Tis sad for a man when the king is his plaintiff and foe; for soon his own land will renounce him. God thou shouldst fear, as it behoveth His greatness; and cling to the king, his voice to obey.

Know that as one are the king and the law, as brothers on guard at every watch; one without the other can never stand firm; one without the other will never endure.

Live in a town where there is a king that is feared, where there's a judge that is all-just, and where the waters of the stream never fail; where a market is open, and there dwells one wise in all lore, one to heal all thy ills, an expert in his craft.

On one equal plane are the king and the fire; remove from them, and their help thou wilt need; approach them too closely, how soon with their heat they'll consume thee, if thou be not on thy guard!

If, in striving with thee, the king views thee askance, beware lest thou face him and turn to him straight; see, too, that thy words are remarkably few, or they will fail to gain for thee thy suit.

A king, through strict justice, doth establish the land, for his subjects by truth he doth lead; better is he than a season of plenty, and better than food and rich produce is the light of his countenance.

The worst kings are they who frighten the upright and good; they rule the worst who make offerings grow few; the worst of companions is he who misleadeth his friend; and so the land full of plenty, which is not safe, is hateful to live in; it giveth no rest.

If a man oppress his neighbour, to the King or Prince he'll appeal; but if the king act with rigour, and rob a man of his justice, to whom shall the man lift up his plaint and his cry, and whither shall he then turn for justice?

While the king is in anger stand not before him, for as a lion he will tear and seize on the prey; turn from the storm, and escape to the mountain; stand not by the stream while the waters overflow.

Strength and honour are a crown to the head of the wise man, who can boast of the king as his friend. If he be likened to the high hill and steep, where the cypress and nard their rich fragrance distill, let him remember there also do serpents dwell, they in their lurking place crouch; from thence, too, wild lions and leopards may leap. The ascent has been hard, indeed; but even now, thinking thou hast a firm footing, thou standest as though on the grave.

If the Regent doth hate thee, and sorely oppress thee, then trust not the love of the King; but the Regent as friend may turn the King's wrath, and spare thee to walk securely.

Keep God's command, obey the King's word, and then in safety¹ =26, the number of lines in this section.] shalt thou go on thy way.

footnotes: ¹ ["In safety"