6:1 Say nothing harmful, small or great; be not a foe instead of a friend; A bad name and disgrace will you acquire: "That for the evil man with double tongue!"
6:2 Fall not into the grip of desire, lest, like fire, it consume your strength;
6:3 Your leaves it will eat, your fruits destroy, and you will be left a dry tree,
6:4 For contumacious desire destroys its owner and makes him the sport of his enemies.
6:5 A kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings.
6:6 Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant.
6:7 When you gain a friend, first test him, and be not too ready to trust him
6:8 For one sort of friend is a friend when it suits him, but he will not be with you in time of distress.
6:9 Another is a friend who becomes an enemy, and tells of the quarrel to your shame.
6:10 Another is a friend, a boon companion, who will not be with you when sorrow comes.
6:11 When things go well, he is your other self, and lords it over your servants;
6:12 But if you are brought low, he turns against you and avoids meeting you.
6:13 Keep away from your enemies; be on your guard with your friends.
6:14 A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one finds a treasure.
6:15 A faithful friend is beyond price, no sum can balance his worth.
6:16 A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, such as he who fears God finds;
6:17 For he who fears God behaves accordingly, and his friend will be like himself.
6:18 My son, from your youth embrace discipline; thus will you find wisdom with graying hair.
6:19 As though plowing and sowing, draw close to her; then await her bountiful crops.
6:20 For in cultivating her you will labor but little, and soon you will eat of her fruits.
6:21 How irksome she is to the unruly! The fool cannot abide her.
6:22 She will be like a burdensome stone to test him, and he will not delay in casting her aside.
6:23 For discipline is like her name, she is not accessible to many.
6:24 Listen, my son, and heed my advice; refuse not my counsel.
6:25 Put your feet into her fetters, and your neck under her yoke.
6:26 Stoop your shoulders and carry her and be not irked at her bonds.
6:27 With all your soul draw close to her; with all your strength keep her ways.
6:28 Search her out, discover her; seek her and you will find her. Then when you have her, do not let her go;
6:29 Thus will you afterward find rest in her, and she will become your joy.
6:30 Her fetters will be your throne of majesty; her bonds, your purple cord.
6:31 You will wear her as your robe of glory, bear her as your splendid crown.
6:32 My son, if you wish, you can be taught; if you apply yourself, you will be shrewd.
6:33 If you are willing to listen, you will learn; if you give heed, you will be wise.
6:34 Frequent the company of the elders; whoever is wise, stay close to him.
6:35 Be eager to hear every godly discourse; let no wise saying escape you.
6:36 If you see a man of prudence, seek him out; let your feet wear away his doorstep!
6:37 Reflect on the precepts of the LORD, let his commandments be your constant meditation; Then he will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire he will grant.