad name will result in shame and reproach,
    as is the case of the double-tongued sinner.
² Do not fall into the grip of passions,
    for these can tear you apart as if by a bull.^[at]
3 They will devour your foliage and destroy your fruit,
    and you will be left standing like a withered tree.
⁴ For evil passions destroy the one who harbors them
    and make him the laughingstock of his enemies.

⁵ Kindness in speech multiplies friends,
    and a gracious tongue leads to friendly responses.
⁶ Be at peace with many people,
    but allow only one in a thousand to be your adviser.
⁷ When you wish to acquire a new friend, first test him,
    and do not be too hasty to trust him.
⁸ One type of person is only a friend when it suits him,
    but at the first sign of trouble he will desert you.
⁹ Another type of friend will eventually become your enemy
    and shame you by making public your quarrel.
¹⁰ And still another will be your guest at table
    but will not stand by you in time of trouble.
¹¹ When you are prospering, he is your second self
    and lords it over your servants;
¹² however, if you are brought low, he will turn against you
    and avoid any contact with you.
¹³ Keep clear of your enemies
    and be wary of your friends.
¹⁴ A faithful friend is a sure shelter;
    anyone who finds one possesses a treasure.
¹⁵ A faithful friend is beyond price;
    there is no possible way to measure his worth.
¹⁶ A faithful friend is the elixir of life,
    and he who fears the Lord will find him.
¹⁷ He who fears the Lord directs his friendship aright,
    for as he is, so also will his neighbor be.

¹⁸ My child, choose instruction from your youth,
    and you will still possess wisdom when your hair turns to gray.
¹⁹ Approach her like one who plows and sows,
    and wait for her bountiful fruit.
For in cultivating her you will labor but little,
    and very soon you will enjoy her harvest.
²⁰ How harsh she seems to the undisciplined;
    the fool cannot abide her.
²¹ She will serve as a heavy stone to test him,
    and he will lose no time in casting her aside.
²² For wisdom^[aw] is true to her name;
    she is not accessible to many.
²³ Listen, my child, and take my advice;
    do not reject my counsel.
²⁴ Put your feet into wisdom’s fetters
    and your neck into her collar.
²⁵ Stoop to carry her on your shoulders,
    and do not complain about her bonds.
²⁶ With all your soul approach her,
    and keep her ways with all your might.
²⁷ If you search her out and follow her trail, she will make herself known,
    and once you have found her, do not let her go.
²⁸ For in the end you will find your rest in her,
    and she will be turned into your joy.
²⁹ Her fetters will serve as a strong defense for you
    and her collar as a magnificent robe.
³⁰ Her yoke^[ax] is a golden ornament,
    and her bonds a purple cord.
³¹ You will wear her like a robe of glory
    and bear her as your splendid crown.^{[ay]
32 [az]}If it is your wish, my child, you can be taught;
    if you apply yourself, you will become clever.
³³ If you are willing to listen, you will learn,
    and if you pay attention, you will become wise.
³⁴ When you frequent the company of the elders,
    if there is anyone who is wise, attach yourself to him.
³⁵ Listen eagerly to every godly conversation;
    allow no expression of wisdom to escape you.
³⁶ If you see a man of understanding, rise early to visit him;
    let your feet wear out his doorstep.
³⁷ Reflect on the decrees of the Lord
    and constantly meditate on his commandments.
He will enlighten^[ba] your mind,
    and the wisdom you desire will be granted to you.

¹ Do no evil, and no evil will befall you;
²     avoid wickedness, and it will turn away from you.
³ My child, do not sow in the furrows of injustice
    so that you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
⁴ Do not ask the Lord for a position of authority
    or the king for a seat of honor.
⁵ Do not flaunt your righteousness before the Lord,
    or assert your wisdom in the presence of the king.
⁶ Do not seek to become a judge,
    for you may not be strong enough to root out injustice,
or you may show favoritism to the powerful
    and thereby compromise your integrity.
⁷ Commit no offense against the people of the city,
    thereby disgracing yourself before everyone.
⁸ Never fall into the trap of repeating a sin,
    for not even for one will you go unpunished.
⁹ Do not say, “He will take into consideration the great number of my gifts,
    and when I make an offering to God Most High he will accept it.”
¹⁰ Do not grow tired of praying,
    or neglect to give alms.
¹¹ Do not deride anyone whose heart has become embittered,
    for there is One who both humbles and exalts.^[bd]
12 Do not make up lies about your brother,
    or do the same to a friend.
¹³ Refuse to ever tell a lie,
    for it is a habit that never has a positive result.
¹⁴ Do not babble on^[be] in the assembly of the elders,
    and in your prayers do not repeat yourself.
¹⁵ Do not shun laborious tasks
    or farming, an occupation ordained by the Most High.
¹⁶ Do not attach yourself to the ranks of sinners;
    remember that retribution will not tarry.
¹⁷ Humble yourself to the greatest possible degree,
    for the godless will suffer the punishment of fire and worms.^[bf]
18 Do not exchange a friend for the sake of money,
    or a true brother for the gold of Ophir.^[bg]
19 Do not turn against a wise and good wife;
    her gracious demeanor is worth more than gold.
²⁰ Refrain from the ill-treatment of a servant who performs his duties faithfully,
    or of a hired laborer who devotes himself to his task.
²¹ Love a diligent slave with deep affection,
    and do not refuse to grant him freedom.^[bh]

^22 [bi]Do you have cattle? Look after them,
    and if they prove profitable, keep them.
²³ Do you have sons? Discipline them,
    and insist on their obedience^[bj] from their childhood.
²⁴ Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,
    and do not allow yourself to be over-indulgent toward them.
²⁵ When you give your daughter in marriage, you have completed a great task,
    but give her to a sensible man.
²⁶ If you have a wife who pleases you, do not divorce her,
    but do not trust yourself to one whom you are unable to love.^{[bk]
27     [bl]}Honor your father with all your heart,
    and never forget the birth pangs suffered by your mother.
²⁸ Remember that you were born of these parents;
    how can you repay them for all that they have done for you?

²⁹ With all your soul fear God,
    and revere his priests.^[bn]
30 With all your strength love your Maker,
    and do not abandon his ministers.
³¹ Fear God and honor the priest,
    and give him his portion^[bo] as you have been commanded:
the firstfruits, the guilt offering, and the shoulder of the sacrificial victim,
    the sacrifice of sanctification and the firstfruits of holy things.

³² Be generous in your gifts to the poor
    so that your blessing may be complete.
³³ Let your generosity also extend to all the living,
    and do not let your kindness be withheld even from the dead.
³⁴ Do not turn your back on those who weep,
    but mourn with those who mourn.
³⁵ Do not neglect to visit the sick,
    for as a result of such deeds you will be loved.
³⁶ In everything you do, remember your end,^[bq]
    and you will never sin.

^{1     [br]}Do not oppose one who is powerful,
    lest you fall into his hands.
² Do not quarrel with a rich man,
    for he may use his resources to prevail over you.
For gold has been the cause of the downfall of many
    and has perverted the hearts of kings.
^{3     [bs]}Do not engage in a dispute with an argumentative man
    and thereby heap wood upon his fire.
⁴ Do not ridicule one who is ill-bred,
    lest he proceed to insult your ancestors.
^5 [bt]Avoid reproaching a repentant sinner;
    remember that we are all guilty.
⁶ Do not despise an elderly man,
    for some of us will also become aged.
⁷ Do not rejoice over anyone’s death;
    remember that we all must die.
⁸ Ignore not the discourse of the wise,
    but familiarize yourself with their maxims,
since from these you will gain instruction
    and learn the art of serving the great.
⁹ Do not reject the opinions of the aged,
    for they themselves were taught by their parents.
From them you will learn how to reason
    and how to reply when the need arises.
^10 [bu]Do not kindle the coals of a sinner,
    lest you be burned in his flaming fire.
¹¹ Refuse to be provoked by an insolent man,
    for he may seek to trap you in your own words.
¹² Do not lend to someone who is more powerful than you are;
    but if you do lend anything, write it off as a loss.
¹³ Do not stand surety beyond your resources,
    but should you do so, be prepared to pay.
¹⁴ Do not oppose a judge in a lawsuit,
    for he will win the judgment because of his rank.
¹⁵ Do not set out on a journey with one who is reckless,
    lest he become a burden to you.
For he will do whatever he pleases,
    and his folly will result also in your ruin.
¹⁶ Do not provoke an argument with one who is quick-tempered,
    or journey with him through sparsely inhabited regions.
For bloodshed is an inconsequential matter to him,
    and where no help is at hand, he will strike you down.
¹⁷ Never discuss your plans with a fool,
    since he is unable to keep a confidence.
¹⁸ In the presence of a stranger do nothing that should be kept secret,
    for you cannot be certain what use he will make of it.^[bv]
19 Do not reveal your thoughts to anyone,
    or he may take away your happiness.

¹ Do not be jealous of your beloved wife,
    or you may thereby encourage her to cause you harm.^[bx]
2 Let no woman gain power over you
    and thereby trample underfoot your strength.
³ Do not approach a loose woman,
    lest you become entangled in her snares.
⁴ Do not dally with a singer,
    lest you be trapped by her wiles.
⁵ Do not harbor lustful thoughts against a virgin,
    or you may incur punishment on account of her.
⁶ Do not give yourself to prostitutes,
    lest you suffer the loss of your inheritance.
⁷ Do not let your gaze stray through the streets of a city,
    or wander around its deserted areas.
⁸ Turn away your eyes from a comely woman,
    and do not stare at the beauty of another’s wife.
Many have been destroyed as a result of a woman’s beauty,
    which causes passion to flare up like a fire.
⁹ Never dine with a married woman,
    or join her to drink some wine,
lest you allow your heart to succumb to her
    and in your passion plunge to your destruction.

¹⁰ Do not abandon an old friend,
    for a new one will not adequately replace him.
A new friend is like new wine;
    only when it has sufficiently aged can you drink it with pleasure.
¹¹ Do not envy the success of a sinner,
    for you can never be sure what his end will be.
¹² Take no delight in the pleasures of an ungodly man;
    remember that before his death he will endure some retribution.
¹³ Keep far removed from anyone who has the power to kill,
    and you will not be haunted by the fear of death.
However, should you approach him, make no false step,
    or he may take your life.
Realize that you are treading among snares
    and walking on the battlements of the city.
¹⁴ To the best of your ability, become knowledgeable about your neighbors,
    and consult with those who are wise.
¹⁵ Engage in conversation with one who is sensible,
    and devote all of your discussions to the law of the Most High.
¹⁶ Choose honorable men for your dinner companions,
    and let your glory be in the fear of God.
¹⁷ Artisans are praised for the skill of their hands,
    but a leader of the people is esteemed for his words of wisdom.
¹⁸ One who speaks incessantly is feared in his city,
    and one who is rash in his speech is despised.

¹ A wise magistrate educates his people,
    and the government of a prudent man is well regulated.
² As is the people’s magistrate, so are his officials;
    as is the ruler of a city, so are its inhabitants.
³ An undisciplined king causes the ruin of his people,
    whereas a city will prosper through the prudence of its rulers.
⁴ The governance of the earth is in the hand of God;
    he will raise up the right leader over it at the proper time.
⁵ All human success is also in the hand of God;
    it is he who confers honor upon the lawgiver.^[ca]

⁶ Do not become angry at every offense committed by your neighbor,
    and do not resort to acts of violence.
⁷ Arrogance is hateful in the sight of both the Lord and man,
    and injustice is abhorrent to both.
⁸ Sovereignty passes from nation to nation
    as the result of injustice, arrogance, and wealth.
[Nothing is more evil than one who loves money,
    for such a person places his soul on sale.]
^9 [cc]For what reason are dust and ashes proud?
    Even in life the body is subject to decay.
¹⁰ A lengthy illness baffles the doctor;
    the king of today will be a corpse tomorrow.
¹¹ One who dies receives only an inheritance
    of maggots and wild animals^[cd] and worms.
¹² The beginning of human pride is the forsaking of the Lord,
    the withdrawal of one’s heart from its Maker.
¹³ For pride is the beginning of sin,
    and those who cling to it pour forth filth.
For this reason God afflicts them with unheard-of calamities
    and destroys them completely.
¹⁴ The Lord overthrows the throne of rulers
    and seats the humble in their place.
¹⁵ The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations^[ce]
    and plants the lowly in their place.
¹⁶ The Lord lays waste the territory of the nations
    and destroys them to the very foundations of the earth.
¹⁷ He sweeps away every trace of some of the nations
    and blots out the memory of them from the earth.
¹⁸ Pride was not created for men,
    nor violent anger for one born of woman.

¹⁹ Whose offspring are worthy of honor? Human offspring.
    Whose offspring are worthy of honor? Those who fear the Lord.
Whose offspring deserve contempt? Human offspring.
    Whose offspring deserve contempt? Those who break the commandments.
²⁰ The members of a family hold their leader in honor,
    but he who fears the Lord is worthy of honor in his eyes.
[²¹ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance,
    while stubbornness and pride are the beginning of rejection.]^[cg]
22 The wealthy, the noble, and the poor
    achieve their glory in the fear of the Lord.
²³ It is not right to despise someone who is intelligent but poor,
    nor is it proper to honor anyone who is sinful.
²⁴ The prince, the judge, and the ruler are held in honor,
    but none is as great as the one who fears the Lord.
²⁵ When those who are free serve a wise servant,
    an intelligent man will not complain.

²⁶ Do not flaunt your wisdom in doing your work,
    and do not put on airs when you are in need.
²⁷ Better the diligent worker who has plenty of everything
    than one who boasts on an empty stomach.
²⁸ My child, in the practice of humility do not neglect your self-respect;
    value yourself at your true worth.
²⁹ Who will acquit one who condemns himself?
    Who will honor one who holds himself in low esteem?
³⁰ The poor man is honored for his skill,^[ci]
    the rich man for his wealth.
³¹ One who is honored in poverty, how much more so in wealth!
    And one who is dishonored in wealth, how much more so in poverty!

¹ Wisdom enables the poor man to hold his head high
    and to take his seat among the great.
² Do not praise anyone for his good looks,
    or despise any on the basis of his appearance.
³ Among the winged creatures the bee is small,
    but its produce is the choicest of sweet harvests.
⁴ Do not boast about your elegant clothes,
    or become proud when you receive honors.
For the works of the Lord are marvelous,
    but his works are hidden from humans.
⁵ Many kings have been forced to sit on the ground,
    while others who were never considered worthy of respect have worn a crown.
⁶ Many rulers have fallen into complete disgrace,
    and those who have received honors have fallen into the power of others.

⁷ Do not find fault before checking out the evidence;
    examine first, and then criticize.
⁸ Do not answer without first listening,
    and do not interrupt while someone else is speaking.
⁹ Do not engage in arguing about something that does not concern you,
    or become involved in the disputes of sinners.
¹⁰ My child, do not become involved in too many matters;
    if you attempt too much, you will suffer the consequences.
No matter how much you pursue, you will never overtake,
    nor will you escape by attempting to flee.
¹¹ Some people toil away and struggle and press on,
    and yet fall farther behind.

¹² There is also the slow kind of person in need of help,
    lacking in strength and abounding in poverty.
Yet the eyes of the Lord look favorably upon him;
    he lifts him out of his wretched condition
¹³ and raises up his head,
    to the amazement of many.
¹⁴ Good fortune and bad, life and death,
    poverty and wealth—all come from the Lord.^[cl]
[^15 [cm]Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of the law come from the Lord;
    love and the performance of good works are the gift of the Lord.
¹⁶ Error and darkness were created with sinners from their birth,
    and evil grows old with those who take delight in it.]
¹⁷ To the devout the Lord’s gift remains constant,
    and his favor brings unending success.
¹⁸ A man may become rich through caution and self-denial,
    and this is the reward he receives for it:
¹⁹ although he says, “Now I have found rest
    and I can live on my possessions,”
he does not know how long it will be
    before he must die and leave his possessions to others.
²⁰ Know your obligations and fulfill them;
    grow old at your work.
²¹ Do not admire the achievements of the wicked,
    but trust in the Lord and remain at your task.
For it is no problem for the Lord
    suddenly, in an instant, to make a poor person rich.
²² The blessing of the Lord is the reward of the righteous,
    and he quickly causes his blessing to multiply.
²³ Do not say, “What do I need,
    and what further benefits can be mine?”
²⁴ Do not say, “I am self-sufficient;
    what harm can come to me now?”
²⁵ In prosperous times disasters are forgotten,
    and in times of hardship prosperity is not remembered.
^{26     [cn]}For on the day of death it is easy for the Lord
    to reward individuals according to what they deserve.
²⁷ A moment’s affliction causes former pleasures to be forgotten,
    and at the close of one’s life, one’s deeds are revealed.
²⁸ Call no one happy before his death,
    for it is by his end that a person becomes known for what he is.

²⁹ Do not invite everyone into your home,
    for many are the snares of the devious man.
³⁰ Like a decoy partridge in a cage is the mind of the proud man,
    and like a spy he looks for your downfall.^[cp]
31 For he lies in wait for an opportunity to turn good into evil,
    and to characterize praiseworthy deeds as blameworthy.
³² A single spark can set many coals afire,
    and a sinner lies in wait to spill blood.
³³ Beware of a scoundrel and his evil schemes,
    for he may smear your reputation forever.
³⁴ If you invite a stranger into your home, he will stir up trouble for you
    and will estrange you from your own family.

¹ If you do good, know for whom you are doing it,
    and your good deeds will have their desired effect.
² Good deeds performed for the righteous man will be repaid—
    if not by him, then by the Most High.
³ No good comes to the one who persists in evil,
    or to one who refuses to give alms.
⁴ Give to the devout man,
    but never aid the sinner.
⁵ Give aid to the humble man,
    but give nothing to a godless man.
Do not even offer him bread,
    for that might enable him to subdue you.
For every good deed you do for him
    you will be repaid twofold with evil.
⁶ For the Most High himself also hates sinners
    and inflicts on the godless the punishment they deserve.
    [And he is keeping them for the day of their punishment.]^[cr]
7 Give to one who is deserving,
    but never offer help to a sinner.

⁸ When you are enjoying prosperity it is not easy to know who your friends are,
    but in times of adversity there is no problem in discerning your enemies.
⁹ When you prosper even your enemies are grieved,^[ct]
    but in adversity even your friends will shun you.
¹⁰ Never trust your enemy;
    just as bronze tarnishes, so does his wickedness.
¹¹ Even if he acts humbly and in a subservient manner,
    take care to be on your guard against him.
Behave toward him as if you were polishing a mirror,
    and you will see that his tarnish does not last.
¹² Do not allow him to stand near you,
    lest he overthrow you and take your place.
Do not let him sit on your right hand
    or he may oust you and take your seat,
and in the end you will realize the truth of my warning
    and recall my admonition with regret.
¹³ Who has sympathy for a snake charmer when he is bitten,
    or for those who go near wild animals?
¹⁴ In the same way, no one pities a person who associates with sinners
    and becomes involved in their evil deeds.
¹⁵ He may stand by you for a while,
    but if you falter, he will not stay around.
¹⁶ An enemy utters honeyed words,
    but his heart is scheming to cast you into a pit.
The eyes of an enemy may be filled with tears,
    but if an opportunity arises, he will never have enough of your blood.
¹⁷ If misfortune overtakes you, you will find him there ahead of you,
    and, pretending to help, he will trip you up.
¹⁸ Then he will shake his head^[cu] and clap his hands,
    go about whispering, and change his countenance.

¹ Whoever touches pitch will have blackened hands,
    and anyone who associates with a proud man will become like him.
² Do not bear a burden too heavy for you,
    or associate with someone who is greater or wealthier than you.
How can the clay pot be used with the iron cauldron?
    When they collide, the pot will be smashed.
³ The rich man does wrong and boasts about it;
    the poor man is wronged and has to beg for forgiveness.
⁴ The rich man will exploit you if you can be useful to him,
    but if you are in need, he will abandon you.
⁵ As long as you are well-off, he will be constantly at your side;
    he will drain your resources without a qualm.
⁶ When he needs you he will deceive you
    and will smile at you and raise your hopes.
He will speak kindly to you
    and ask, “Is there anything you need?”
⁷ He will embarrass you with his hospitality,
    but after he has drained your resources two or three times
    he will end up by laughing at you.
Afterward, when he sees you, he will pass you by
    and shake his head about you.
⁸ Take care not to be led astray
    and humiliated as a result of your own stupidity.
⁹ When an influential man issues you an invitation, be slow to accept,
    and he will be all the more insistent in his request.
¹⁰ Do not be too forward or you may be rebuffed,
    but neither should you keep aloof lest you be forgotten.
¹¹ Do not try to converse with him as an equal,
    or trust his effusive words.
The more he speaks, the more he is testing you,
    and while he smiles he is evaluating you.
¹² Those who do not keep your secrets are cruel,
    and they will not spare you injury or imprisonment.
¹³ Confide in no one and be on your guard,
    for you are walking to your own downfall.
[¹⁴ When you hear these things, awake from your sleep;
    as long as you live, love the Lord and pray to him for your salvation.]^[cw]
15 Every living thing loves its own kind,
    and every man loves someone like himself.
¹⁶ All creatures associate with their own kind,
    and every man sticks close to those like himself.
¹⁷ What does a wolf have in common with a lamb?
    The same applies to a sinner with a devout man.
¹⁸ What peaceful state can exist between a hyena and a dog?
    What peaceful condition can there be between the rich and the poor?^[cx]
19 Just as the wild asses of the wilderness are the prey of lions,
    so are the poor the pasture of the rich.
²⁰ Humility is abhorrent to the proud,
    and so also is the poor man abhorrent to the rich.
²¹ When the rich man stumbles, he is supported by friends;
    when the poor man trips, even his friends ignore his plight.
²² When the rich man slips, many rush to his rescue;
    even if he says something nonsensical, people justify him.
When the poor man slips, he is criticized,
    and no attention is paid when his words are filled with wisdom.
²³ When the rich man speaks, all listen in silence
    and praise his wisdom to the skies.
When the poor man speaks, others say “Who is that?”
    and even push him to the ground if he stumbles.
²⁴ Wealth is good when it has been acquired honestly,
    but poverty is regarded as evil by the mouth of the godless.^[cy]
25 The heart changes one’s countenance
    either for good or for evil.
    [And a glad heart effects a cheerful countenance.]
²⁶ The proof of a happy heart is a cheerful expression,
    but to devise wise maxims involves wearisome work.

¹ Blessed is the man who has not come to grief through careless speech
    and who has no need to feel remorse for sin.
² Blessed is the man whose conscience does not reproach him
    and who has never lost hope.

³ Wealth serves no purpose for the stingy man;
    of what use are riches to the covetous?
⁴ He deprives himself only to amass wealth for others,
    and others will live luxuriously on his possessions.
⁵ To whom will a person be generous when he is stingy with himself?
    He does not even enjoy his own riches.
⁶ There is nobody worse than the man who is grudging to himself;
    in this way, he receives just recompense for his miserliness.
⁷ If he does any good, he does so by mistake,
    and in the end his greed will be revealed.
⁸ Wicked is the eye of the miser,
    looking the other way and despising the lives of others.
⁹ The eyes of a greedy man are not content with his share;
    greed shrivels his soul.
¹⁰ The miser begrudges bread
    and sets a table with scanty provisions.
¹¹ My child, treat yourself as well as you can in accord with your means,
    and present worthy offerings to the Lord.
¹² Remember that death does not tarry
    and that the decree of the netherworld^[db] has not been revealed to you.
¹³ Be kind to your friend before you die
    and give him a generous portion according to your ability.
¹⁴ Do not deprive yourself of the good things of today;
    do not forgo your share of good things.
¹⁵ Will you not have to leave your riches to others,
    with the fruit of your labors to be divided by lot?
¹⁶ Give and receive; enjoy life,
    because no pleasures will be found in the netherworld.
¹⁷ As is true of a garment, all flesh wears away;
    the age-old decree is: all must die.
^18 [dc]Like thick foliage on a spreading tree,
    with some leaves falling and others sprouting,
so with the generations of flesh and blood:
    one dies and another is born.
¹⁹ All work decays and ceases to exist,
    and its author will pass away with it.^[dd]

²⁰ Blessed is the man who meditates on^[df] Wisdom
    and reasons with intelligence,
^21 [dg]who reflects on her ways in his heart
    and ponders her secrets,
²² who pursues her like a hunter
    and lies in watch by her paths,
²³ who peers through her windows
    and listens at her doors,
²⁴ who lodges near her house
    and drives his tent-peg into her walls,
²⁵ who pitches his tent near her,
    having found there an excellent lodging,
²⁶ who places his children under her shade
    and camps beneath her branches,
²⁷ who is sheltered by her from the heat
    and makes his home in her glory.^[dh]

¹ The one who fears the Lord will do this,
    and he who follows the law will obtain wisdom.
² She will come forth to meet him like a mother;
    like a young bride she will receive him,
³ nourish him with the bread of understanding,
    and give him the water of wisdom to imbibe.
⁴ He will lean on her and not fall,
    rely on her and not be put to shame.
⁵ She will exalt him above his neighbors
    and provide him with eloquence in the midst of the assembly.
⁶ He will experience happiness and a crown of joy
    and inherit an everlasting name.
⁷ The foolish will never obtain her,
    nor will sinners behold her.
⁸ She keeps herself distant from the arrogant,
    and liars never call her to mind.
⁹ Praise is unseemly on the lips of a sinner,
    for its source has not been God.
¹⁰ Praise is uttered only by the tongue of the wise,
    and the Lord himself prompts it.

¹¹ Do not say, “God is responsible for my falling away,”
    for you ought not do^[dk] what he hates.
¹² Do not say, “It was he who led me astray,”
    for he has no need of a sinner.
¹³ The Lord hates everything that is abominable,
    and those who fear him love it not.
¹⁴ In the beginning, when God created man,
    he left him free to make his own decisions.
¹⁵ If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
    and to act faithfully is within your power.
¹⁶ He has set before you fire and water;
    stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
¹⁷ Before each man are life and death,
    and whichever one he chooses will be given.
¹⁸ For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
    he is mighty in power and all-seeing.
¹⁹ His eyes are on those who fear him,
    and he is aware of every human action.
²⁰ He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
    and he has given no one permission to sin.

¹ Do not desire a brood of unprofitable^[dm] children,
    and take no joy in offspring who are godless.
² No matter how many your children, do not rejoice in them
    unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
³ Do not count on their growing old
    or rely on their numbers.
[For you will grieve in untimely mourning
    and know of their unexpected end.]^[dn]
For one can be better than a thousand,
    and to die childless is better than to have godless children.
⁴ Through one wise man an entire city can be populated,
    but a tribe of lawless people can bring about its destruction.
⁵ Many such things my eyes have seen,
    and my ears have heard things even more impressive.
⁶ Against an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled,
    and retribution blazes upon a godless nation.
⁷ God did not forgive the leaders of old
    who rebelled in their strength.
⁸ He did not spare the neighbors of Lot
    whom he abhorred for their arrogance.^[do]
9 He showed no pity toward the doomed people
    who were dispossessed because of their sins.^[dp]
[He did all these things to the obstinate nations,
    and he was not appeased by the multitude of his holy ones.]^[dq]
10 Neither did he show pity toward those six hundred thousand foot soldiers^[dr]
    who perished because of their stubborn defiance.
^[ds][Chastising and sparing, striking and healing,
    the Lord persisted in showing mercy and dispensing discipline.]^[dt]
11 Even if there had been only one stiff-necked man,
    it would have been a miracle if he had escaped retribution.
For mercy and anger alike belong to the Lord;
    he shows his might in his forgiveness and also as he pours out his wrath.
¹² As great as his mercy is his chastisement;
    he judges an individual according to his deeds.
¹³ The sinner will not escape with plunder,
    nor will the patience of the godly be forgotten.
¹⁴ He does not forget any act of mercy;
    everyone will be treated in accordance with his deeds.
[^15 [du]The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he did not recognize him
    whose works were manifest under the heavens;
¹⁶ his mercy was seen by all creation,
    and he separated the light from the darkness among the sons of Adam.]

¹⁷ Do not say, “I am hidden from the Lord;
    who above gives any thought to me?
Among so many people I will not be noticed;
    for what am I in the immensity of creation?
¹⁸ Behold, heaven itself, the highest heaven,
    the abyss, and the earth tremble at his visitation.
    [The entire world, past and present, is in his will.]^[dw]
19 The mountains and the foundations of the earth
    quiver and quake when he looks upon them.
²⁰ What human mind can grasp this
    or comprehend his ways?
²¹ Like a storm wind that is invisible,
    so his works for the most part are concealed.
²² Who will report about his acts of justice?
    Or who can wait for them, since the covenant^[dx] is far in the future
    [and a scrutiny for all comes at the end]?”^[dy]
23 Such are the thoughts of the one who lacks understanding,
    senseless and misguided in his foolish reasoning.

²⁴ Listen to me, my child, and acquire knowledge;
    pay close attention to what I have to say.
²⁵ I will impart discipline precisely
    and proclaim knowledge accurately.
²⁶ When God created his works in the beginning,
    in doing so he determined their boundaries.
²⁷ He defined their functions for all time
    and their domains for all generations.
They never hunger or grow weary,
    nor do they ever abandon their tasks.
²⁸ Never do they crowd one another,
    nor do they ever disobey his word.
²⁹ Then the Lord looked upon the earth
    and filled it with his good things.
³⁰ With every kind of living creature he covered its surface,
    and into it they must return.

¹ The Lord fashioned man from the earth
    and causes him to return to it again.
² He granted him a fixed span of days
    and gave him dominion over everything on earth.
³ He endowed him with strength like his own
    and made him in his own image.
⁴ He put the fear of him into all living things
    and made him the master over beasts and birds.
[⁵ He received the use of the five faculties from the Lord;
    as a sixth he gave him the gift of mind,
    and as a seventh the gift of reason, the interpreter of one’s faculties.]^[ea]
6 He fashioned men’s tongues, eyes, and ears
    and gave them minds with which to think.
⁷ He filled them with wisdom and understanding
    and a knowledge of good and evil.
⁸ He placed the fear of him into their hearts
    to display to them the majesty of his works
[⁹ and to enable them to proclaim his marvelous deeds]^[eb]
10     so that they may give praise to his holy name.
¹¹ He granted knowledge to them,
    endowing them with the law of life.
    [Thus, they might know that those who are living are mortal.]^[ec]
12 An everlasting covenant he established with them,
    and his decrees^[ed] he revealed to them.
¹³ Their eyes beheld his glorious majesty,
    and their ears heard the glory of his voice.^[ee]
14 He said to them, “Refrain from all wrongdoing,”
    and he gave them a commandment concerning duties toward one’s neighbor.
¹⁵ Their ways are always known to him;
    they cannot be hidden from his sight.
[¹⁶ Their ways from childhood tend toward evil,
    and they cannot transform their stony hearts into hearts of flesh.]^[ef]
17 He appointed a ruler^[eg] over every nation,
    but Israel is the Lord’s own portion.
[¹⁸ Since Israel is his firstborn,
    he rears him with discipline,
bestowing on him the light of his love
    and not neglecting him.]^[eh]
19 All their deeds are as clear as the sun to him,
    and his eyes are ever upon their ways.
²⁰ Their iniquities are not hidden from him;
    all their sins are before the Lord.
[²¹ Yet the Lord, who is compassionate
    and knows how they are formed,
has neither left nor abandoned them
    but spared them.]^[ei]
22 Almsgiving is like a signet ring to him,
    and he cherishes kindness like the apple of his eye.
    [He apportions repentance to his sons and daughters.]^[ej]
23 In the end, he will rise up and repay the wicked,
    bringing down retribution on their heads.
²⁴ But to those who repent he allows a return,
    and he encourages those who have lost hope.

²⁵ Therefore, return to the Lord and renounce your wicked ways;
    pray in his presence and lessen your offense.
²⁶ Return to the Most High, turn away from iniquity,
    [for he will guide you out of darkness and into the light of health,]^[el]
    and hate intensely what he abhors.
^27 [em]Who will glorify the Most High in the netherworld
    in place of the living who give praise?
²⁸ The dead cannot offer praise anymore than those who have never lived;
    only those who are alive and well sing the Lord’s praises.
²⁹ How great is the mercy of the Lord
    and the forgiveness he offers to those who return to him!
³⁰ Many things are beyond the human capacity to achieve,
    since the son of man is not immortal.
³¹ Is anything brighter than the sun? Yet it is subject to eclipse.
    Thus, flesh and blood devise evil plans.^[en]
32 God watches over the hosts of the highest heavens,
    but all men are merely dust and ashes.

¹ He who lives forever is the Creator of the entire universe;
²     the Lord alone is righteous.
[^2b [ep]And there are no others beside him.
³ He guides the world with a turn of his hand,
    and all things obey his will;
for he is king of all things by his power,
    separating the holy things among them from the profane.]
⁴ To no one has he given the power to adequately proclaim his works,
    and who can fathom his mighty deeds?
⁵ Who can assess his majestic power
    or fully recount all of his mercies?
⁶ The wonders of the Lord can be neither diminished nor increased,
    nor are they possible to fathom.
⁷ When a man finishes, he is still only beginning,
    and when he stops, he is still confused.

⁸ What is a man? What purpose does he serve?
    What about him is good, and what is evil?
⁹ The span of his life is great
    if he attains one hundred years.
    [But the death of each one is beyond the calculation of all.]^[er]
10 Like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand,
    such are these few years compared with eternity.
¹¹ That is why the Lord is patient with men
    and pours out his mercy on them.
¹² He sees and recognizes how wretched their end will be,
    and thus he is even more lavish with his compassion.
¹³ Man’s compassion is for his neighbor,
    but the compassion of the Lord extends to everyone.
He rebukes, trains, and teaches them,
    and he brings them back into the fold as a shepherd does his flock.
¹⁴ He has compassion on those who accept his teaching
    and are diligent in obeying his precepts.

¹⁵ My child, do not temper your good deeds with reproach,
    or spoil your gifts with harsh words.
¹⁶ Does not dew give relief from the heat?
    In the same way, a word can do more than a gift.
¹⁷ Sometimes a word is better than an expensive gift;
    both are the hallmark of a gracious person.
¹⁸ A fool offers nothing but insult,
    and a gift given begrudgingly dims the expectant eyes.

¹⁹ Be fully informed before you speak;
    before you fall sick, take care of your health.
²⁰ Before judgment comes, examine yourself,
    and at your hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.^[ev]
21 Before you fall ill, humble yourself,
    and repent as soon as you have sinned.
[Do not delay in giving up sinning,
    or neglect to do so until you are in distress.
Do not set a time for giving up sinning;
    be mindful that death will not delay its coming.]^[ew]
22 Let nothing hinder you from promptly discharging your vows;
    do not wait until the moment of death to fulfill them.
²³ Before making a vow, give it careful consideration,
    do not imitate one who puts the Lord to the test.
²⁴ Think of his wrath on the day of death,
    and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
²⁵ Remember the time of famine in the time of plenty;
    think of poverty and need in the days of wealth.
²⁶ Between morning and evening changes occur;
    all things are fleeting in the sight of the Lord.
²⁷ The wise man is cautious in every respect;
    during sinful times he is on his guard against wrongdoing.
²⁸ Every person of intelligence recognizes wisdom
    and praises anyone who finds her.
²⁹ Those who are trained in her words must proclaim her wisdom
    and pour forth sound proverbs.
[It is better to trust in the one Lord
    than to cling with a deadened heart to dead idols.]^[ex]

³⁰ Do not be governed by your passions,
    but keep your desires in check.
³¹ If you succumb to the enticements of base desires,
    you will become the laughingstock of your enemies.
³² Do not revel in luxurious living,
    or the expense involved may cause your impoverishment.
³³ Do not become a beggar by feasting on credit
    when you have nothing in your money bag.
    [For you will be plotting against your own life.]^[ez]

¹ A drunken workman^[fa] will never grow rich,
    and carelessness in small matters will lead to one’s ruin.
² Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
    and the man who consorts with prostitutes becomes ever more reckless.
³ Decay and worms will take possession of him,
    and because of his recklessness he will lose his life.

⁴ One who too readily trusts others displays a shallow intelligence,
    and one who sins does serious harm to himself.
⁵ One who rejoices in wickedness will suffer condemnation,
[^5b [fc]but one who resists pleasures crowns his life.
^6a One who curbs the tongue lives without strife],
⁶     but by hating gossip he avoids evil.
⁷ Never repeat gossip,
    and you will come to no harm.
⁸ Report nothing accusatory to friend or foe;
    do not reveal anything unless it would be sinful for you not to do so.
⁹ For one may hear it and mistrust you
    and in time come to hate you.
¹⁰ Have you heard a rumor? Let it die with you;
    be assured, if you hold it in, it will not cause you to burst asunder.
¹¹ A fool who has heard something suffers birth pangs
    like a woman in labor with a child.
¹² Like an arrow lodged in a person’s thigh
    is gossip in the heart of a fool.

¹³ Question your friend—perhaps he may not have done what he is accused of,
    and if he has, your action may ensure that he will not do it again.
¹⁴ Question your neighbor—perhaps he may not have said what he is accused of,
    and if he has, your action may ensure that he will not say it again.