False Friends
1 Anyone can claim to be your friend, but some people are friends in name only. 2 The grief caused when a close friendship turns sour is as bad as death. 3 This evil impulse we have! Why was it ever formed? How did it manage to cover the earth with deceit? 4 Some people will be your friend as long as things are going well, but they will turn against you when trouble comes. 5 A real friend will help you against your enemies and protect you in the fight. 6 Never forget such companions in battle; share the results of your victory with them.
Caution in Taking Advice
7 Anyone can give advice, but some people do so only in their own interest. 8 Be careful when somebody offers you advice. Find out first what his interest in the matter is, because you can be sure that he is thinking primarily of himself. Why should he come out on top instead of you? 9 He will assure you that things look good, and then stand back to watch what happens to you.
10 Don't ask advice of anyone who doesn't trust you, and don't give advice to anyone who is jealous of you.
11 Don't ask a woman for advice about a rival of hers,
a coward about war,
a merchant about a bargain,
a buyer about selling,
a stingy person about gratitude,
a cruel person about kindness,
a lazy person about work,
a casual worker about finishing a job,
a lazy slave about a difficult task.
Pay no attention to any advice they may give.
12 Instead, rely on someone who is religious and known to keep the Lord's commands, someone who is sympathetic with you, who will be sorry to see you fail. 13 And trust your own judgment; no one's advice is more reliable. 14 Sometimes your own intuition can tell you more than seven watchmen on a high tower. 15 Above all, pray to the Most High that he will show you the right thing to do.
Wisdom and Confidence
16 Planning and thought lie behind everything that is done. 17-18 The mind concerns itself with four things: these are good and evil, life and death. They all begin in the mind, but the tongue is their absolute ruler.
19 Someone may have the ability to teach, but still not be of much use to himself. 20 He may be clever with words, but end up starving because people hate him. 21 This may happen if he doesn't have good sense, if the Lord has not given him tact. 22 Someone may consider himself wise and let you know that he is certain about what he knows. 23 Anyone who really is wise will be the teacher of his people, and they can be certain that what he teaches is the truth. 24 Everyone will praise such a person and speak of him as fortunate. 25 A person's life has only a limited number of days, but the life of Israel cannot be measured in days at all. 26 The wise will win the confidence of others, and will be remembered forever.
Controlling the Appetite
27 My child, as you go through life, keep your appetite under control, and don't eat anything that you know is bad for you. 28 All food doesn't agree with everyone, and everyone doesn't like the same kinds of food. 29 Don't feel that you just have to have all sorts of fancy food, and don't be a glutton over any food. 30 If you eat too much, you'll get sick; if you do it all the time, you'll always have stomach trouble. 31 Gluttony has been the death of many people. Avoid it and live longer.
1 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit?
4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.
6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself.
8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee.
10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee.
11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel.
12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.
13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it.
14 For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.
15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.
16 Let reason go before every enterprize, and counsel before every action.
17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.
19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food.
21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not.
24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy.
25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.
27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.
28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.
29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats:
30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler.
31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.