1There shall no evil happen to him that fears the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.
2A wise man hates not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.
3A man of understanding trusts in the law; and the law is faithful to him, as an oracle.
4Prepare what to say, and so you shall be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.
5The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axle tree.
6A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neighs under every one that sits upon him.
7Why does one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
8By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts.
9Some of them has he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them has he made ordinary days.
10And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth:
11In much knowledge the Lord has divided them, and made their ways diverse.
12Some of them has he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them has he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
13As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as likes him best.
14Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
15So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another.
16I awaked up last of all, as one that gathers after the grape gatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
17Consider that I laboured not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.
18Hear me, O you⌃ great men of the people, and listen with your ears, you⌃ rulers of the congregation.
19Give not your son and wife, your brother and friend, power over you while you live, and give not your goods to another: lest it repent you, and you entreat for the same again.
20As long as you live and have breath in you, give not yourself over to any.
21For better it is that your children should seek to you, than that you should stand to their courtesy.
22In all your works keep to yourself the preeminence; leave not a stain in your honor.
23At the time when you shall end your days, and finish your life, distribute your inheritance.
24Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass; and bread, correction, and work, for a servant.
25If you set your servant to labor, you shall find rest: but if you let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.
26A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
27Send him to labor, that he be not idle; for idleness teaches much evil.
28Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
29But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.
30If you have a servant, let him be to you as yourself, because you have bought him with a price.
31If you have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for you have need of him, as of your own soul: if you entreat him evil, and he run from you, which way will you go to seek him?