1Have you sinned, my son? Do not do it again and beg forgiveness for your past sins.
2Escape from sin as you would from a snake; if you go near, it will bite you. Its teeth are like those of a lion and destroy human lives.
3All evil is like a double-edged sword which inflicts wounds past remedy.
4Violence and pride bring down the rich; the arrogant man’s house will be brought low.
5The poor man’s prayer reaches the ears of the Lord and his judgment will not delay.
6Whoever hates correction goes the way of sinners; he who fears the Lord turns to him in his heart.
7The chatterer is known everywhere, but the discreet man recognizes his weakness.
8Building a house with borrowed money is like collecting stones for your own tomb.
9The meeting of sinners is like a pile of rope which will go up in fire and flames.
10The path of sinners is well paved but it ends in the fiery abyss.
11He who keeps the Law is in control of his thoughts; the fear of the Lord brings wisdom.
12The man who is not clever will never be taught; but there is a cleverness which leads to bitterness.
13The wise man’s knowledge spreads out like a flood and his advice is like a spring.
14The fool’s heart is like a broken glass which cannot hold any teaching.
15If an educated man hears a wise saying he values it and adds another. If the good-for-nothing hears it he is annoyed and tosses it over his shoulder.
16The fool’s talk weighs like a load while the wise man’s words give rest.
17The assembly awaits the wise man’s words; each one takes to heart whatever he says.
18The fool’s wisdom is like a house in ruins, the knowledge of the fool amounts to nonsense.
The stupid and foolish
19As far as the fool is concerned, instruction is no more than handcuffs and fetters. 20The idiot laughs aloud while the intelligent man merely smiles quietly.
21Instruction is like a golden ornament to the shrewd man, like a bracelet on his right arm.
22The fool steps inside the house immediately, the experienced man would not be so bold. 23The fool looks in through the door, the polite man remains outside. 24Listening outside doors reveals a bad upbringing, the upright man would be ashamed of doing so.
25Strangers speak thoughtlessly of everything, while wise men’s words are carefully weighed. 26The heart of fools is in their mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27When the godless man curses his opponent, the curse descends on himself. 28The slanderer taints himself and makes himself hated by all around him.
