¹Every friend says, “I, too, am your friend.”

But some are friends in name only.

²When a close friend turns into an enemy,

it is as sad as someone’s death.

³O evil inclination, why were you created?

You cover the earth with deceitfulness.

⁴Some companions rejoice with a friend when times are joyful,

but they turn against him when times are hard.

⁵Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,

but then in battle they carry his shield.

⁶Do not forget a close friend,

and do not overlook him when you distribute your wealth.

Being Cautious of Advice

⁷All counselors think their own advice is good,

but some are only looking out for themselves.

⁸So be careful about those who offer you advice.

First find out what they want

because they might be thinking of their own interests.

They may set you up for a fall

⁹and tell you, “Your way is good,”

and then stand aside to see what happens to you.

¹⁰Don’t seek advice from anyone who is suspicious of you

or reveal your intentions to those who envy you.

¹¹Don’t consult with a woman about her rival;

or with a coward concerning war;

or with a merchant about commerce;

or with a buyer about selling;

or with a stingy person about generosity;

or with the merciless about kindness;

or with a lazy person about work;

or with a seasonal worker about staying on to finish a task;

or with an idle servant about a big job.

Pay no attention to the advice they give.

¹²But spend time with a godly person,

whom you know obeys the commandments.

Make sure he thinks like you do

and that he will sympathize with you if you fail.

¹³Follow the advice of your own heart,

for it is devoted to you more than anyone is.

¹⁴Sometimes our own mind does a better job of keeping us informed

than seven watchmen sitting in a watchtower.

¹⁵But above all these things pray to the Most High

that he may direct you along the path of truth.

True Wisdom Yields Good Results

¹⁶Let discussion precede every undertaking

and counsel precede every action.

¹⁷The mind is the root of all behavior.

Out of it come four branches:

¹⁸good and evil, life and death.

And the tongue continually rules them.

¹⁹Some people are good at teaching others

yet are of no use to themselves.

²⁰Others are very eloquent, but if detested,

they will starve to death.

²¹Charm was not given to them from the Lord,

for they are lacking in all wisdom.

²²Those who use wisdom to better themselves

will produce results that are praiseworthy.

²³But the wise instruct their own people,

producing results that will last.

²⁴The wise will be highly praised,

and all who see them will call them blessed.

²⁵The length of a person’s life is limited,

but the number of Israel’s days is infinite.

²⁶The wise will inherit honor among their people,

and their name will live forever.

²⁷My child, test yourself all your life;

learn what is bad for you, and do not give in to it.

²⁸For not everything is good for everyone,

nor is everything enjoyable to everyone.

²⁹Don’t be greedy for luxury,

and don’t be a glutton.

³⁰For overeating causes sickness,

and gluttony leads to nausea.

³¹Many have died of gluttony,

but avoiding it will prolong your life.