¹The wisdom of humble people

raises up their heads,

and it will seat them among officials.

²Don’t praise people

for their beautiful looks,

and don’t despise people

for their appearance.

³The bee is small among flying creatures,

but its produce is the origin

of everything sweet.

⁴Don’t take pride in the way you dress,

and don’t promote yourself

when you are being honored,

⁵Many tyrants have sat on the ground,

and one who was never expected

to rule has worn a crown.

⁶Many rulers have been

completely dishonored,

and those once held in honor

have been handed over to others.

On deliberation

⁷Don’t find fault before you investigate;

consider first, and then reprimand.

⁸Don’t answer before you listen,

and don’t interrupt someone

who is speaking.

⁹Don’t argue about something

that doesn’t matter to you,

and don’t deliberate in a court case

between sinners.

¹⁰My child, don’t be busy with many things;

If you pursue them,

you won’t overtake them,

¹¹Some people work hard, struggle,

and hurry—

and end up even more deeply in need.

¹²Others are sluggish and need support,

lacking strength

and immersed in poverty.

The Lord has looked upon them

with kindness,

and has restored them

from their low position.

¹³He has raised up their heads,

and many have been amazed at them.

¹⁴Good things and bad, life and death,

poverty and wealth come from the Lord.

¹⁷The Lord’s gift remains with the godly,

and his favor will always bring success.

¹⁸Some become rich from diligence

and greed,

and this is part of their reward:

¹⁹When they say, “I’ve found rest,

they don’t know when the time

will come

²⁰Stand by your agreement,

devote attention to accomplishing it,

and grow old in your work.

²¹Don’t be amazed at the works of sinners,

but trust in the Lord

and continue your work,

to make the poor person

quickly and suddenly rich.

²²The Lord’s blessing is part

of the godly person’s wages,

and God’s good pleasure

causes a person to flourish very quickly.

²³Don’t say, “What do I need?

What good things will be mine

from now on?”

²⁴Don’t say, “I have enough.

What harm can come upon me

from now on?”

²⁵At a time of prosperity,

adversity is forgotten,

and at a time of adversity,

prosperity is not remembered.

²⁶It is easy for the Lord to pay back people

according to their ways

in the hour of death.

²⁷An hour of misery

makes one forget luxury;

the end of a person’s life

reveals his or her deeds.

²⁸Don’t call anyone happy

before their death;

people are known

through their children.

Friends and associates

²⁹Don’t bring just anyone into your house,

because deceitful people

set many ambushes.

³⁰The hearts of arrogant people

are like decoy birds in a cage;

and like spies

they will observe your downfall.

³¹They set up ambushes

and turn good into bad;

they place blame

on praiseworthy actions.

³²From a fire’s spark come many coals,

and sinful people plot and connive

to shed blood.

³³Beware of evildoers, for they plan

evil things, and they might bring

lasting disgrace upon you.

³⁴If you allow strangers to live with you,

they will twist you around in confusion

and make you a stranger

to your own family.