Discernment in Giving

1 If you do good, know to whom you do it, and your good deeds will receive thanks.⁠a 2 Do good to a godly man, and you will find a reward, if not from him, then from the Most High. 3 No good will come to him who continues to do evil, or to anyone who gives nothing to the poor. 4 Give to the godly man, and don’t help the sinner. 5 Do good to one who is lowly. Don’t give to an ungodly man. Keep back his bread, and don’t give it to him, so that he does not overpower you with it, for you would receive twice as much evil for all the good you would have done to him. 6 For the Most High also hates sinners, and will take vengeance on the ungodly. 7 Give to the good man, and don’t help the sinner.

False Friends and Hidden Enemies

8 A man’s friend won’t be fully tested in prosperity. His enemy won’t be hidden in adversity. 9 In a man’s prosperity, his enemies are grieved. In his adversity, even his friend leaves. 10 Never trust your enemy, for his wickedness is like corrosion in copper.⁠b

11 Although he humbles himself and walks bowed down, still be careful and beware of him. With him, you will be like someone who has wiped a mirror, to be sure it doesn’t completely tarnish. 12 Don’t set him next to you, in case he overthrows you and stand in your place. Don’t let him sit at your right side, in case he seeks to take your seat, and in the end you acknowledge my words, and my sayings sting you.

13 Who will pity a snake charmer that is bitten by a snake, or any who come near wild beasts? 14 In the same way, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, and is associated with him in his sins? 15 For a while he will stay with you, and if you falter, he will not stay.

16 The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy may weep with his eyes, but if he finds opportunity, he will want more blood. 17 If adversity meets you, you will find him there before you. Pretending to help you, he will trip you. 18 He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper a great deal, and change his expression.