• Montreal, Canada
  • don@saintesecritures.org


Chapter 7 36 Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt never do amiss.

Chapter 8 1 Strive not with a mighty man' lest thou fall into his hands.2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that we die all.8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give answer as need requireth.10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the flame of his fire.11 Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou lendest him, count it but lost.13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to pay it.14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour.15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly.16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.

Chapter 9 1 Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an evil lesson against thyself.2 Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance.3 Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.4 Use not much the company of a woman that is a singer, lest thou be taken with her attempts.5 Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those things that are precious in her.6 Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not thine inheritance.7 Look not round about thee in the streets of the city, neither wander thou in the solitary place thereof.8 Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon another's beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman; for herewith love is kindled as a fire.9 Sit not at all with another man's wife, nor sit down with her in thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at the wine; lest thine heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire thou fall into destruction.10 Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with pleasure.11 Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be his end.12 Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have pleasure in; but remember they shall not go unpunished unto their grave.13 Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill; so shalt thou not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come unto him, make no fault, lest he take away thy life presently: remember that thou goest in the midst of snares, and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the city.14 As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and consult with the wise.15 Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the law of the most High.