3. If people don’t remain mindfulof the respect due the Lord,their houses will be quickly overthrown.
4. When a sieve is shaken,rubbish remains behind;so in the process of reasoning,a person’s flaws appear.
5. A kiln tests a potter’s jars,and decision making tests a person.
6. A tree’s fruit revealshow well it has been cultivated.In the same way, reasoning makes plaina person’s thoughts.
7. Don’t praise peopleuntil after they present an argument,for this is how people are tested.
8. If you pursue what’s just,you will possess itand wear it like a glorious robe.
9. Birds will nest with their own kind,and truth comes backto those who practice it.
10. A lion lies in wait for preyjust as sin lies in waitfor those who practice injustice.
11. The godly always speak wisdom,but the fool changes like the moon.
12. Limit the time you spendwith unintelligent people,but linger with the thoughtful.
13. The conversation of fools is offensive,as is their laughterover sinful pleasures.
14. Their speech, full of profanity,makes a person’s hair stand on end,and their conflicts make peoplestop up their ears.
15. The conflict of the arrogantends in bloodshed,and their abuse is miserable to hear.
16. Those who reveal secretshave destroyed trust,and they will never find a friendfor themselves.
17. Show affection to friendsand be loyal to them,but if you reveal their secrets,don’t follow after them.
18. Just as people destroy an enemy,so you have destroyed your friendshipwith your neighbors.
19. And as you set a bird free from your hand,so too you have let your neighbors go,and you won’t catch them.
20. Don’t pursue them,because they have withdrawnfar away from you,and they have escapedlike a gazelle from a trap.
21. In the same way that it’s possibleto bandage a wound,there’s also reconciliation for insult,but the one who has let a friend’s secrets slip out has no hope.