2. A wise man will not hate the law; But he that is a hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
3. A man of understanding will put his trust in the law; And the law is faithful to him, as when one asks at the oracle.
4. Prepare your speech, and so shall you be heard; Bind up instruction, and make your answer.
5. The heart of a fool is as a cartwheel; And his thoughts like a rolling axle tree.
6. A stallion horse is as a mocking friend; He neighs under every one that sits upon him.
7. Why does one day excel another, When all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
8. By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished; And he varied seasons and feasts:
9. Some of them he exalted and hallowed, And some of them has he made ordinary days.
10. And all men are from the ground, And Adam was created of earth.
11. In the abundance of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them, And made their ways various:
12. Some of them he blessed and exalted, And some of them he hallowed and brought near to himself: Some of them he cursed and brought low, And overthrew them from their place.
13. As the clay of the potter in his hand, All his ways are according to his good pleasure; So men are in the hand of him that made them, To render to them according to his judgement.
14. Good is set over against evil, And life over against death: So is the sinner over against the godly.
15. And thus look upon all the works of the Most High; Two and two, one against another.
16. And I waked up last, As one that gleans after the grape gatherers: By the blessing of the Lord I got before them, And filled my winepress as one that gathers grapes.
17. Consider that I laboured not for myself alone, But for all them that seek instruction.
18. Hear me, you⌃ great men of the people, And hearken with your ears, you⌃ rulers of the congregation.
19. To son and wife, to brother and friend, Give not power over you while you live; And give not your goods to another, Lest you repent and make supplication for them again.
20. Whilst you yet live, and breath is in you, Give not yourself over to anybody.
21. For better it is that your children should supplicate you, Than that you should look to the hand of your sons.