For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.

Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father,
And give attention that you may gain understanding,

Can a man take fire in his bosom
And his clothes not be burned?

Or can a man walk on hot coals
And his feet not be scorched?

“For my husband is not at home,
He has gone on a long journey;

The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

All the brothers of a poor man hate him;
How much more do his friends abandon him!
He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd,
But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
But who can find a trustworthy man?

Who can say, “I have cleansed my heart,
I am pure from my sin”?

Man’s steps are ordained by the Lord,
How then can man understand his way?

Do not weary yourself to gain wealth,
Cease from your consideration of it.

When you set your eyes on it, it is gone.
For wealth certainly makes itself wings
Like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes
Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.

Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,
But who can stand before jealousy?

A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,
But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.

She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night.