8
1 Contend not with a mighty man,
Lest haply thou fall into his hands.
2 Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh thee:
For gold hath destroyed many,
And turned aside the hearts of kings.
3 Contend not with a man that is full of tongue,
And heap not wood upon his fire.
4 Jest not with a rude man,
Lest thine ancestors be dishonoured.
5 Reproach not a man when he turneth from sin:
Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6 Dishonour not a man in his old age;
For some of us also are waxing old.
7 Rejoice not over one that is dead:
Remember that we die all.
8 Neglect not the discourse of the wise,
And be conversant with their proverbs;
For of them thou shalt learn instruction,
And how to minister to great men.
9 Miss not the discourse of the aged;
For they also learned of their fathers:
Because from them thou shalt learn understanding,
And to give answer in time of need.
10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner,
Lest thou be burned with the * flame of his fire.
11 Rise not up from the presence of an insolent man,
Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for thy mouth.
12 Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself;
And if thou lend, be as one that hath lost.
13 Be not surety above thy power:
And if thou be surety, take thought as one that will have to pay.
14 Go not to law with a judge;
For according to his honour will they give judgement for him.
15 Go not in the way with a rash man,
Lest he be aggrieved with thee;
For he will do according to his own will,
And thou shalt perish with his folly.
16 Fight not with a wrathful man,
And travel not with him through the desert:
For blood is as nothing in his sight;
And where there is no help, he will overthrow thee.
17 Take not counsel with a fool;
For he will not be able to conceal the matter.
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;
And let him not return thee a favour.
* 8:10 Gr. fire of his flame. † 8:18 Or, it