1My son, do not deny the poor his food and do not make the man who looks at you with pleading eyes wait.
2Do not sadden the hungry person nor annoy anyone who is in need. 3Do not exasperate an angry man nor withhold alms from the beggar.
4Do not drive away the beggar who is weighed down with afflictions, nor turn away your face from the poor; 5do not snub the needy nor give anyone a reason to curse you.
6If someone curses you in the bitterness of his heart, the Creator will hear his prayer.
7Make yourself acceptable to the community; bow your head before the one in authority.
8Listen to the poor man and reply to him with kind words and with peace. 9Deliver the oppressed from the hands of the oppressor. Do not be weak when you administer justice. 10Be like a father towards orphans and like a husband towards their mothers. Then you will be like a son of the Most High and he will love you more than your own mother.
11Wisdom brings up her children and takes care of those who look for her. 12Whoever loves her loves life. Those who rise early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy.
13Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes blessings will follow. 14Those who serve her are ministers of the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord. 15He who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will rest in safety.
16Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after him will inherit her.
17For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, causing him to fear and be terrified; she will plague him with her discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the test by her demands.
18Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him.
19But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and allow him to be lost.
20In every situation weigh the pros and cons and avoid evil. A wrong kind of shame could harm you. 21There is a shame which leads to sin and there is a shame which merits praise and respect. 22Do not act against your better self to win favor from others. Do not let this kind of shame lead you into sin.
23Do not remain silent when it is necessary to speak. Do not, through pride, hide your wisdom. 24It is in speech that wisdom is recognized and learning in the spoken discourse.
25Do not contradict the truth; rather confess your lack of knowledge.
26Have no shame in confessing your sins, do not swim against the tide.
27Do not cringe before a fool; do not be influenced by the powerful.
28Fight for the truth till death and the Lord will fight for you.
29Do not be daring in your speech, but lazy and negligent in works.
30Do not be like a lion in your household, finding fault with your servants and oppressing those under you.
31Do not open your hand to receive and keep it closed when you should give.
