1
Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.
2
Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3
Do 1 not sow in the furrows of injustice,
and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4
Do not seek from the Lord high office,
or the seat of honor from the king.
5
Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,
or display your wisdom before the king.
6
Do not seek to become a judge,
or you may be unable to root out injustice;
you may be partial to the powerful,
and so mar your integrity.
7
Commit no offense against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8
Do not commit a sin twice;
not even for one will you go unpunished.
9
Do not say, "He will consider the great number of my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it."
10
Do not grow weary when you pray;
do not neglect to give alms.
11
Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,
for there is One who humbles and exalts.
12
Do not devise 2 a lie against your brother,
or do the same to a friend.
13
Refuse to utter any lie,
for it is a habit that results in no good.
14
Do not babble in the assembly of the elders,
and do not repeat yourself when you pray.
15
Do not hate hard labor
or farm work, which was created by the Most High.
16
Do not enroll in the ranks of sinners;
remember that retribution does not delay.
17
Humble yourself to the utmost,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms. 3