Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time?

Just as you don’t know the path of the wind,
or how bones develop in the womb of a pregnant woman,
so you don’t know the work of God who makes everything.

When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow.

If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them.

Don’t let your spirit rush to be angry,
for anger abides in the heart of fools.

Don’t say, “Why were the former days better than these?”
since it is not wise of you to ask this.

Don’t pay attention to everything people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you,

Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don’t persist in a bad cause, since he will do whatever he wants.

Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: the righteous, the wise, and their works are in God’s hands.People don’t know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them.

For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything. There is no longer a reward for them because the memory of them is forgotten.

If the ruler’s anger rises against you, don’t leave your place,
for calmness puts great offenses to rest.

The struggles of fools weary them,
for they don’t know how to go to the city.

Give a portion to seven or even to eight,
for you don’t know what disaster may happen on earth.

In the morning sow your seed,
and at evening do not let your hand rest,
because you don’t know which will succeed,
whether one or the other,
or if both of them will be equally good.