¹ If you do a kindness, know to whom you do it, and there will be thanks for your good deeds.

² Do good to a godly man, and you will be repaid— if not by him, certainly by the Most High.

³ No good will come to the person who persists in evil or to him who does not give alms.

⁴ Give to the godly person and do not help the sinner.

⁵ Do good to the humble and do not give to the ungodly; hold back his bread and do not give it to him, lest by means of it he subdue you; for you will receive twice as many bad things for all the good things that you might do for him.

⁶ For the Most High also hates sinners and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.

⁷ Give to the good person and do not help the sinner.

⁸ A friend will not be known in prosperity, nor will an enemy be hidden in adversity.

⁹ A person’s enemies are grieved when he prospers, and in his adversity even his friend will separate from him.

¹⁰ Never trust your enemy, for like the rusting of copper, so is his wickedness.

¹¹ Even if he humbles himself and goes about cringing, watch yourself and be on your guard against him; and you will be to him like one who has polished a mirror, and you will know that it was not hopelessly tarnished.

¹² Do not put him next to you, lest he overthrow you and take your place; do not have him sit at your right, lest he try to take your seat, and at last you will realize the truth of my words and be stung by what I have said.

¹³ Who will pity a snake charmer bitten by a serpent or all those who go near wild beasts?

¹⁴ So no one will pity one who associates with a sinner and becomes involved in his sins.

¹⁵ He will stay with you for a time, but if you falter, he will surely not stand by you.

¹⁶ An enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he will plan to throw you into a pit; an enemy will weep with his eyes, but if he finds an opportunity his thirst for blood will be insatiable. ¹⁷ If bad things befall you, you will find him there ahead of you; and while pretending to help you, he will trip you by the heel;

¹⁸ he will shake his head and clap his hands and whisper much and change his expression.