Ecclesiasticus, 9
1. Do not be jealous of the wife you love, do not teach her lessons in how to harm you.
1. Do not contend with a powerful man, lest you fall into his hands.
2. Do not put yourself in a woman's hands or she may come to dominate you completely.
2. Do not quarrel with a rich man, lest his resources outweigh yours; for gold has ruined many, and has perverted the minds of kings.
3. Do not keep company with a prostitute, in case you get entangled in her snares.
3. Do not argue with a chatterer, nor heap wood on his fire.
4. Do not dally with a singing girl, in case you get caught by her wiles.
4. Do not jest with an ill-bred person, lest your ancestors be disgraced.
5. Do not stare at a pretty girl, in case you and she incur the same punishment.
5. Do not reproach a man who is turning away from sin; remember that we all deserve punishment.
6. Do not give your heart to whores, or you will ruin your inheritance.
6. Do not disdain a man when he is old, for some of us are growing old.
7. Keep your eyes to yourself in the streets of a town, do not prowl about its unfrequented quarters.
7. Do not rejoice over any one's death; remember that we all must die.
8. Turn your eyes away from a handsome woman, do not stare at a beauty belonging to someone else. Because of a woman's beauty, many have been undone; this makes passion flare up like a fire.
8. Do not slight the discourse of the sages, but busy yourself with their maxims; because from them you will gain instruction and learn how to serve great men.
9. Never sit down with a married woman, or sit at table with her drinking wine, in case you let your heart succumb to her and you lose all self-control and slide to disaster.
9. Do not disregard the discourse of the aged, for they themselves learned from their fathers; because from them you will gain understanding and learn how to give an answer in time of need.
10. Do not desert an old friend; the new one will not be his match. New friend, new wine; when it grows old, you drink it with pleasure.
10. Do not kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned in his flaming fire.
11. Do not envy the sinner his success; you do not know how that will end.
11. Do not get up and leave an insolent fellow, lest he lie in ambush against your words.
12. Do not take pleasure in what pleases the godless; remember they will not go unpunished here below.
12. Do not lend to a man who is stronger than you; but if you do lend anything, be as one who has lost it.
13. Keep your distance from the man who has the power to put to death, and you will not be haunted by the fear of dying. If you do approach him, make no false move, or he may take your life. Realise that you are treading among trip-lines, that you are strolling on the battlements.
13. Do not give surety beyond your means, but if you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay.
14. Cultivate your neighbours to the best of your ability, and consult with the wise.
14. Do not go to law against a judge, for the decision will favor him because of his standing.
15. For conversation seek the intelligent, let all your discussions bear on the law of the Most High.
15. Do not travel on the road with a foolhardy fellow, lest he be burdensome to you; for he will act as he pleases, and through his folly you will perish with him.
16. Have the upright for your table companions, and let your pride be in fearing the Lord.
16. Do not fight with a wrathful man, and do not cross the wilderness with him; because blood is as nothing in his sight, and where no help is at hand, he will strike you down.
17. Work from skilled hands will earn its praise, but a leader of the people must be skilful in words.
17. Do not consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret.
18. A chatterbox is a terror to his town, a loose talker is detested.
18. In the presence of a stranger do nothing that is to be kept secret, for you do not know what he will divulge.
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19. Do not reveal your thoughts to every one, lest you drive away your good luck.
