The Thirty Precepts of the Sages

Don’t Move Back the Boundary Lines

17-21 Listen carefully to my wisdom;
    take to heart what I can teach you.
You’ll treasure its sweetness deep within;
    you’ll give it bold expression in your speech.
To make sure your foundation is trust in God,
    I’m laying it all out right now just for you.
I’m giving you thirty sterling principles—
    tested guidelines to live by.
Believe me—these are truths that work,
    and will keep you accountable
    to those who sent you.

1

22-23 Don’t walk on the poor just because they’re poor,
    and don’t use your position to crush the weak,
Because God will come to their defense;
    the life you took, he’ll take from you and give back to them.

2

24-25 Don’t hang out with angry people;
    don’t keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
    don’t get infected.

3

26-27 Don’t gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
    pawning your house against a lucky chance.
The time will come when you have to pay up;
    you’ll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.

4

28 Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines
    staked out long ago by your ancestors.

5

29 Observe people who are good at their work—
    skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
    they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

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Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

17 Pay attention(A) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;(B)
    apply your heart to what I teach,(C)
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
    and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord,
    I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you,
    sayings of counsel and knowledge,
21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,(D)
    so that you bring back truthful reports
    to those you serve?

Saying 2

22 Do not exploit the poor(E) because they are poor
    and do not crush the needy in court,(F)
23 for the Lord will take up their case(G)
    and will exact life for life.(H)

Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.(I)

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(J)
    or puts up security for debts;
27 if you lack the means to pay,
    your very bed will be snatched from under you.(K)

Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone(L)
    set up by your ancestors.

Saying 6

29 Do you see someone skilled(M) in their work?
    They will serve(N) before kings;(O)
    they will not serve before officials of low rank.

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