11. Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;save them as they stagger to their death.
12. Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.He who guards your soul knows you knew.He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
13. My child, eat honey, for it is good,and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.If you find it, you will have a bright future,and your hopes will not be cut short.
15. Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,and don’t raid the house where the godly live.
16. The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
17. Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;don’t be happy when they stumble.
18. For the lord will be displeased with youand will turn his anger away from them.
19. Don’t fret because of evildoers;don’t envy the wicked.
20. For evil people have no future;the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21. My child, fear the lord and the king.Don’t associate with rebels,
22. for disaster will hit them suddenly.Who knows what punishment will comefrom the lord and the king?
23. Here are some further sayings of the wise:It is wrong to show favoritism when passing judgment.
24. A judge who says to the wicked, “You are innocent,”will be cursed by many people and denounced by the nations.
25. But it will go well for those who convict the guilty;rich blessings will be showered on them.
26. An honest answeris like a kiss of friendship.
27. Do your planning and prepare your fieldsbefore building your house.
28. Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause;don’t lie about them.
29. And don’t say, “Now I can pay them back for what they’ve done to me!I’ll get even with them!”
30. I walked by the field of a lazy person,the vineyard of one with no common sense.