1. Do not be envious of evil men,Nor desire to be with them;
2. For their heart devises violence,And their lips talk of troublemaking.
3. Through wisdom a house is built,And by understanding it is established;
4. By knowledge the rooms are filledWith all precious and pleasant riches.
5. A wise man is strong,Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength;
6. For by wise counsel you will wage your own war,And in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
7. Wisdom is too lofty for a fool;He does not open his mouth in the gate.
8. He who plots to do evilWill be called a schemer.
9. The devising of foolishness is sin,And the scoffer is an abomination to men.
10. If you faint in the day of adversity,Your strength is small.
11. Deliver those who are drawn toward death,And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
12. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?