1 Do not contend with the powerful, or you may fall into their hands.2Do not quarrel with the rich, in case their resources outweigh yours; for gold has ruined many, and has perverted the minds of kings.3Do not argue with the loud of mouth, and do not heap wood on their fire.4Do not make fun of one who is ill-bred, or your ancestors may be insulted.5Do not reproach one who is turning away from sin; remember that we all deserve punishment.6Do not disdain one who is old, for some of us are also growing old.7Do not rejoice over anyone's death; remember that we must all die.8Do not slight the discourse of the sages, but busy yourself with their maxims; because from them you will learn discipline and how to serve princes.9Do not ignore the discourse of the aged, for they themselves learned from their parents; from them you learn how to understand and to give an answer when the need arises.10Do not kindle the coals of sinners, or you may be burned in their flaming fire.11Do not let the insolent bring you to your feet, or they may lie in ambush against your words.12Do not lend to one who is stronger than you; but if you do lend anything, count it as a loss.13Do not give surety beyond your means; but if you give surety, be prepared to pay.14Do not go to law against a judge, for the decision will favor him because of his standing.15Do not go traveling with the reckless, or they will be burdensome to you; for they will act as they please, and through their folly you will perish with them.16Do not pick a fight with the quick-tempered, and do not journey with them through lonely country, because bloodshed means nothing to them, and where no help is at hand, they will strike you down.17Do not consult with fools, for they cannot keep a secret.18In the presence of strangers do nothing that is to be kept secret, for you do not know what they will divulge.19Do not reveal your thoughts to anyone, or you may drive away your happiness.1 Do not be jealous of the wife of your bosom, or you will teach her an evil lesson to your own hurt.2Do not give yourself to a woman and let her trample down your strength.3Do not go near a loose woman, or you will fall into her snares.4Do not dally with a singing girl, or you will be caught by her tricks.5Do not look intently at a virgin, or you may stumble and incur penalties for her.6Do not give yourself to prostitutes, or you may lose your inheritance.7Do not look around in the streets of a city, or wander about in its deserted sections.8Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman, and do not gaze at beauty belonging to another; many have been seduced by a woman's beauty, and by it passion is kindled like a fire.9Never dine with another man's wife, or revel with her at wine; or your heart may turn aside to her, and in blood you may be plunged into destruction.10 Do not abandon old friends, for new ones cannot equal them. A new friend is like new wine; when it has aged, you can drink it with pleasure.11Do not envy the success of sinners, for you do not know what their end will be like.12Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly; remember that they will not be held guiltless all their lives.13Keep far from those who have power to kill, and you will not be haunted by the fear of death. But if you approach them, make no misstep, or they may rob you of your life. Know that you are stepping among snares, and that you are walking on the city battlements.14As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors, and consult with the wise.15Let your conversation be with intelligent people, and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High.16Let the righteous be your dinner companions, and let your glory be in the fear of the Lord.17 A work is praised for the skill of the artisan; so a people's leader is proved wise by his words.18The loud of mouth are feared in their city, and the one who is reckless in speech is hated.1A wise magistrate educates his people, and the rule of an intelligent person is well ordered.