1 Don’t be preoccupied with your money,and don’t say, "I’m self-sufficient."
2 Don’t follow your inclinationor your strength,in order to walk in the desiresof your heart.
3 And don’t say,"Who’ll have power over me?"When the Lord punishes,he will punish.
4 Don’t say, "Sure, I sinned,but what happened to me?"The Lord is patient indeed.
5 Don’t be too confidentof being forgiven,adding sin upon sin.
6 Don’t say, "His compassion is great;he will forgive the whole heapof my sins."Mercy and wrath are with him,and his anger will rest on sinners.
7 Don’t wait to turn back to the Lord.Don’t put it off day after day,because the Lord’s wrathwill come forth suddenly;when the time for punishment comes, you will be destroyed.
8 Don’t be preoccupiedwith ill-gotten gains;it will be of no benefitwhen you are in trouble.
9 Don’t be blown about by every wind,and don’t take every shortcut.This is how the devious sinner acts.
10 Be firmly groundedin your understanding,and let your speech be consistent.
11 Listen carefully,and utter a patient reply.
12 If you have understanding,answer your neighbor,but if you don’t,clap your hand over your mouth.
13 Speaking brings glory or dishonor.Indeed, the tonguecan be a person’s downfall.
14 Don’t get a reputationfor being a slanderer,and don’t set traps for peoplewith your speech,because shame comes to the thief,and terrible blamecomes upon the deceitful.
15 Don’t be ignorant in matterslarge or small.