CHAPTER 5
1 Do not thou take heed to wicked possessions, and say thou not, Sufficient life is to me [or There is to me sufficient life], that is, long is to coming to me, therefore I must get many things; for it shall nothing profit in the time of vengeance, and of failing [or oppressing], either death.
2 Pursue thou not the covetousness of thine heart in thy strength, [Not follow thou in thy strength the coveting of thine heart,]
3 and say thou not, As I might, either, who shall make me subject for my deeds? For why God avenging shall avenge.
4 Say thou not, I have sinned, and what sorrowful thing befell to me? For the Highest is a patient yielder.
5 Of the forgiveness of sins, do not thou be without dread, neither heap thou, [or lay thou], sin upon sin.
6 And say thou not, The merciful doing of God is great [or The mercy of God is great]; he shall have mercy on the multitude of my sins. For why mercy and ire nigheth soon from him, and his ire beholdeth on sinners.
7 Tarry thou not to be converted to the Lord, and delay thou not [or put thou it off] from day into day. For why his ire shall come suddenly, and he shall lose (or destroy) thee in the time of vengeance.
8 Do not thou be anguished in unjust [or unright] riches; for those [or they] shall not profit in the day of failing, either of death, and of vengeance.
9 Winnow thee not into each wind, and go thou not into each way; for so a sinner is proved in (or with a) double tongue.
10 Be thou steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in truth and cunning (or the knowing) of thy wit; and the word of peace and of rightfulness [or of rightwiseness] pursue thee perfectly.
11 Be thou mild (or meek) to hear the word of God, (so) that thou understand, and with wisdom bring thou forth a true answer.
12 If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbor; else thine hand be on thy mouth, lest thou be taken (or caught) in a word unwisely taught, and be ashamed.
13 Honour and glory is in the word of a wise man; but the tongue of an unprudent man is his destroying.
14 Be thou not called a privy evil speaker in thy life, and be thou not taken in (or with) thy tongue, and be ashamed. Shame and penance is on a thief, and worst shame, either cursing, is on a man of (or with a) double tongue. Forsooth hatred and enmity and despising is to a privy backbiter.
15 Justify thou a little man and a great man [or the little and the great] in like manner.