1 Many have sinned for profit.
2 As a nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones,
3 Unless a person holds on diligently to the fear of the Lord,
4 In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains,
5 The furnace tests the potter’s vessels;
6 The fruit of a tree discloses its cultivation,
7 Praise no man before you hear his thoughts,
8 If you follow righteousness, you will obtain it,
9 Birds will return to their own kind,
10 The lion lies in wait for prey.
11 The discourse of a godly man is always wise,
12 Limit your time amongst people void of understanding,
13 The talk of fools is offensive.
14 Their talk with much swearing makes hair stand upright.
15 The strife of the proud leads to bloodshed.
16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust,
17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him;
18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy,
19 As a bird which you have released out of your hand,
20 Don’t pursue him, for he has gone far away,
21 For a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation;
22 One who winks the eye contrives evil things;
23 When you are present, he will speak sweetly,
24 I have hated many things, but nothing like him.
25 One who casts a stone straight up casts it on his own head.
26 He who digs a pit will fall into it.
27 He who does evil things, they will roll back upon him,
28 Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant.
29 Those who rejoice at the fall of the godly will be caught in a snare.
30 Wrath and anger, these also are abominations.