The Danger of Sin

1 My son, have you sinned? Do not do it again, and ask forgiveness for your past sins. 2 Run from sin as from a snake’s face, for if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like lion’s teeth, killing people’s souls. 3 All wrongdoing is like a two-edged sword. There is no healing for its stroke. 4 Terror and violence will waste away riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be devastated.

5 A plea from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, and his judgment comes quickly. 6 One who hates correction is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will repent in his heart.⁠a 7 He who is powerful in speech is known far away, but the man of understanding knows when he slips. 8 He who builds his house with other men’s money is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb. 9 The gathering of wicked men is like a bundle of loose flax fibers with a flame at its end. 10 The way of sinners is paved with stones, and at the end of it is the pit of Hades.⁠b

Wisdom and Foolishness

11 He who keeps the law becomes master of its intent. The fulfillment of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. 12 He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness increase. 13 A wise man’s knowledge will overflow like a flood, and his advice like a fountain of life. 14 A fool’s inner being are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge.

15 If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, he will praise it and add to it. The undisciplined man hears it, and it displeases him, so he throws it away behind his back. 16 The chatter of a fool is like a burden on a journey, but grace will be found on the lips of the wise. 17 The words of a prudent man will be sought in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart.

18 Wisdom to a fool is like a destroyed house. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense.⁠c 19 Instruction is like shackles on the feet of an unwise man, and like handcuffs on the right hand. 20 A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, but a clever man smiles quietly.⁠d 21 To a prudent man, instruction is like a gold ornament and like a bracelet on his right arm.⁠e

Courtesy and Careful Speech

22 The foot of a fool rushes into a house, but a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.⁠f 23 A foolish man peers into the door of a house, but a man who is instructed will stand outside. 24 It is rude for someone to listen at a door, but a prudent person will be distressed by the disgrace. 25 The lips of strangers will be distressed at these things, but the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.

26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of wise men is in their heart. 27 When the ungodly curses an adversary, he curses his own soul.⁠g 28 A gossip defiles his own soul, and will be hated wherever he travels.