7Endear yourself to the assembly;

before the city’s ruler bow your head.

8Give a hearing to the poor,

and return their greeting with deference;

9Deliver the oppressed from their oppressors;b

right judgment should not be repugnant to you.

10Be like a father to orphans,

and take the place of a husband to widows.

Then God will call you his child,

and he will be merciful to you and deliver you from the pit.

11Wisdom teaches her children

and admonishes all who can understand her.

12Those who love her love life;

those who seek her out win the Lord’s favor.

13Those who hold her fast will attain glory,

and they shall abide in the blessing of the Lord.

14Those who serve her serve the Holy One;

those who love her the Lord loves.c

15“Whoever obeys me will judge nations;

whoever listens to me will dwell in my inmost chambers.

16If they remain faithful, they will possess me;

their descendants too will inherit me.

17“I will walk with them in disguise,

and at first I will test them with trials.

Fear and dread I will bring upon them

and I will discipline them with my constraints.

When their hearts are fully with me,

18then I will set them again on the straight path

and reveal my secrets to them.

19But if they turn away from me, I will abandon them

and deliver them over to robbers.”

20My son, watch for the right time; fear what is evil;

do not bring shame upon yourself.

21There is a shame heavy with guilt,

and a shame that brings glory and respect.

22Show no favoritism to your own discredit;

let no one intimidate you to your own downfall.

23Do not refrain from speaking at the proper time,

and do not hide your wisdom;

24For wisdom becomes known through speech,

and knowledge through the tongue’s response.

25Never speak against the truth,

but of your own ignorance be ashamed.

26Do not be ashamed to acknowledge your sins,

and do not struggle against a rushing stream.

27Do not abase yourself before a fool;

do not refuse to do so before rulers.

28Even to the death, fight for what is right,

and the Lord will do battle for you.

29Do not be haughty in your speech,

or lazy and slack in your deeds.

30Do not be like a lion at home,

or sly and suspicious with your servants.

31Do not let your hand be open to receive,

but clenched when it is time to give.