2. Who will apply the lash to my thoughts,and to my mind the rod of discipline,That my failings may not be sparedor the sins of my heart overlooked?
3. Otherwise my failings may increase,and my sins be multiplied;And I fall before my adversaries,and my enemy rejoice over me?
4. Lord, Father and God of my life,do not give me haughty eyes;
5. remove evil desire from my heart.
6. Let neither gluttony nor lust overcome me;do not give me up to shameless desires.
7. Listen, my children, to instruction concerning the mouth,for whoever keeps it will not be ensnared.
8. Through the lips the sinner is caught;by them the reviler and the arrogant are tripped up.
9. Do not accustom your mouth to oaths,or habitually utter the Holy Name.
10. Just as a servant constantly under scrutinywill not be without bruises,So one who swears continually by the Holy Namewill never remain free from sin.
11. Those who swear many oaths heap up offenses;and the scourge will never be far from their houses.If they swear in error, guilt is incurred;if they neglect their obligation, the sin is doubly great.If they swear without reason they cannot be declared innocent,for their households will be filled with calamities.
12. There are words comparable to death;may they never be heard in the inheritance of Jacob.To the devout all such words are foreign;they do not wallow in sin.
13. Do not accustom your mouth to coarse talk,for it involves sinful speech.
14. Keep your father and mother in mindwhen you sit among the mighty,Lest you forget yourself in their presenceand disgrace your upbringing.Then you will wish you had never been bornand will curse the day of your birth.
15. Those accustomed to using abusive languagewill never acquire discipline as long as they live.
16. Two types of people multiply sins,and a third draws down wrath:Burning passion is like a blazing fire,not to be quenched till it burns itself out;One unchaste with his kindrednever stops until fire breaks forth.
17. To the unchaste all bread is sweet;he is never through till he dies.
18. The man who dishonors his marriage bedsays to himself, “Who can see me?Darkness surrounds me, walls hide me,no one sees me. Who can stop me from sinning?”He is not mindful of the Most High,