21 My son, have you sinned?

Do it no more;

and ask forgiveness for your past sins.

2 Flee from sin as from the face of a snake;

for if you go near, it will bite you.

Its teeth are like lion’s teeth,

slaying people’s souls.

3 All iniquity is as a two-edged sword.

Its stroke has no healing.

4 Terror and violence will waste away riches.

So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste.

5 Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of[fn] God,

and his judgement comes speedily.

6 One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner.

He who fears the master will repent in his heart.

7 He who is mighty in tongue is known far away;

but the man of understanding knows when he slips.

8 He who builds his house with other men’s money

is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb.

9 The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow

with a flame of fire at the end of them.

10 The way of sinners is paved with stones;

and at the end of it is the pit of Haidais.