5. Don’t justify yourselfin the Lord’s presence,and don’t make a show of your wisdomwith a king.
6. Don’t aspire to become a judge;you might not be strong enoughto get rid of injustice.Perhaps you will be too cautiousin the presence of a powerful personand bring a scandal on your good name.
7. Don’t sin against a city’s inhabitants,and don’t bring yourself downin their estimation.
8. Don’t repeat a sin,for you won’t be innocenteven of committing it the first time.
9. Don’t say,"He will look at the heap of my gifts,and when I make an offeringto the Most High, he will accept it."
10. Don’t be timid in your prayer,and don’t neglect caring for those in need.
11. Don’t mock a personwho is bitter in spirit;for there’s one who humblesand who exalts.
12. Don’t cultivate a lie against your relativeor do the same thing to a friend.
13. Don’t desire to tell a lie;continuing in a lie results in no good.
14. Don’t babble when the eldersare assembled,and don’t repeat yourself when praying.
15. Don’t hate hard work and farming,which were created by the Most High.
16. Don’t count yourselfamong a group of sinners;remember that God’s anger won’t delay.
17. Humble your whole beingas much as possible,because fire and wormsare the punishment of the ungodly.
18. Don’t trade a friend for cashor a genuine friend for the gold of Ophir.
19. Don’t neglect a wise and good wife,for her grace is worth more than gold.
20. Don’t abuse household slaveswho work hardor laborers who devote themselvesto their work.