1 If you do good, know to whom you are doing it and you will receive thanks
for your kindness.
2 Do good to the godly man and you will re ceive a reward, if not from
the man him self, at least from the Most High.
3 Blessings are not for those who persist in evildoing, nor for those
who refuse to show com passion.
4 Give to the godly man, do not help the sinner;
5 do good to the humble, do not give to the ungodly; deny him bread, do
not give it to him lest he eventually dominate you. He will re pay you
with a double evil for all the good that you have done for him.
6 For the Most High himself detests sinners and carries out his
vengeance on the ungodly.
7 Give to the good man but do not help the sinner.
8 A friend does not become an enemy in the time of prosperity, nor does
an enemy remain hidden in the time of adversity.
9 When a man is doing well, his enemies are sad; when he is suffering
misfortune, even his friends hasten to abandon him.
10 Never trust an enemy, for his malice is like bronze covered in rust.
11 Even if he should act as a humble man and walk with head bowed down,
watch yourself and be on your guard against him. Behave to wards him as
a man who polishes a bronze mirror. Know that the rust will not remain
until the end.
12 Do not place him near you lest he overthrow you and take your place.
Do not make him sit on your right hand lest he covet your seat. Let it
not be that in the end you understand my words and regret not having
listened to my advice.
13 Who will have pity on the snake-charmer bitten by a snake or on those
who go near wild beasts?
14 It is the same for the man who joins company with a sinner and finds
himself involved in his wrongdoing.
15 The sin ner will re main quietly with you for an hour but when you
are distracted he will throw away his mask.
16 The enemy is all sweetness in his speech, but in his heart he is
planning to throw you in the ditch. The enemy has tears in his eyes but,
if he finds an opportunity, he cannot have enough of your blood.
17 If misfortune comes to you, you will find him there before you;
pretending to help you, he will be scheming to get rid of you.
18 He will wag his head in mockery and clap his hands, he will whisper
unceasingly and will show his true face.