Friendship and Loyalty

1 Every friend will say, “I am also his friend,” but there is a friend who is only a friend in name. 2 Isn’t it grief close to death when a companion and friend becomes an enemy?⁠a 3 Wicked imagination, why were you formed to cover the dry land with deceit? 4 There is a companion who shares a friend’s gladness, but in time of distress will be against him.⁠b 5 There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, yet in the face of battle will carry his shield. 6 Don’t forget a friend in your soul. Don’t neglect him in your riches.

Choosing Counselors

7 Every counselor praises advice, but some give advice in their own interest. 8 Let your soul beware of a counselor, and know in advance what his interest is, for he will take advice for himself, in case he casts the lot against you, 9 and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you. 10 Don’t consult with one who looks sideways at you. Hide your advice from those who are jealous of you. 11 Don’t consult with a woman about her rival, with a coward about war, with a merchant about business, with a buyer about selling, with an envious man about thankfulness, with an unmerciful man about kindness, with a lazy man about any kind of work, with a hired worker in your house about finishing his work, or with an idle servant about much business. Pay no attention to these in any matter of advice. 12 But rather be continually with a godly man, whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, who in his soul is like your own soul, and who will grieve with you, if you fail. 13 Stand by the advice of your heart, for there is no one more faithful to you than it. 14 For a man’s soul can sometimes inform him better than seven watchmen who sit on high on a watchtower. 15 Above all this ask the Most High that he may direct your way in truth.

Wisdom in Speech and Life

16 Let reason be the beginning of every work. Let advice precede every action. 17 As a sign of the changing of the heart, 18 four kinds of things rise: good and evil, life and death. That which rules over them continually is the tongue.⁠c 19 There is one who is clever and the instructor of many, and yet does not benefit his own soul. 20 There is one who is subtle in words, and is hated. He will be left without any food. 21 For grace was not given to him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom. 22 There is one who is wise to his own soul, and the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth. 23 A wise man will instruct his own people. The fruits of his understanding are trustworthy. 24 A wise man will be filled with blessing. All those who see him will call him happy. 25 The life of a man is counted by days. The days of Israel are innumerable. 26 The wise man will inherit confidence among his people. His name will live forever.

Moderation in Eating

27 My son, test your soul in your life. See what is evil for it, and don’t give in to it.⁠d 28 For not all things are beneficial for all men. Not every soul has pleasure in everything. 29 Don’t be insatiable in any luxury. Don’t be greedy in the things that you eat. 30 For overeating brings disease, and gluttony causes nausea. 31 Because of gluttony, many have died, but he who is careful will live longer.