Advice for Daily Living

1If you don't do evil,

then evil cannot harm you.

2Always be fair with others,

and injustice will stay

away from you.

3But those who farm

the fields of injustice,

will harvest seven times more

than they plant.

4Don't ask the Lord

to make you a leader,

and don't ask the king

to give you honor.

5Don't try to impress the Lord

with your goodness,

or to show off your wisdom

in front of the king.

6Don't seek to be a judge

unless you have the strength

to do away with injustice.

And if you don't have courage

to stand up to the powerful,

you will ruin your good name.

7Don't disgrace yourself

by sinning

against your community.

8You won't escape punishment

if you commit a sin even once,

much less twice.

9And do not think

that God Most High

will pardon you,

just because you have offered

a lot of sacrifices.

10Don't let anything

discourage you from praying

or giving to the poor.

11God can take away your success

as easily as he gave it,

so do not make fun of anyone

who is bitter from suffering.

12Do not tell lies to a relative

or a friend 13or anyone else.

No good ever comes

from telling lies.

14In a town council meeting,

don't talk too much.

And in your prayers,

don't repeat the same things

over and over again.

15Enjoy all kinds of hard work,

especially farming, because

God Most High created it.

16Do not join others in sinning--

just think of how quickly

God can punish.

17So be as humble as you can,

because those who are ungodly

will be eaten by worms

and burned by fire.

18Don't betray a friend for money

or a relative for pure gold.

Treat Others Properly

19If your wife is wise and good

and gracious,

she is more valuable than gold,

so do not divorce her.

20If your workers or slaves

work hard and well,

don't mistreat them.

21 If you have wise slaves,

love them as much

as you love yourself

and set them free

when you are supposed to.

22If you have cattle,

give them good care

and keep them as long

as they bring you a profit.

23While your children are young,

teach them to obey you.

24Do not let a daughter

always have her own way,

but protect her from men.

25Finding a husband for her

is important, but be certain

to find one who is wise.

26Don't divorce your wife

if she pleases you,

but if you can't stand her,

then don't trust her.

27 Honor your father

with all your heart

and remember that your birth

gave your mother great pain.

28How can you ever repay them

for the gift of life?

29Fear the Lord

with all that you are,

and respect his priests.

30Put all your strength

into loving your Creator

and be sure that his servants

make a good living.

31Fear the Lord

and honor his priests

with what he has commanded.

Bring them the first part

of your harvest

and the sacrifice

to make things right.

Give them the shoulders

from other sacrifices

and all offerings and holy food

dedicated to the Lord.

32The Lord will give you

complete success,

if you give to the poor.

33So be generous to everyone,

especially to those

whose loved ones have died.

34Go to see them

and weep as they mourn.

35If you visit the sick,

everyone will love you.

36You can keep from sinning

by always reminding yourself

that you will someday die.