2For their hearts devise evil and their lips talk of iniquity.

3Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established;

4And by knowledge the inner chambers are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

5A wise man is better than a strong man; yea, a man of knowledge than a mighty man.

6For by provocation is war waged; and in a multitude of counsels there is salvation.

7Wisdom crushes a fool; he opens not his mouth in the gate.

8He who devises to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

9The thought of a fool is sin; and an abomination of men is evil.

10The wicked shall be driven away by evil in the day of affliction.

11Deliver those who are led away to death, and spare not to redeem those who are held to be slain.

12If you say, Behold, I did not know it, then know that it is God who searches the thought of the heart; and he who keeps your soul knows it, and shall render to every man according to his works.

13My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb, which is sweet to your taste.

14Thus shall wisdom find your soul; and you will have good prospects, and your hope shall not be cut off.

15Do not devise plots of iniquity in the dwelling of the righteous; do not spoil his resting place;

16For a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again; but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he is overthrown,

18Lest the LORD see it and it displease him and he turn away his anger from him.

19Do not envy evildoers nor be jealous of the wicked;

20For there shall be no future for evil men, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

21My son, fear the LORD and give good counsel; and meddle not with the fools;

22For their calamity shall come suddenly; and who knows the end of their years?

23These things I say to the wise: It is not good to show partiality in judgment,

24Nor to say to a wicked man, You are righteous; him shall the people curse, and nations shall abhor him.

25But to those who rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.

26The people shall kiss the lips of those who give admonition.

27Prepare your work out of doors, and make it ready in the field; and afterwards build your house.

28Be not a false witness against your neighbor; and do not deceive him with your lips.

29Say not, I will do so to him as he has done to me; I will render to him according to his works.

30I passed by the field of a sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding,

31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.

32Then I looked upon it, and considered it well, and I received instruction:

33Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands upon your chest;

34So shall poverty come upon you, and want shall overtake you suddenly like a runner.