19
1 A workman who is a drunkard will not become rich.
He who despises small things will fall little by little.
2 Wine and women will make men of understanding fall away.
And he who joins with prostitutes will be more reckless.
3 Moths and worms will have him as their heritage.
A reckless soul will be taken away.
4 He who is hasty to trust is shallow-hearted.
He who sins will offend against his own soul.
5 He who makes merry in his heart will be condemned:* The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
6 † The preceding part of this verse is omitted by the best authorities. He who hates talk has less wickedness.
7 Never repeat what is told you,
and you won’t be lacking.
8 Whether it is of friend or foe, don’t tell it.
Unless it is a sin to you, don’t reveal it.
9 For he has heard you and observed you,
and when the time comes, he will hate you.
10 Have you heard a word? Let it die with you.
Be of good courage: it will not burst you.
11 A fool will travail in pain with a word,
as a woman in labor with a child.
12 As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh,
so is a word in a fool’s belly.
13 Reprove a friend; it may be he didn’t do it.
If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more.
14 Reprove your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it.
If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again.
15 Reprove a friend; for many times there is slander.
Don’t trust every word.
16 There is one who slips, and not from the heart.
Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?
17 Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him;
and give place to the law of the Most High. 18-19 ‡ Verses 18 and 19 are omitted by the best authorities.
20 All wisdom is the fear of the Lord.
In all wisdom is the doing of the law. 21 § The remainder of verse 20, and verse 21, are omitted by the best authorities.
22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom.
The prudence of sinners is not counsel.
23 There is a wickedness, and it is abomination.
There is a fool lacking in wisdom.
24 Better is one who has small understanding, and fears,
than one who has much prudence, and transgresses the law.
25 There is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust.
And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgement.* The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
26 There is one who does wickedly, who hangs down his head with mourning;
but inwardly he is full of deceit,
27 bowing down his face, and making as if he were deaf of one ear.
Where he isn’t known, he will be beforehand with you.
28 And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning,
if he find opportunity, he will do mischief.
29 A man will be known by his look,
One who has understanding will be known by his face, when you meet him.
30 A man’s attire, grinning laughter,
and gait show what he is.
*19:5 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
†19:6 The preceding part of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.
‡19:18-19 Verses 18 and 19 are omitted by the best authorities.
§19:21 The remainder of verse 20, and verse 21, are omitted by the best authorities.
*19:25 The remainder of this verse is omitted by the best authorities.