18 ¹⁹ Before you speak, learn, and before you fall ill,
take care of your health.
18 ²⁰ Before judgment, examine yourself,
and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.
18 ²¹ Before falling ill, humble yourself,
and when you are on the point of sinning, turn back.
18 ²² Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,
and do not wait until death to be released from it.
18 ²³ Before making a vow, prepare yourself;
and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord.
18 ²⁴ Think of his wrath on the day of death,
and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
18 ²⁵ In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;
in the days of wealth think of poverty and need.
18 ²⁶ From morning to evening conditions change,
and all things move swiftly before the Lord.

18 ²⁷ A wise man is cautious in everything,
and in days of sin he guards against wrongdoing.
18 ²⁸ Every intelligent man knows wisdom,
and he praises the one who finds her.
18 ²⁹ Those who understand sayings become skilled themselves,
and pour forth apt proverbs.