Chapter 7

7. Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee. Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee. My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold. Seek not of the Lord preeminence, neither of the king the seat of honour. Justify not thyself before the Lord; and boast not of thy wisdom before the king. Seek not to be judged, being not able to take away iniquity; lest thou be terrified before the power of the mighty. Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then fall into the hands of the people. Bind not one sin upon another; for in the one thou shalt not be unpunished. Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my oblations, and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept it. Be not faint-hearted when thou makest thy prayer, and neglect not to give alms. Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one which humbleth and exalteth. Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy friend. Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good. Excel not in the discourse of the elders: for they understand the discipline of knowledge. Let not the preeminence of the chief person confine thee to forget to pray. Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which the most High hath ordained. Number not thyself among the multitude of sinners, but remember that wrath will not tarry. Humble thy soul greatly: for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire and worms. Seek not to excel in the wisdom of any man; but meddle not with the contention of the proud. Where there is no wood, the fire goeth out: and where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Be not surety above thy power: for if thou payest not, thou shalt be taken as one in default. Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according to his honour. Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt perish with him through his folly. Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow thee. Consult not with a fool; for he can neither keep counsel. Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he will bring forth. Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a shrewd turn.