12. He saw and knew that their endwas terrible;therefore, his willingness to be reconciled increased.
13. Neighbors display mercytoward each other,but the mercy of the Lord is for all beings:he corrects, instructs, teaches,and turns them back,as a shepherd does his flock.
14. He shows mercy to thosewho accept disciplineand to those who passionately pursuehis judgments.
15. My child, let the good you dobe without blemish,and don’t give harsh wordsalong with your gifts.
16. Doesn’t dew put an endto scorching heat?So a word is better than a gift.
17. Look! Doesn’t a word exceed a good gift?And both come from a personwho is gracious.
18. A fool reproaches ungraciously,and a gift from a begrudging giverbecomes an eyesore.
19. Learn before you speak,and attend to yourselfbefore you get sick.
20. Examine yourself before judgment,and you will be reconciledwhen you are examined.
21. Humble yourself before you get sick,and when you commit sinsshow a changed heart and mind.
22. Don’t be prevented from repayinga solemn promise in a timely way,and don’t wait until deathto be vindicated.
23. Prepare yourself before makinga solemn promise,and don’t be like someonewho tests the Lord.
24. Be mindful of his wrath in times of deathand in times of vengeancewhen he turns his face away.
25. Remember a time of hungerin a time of plenty,a time of poverty and wantin times of wealth.
26. From morning until eveningopportune times change,and all things are fleetingin the Lord’s presence.
27. Wise people exercise cautionin everything,and in times of sinthey will take heed against error.
28. All intelligent peoplehave recognized Wisdom,and they will acknowledgeanyone who finds her.
29. Those who are intelligent with wordshave become wise themselves,and they have poured forthfitting proverbs.
30. Don’t go after your desires,and restrain yourselffrom your appetites.