1 Don’t become an enemyinstead of a friend.If you get a bad name, you will also inherit shame and reproach,as is the case with thedeceitful sinner.
2 Don’t be enamoredof your own intelligencelest your strength be taken captivelike a bull.
3 You will devour your leaves,destroy your fruit,and leave yourself like a withered tree.
4 If you have a bad soul, it will destroy you;it will make you a joke to your enemies.
5 Pleasant speech gains more friends for itself,and a sweet-speaking tonguewill multiply pleasant exchanges.Let those who are at peace with yoube many,but let only one in a thousandbe your advisor.
7 If you make friends, test them thoroughlyand don’t trust them quickly.
8 Some are friends when it is convenient,but they won’t stay aroundduring hard times.
9 There are friends who turn into enemies,and they will revealyour disgraceful arguments.
10 There are friends who are companionsat your table,but they won’t stay during hard times.
11 They will act as if your belongingsare theirs,and they will be boldtoward your household slaves.
12 If you are brought low,they will be against you,and they will abandon you.
13 Stay away from your enemies,and be careful with your friends.
14 Trustworthy friends are a strong shelter;whoever finds onehas found a treasure.
15 Trustworthy friends have no price,and no one can estimate their worth.
16 Trustworthy friends are life’s medicine,and those who fear the Lordwill find them.
17 Those who fear the Lordwill direct their friendships well,because they will associate with peopleof like mind.
18 My child, from your youthwelcome education, and you will continue to discover Wisdomuntil you are gray-haired.
19 Approach her like one who plowsand one who sows,and wait for her good fruits.When cultivating her,you will labor a little,but you will eat her produce soon.
20 Wisdom is rugged terrainto the uneducated,and the faintheartedwon’t persevere with her.
21 She will be like a heavy stonethat tests them,and they won’t hesitateto throw her aside.
22 Wisdom is like her name,and she won’t be visible to many.
23 Listen, my child,and welcome my opinion.Don’t reject my advice.
24 Put your feet into her shacklesand your neck into her collar.
25 Bend your shoulder down and carry her,and don’t chafe at her bonds.
26 Come to her with your whole being,and keep to her wayswith all your strength.
27 Track her down and seek her,and she will become known to you.When you get possession of her,don’t let her go.
28 In the end, you will find rest in her,and she will turn to youand make you happy.
29 Her shackles will bea strong shelter for you,and her collar will be a glorious robe.
30 She bearsa gold ornament,and her bondswill be like blue embroidery.
31 You will wear her like a glorious robe,and you will put her onlike a crown of joy.
32 If you want, my child,you will be instructed,and if you devote your whole being,you will be intelligent.
33 If you love to listen, you will receive,and if you pay attention,you will be wise.
34 Keep company with the elders,and stick closely to their wisdom.
35 Desire to listento every godly conversation,and don’t let intelligent proverbs escape you.
36 If you find individuals who are intelligent,get up before dawn to see those people,and let your footwear out their doorsteps.
37 Think about the Lord’s decrees,and meditate constantlyon his commandments.He will make your heart steadfast,and will grant your desire for wisdom.