1
Because of gain many have sinned, and one seeking abundance turns aside his eye.
2
A peg is driven between joined stones, and sin is crushed in between selling and buying.
3
Unless one holds firmly to reverence of Yahuah, his house shall swiftly be overturned.
4
When a sieve is shaken, refuse remains; so the refuse of an Adam appears in his reasoning.
5
A furnace tests a potter’s vessels, and the test of an Adam is in his deliberation.
6
Its fruit reveals how a tree was cultivated; so a word reveals the thought of an Adam’s heart.
7
Do not praise an ish before he has reasoned, for this is the testing of Adam.
8
If you pursue righteousness, you shall overtake it and clothe yourself with it like a robe of splendor.
9
Flying creatures lodge with their own kind, and Truth returns to those who work her.
10
A lion lies in wait for prey; so sin for those who work injustice.
11
The discourse of the reverent is always Wisdom, but one without sense changes like the moon.
12
Among those without understanding, guard the appointed time; among thoughtful ones, remain continually.
13
The discourse of fools is an offense, and their laughter is in the indulgence of sin.
14
The speech of one who swears much makes hair stand upright, and their quarrel causes ears to be stopped.
15
The quarrel of the proud is the pouring out of blood, and their abuse is bitter to hear.
16
One who uncovers secrets destroys trust and shall not find a companion for his being.
17
Love a companion and remain trustworthy with him; but if you uncover his secrets, do not pursue after him.
18
As an Adam loses his dead one, so you have lost the companionship of your neighbor.
19
As you release a flying creature from your hand, so you have released your neighbor and shall not catch him again.
20
Do not pursue him, for he has withdrawn far away and escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
21
A wound may be bound, and after abuse there may be reconciliation; but one who uncovers secrets has destroyed hope.
22
One who winks with the eye devises evil, and no one shall turn it away from him.
23
Before your eyes he sweetens his mouth and marvels at your words; afterward he twists his mouth and places a stumbling-block within your words.
24
I have hated many things but nothing like him, and Yahuah also shall hate him.
25
One who throws a stone upward throws it upon his own head, and a deceitful blow divides open wounds.
26
One who digs a pit shall fall into it, and one who sets a snare shall be captured in it.
27
One who works evil shall have it roll back upon him, and he shall not know from where it came.
28
Mockery and reproach belong to the proud, and vengeance lies in wait for him like a lion.
29
Those rejoicing in the fall of the reverent shall be captured in a snare, and pain shall consume them before their death.
30
Resentment and wrath—these also are detestable things, and a sinful ish holds them fast.