²³ An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

¹¹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies have no sense.^(A)

⁵ Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm,
    and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.
⁶ For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter,^(A)
    though a person may be weighed down by misery.

¹⁹ Those who work their land will have abundant food,
    but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty.^(A)

⁷ Even the stork in the sky
    knows her appointed seasons,
and the dove, the swift and the thrush
    observe the time of their migration.
But my people do not know^(A)
    the requirements of the Lord.

⁸ “‘How can you say, “We are wise,
    for we have the law^(B) of the Lord,”
when actually the lying pen of the scribes
    has handled it falsely?
⁹ The wise^(C) will be put to shame;
    they will be dismayed^(D) and trapped.^(E)
Since they have rejected the word^(F) of the Lord,
    what kind of wisdom^(G) do they have?
¹⁰ Therefore I will give their wives to other men
    and their fields to new owners.^(H)
From the least to the greatest,
    all are greedy for gain;^(I)
prophets^(J) and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.^(K)

¹⁸ The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,^(A)
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.^(B)

⁵ Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,^(A)
    who conduct their affairs with justice.

²³ Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,^(A)
    give careful attention to your herds;
²⁴ for riches do not endure forever,^(B)
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
²⁵ When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
²⁶ the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
²⁷ You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.