The Need for Reflection and Self-Control

¹⁹Before you speak, learn;
   and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
²⁰Before judgement comes, examine yourself;
   and at the time of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
²¹Before falling ill, humble yourself;
   and when you have sinned, repent.
²²Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,
   and do not wait until death to be released from it.
²³Before making a vow, prepare yourself;
   do not be like one who puts the Lord to the test.
²⁴Think of his wrath on the day of death,
   and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
²⁵In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;
   in days of wealth think of poverty and need.
²⁶From morning to evening conditions change;
   all things move swiftly before the Lord.

²⁷One who is wise is cautious in everything;
   when sin is all around, one guards against wrongdoing.
²⁸Every intelligent person knows wisdom,
   and praises one who finds her.
²⁹Those who are skilled in words become wise themselves,
   and pour forth apt proverbs.^*

Self-Control ^*

³⁰Do not follow your base desires,
   but restrain your appetites.
³¹If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire,
   it will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.
³²Do not revel in great luxury,
   or you may become impoverished by its expense.
³³Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money
   when you have nothing in your purse.^*