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Yahushua ben Sirach




Yahushua the son of Sirach, AKA: the Book of Ecclesiasticus

One of the four deutero-canonical books found among the Dead Sea Scrolls



Chapter 1
1 [The Prologue of The Book of the All-Virtuous Wisdom of Yahushua the Son of Sirach.] Many and great things were delivered to us by the law and the prophets, and by others who followed their steps, for the which things Yisrayah ought to be commended for learning and wisdom. Not only the readers themselves must needs become skilful, but also those who desire to learn be able to profit them which are without, both by speaking and writing. My grandfather Yahushua, when he had much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books of our fathers, and had gotten good judgment, was also drawn on himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom, to the intent that those who are desirous to learn, and are addicted to these things, might profit much more in living according to the law. Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favor and attention, and to pardon us, when we may seem to come short of some words, which we labor to interpret. For the same things uttered in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force in them. Not only these things, but the law itself, the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference when they are spoken in their own language. In the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was king, and continuing there some time, I found a book of no small learning. I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret it, using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book to an end, and set it forth for them also, which in a strange country are willing to learn, being prepared before in manners to live after the law. All wisdom comes from Yahwah, and is with Him forever.
2 Who can number the sand of the sea, the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3 Who can find out the height of heaven, the breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom?
4 Wisdom was created before all things, the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5 The Word of Yahwah most high is the fountain of wisdom, her ways are everlasting commandments.
6 To whom was the root of wisdom revealed? Or who knows her wise counsels?
7 [Unto whom has the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? Who understands her great experience?]
8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared: Yahwah, sitting upon His throne.
9 He created her, saw her, numbered her, and poured her out upon all His works.
10 She is with all flesh according to His gift, He gave her to those who love Him.
11 The fear of Yahwah is honor, glory, gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.
12 The fear of Yahwah makes a merry heart. It gives joy, gladness, and a long life.
13 Whoever fears Yahwah, it will go well with him at the last, he will find favor in the day of his death.
14 To fear Yahwah is the beginning of wisdom, it was created in the womb with the faithful.
15 She built an everlasting foundation with men, and she will continue with their seed.
16 To fear Yahwah is fulness of wisdom, and fills men with her fruits.
17 She fills all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.
18 The fear of Yahwah is a crown of wisdom, making peace, and perfect health to flourish. Both are the gifts of Yahwah, it enlarges the rejoicing of those who love Him.
19 Wisdom rains down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalts to honor those who hold her tight.
20 The root of wisdom is to fear Yahwah, her branches are long life.
21 The fear of Yahwah drives away sins, and where it is present it turns away wrath.
22 A furious man cannot be justified, for the sway of his fury will be his destruction.
23 A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy will spring up to him.
24 He will hide his words for a time, the lips of many will declare his wisdom.
25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom, but righteousness is an abomination to a sinner.
26 If you desire Wisdom, keep the commandments, and Yahwah will give her to you.
27 The fear of Yahwah is wisdom and instruction, faith and meekness are His delight.
28 Do not distrust the fear of Yahwah when you are poor. Do not come to Him with a double heart.
29 Do not be a hypocrite in the sight of men, take good heed what you speak.
30 Do not exalt yourself, unless you fall, bring dishonor upon your soul, so Yahwah discover your secrets, and cast you down in the midst of the congregation, because you did not come in truth to the fear of Yahwah, but your heart is full of deceit.

Chapter 2
1 My son, if you come to serve Yahwah, prepare your soul for temptation.
2 Set your heart correctly, constantly endure, do not make haste in time of trouble.
3 Cleave to Him, do not depart away, that you may be increased at your last end.
4 Whatsoever is brought upon you take cheerfully, be patient when you are changed to a low estate.
5 Gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
6 Believe in Him, and He will help you. Order your way correctly, and trust in Him.
7 You who fear Yahwah, wait for His mercy. Do not go aside, unless you fall.
8 You who fear Yahwah, believe Him. Your reward will not fail.
9 You who fear Yahwah, hope for good, for everlasting joy, and mercy.
10 Look at the generations of old, and see. Did any ever trust in Yahwah, and was confounded? Did any abide in His fear, and was forgotten? Or whom did He ever despise, who called upon Him?
11 Yahwah is full of compassion, mercy, longsuffering, very pitiful, forgives sins, and saves in time of affliction.
12 Woe be to fearful hearts, faint hands, and the sinner who goes two ways!
13 Woe to him that is fainthearted! He does not believe, therefore he will not be defended.
14 Woe to you that lost patience! What will you do when Yahwah will visit you?
15 Those who fear Yahwah will not disobey His Word, those who love Him will keep His ways.
16 Those who fear Yahwah will seek that which is well-pleasing to Him, those who love Him will be filled with the law.
17 Those who fear Yahwah will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in His sight, saying:
18 We will fall into the hands of Yahwah, and not into the hands of men, for as His majesty is, so is His mercy [2Samuel 24:14, Susanna 1:22-24].

Chapter 3
1 O children, hear me your father, and do what I say, that you may be safe.
2 Yahwah gave the father honor over the children, and confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
3 Whoever honors his father makes an atonement for his sins.
4 He that honors his mother is as one that lays up treasure.
5 Whoever honors his father will have joy of his own children. When he makes his prayer, he will be heard.
6 He that honors his father will have a long life. He that is obedient to Yahwah will be a comfort to his mother.
7 He that fears Yahwah will honor his father, and will do service to his parents, as to his masters.
8 Honor your father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them.
9 The blessing of the father establishes the houses of children, but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.
10 Do not glory in the dishonor of your father, for your father's dishonor is no glory to you.
11 The glory of a man is from the honor of his father, a mother in dishonor is a reproach to the children.
12 My son, help your father in his age, do not grieve him as long as he lives.
13 If his understanding fail, have patience with him, do not despise him when you are in your full strength.
14 The relieving of your father will not be forgotten, instead of sins it will be added to build you up.
15 In the day of your affliction it will be remembered, your sins will melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
16 He that forgets his father is as a blasphemer, he that angers his mother is cursed of Yahwah.
17 My son, go on with your business in meekness, so you will be beloved of him that is approved.
18 The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you will find favor before Yahwah.
19 Many are in high place, and of renown, but mysteries are revealed to the meek.
20 The power of Yahwah is great, He is honored of the lowly.
21 Do not seek out things that are too hard for you, neither search the things that are above your strength.
22 What is commanded you, think upon with reverence, it is not needful for you to see with your eyes the things that are in secret.
23 Do not be curious in unnecessary matters, more things are showed to you than men understand.
24 Many are deceived by their own vain opinion, an evil suspicion overthrows their judgment.
25 Without eyes you will want light, do not profess the knowledge that you do not have.
26 A stubborn heart will fare evil at the last, he that loves danger will perish in it.
27 An obstinate heart will be loaded with sorrows, the wicked man will heap sin upon sin.
28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy, the plant of wickedness took root in him.
29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable, an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30 Water will quench a flaming fire, alms make an atonement for sins.
31 He that requites good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter, when he falls, he will find a stay.

Chapter 4
1 My son, do not defraud the poor of his living, do not make the needy eyes to wait long.
2 Do not make a hungry soul sorrowful, neither provoke a man in his distress.
3 Do not add more trouble to a heart that is vexed, do not delay to give to him who is in need.
4 Do not reject the supplication of the afflicted, neither turn away your face from a poor man.
5 Do not turn your eye away from the needy, give him no occasion to curse you.
6 For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer will be heard of Him that made him.
7 Get yourself the love of the congregation, bow your head to a great man.
8 Let it not grieve you to bow down your ear to the poor, give him a friendly answer with meekness.
9 Deliver him that suffers wrong from the hand of the oppressor, do be not fainthearted when you sit in judgment.
10 Be as a father to the fatherless, instead of a husband to their mother. So you will be as the son of the most High, and He will love you more than your mother does.
11 Wisdom exalts her children, and lays hold of those who seek her.
12 He that loves her loves life, those who seek to her early will be filled with joy.
13 He that holds her fast will inherit glory, wheresoever she enters, Yahwah will bless.
14 Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One, Yahwah loves those who love her.
15 Whoever gives ear to her will judge the nations, he that attends to her will dwell securely.
16 If a man commit himself to her, he will inherit her, and his generation will hold her in possession.
17 At the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, bring fear and dread upon him, torment him with her discipline, and try him by her laws, until she may trust his soul.
18 Then she will return the straight way to him, comfort him, and show him her secrets.
19 If he go wrong, she will forget him, and give him over to his own ruin.
20 Observe the opportunity, beware of evil, do not be ashamed when it concerns your soul.
21 There is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame which is glory and grace.
22 Accept no person against your soul, do not let the reverence of any man cause you to fall.
23 Do not refrain to speak, when there is occasion to do good, do not hide your wisdom in her beauty.
24 Wisdom will be known by speech, learning by the word of the tongue.
25 In no way speak against the truth, be abashed of the error of your ignorance.
26 Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, do not force the course of the river.
27 Do not make yourself an underling to a foolish man, neither accept the person of the mighty.
28 Strive for the truth to death, and Yahwah will fight for you.
29 Do not be hasty in your tongue, or slack and remiss in your deeds.
30 Do not be as a lion in your house, nor frantic among your servants.
31 Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should repay.

Chapter 5
1 Do not set your heart upon your goods. Do not say: I have enough for my life.
2 Do not follow your own mind and your strength, to walk in the ways of your heart.
3 Do not say: Who will control me for my works? Yahwah will surely revenge your pride.
4 Do not say: I sinned, and what harm happened to me? Yahwah is longsuffering, but in no way will He let you go.
5 Concerning propitiation, do not be without fear to add sin to sin.
6 Do not say: His mercy is great, He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins. Mercy and wrath come from Him, His indignation rests upon sinners.
7 Make no tarrying to turn to Yahwah, do not put off from day to day. The wrath of Yahwah will come forth suddenly, in your security you will be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
8 Do not set your heart upon goods unjustly gotten, they will not profit you in the day of calamity.
9 Do not winnow with every wind, do not go into every way, for so does the sinner that has a double tongue.
10 Be stedfast in your understanding, let your word be the same.
11 Be swift to hear, let your life be sincere, and give answer with patience.
12 If you have understanding, answer your neighbor. If not, lay your hand upon your mouth.
13 Honor and shame is in talk, the tongue of man is his fall.
14 Do not be called a whisperer, do not lie in wait with your tongue, a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.
15 Do not be ignorant of anything in a great matter or a small.

Chapter 6
1 Do not become an enemy instead of a friend, you will inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach, same as a sinner with a double tongue.
2 Do not extol yourself in the counsel of your own heart, that your soul not be torn in pieces as [by] a bull.
3 You will eat up your leaves, lose your fruit, and leave yourself as a dry tree.
4 A wicked soul will destroy him that has it, and will make him to be laughed to scorn by his enemies.
5 Sweet language will multiply friends, a fairspeaking tongue will increase kind greetings.
6 Be in peace with many, nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.
7 If you would get a friend, prove him first, do not be hasty to credit him.
8 Some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide in the day of your trouble.
9 There is a friend, who being turned to enmity, strife will discover your reproach.
10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of your affliction.
11 In your prosperity he will be as yourself, and will be bold over your servants.
12 If you be brought low, he will be against you, and will hide himself from your face.
13 Separate yourself from your enemies, take heed of your friends.
14 A faithful friend is a strong defence, he that found such a one found a treasure.
15 Nothing counteracts a faithful friend, his excellency is invaluable.
16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life, those who fear Yahwah will find him.
17 Whoever fears Yahwah will direct his friendship correctly, as he is, so his neighbor will also be.
18 My son, gather instruction from your youth up, you will find wisdom till your old age.
19 Come to her as one that plows and sows, wait for her good fruits, you will not toil much in laboring about her, but you will eat of her fruits right soon.
20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned, he that is without understanding will not remain with her.
21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial, he will cast her from him before long.
22 Wisdom is according to her name, she is not manifest to many.
23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, do not refuse my counsel,
24 Put your feet into her fetters, your neck into her chain.
25 Bow down your shoulder, bear her, do not be grieved with her bonds.
26 Come to her with your whole heart, keep her ways with all your power.
27 Search, seek, and she will be made known to you. When you have got hold of her, do not let her go.
28 At the last you will find her rest, and that will be turned to your joy.
29 Her fetters will be a strong defence for you, her chains a robe of glory.
30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, her bands are purple lace.
31 You will put her on as a robe of honor, and will put her about you as a crown of joy.
32 My son, if you will, you will be taught. If you will apply your mind, you will be prudent.
33 If you love to hear, you will receive understanding. If you bow your ear, you will be wise.
34 Stand in the multitude of the elders, cleave to him that is wise.
35 Be willing to hear every righteous discourse, do not let the parables of understanding escape you.
36 If you see a man of understanding, get to him, let your foot wear down the steps of his door.
37 Let your mind be upon the ordinances of Yahwah, meditate continually in His commandments. He will establish your heart, and give you wisdom at your own desire.

Chapter 7
1 Do no evil, so no harm will come to you.
2 Depart from the unjust, and iniquity will turn away from you.
3 My son, do not sow upon the furrows of unrighteousness, and you will not reap them sevenfold.
4 Do not seek preeminence of Yahwah, nor the seat of honor of the king.
5 Do not justify yourself before Yahwah, do not boast of your wisdom before the king.
6 Do not seek to be judge, being unable to take away iniquity, unless at any time you fear the person of the mighty, a stumblingblock in the way of your uprightness.
7 Do not offend against the multitude of a city, and then you will not cast yourself down among the people.
8 Do not bind one sin upon another, for in one you will not be unpunished.
9 Do not say: Yahwah will look upon the multitude of my oblations, and when I offer to the most high Father, He will accept it.
10 Do not be fainthearted when you make your prayer, do not neglect to give alms.
11 Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul, for there is one which humbles and exalts.
12 Do not devise a lie against your brother, nor do the like to your friend.
13 Do not make any manner of lie, for that custom is not good.
14 Do not use many words in a multitude of elders, do not make much babbling when you pray.
15 Do not hate laborious work, nor husbandry, which the most High ordained.
16 Do not number yourself among the multitude of sinners, remember that wrath will not tarry long.
17 Humble yourself greatly, for the vengeance of the unrighteous is fire and worms.
18 Do not change a friend for any good money, nor a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir.
19 Do not forego a wise and good woman, for her grace is above gold.
20 When your servant works truly, do not treat him evil, nor the hireling that bestows himself wholly for you.
21 Let your soul love a good servant, do not defraud him of liberty.
22 Have cattle? Have an eye to them, if they be for your profit, keep them with you.
23 Have children? Instruct them, bow down their neck from their youth.
24 Have daughters? Have a care of their body, do not show yourself cheerful toward them.
25 Marry [off] your daughter, you will perform a weighty matter, but give her to a man of understanding.
26 Have you a wife after your mind? Do not forget her, do not give yourself over to a light woman.
27 Honor your father with your whole heart, do not forget the sorrows of your mother.
28 Remember that you were begotten of them, how can you recompense them the things that they did for you?
29 Fear Yahwah with all your soul, and reverence His priests.
30 Love Him that made you with all your strength, do not forget His ministers.
31 Fear Yahwah, and honor the priest. Give him his portion, as it is commanded you (the firstfruits, the trespass offering, the gift of the shoulders, the sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy things).
32 Stretch your hand to the poor, that your blessing may be perfected.
33 A gift has grace in the sight of every living man, the dead do not detain it.
34 Do not fail to be with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn.
35 Do not be slow to visit the sick, for that will make you to be beloved.
36 Whatsoever you take in hand, remember the end, and you will never do amiss.

Chapter 8
1 Do not strive with a mighty man, unless you fall into his hands.
2 Do not be at variance with a rich man, unless he outweigh you. Gold has destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.
3 Do not strive with a man that is full of tongue, do not heap wood upon his fire.
4 Do not jest with a rude man, unless your ancestors are disgraced.
5 Do not reproach a man that turns from sin, but remember that we are all worthy of punishment.
6 Do not dishonor a man in his old age, for even some of us get old.
7 Do not rejoice over your greatest enemy being dead, remember that we all die.
8 Do not despise the discourse of the wise, but acquaint yourself with their proverbs. Of them you will learn instruction, and how to serve great men with ease.
9 Do not miss the discourse of the elders. They learned of their fathers, and of them you will learn understanding to give answer as need requires.
10 Do not kindle the coals of a sinner, unless you are burned with the flame of his fire.
11 Do not rise up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person, unless he lie in wait to entrap you in your words.
12 Do not lend to him that is mightier than yourself, if you lend to him, count it lost.
13 Do not be surety above your power, if you be surety, take care to pay it.
14 Do not go to law with a judge, they will judge for him according to his honor.
15 Do not travel by the way with a bold fellow, unless he become grievous to you. He will do according to his own will, and you will perish with him through his folly.
16 Do not strive with an angry man, and do not go with him into a solitary place. Blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he will overthrow you.
17 Do not consult with a fool, he cannot keep counsel.
18 Do no secret thing before a stranger, you do not know what he will bring forth.
19 Do not open your heart to every man, unless he requite you with a shrewd turn.

Chapter 9
1 Do not be jealous over the wife of your bosom, do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself.
2 Do not give your soul to a woman, to set her foot upon your substance.
3 Do not meet with a harlot, unless you fall into her snares.
4 Do not overly use the company of a woman that is a singer, unless you be taken with her attempts.
5 Do not gaze on a maid, that you not fall by those things that are precious in her.
6 Do not give your soul to harlots, that you not lose your inheritance.
7 Do not look round about you in the streets of the city, nor wander in the solitary places.
8 Turn away your eye from a beautiful woman, do not look upon another's beauty. Many were deceived by the beauty of a woman, because love is kindled as a fire.
9 Do not sit at all with another man's wife, nor sit down with her in your arms. Do not spend your money with her at the wine, unless your heart incline to her, and so through your desire you fall into destruction.
10 Do not forget an old friend, for the new is not comparable to him. A new friend is as new wine, when it is old, you will drink it with pleasure.
11 Do not envy the glory of a sinner, for you do not know what his end will be.
12 Do not delight in the thing that the unrighteous have pleasure in, remember they will not go unpunished to their grave.
13 Keep far from the man that has power to kill, so you will not doubt the fear of death. If you come to him, make no fault, unless he take away your life presently. Remember that you go in the midst of snares, and that you walk upon the battlements of the city.
14 As near as you can, guess at your neighbor, and consult with the wise.
15 Let your talk be with the wise, and all your communication in the law of the most High.
16 Let just men eat and drink with you, let your glorying be in the fear of Yahwah.
17 For the hand of the worker the work will be commended, and the wise ruler of the people for his speech.
18 A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city, he that is rash in his talk will be hated.

Chapter 10
1 A wise judge will instruct his people, the government of a prudent man is well ordered.
2 As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers. What manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all those who dwell there.
3 An unwise king destroys his people, but through the prudence of those who are in authority the city will be inhabited.
4 The power of the earth is in the hand of Yahwah, and in due time He will set over it one that is profitable.
5 In the hand of Yahwah is the prosperity of man, and upon the person of the scribe He will lay His honor.
6 Do not bear hatred to your neighbor for every wrong, do nothing at all by injurious practices.
7 Pride is hateful before Yahwah and man, and by both one commits iniquity.
8 Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.
9 Why are earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man, such a one sets his own soul to sale, while he lives he casts away his bowels.
10 The physician cuts off a long disease, he who is a king today will die tomorrow.
11 When a man is dead, he will inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms.
12 The beginning of pride is when one departs from Yahwah, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.
13 Pride is the beginning of sin, he that has it will pour out abomination. Therefore Yahwah brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.
14 Yahwah cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek instead.
15 Yahwah plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place.
16 Yahwah overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.
17 He took some of them away, destroyed them, and made their memorial to cease from the earth.
18 Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for those who are born of a woman.
19 Those who fear Yahwah are a sure seed, and those who love Him an honorable plant. Those who do not regard the law are a dishonorable seed, those who transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.
20 Among brothers he that is chief is honorable, so in his eyes are those who fear Yahwah.
21 The fear of Yahwah goes before the obtaining of authority, roughness and pride is the losing of it.
22 Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of Yahwah.
23 It is not right to despise the poor man that has understanding, neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.
24 Great men, judges, and potentates, will be honored, yet is there none of them greater than he who fears Yahwah.
25 Those who are free will do service to the servant that is wise, he that has knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.
26 Do not be overwise in doing your business, do not boast yourself in the time of your distress.
27 Better is he that labors, and abounds in all things, than he that boasts himself but lacks bread.
28 My son, glorify your soul in meekness, and give it honor according to its dignity.
29 Who will justify him that sins against his own soul? Who will honor him that dishonors his own life?
30 The poor man is honored for his skill, the rich man is honored for his riches.
31 He that is honored in poverty, how much more in riches? He that is dishonorable in riches, how much more in poverty?

Chapter 11
1 Wisdom lifts up the head of him that is of low degree, and makes him to sit among great men.
2 Do not commend a man for his beauty, neither abhor a man for his outward appearance.
3 The bee is little among such as fly, but her fruit [honey] is the chief of sweet things.
4 Do not boast of your clothing and garments, do not exalt yourself in the day of honor, for the works of Yahwah are wonderful, and His works among men are hidden.
5 Many kings sat down upon the ground, and one that was never thought of wore the crown.
6 Many mighty men were greatly disgraced, and the honorable delivered into other men's hands.
7 Do not blame before you examine the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.
8 Do not answer before you hear the reason, nor interrupt men in the middle of their talk.
9 Do not strive in a matter that does not concern you, do not sit in judgment with sinners.
10 My son, do not meddle with many matters, for if you meddle much, you will not be innocent. If you follow after, you will not obtain, nor will you escape by fleeing.
11 There is one that labors, takes pains, makes haste, and is so much the more behind.
12 Again, there is another that is slow, has need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty. Yet the eye of Yahwah looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate.
13 When he is back on his feet again, everyone is astounded.
14 Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of Yahwah.
15 Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of Yahwah. Love, and the way of good works, are from Him.
16 Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners, evil will wax old with those who glory in it.
17 The gift of Yahwah remains with the righteous, His favor brings prosperity forever.
18 There is he who gets rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward:
19 when he says; I found rest, and will now eat continually of my goods; yet he does not know what time will come upon him, that he must leave those things to others, and die.
20 Be stedfast in your covenant, be conversant in it, and grow old in your work.
21 Do not marvel at the works of sinners, trust in Yahwah, and abide in your labor. It is an easy thing in the sight of Yahwah to make a poor man rich on the sudden.
22 The blessing of Yahwah is in the reward of the righteous, and suddenly He makes his blessing flourish.
23 Do not say: What profit is there of my service? What good things will I have hereafter?
24 Do not say, I have enough, and possess many things, what evil will I have hereafter?
25 In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction, in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.
26 It is an easy thing to Yahwah to reward a man in the day of death according to his ways.
27 The affliction of an hour makes a man forget pleasure, in his end his deeds will be discovered.
28 Judge none blessed before his death, a man will be known in his children.
29 Do not bring every man into your house, the deceitful man has many trains.
30 Like as a partridge taken in a cage, so is the heart of the proud. Like as a spy, he watches for your fall.
31 He lies in wait, turns good into evil, and will lay blame upon you in things worth praise.
32 Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled, and a sinful man lays wait for blood.
33 Take heed of a mischievous man, for he works wickedness, unless he bring upon you a perpetual blot.
34 Receive a stranger into your house, he will disturb you, and turn you out of your own.

Chapter 12
1 When you will do good know to whom you do it, so you will be thanked for your benefits.
2 Do good to the righteous man, and you will find a recompence; if not from him, yet from the Most High.
3 There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that gives no alms.
4 Give to the righteous man, do not help a sinner.
5 Do well to him that is lowly, do not give to the unrighteous. Hold back your bread, do not give it to him, unless he control you, for you will receive twice as much evil for all the good you did to him.
6 The Most High hates sinners, will repay vengeance to the unrighteous, and keeps them against the mighty day of their punishment.
7 Give to the good, do not help the sinner.
8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity, an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity.
9 Enemies will be grieved in the prosperity of a man, but in his adversity even a friend will depart.
10 Never trust your enemy, for like as iron rusts, so is his wickedness.
11 Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him. You will be to him as if you had wiped a looking-glass, you will know that his rust has not been altogether wiped away.
12 Do not set him by you, otherwise when he overthrows you, he will stand up in your place. Do not let him sit at your right hand, unless he seek to take your seat, and at the last you remember my words, and be pricked by them.
13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any such as come near wild beasts?
14 Who will pity one that goes to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his sins?
15 For a while he will abide with you, but if you begin to fall, he will not tarry.
16 An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he imagines how to throw you into a pit. He will weep with his eyes, but if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.
17 If adversity come upon you, you will find him there first. Though he pretend to help you, yet he will undermine you.
18 He will shake his head, clap his hands, whisper much, and change his countenance.

Chapter 13
1 He that touches pitch will be defiled by it, he that has fellowship with a proud man will be like to him.
2 Do not burden yourself above your power while you live. Have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than yourself, for how can the kettle and the earthen pot agree together? If the one be smitten against the other, it will be broken.
3 The rich man has done wrong, yet he threatens you. The poor is wronged, and he must beg also.
4 If you are for his profit, he will use you. If you have nothing, he will forget you.
5 If you have anything, he will live with you. Yea, he will make you bare, and will not be sorry for it.
6 If he has need of you, he will deceive you, smile upon you, and put you in hope. He will speak fair to you, and say: What do you want?
7 He will shame you by his meats, until he draws you dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh you to scorn afterward. When he sees you, he will forget you, and shake his head at you.
8 Beware that you do not be deceived and brought down in your jollity.
9 If you are invited of a mighty man, withdraw yourself, and so much the more he will invite you.
10 Do not press upon him, unless you are put back. Stand not far off, unless you are forgotten.
11 Do not try to be made equal to him in talk, and do not believe his many words, for with many words he will tempt you, and smiling upon you will get out your secrets.
12 He will lay up your words cruelly, and will not spare to do you hurt, to put you in prison.
13 Observe, take good heed, for you walk in peril of your overthrowing. When you hear these things, awake in your sleep.
14 Love Yahwah all your life, and call upon Him for your salvation.
15 Every beast loves his like, and every man loves his neighbor.
16 All flesh consorts according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like.
17 What fellowship has the wolf with the lamb? So the sinner with the righteous.
18 What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? What peace between the rich and the poor?
19 As the wild ass is the lion's prey in the wilderness, so the rich eat up the poor.
20 As the proud hate humility, so does the rich abhor the poor.
21 A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends, a poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.
22 When a rich man is fallen, he has many helpers, he speaks things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him. The poor man slipped, yet they rebuked him too. He spoke wisely, but has no place.
23 When a rich man speaks, every man holds his tongue, and look, what he says, they extol it to the clouds. If the poor man speak, they say: Who is this? If he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.
24 Riches are good to him that has no sin, poverty is evil in the mouth of the unrighteous.
25 The heart of a man changes his countenance, whether it is for good or evil, and a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.
26 A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity, the finding out of parables is a wearisome labor of the mind.

Chapter 14
1 Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and is not pricked with the multitude of sins.
2 Blessed is he whose conscience does not condemn him, who is not fallen from his hope in Yahwah.
3 Riches are not comely for a stingy person, and what should an envious man do with money?
4 He who gathers by defrauding his own soul gathers for others who will spend his goods riotously.
5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? He will not take pleasure in his goods.
6 There is none worse than he who envies himself, and this is a recompence of his wickedness.
7 If he does good, he does it unwillingly, and at the last he will declare his wickedness.
8 The envious man has a wicked eye, he turns away his face, and despises men.
9 A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion, the iniquity of the wicked dries up his soul.
10 A wicked eye envies [his] bread, he is stingy at his table.
11 My son, do good to yourself according to your ability, and give Yahwah His due offering.
12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave is not shown to you.
13 Do good to your friend before you die, according to your ability stretch out your hand and give to him.
14 Do not defraud yourself of the good day, do not let the part of a good desire overpass you.
15 Shall you not leave your travails to another? And your labors to be divided by lot?
16 Give, take, and sanctify your soul, for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave.
17 All flesh gets old as a garment, from the beginning the covenant is: You will die the death.
18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow. So is the generation of flesh and blood, one comes to an end, and another is born.
19 Every work rots and consumes away, and the worker will go with it.
20 Blessed is the man who meditates good things in Wisdom, and that reasons of holy things by his understanding.
21 He that considers her ways in his heart will also have understanding in her secrets.
22 Go after her as one that traces, and lie in wait in her ways.
23 He that pries in at her windows, will also hearken at her doors.
24 He that lodges near her house, will also fasten a pin in her walls.
25 He will pitch his tent near to her, and will lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26 He will set his children under her shelter, and will lodge under her branches.
27 By her he will be covered from heat, and in her glory he will dwell.

Chapter 15
1 He that fears Yahwah will do good, he that has the knowledge of the law will obtain her.
2 She will meet him as a mother, receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
3 With the bread of understanding she will feed him, and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
4 He will be stayed upon her, and will not be moved. He will rely upon her, and will not be confounded.
5 She will exalt him above his neighbors, and in the midst of the congregation she will open his mouth.
6 He will find joy and a crown of gladness. She will cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
7 Foolish men will not attain to her, and sinners will not see her.
8 She is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember her.
9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent him of Yahwah.
10 Praise will be uttered in wisdom, and Yahwah will prosper it.
11 Do not say: It is through Yahwah that I fell away. You ought to not do the things that He hates.
12 Do not say: He caused me to err. He has no need of the sinful man.
13 Yahwah hates all abomination. Those who fear Yahwah do not love it.
14 He Himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of His counsel.
15 Keep the commandments if you will, perform acceptable faithfulness.
16 He set fire and water before you, stretch forth your hand to which you will.
17 Before man is life and death, and what he likes will be given him.
18 The wisdom of Yahwah is great, He is mighty in power, and beholds all things.
19 His eyes are upon those who fear Him, He knows every work of man.
20 He commanded no man to do wickedly, neither did He give any man license to sin.

Chapter 16
1 Do not desire a multitude of unprofitable children, nor delight in unrighteous sons.
2 Though they multiply, do not rejoice in them, unless the fear of Yahwah is with them.
3 Do not trust in their life, nor respect their multitude, for one that is just is better than a thousand. It is better to die without children, than to have those who are unrighteous.
4 By one that has understanding the city will be replenished, but the kindred of the wicked will speedily become desolate.
5 Many such things I saw with my eyes, and my ear heard greater things than these.
6 In the congregation of the unrighteous a fire will be kindled, in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.
7 He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.
8 Nor did He spare the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride.
9 He did not pity the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins,
10 nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.
11 If there is one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if he escape unpunished, for mercy and wrath are with Him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure.
12 As His mercy is great, so is His correction also. He judges a man according to his works.
13 The sinner will not escape with his spoils, the patience of the righteous will not be frustrated.
14 Make way for every work of mercy, every man will find according to his works.
15 Yahwah hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know Him, that His powerful works might be known to the world.
16 His mercy is manifest to every creature, He separated His light from the darkness with an adamant.
17 Do not say: I will hide myself from Yahwah, will any remember me from above? I will not be remembered among so many people, what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?
18 Behold, the heaven, the heaven of heavens, the deep, the earth, and all that is in them, will be moved when He visits.
19 The mountains and the foundations of the earth will be shaken with trembling, when Yahwah looks upon them.
20 No heart can think upon these things worthily, who is able to conceive His ways?
21 It is a tempest which no man can see, for the most part of His works are hid.
22 Who can declare the works of His justice? Or who can endure them? His covenant is afar off, the trial of all things is in the end.
23 He that lacks understanding will think upon vain things, and an erring foolish man imagines follies.
24 My son, hearken to me, learn knowledge, mark my words with your heart.
25 I will show forth doctrine in weight, and declare His knowledge exactly.
26 The works of Yahwah are done in judgment from the beginning, from the time He made them He disposed their parts.
27 He garnished His works forever, in His hand are the chief of them to all generations: they do not labor, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.
28 None of them hinders another, and they will never disobey His Word.
29 After this Yahwah looked upon the earth, and filled it with His blessings.
30 With all manner of living things He covered the face of it, they will return into it again.

Chapter 17
1 Yahwah created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.
2 He gave them few days, a short time, and power also over the things there.
3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them according to His image.
4 He put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls.
5 They received the use of the five operations of Yahwah. In the sixth place He imparted understanding to them, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogitations of it.
6 To understand He gave them counsel, a tongue, eyes, ears, and a heart.
7 He filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and showed them good and evil.
8 He set His eye upon their hearts, that He might show them the greatness of His works.
9 He gave them to glory in His marvellous acts forever, that they might declare His works with understanding.
10 The elect will praise His holy Name.
11 Beside this He gave them knowledge, and the law of life for a heritage.
12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and showed them His judgments.
13 Their eyes saw the majesty of His glory, and their ears heard His glorious voice.
14 He said to them: Beware of all unrighteousness. He gave every man commandment concerning His neighbor.
15 Their ways are ever before Him, and will not be hid from His eyes.
16 Every man from his youth is given to evil, they could not make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.
17 In the division of the nations of the whole earth He set a ruler over every people, but Yisrayah is Yahwah's portion.
18 Being His firstborn, He nourishes him with discipline, gives him the light of His love, and does not forget him.
19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before Him, and His eyes are continually upon their ways.
20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from Him, all their sins are before Yahwah.
21 But Yahwah being gracious and knowing His workmanship, did not leave nor forget them, but spared them.
22 The alms of a man is as a signet with Him, He will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his sons and daughters.
23 Afterwards He will rise up and reward them, and render their recompence upon their heads.
24 Unto those who repent, He granted return, and comforted those that failed in patience.
25 Return to Yahwah, abandon your sins, make your prayer before His face, and offend less.
26 Turn again to the Most High, turn away from iniquity, He will lead you out of darkness into the light of health, and hate your abomination vehemently.
27 Who will praise the Most High in the grave, instead of those who live and give thanks?
28 Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, as from one that is not, the living and sound in heart will praise Yahwah.
29 How great is the lovingkindness of Yahwah our Father, and His compassion to such as turn to Him in holiness!
30 All things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal.
31 What is brighter than the sun? Yet the light of it fails, flesh and blood will imagine evil.
32 He views the power of the height of heaven, all men are but earth and ashes.

Chapter 18
1 He who lives forever created all things in general.
2 Yahwah only is righteous, and there is none other but He.
3 He governs the world with the palm of His hand, and all things obey His will. He is the King of all, by His power dividing holy things among them from profane.
4 To whom did He give power to declare His works? Who will find out His noble acts?
5 Who will number the strength of His majesty? Who will also tell out His mercies?
6 As for the wondrous works of Yahwah, there may nothing be taken from them, nor may anything be put to them, nor can the ground of them be found out.
7 When a man has done, then he begins. When he leaves off, then he will be doubtful.
8 What is man, and why does he serve? What is his good, and what is his evil?
9 The number of a man's days at the most are a hundred years.
10 As a drop of water to the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand, so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
11 Therefore Yahwah is patient with them, and pours forth His mercy upon them.
12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil, therefore He multiplied His compassion.
13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbor, but the mercy of Yahwah is upon all flesh. He reproves, nurtures, teaches, and brings again, as a shepherd his flock.
14 He has mercy on those who receive discipline, and that diligently seek after His judgments.
15 My son, do not blemish your good deeds, nor use uncomfortable words when you give anything.
16 Shall the dew not assuage the heat? So is a word better than a gift.
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? But both are with a gracious man.
18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, a gift of the envious consumes the eyes.
19 Learn before you speak, and use physic or ever you be sick.
20 Examine yourself before judgment, and in the day of visitation you will find mercy.
21 Humble yourself before you are sick, and show repentance in the time of sins.
22 Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time, do not delay until death to be justified.
23 Before you pray, prepare yourself, do not be as one that tempts Yahwah.
24 Think upon the wrath that will be at the end, the time of vengeance, when He will turn away His face.
25 Remember the time of hunger when you have enough. When you are rich, think upon poverty and need.
26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before Yahwah.
27 A wise man will fear in everything, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence, but a fool will not observe time.
28 Every man of understanding knows wisdom, and will give praise to him that found her.
29 Those who were of understanding in sayings also became wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30 Do not go after your lusts, refrain yourself from your appetites.
31 If you give your soul the desires that please her, she will make you a laughingstock to your enemies that malign you.
32 Do not take pleasure in much good cheer, nor be tied to the expenses.
33 Do not be made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when you have nothing in your purse, for you will lie in wait for your own life, and be talked on.

Chapter 19
1 A laboring man that is given to drunkenness will not be rich, he that contemns small things will fall by little and little.
2 Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away, he that cleaves to harlots will become impudent.
3 Moths and worms will have him to heritage, and a bold man will be taken away.
4 He that is hasty to give credit is lightminded, he that sins will offend against his own soul.
5 Whoever takes pleasure in wickedness will be condemned, he that resists pleasures crowns his life.
6 He that can rule his tongue will live without strife, he that hates babbling will have less evil.
7 Do not rehearse to another that which is told to you, and you will fare never the worse.
8 Whether it be to friend or foe, do not talk of other men's lives. If you can without offence, do not reveal them.
9 He heard and observed you, and when time comes he will hate you.
10 If you heard a word, let it die with you. Be bold, it will not burst you.
11 A fool travails with a word, as a woman in labor of a child.
12 As an arrow that sticks in a man's thigh, so is a word within a fool's belly.
13 Admonish a friend, it may be he did not do it. If he did it, maybe he will do it no more.
14 Admonish your friend, it may be he did not say it. If he did, he might not speak it again.
15 Admonish a friend, for many times it is a slander, do not believe every tale.
16 There is one that slips in his speech, but not from his heart, who is he that has not offended with his tongue?
17 Admonish your neighbor before you threaten him, and not being angry, give place to the law of the most High.
18 The fear of Yahwah is the first step to be accepted [of Him], wisdom obtains His love.
19 The knowledge of the commandments of Yahwah is the doctrine of life, those who do things that please Him will receive the fruit of the tree of immortality.
20 The fear of Yahwah is all wisdom, and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, the knowledge of His omnipotency.
21 If a servant say to his master: I will not do as it pleases you; though afterward he do it, he angers him that nourishes him.
22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, nor at any time is the counsel of sinners prudence.
23 There is a wickedness, the same an abomination, and there is a fool lacking wisdom.
24 He that has small understanding and fears Yahwah, is better than one that has much wisdom, yet transgresses the law of the most High.
25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust: there is one that turns aside to make judgment appear, and there is a wise man that justifies in judgment.
26 There is a wicked man that hangs down his head sadly, but inwardly he is full of deceit, casting down his countenance, and making as if he did not hear.
27 Where he is not known, he will do you a mischief before you are aware.
28 If for want of power he is hindered from sinning, yet when he finds opportunity he will do evil.
29 A man may be known by his look when you meet him, and one that has understanding by his countenance.
30 A man's attire, excessive laughter, and gait, show what he is.

Chapter 20
1 There is a reproof that is not comely, again, some man holds his tongue, and he is wise.
2 It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly. He that confesses his fault will be preserved from hurt.
3 How good it is, when you are reproved, to show repentance! For so you will escape wilful sin.
4 As the lust of a eunuch is to deflower a virgin, so is he that executes judgment with violence.
5 There is one that keeps silence, and is found wise: another by much babbling becomes hateful.
6 Some man holds his tongue, because he does not have the answer, and some keeps silence, knowing his time.
7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he sees opportunity, a babbler and a fool will regard no time.
8 He that uses many words will be abhorred, he that takes authority to himself will be hated.
9 There is a sinner that has good success in evil things, there is a gain that turns to loss.
10 There is a gift that will not profit you, there is a gift whose recompence is double.
11 There is an abasement because of glory, there is he who lifts up his head from a low estate.
12 There is he who buys much for a little, and repays it sevenfold.
13 A wise man makes himself beloved by his words, the graces of fools will be poured out.
14 The gift of a fool will do you no good when you have it, nor yet of the envious for his necessity, for he looks to receive many things for one.
15 He gives little, and upbraids much, he opens his mouth like a crier. Today he lends, and tomorrow he will ask it again, such a one is to be hated of Yahwah and man.
16 The fool says: I have no friends, I have no thank for all my good deeds, those who eat my bread speak evil of me.
17 How often, and of how many will he be laughed to scorn! He does not know correctly what it is to have, it is all one to him as if he had it not.
18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue, the fall of the wicked will come speedily.
19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise.
20 A wise sentence will be rejected when it comes out of a fool's mouth, he will not speak it in due season.
21 There is he who is hindered from sinning through want, when he takes rest, he will not be troubled.
22 There is he who destroys his own soul through bashfulness, and overthrows himself by accepting of persons.
23 There is he who for bashfulness promises to his friend, and makes him his enemy for nothing.
24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught.
25 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie, but they will both have destruction for heritage.
26 The disposition of a liar is dishonorable, his shame is ever with him.
27 A wise man will promote himself to honor with his words, he that has understanding will please great men.
28 He that tills his land will increase his heap, he that pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity.
29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, and stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove.
30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both?
31 Better is he that hides his folly, than a man that hides his wisdom.
32 Necessary patience in seeking Yahwah, is better than he that leads his life without a guide.

Chapter 21
1 My son, have you sinned? Do so no more, but ask pardon for your former sins.
2 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent. If you come too near it, it will bite you. Its teeth are as the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
3 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds cannot be healed.
4 To terrify and do wrong will waste riches, thus the house of proud men will be made desolate.
5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reaches to the ears of Yahwah, and His judgment comes speedily.
6 He that hates to be reproved is in the way of sinners, he that fears Yahwah will repent from his heart.
7 An eloquent man is known far and near, a man of understanding knows when he slips.
8 He that builds his house with other men's money, is like one that gathers himself stones for the tomb of his burial.
9 The congregation of the wicked is like kindling wrapped together, the end of them is a flame of fire to destroy them.
10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end is the pit of hell.
11 He that keeps the law of Yahwah gets understanding of it, the perfection of the fear of Yahwah is wisdom.
12 He that is not wise will not be taught, but there is a wisdom which multiplies bitterness.
13 The knowledge of a wise man will abound like a flood, his counsel is like a pure fountain of life.
14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel, he will hold no knowledge as long as he lives.
15 If a skilful man hear a wise word, he will commend it, and add to it. But as soon as one of no understanding hears it, it displeases him, and he casts it behind his back.
16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way, but grace will be found in the lips of the wise.
17 They inquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they will ponder his words in their heart.
18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool, and the knowledge of the unwise is as talk without sense.
19 Doctrine to fools is as fetters on the feet, like manacles on the right hand.
20 A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, a wise man does scarce smile a little.
21 Learning is to a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
22 A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbor's] house, but a man of experience is ashamed of him.
23 A fool will peep in at the door into the house, he that is well nurtured will stand outside.
24 It is the rudeness of a man to hearken at the door, a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
25 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as do not pertain to them, but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance.
26 The heart of fools is in their mouth, the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
27 When the unrighteous curses Satan, he curses his own soul.
28 A whisperer defiles his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwells.

Chapter 22
1 A slothful man is compared to a filthy stone, everyone will hiss him out to his disgrace.
2 A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill, every man that takes it up will shake his hand.
3 An evil-nurtured man is the dishonor of his father that begat him, and a [foolish] daughter is born to his loss.
4 A wise daughter will bring an inheritance to her husband, she that lives dishonestly is her father's heaviness.
5 She that is bold dishonors both her father and her husband, they will both despise her.
6 A tale out of season [is as] music in mourning, but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time.
7 Whoever teaches a fool is as one that glues a broken pot together, and as he that wakes one from a sound sleep.
8 He that tells a tale to a fool speaks to one in a slumber. When he has told his tale, he will say: What is the matter?
9 If children live honestly, and have what they need, they will cover the baseness of their parents.
10 Children being haughty through disdain and lack of nurture, stain the nobility of their kindred.
11 Weep for the dead, for he has lost the light. Weep for the fool, for he lacks understanding. Make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest. The life of the fool is worse than death.
12 Seven days men mourn for him that is dead, but for a fool and an unrighteous man all the days of his life.
13 Do not talk much with a fool, do not go to him that has no understanding. Beware of him, unless you have trouble, and you will never be defiled with his fooleries. Depart from him, you will find rest, and never be disquieted with madness.
14 What is heavier than lead? What is the name, but a fool?
15 Sand, salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear than a man without understanding.
16 As timber tied and bound together in a building cannot be loosened with shaking, so the heart that is established by advised counsel will fear at no time.
17 A heart settled upon a thought of understanding, is as a fair plastering on the wall of a gallery.
18 Pales set on a high place will never stand against the wind, a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot stand against any fear.
19 He that pricks the eye will make tears to fall, he that pricks the heart makes it to show her knowledge.
20 Whoever casts a stone at the birds chases them away, he that upbraids his friend breaks friendship.
21 Though you drew a sword at your friend, yet do not despair, for there may be a returning [to favor.]
22 If you opened your mouth against your friend, do not fear, for there may be a reconciliation. Every friend will depart for these things: upbraiding, pride, disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound.
23 Be faithful to your neighbor in his poverty, that you may rejoice in his prosperity. Abide stedfast to him in the time of his trouble, that you may be heir with him in his heritage. A mean estate is not always to be contemned, nor the rich that is foolish to be had in admiration.
24 As the vapor and smoke of a furnace goes before the fire, so reviling before blood.
25 I will not be ashamed to defend a friend, nor will I hide myself from him.
26 If any evil happen to me by him, everyone that hears it will beware of him.
27 Who will set a watch before my mouth, and a seal of wisdom upon my lips, that I not fall suddenly by them, that my tongue not destroy me?

Chapter 23
1 O Yahwah, Father and Governor of all my whole life, do not leave me to their counsels, do not let me fall by them.
2 Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart? They do not spare me for my ignorances.
3 Do not pass by my sins unless my ignorances increase, my sins abound to my destruction, I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me, whose hope is far from your mercy.
4 O Yahwah, Father of my life, do not give me a proud look, turn a haughty mind away from your servant.
5 Turn away from me vain hopes and gratification of the senses, you will hold up him that is always desirous to serve you.
6 Do not let the greediness of the belly, nor lust of the flesh, take hold of me. Do not give me your servant over into an impudent mind.
7 Hear, O you children, the discipline of the mouth, he that keeps it will never be taken in his lips.
8 The sinner will be left in his foolishness, both the evil speaker and the proud will fall by them.
9 Do not accustom your mouth to swearing, nor use yourself to the naming of the Holy One.
10 As a servant that is continually beaten will not be without a blue mark, he that swears and names Yahwah continually will not be faultless.
11 A man that uses much swearing will be filled with iniquity, and the plague will never depart from his house. If he will offend, his sin will be upon him. If he not acknowledge his sin, he makes a double offence. If he swear in vain, he will not be innocent, his house will be full of calamities.
12 There is a word that is clothed about with death, Yahwah grant that it not be found in the heritage of Yaacob. All such things will be far from the righteous, and they will not wallow in their sins.
13 Do not use your mouth to intemperate swearing, for that is the word of sin.
14 Remember your father and your mother when you sit among great men. Do not be forgetful before them, and so you by your custom become a fool, wish that you had not been born, and curse the day of your nativity.
15 The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words will never be reformed all the days of his life.
16 Two sorts of men multiply sin, and the third will bring wrath. A hot mind is as a burning fire, it will never be quenched till it be consumed. A fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease till he kindles a fire.
17 All bread is sweet to a whoremonger, he will not leave off till he die.
18 A man that breaks wedlock, says this in his heart: Who sees me? I am surrounded with darkness, the walls cover me, nobody sees me, what do I need to fear? The most High will not remember my sins.
19 Such a man only fears the eyes of men, and does not know the eyes of Yahwah are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and considering the most secret parts.
20 He knew all things before they were ever created, so also after they were perfected He looked upon them all.
21 This man will be punished in the streets of the city, he will be taken where he does not suspect.
22 Thus it will also go with the wife that leaves her husband, and brings in an heir by another.
23 For first, she disobeyed the law of the most High. Secondly, she trespassed against her own husband. Thirdly, she played the whore in adultery, and brought children by another man.
24 She will be brought out into the congregation, and inquisition will be made of her children.
25 Her children will not take root, her branches will bring forth no fruit.
26 She will leave her memory to be cursed, her reproach will not be blotted out.
27 Those who remain will know there is nothing better than the fear of Yahwah, there is nothing sweeter than to take heed to the commandments of Yahwah.
28 It is great glory to follow Yahwah, to be received of Him is long life.

Chapter 24
1 Wisdom will praise herself, and will glory in the midst of her people.
2 In the congregation of the most High she will open her mouth, and triumph before His power.
3 I came out of the mouth of the most High, and covered the earth as a cloud.
4 I dwelt in high places, my throne is in a cloudy pillar.
5 I alone compassed the circuit of heaven, and walked in the bottom of the deep.
6 In the waves of the sea, in all the earth, in every people, and nation, I got a possession.
7 With all these I looked for rest, in whose inheritance will I abide?
8 So the Creator of all things gave me a commandment, He that made me caused my tabernacle to rest, and said: Let your dwelling be in Yaacob, and your inheritance in Yisrayah.
9 He created me from the beginning before the world, I will never fail.
10 In the holy tabernacle I served before Him, and so I was established in Zion.
11 Likewise He gave me rest in the beloved city, in Yerusalem was my power.
12 I took root in an honorable people, even in the portion of Yahwah's inheritance.
13 I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, and as a cypress tree upon the mountains of Hermon.
14 I was exalted like a palm tree in En-gaddi, as a rose plant in Yericho, as a fair olive tree in a pleasant field, and grew up as a plane tree by the water.
15 I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon and aspalathus, and I yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh, as galbanum, onyx, sweet storax, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.
16 I stretched out my branches as the turpentine tree, my branches are the branches of honor and grace.
17 As the vine I brought forth pleasant savor, my flowers are the fruit of honor and riches.
18 I am the mother of fair love, fear, knowledge, and holy hope. Being eternal, I am given to all my children who are named of Him.
19 Come to me, all you that are desirous of me, and fill yourselves with my fruits.
20 For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and my inheritance than the honeycomb.
21 Those who eat me will yet be hungry, and those who drink me will yet be thirsty.
22 He that obeys me will never be confounded, and those who work by me will not do amiss.
23 All these things are the book of the covenant of the most high Father, even the law which Moshe commanded for a heritage to the congregations of Yaacob.
24 Do not faint to be strong in Yahwah, cleave to Him that He may confirm you. Yahwah Almighty is our Father alone, and beside Him there is no other Savior.
25 He fills all things with His wisdom, as Phison and as Tigris in the time of the new fruits.
26 He makes the understanding to abound like Euphrates, as Yordan in the time of the harvest.
27 He makes the doctrine of knowledge appear as the light, as Geon in the time of vintage.
28 The first man did not know her perfectly, the last will find her out no more.
29 Her thoughts are more than the sea, her counsels profounder than the great deep.
30 I came out as a brook from a river, as a conduit into a garden.
31 I said: I will water my best garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed. Lo, my brook became a river, and my river became a sea.
32 I will yet make doctrine to shine as the morning, and will send forth her light afar off.
33 I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it to all ages forever.
34 Behold, I did not labor for myself only, but for all those who seek wisdom.

Chapter 25
1 In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful before both Yahwah and men: the unity of brothers, the love of neighbors, a man and a wife that agree together.
2 Three sorts of men my soul hates, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is proud, a rich man that is a liar, and an old adulterer that doats.
3 If you have gathered nothing in your youth, how can you find anything in your age?
4 O how comely a thing judgment is for gray hairs, and for ancient men to know counsel!
5 O how comely is the wisdom of old men, and understanding and counsel to men of honor.
6 Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of Yahwah is their glory.
7 There are nine things which I judge in my heart to be happy, and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that has joy of his children; he that lives to see the fall of his enemy;
8 well is he who dwells with a wife of understanding; that has not slipped with his tongue; has not served a man more unworthy than himself;
9 well is he who finds prudence; and he that speaks in the ears of those who will hear.
10 O how great is he who finds wisdom! Yet is there none above him who fears Yahwah.
11 The love of Yahwah passes all things for illumination, he that holds it, who will he be likened to?
12 The fear of Yahwah is the beginning of his love, faith is the beginning of cleaving to Him.
13 [Give me] any plague, but the plague of the heart, any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman.
14 [Give me] any affliction, but the affliction from those who hate me, any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
15 There is no head above the head of a serpent, there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.
16 I had rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than to keep house with a wicked woman.
17 The wickedness of a woman changes her face, and darkens her countenance like sackcloth.
18 Her husband will sit among his neighbors, and when he hears it will sigh bitterly.
19 All wickedness is but little to the wickedness of a woman, let the portion of a sinner fall upon her.
20 As the climbing up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of words to a quiet man.
21 Do not stumble at the beauty of a woman, do not desire her for pleasure.
22 If she maintains her husband, a woman is full of anger, impudence, and much reproach.
23 A wicked woman abates the courage, makes a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart. A woman that will not comfort her husband in distress makes weak hands and feeble knees.
24 Of the woman came the beginning of sin, through her we all die.
25 Give the water no passage, neither a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
26 If she not go as you would have her, cut her off from your flesh, give her a bill of divorce, and let her go.

Chapter 26
1 Blessed is the man that has a virtuous wife, the number of his days will be double.
2 A virtuous woman rejoices her husband, he will fulfil the years of his life in peace.
3 A good wife is a good portion, which will be given in the portion of those who fear Yahwah.
4 Whether a man be rich or poor, if he has a good heart toward Yahwah, he will at all times rejoice with a cheerful countenance.
5 There are three things that my heart fears, and for the fourth I was sore afraid: the slander of a city, the gathering together of an unruly multitude, and a false accusation. All these are worse than death.
6 But a woman that is jealous over another woman is a grief of heart, sorrow, and a scourge of the tongue which communicates with all.
7 An evil wife is a yoke shaken to and fro, he that has hold of her is as though he held a scorpion.
8 A drunken woman and a gadder abroad causes great anger, she will not cover her own shame.
9 The whoredom of a woman may be known in her haughty looks, and eyelids.
10 If your daughter is shameless, keep her inside, unless she abuse herself through too much liberty.
11 Watch over an impudent eye, do not marvel if she trespass against you.
12 As a thirsty traveller when he finds a fountain, she will open her mouth and drink of every water near her. She will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver for every arrow.
13 The grace of a wife delights her husband, her discretion will fatten his bones.
14 A silent and loving woman is a gift of Yahwah, there is nothing so much worth as a mind well instructed.
15 A shamefaced and faithful woman is a double grace, and her continent mind cannot be valued.
16 As the sun when it arises in the high heaven, so is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of her house.
17 As the clear light is upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.
18 As the golden pillars are upon the sockets of silver, so are the fair feet with a constant heart.
19 My son, keep the flower of your age sound, do not give your strength to strangers.
20 When you get a fruitful possession through the field, sow it with your own seed, trusting in the goodness of your stock.
21 So your race which you leave will be magnified, having the confidence of their good descent.
22 A harlot will be accounted as spittle, a married woman is a tower against death to her husband.
23 A wicked woman is given as a portion to a wicked man, a righteous woman is given to him that fears Yahwah.
24 A dishonest woman contemns shame, an honest woman will reverence her husband.
25 A shameless woman will be counted as a dog, she that is shamefaced will fear Yahwah.
26 A woman that honors her husband will be judged wise of all, she that dishonors him in her pride will be counted unrighteous of all.
27 A loud crying woman, and a scold, will be used to drive away the enemies.
28 There are two things that grieve my heart, and the third makes me angry: a man of war that suffers poverty, men of understanding that are not set by, one that returns from righteousness to sin. Yahwah prepares such a one for the sword.
29 A merchant will hardly keep himself from doing wrong, a huckster will not be freed from sin.

Chapter 27
1 Many have sinned for a small matter, he that seeks for abundance will turn his eyes away.
2 As a nail sticks fast between the joinings of the stones, so does sin stick close between buying and selling.
3 Unless a man hold himself diligently in the fear of Yahwah, his house will soon be overthrown.
4 As the refuse remains when one sifts with a sieve, so the filth of man is his talk.
5 The furnace proves the potter's vessels, so the trial of man is in his reasoning.
6 The fruit declares if the tree was dressed, so is the utterance of a conceit in the heart of man.
7 Praise no man before you hear him speak, for this is the trial of men.
8 If you follow righteousness, you will obtain her, and put her on as a glorious long robe.
9 The birds will resort to their like, so truth will return to those who practise in her.
10 As the lion lies in wait for the prey, so sin for those who work iniquity.
11 The discourse of a righteous man is always with wisdom, a fool changes as the moon.
12 If you are among the indiscreet, observe the time; be continually among men of understanding.
13 The discourse of fools is irksome, their sport is the wantonness of sin.
14 The talk of him that swears much makes the hair stand upright, their brawls make one stop his ears.
15 The strife of the proud is bloodshedding, their revilings are grievous to the ear.
16 Whoever discloses secrets loses his credit, and will never find friend to his mind.
17 Love your friend, be faithful to him, but if you betray his secrets, follow after him no more.
18 As a man destroys his enemy, so you lost the love of your neighbor.
19 As one that lets a bird go out of his hand, so you let your neighbor go, and will not get him again.
20 Follow after him no more, he is too far off, he is as a roe escaped out of the snare.
21 A wound may be bound up, after reviling there may be reconcilement, but he that betrays secrets is without hope.
22 He that winks with the eyes works evil, he that knows him will depart from him.
23 When you are present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire your words. But at the last he will writhe his mouth, and slander your sayings.
24 I hate many things, but nothing like him. Yahwah will hate him.
25 Whoever casts a stone on high casts it on his own head, a deceitful stroke will make wounds.
26 Whoever digs a pit will fall in, he that sets a trap will be taken in it.
27 He that works mischief, it will fall upon him, and he will not know where it comes.
28 Mockery and reproach are from the proud, vengeance will lie in wait for them as a lion.
29 Those who rejoice at the fall of the righteous will be taken in the snare, anguish will consume them before they die.
30 Malice and wrath, even these are abominations, and the sinful man will have them both.

Chapter 28
1 He that revenges will find vengeance from Yahwah, and he will surely keep his sins.
2 Forgive your neighbor the hurt he did to you, so your sins will be forgiven when you pray.
3 One man bears hatred against another, and does he seek pardon from Yahwah?
4 He shows no mercy to a man, who is like himself, and does he ask forgiveness of his own sins?
5 If he that is but flesh nourish hatred, who will ask for pardon of his sins?
6 Remember your end, and let enmity cease. [Remember] corruption and death, abide in the commandments.
7 Remember the commandments, bear no malice to your neighbor. [Remember] the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.
8 Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, a furious man will kindle strife,
9 A sinful man disquiets friends, and makes debate among those who are at peace.
10 As the matter of the fire is, so it burns; as a man's strength is, so is his wrath; according to his riches, his anger rises; the stronger are those who contend, the more they will be inflamed.
11 A hasty contention kindles a fire, hasty fighting sheds blood.
12 If you blow the spark, it will burn; if you spit upon it, it will be quenched; and both these come out of your mouth.
13 Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, for such destroy many that are at peace.
14 A backbiting tongue disquiets many, and drives them from nation to nation. It has pulled down strong cities, and overthrown the houses of great men.
15 A backbiting tongue has cast out virtuous women, and deprived them of their labors.
16 Whoever hearkens to it will never find rest, and never dwell quietly.
17 The stroke of the whip makes marks in the flesh, the stroke of the tongue breaks the bones.
18 Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have fallen by the tongue.
19 Well is he that is defended through the venom of the tongue, who has not drawn the yoke of it, nor has been bound in her bands.
20 Its yoke is a yoke of iron, the bands are bands of brass.
21 That death is an evil death, the grave were better than it.
22 It will not have rule over those who fear Yahwah, neither will they be burned with its flame.
23 Such as forget Yahwah will fall into it, it will burn in them, and not be quenched. It will be sent upon them as a lion, and devour them as a leopard.
24 Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns, and bind up your silver and gold.
25 Weigh your words in a balance, make a door and bar for your mouth.
26 Beware you not slide by it, unless you fall before him that lies in wait.

Chapter 29
1 He that is merciful will lend to his neighbor, he that strengthens his hand keeps the commandments.
2 Lend to your neighbor in time of his need, and you pay your neighbor again in due season.
3 Keep your word, deal faithfully with him, and you will always find the thing that is necessary for you.
4 When a thing was lent them, many reckoned it to be found, and put to trouble those who helped them.
5 Till he receives, he will kiss a man's hand, he will speak submissively for his neighbor's money, but when he should repay, he will prolong the time, return words of grief, and complain of the time.
6 If he prevail, he will hardly receive the half, and he will count as if he found it. If not, he deprived him of his money, and he got an enemy without cause. He pays him with cursings and railings, for honor he will pay him disgrace.
7 Many therefore refuse to lend for other men's ill dealing, fearing to be defrauded.
8 Have patience with a man in poor estate, do not delay to show him mercy.
9 Help the poor for the commandment's sake, do not turn him away because of his poverty.
10 Lose your money for your brother and your friend, do not let it rust under a stone to be lost.
11 Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the most High, it will bring you more profit than gold.
12 Shut up alms in your storehouses, it will deliver you from all affliction.
13 It will fight for you against your enemies, better than a mighty shield and strong spear.
14 An honest man is surety for his neighbor, but he that is impudent will forget him.
15 Do not forget the friendship of your surety, for he gave his life for you.
16 A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety.
17 He that is of an unthankful mind will leave him [in danger] that delivered him.
18 Suretiship has undone many of good estate, and shaken them as a wave of the sea. It has driven mighty men from their houses, so that they wandered among strange nations.
19 A wicked man transgressing the commandments of Yahwah will fall into suretiship, he that undertakes and follows other men's business for gain will fall into suits.
20 Help your neighbor according to your power, and beware that you yourself not fall into the same.
21 The chief thing for life is water, bread, clothing, and a house to cover shame.
22 Better is the life of a poor man in a mean cottage, than delicate fare in another man's house.
23 Be contented whether it is little or much, that you not hear the reproach of your house.
24 It is a miserable life to go from house to house, where you are a stranger, you dare not open your mouth.
25 You will entertain, feast, and have no thanks, moreover you will hear bitter words.
26 Come, stranger, furnish a table, feed me of what you have ready.
27 Give place, you stranger, to an honorable man. My brother comes to be lodged, I have need of my house.
28 These things are grievous to a man of understanding, the upbraiding of houseroom, and reproaching of the lender.

Chapter 30
1 He who loves his son causes him to feel the rod often, that he may have joy of him in the end.
2 He who chastises his son will have joy in him, and will rejoice of him among his acquaintance.
3 He who teaches his son grieves the enemy, he will rejoice of him before his friends.
4 Though his father die, yet he is as though he were not dead, for he left behind him one that is like himself.
5 While he lived, he saw and rejoiced in him, and he was not sorrowful when he died.
6 He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, one that will requite kindness to his friends.
7 He that makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds, his bowels will be troubled at every cry.
8 A horse not broken becomes headstrong, a child left to himself will be wilful.
9 Cocker your child, and he will make you afraid. Play with him, and he will bring you to heaviness.
10 Do not laugh with him, unless you have sorrow with him, and unless you gnash your teeth in the end.
11 Give him no liberty in his youth, and do not wink at his follies.
12 Bow his neck down while he is young, beat him on the sides while he is a child, unless he becomes stubborn, is disobedient to you, and so bring sorrow to your heart.
13 Chastise your son, hold him to labor, unless his lewd behavior be an offence to you.
14 Better is the poor, being sound and strong of constitution, than a rich man that is afflicted in his body.
15 Health and good estate of body are above all gold, a strong body above infinite wealth.
16 There are no riches above a sound body, no joy above the joy of the heart.
17 Death is better than a bitter life or continual sickness.
18 Delicates poured upon a mouth shut up are as messes of meat set upon a grave.
19 What good does the offering to an idol? It can not eat nor smell, so is he that is persecuted of Yahwah.
20 He sees with his eyes and groans, as an eunuch that embraces a virgin and sighs.
21 Do not give your mind over to heaviness, do not afflict yourself in your own counsel.
22 The gladness of the heart is the life of man, and the joyfulness of a man prolongs his days.
23 Love your own soul, comfort your heart, remove sorrow far from you. Sorrow has killed many, there is no profit there.
24 Envy and wrath shorten the life, carefulness brings age before the time.
25 A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.

Chapter 31
1 Watching for riches consumes the flesh, the care of it drives away sleep.
2 Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaks sleep.
3 The rich has great labor in gathering riches together, when he rests, he is filled with his delicates.
4 The poor labors in his poor estate, and when he leaves off, he is still needy.
5 He that loves gold will not be justified, he that follows corruption will have enough.
6 Gold was the ruin of many, and their destruction was present.
7 It is a stumblingblock to those who sacrifice to it, and every fool will be taken by it.
8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and has not gone after gold.
9 Who is he? We will call him blessed, for wonderful things he did among his people.
10 Who was tried by gold, and found perfect? Then let him glory. Who might offend, and has not offended? Or done evil, and has not done it?
11 His goods will be established, and the congregation will declare his alms.
12 If you sit at a bountiful table, do not be greedy upon it. Do not say: There is much meat on it.
13 Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing, what is created more wicked than an eye? Therefore it weeps upon every occasion.
14 Do not stretch your hand wheresoever it looks, do not thrust it into the dish with him.
15 Do not judge your neighbor by yourself, be discreet in every point.
16 As it becomes a man, eat those things which are set before you. Do not devour, unless you are hated.
17 Leave off first for manners' sake, do not be unsatiable, unless you offend.
18 When you sit among many, do not reach your hand out first of all.
19 A very little is sufficient for a man well nurtured, he does not fetch his wind short upon his bed.
20 Sound sleep comes of moderate eating, he rises early, and his wits are with him. The pain of watching, choler, and pangs of the belly, are with an unsatiable man.
21 If you were forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and you will have rest.
22 My son, hear me, do not despise me, and at the last you will find as I told you. In all your works be quick, so no sickness will come to you.
23 Whoever is liberal with his meat, men will speak well of him, the report of his good housekeeping will be believed.
24 But the whole city will murmur against him that is stingy of his meat, and the testimonies of his stinginess will not be doubted of.
25 Do not show your valiantness in wine, for wine has destroyed many.
26 The furnace proves the edge by dipping, so does wine the hearts of the proud by drunkeness.
27 Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately, what is life to a man that is without wine? It was made to make men glad.
28 Wine measurably drunk in season brings gladness of the heart, and cheerfulness of the mind.
29 But wine drunken with excess makes bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling.
30 Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool till he offend. It diminishes strength, and makes wounds.
31 Do not rebuke your neighbor at the wine, do not despise him in his mirth, give him no despiteful words, do not press upon him with urging him [to drink.]

Chapter 32
1 If you be made the master [of a feast], do not lift yourself up, be among them as one of the rest, take diligent care for them, and so sit down.
2 When you have done all your office, take your place, that you may be merry with them, and receive a crown for your well ordering of the feast.
3 Speak with sound judgment, you that are the elder, for it becomes you. Do not hinder music.
4 Do not pour out words where there is a musician, do not show forth wisdom out of time.
5 A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.
6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of music with pleasant wine.
7 Young man, speak if there is need of you, and yet scarcely when you are asked twice.
8 Let your speech be short, comprehending much in few words. Be as one that knows, and yet holds his tongue.
9 If you are among great men, do not make yourself equal with them. When ancient men are in place, do not use many words.
10 Lightning goes before the thunder, and favor will go before a shame-faced man.
11 Rise up early, and not be the last; get home without delay.
12 There take your pastime, and do what you will, do not sin by proud speech.
13 For these things bless Him that made you, and replenished you with His good things.
14 Whoever fears Yahwah will receive His discipline, those who seek Him early will find favor.
15 He that seeks the law will be filled with it, but the hypocrite will be offended by it.
16 Those who fear Yahwah will find judgment, and will kindle justice as a light.
17 A sinful man will not be reproved, but finds an excuse according to his will.
18 A man of counsel will be considerate. A strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he has done without counsel.
19 Do nothing without advice, and when once you have done, do not repent.
20 Do not go in a way where you may fall, do not stumble among the stones.
21 Do not be confident in a plain way.
22 Beware of your own children.
23 In every good work trust your own soul, for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24 He that believes in Yahwah takes heed to the commandment, he that trusts in Him will never fare the worse.

Chapter 33
1 No evil will happen to him that fears Yahwah, even in temptation He will deliver him again.
2 A wise man does not hate the law, but he that is a hypocrite is as a ship in a storm.
3 A man of understanding trusts in the law, and the law is faithful to him, as an oracle.
4 Prepare what to say, and so you will be heard. Bind up instruction, and then make answer.
5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel, his thoughts are like a rolling axle-tree.
6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neighs under everyone that sits upon him.
7 Why does one day excel another, when as all, the light of every day in the year is of the sun?
8 By the knowledge of Yahwah they were distinguished, He altered seasons and feasts.
9 Some of them He made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them He made ordinary days.
10 All men are from the ground, Adam was created of earth.
11 In much knowledge Yahwah divided them, and made their ways different.
12 Some of them He blessed and exalted, some of them He sanctified and set near Himself, some of them He cursed, brought low, and turned out of their places.
13 As the clay is in the potter's hand, to fashion it at his pleasure, so is man in the hand of Him that made him, to render to them as likes Him best.
14 Good is set against evil, and life against death. So is the righteous against the sinner, and the sinner against the righteous.
15 Look upon all the works of the most High, there are two and two, one against another.
16 I awaked up last of all, as one that gathers after the grape-gatherers. By the blessing of Yahwah I profited, and tread my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
17 Consider that I labored not for myself only, but for all those who seek learning.
18 Hear me, O you great men of the people. Hearken with your ears, you rulers of the congregation.
19 Do not give your son, wife, brother, or friend, power over you while you live. Do not give your goods to another, unless it repent you, and you ask for the same again.
20 As long as you live and have breath in you, do not give yourself over to any.
21 It is better that your children should seek to you, than that you should stand to their courtesy.
22 In all your works keep to yourself the preeminence, do not leave a stain in your honor.
23 Distribute your inheritance at the time when you end your days, and finish your life.
24 Fodder, a wand, and burdens, are for the ass. Bread, correction, and work, for a servant.
25 If you set your servant to labor, you will find rest. If you let him go idle, he will seek liberty.
26 A yoke and a collar bow the neck, so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.
27 Send him to labor, that he not be idle, for idleness teaches much evil.
28 Set him to work, as is fit for him. If he is not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.
29 Do not be excessive toward any, do nothing without discretion.
30 If you have a servant, let him be to you as yourself, because you bought him with a price.
31 If you have a servant, treat him as a brother, for you have need of him as of your own soul. If you treat him evil, and he run from you, which way will you go to seek him?

Chapter 34
1 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false, dreams lift up fools.
2 Whoever regards dreams is like him that catches at a shadow, and follows after the wind.
3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.
4 What can be cleansed of an unclean thing? What truth can come from that thing which is false?
5 Divinations, soothsayings, and dreams, are vain. The heart fancies as a woman's heart in travail.
6 If they are not sent from the most High in your visitation, do not set your heart upon them.
7 Dreams have deceived many, and they have failed who put their trust in them.
8 The law will be found perfect without lies, wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.
9 A man that travels knows many things, he that has much experience will declare wisdom.
10 He that has no experience knows little, he that travels is full of prudence.
11 When I travel, I see many things, I understand more than I can express.
12 I was oftentimes in danger of death, yet I was delivered because of these things.
13 The spirit of those that fear Yahwah will live, for their hope is in Him who saves them.
14 Whoever fears Yahwah will not fear nor be afraid, for He is his hope.
15 Blessed is the soul of him that fears Yahwah, to whom does he look? Who is his strength?
16 The eyes of Yahwah are upon those who love Him. He is their mighty protection, strong stay, a defence from heat, a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling.
17 He raises up the soul, lightens the eyes, gives health, life, and blessing.
18 He that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous, the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.
19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked, neither is He pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.
20 Whoever brings an offering of the goods of the poor, does as one that kills the son before his father's eyes.
21 The bread of the needy is their life, he that defrauds him is a man of blood.
22 He that takes away his neighbor's living kills him, he that defrauds the laborer of his hire is a bloodshedder.
23 When one builds, and another pulls down, what profit have they then but labor?
24 When one prays, and another curses, whose voice will Yahwah hear?
25 He that washes himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what does his washing avail?
26 So it is with a man that fasts for his sins, goes again, and does the same. Who will hear his prayer? What does his humbling profit him?

Chapter 35
1 He that keeps the law brings offerings enough, he that takes heed to the commandment offers a peace offering.
2 He that requites a good turn offers fine flour, he that gives alms sacrifices praise.
3 To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to Yahwah, to leave unrighteousness is a propitiation.
4 You will not appear empty before Yahwah.
5 All these things [are done] because of the commandment.
6 The offering of the righteous makes the altar fat, its sweet savor is before the most High.
7 The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable, his memorial will never be forgotten.
8 Give Yahwah His honor with a good eye, do not diminish the firstfruits of your hands.
9 In all your gifts show a cheerful countenance, dedicate your tithes with gladness.
10 Give to the most High according as He enriched you. As you have gotten, give with a cheerful eye.
11 Yahwah recompenses, and will give you seven times as much.
12 Do not think to corrupt with gifts, for such He will not receive. Do not trust to unrighteous sacrifices, for Yahwah is judge, and with Him is no respect of persons.
13 He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.
14 He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless, nor the widow, when she pours out her complaint.
15 Do the tears not run down the widow's cheeks? Is her cry not against him that causes them to fall?
16 He that serves Yahwah will be accepted with favor, his prayer will reach to the clouds.
17 The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds. He will not be comforted till it come near, and will not depart till the most High will behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment.
18 Yahwah will not be slack, nor will the Mighty be patient toward them, till He has broken apart the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till He has taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;
19 Till He has rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till He has judged the cause of His people, and made them to rejoice in His mercy.
20 Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

Chapter 36
1 Have mercy upon us, O Yahwah Father of all, and behold us.
2 Send your fear upon all the nations that do not seek after you.
3 Lift up your hand against the other nations, and let them see your power.
4 As you were sanctified in us before them, so be you magnified among them before us.
5 Let them know you as we know you, that there is no god, but only you, O Yahwah.
6 Show new signs, make other strange wonders. Glorify your hand and your right arm, that they may set forth your wondrous works.
7 Raise up indignation, pour out wrath, take away the adversary, destroy the enemy.
8 Make the time short, remember the covenant, let them declare your wonderful works.
9 Let him that escapes be consumed by the rage of the fire, let those who oppress the people perish.
10 Break in pieces the heads of the rulers of the heathen who say: There is none other but we.
11 Gather all the tribes of Yaacob together, and inherit them, as from the beginning.
12 O Yahwah, have mercy upon the people who are called by your Name, upon Yisrayah, whom you named your firstborn.
13 O be merciful to Yerusalem, your holy city, the place of your rest.
14 Fill Zion with your unspeakable oracles, and your people with your glory.
15 Give testimony to those that you possessed from the beginning, raise up prophets that are in your Name.
16 Reward those who wait for you, let your prophets be found faithful.
17 O Yahwah, hear the prayer of your servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over your people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that you are Yahwah, the eternal Father.
18 The belly devours all meats, yet one meat is better than another.
19 As the palate tastes different kinds of venison, so does a heart of understanding false speeches.
20 A forward heart causes heaviness, but a man of experience will recompense him.
21 A woman will receive every man, yet one daughter is better than another.
22 The beauty of a woman cheers the countenance, a man loves nothing better.
23 If there is kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then her husband is not like other men.
24 He that gets a wife begins a possession, a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.
25 Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled, he that has no wife will wander up and down mourning.
26 Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skips from city to city? So [who will believe] a man that has no house, and lodges wheresoever the night takes him?

Chapter 37
1 Every friend says: I am his friend also. But there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.
2 Is it not a grief to death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy?
3 O wicked imagination, where did you come in to cover the earth with deceit?
4 There is a companion who rejoices in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him.
5 There is a companion who helps his friend for the belly, and takes up the buckler against the enemy.
6 Do not forget your friend in your mind, do not be unmindful of him in your riches.
7 Every counsellor extols counsel, but there is some that counsels for himself.
8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he has, for he will counsel for himself. He may cast the lot upon you, and say to you: Your way is good.
9 And afterward he stands on the other side, to see what will befall you.
10 Do not consult with one that suspects you, hide your counsel from such as envy you.
11 Do not consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward in matters of war, nor with a merchant concerning exchange, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of thankfulness, nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness, nor with the slothful for any work, nor with a hireling for a year of finishing work, nor with an idle servant of much business. Do not hearken to these in any matter of counsel.
12 Be with a righteous man continually, whom you know to keep the commandments of Yahwah, whose mind is according to your mind, and will sorrow with you if you miscarry.
13 Let the counsel of your own heart stand, for there is no man more faithful to you than it.
14 A man's mind sometimes wants to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in a high tower.
15 Above all this pray to the most High, that He will direct your way in truth.
16 Let reason go before every enterprize, counsel before every action.
17 The countenance is a sign of changing of the heart.
18 Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death. But the tongue rules over them continually.
19 There is one that is wise and teaches many, and yet is unprofitable to himself.
20 There is one that shows wisdom in words, and is hated, he will be destitute of all food.
21 Grace is not given him from Yahwah, because he is deprived of all wisdom.
22 Another is wise to himself, the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.
23 A wise man instructs his people, the fruits of his understanding do not fail.
24 A wise man will be filled with blessing, all those who see him will count him happy.
25 The days of the life of man may be numbered, but the days of Yisrayah are innumerable.
26 A wise man will inherit glory among his people, and his name will be perpetual.
27 My son, prove your soul in your life. See what is evil for it, do not give that to it.
28 All things are not profitable for all men, nor does every soul have pleasure in everything.
29 Do not be unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats.
30 Excess of meats brings sickness, surfeiting will turn into choler.
31 Many have perished by surfeiting, he that takes heed prolongs his life.

Chapter 38
1 Honor a physician with the honor due to him for the uses which you may have of him, for Yahwah created him.
2 Healing comes of the most High, He will receive honor of the king.
3 The skill of the physician will lift up his head, in the sight of great men he will be in admiration.
4 Yahwah created medicines out of the earth, he that is wise will not abhor them.
5 Was the water not made sweet with wood, that its virtue might be known?
6 He gave men skill, that He might be honored in his marvellous works.
7 With such does He heal [men,] and takes away their pains.
8 Of such does the apothecary make a confection, and of his works there is no end, peace is over all the earth from him.
9 My son, do not be negligent in your sickness, pray to Yahwah, He will make you whole.
10 Leave off from sin, order your hands correctly, cleanse your heart from all wickedness.
11 Give a sweet savor, a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering.
12 Then give place to the physician, for Yahwah created him. Let him not go from you, for you have need of him.
13 There is a time when there is good success in their hands.
14 They also will pray to Yahwah, that He would prosper that which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life.
15 He that sins before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician.
16 My son, let tears fall down over the dead. Begin to lament, as if you suffered great harm yourself. Then cover his body according to the custom, and not neglect his burial.
17 Weep bitterly, make great moan, and use lamentation, for a day or two as he is worthy, unless you are spoken evil of. Then comfort yourself for your heaviness.
18 Death comes of heaviness, the heaviness of the heart breaks strength.
19 Sorrow remains in affliction, the life of the poor is the curse of the heart.
20 Do not take heaviness to heart, drive it away, and remember the last end.
21 Do not forget it, for there is no turning again. You will not do him good, but hurt yourself.
22 Remember my judgment, for you will be so; yesterday for me, and today for you.
23 When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest. Be comforted for him, when his spirit is departed from him.
24 The wisdom of a learned man comes by opportunity of leisure, he that has little business will become wise.
25 How can he get wisdom that holds the plow, that glories in the goad, that drives oxen, is occupied in their labors, and whose talk is of bulls?
26 He gives his mind to make furrows, and is diligent to give the pigs fodder.
27 So every carpenter and workmaster, that labors night and day. So also those who cut and grave seals, are diligent to make great variety, give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work.
28 So also the smith sitting by the anvil, considering the iron work, vapor of the fire wastes his flesh, he fights with the heat of the furnace, the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he makes, he sets his mind to finish his work, and watches to polish it perfectly.
29 So the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set at his work, and makes all his work by number,
30 he fashions the clay with his arm, bows down his strength before his feet, applies himself to lead it over, and he is diligent to make the furnace clean.
31 All these trust to their hands, every one is wise in his work.
32 Without these a city cannot be inhabited. They will not dwell where they will, nor go up and down;
33 they will not be looked for in public counsel, nor sit high in the congregation; they will not sit on the judges' seat, nor understand the sentence of judgment; they cannot declare justice and judgment; and they will not be found where parables are spoken.
34 But they will maintain the state of the world, their desire is in the work of their craft.

Chapter 39
1 He that gives his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation of it, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and be occupied in prophecies.
2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men. Where subtle parables are, he will be there also.
3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables.
4 He will serve among great men, and appear before princes. He will travel through strange countries. He tried the good and the evil among men.
5 He will give his heart to resort early to Yahwah that made him, will pray before the most High, will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6 When the great Yahwah will, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding. He will pour out wise sentences, and give thanks to Yahwah in his prayer.
7 He will direct his counsel and knowledge, and in His secrets he will meditate.
8 He will show forth that which he learned, and will glory in the law of the covenant of Yahwah.
9 Many will commend his understanding, so long as the world endures, it will not be blotted out. His memorial will not depart away, his name will live from generation to generation.
10 Nations will show forth his wisdom, the congregation will declare his praise.
11 If he die, he will leave a greater name than a thousand. If he live, he will increase it.
12 I have yet more to say, which I thought upon, for I am filled as the moon at the full.
13 Hearken to me, you holy children, bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field.
14 Give a sweet savor as frankincense, flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, sing a song of praise, bless Yahwah in all His works.
15 Magnify His Name, show forth His praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps. In praising Him you will say after this manner:
16 All the works of Yahwah are exceeding good, whatsoever He commands will be accomplished in due season.
17 None may say: What is this? Why is that? At a convenient time they will all be searched out. At His commandment the waters stood as a heap, the receptacles of waters at the words of His mouth.
18 Whatsoever pleases Him is done at His commandment, none can hinder when He will save.
19 The works of all flesh are before Him, nothing can be hid from His eyes.
20 He sees from everlasting to everlasting, there is nothing wonderful before Him.
21 A man does not need to say: What is this? Why is that? He made all things for their uses.
22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood.
23 As He turned the waters into saltness, so the heathen will inherit His wrath.
24 As His ways are plain to the holy, so they are stumblingblocks to the wicked.
25 Good things are created from the beginning for the good, so evil things for sinners.
26 The principal things for the whole use of man's life are water, fire, iron, salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, the blood of the grape, oil, and clothing.
27 All these things are for good to the righteous, to the sinners they are turned into evil.
28 There are spirits created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on severe strokes. In the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of Him who made them.
29 Fire, hail, famine, and death, were all created for vengeance.
30 Teeth of wild beasts, scorpions, serpents, and the sword, punish the wicked to destruction.
31 They will rejoice in His commandment, they will be ready upon earth when need is. When their time is come, they will not transgress His word.
32 I was resolved from the beginning, I thought upon these things, and left them in writing.
33 All the works of Yahwah are good, He will give every needful thing in due season.
34 A man cannot say: This is worse than that. In time they will all be well approved.
35 Praise Yahwah with the whole heart and mouth, bless the Name of Yahwah.

Chapter 40
1 Great travail is created for every man. A heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam from the day they go out of their mother's womb, till the day they return to the mother of all things.
2 Their imagination of things to come, the day of death, their thoughts, and fear of heart.
3 From him that sits on a throne of glory, to him that is humbled in earth and ashes.
4 From him that wears purple and a crown, to him that is clothed with a linen frock.
5 Wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, fear of death, anger, strife, and his night sleep upon his bed in the time of rest, do change his knowledge.
6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle.
7 When all is safe, he awakes, and marvels that the fear was nothing.
8 [Such things happen] to all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners.
9 Death, bloodshed, strife, sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge were created for the wicked.
10 The flood came for their sakes.
11 All things that are of the earth will turn to the earth again, and that which is of the waters does return into the sea.
12 All bribery and injustice will be blotted out, true dealing will endure forever.
13 The goods of the unjust will be dried up like a river, and will vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
14 While he opens his hand he will rejoice, so transgressors will come to nothing.
15 The children of the unrighteous will not bring forth many branches, but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock.
16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river will be pulled up before all grass.
17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, mercifulness endures forever.
18 To labor, and to be content with what a man has, is a sweet life, but he that finds a treasure is above them both.
19 Children and the building of a city continue a man's name, but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
20 Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
22 Your eye desires favor and beauty, but more than both corn while it is green.
23 A friend and companion never meet amiss, but above both is a wife with her husband.
24 Brothers are help against time of trouble, but alms will deliver more than them.
25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure, but counsel is esteemed above them both.
26 Riches and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of Yahwah is above them both. There is no want in the fear of Yahwah, it does not need to seek help.
27 The fear of Yahwah is a fruitful garden, and covers him above all glory.
28 My son, do not lead a beggar's life, it is better to die than to beg.
29 The life of him that depends on another man's table is not to be counted for a life, for he pollutes himself with other men's meat. A wise man well-nurtured will beware.
30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless, but a fire will burn in his belly.

Chapter 41
1 O death, how bitter is the remembrance of you to a man that lives at rest in his possessions, to the man that has nothing to vex him, and that has prosperity in all things, yea, to him that is yet able to receive meat!
2 O death, your sentence is acceptable to the needy, and to him whose strength fails (that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things), and to him that despairs, and has lost patience!
3 Do not fear the sentence of death, remember those who were before you, and that come after. This is the sentence of Yahwah over all flesh.
4 Why are you against the pleasure of the most High? There is no inquisition in the grave, whether you lived ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.
5 The children of sinners are abominable children, conversant in the dwelling of the unrighteous.
6 The inheritance of children of sinners will perish, their posterity will have a perpetual reproach.
7 The children will complain of an unrighteous father, because they are reproached for his sake.
8 Woe be to you, unrighteous men, which have forgotten the law of the most high Father! If you increase, it will be to your destruction.
9 If you be born, you will be born to a curse. If you die, a curse will be your portion.
10 All that are of the earth will turn to earth again, so the unrighteous will go from a curse to destruction.
11 The mourning of men is about their bodies, an ill name of sinners will be blotted out.
12 Have regard to your name, for that will continue with you above a thousand great treasures of gold.
13 A good life has but few days, but a good name endures forever.
14 My children, keep discipline in peace. Wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?
15 A man that hides his foolishness is better than a man that hides his wisdom.
16 Be shamefaced according to my word, it is not good to retain all shamefacedness, nor is it altogether approved in every thing.
17 Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother; of a lie before a prince and a mighty man;
18 of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before your partner and friend;
19 of theft in regard of the place where you sojourn; in regard of the truth of Yahwah and His covenant; to lean with your elbow upon the meat; of scorning to give and take;
20 of silence before those who salute you; to look upon a harlot;
21 to turn away your face from your kinsman; to take away a portion or a gift; to gaze upon another man's wife;
22 to be overbusy with his maid, and not come near her bed; of upbraiding speeches before friends (after you give, do not upbraid);
23 of iterating and speaking again that which you heard; and of revealing of secrets.
24 So you will be truly shamefaced, and find favor before all men.

Chapter 42
1 Do not be ashamed of these things:
2 of the law of the most High; of His covenant; of judgment to justify the unrighteous;
3 of reckoning with your partners and travellers; of the gift of the heritage of friends;
4 of exactness of balance and weights; of getting much or little;
5 of merchants' indifferent selling; of much correction of children; and to make the side of an evil servant to bleed.
6 Sure keeping is good, many hands are where an evil wife is.
7 Deliver all things in number and weight, put in writing all that you give out, or receive in.
8 Do not be ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the extreme aged that contends with those that are young, thus you will be truly learned, and approved of all men living.
9 The father wakes for the daughter, when no man knows. The care for her takes away sleep: when she is young, unless she pass away the flower of her age; being married, unless she should be hated:
10 in her virginity, unless she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father's house; having a husband, unless she should misbehave herself; and when she is married, unless she should be barren.
11 Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter, unless she make you a laughingstock to your enemies, a byword in the city, a reproach among the people, and make you ashamed before the multitude.
12 Do not behold everybody's beauty, do not sit in the midst of women.
13 A moth comes from garments, wickedness from women.
14 Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman, a woman, I say, who brings shame and reproach.
15 I remember the works of Yahwah, and declare the things that I saw. In the words of Yahwah are His works.
16 The sun that gives light looks upon all things, and the work is full of the glory of Yahwah.
17 Yahwah did not give power to the saints to declare all His marvellous works, which the Almighty Yahwah firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established for His glory.
18 He seeks out the deep, and the heart, and considers their crafty devices. Yahwah knows all that may be known, He beholds the signs of the world.
19 He declares the things that are past, and future, and reveals the steps of hidden things.
20 No thought escapes Him, nor is any word hidden from Him.
21 He garnished the excellent works of His wisdom, He is from everlasting to everlasting. Unto Him nothing may be added, neither can He be diminished, and He has no need of any counsellor.
22 Oh how desirable are all His works! That a man may see even to a spark.
23 All these things live and remain forever for all uses, they are all obedient.
24 All things are double one against another, He made nothing imperfect.
25 One thing establishes the good of another, who will be filled with beholding His glory?

Chapter 43
1 The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, His glorious show,
2 the sun appears, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of the most High.
3 At noon it parches the country, who can abide its burning heat?
4 A man blowing in a furnace is works of heat, but the sun burns the mountains three times more. Breathing out fiery vapors, and sending forth bright beams, it dims the eyes.
5 Great is Yahwah who made it, it runs hastily at His commandment.
6 He made the moon to serve in her season for a declaration of times, a sign of the world.
7 From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreases in her perfection.
8 The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven,
9 the beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of Yahwah.
10 At the commandment of the Holy One they will stand in their order, and never faint in their watches.
11 Look upon the rainbow, and praise Him that made it, its brightness is very beautiful.
12 It compasses the heaven about with a glorious circle, the hands of the most High bent it.
13 By His commandment He makes the snow to fall, and sends swiftly the lightnings of His judgment.
14 Through this the treasures are opened, clouds fly forth as fowls.
15 By His great power he makes the clouds firm, and the hailstones are broken small.
16 At His sight the mountains are shaken, at His will the south wind blows.
17 The noise of the thunder makes the earth to tremble, so does the northern storm and the whirlwind. He scatters the snow as birds flying, and the falling down of it is as the lighting of grasshoppers.
18 The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness, the heart is astonished at the raining of it.
19 He pours hoarfrost on the earth as salt, and being congealed, it lies on the top of sharp stakes.
20 When the cold north wind blows, and the water is congealed into ice, it abides upon every gathering together of water, and clothes the water as with a breastplate.
21 It devours mountains, burns the wilderness, and consumes the grass as fire.
22 A present remedy of all is a mist coming speedily, a dew coming after heat refreshes.
23 By His counsel He appeases the deep, and plants islands there.
24 Those who sail on the sea tell of the dangers, we marvel when we hear it with our ears.
25 There are strange and wondrous works, variety of all kinds of beasts and whales created.
26 By Him the end of them has prosperous success, by His Word all things consist.
27 We may speak much, and yet come short. In sum, He is all.
28 How will we be able to magnify Him? He is great above all His works.
29 Yahwah is terrible and very great, His power is marvellous.
30 When you glorify Yahwah, exalt Him as much as you can, even yet He will far exceed. When you exalt Him, put forth all your strength, do not be weary, for you can never go far enough.
31 Who has seen Him, that he might tell us? Who can magnify Him as He is?
32 There are yet hid greater things than these, we have seen but a few of His works.
33 Yahwah made all things, to the righteous He gives wisdom.

Chapter 44
1 Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers who begat us.
2 From the beginning, Yahwah wrought great glory by them through His great power.
3 Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies;
4 leaders of the people by their counsels, by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions;
5 such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing;
6 rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations;
7 all these were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times.
8 Some of them left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported.
9 There are some who have no memorial, who are perished, as though they never were. They become as though they were never born, and their children after them.
10 These were merciful men, whose righteousness is not forgotten.
11 A good inheritance will continually remain with their seed, their children are within the covenant.
12 Their seed stands fast, and their children for their sakes.
13 Their seed will remain forever, their glory will not be blotted out.
14 Their bodies are buried in peace, but their name lives for evermore.
15 The people will tell of their wisdom, the congregation will show forth their praise.
16 Enoch pleased Yahwah, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations.
17 Noah was found perfect and righteous. In the time of wrath he was taken in exchange [for the world], when the flood came he was left as a remnant to the earth.
18 An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should not perish by flood.
19 Abraham was a great father of many people, there was none like to him in glory.
20 He kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with Him. He established the covenant in his flesh. When he was proved, he was found faithful.
21 Therefore He assured him by an oath, that He would bless the nations in his seed, that He would multiply him as the dust of the earth, exalt his seed as the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, from the river to the utmost part of the land.
22 With Isaac He likewise established (for Abraham his father's sake) the blessing of all men, the covenant, and made it rest upon the head of Yaacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, gave him a heritage, and divided his portions. He parted them among the twelve tribes.

Chapter 45
1 He brought out of him a merciful man, who found favor in the sight of all flesh, even Moshe, beloved of Yahwah and men, whose memorial is blessed.
2 He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him.
3 By His words He caused the wonders to cease. He made him glorious in the sight of kings, gave him a commandment for his people, and showed him part of His glory.
4 He sanctified him in his faithfuless and meekness, and chose him out of all men.
5 He made him to hear His voice, brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Yaacob His covenants, and Yisrayah His judgments.
6 He exalted his brother Aaron, a holy man like to him, of the tribe of Levi.
7 He made an everlasting covenant with him, gave him the priesthood among the people, beautified him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory.
8 He put upon him perfect glory, strengthened him with rich garments, with breeches, with a long robe, and the ephod.
9 He compassed him with pomegranates; with many golden bells round about (that as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of His people);
10 with a holy garment; with gold; blue silk; purple, the work of the embroidery; with a breastplate of judgment; with Urim and Thummim;
11 with twisted scarlet, the work of the cunning workman; with precious stones graven like seals, set in gold, the work of the jeweller; and with a writing engraved for a memorial, after the number of the tribes of Yisrayah.
12 He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, where Holiness was engraved, an ornament of honor, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
13 Before him there were none such, nor did any stranger ever put them on, but only his children and his children's children perpetually.
14 Their sacrifices will be wholly consumed every day twice continually.
15 Moshe consecrated him, and anointed him with holy oil. This was appointed to him by an everlasting covenant, and to his seed, so long as the heavens should remain, that they should minister to Him, execute the office of the priesthood, and bless the people in His Name.
16 He chose him out of all living men to offer sacrifices to Yahwah, incense, and a sweet savor, for a memorial, to make reconciliation for His people.
17 He gave to him His commandments, and authority in the statutes of judgments, that He should teach Yaacob the testimonies, and inform Yisrayah in His laws.
18 Strangers conspired together against him, and maligned him in the wilderness (even the men that were of Dathan's and Abiron's side, and the congregation of Core) with fury and wrath.
19 This Yahwah saw, and it displeased Him, they were consumed in His wrathful indignation. He did wonders upon them, to consume them with the fiery flame.
20 He made Aaron more honorable, gave him a heritage, and divided to him the firstfruits of the increase. He especially prepared bread in abundance,
21 for they eat of the sacrifices of Yahwah, which He gave to him and his seed.
22 However in the land of the people he had no inheritance, nor any portion among the people. Yahwah Himself is his portion and inheritance.
23 The third in glory is Phinees the son of Eleazar, because he had zeal in the fear of Yahwah, stood up with good courage of heart, and made reconciliation for Yisrayah when the people were turned back.
24 Therefore there was a covenant of peace made with him, that he should be the chief of the sanctuary and of His people, that he and his posterity should have the dignity of the priesthood forever.
25 According to the covenant made with David son of Jesse, of the tribe of Yahudah, the inheritance of the king should be to his posterity alone, so the inheritance of Aaron should also be to his seed.
26 Yahwah give you wisdom in your heart to judge His people in righteousness, that their good things not be abolished, and that their glory may endure forever.

Chapter 46
1 Yahushua the son of Nun was valiant in the wars, and was the successor of Moshe in prophecies. According to his name [YHWH saves] he was made great for the saving of the elect of Yahwah, and taking vengeance of the enemies that rose up against them, that he might set Yisrayah in their inheritance.
2 How great glory he got when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out his sword against the cities!
3 Who before him so stood to it? Yahwah Himself brought His enemies to him.
4 Did the sun not go back by His means? Was one day not as long as two?
5 He called upon the most high Yahwah, when the enemies pressed upon him on every side, and the great Yahwah heard him.
6 With hailstones of mighty power He made the battle to fall violently upon the nations. In the descent [of Beth-horon] he destroyed those who resisted, that the nations might all know their strength, because he fought in the sight of Yahwah, and he followed the Mighty One.
7 In the time of Moshe he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephunne, in that they withstood the congregation, withheld the people from sin, and appeased the wicked murmuring.
8 Of six hundred thousand people on foot, they two were preserved to bring them in to the heritage, even to the land that flows with milk and honey.
9 Yahwah also gave strength to Caleb, which remained with him to his old age. He entered upon the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for a heritage,
10 that all the children of Yisrayah might see that it is good to follow Yahwah.
11 Concerning the judges, every one by name, whose heart did not go a-whoring, nor depart from Yahwah, let their memory be blessed.
12 Let their bones flourish out of their place, let the name of those who were honored be continued upon their children.
13 Samuel, the prophet of Yahwah, beloved of Yahwah, established a kingdom, and anointed princes over his people.
14 He judged the congregation by the law of Yahwah, and Yahwah had respect to Yaacob.
15 By his faithfulness he was found a true prophet, by his word he was known to be faithful in vision.
16 He called upon the mighty Yahwah, when his enemies pressed upon him on every side, when he offered the sucking lamb.
17 Yahwah thundered from heaven, and made His voice to be heard with a great noise.
18 He destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians, and all the princes of the Philistines.
19 Before his long sleep he made protestations in the sight of Yahwah and his anointed: I did not take any man's goods, so much as a shoe. And no man accused him.
20 After his death he prophesied, showed the king his end, and lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.

Chapter 47
1 After him Nathan rose up to prophesy in the time of David.
2 As the fat is taken away from the peace offering, so David was chosen out of the children of Yisrayah.
3 He played with lions as with kids, with bears as with lambs.
4 Did he not kill a giant, when he was yet young? Did he not take away reproach from the people, when he lifted up his hand with the stone in the sling, and beat down the boasting of Goliath?
5 He called upon the most high Yahwah, He gave him strength in his right hand to kill that mighty warrior, and set up the horn of His people.
6 The people honored him with ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of Yahwah, in that He gave him a crown of glory.
7 He destroyed the enemies on every side, brought to nothing the Philistines his adversaries, and broke their horn in half to this day.
8 In all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory, with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved Him that made him.
9 He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.
10 He beautified their feasts, set in order the solemn times until the end, that they might praise His holy Name, and that the temple might sound from morning.
11 Yahwah took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Yisrayah.
12 After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large.
13 Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honored. Yahwah made all quiet round about him, that he might build a house in His Name, and prepare His sanctuary forever.
14 How wise you were in your youth, filled with understanding as a flood!
15 Your soul covered the whole earth, you filled it with dark parables.
16 Your name went far to the islands, you were beloved for your peace.
17 The countries marvelled at you for your songs, proverbs, parables, and interpretations.
18 By the Name of Yahwah, who is called Yahwah Father of Yisrayah, you gathered gold as tin, and multiplied silver as lead.
19 You bowed your loins to women, by your body you were brought into subjection.
20 You stained your honor, polluted your seed, brought wrath upon your children, and were grieved for your folly.
21 So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephrayim ruled a rebellious kingdom.
22 Yahwah will never leave off His mercy, nor will any of His works perish, nor will He abolish the posterity of His elect, and the seed of him that loves Him He will not take away. Therefore He gave a remnant to Yaacob, and out of him a root to David.
23 Thus Solomon rested with his fathers. Of his seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the people, one that had no understanding, who turned away the people through his counsel. There was also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Yisrayah to sin, and showed Ephrayim the way of sin.
24 Their sins were multiplied exceedingly, till they were driven out of the land.
25 They searched out all wickedness, till the vengeance came upon them.

Chapter 48
1 Then Eliyah the prophet stood up as fire, his word burned like a lamp.
2 He brought a severe famine upon them, by his zeal he diminished their number.
3 By the Word of Yahwah he shut up the heaven, and also brought down fire three times.
4 O Eliyah, how you were honored in your wondrous deeds! Who may glory like to you!
5 You raised up a dead man from death, his soul from the place of the dead, by the Word of the most High.
6 You brought kings to destruction, and honorable men from their bed.
7 You heard the rebuke of Yahwah in Sinai, and the judgment of vengeance in Horeb.
8 You annointed kings to take revenge, and prophets to succeed after you.
9 You were taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
10 You were ordained for reproofs in their times, to pacify the wrath of Yahwah's judgment before it broke forth into fury, to turn the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Yaacob.
11 Blessed are those who saw you, and slept in love, for we will surely live.
12 It was Eliyah who was covered with a whirlwind. Elisha was filled with his spirit. While he lived he was not moved with the presence of any prince, nor could any bring him into subjection.
13 No word could overcome him, after his death his body prophesied.
14 He did wonders in his life, at his death his works were marvellous.
15 For all this the people did not repent, nor depart they from their sins, till they were spoiled, carried out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth. There remained a small people, a ruler in the house of David.
16 Some of them did that which was pleasing to Yahwah, and some multiplied sins.
17 Hezekyah fortified his city, brought water into the middle of it, dug the hard rock with iron, and made wells for waters.
18 In his time Sennacherib came up, sent Rabsaces, lifted up his hand against Zion, and boasted proudly.
19 Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain, as women in travail.
20 They called upon Yahwah who is merciful, and stretched out their hands toward Him. Immediately the Holy One heard them out of heaven, and delivered them by the ministry of Yeshayah.
21 He smote the host of the Assyrians, His malak destroyed them.
22 Hezekyah did the thing that pleased Yahwah, and was strong in the ways of David his father, as Yeshayah the prophet (who was great and faithful in his vision), commanded him.
23 In his time the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.
24 He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the last, and he comforted those who mourned in Zion.
25 He showed what should come to pass forever, and secret things before they ever came.

Chapter 49
1 The remembrance of Ashyahu is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary, it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as music at a banquet of wine.
2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.
3 He directed his heart to Yahwah, in the time of the unrighteous he established the worship of Yahwah.
4 All were defective except David, Hezekiyah, and Ashyahu, for they forgot the law of the most High, even the kings of Yahudah failed.
5 Therefore He gave their power to others, their glory to a strange nation.
6 They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary, and made the streets desolate, according to the prophecy of Yeremyah.
7 For they treated him evil, who nevertheless was a prophet, sanctified in his mother's womb, that he might root out, afflict, destroy, and that he might also build up and plant.
8 It was Yehezqel who saw the glorious vision, which was showed him upon the chariot of the cherubims.
9 He made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain, and directed those who went right.
10 Of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed, let their bones flourish again out of their place, for they comforted Yaacob, and delivered them by assured hope.
11 How will we magnify Zorobabel? He was as a signet on the right hand.
12 So was Yahushua the son of Josedec. In their time they built the house, and set up a holy temple to Yahwah, prepared for everlasting glory.
13 Among the elect was Nehemyah, whose renown is great, who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, set up the gates and the bars, and raised up our ruins again.
14 Upon the earth no man was created like Enoch, for he was taken from the earth.
15 Nor was there a young man born like Yahusef, a governor of his brothers, a stay of the people, whose bones were regarded of Yahwah.
16 Shem and Seth were in great honor among men, so was Adam above every living thing in creation.

Chapter 50
1 Simeon the high priest, the son of Onias, who repaired the house again in his life, and fortified the temple.
2 The double height from the foundation was built by him, the high fortress of the wall about the temple.
3 In his days the cistern to receive water was covered with plates of brass, being in compass as the sea.
4 He took care of the temple that it should not fall, and fortified the city against besieging.
5 He was honored in the midst of the people in his coming out of the sanctuary!
6 He was as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, as the moon at the full,
7 as the sun shining upon the temple of the most High, as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds,
8 as the flower of roses in the spring of the year, as lilies by the rivers of waters, as the branches of the frankincense tree in the time of summer,
9 as fire and incense in the censer, as a vessel of beaten gold set with all manner of precious stones,
10 as a fair olive tree budding forth fruit, and as a cypress tree which grows up to the clouds.
11 When he put on the robe of honor, he clothed with the perfection of glory. When he went up to the holy altar, he made the garment of holiness honorable.
12 When he took the portions out of the priests' hands, he himself stood by the hearth of the altar, compassed about as a young cedar in Lebanon, they compassed him round about as palm trees.
13 So were all the sons of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of Yahwah in their hands, before all the congregation of Yisrayah.
14 Finishing the service at the altar, that he might adorn the offering of the most high Almighty,
15 he stretched out his hand to the cup, poured of the blood of the grape, he poured out at the foot of the altar a sweet-smelling savor to the most high King of all.
16 The sons of Aaron shouted, sounded the silver trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard, for a remembrance before the most High.
17 Then all the people hurried together, and fell down to the earth upon their faces to worship their Father Yahwah Almighty, the most High.
18 The singers sang praises with their voices, with great variety of sounds there was made sweet melody.
19 The people begged Yahwah, the most High, by prayer before Him that is merciful, till the solemnity of Yahwah was ended, and they finished His service.
20 Then he went down, lifted up his hands over the whole congregation of the children of Yisrayah, to give the blessing of Yahwah with his lips, and to rejoice in His Name.
21 They bowed themselves down to worship the second time, that they might receive a blessing from the most High.
22 Bless the Father of all, who only does wondrous things everywhere, who exalts our days from the womb, and deals with us according to His mercy.
23 He grant us joyfulness of heart, that peace may be in our days in Yisrayah forever,
24 that He would confirm His mercy with us, and deliver us at His time!
25 There are two manner of nations which my heart abhors, and the third is no nation.
26 Those who sit upon the mountain of Samaria, those who dwell among the Philistines, and that foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
27 Yahushua the son of Sirach of Yerusalem wrote in this book the instruction of understanding and knowledge, who poured forth wisdom out of his heart.
28 Blessed is he that will be exercised in these things, he that lays them up in his heart will become wise.
29 If he do them, he will be strong to all things. The light of Yahwah leads him who gives wisdom to the righteous. Blessed be the Name of Yahwah forever. Amein, Amein.

Chapter 51
1 [A Prayer of Yahushua the son of Sirach.] I thank you, O Yahwah and King, and praise you, O Father my Savior. I give praise to your Name.
2 You are my defender and helper. You preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of the slanderous tongue, from the lips that forge lies, and were my helper against my adversaries.
3 You delivered me according to the multitude of your mercies, and greatness of your Name, from the teeth of those who were ready to devour me, out of the hands of such as searched after my life, from the many afflictions which I had,
4 from the choking of fire on every side, from the midst of the fire which I did not kindle,
5 from the depth of the belly of hell, from an unclean tongue, and from lying words.
6 By an accusation to the king from an unrighteous tongue my soul drew near even to death, my life was near to the hell beneath.
7 They surrounded me on every side, there was no man to help me. I looked for the succour of men, but there was none.
8 I thought upon your mercy, O Yahwah, and upon your acts of old, how you deliver such as wait for you, and save them out of the hands of the enemies.
9 I lifted up my supplications from the earth, and prayed for deliverance from death.
10 I called upon Yahwah, the Father of my father, that He would not leave me in the days of my trouble, and in the time of the proud, when there was no help.
11 I will praise your Name continually, and will sing praises with thanksgiving, and so my prayer was heard.
12 You saved me from destruction, and delivered me from the evil time. Therefore I give thanks, praise you, and bless your Name, O Yahwah.
13 When I was yet young, or ever I went abroad, I desired Wisdom openly in my prayer.
14 I prayed for her before the temple, and will seek her out even to the end.
15 Even from the flower, till the grape was ripe, my heart delighted in her. My foot went the right way, from my youth up I searched after her.
16 I bowed down my ear a little, received her, and got much learning.
17 I profited by it, therefore I will ascribe glory to Him that gives me wisdom.
18 I purposed to do after her, and I earnestly followed that which is good, so I will not be confounded.
19 My soul wrestled with her, and I was exact in my doings. I stretched forth my hands to the heaven above, and bewailed my ignorances of her.
20 I directed my soul to her, and I found her in pureness. I joined my heart with her from the beginning, therefore I will not be forsaken.
21 My heart was troubled in seeking her, therefore I got a good possession.
22 Yahwah gave me a tongue for my reward, and I will praise Him with it.
23 Draw near to me, you unlearned, and dwell in the house of learning.
24 Why are you slow, and what do you say to these things, seeing your souls are very thirsty?
25 I opened my mouth, and said: Buy her for yourselves without money.
26 Put your neck under the yoke, and let your soul receive instruction, she is hard to find at hand.
27 Behold with your eyes, how I have but little labor, and got to me much rest.
28 Get learning with a great sum of money, and get much gold by her.
29 Let your soul rejoice in His mercy, do not be ashamed of His praise.
30 Work your work today, and in His time He will give you your reward.






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