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5:1  Don’t be preoccupied with your money, and don’t say, “I’m self-sufficient.”
5:2  Don’t follow your inclination or your strength, in order to walk in the desires of your heart.
5:3  And don’t say, “Who’ll have power over me?” When the Lord punishes, he will punish.
5:4  Don’t say, “Sure, I sinned, but what happened to me?” The Lord is patient indeed.
5:5  Don’t be too confident of being forgiven, adding sin upon sin.
5:6  Don’t say, “His compassion is great; he will forgive the whole heap of my sins.” Mercy and wrath are with him, and his anger will rest on sinners.
5:7  Don’t wait to turn back to the Lord. Don’t put it off day after day, because the Lord’s wrath will come forth suddenly; when the time for punishment comes, you will be destroyed.
5:8  Don’t be preoccupied with ill-gotten gains; it will be of no benefit when you are in trouble.
5:9  Don’t be blown about by every wind, and don’t take every shortcut. This is how the devious sinner acts.
5:10  Be firmly grounded in your understanding, and let your speech be consistent.
5:11  Listen carefully, and utter a patient reply.
5:12  If you have understanding, answer your neighbor, but if you don’t, clap your hand over your mouth.
5:13  Speaking brings glory or dishonor. Indeed, the tongue can be a person’s downfall.
5:14  Don’t get a reputation for being a slanderer, and don’t set traps for people with your speech, because shame comes to the thief, and terrible blame comes upon the deceitful.
5:15  Don’t be ignorant in matters large or small.