8. Guard yourself against counselors,and know beforehandwhere their interest lies,since they too,will give advice for their own benefitand might cast the lot against you.
9. They might say to you, "Your way is good,"but they will stand asideto see what will happen to you.
10. Don’t consult with peoplewho view you with suspicion;hide your plans from thosewho are jealous of you.
11. Don’t consult with a womanabout her rival,or with the cowardly about war;or with a merchant about business,or with a buyer about a sale;or with a slanderer about gratitude,or with the unmerciful about kindness;or with the idle about anythinginvolving work,or with an annual laborer aboutfinishing a job;or with a lazy household slaveabout a large task.Don’t look to these personsfor any advice.
12. Consult instead with a godly personwhom you knowkeeps the commandments,who thinks the same way you doand will empathize with you if you fail.
13. Listen carefully to whatyour own heart tells you,since nothing is more faithfulto you than it.
14. At times a person’s intuitionkeeps them informedbetter than seven sentriessitting high up on a lookout.
15. But above everything else,pray to the Most High,so that he may make your path straightin truth.
16. Speech is the beginning of every deed,and planning comes beforeevery action.
17. The key to change is the heart;