1. The wisdom of humble peopleraises up their heads,and it will seat them among officials.
2. Don’t praise peoplefor their beautiful looks,and don’t despise peoplefor their appearance.
3. The bee is small among flying creatures,but its produce is the originof everything sweet.
4. Don’t take pride in the way you dress,and don’t promote yourselfwhen you are being honored,because the Lord’s worksare wonderful,and his works are hiddenfrom humans.
5. Many tyrants have sat on the ground,and one who was never expectedto rule has worn a crown.
6. Many rulers have beencompletely dishonored,and those once held in honorhave been handed over to others.
7. Don’t find fault before you investigate;consider first, and then reprimand.
8. Don’t answer before you listen,and don’t interrupt someonewho is speaking.
9. Don’t argue about somethingthat doesn’t matter to you,and don’t deliberate in a court casebetween sinners.
10. My child, don’t be busy with many things;if you multiply pursuits,you won’t be held guiltless.If you pursue them,you won’t overtake them,and when you flee, you won’t escape.
11. Some people work hard, struggle,and hurry—and end up even more deeply in need.
12. Others are sluggish and need support,lacking strengthand immersed in poverty.The Lord has looked upon themwith kindness,and has restored themfrom their low position.
13. He has raised up their heads,and many have been amazed at them.
14. Good things and bad, life and death,poverty and wealth come from the Lord.
17. The Lord’s gift remains with the godly,and his favor will always bring success.
18. Some become rich from diligenceand greed,and this is part of their reward:
19. When they say, "I’ve found rest,and now I’ll eat of my good things,"they don’t know when the timewill comewhen they will leave these thingsto others and die.
20. Stand by your agreement,devote attention to accomplishing it,and grow old in your work.
21. Don’t be amazed at the works of sinners,but trust in the Lordand continue your work,because it is easy in God’s sightto make the poor personquickly and suddenly rich.
22. The Lord’s blessing is partof the godly person’s wages,and God’s good pleasurecauses a person to flourish very quickly.
23. Don’t say, "What do I need?What good things will be minefrom now on?"
24. Don’t say, "I have enough.What harm can come upon mefrom now on?"
25. At a time of prosperity,adversity is forgotten,and at a time of adversity,prosperity is not remembered.
26. It is easy for the Lord to pay back peopleaccording to their waysin the hour of death.
27. An hour of miserymakes one forget luxury;the end of a person’s lifereveals his or her deeds.
28. Don’t call anyone happybefore their death;people are knownthrough their children.
29. Don’t bring just anyone into your house,because deceitful peopleset many ambushes.
30. The hearts of arrogant peopleare like decoy birds in a cage;and like spiesthey will observe your downfall.
31. They set up ambushesand turn good into bad;they place blameon praiseworthy actions.
32. From a fire’s spark come many coals,and sinful people plot and conniveto shed blood.
33. Beware of evildoers, for they planevil things, and they might bringlasting disgrace upon you.
34. If you allow strangers to live with you,they will twist you around in confusionand make you a strangerto your own family.