1 Every friend will say, “I too am your friend,” But sometimes a friend is a friend in name only .
2 Is it not a grief to the death When a companion and friend turns to hatred?
3 O evil reasoning! Why were you involved To cover the land with deceit?
4 A companion delights in the gladness of a friend, But in time of affliction, he will be against him.
5 A companion labors to help a friend for his stomach's sake, And in a time of battle he will take up the shield.
6 Do not forget a friend in your soul, And do not be unmindful of him with your wealth.
7 Every counselor extols his own counsel, And some offer advice in their own interest.
8 Protect yourself from a counselor And know beforehand what is his interest; For he will take thought for himself Lest he cast his vote against you
9 And say to you, “Your path is good.” Then he will stand aside to see what will happen to you.
10 Do not consult with a man who looks at you suspiciously, And hide your counsel from those who envy you.
11 Also, do not consult with a woman about her rival, Nor with a coward about battle, Nor with a merchant about exchange, Nor with a buyer about selling, Nor with a slanderer about gratitude, Nor with an unmerciful man about generosity, Nor with an idler about any work, Nor with a seasonal hired hand about completing his work, Nor with a lazy servant about a big job. Pay no attention to these in any counsel.
12 Instead, persevere with a godly man Who you know keeps the commandments, Whose soul accords with your soul And will share in your suffering if you fall.
13 Stand firm on the counsel of your heart, For no one is more faithful to you than it.
14 For a man's soul sometimes tells him more Than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower.
15 And in all matters, pray to the Most High That He may direct your way in truth.
16 A word is the beginning of every work, And counsel comes before every action.
17 Four types of things appear As a clue to a change of heart:
18 Good and evil, life and death; And it is the tongue that continually rules them.
19 There is an astute man who is a teacher of many, But is useless to his own soul.
20 A man who devises words craftily will be hated. This man will go hungry,
21 For grace was not given to him from the Lord, Because he is destitute of all wisdom.
22 There is a man wise in his own soul, And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy when he speaks.
23 A wise man will instruct his own people, And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy.
24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing, And all who see him will consider him blessed.
25 The life of a man is numbered by days, But the days of Israel are without number.
26 The wise man will inherit trust among his people, And his name will live forever.
27 My son, while you are still living, test your soul, And see what is bad for it, and do not give in to that.
28 For not everything is profitable for every one, And not every soul enjoys everything.
29 Do not be gluttonous for every dainty food, And do not give yourself over to food.
30 For overeating will bring sickness, And gluttony will lead to nausea.
31 Many have died because of gluttony, But the careful man will prolong his life.