Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Do not be jealous of the wife of your own embrace, and do not teach her a wicked lesson against yourself.
2| Do not give your soul to a woman, that she should rise up over your strength.
3| Do not go to meet a woman who plays the harlot, lest you fall into her snares.
4| Do not linger long with a singing-girl, lest you be caught by her devices.
5| Do not gaze intently at a virgin, lest you be trapped by penalties on her account.
6| Do not give your soul to prostitutes, lest you lose your inheritance.
7| Do not look about in the streets of a city, and do not wander in its deserted places.
8| Turn your eye away from a shapely woman, and do not gaze intently at beauty that belongs to another; many have been led astray by a woman's beauty, and from this desire is kindled like a fire.
9| Never sit down at all with a married woman, and do not carouse with her over wine, lest your soul incline toward her, and by your own spirit you slip into destruction.
10| Do not abandon an old friend, for the new one is not his equal; a new friend is like new wine — when it has aged, you will drink it with delight.
11| Do not envy the glory of a sinner, for you do not know what his downfall will be.
12| Do not take pleasure in the pleasure of the ungodly; remember that they will by no means be acquitted, even down to Hades.
13| Keep far away from a man who has power to kill, and you will have no cause to fear death; but if you do approach him, make no mistake, lest he take your life away; know that you are walking among snares, and treading upon the battlements of a city.
14| As best you can, take the measure of your neighbors, and take counsel with the wise.
15| Let your conversation be with people of understanding, and let all your discourse be about the law of the Most High.
16| Let righteous men be your dinner companions, and let your boasting be in the fear of the Lord.
17| A work is praised by the hand of skilled craftsmen, and a leader of a people is wise in his speech.
18| A man of much talk is feared in his city, and the one who is reckless in speech will be hated.