1 A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone,

And everyone will hiss him out to his disgrace.

2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill:

Every man that takes it up will shake his hand.

3 An evil-nurtured son is the dishonor of his father that begot him:

And a foolish daughter is born to his loss.

4 A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband:

But she that liveth dishonestly is her father’s heaviness.

5 She that is bold dishonoreth both her father and her husband,

And they both shall despise her.

6 A tale out of season is as music in mourning:

But stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.

9 Whoso teacheth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together,

And as he that waketh one from a sound sleep.

10 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber:

When he hath told his tale, he will say, What is the matter?

11 Weep for the dead, for he hath lost the light:

And weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding:

Make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest:

But the life of the fool is worse than death.

12 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead;

But for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life.

13 Talk not much with a fool,

And go not to him that hath no understanding:

Beware of him, lest thou have trouble,

And thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries:

Depart from him, and thou shalt find rest,

And never be disquieted with madness.

14 What is heavier than lead?

And what is the name thereof, but a fool?

15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, are easier to bear,

Than a man without understanding.

16 As timber girded and bound together in a building cannot be loosed with shaking:

So the heart that is established by advised counsel shall fear at no time.

17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding

Is as a fair plastering on the wall of a gallery.

18 Pales set on a high place will never stand against the wind:

So a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.

19 He that pricketh the eye will make tears to fall:

And he that pricketh the heart maketh it to show her knowledge.

20 Whoso casteth a stone at the birds frayeth them away:

And he that upbraideth his friend breaketh friendship.

21 Though thou drewest a sword at thy friend, yet despair not:

For there may be a returning to favor.

22 If thou hast opened thy mouth against thy friend, fear not;

For there may be a reconciliation:

Except for upbraiding, or pride, or disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound:

For for these things every friend will depart.

23 Be faithful to thy neighbor in his poverty,

That thou mayest rejoice in his prosperity:

Abide steadfast unto him in the time of his trouble,

That thou mayest be heir with him in his heritage.

24 As the vapor and smoke of a furnace goeth before the fire;

So reviling before blood.

25 I will not be ashamed to defend a friend;

Neither will I hide myself from him;

26 And if any evil happen unto me by him,

Everyone that heareth it will beware of him.

27 Who shall set a watch before my mouth,

And a seal of wisdom upon my lips,

That I fall not suddenly by them,

And that my tongue destroy me not?