1Instead 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.

2Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart;
That thy soul be not torn in pieces as a bull straying alone.

3Thou shalt eat up thy leaves,
And lose thy fruit,
And leave thyself as a dry tree.

4A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it,
And shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

5Sweet language will multiply friends:
And a fair speaking tongue will increase kind greetings.

6Be in peace with many:
Nevertheless have but one counseller of a thousand.

7If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first,
And be not hasty to credit him.

8For some man is a friend for his own occasion,
And will not abide in the day of thy trouble.

9And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife
Will discover thy reproach.

10Again, some friend is a companion at the table,
And will not continue in the day of thy affliction.

11But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself,
And will be bold over thy servants.

12If thou be brought low, he will be against thee,
And will hide himself from thy face.

13Separate thyself from thine enemies,
And take heed of thy friends.

14A faithful friend is a strong defence:
And he that hath found such a one hath found a treasure.

15Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend,
And his excellency is unvaluable.

16A faithful friend is the medicine of life;
And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

17Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright:
For as he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

18My son, gather instruction from thy youth up:
So shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age.

19Come 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.

20She is very unpleasant to the unlearned:
He that is without understanding will not remain with her.

21She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial;
And he will cast her from him ere it be long.

22For wisdom is according to her name,
And she is not manifest unto many.

23Give ear, my son, receive my advice,
And refuse not my counsel,

24And put thy feet into her fetters,
And thy neck into her chain.

25Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her,
And be not grieved with her bonds.

26Come unto her with thy whole heart,
And keep her ways with all thy power.

27Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee:
And when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

28For at the last thou shalt find her rest,
And that shall be turned to thy joy.

29Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee,
And her chains a robe of glory.

30For there is a golden ornament upon her,
And her bands are purple lace.

31Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour,
And shalt put her about thee as a crown of joy.

32My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught:
And if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

33If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding:
And if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise.

34Stand in the multitude of the elders;
And cleave unto him that is wise.

35Be willing to hear every godly discourse;
And let not the parables of understanding escape thee.

36And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him,
And let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

37Let 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 own desire.