1You should not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you may fall into his hands.
2You should not contend with a wealthy man, lest perhaps he may bring an action against you.
3For gold and silver have destroyed many, and have reached and corrupted even the hearts of kings.
4You should not quarrel with a man who is full of words, for you should not cast wood upon his fire.
5You should not confide in an ignorant man, lest he speak evil about your family.
6You should not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him with it. Remember that we are all subject to correction.
7You should not spurn a man in his old age. For we are all subject to growing old.
8Do not be willing to rejoice at the death of your enemy, knowing that we all die, and that we do not want others to rejoice over us.
9You should not despise the discourse of those who are old and wise; instead, ponder their proverbs.
10For from them, you will learn wisdom and intelligent doctrine, so as to serve great men without blame.
11Do not allow the discourse of your elders to pass you by. For they have learned from their fathers.
12And from them, you will learn understanding, and you will learn what response to give in a time of necessity.
13You should not kindle the coals of sinners by arguing with them. For you might be scorched by the flame from the fire of their sins.
14You should not stand against the face of a contemptuous person, otherwise he may sit down as if waiting in ambush against your words.
15You should not lend to a man who is stronger than you. But if you do lend, consider it lost.
16You should not promise beyond your ability. But if you do promise, consider how to fulfill it.
17You should not judge against a judge. For he judges according to what is just.
18You should not go forth on the way with an audacious man, lest perhaps he may burden you with his evils. For he goes forth according to his own will, and you will perish with him in his folly.
19You should not start a conflict with an angry man, and you should not go into the desert with an audacious man. For shedding blood is nothing to him, and in a place where there is no help for you, he will overthrow you.
20You should not hold counsel with the foolish. For they are not able to love anything except what pleases them.
21You should not take counsel in the sight of an outsider. For you do not know what he will do next.
22You should not reveal your heart to every man, lest perhaps he may offer a false kindness to you, and then speak reproachfully about you.
Verse 5
There is a person full of faith who comes forward in the assembly and accuses himself, making everyone aware of some sin he has committed. And yet, those who themselves have no fear of God’s future judgment, on hearing his words, instead of suffering with him who suffers, instead of burning with him who is offended, instead of falling with him who is fallen, say, Get away from me and don’t come near me because I am pure! Then they begin to curse this person whom they previously admired and withdraw their friendship from this person who did not want to conceal his crime. Conveniently they say of those who make the confession, “My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, and my kin stand afar off.” It is not the case, however, that he ought to be afraid of the behavior of others when, after having committed a sin, he desires to save himself, nor should he fear the reproaches of those who do not think about their own sins or recall the words of the divine Scriptures: “Do not insult a person converted from sin, remember that we all deserve punishment.” Do not worry about such things. Instead, worry about your soul, and pray to God that he may hear you and raise you after you fall so that you will be able to say also that which follows: “I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.”
Verse 9
The apostle Peter recommends, “In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.” It is good for a servant of God to learn from his masters with diligence and commitment what afterwards he must teach to others with prudence and for their benefit. Because if he does not and instead is lazy and indolent in applying himself, he will turn out to be useless in teaching others later.
Verse 10
Saul chased David, who in fact carried out these words, “When they persecute you in this city, flee into another.” He fled in order not to irritate his enemy with his presence and to become for him a reason to spill blood. In fact, David grasped the saying, “Do not incite the arm of a sinner,” better than anyone. This is why he withdrew and moved away, although he was loved by all the people and had many who shared his pains and his sorrow and who would have been able to receive him and hide him in their homes. But, in order not to become a cause of danger to others, he fled into the desert and preferred to live in caves. It seems to me that the holy apostle also alludes to him when he says, “They wandered in deserts, in the mountains, in dens and in caves of the earth.”
Verse 13
Consider, dearly beloved, those who vouch for someone concerning money, how they have to submit themselves to a greater risk than the one who is responsible for and receives the money. Indeed, if the person who has received the loan shows himself benevolent, he pays back what he owes to the person who has given the guarantee; but if he turns out to be bad, he prepares a much larger disaster for the person who has vouched for him. For this reason a wise man warned, “If you give surety, be concerned as one who must pay.” Now then, if those who vouch for someone concerning money render themselves responsible for everything, how much more do those who vouch for someone relating to spiritual things and on the theme of virtue must demonstrate great vigilance, exhorting, advising, correcting and revealing paternal affection. And they should understand that what is happening should not be taken lightly but that their own reputation is at stake. There will be mutual benefit if through their personal admonition they lead them someone onto the road of virtue, while a grave condemnation will be incumbent on them if they neglect to do so. For this reason, it is customary to call these people spiritual parents, so that they may learn what affection they must demonstrate for them with their own deeds in the teaching of spiritual things. If it is good to push those to embrace virtue with whom we have no relationship, how much more must we carry out this command regarding someone whom we receive whom we call a spiritual son or daughter.