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33No evil will befall someone who fears the Lord,
   but in trials such a one will be rescued again and again.
² The wise will not hate the law,
   but someone who is hypocritical about it is like a boat in a storm.
³ The sensible person will trust in the law;
   for such a one the law is as dependable as a divine oracle.

⁴ Prepare what to say, and then you will be listened to;
   draw upon your training, and give your answer.
⁵ The heart of a fool is like a cartwheel,
   and his thoughts like a turning axle.
⁶ A mocking friend is like a stallion
   that neighs no matter who the rider is.

Differences in Nature and in Humankind

⁷ Why is one day more important than another,
   when all the daylight in the year is from the sun?
⁸ By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished,
   and he appointed the different seasons and festivals.
⁹ Some days he exalted and hallowed,
   and some he made ordinary days.
¹⁰ All human beings come from the ground,
   and humankind^* was created out of the dust.
¹¹ In the fullness of his knowledge the Lord distinguished them
   and appointed their different ways.
¹² Some he blessed and exalted,
   and some he made holy and brought near to himself;
but some he cursed and brought low,
   and turned them out of their place.
¹³ Like clay in the hand of the potter,
   to be moulded as he pleases,
so all are in the hand of their Maker,
   to be given whatever he decides.

¹⁴ Good is the opposite of evil,
   and life the opposite of death;
   so the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
¹⁵ Look at all the works of the Most High;
   they come in pairs, one the opposite of the other.

¹⁶ Now I was the last to keep vigil;
   I was like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;
¹⁷ by the blessing of the Lord I arrived first,
   and like a grape-picker I filled my wine press.
¹⁸ Consider that I have not laboured for myself alone,
   but for all who seek instruction.
¹⁹ Hear me, you who are great among the people,
   and you leaders of the congregation, pay heed!

The Advantage of Independence

²⁰ To son or wife, to brother or friend,
   do not give power over yourself, as long as you live;
and do not give your property to another,
   in case you change your mind and must ask for it.
²¹ While you are still alive and have breath in you,
   do not let anyone take your place.
²² For it is better that your children should ask from you
   than that you should look to the hand of your children.
²³ Excel in all that you do;
   bring no stain upon your honour.
²⁴ At the time when you end the days of your life,
   in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.

The Treatment of Slaves

²⁵ Fodder and a stick and burdens for a donkey;
   bread and discipline and work for a slave.
²⁶ Set your slave to work, and you will find rest;
   leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty.
²⁷ Yoke and thong will bow the neck,
   and for a wicked slave there are racks and tortures.
²⁸ Put him to work, in order that he may not be idle,
²⁹   for idleness teaches much evil.
³⁰ Set him to work, as is fitting for him,
   and if he does not obey, make his fetters heavy.
Do not be overbearing towards anyone,
   and do nothing unjust.

³¹ If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,
   because you have bought him with blood.
If you have but one slave, treat him like a brother,
   for you will need him as you need your life.
³² If you ill-treat him, and he leaves you and runs away,
³³   which way will you go to seek him?