1 My son, do not deny the poor his food and do not make the man who looks at you with pleading eyes wait.
2 Do not sadden the hungry person nor annoy anyone who is in need.
3 Do not exasperate an angry man nor with hold alms from the beggar.
4 Do not drive away the beg gar who is weighed down with afflictions, nor turn away your face from the poor;
5 do not snub the needy nor give anyone a reason to curse you.
6 If someone curses you in the bit ter ness of his heart, the Creator will hear his prayer.
7 Make yourself acceptable to the com munity; bow your head before the one in authority.
8 Listen to the poor man and reply to him with kind words and with peace.
9 Deliver the oppressed from the hands of the oppressor. Do not be weak when you administer justice.
10 Be like a father towards or phans and like a husband towards their mothers. Then you will be like a son of the Most High and he will love you more than your own mother.
11 Wisdom brings up her children and takes care of those who look for her.
12 Whoever loves her loves life. Those who rise early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy.
13 Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes blessings will follow.
14 Those who serve her are ministers of the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord.
15 He who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will rest in safety.
16 Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after him will inherit her.
17 For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, causing him to fear and be terrified; she will plague him with her discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the test by her demands.
18 Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him.
19 But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and allow him to be lost.
20 In every situation weigh the pros and cons and avoid evil. A wrong kind of shame could harm you.
21 There is a shame which leads to sin and there is a shame which merits praise and respect.
22 Do not act against your better self to win favor from others. Do not let this kind of shame lead you into sin.
23 Do not remain silent when it is necessary to speak. Do not, through pride, hide your wis dom.
24 It is in speech that wisdom is recognized and learning in the spoken discourse.
25 Do not contradict the truth; rather confess your lack of knowledge.
26 Have no shame in confessing your sins, do not swim against the tide.
27 Do not cringe before a fool; do not be influenced by the powerful.
28 Fight for the truth till death and the Lord will fight for you.
29 Do not be daring in your speech, but lazy and negligent in works.
30 Do not be like a lion in your household, finding fault with your servants and oppressing those under you.
31 Do not open your hand to receive and keep it closed when you should give.