7. Surely oppression makes a fool of the wise, and a bribe corrupts the heart.
8. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; better to be slow to anger than hot-headed.
9. Do not be quick in your spirit to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
10. Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.
11. Wisdom is good with an inheritance; it benefits the living.
12. For wisdom offers protection like money offers protection. But knowledge has an advantage—wisdom restores life to its possessor.
13. Consider the work of God. For who is able to make straight what he made crooked?
14. In the day of prosperity, rejoice! But in the day of adversity, consider! For God made one in place of another so that mortals cannot find out what will happen in the future.
15. I have seen all these things in my vain life: Sometimes a righteous man perishes in spite of his righteousness, and sometimes a wicked man lives a long life in spite of his evil.
16. Do not be excessively righteous, and do not act excessively wise, lest you destroy yourself.
17. Do not act excessively wicked, and do not be a fool, lest you die before your time.
18. It is good to take hold of the one and also must not let go of the other; for whoever fears God will hold both of them secure.
19. Wisdom gives more strength to the wise than ten rulers who are in the city.
20. Surely there is no one righteous on the earth who continually does good and never sins.
21. Do not pay attention to everything people say, lest you hear your own servant curse you.
22. For your heart knows that you also have cursed others many times.
23. All this I have tested with wisdom. I said, “I will be wise!” but it was beyond my grasp.
24. Whatever is—it is far beyond comprehension. Who can discover it?