1 Do not be an enemy instead of a friend; For a bad name brings shame and disgrace, And a double-tongued sinner is of such a kind.
2 Do not exalt yourself with your own counsel, Lest your soul be torn in pieces as by a bull.
3 You will devour your leaves and lose your fruit, And be left like a withered tree.
4 An evil soul will destroy him who possesses it And make him an object of malignant joy to his enemies.
5 Pleasant speech will multiply his friends, And a gracious tongue will multiply many kind greetings.
6 Let those who live at peace with you be many, But let your counselors be one in a thousand.
7 If you gain a friend, gain him in testing, And do not be in a hurry to trust him.
8 For there is a friend who is such to his own advantage, But he will not remain beside you in the day of your affliction.
9 There is also a friend who changes into an enemy And will reveal a quarrel to your disgrace.
10 Again, there is a friend who is a companion at table, But will not stand by you in your day of trouble.
11 Further, when you prosper, he will be like you And speak boldly to your servants;
12 But if you are brought low, he will be against you, And will hide himself from your presence.
13 Stay away from your enemies And hold onto your friends.
14 A faithful friend is a strong shelter, And he who finds one finds a treasure.
15 There is nothing that can take the place of a faithful friend, And there is no way to measure his worth.
16 A faithful friend is a medicine of life, And those who fear the Lord will find him.
17 He who fears the Lord guides his friendship rightly, Because as he is, so also is his neighbor.
18 My son, from y our y outh up, choose instruction, And you will find wisdom also into old age.
19 Come to her as one who plows and sows, And wait expectantly for her good fruits; For in her work you will labor a little while, Then you will quickly eat of her fruit.
20 She is very harsh on the undisciplined And on the one w ho lacks the heart to continue with her.
21 She will be like a heavy stone of trial upon him, And he will not delay to throw her off.
22 For wisdom is like her name and is not manifest to many .
23 Listen, my son, and accept my judgment, And do not reject my advice.
24 Put your feet into her fetters and y our neck into her collar.
25 Put y our shoulder under her and carry her, And do not be angry with her bonds.
26 Come to her with all your soul, And keep her way s with all your strength.
27 Search for her and seek her out, And she will become known to you; And when you become self-controlled, do not let her go.
28 For in the end you will find her rest, And she will turn to you in gladness.
29 Then her fetters will be as a strong protection for you, And her collar a glorious robe.
30 For there is a golden adornment upon her, And her bonds are a blue thread.
31 You will wear her as a glorious robe And put her on yourself as a crown of exceeding joy.
32 If you are willing, my son, you will be taught, And if you apply yourself, you will be prudent.
33 If you love to listen, you will wait with anticipation, And if you incline your ear, you will be wise.
34 Stand in an assembly of elders, And who is wise? Attach yourself to him .
35 Desire to listen to every divine narrative, And do not let proverbs of understanding escape you.
36 If you see a man who has understanding, Rise early in the morning And let your foot wear out the threshold of his door.
37 Set your mind on the ordinances of the Lord And practice His commandments. He will strengthen your heart continually, And the desire for wisdom will be given to you.