1Every friend will say, “I am a friend too,” but some are friends in name only.
2Is it not a judgment to the point of death when a companion, dear as your own soul, turns into an enemy?
3O evil inclination, why were you created to fill the face of the earth with deceit?
4A bad friend looks to the table, but in a time of distress, he stands at a distance.
5A good friend fights against an enemy, and against foes he takes up a shield.
6Do not forget a friend in battle, and do not forsake him when you take your plunder.
7Every counselor offers advice, but some give counsel for their own benefit.
8Guard yourself from a counselor, and find out his needs beforehand, for he will also counsel for his own interest, lest he cast a lot against you.
9He will say to you, “Your way is good,” then stand aside to watch your downfall.
10Do not take counsel with one who is suspicious of you, and hide your plan from those who are jealous of you.
11Do not take counsel with a woman about her rival, a coward about war, a merchant about trade, a buyer about a sale, an envious man about gratitude, a merciless man about kindness, a lazy person about any work, a hired hand about finishing a task, or an idle servant about a big job; do not rely on these for any advice.
12But associate with a man who is always God-fearing, whom you know keeps the commandments; one whose heart is like your own, who will feel your pain if you stumble.
13And trust the counsel of your own heart, for what is more faithful to you than it?
14For a person’s heart can report what is to come better than seven watchmen sitting high on a lookout.
15And with all these, pray to the Most High, that he may establish your steps in truth.
16A word is the beginning of every deed, and a thought is the beginning of every action.
17The root of counsels is the heart, from which four branches sprout:
18good and evil, life and death; and the tongue rules over them all.
19There is one who is wise for many, but for his own soul he is a fool.
20There is one who is wise in his speech but is hated, and he will be deprived of all pleasant food.
21For grace was not given to him from the Lord, because he is destitute of all wisdom.
22There is one who is wise for himself, and the fruit of his knowledge is upon his own person.
23There is one who is wise for his people, and the fruit of his knowledge is in their very being.
24A wise man will be filled with blessing, and all who see him will call him blessed.
25A man’s life is a numbered span of days, but the days of Israel are without number.
26One who is wise for his people will inherit honor, and his name will endure for eternal life.
27My son, test your soul during your life; see what is bad for it, and do not give in to it.
28For not everything is good for everyone, and not every soul chooses every kind of thing.
29Do not be greedy for every pleasure, and do not lavish yourself on all kinds of delicacies.
30For in much pleasure sickness makes its nest, and overindulgence leads to nausea.
31Without discipline many have perished, but the one who is on guard adds to his life.
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