11. "Your own way is good." But then he will stand at a distance to see what befalls you.
12. Do not discuss holiness with an irreligious man, nor justice with one who is unjust. You should not speak with a woman about her who is a rival, nor with a coward about war, nor with a merchant about exaggeration, nor with a buyer about selling, nor with a spiteful man about giving thanks,
13. nor with the impious about piety, nor with the dishonest about honesty, nor with the field worker about other kinds of work,
14. nor with a worker hired for a year about the end of the year, nor with a lazy servant about great works. You should pay no heed to these persons in any matter of counsel.
15. But be continually with a holy man, with anyone whom you know to observe the fear of God,
16. whose soul is in agreement with your own soul, and who, when you falter in the dark, will share your sorrows.
17. And establish a heart of good counsel within yourself. For there is nothing of greater usefulness to you than this.
18. At any time, the soul of a holy man declares more truths than seven vigilant watchmen sitting in a high place.
19. But concerning all things, pray to the Most High, so that he may direct your way in truth.
20. In all your works, let a true word precede you, with steadfast counsel before every deed.
21. A wicked word can change the heart. From the heart four kinds of things arise: good and evil, life and death. And the tongue is continually their ruler. There is a man who is an astute teacher of many, and yet this is useless to his own soul.
22. A man of experience has taught many, and this is pleasant to his own soul.
23. Whoever speaks mere rhetoric is hateful; he will be deceived in every matter.
24. Grace is not given to him from the Lord. For he has been deprived of all wisdom.
25. There is a wise man who is wise within his own soul, and the fruit of his understanding is praiseworthy.
26. A wise man instructs his own people, and the fruit of his understanding is faithful.
27. A wise man will be filled with blessings, and those who see will praise him.