1
Instead of a friend become not an enemy for thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name shame and reproach even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue
2
Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart that thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone
3
Thou shalt eat up thy leaves and lose thy fruit and leave thyself as a dry tree
4
A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies
5
Sweet language will multiply friends and a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings
6
Be in peace with many nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand
7
If thou wouldest get a friend prove him first and be not hasty to credit him
8
For some man is a friend for his own occasion and will not abide in the day of thy trouble
9
And there is a friend who being turned to enmity and strife will discover thy reproach
10
Again some friend is a companion at the table and will not continue in the day of thy affliction
11
But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself and will be bold over thy servants
12
If thou be brought low he will be against thee and will hide himself from thy face
13
Separate thyself from thine enemies and take heed of thy friends
14
A faithfull friend is a strong defence and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure
15
Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend and his excellency is invaluable
16
A faithful friend is the medicine of life and they that fear the Lord shall find him
17
Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright for as he is so shall his neighbour be also
18
My son gather instruction from thy youth up so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age
19
Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth and wait for her good fruits for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon
20
She is very unpleasant to the unlearned he that is without understanding will not remain with her
21
She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial and he will cast her from him ere it be long
22
For wisdom is according to her name and she is not manifest unto many
23
Give ear my son receive my advice and refuse not my counsel
24
And put thy feet into her fetters and thy neck into her chain
25
Bow down thy shoulder and bear her and be not grieved with her bonds
26
Come unto her with thy whole heart and keep her ways with all thy power
27
Search and seek and she shall be made known unto thee and when thou hast got hold of her let her not go
28
For at the last thou shalt find her rest and that shall be turned to thy joy
29
Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee and her chains a robe of glory
30
For there is a golden ornament upon her and her bands are purple lace
31
Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour and shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy
32
My son if thou wilt thou shalt be taught and if thou wilt apply thy mind thou shalt be prudent
33
If thou love to hear thou shalt receive understanding and if thou bow thine ear thou shalt be wise
34
Stand in the multitude of the elders and cleave unto him that is wise
35
Be willing to hear every godly discourse and let not the parables of understanding escape thee
36
And if thou seest a man of understanding get thee betimes unto him and let thy foot wear the steps of his door
37
Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments he shall establish thine heart and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire