1Do not thou for a friend (or instead of a friend) be made (an) enemy to thy neighbour; for why an evil man shall inherit upbraiding and despising, and each sinner envious and double-tongued.

2Enhance thee not in the thought of thy soul, as a bull doeth; lest thy virtue [or strength] be hurtled down by folly,

3and it eat thy leaves, and lose (or destroy) thy fruits, and thou be left as a dry tree in (the) desert [or (the) wilderness].

4Forsooth a wicked, [or shrewd, (or depraved)] soul shall lose [or destroy] him that hath it, and it giveth him into the joy of the enemy, and it shall lead forth into the part of wicked men.

5A sweet word multiplieth friends, and assuageth enemies; and a tongue well gracious shall be plenteous [or abound] in a good man.

6Many peaceable men be to thee, and (or but) one (out) of a thousand be a counsellor to thee.

7If thou hast a friend, have him in temptation, that is, prove thou him in thine adversity, and betake not lightly [or not lightly open, or trust], thyself to him.

8For there is a friend by (or for) his (own) time, and he shall not dwell [or abide] in the day of tribulation.

9And there is a friend which is turned to enmity; and there is a friend, that shall show openly hatred, and chiding [or strife], and despisings.

10Forsooth there is a friend, (a) fellow of (the) table, and (he) dwell-eth not in the day of need.

11If a friend dwelleth steadfast, he shall be as a man even with thee, and he shall do trustily in (or with) thy menial [or homely] things.

12If he meeketh himself before thee, and hideth him(self) from thy face, thou shalt have good friendship of one accord [or of one will].

13Be thou parted from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

14A faithful friend is a strong defending [or strong protection]; for-sooth he that findeth him, findeth treasure.

15No comparison is to a faithful friend; weighing of gold and of silver is not worthy against the goodness of his faithfulness.

16A faithful friend is(the) medicine of life, and of undeadliness (or of immortality); and they that dread the Lord, shall find him.

17He that dreadeth the Lord, shall have evenly good friendship; for why his friend shall be at the likeness of him.

18Son, from thy youth take thou doctrine, and till to [thine] hoar hairs thou shalt find wisdom.

19As he that eareth (or ploweth), and that soweth, nigh thou to it, and abide thou (for) the good fruits there-of. For thou shalt travail a little in the work thereof, and thou shalt eat soon of the generations thereof [or the gettings of it].

20Wisdom is over-sharp or is full-sharp to untaught men, and an heart-less man shall not dwell therein.

21As the virtue (or the strength) of a stone, proving shall be in them; and they shall not tarry to cast away it [or to throw it afar].

22Forsooth the wisdom of teaching is by the name thereof, and it is not open to many men; but it dwelleth with them, of whom it is known, till to the sight of God.

23Son, hear thou, and take the counsel of understanding, and cast thou not away my counsel.

24Set in thy foot into the stocks thereof, and thy neck into the bies, (or the bands), [or the collars] thereof.

25Make subject thy shoulder, and bear it, and be thou not annoyed (or harmed) in the bonds thereof.

26In all thy will go to it, and in all thy virtue keep the ways thereof [or of it].

27Inquire thou (of or about) it [or Ensearch it], and it shall be made open to thee; and thou made holding wisdom forsake not it.

28For in the last things thou shalt find rest therein, and it shall turn [or shall be turned] to thee into delight-ing.

29And the stocks thereof shall be to thee in defence [or protection] of strength, and the foundaments of virtue, and the bie(s), (or the bands), [or the collars] thereof, in(to) a stole of glory.

30For why the fairness of life is in wisdom, and the bonds thereof be heal(th)ful, [or wholesome] binding.

31Thou shalt wear it as a stole of glory, and thou shalt set [or shalt put] on thee a crown of thanking.

32Son, if thou takest heed to me, thou shalt learn wisdom; and if thou givest thy will, thou shalt be wise.

33If thou bowest down thine ear, thou shalt take (or receive) teaching; and if thou lovest for to hear, thou shalt be wise.

34Stand thou in the multitude of prudent priests, and be thou joined of (or in) heart to the wisdom of them;

35(so) that thou mayest hear each telling of God, and the proverbs of praising flee or fly not away from thee.

36And if thou seest a wise man, wake thou to him, and thy foot [often] tread on the grees (or the steps) of his doors.

37Have thou thought in (or on) the commandments of God, and be thou most busy in his behests; and he shall give to thee [an] heart, and covetous-ness of wisdom shall be given to thee.