A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

And among the naive [the inexperienced and gullible],
I saw among the youths
A young man lacking [good] sense,

Fools mock sin [but sin mocks the fools],
But among the upright there is good will and the favor and blessing of God.

The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.

A wise servant will rule over the [unworthy] son who acts shamefully and brings disgrace [to the family]
And [the worthy servant] will share in the inheritance among the brothers.

A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good]
And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain].

Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine,
Or with gluttonous eaters of meat,

She lurks and lies in wait like a robber [who waits for prey],
And she increases the faithless among men.

There is a generation (class of people) whose teeth are like swords
And whose jaw teeth are like knives,
To devour the afflicted from the earth
And the needy from among men.

The lion, which is mighty among beasts
And does not turn back before any;

Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.