12. For wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: wisdom preserves the life of the one who possesses it.
13. Consider the work of God, for who can straighten what He has bent?
14. In a time of prosperity, prosper! But in a time of adversity, consider: God has made one as well as the other. Therefore man cannot discover anything about his future.
15. During my fleeting days I have seen both of these things: sometimes a righteous one perishes in his righteousness and sometimes a wicked one lives long in his wickedness.
16. Do not be overly righteous nor overly wise— why confound yourself?
17. Do not be overly wicked and do not be a fool— why die before your time?