1 If thou wilt do good, know to whom thou doest it, and there shall be much thank in thy good deeds.
1 If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds.
2 Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great reward: and if not of him, assuredly of our Lord.
2 Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.
3 For it is not well with him, that is ever occupied in evil things, and that giveth not alms: because the Highest both hateth sinners, and hath mercy on them that are penitent.
3 For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.
4 Give to the merciful, and receive not the sinner: both to the impious & to sinners he will repay vengeance, keeping them unto the day of vengeance.
4 ¹Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.
5 Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.
5 Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.
6 Do good to the humble, and give not to the impious: prohibit to give him bread, lest therein he be mightier than thou:
6 Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.
7 for thou shalt find double evils in all the good, whatsoever thou shalt do to him: because the Highest hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the impious.
7 For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.
8 Afriend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hid in adversity.
8 A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity.
9 In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are in sorrow, and in affliction a friend is known.
9 In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.
10 Credit not thine enemy for ever: for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:
10 Never trust thy enemy for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:
11 and if humbling himself he go crouching, be advised in thy mind, and beware of him.
11 Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him.
12 Place him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest perhaps turning into thy place, he seek after thy seat: and at the last thou know my words, and be pricked in my sayings.
12 Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat: and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.
13 Who will have pity upon the enchanter striking of a serpent, or of any that come near to beasts? So also he that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is wrapped in his sins.
13 Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? So is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.
14 For one hour he will tarry with thee: but if thou decline, he will not abide it.
14 For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it.
15 In his lips the enemy speaketh sweetly, and in his heart he lieth in wait, that he may overthrow thee into the pit.
15 ²An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.
16 In his eyes the enemy weepeth: and if he may find a time, he will not be satisfied with blood:
16 An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood:
17 and if evils happen to thee, thou shalt find him there first.
17 And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first.
18 In his eyes the enemy weepeth, and as it were helping thee, he will undermine thy feet.
18 An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.
19 He will shake his head, and clap his hand, and whispering many things he will change his countenance.
19 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.