1. Many have sinned for a thing indifferent; And he that seeks to multiply gain will turn his eye away.
2. A nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones; And sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling.
3. Unless a man hold on diligently in the fear of the Lord, His house shall soon be overthrown.
4. In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains; So the filth of man in his reasoning.
5. The furnace will prove the potter’s vessels; And the trial of a man is in his reasoning.
6. The fruit of a tree declares the husbandry thereof; So is the utterance of the thought of the heart of a man.
7. Praise no man before you hear him reason; For this is the trial of men.
8. If you follow righteousness, you shall obtain her, And put her on, as a long robe of glory.
9. Birds will resort to their like; And truth will return to them that practise her.
10. The lion lies in wait for prey; So does sin for them that work iniquity.
11. The discourse of a godly man is always wisdom: But the foolish man changes as the moon.
12. Among men void of understanding observe the opportunity; But stay continually among the thoughtful.
13. The discourse of fools is an offence; And their laughter is in the wantonness of sin.
14. The talk of a man of many oaths will make the hair stand upright; And their strife makes one stop his ears.
15. The strife of the proud is a shedding of blood; And their reviling of each other is a grievous thing to hear.
16. He that reveals secrets destroys credit, And shall not find a friend to his mind.
17. Love a friend, and keep faith with him: But if you reveal his secrets, You shall not pursue after him;
18. For as a man has destroyed his enemy, So have you destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.