18. Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].
19. Fret not because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked,
20. For there shall be no reward for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21. My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
22. For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?
23. These also are sayings of the wise: To discriminate and show partiality, having respect of persons in judging, is not good.
24. He who says to the wicked, You are righteous and innocent–peoples will curse him, nations will defy and abhor him.
25. But to those [upright judges] who rebuke the wicked, it will go well with them and they will find delight, and a good blessing will be upon them.
26. He kisses the lips [and wins the hearts of men] who give a right answer.
27. [Put first things first.] Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home.
28. Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and deceive not with your lips. [Eph. 4:25.]
29. Say not, I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for his deed. [Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:39, 44; Rom. 12:17, 19.]
30. I went by the field of the lazy man, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31. And, behold, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles were covering its face, and its stone wall was broken down.
32. Then I beheld and considered it well; I looked and received instruction.
33. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep–
34. So shall your poverty come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.