OET-RV SIR Chapter 9

9 Don’t be jealous over the wife of your bosom,

and don’t teach her an evil lesson against yourself.

2 Don’t give your soul to a woman

and let her trample down your strength.

3 Don’t go to meet a woman who plays the prostitute,

or you might fall into her traps.

4 Don’t associate with a woman who’s a singer,

or you might be caught by her tricks.

5 Don’t gaze at a virgin,

or you might stumble and be punished because of her.

6 Don’t give your soul to prostitutes,

that you not lose your inheritance.

7 Don’t look around in the streets of the city.

Don’t wander in its deserted places.

8 Turn your eye away from a beautiful woman,

and don’t gaze at another’s beauty.

Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman;

and with this, passion is kindled like a fire.

9 Don’t dine at all with a woman who has a husband,

or revel with her at wine,[fn]

or your heart might turn towards her,

and with your spirit you slide into destruction.

10 Don’t forsake an old friend;

for a new one isn’t comparable to him.

A new friend is like new wine:

if it becomes old, you’ll drink it with gladness.

11 Don’t envy the success of a sinner;

for you don’t know what his end will be.

12 Don’t delight in the delights of the ungodly.

Remember they won’t go unpunished to[fn] the grave.

13 Keep yourself far from the man who has[fn] power to kill,

and you won’t be troubled by the fear of death.

If you come to him, commit no fault,

or he might take your life.

Know surely that you go about among traps,

and walk on the battlements of a city.

14 As well as you can, aim to know your neighbours,

and take counsel with the wise.

15 Let your conversation be with men of understanding.

Let all your discourse be in the Most High’s law.

16 Let righteous people be companions at your table.

Let your glorying be in the fear of the master.

17 A work is commended because of the skill of the artisan;

so he who rules the people will be considered wise for his speech.

18 A loudmouthed man is dangerous in his city.

He who’s reckless in his speech will be hated.