Proverbs

¹²A prudent man sees the evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished [with suffering]. ¹³[The judge tells the creditor] Take the garment of one who is security for a stranger; and hold him in pledge when he is security for foreigners. [Prov. 20:16.] ¹⁴The flatterer who loudly praises and glorifies his neighbor, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted as cursing him [for he will be suspected of sinister purposes]. ¹⁵A continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike; [Prov. 19:13.] ¹⁶Whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind–his right hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers]. ¹⁷Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]. ¹⁸Whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored. [I Cor. 9:7, 13.]