Indulgence and Carelessness

1 A worker who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little.⁠a 2 Wine and women will make men of understanding go astray. He who joins with prostitutes is reckless.⁠b 3 Decay and worms will have him as their inheritance. A reckless soul will be taken away.

Gossip and Restraint

4 He who is quick to trust has a shallow heart. He who sins offends against his own soul. 5 He who takes pleasure in wickedness will be condemned. 6 He who hates gossip has less wickedness. 7 Never repeat what is told you, and you won’t lose anything. 8 Whether it is of friend or enemy, don’t tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it. 9 For if he has heard you and observed you, when the time comes, he will hate you. 10 Have you heard something? Let it die with you. Be brave, it will not make you burst!⁠c 11 A fool will suffer labor pains over a word, like a woman in labor with a child. 12 Gossip in a fool is like an arrow stuck in the flesh of the thigh.

Questioning before Accusing

13 Question a friend, for he may not have done it. If he did something, question him so that he does not do it again. 14 Question your neighbor, for he may not have said it. If he has said it, question him so that he does not say it again. 15 Question a friend, for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word.⁠d 16 Someone slips, though his heart did not intend it. Who has not sinned with his tongue? 17 Correct your neighbor before you threaten him, and give way to the law of the Most High.

Wisdom and Deceptive Cleverness

20 All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. All wisdom involves obeying the law. 22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The shrewdness of sinners is not sound advice.⁠e 23 There is a kind of wickedness that is detestable. There is a fool lacking in wisdom.⁠f 24 Someone with little understanding who fears God is better than someone with much intelligence who breaks the law. 25 There is highly refined cleverness that is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment.

26 There is someone who acts wickedly and hangs his head in mourning, but inwardly he is full of deceit, 27 bowing down his face, and pretending to be deaf in one ear. Where he isn’t known, he will take advantage of you. 28 And if a lack of power keeps him from sinning, if he finds opportunity, he will do harm. 29 A man will be known by his appearance. One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him.⁠g 30 A man’s clothing, grinning laughter, and the way he walks show what he is.