1Do not choose to seek iniquitous possessions, and you should not say: “I have all I need in life.” For it will be of no benefit to you in the time of retribution and darkness.stylus2You should not pursue, in your strength, the desires of your heart.stylus3And you should not say: “How powerful am I?” or, “Who will cast me down because of my deeds?” For God will vindicate with vengeance.stylus4You should not say, “I sinned, and what grief has befallen me?” For the Most High is a patient recompensor.stylus5Do not be willing to be without fear concerning a forgiven sin, and you should not add sin upon sin.stylus6And you should not say: “The compassion of the Lord is great; he will take pity on the multitude of my sins.”stylus7For both mercy and wrath go forth quickly from him, and his wrath sets its gaze upon sinners.stylus8You should not delay being converted to the Lord, and you should not set it aside from day to day.stylus9For his wrath will approach suddenly, and in the time of vindication, he will destroy you.stylus10Do not choose to be anxious for unjust wealth. For these things will not benefit you in the day of darkness and retribution.stylus11You should not winnow in every wind, and you should not go forth into every path. For so is every sinner proven by his duplicitous tongue.stylus12Be steadfast in the way of the Lord and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let words of peace and justice overtake you.stylus13Be meek when listening to a word, so that you may understand. And offer a true response in wisdom.stylus14If you understand, then answer your neighbor. But if you do not, then let your hand be over your mouth, so that you are not caught by an inept word, and then confounded.stylus15Honor and glory are in the words of those who understand, yet truly, the tongue of the imprudent man is his undoing.stylus16You should not be called a whisperer, and you should not be caught by your own tongue, and then confounded.stylus17For confusion and remorse is upon a thief, and a wicked mark is upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, there is hatred and animosity and disgrace.stylus18Justify the small and the great similarly.stylus
