{N}WISDOM COMES FROM GOD{/}

{1}1{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}All wisdom comes from the Lord and endures with him 
forever.
{I}2_{/}The grains of sand, the drops of rain and the days of 
eternity, who can count them? 
{I}3_{/}The height of heaven, the extent of the earth and the depths 
of the abyss, who can measure them?
[=]_{I}4_{/}Wisdom was created before all things and the prudent 
intellect before the beginning of time.
{I}6_{/}To whom was the source of Wisdom revealed? Who has known her 
secret designs?
{I}8_{/}One alone is wise and greatly to be feared. The One who is 
seated upon his throne.
{I}9_{/}The Lord himself created Wisdom. He looked on her and knew her 
value. He poured her out over all his works; {I}10_{/}upon all mortal 
beings, in accordance with his goodness. He lavished her on those 
who love him.
{I}11_{/}The fear of the Lord is our glory and honor, it is joy and a 
triumphant crown.
[=]_{I}12_{/}The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart; it gives joy, 
gaiety and long life. 
{R}_{I}13_{/}For the one who fears the Lord all will go well at the end 
of his life, and he will be blessed on the day of his death.
{I}14_{/}The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; he put 
wisdom into the hearts of his faithful ones before their birth.
{I}15_{/}Founded from eternity she has made her home among men and she 
will remain faithful to their descendants.
{I}16_{/}The fear of the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. It will fill 
you with its fruits.
{I}17_{/}It will fill your whole house with desirable things.
It will fill your houses with its riches.
{I}18_{/}The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom.
{I}19_{/}Wherever it is, peace and good health flourish; knowledge and 
prudence rain down. Wisdom exalts those who possess her.
{I}20_{/}The fear of the Lord is the root of wisdom. Its branches are 
long life.
{I}22_{/}Unjust violence cannot be justified, it will destroy itself 
by its own excesses.
{R}_{I}23_{/}The patient man will hold out until the appointed time; but 
finally joy will be given to him.
{I}24_{/}He will guard his words until the appointed time and in the 
end many will recognize his worth.
{R}_{I}25_{/}Proverbs rich in content are among wisdom's treasures but 
the sinner does not want to know about God.
{I}26_{/}Do you desire wisdom? Keep the commandments and the Lord will 
give her to you without measure; {I}27_{/}for fear of the Lord is 
wisdom and learning; what pleases him is faithfulness and 
gentleness.
{I}28_{/}Do not put aside fear of the Lord; approach him with a 
sincere heart. {I}29_{/}Do not be a hypocrite before men; watch well 
your words.
{I}30_{/}Do not praise yourself lest you fall and bring dishonor on 
yourself. For the Lord will reveal your secrets and throw you to 
one side in the midst of the assembly, if you have no fear of the 
Lord and your heart is full of deceit.

{N}FEAR GOD IN TIME OF TRIALS{/}

{1}2{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare 
yourself for trials. {I}2_{/}Keep your heart upright and remain 
resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity.
[=]_{I}3_{/}Hold fast to the Lord, do not separate yourself from him 
so that you may be successful to the end of your days. {I}4_{/}Accept 
all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, 
[=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to 
God are tested in the crucible of humiliation. {I}6_{/}Have confidence 
in him and he will take care of you; follow the right path and 
hope in him.
{I}7_{/}You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy and do not turn away 
lest you fall. {I}8_{/}You who fear the Lord, trust him and you will 
not lose your reward. {I}9_{/}You who fear the Lord, hope for all good 
things; hope for eternal joy and mercy.
[=]_{I}10_{/}Remember what happened to your ancestors. Who has ever 
trusted in the Lord and been confounded? Who has persevered in 
fear of the Lord and been abandoned? Who has called upon him and 
not been heard?
[=]_{I}11_{/}For the Lord is compassion and loving-kindness; he 
forgives our sins and saves us in time of distress.
{I}12_{/}Woe to faint hearts and weak hands, to the sinner who wavers 
between two paths.
{I}13_{/}Woe to the fainthearted who lack confidence, because of this 
they will not be protected. {I}14_{/}Woe to you who have lost 
patience! What will you do when the Lord calls you to account?
[=]_{I}15_{/}Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his commandments; 
those who love him faithfully keep his laws.
{R}_{I}16_{/}Those who fear the Lord seek to please him; those who love 
him are filled with his law.
{I}17_{/}Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts ready and humble 
themselves in his presence saying, [=]_{I}18_{/}"Let us fall into the 
hands of the Lord and not into the hands of men, for great as his 
power is his mercy."

{N}DUTIES TOWARDS PARENTS{/}

{1}3{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}My children, it is your father who speaks, listen to me 
and follow my advice and so be saved. {I}2_{/}For the Lord established 
that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right 
of the mother over her sons.
{I}3_{/}Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; {I}4_{/}he who 
gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself. 
{I}5_{/}Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own 
children and will be heard when he prays.
{I}6_{/}Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever 
obeys the Lord gives comfort to his mother. {I}7_{/}He serves those 
who brought him to birth as he would serve the Lord.
{I}8_{/}Honor your father in word and deed so that his blessing may 
come on you. [=]_{I}9_{/}For a father's blessing secures the future of 
his children, but a mother's curse destroys them at their roots.
[=]_{I}10_{/}Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because 
his dishonor is no glory for you. [=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}For a man's glory 
comes from his father's reputation; a mother who is not respected 
is a disgrace to her children.
[=]_{I}12_{/}My son, take care of your father in his old age, do not 
cause him sorrow as long as he lives.
{I}13_{/}Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be 
disrespectful to him while you are in full health.
{I}14_{/}For kindness done to one's father will never be forgotten, it 
will serve as reparation for your sins. 
{I}15_{/}In the day of adversity the Lord will remember it to your 
advantage; for just as ice melts in the heat, so will your sins 
melt away. [=]_{R}_{I}16_{/}The man who abandons his father is like a 
blasphemer; he who annoys his mother is cursed by the Lord.

{N}HUMILITY{/}

{R}_{I}17_{/}My son, conduct your affairs with discretion and you will be 
loved by those who are acceptable to God.
[=]_{R}_{I}18_{/}The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself 
and thus you will find favor with God. {I}20_{/}For great is the power 
of the Lord and it is the humble who give him glory.
{I}21_{/}Do not seek what is beyond your powers nor search into what 
is beyond your ability. {I}22_{/}Reflect on what you are commanded to 
do; there is no need for you to know things that are hidden.
[=]_{I}23_{/}Do not tire yourself in resolving useless questions since 
the knowledge you already have goes beyond human understanding.
{I}24_{/}For many have been led astray by their personal theories and 
false pretension has undermined reason.
{I}26_{/}The obstinate man will eventually fall into evil, and he who 
loves danger will perish therein. {R}_{I}27_{/}The obstinate man will be 
weighed down with sufferings; the sinner heaps up sin upon sin.
{R}_{I}28_{/}For the sufferings of the proud man there is no remedy, the 
roots of evil are implanted in him. {R}_{I}29_{/}The wise man reflects on 
proverbs. What the wise man desires is an attentive ear.
Almsgiving
[=]_{R}_{I}30_{/}As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving 
obtains pardon for sins. [=]_{R}_{I}31_{/}The man who responds by doing 
good prepares for the future, at the moment of his downfall he 
will find support.

{1}4{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}My son, do not deny the poor his food and do not make the man 
who looks at you with pleading eyes wait. 
{I}2_{/}Do not sadden the hungry person nor annoy anyone who is in 
need. {R}_{I}3_{/}Do not exasperate an angry man nor withhold alms from 
the beggar.
{I}4_{/}Do not drive away the beggar who is weighed down with 
afflictions, nor turn away your face from the poor; {I}5_{/}do not 
snub the needy nor give anyone a reason to curse you.
[=]_{I}6_{/}If someone curses you in the bitterness of his heart, the 
Creator will hear his prayer.
{I}7_{/}Make yourself acceptable to the community; bow your head 
before the one in authority.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Listen to the poor man and reply to him with kind words and 
with peace. [=]_{I}9_{/}Deliver the oppressed from the hands of the 
oppressor. Do not be weak when you administer justice. [=]_{I}10_{/}Be 
like a father towards orphans and like a husband towards their 
mothers. Then you will be like a son of the Most High and he will 
love you more than your own mother.
{I}11_{/}Wisdom brings up her children and takes care of those who 
look for her. {I}12_{/}Whoever loves her loves life. Those who rise 
early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy.
{I}13_{/}Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes 
blessings will follow. {I}14_{/}Those who serve her are ministers of 
the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord. {R}_{I}15_{/}He 
who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will 
rest in safety.
{I}16_{/}Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after 
him will inherit her.
[=]_{I}17_{/}For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, 
causing him to fear and be terrified; she will plague him with her 
discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the 
test by her demands.
{I}18_{/}Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and 
reveal her secrets to him.
{I}19_{/}But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and 
allow him to be lost.
{I}20_{/}In every situation weigh the pros and cons and avoid evil. A 
wrong kind of shame could harm you. {I}21_{/}There is a shame which 
leads to sin and there is a shame which merits praise and respect. 
{I}22_{/}Do not act against your better self to win favor from others. 
Do not let this kind of shame lead you into sin.
{I}23_{/}Do not remain silent when it is necessary to speak. Do not, 
through pride, hide your wisdom. {I}24_{/}It is in speech that wisdom 
is recognized and learning in the spoken discourse.
{I}25_{/}Do not contradict the truth; rather confess your lack of 
knowledge.
[=]_{I}26_{/}Have no shame in confessing your sins, do not swim 
against the tide.
{R}_{I}27_{/}Do not cringe before a foolish man; do not be influenced by 
the powerful.
{R}_{I}28_{/}Fight for the truth till death and the Lord will fight for 
you.
[=]_{I}29_{/}Do not be daring in your speech, but lazy and negligent 
in works.
{I}30_{/}Do not be like a lion in your household, finding fault with 
your servants and oppressing those under you.
[=]_{I}31_{/}Do not open your hand to receive and keep it closed when 
you should give.

{N}DO NOT RELY ON WEALTH{/}

{1}5{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Do not rely on your wealth. Do not say, "I am self-
sufficient." [=]_{I}2_{/}Do not let yourself be carried away by greed 
and violence; they would make you their slave.
[=]_{I}3_{/}Do not say, "Who can stop me?" For the Lord has power to 
punish you. [=]_{I}4_{/}Do not say, "I have sinned and nothing has 
happened!" For the Lord bides his time.
{I}5_{/}Do not be so sure of pardon when you are heaping sin upon sin. 
[=]_{I}6_{/}Do not say, "His compassion is great! He will forgive the 
vast number of my sins!" For with him is mercy but also anger; his 
fury will be poured out on sinners.
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}Do not delay your return to the Lord, do not put it off 
from day to day. For suddenly the anger of the Lord will blaze 
forth and you will perish on the day of reckoning.
{I}8_{/}Do not rely on riches wrongfully acquired for they will be of 
no use to you on the day of wrath.
{I}9_{/}Do not be swayed by every wind nor try to walk by every path, 
as does the sinner who is accustomed to lie. [=]_{I}10_{/}Remain firm 
in your convictions, and be consistent in your speech. {I}11_{/}Be 
ready to listen, and know how to wait before giving your reply.
{I}12_{/}If you know what you are saying, answer your neighbor; if 
not, it is better to say nothing. {R}_{I}13_{/}Your words can bring you 
honor and dishonor; a man's tongue brings about his downfall.
{I}14_{/}Do not let yourself be known as a scandalmonger or a 
deceiver. For if shame is the lot of the robber, severe 
condemnation is the lot of the liar.
{I}15_{/}Do not sin in big things nor in little things, and from being 
a friend do not turn into an enemy. An evil reputation brings in 
its train shame and disgrace; such is the lot of the sinner who is 
accustomed to lying.

{1}6{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Just as the wicked man inherits confusion and shame so will 
the sinner accustomed to lying. {I}2_{/}Do not give yourself over to 
your passions; they will turn against you and, like a bull, tear 
you to pieces. {I}3_{/}They will devour the foliage and destroy the 
fruit, leaving you like a dry stump. {I}4_{/}An evil passion will 
destroy the one who is held in its power; it will make him the 
laughingstock of his enemies.

{N}FRIENDS{/}

[\u0095]_[=]_{I}5_{/}A gentle word makes many friends, an agreeable tongue 
calls forth gracious replies. [=]_{I}6_{/}Let your friends be many; 
but your counselors, one in a thousand!
{I}7_{/}If you would gain a friend, begin by testing him and do not 
put your confidence in him too quickly. {I}8_{/}For there is the 
friend who is such when it suits him but he does not remain 
faithful in the time of your adversity. 
{I}9_{/}There is the friend who becomes an enemy and, to your 
confusion, makes known why you quarreled. 
{I}10_{/}There is the friend who shares your table but does not remain 
faithful when things go against you. {I}11_{/}In times of prosperity 
he will be like your shadow and he will speak freely to those of 
your household. {I}12_{/}But if you are humiliated, he will turn 
against you and will avoid meeting you.
{I}13_{/}Distance yourself from your enemies and be careful about your 
friends.
{I}14_{/}The faithful friend is a secure refuge; whoever has found one 
has found a treasure. {I}15_{/}A faithful friend is beyond all price; 
hold him as priceless. {I}16_{/}A faithful friend is a life-saving 
remedy, and those who fear the Lord will find one. 
{R}_{I}17_{/}Whoever fears the Lord will make true friends for, as a man 
is, such will his friend be.
{I}18_{/}My son, dedicate yourself to learning from your youth, and 
you will grow in wisdom until old age. {I}19_{/}Work at it like the 
worker and the sower, cultivate wisdom and wait for her excellent 
fruits. For in cultivating her you will have some trouble, but 
soon you will enjoy her fruits.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Wisdom is very severe with the ignorant. A foolish man will 
not persevere. {I}21_{/}She will be like a heavy weight or a difficult 
test which he will quickly throw away.
{I}22_{/}For wisdom brings her own honor, she does not reveal herself 
to everyone. {I}23_{/}Listen, my son, and receive my teaching, do not 
reject my counsel. [=]_{I}24_{/}Put her constraints on your feet and 
her yoke on your neck. {I}25_{/}Put your shoulder to the burden and 
bear her yoke; do not rebel against her chains. {R}_{I}26_{/}Come to her 
with all your soul and with all your strength observe her ways. 
{I}27_{/}Pursue her, search for her, she will make herself known to 
you; when you have her, do not let her go.
{I}28_{/}For, in the end, you will find in her your rest and she will 
become your joy. {I}29_{/}Her constraints will strengthen your steps 
and her collar will be like a glorious garment. {I}30_{/}Her yoke will 
become an ornament of gold and her chains like precious girdles of 
hyacinth blue. {I}31_{/}You will adorn yourself as with a garment of 
glory and you will put her on like a crown of jubilation.
{I}32_{/}If you wish, my son, you will be learned; if you pay 
attention, you will become clever. {I}33_{/}If you love to listen, you 
will learn; if you really pay attention, you will become wise.
{R}_{I}34_{/}Be on your guard in the assembly of the elders and if there 
is a wise man there, attach yourself to him. {I}35_{/}Be willing to 
listen to all discourses on divine things, and do not let the 
sayings of the wise escape you.
{R}_{I}36_{/}If you see an intelligent man, follow him from daybreak and 
let your feet beat a pathway to his door.
{I}37_{/}Meditate on the precepts of the Lord and apply yourself 
unceasingly to his commandments. He will strengthen your heart and 
the wisdom you desire will be given to you.

{1}7{/}

{I}1_{/}Do no evil and evil will not take hold of you.
{I}2_{/}Keep away from wrongdoing and it will leave you alone.
[=]_{I}3_{/}Son, do not sow in the furrows of injustice for fear of 
reaping its harvest sevenfold.
[=]_{R}_{I}4_{/}Do not demand authority from the Lord nor from the king a 
place of honor.
{R}_{I}5_{/}Do not make yourself out to be a just man before the Lord nor 
a wise man in front of the king.
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}Do not seek a position of responsibility lest you not be 
powerful enough to root out injustice and, overawed by a powerful 
man, you lose your integrity.
{I}7_{/}Do not offend the city's assembly; do not grovel before the 
people.
{I}8_{/}Do not commit the same sin twice; once is enough to bring 
punishment upon you.
[=]_{R}_{I}9_{/}Do not say, "When I sacrifice to God, the Most High will 
take into account the number of gifts and he will accept them." 
[=]_{R}_{I}10_{/}Pray with a strong spirit and do not neglect to give 
alms.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Do not despise a man when he is downcast, for there is 
one who casts down and who raises up.
{I}12_{/}Do not lie about your brother; likewise, do not lie about 
your friend.
{I}13_{/}Do not allow yourself any kind of lie for nothing good will 
come of it.
[=]_{I}14_{/}Do not gossip in front of the council of the elders, nor 
keep on repeating your words in prayer.
[=]_{I}15_{/}Do not hate hard work nor the tilling of the land as 
instituted by the Most High.
{R}_{I}16_{/}Do not join the company of sinners, remember that the wrath 
of God will not be delayed.
[=]_{I}17_{/}Remain humble, because the godless are punished with fire 
and worms.
{I}18_{/}Do not exchange your friend for money, nor a real brother for 
the gold of Ophir.
{I}19_{/}Do not separate yourself from a wise and good woman, because 
a gracious wife is worth more than gold.
[=]_{I}20_{/}Do not maltreat the servant who works honestly, nor the 
laborer who works diligently. {I}21_{/}Love the intelligent slave as 
yourself and do not deprive him of his freedom.
{I}22_{/}Have you any cattle? Take care of them. If they are 
profitable to you, keep them.
{I}23_{/}Have you children? Educate them and teach them to obey from 
their childhood.
{I}24_{/}Have you any daughters? Guard their virginity and do not be 
indulgent towards them.
{R}_{I}25_{/}If you marry off your daughter you will have accomplished 
something of importance, but give her to an intelligent man.
{I}26_{/}Have you a wife who is according to your liking? Do not send 
her away. As for the one you dislike, do not trust her.
{I}27_{/}Honor your father with your whole heart and do not be 
forgetful of the sufferings of your mother.
[=]_{I}28_{/}Remember that they gave you birth. How can you repay them 
for what they have done for you?
{R}_{I}29_{/}Reverence the Lord with all your being and respect the 
priests.
{I}30_{/}Love your Creator with all your strength and do not abandon 
his ministers.
{I}31_{/}Fear the Lord and honor the priest. Give him the share which 
has been commanded: the first harvest, the sin-offering, the 
shoulders of the victims, the holy offerings and the first fruits 
of sacred things.
[=]_{I}32_{/}Stretch out your hand to the poor and you will receive a 
blessing from the Lord.
{R}_{I}33_{/}May your gifts benefit the living and do not forget the 
dead.
[=]_{I}34{/}Do not turn away from those who weep, and grieve with 
those who are in sorrow.
[=]_{I}35_{/}Do not neglect to visit the sick because it is for such 
acts that you will be loved.
{I}36_{/}In all your actions remember your last end and you will never 
sin.

{N}PRUDENCE AND COMMON SENSE{/}

{1}8{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Do not argue with a powerful man lest you fall into his 
hands.
{R}_{I}2_{/}Do not quarrel with a rich man lest he throw his weight into 
the scale against you.
{I}3_{/}Do not argue with a talkative person; do not heap up wood on 
his fire.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Do not joke with an ignorant man for fear your ancestors will 
be insulted.
[=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember 
that we are all deserving punishment.
{R}_{I}6_{/}Do not despise a man in his old age, because we ourselves 
will grow old.
{R}_{I}7_{/}Do not rejoice at the death of any man, remember that we 
shall all die.
{I}8_{/}Do not neglect the teaching of the wise, apply yourself well 
to their precepts. Through them you will learn how to live and how 
to serve the great.
{I}9_{/}Do not set aside the teachings of the elders for they also 
learnt it from their fathers; they will open up your understanding 
and enable you to reply at the right moment.
{I}10_{/}Do nothing to arouse the sinner for fear of being burned by 
the flames of his fire.
{R}_{I}11_{/}Do not annoy the angry man for fear that he will twist your 
words to his own advantage.
{I}12_{/}Do not lend to those more powerful than yourself; if you have 
lent anything, consider it as lost.
{I}13_{/}Do not stand surety beyond your means; if you have done so, 
be ready to pay.
{R}_{I}14_{/}Do not go to law with a judge because, due to his position, 
judgment will be given in his favor.
{I}15_{/}Do not travel with an adventurer lest he impose himself on 
you and, as he does whatever he pleases, you both perish through 
his folly.
{I}16_{/}Do not quarrel with a bad-tempered person nor get involved 
with him in a lonely place; blood counts for little in his eyes 
and, when he sees you defenseless, he will attack you.
{I}17_{/}Do not take counsel with a fool because he will not be able 
to remain silent about what you have said.
{I}18_{/}Do nothing which should be secret before a stranger because 
you do not know how he will react.
{R}_{I}19_{/}Do not reveal your secrets to any man, he will not be 
grateful to you for doing so.

{N}MAN WITH WOMEN{/}

{1}9{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Do not be jealous of your own wife; do not give her reason 
to disgrace you.
[=]_{I}2_{/}Do not put yourself into the power of any woman to the 
point where she can dominate you.
{I}3_{/}Do not go near a woman of ill-repute for fear of falling into 
her nets.
{I}4_{/}Do not dally with a singing girl for fear of being caught in 
her snare.
[=]_{I}5_{/}Do not fix your gaze on a young girl for fear of being 
involved in her condemnation.
[=]_{I}6_{/}Do not deliver yourself into the power of prostitutes lest 
you lose your inheritance.
{I}7_{/}Do not glance about you in the streets of the town; do not 
loiter in lonely places.
[=]_{I}8_{/}Turn your eyes away from a good-looking woman and do not 
stare at a beautiful foreigner. For the beauty of a woman has 
caused many to fall; in her presence love blazes up like a fire.
{I}9_{/}Never sit near a married woman or drink wine with her, for 
fear that your feelings towards her be roused and that in your 
passion you slide towards your downfall.
{I}10_{/}Do not abandon an old friend, for a new one has not the same 
value.
New wine, new friend; let them mature, then you will enjoy them 
with pleasure.
[=]_{I}11_{/}Do not envy the success of the sinner, you do not know 
what his end will be.
{I}12_{/}Do not take pleasure in what pleases the godless, remember 
that they will be punished before they die.
{R}_{I}13_{/}Keep well away from the man who has power to kill and you 
will not experience the fear of death. But if you go with him 
avoid all offense for fear that he will deprive you of life: 
realize that you are passing through deathtraps and that you are 
walking on top of the wall.
{I}14_{/}As far as you can, be sociable and take counsel with learned 
men.
{R}_{I}15_{/}Love to speak with intelligent men and let all your 
discourses be about the law of the Most High.
{I}16_{/}Let just men be your companions at table; take pride in your 
fear of the Lord.
{I}17_{/}An artisan is judged by his work and a leader of the 
community, by the wisdom of his words.
{R}_{I}18_{/}A talkative man is dreaded in his town and the gossip makes 
himself disliked.

{1}10{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The wise leader will teach his people; the government of the 
intelligent man will be well-ordered.
{I}2_{/}As the leader is, so will his ministers be; as the leader of 
the city is, so will be its inhabitants.
{R}_{I}3_{/}A king without wisdom will ruin his people; a city will 
prosper through the wisdom of its rulers.
{I}4_{/}The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord; in 
his own time he will raise up the right leader.
[=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}The success of every man is in the hands of the Lord and 
he clothes the rulers with his glory.

{N}PRIDE{/}

[\u0095]_[=]_{I}6_{/}Do not store up resentment against your neighbor, no 
matter what his offense; do nothing in a fit of anger.
{R}_{I}7_{/}Pride is odious to both God and man; injustice is abhorrent 
to both of them.
{I}8_{/}Sovereignty passes from one nation to another because of 
injustice, violence and wealth.
{R}_{I}9_{/}How can there be such pride in someone who is nothing but 
dust and ashes? Even while he is living, man's bowels are full of 
rottenness.
{R}_{I}10_{/}Look: the illness lasts while the doctor makes light of it; 
and one who is king today will die tomorrow.
{R}_{I}11_{/}Once a man is dead, grubs, insects and worms are his lot.
[=]_{R}_{I}12_{/}The beginning of man's pride is to separate himself from 
the Lord and to rebel against his Creator.
{I}13_{/}The beginning of pride is sin. Whoever perseveres in sinning 
opens the floodgates to everything that is evil. For this the Lord 
has inflicted dire punishment on sinners; he has reduced them to 
nothing.
[=]_{I}14_{/}The Lord has overturned the thrones of princes and set up 
the meek in their place.
[=]_{I}15_{/}The Lord has torn up the proud by the roots and has 
planted the humble in their place.
[=]_{I}16_{/}The Lord has overturned the land of the pagans and 
totally destroyed them.
{I}17_{/}He has devastated several of them, destroyed them and removed 
all remembrance of them from the face of the earth.
{R}_{I}18_{/}Pride was not created for man nor violent anger, for those 
born of woman.
{I}19_{/}Which race is worthy of honor? The human race.
Which race is worthy of honor? Those who fear the Lord.
Which race is despicable? The human race.
Which race is despicable? Those who break the commandments.
{I}20_{/}The leader is worthy of respect in the midst of his brethren, 
but he has respect for those who fear the Lord. {I}22_{/}Whether they 
be rich, honored or poor, their pride should be in fearing the 
Lord.
{R}_{I}23_{/}It is not right to despise the poor man who keeps the law; 
it is not fitting to honor the sinful man.
{R}_{I}24_{/}The leader, the judge, and the powerful man are worthy of 
honor, but no one is greater than the man who fears the Lord.
{R}_{I}25_{/}A prudent slave will have free men as servants, and the 
sensible man will not complain.
[=]_{I}26_{/}Do not feel proud when you have only accomplished your 
work; do not put on airs when times are difficult for you.
{R}_{I}27_{/}Of greater worth is the man who works and lives in abundance 
than the one who shows off and yet has nothing to live on.
[=]_{I}28_{/}My son, have a modest appreciation of yourself, estimate 
yourself at your true value.
{R}_{I}29_{/}Who will defend the man who makes an attempt on his own 
life? Who will respect the man who despises himself?
{R}_{I}30_{/}The poor man will be honored for his wisdom and the rich 
man, for his riches.
{I}31_{/}Honored when poor - how much more honored when rich! 
Dishonored when rich - how much more dishonored when poor!

{1}11{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The poor man who is wise carries his head high and sits among 
the great.
[=]_{R}_{I}2_{/}Do not praise a man because he is handsome and do not 
hold a man in contempt because of his appearance.
{I}3_{/}The bee is one of the smallest winged insects but she excels 
in the exquisite sweetness of her honey.
{I}4_{/}Do not be proud because of the clothes you wear; do not be 
proud when people honor you. Do you know what the Lord is 
preparing in a mysterious way? [=]_{I}5_{/}Many tyrants have been 
overthrown and someone unknown has received the crown.
{I}6_{/}Many powerful men have been completely disgraced and famous 
men handed over into the power of others.
{I}7_{/}Do not reprehend anyone unless you have first been fully 
informed, consider the case first and thereafter make your 
reproach.
[=]_{I}8_{/}Do not reply before you have listened; do not interrupt 
the one who is speaking.
{I}9_{/}Do not interfere in what is not your business; do not meddle 
in the disputes of sinners.
{I}10_{/}My son, do not undertake too many activities. If you keep 
adding to them, you will not be without reproach; if you run after 
them, you will not succeed nor will you ever be free, although you 
try to escape.

{N}PUT YOUR TRUST IN GOD{/}

[\u0095]_{I}11_{/}There are those who exhaust themselves, tire themselves 
out and become anxious, yet in the end they are only the poorer.
{I}12_{/}There are those who are weak, needing support, lacking goods 
and in great poverty, yet the eyes of the Lord look on them with 
favor. The Lord will redress their humiliation. {I}13_{/}He will raise 
their heads and many people will marvel on this account.
{R}_{I}14_{/}Good and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, all come 
from the Lord.
{I}17_{/}The just can count on the generosity of the Lord and his 
goodness will guide them forever.
{R}_{I}18_{/}A man may become rich through being careful and miserly and 
this is his reward. {I}19_{/}The day on which he thinks, "I have 
earned my rest, now I can live on my possessions," he does not 
know how long he is going to live. He will have to die and leave 
his goods to others.
{I}20_{/}Remain faithful to your duty, give your life to it and grow 
old in your work.
[=]_{R}_{I}21_{/}Do not be disconcerted at the success of sinners but 
have confidence in God and persevere in your own efforts. It is 
easy for the Lord in an instant to make the poor man rich.
[=]_{R}_{I}22_{/}The blessing of the Lord is the just man's reward and 
quickly, in an instant, his benediction will bear fruit.
[=]_{I}23_{/}Do not say, "What do I need? What more could I have or 
desire?"
{I}24_{/}Do not say, "I have all that is necessary, what misfortune 
can harm me now?"
{I}25_{/}On good days, one forgets the bad; and on bad days one 
forgets the good.
{R}_{I}26_{/}Even when the end draws near, it is easy for the Lord to 
reward a man according to the way he has lived.
{R}_{I}27_{/}The hour of adversity makes one forget pleasure; at the end 
of a man's life his deeds will be revealed.
{R}_{I}28_{/}Do not consider anyone as blessed before his death, for only 
then he will be known.
{I}29_{/}Do not invite just anybody into your house for many are 
clever deceivers.
{R}_{I}30_{/}Like a partridge in its cage acting as a decoy, so is the 
heart of the proud man; like a spy he watches out for your 
weaknesses.
{I}31_{/}He changes good things into evil, he lays his traps and 
criticizes even the best things.
{R}_{I}32_{/}Just as a spark sets coals on fire, the wicked man prepares 
his snares in order to draw blood.
{R}_{I}33_{/}Beware of the wicked man for he is planning evil. He might 
dishonor you forever.
{I}34_{/}If you take a stranger into your house, he will cause you 
trouble; he will estrange you from your household.

{1}12{/}

{I}1_{/}If you do good, know to whom you are doing it and you will 
receive thanks for your kindness.
{R}_{I}2_{/}Do good to the godly man and you will receive a reward, if 
not from the man himself, at least from the Most High.
{I}3_{/}Blessings are not for those who persist in evildoing, nor for 
those who refuse to show compassion.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Give to the godly man, do not help the sinner; {I}5_{/}do good to 
the humble, do not give to the ungodly; deny him bread, do not 
give it to him lest he eventually dominate you. He will repay you 
with a double evil for all the good that you have done for him.
[=]_{I}6_{/}For the Most High himself detests sinners and carries out 
his vengeance on the ungodly.
{R}_{I}7_{/}Give to the good man but do not help the sinner.
{I}8_{/}A friend does not become an enemy in the time of prosperity, 
nor does an enemy remain hidden in the time of adversity.
{R}_{I}9_{/}When a man is doing well, his enemies are sad; when he is 
suffering misfortune, even his friends hasten to abandon him.
[=]_{I}10_{/}Never trust an enemy, for his malice is like bronze 
covered in rust.
{R}_{I}11_{/}Even if he should act as a humble man and walk with head 
bowed down, watch yourself and be on your guard against him. 
Behave towards him as a man who polishes a bronze mirror. Know 
that the rust will not remain until the end.
{I}12_{/}Do not place him near you lest he overthrow you and take your 
place. Do not make him sit on your right hand lest he covet your 
seat. Let it not be that in the end you understand my words and 
regret not having listened to my advice.
{R}_{I}13_{/}Who will have pity on the snake-charmer bitten by a snake or 
on those who go near wild beasts? {R}_{I}14_{/}It is the same for the man 
who joins company with a sinner and finds himself involved in his 
wrongdoing. {I}15_{/}The sinner will remain quietly with you for an 
hour but when you are distracted he will throw away his mask.
{I}16_{/}The enemy is all sweetness in his speech, but in his heart he 
is planning to throw you in the ditch. The enemy has tears in his 
eyes but, if he finds an opportunity, he cannot have enough of 
your blood.
{I}17_{/}If misfortune comes to you, you will find him there before 
you; pretending to help you, he will be scheming to get rid of 
you. {I}18_{/}He will wag his head in mockery and clap his hands, he 
will whisper unceasingly and will show his true face.

{N}BEWARE OF THE GREAT{/}

{1}13{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}He who touches tar will  be soiled; he who associates 
with an arrogant man will become like him.
{I}2_{/}Do not carry too heavy a load; do not make friends with 
someone stronger and richer than you. Why put the earthen pot near 
the iron one? One will bang the other and break it.
[=]_{R}_{I}3_{/}The rich man does wrong and is unconcerned; the poor man 
is insulted and apologizes.
{R}_{I}4_{/}The rich man uses you as long as you are useful to him; when 
you have nothing left he deserts you.
{I}5_{/}He will stay with you as long as you have something; he will 
drain you without a second thought.
{I}6_{/}If he really needs you he will deceive you, smile at you and 
raise your hopes; he will speak smooth words and say, "What would 
you like?"
{I}7_{/}He will show his gratitude by entertaining you until he has 
taken all you possess, and he will make fun of you in the end. 
Afterwards, when he sees you, he will have nothing to do with you, 
shaking his head when he meets you.
{I}8_{/}Take care not to be deceived and humiliated through stupidity.
{I}9_{/}When an influential person invites you, delay and he will call 
you all the more.
{I}10_{/}Do not go so far forward that you are pushed aside or so far 
back that you are overlooked.
{I}11_{/}Do not try to talk to him as an equal or trust his many 
words. With all this verbiage he is only trying to test you and, 
under pretense of kindness, he is weighing you up.
{I}12_{/}He will repeat your words without pity and will not spare you 
either blows or chains. {I}13_{/}Be wary and take great care because 
you are walking with your own stumbling block.
{I}15_{/}All that lives loves its own kind and each person, his own 
neighbor.
{R}_{I}16_{/}Every animal relates to its own species and man to his own 
kind.
{R}_{I}17_{/}What has the wolf in common with the lamb? It is the same 
with the sinner and the virtuous man. {R}_{I}18_{/}What kind of peace can 
exist between the hyena and the dog? What peace between the rich 
man and the poor man?
{R}_{I}19_{/}Wild donkeys are the prey of desert lions; so, also, are the 
poor the prey of the rich.
{R}_{I}20_{/}The proud man hates humility; so, also, the poor man is 
detestable to the rich.
[=]_{R}_{I}21_{/}When the rich man stumbles, his friends support him, but 
when the poor man falls, his friends desert him.
[=]_{R}_{I}22_{/}When the rich man gets into trouble, there are many who 
come to his rescue; if he speaks nonsense, they congratulate him. 
When the poor man makes a mistake, they criticize him; if he 
speaks sensibly, they pay no attention. {R}_{I}23_{/}When the rich man 
speaks, all are silent and they praise his words to the skies. The 
poor man speaks and people ask, "Who is this?" And if he stumbles, 
they push him down.
{I}24_{/}Wealth is good if there is no sin in it and poverty is evil 
when it is the reward for godlessness.

{N}ENJOY LIFE WITHOUT BEING GREEDY{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}25_{/}Man's heart is reflected in his face, for better or for 
worse.
{I}26_{/}Does he show a happy face? All is going well to him. Has he 
found words of wisdom? He has reflected on suffering.

{1}14{/}

{I}1_{/}Happy the one who has not sinned in speech or who feels no 
remorse for his faults.
{I}2_{/}Happy is he whose own conscience does not condemn him and who 
has not fallen from his ideals.
{R}_{I}3_{/}Wealth does not befit the small-minded man; why would you 
give the greedy man riches? [=]_{I}4_{/}He who hoards, depriving 
himself, is hoarding for others: others will enjoy his goods.
{I}5_{/}He who is mean to himself, with whom will he be good? He does 
not even enjoy his own riches.
{I}6_{/}There is nothing worse than one who is mean to himself, this 
is how his evil repays him.
{I}7_{/}If he does good, he does it without realizing it but, in the 
end, his evil will be revealed.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Evil is the greedy-eyed man who does not pay attention to 
persons and looks down on people.
{R}_{I}9_{/}The ambitious man is not content with what he has, wicked 
injustice shrivels up the heart.
{I}10_{/}The envious eye covets the food of others; there will be 
misery and famine at his table.
{I}11_{/}My son, use well whatever you have and give worthy offerings 
to the Lord.
{R}_{I}12_{/}Remember that death will not delay and your time has not yet 
been revealed to you.
{I}13_{/}Be good to your friend before you die and be generous to him 
in any way you can.
[=]_{I}14_{/}Enjoy happiness and do not reject lawful pleasure when it 
comes your way.
{I}15_{/}Will you not have to leave to another the fruit of your 
works? The fruit of your labor, will it not be shared out by lot?
{I}16_{/}Give, take and treat yourself well, for in the netherworld 
there are no pleasures to seek.
{R}_{I}17_{/}All living things grow old like clothing. This is the 
eternal law: "You will die."
{I}18_{/}Like green leaves on a bushy tree: some sprout and others 
fall off, so are the generations of flesh and blood: one dies and 
another is born. [=]_{I}19_{/}All finite things pass away and their 
maker with them.

{N}HAPPY THE ONE SEEKING WISDOM{/}

{I}20_{/}Happy the one who is intent on wisdom and who can reply to 
those who question him; {I}21_{/}who makes his own the ways of wisdom 
and meditates on her secrets; {I}22_{/}who pursues her like a hunter, 
lies in wait by her paths, {I}23_{/}peeps in at her windows and 
listens at her doors; {I}24_{/}he sets up camp near her house, fixing 
his stakes in her walls.
{I}25_{/}He places his tent in the hands of wisdom; he stays in a 
happy lodging. {I}26_{/}He places his sons beneath her protection and 
finds shelter beneath her branches. {I}27_{/}He is shaded by her from 
the heat and makes his camp in her glory.

{1}15{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Such is the one who fears  the Lord; whoever embraces the 
Law will obtain wisdom. {I}2_{/}She will come out to meet him like a 
mother and greet him like a virgin bride; {R}_{I}3_{/}she will feed him 
with the bread of understanding and give him the water of wisdom 
to drink. {I}4_{/}He will rely on her and will not waver; he will lean 
on her and will not be let down.
[=]_{I}5_{/}Wisdom will make him greater than his friends and he will 
be able to speak in the full assembly. {I}6_{/}He will be crowned with 
happiness and joy. He will inherit an everlasting name.
{I}7_{/}The fool will never possess her, and sinners will never set 
eyes on her. {I}8_{/}She is far away from pride, and liars will know 
nothing of her.
{I}9_{/}Praise is not fitting on the lips of sinners since it does not 
come from the Lord. {R}_{I}10_{/}Praise must come from the wise man; so 
the Lord himself inspires it.

{N}GOD MADE US FREE AND RESPONSIBLE{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Do not say, "It was God who made me sin." God does not 
cause what he hates.
{I}12_{/}Do not say, "He made me do wrong," for he has nothing to do 
with a sinner. {I}13_{/}The Lord hates all evil and those who fear him 
hate it as well.
{R}_{I}14_{/}When he created man in the beginning, he left him free to 
make his own decisions. {I}15_{/}If you wish, you can keep the 
commandments and it is in your power to remain faithful.
{R}_{I}16_{/}He has set fire and water before you; you stretch out your 
hand to whichever you prefer.
[=]_{R}_{I}17_{/}Life and death are set before man: whichever a man 
prefers will be given him.
{I}18_{/}How magnificent is the wisdom of the Lord! He is powerful and 
all-seeing.
{R}_{I}19_{/}His eyes are on those who fear him. He knows all the works 
of man.
{I}20_{/}He has commanded no one to be godless and has given no one 
permission to sin.

{N}NO HAPPINESS FOR THE WICKED{/}

{1}16{/}

[=]_{I}1_{/}Do not long for a brood of worthless children, and take no 
joy in godless sons.
{R}_{I}2_{/}However many you have, do not rejoice in them if they have no 
fear of God.
{R}_{I}3_{/}Do not depend on their having a long life, or trust in their 
number, because one is better than a thousand and their death is 
preferable to their being godless.
[=]_{R}_{I}4_{/}A city can arise from one man who is prudent. Yet, even 
though the wicked become a great tribe, they will be destroyed. 
{I}5_{/}I have seen such things with my own eyes and my ears have 
heard of still greater things.
{R}_{I}6_{/}Fire has come upon the meeting of sinners and God's wrath is 
kindled against rebellious people.
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}God did not pardon the leaders of old who rebelled in 
their pride of strength.
[=]_{I}8_{/}He did not spare the city where Lot lived; he detested 
their pride.
{I}9_{/}He showed no pity on the people doomed to destruction; they 
were annihilated for their sins.
{I}10_{/}In the same way, he dealt with the six hundred thousand men 
who, in the hardness of their hearts, had revolted.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Had there been only one stubborn man it would have been 
amazing if he had escaped unpunished, since mercy and anger belong 
to the Lord who is powerful both in forgiveness and in punishment.
{R}_{I}12_{/}His justice is as great as his mercy and he judges men by 
their deeds.
{R}_{I}13_{/}Just as the sinner will not escape with his booty, the 
patience of the upright man will not go unrewarded.
{R}_{I}14_{/}God will reward every act of mercy; each person will be 
treated according to his deeds.
{I}17_{/}Do not say, "I will hide from the Lord; who will remember me 
up there? I will not be recognized in the midst of so many. What 
am I in the immensity of creation?"
{R}_{I}18_{/}Look: the sky and the heavens above the sky, the sea and the 
earth tremble when he comes.
{I}19_{/}The mountains, together with the foundations of the earth, 
are filled with dread before his sight.
{R}_{I}20_{/}But nobody thinks of such things: who is interested in the 
ways of God?
[=]_{R}_{I}21_{/}Most of his works go unnoticed and man does not see 
where the storm originates.
{R}_{I}22_{/}"Who tells us of the interventions of God? Who expects them? 
The Covenant is far away."
{R}_{I}23_{/}Such are the thoughts of the man of little sense, the 
foolish, dissolute man who loves his illusions.
{I}24_{/}Listen to me, my sons; acquire knowledge and apply your heart 
to my words. {I}25_{/}I will expound the teaching step by step and 
impart knowledge carefully.

{N}GOD THE CREATOR{/}

[\u0095]_[=]_{R}_{I}26_{/}God created his works from the beginning and, as he 
made them, he assigned to each its place. {I}27_{/}He arranged them 
for all time, their beginning and their unfolding. They do not 
hunger or grow weary and they never cease from their duties. 
{I}28_{/}Not one has collided with its neighbor; they will never 
disobey his commands.
{I}29_{/}Afterwards, the Lord looked down on the earth and filled it 
with his riches. [=]_{R}_{I}30_{/}He covered its surface with all kinds 
of living things which must return to it.

{1}17{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}The Lord created man  from the earth and let him return 
to earth. [=]_{I}2_{/}He settled a fixed time for them and a set 
number of days, giving them power over everything on earth. 
[=]_{I}3_{/}He endowed them with a strength like his own, making them 
in his own image.
{I}4_{/}He put the fear of men in all living things, thus they had 
mastery over the animals and birds. {I}6_{/}He endowed them with 
knowledge; he gave them tongue and eyes, ears and a mind to think 
with.
{I}7_{/}He filled them with wisdom and knowledge; he taught them good 
and evil. [=]_{I}8_{/}He put his own eye in their hearts so they would 
understand the greatness of his works. {I}10_{/}They will praise his 
holy Name and relate the magnificence of his creation.
{R}_{I}11_{/}He gave them revealed knowledge as well and handed over to 
them the Law of life. {R}_{I}12_{/}He established an everlasting covenant 
with them and let them know his judgments.
[=]_{R}_{I}13_{/}Human eyes saw the splendor of the Glory of God; their 
ears heard the grandeur of his voice. {I}14_{/}He said to them, "Keep 
yourselves from all wrongdoing," and to each of them he gave 
commands regarding his neighbor.
{I}15_{/}Their conduct is always before the Lord; they cannot escape 
his sight.
{I}17_{/}He has placed a leader over each nation, but Israel is the 
Lord's own portion.
{I}19_{/}Their deeds are as clear as the sun to him, he always 
observes their ways.
{I}20_{/}Their misdeeds cannot be hidden from him, all their sins are 
before the Lord.
{I}22_{/}He holds a man's almsgiving dear as a priceless signet ring; 
he cherishes a good deed like the apple of his eye.
{I}23_{/}One day he will rise and reward them; he will place their 
prize on their heads.
{R}_{I}24_{/}He allows those who repent to return; he comforts those 
whose hopes are fading.
{I}25_{/}Be converted to the Lord and give up your sins, plead with 
him to lessen your offense.
{R}_{I}26_{/}Return to the Almighty, turn aside from wrongdoing and 
totally detest evil.
[=]_{I}27_{/}For who in the grave will praise the Almighty, if the 
living do not give him glory?
{R}_{I}28_{/}The dead man is as if he did not exist and cannot give 
praise; he who has life and health can praise the Lord.
{I}29_{/}How great is the mercy of the Lord and his forgiveness for 
those who turn to him!
{R}_{I}30_{/}Man cannot have everything in his power since he is not 
immortal.
{R}_{I}31_{/}What is brighter than the sun? Yet it disappears. Man is no 
more than flesh and blood, yet he thinks of doing evil. {I}32_{/}While 
the sun surveys the stars in the lofty sky, all men remain dust 
and ashes.

{N}THE GREATNESS OF GOD{/}

{1}18{/}

{I}1_{/}He who lives forever created all without exception. {I}2_{/}The 
Lord alone will be found righteous.
{I}4_{/}He has made no one powerful enough to proclaim his works; who 
then, will reveal his marvels?
{I}5_{/}Who can calculate the power of his majesty and relate his 
great goodness?
{I}6_{/}Nothing can be added to him or taken away; no one can fathom 
the wonders of the Lord.
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}When man thinks he has finished, then he is only 
beginning and when he stops he is puzzled by it all.
{R}_{I}8_{/}What is man? What is his purpose? What is the good in him and 
what the bad?
[=]_{I}9_{/}Take the length of his life: a hundred years is long. 
{R}_{I}10_{/}Like a drop of water from the sea, a grain of sand, such are 
his few years compared with eternity.
{I}11_{/}For this reason, the Lord has patience with them and pours 
out his mercy on them.
{I}12_{/}He sees and realizes how miserable their end is and so he 
heaps his forgiveness upon them.
{R}_{I}13_{/}Man's mercy is for his neighbor but the compassion of the 
Lord reaches all people; he rebukes, corrects, teaches and brings 
back his flock like a shepherd. {I}14_{/}He takes pity on those who 
accept correction and eagerly seek his will.
{I}15_{/}My son, do not mix your favors with unkind remarks or your 
gifts with bitter words.
{I}16_{/}Does not dew temper the heat? So, too, a kind word is much 
better than a gift.
{R}_{I}17_{/}The gift is not as valuable as the words which accompany it, 
but a generous man brings both.
{R}_{I}18_{/}The fool intends to please but insults, a grudging man's 
gift makes the eyes smart.
{I}19_{/}Find out the facts before you speak; look after yourself 
before you become ill.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Examine yourself before judgment comes and, on the day of 
God's visitation, you will be forgiven.
{I}21_{/}Humble yourself before you become ill and show repentance for 
your sins.
{R}_{I}22_{/}Let nothing prevent you from fulfilling your vow on time; do 
not wait until death to put things in order.
[=]_{I}23_{/}Prepare yourself before praying and do not be one of 
those who tempt the Lord.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Keep in mind the justice of the last days; God will turn his 
face from you on the day of vengeance.
{I}25_{/}When you experience abundance, remember the days of famine; 
when you enjoy riches, think of poverty and misery.
{I}26_{/}Time slips by between morning and evening, all things pass 
quickly before the Lord.
{R}_{I}27_{/}The prudent man is cautious in everything; when sin abounds 
he will keep away from wrongdoing.
{R}_{I}28_{/}Every sensible man recognizes wisdom and respects those who 
obtain her.
{I}29_{/}Those who speak sensibly are wise, and marvelous sayings flow 
from them.
{I}30_{/}Do not let your passions rule you and restrain your desires.
{I}31_{/}If you satisfy your lusts you will make yourself the 
laughingstock of your enemies.
{I}32_{/}Do not take pleasure in great luxury, lest you become 
impoverished by its expense.
{I}33_{/}Do not impoverish yourself by feasting on credit when you 
have nothing in your pocket.

{1}19{/}

{I}1_{/}A drunken worker will never be rich; he who is careless in 
small things will soon fall.
{I}2_{/}Wine and women corrupt the best of men; whoever frequents 
prostitutes loses all sense of shame. {I}3_{/}He will be the victim of 
grubs and worms and lose his life because of his stupidity.

{N}WHEN TO SPEAK AND WHEN TO BE SILENT{/}

[\u0095]_{I}4_{/}He who is too quick to trust others reveals a shallow 
mind, whoever sins injures himself.
{I}5_{/}One who revels in pleasure will be condemned, {I}6_{/}hating 
gossip will save one from evil.
{I}7_{/}Never repeat what you are told and you will come to no harm.
{I}8_{/}Report nothing to friend or foe and, unless silence is sinful, 
reveal it to no one. {I}9_{/}They will listen, distrust you and you 
will end up being hated.
{I}10_{/}Have you heard something? Let it die with you, remain calm; 
you will not burst with it.
{I}11_{/}A fool suffers like a woman in childbirth over something he 
is told. {I}12_{/}Like an arrow stuck in his thigh, such is a secret 
inside a fool.
{I}13_{/}Speak with your friend: perhaps he has done nothing and, if 
he has, he will not do it again.
{I}14_{/}Speak with your friend: perhaps he has not said anything and, 
if he has, he will not say it again. {I}15_{/}Speak with your friend 
for there is much slander; do not believe all that you hear. 
{I}16_{/}Often, unintentional slips are made; for who has never sinned 
by evil tongues? {R}_{I}17_{/}Speak with your neighbor before you heap 
accusations on him; then leave room for the Law of the Almighty.
{I}20_{/}All wisdom is in the fear of the Lord; in all wisdom is the 
fulfillment of the Law.
{I}22_{/}Knowledge of evil is not wisdom, and prudence is not found in 
the advice of sinners.
{I}23_{/}There is a cleverness that is loathsome; it belongs to the 
evildoer who lacks wisdom.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Better to lack sense and be full of the fear of the Lord, 
than to be clever in violating the Law.
{I}25_{/}There is an ingenious shrewdness which carries out injustice;  
it is the art of dissimulating in order to do evil. {I}26_{/}One 
pretends to be grieving and weighed down with burdens but in his 
heart there is only cunning; {I}27_{/}he hides his face and pretends 
to be deaf, but as soon as you are distracted, he will take 
advantage of you.
{I}28_{/}One does not sin when the means are lacking; at the first 
opportunity, he will do wrong.
{R}_{I}29_{/}You can tell a man by his appearance; the responsible man 
can be recognized by his face.
{R}_{I}30_{/}A man's way of dressing reveals who he is, as does his 
manner of laughing and walking.

{N}THE STUPID AND FOOLISH{/}

{1}20{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}There are rebukes which are inopportune; there is the 
silence of a sensible man.
{I}2_{/}Better to rebuke than nurse a grudge. He who recognizes his 
fault diminishes its consequences.
{I}4_{/}Like a eunuch desiring to violate a girl, such is he who uses 
force in pretending to be just.
[=]_{I}5_{/}One keeps silent and is thought to be wise, the other 
makes himself hated because of his gossiping.
{I}6_{/}One remains silent because he does not know how to reply; the 
other keeps quiet, waiting for the right moment.
{R}_{I}7_{/}The wise man keeps silent until the right moment; the 
chatterer and fool speak out of turn.
{I}8_{/}He who speaks too much makes himself hated; he who wishes to 
impose himself stirs up ill will.
{R}_{I}9_{/}Man can turn his troubles to his advantage; a lucky chance 
can turn to loss.
{I}10_{/}There is a type of generosity which will not reward you and 
another which will repay you double.
[=]_{I}11_{/}One is humiliated for having had honors; another is 
humiliated, and then lifts up his head.
{I}12_{/}One buys much with little money; another pays seven times its 
value.
{R}_{I}13_{/}The wise man makes himself lovable through his words alone, 
while the favors of the fool are lost.
{I}14_{/}The fool's gift is not to your advantage; he gives with 
greedy eyes. {R}_{I}15_{/}He gives little but puts on a great outward 
appearance and exclaims for all to hear; he lends today and 
recovers the loan tomorrow; he is a despicable man.
{I}16_{/}The fool says, "I have no friends, no one welcomes my favors. 
{I}17_{/}Those who eat my bread have evil tongues." How often they 
will mock him, and by how many!
{I}18_{/}Better to stumble on the ground than to make a slip with the 
tongue; this is how easily the wicked fall.
{I}19_{/}The rough-mannered man is like an indiscreet story that ill-
mannered people tell out of time.
{I}20_{/}The proverb told by a fool will fail, since he does not speak 
it at an appropriate time.
{I}21_{/}One keeps himself from sin because he does not have the means 
to act; when he gets the chance, he will have no remorse.
{R}_{I}22_{/}One loses his soul out of false shame; he loses himself for 
fear of what a foolish man thinks. {I}23_{/}Out of false shame he 
wants to win a friend; he gets an enemy, in fact, for nothing.
[=]_{R}_{I}24_{/}Lying is a shameful defect in a man; fools are used to 
it.
{I}25_{/}Better to be a thief than a liar, yet both are heading for 
disaster.
[=]_{I}26_{/}Habitual lying is detestable; disgrace never leaves the 
liar.
{R}_{I}27_{/}The wise man's words advance his cause; the shrewd man will 
gain favor with the powerful.
{I}28_{/}He who tills the earth increases his produce; he who pleases 
the great is forgiven his wickedness.
{R}_{I}29_{/}Presents and gifts blind a wise man's eyes; like a muzzle 
they silence the conscientious.
{I}30_{/}Concealed wisdom and hidden treasure: what good are these?
{R}_{I}31_{/}The man who conceals his stupidity is better than one who 
conceals his wisdom.

{1}21{/}

{I}1_{/}Have you sinned, my son? Do not do it again and beg 
forgiveness for your past sins.
{R}_{I}2_{/}Escape from sin as you would from a snake; if you go near, it 
will bite you. Its teeth are like those of a lion and destroy 
human lives.
[=]_{I}3_{/}All evil is like a double-edged sword which inflicts 
wounds past remedy.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Violence and pride bring down the rich; the arrogant man's 
house will be brought low.
{R}_{I}5_{/}The poor man's prayer reaches the ears of the Lord and his 
judgment will not delay.
{I}6_{/}Whoever hates correction goes the way of sinners; he who fears 
the Lord turns to him in his heart.
{R}_{I}7_{/}The chatterer is known everywhere, but the discreet man 
recognizes his weakness.
{I}8_{/}Building a house with borrowed money is like collecting stones 
for your own tomb.
{I}9_{/}The meeting of sinners is like a pile of rope which will go up 
in fire and flames.
[=]_{I}10_{/}The path of sinners is well paved but it ends in the 
fiery abyss.
{R}_{I}11_{/}He who keeps the Law is in control of his thoughts; the fear 
of the Lord brings wisdom.
{R}_{I}12_{/}The man who is not clever will never be taught; but there is 
a cleverness which leads to bitterness.
{R}_{I}13_{/}The wise man's knowledge spreads out like a flood and his 
advice is like a spring.
{I}14_{/}The fool's heart is like a broken glass which cannot hold any 
teaching.
{R}_{I}15_{/}If an educated man hears a wise saying he values it and adds 
another. If the good-for-nothing hears it he is annoyed and tosses 
it over his shoulder.
{R}_{I}16_{/}The fool's talk weighs like a load while the wise man's 
words give rest.
{R}_{I}17_{/}The assembly awaits the wise man's words; each one takes to 
heart whatever he says.
{I}18_{/}The fool's wisdom is like a house in ruins, the knowledge of 
the fool amounts to nonsense.

{N}THE STUPID AND FOOLISH{/}

[\u0095]_{I}19_{/}As far as the fool is concerned, instruction is no more 
than handcuffs and fetters. {R}_{I}20_{/}The idiot laughs aloud while the 
intelligent man merely smiles quietly.
{R}_{I}21_{/}Instruction is like a golden ornament to the shrewd man, 
like a bracelet on his right arm.
{R}_{I}22_{/}The fool steps inside the house immediately, the experienced 
man would not be so bold. {R}_{I}23_{/}The fool looks in through the 
door, the polite man remains outside. {R}_{I}24_{/}Listening outside 
doors reveals a bad upbringing, the upright man would be ashamed 
of doing so.
{I}25_{/}Strangers speak thoughtlessly of everything, while wise men's 
words are carefully weighed. {I}26_{/}The heart of fools is in their 
mouth, but the mouth of the wise is in their heart.
{R}_{I}27_{/}When the godless man curses his opponent, the curse descends 
on himself. {I}28_{/}The slanderer taints himself and makes himself 
hated by all around him.

{1}22{/}

{I}1_{/}The idler is like a dirty stone, his disgrace is laughed at.
{I}2_{/}The idler is like a heap of dung, all who touch it shake it 
off their hands.
{I}3_{/}Badly brought up sons are the shame of their father, and 
daughters, a humiliation.
{I}4_{/}A sensible daughter is a treasure to her husband, but the 
disgraceful one is a burden to her father.
{I}5_{/}A shameless daughter brings disgrace on her father as well as 
her husband; both hate her.
{I}6_{/}The untimely word is like music at a funeral but beating and 
correction guided by wisdom are never out of place.
{R}_{I}9_{/}Teaching a fool is like gluing a broken jar, it is easier to 
awaken a man from deep sleep. {R}_{I}10_{/}Reasoning with a fool is like 
reasoning with a drowsy man; in the end, he will ask you, "What is 
it all about?"
{R}_{I}11_{/}Weep for the dead man since the light has deserted him, weep 
for the fool because understanding has deserted him.
Cry less for the dead man; he has found his rest but the fool's 
life is worse than death.
{R}_{I}12_{/}Mourning the dead lasts seven days, but it lasts a lifetime 
for the fool and godless man.
{R}_{I}13_{/}Do not waste words on the fool or go with the stupid man; 
beware of him lest he bring you trouble and his contact leave you 
contaminated. Stay away from him if you want rest and do not want 
to be worn out by his requests.
{I}14_{/}What is heavier than lead? What is its name but "Fool"?
{I}15_{/}Sand, salt and a load of iron are easier to bear than a fool.
{I}16_{/}The wooden joint in a building is not dislodged by an 
earthquake; a determined heart, after careful reflection, will not 
be moved when crises come.
{I}17_{/}A decision based on serious reflection stands like plaster on 
a firm wall.
{I}18_{/}Stakes set on a height do not resist the wind; the fool's 
heart, frightened by his own imaginings, cannot withstand fear.
{I}19_{/}Striking the eye brings tears; if you strike the heart, 
lucidity will come forth.
{I}20_{/}Whoever throws stones at birds scares them off; reproach a 
friend and you will kill the friendship.
{I}21_{/}If you have drawn your sword against a friend, do not 
despair, it can be put back; {R}_{I}22_{/}if you have spoken harshly to a 
friend, do not fear, reconciliation is possible; but in the event 
of insult, contempt, betrayal of a confidence or treacherous blow, 
any friend would desert you.
{I}23_{/}Win your neighbor's confidence when he is poor so that you 
may enjoy his goods with him when he grows rich; be loyal in his 
hour of trouble and you will win, in the end, a share in his 
inheritance.
{I}24_{/}Smoke and fumes precede the fire; so, too, insults herald the 
blows.
{I}25_{/}I will not be ashamed of protecting a friend nor will I avoid 
him; {I}26_{/}if evil comes to me from him, all who hear of it will 
beware of him.
[=]_{I}27_{/}Who will put a guard on my mouth and effectively lock up 
my lips to prevent me from sinning and my tongue from hastening my 
ruin?

{1}23{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}O Lord, Father and  master of my life, do not abandon me 
to the thoughtless words of my lips or allow me to fall because of 
them.
[=]_{I}2_{/}Who will deal out punishment to my thoughts and apply the 
discipline of wisdom to my heart? {I}3_{/}Let them not be indulgent at 
my sins or the mistakes of my mind, lest my errors increase and 
sins multiply, and I fall into the hands of my enemies, to the joy 
of my foes.
{R}_{I}4_{/}Lord, Father and God of my life, do not allow me to become 
haughty; {I}5_{/}keep greed far away from me.
{I}6_{/}Do not let lust and lechery take hold of me; do not deliver me 
to filthy passions.
{I}7_{/}Children, learn how to control your language; if you are able 
to watch over it, you will not be taken by surprise.
{R}_{I}8_{/}The sinner will be caught in his own words, as happens to the 
proud man and to him who curses.
[=]_{I}9_{/}Do not get used to swearing, taking the name of the Holy 
One.
{I}10_{/}For, just as the slave who is constantly watched will not 
escape without blows so you, also, will not be found guiltless 
after constantly calling upon his name.
{R}_{I}11_{/}The man who swears habitually will be found full of sins, 
and disgrace will not depart from his house. If he fails to keep 
his oath due to carelessness, punishment will descend upon him; if 
he fails knowingly, his sin is double and if he has sworn falsely, 
he will not be forgiven; in any case, his house will be filled 
with disasters.

{N}ABOUT IMPURITY AND ADULTERY{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}12_{/}There is a way of talking which deserves death; let it 
not be used by Jacob's descendants. Virtuous men keep far away 
from it and do not wallow in sin.
{I}13_{/}Do not accustom your mouth to foul language for it will be 
sinful talk.
{I}14_{/}Remember your father and mother when you are sitting in the 
company of the great, lest you forget yourself in their presence 
and act like a fool. Then you would wish you had never been born, 
and curse the day of your birth.
{R}_{I}15_{/}A man used to indecent talk will never be reformed in his 
lifetime.
{R}_{I}16_{/}Two types of men multiply sins and a third attracts the 
Lord's anger:
A blazing passion which burns like fire will not be extinguished 
until it burns itself up.
A man who seeks pleasure from his own body, he will not give up 
until he catches fire; {R}_{I}17_{/}to the indecent man, all food tastes 
sweet and he will not be satisfied until death.
{R}_{I}18_{/}The man unfaithful to the marriage bed who thinks like this, 
"Who sees me? Darkness surrounds me, the walls hide me; nobody can 
see me. Why should I worry? The Almighty will not take note of my 
faults."
{I}19_{/}He fears the scrutiny of men and does not realize that the 
Lord's eyes are a thousand times brighter than the sun, that they 
watch the conduct of all men and penetrate into the most secret 
corners. {I}20_{/}All things were present to him before they were 
created and so will they be after their end.
{R}_{I}21_{/}This man will be punished in view of the whole city, he will 
be caught when he least expects it.
{I}22_{/}In the same way, the woman who is unfaithful to her husband 
and gives him an heir by another man will be punished. 
{R}_{I}23_{/}First, she has disobeyed the Law of the Almighty. Secondly, 
she has sinned against her husband and thirdly, she is tainted 
with adultery, for she has had children by another man.
{I}24_{/}She will be taken before the assembly and questioned about 
her children. {I}25_{/}The children will not be able to take root; 
their branches will not bear fruit. {I}26_{/}She will leave behind a 
cursed memory and her shame will never be blotted out. 
{I}27_{/}People who have seen her will know that nothing matters more 
than the fear of the Lord and nothing is sweeter than fulfilling 
his commands.

{N}THE HYMN OF WISDOM{/}

{1}24{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Listen to wisdom singing her own praises and extolling 
herself in the midst of her people. {I}2_{/}See, she opens her mouth 
in the assembly of the Most High, she glories in herself before 
the Almighty.
{R}_{I}3_{/}I came out from the mouth of God and covered the face of the 
earth like a mist; although [=]_{I}4_{/}my dwelling place is in the 
highest heavens, my throne is within a pillar of cloud.
{I}5_{/}I alone have seen and understood the vault of the skies and 
strolled through the depths of the abyss, {R}_{I}6_{/}taking possession 
of the raging sea and of the earth as well, with all its peoples 
and nations.
{I}7_{/}In all of these, I looked for a place to rest; in which 
territory would I set up my abode?
[=]_{R}_{I}8_{/}Then the creator of the universe commanded me, he who 
created me assigned the place of my rest, "Pitch your tent in 
Jacob; Israel will be your homeland."
{I}9_{/}He created me from the beginning, before time began, and I 
will never cease to be, [=]_{R}_{I}10_{/}I celebrate in his presence the 
liturgy of his Holy Dwelling and this is why I settled in Zion.
{R}_{I}11_{/}The Lord let me rest in his beloved city and Jerusalem is 
the heart of my kingdom. {R}_{I}12_{/}I took root in the people God has 
favored, in the land of the Lord, in their inheritance.
{R}_{I}13_{/}I grew like a cedar in Lebanon, as the cypress on Mount 
Hermon.
{R}_{I}14_{/}I grew like the palm trees in Engedi and the rosebuds of 
Jericho; as a magnificent olive on the plains and like a plane 
tree I grew tall.
{R}_{I}15_{/}I poured out my perfume like a fragrant flower, like 
exquisite myrrh I have given choice scent; like fragrant plants 
and as the smoke of incense which burns in the Sanctuary of God.
{I}16_{/}I spread out my branches like a vine; these are Glory and 
Grace. {I}17_{/}As a vine I put out graceful shoots and my blossoms 
are riches and glory.
{I}19_{/}Come to me, you who desire me and take your fill of my 
fruits. [=]_{I}20_{/}To experience me is sweeter than honey and to 
possess me sweeter than any honeycomb. [=]_{I}21_{/}Those who eat me 
will hunger still; those who drink me will thirst for more. 
{I}22_{/}Those who obey me will not be put to shame; those who serve 
me will not fall into sin.
[=]_{R}_{I}23_{/}All this is in the Bible, the Testament of the Most High 
God, the book of the Law which Moses entrusted to us, the 
inheritance of the congregations of Israel.
{I}25_{/}This Law feeds the springs of wisdom, like the Pishon or 
Tigris in the season of fruit. [=]_{R}_{I}26_{/}Waters overflowing with 
understanding come from it, as from the Euphrates and Jordan at 
harvest time; {R}_{I}27_{/}the floods of instruction run like the Nile or 
the Gihon in time of vintage.
{I}28_{/}He who comes first is unable to grasp her fully and neither 
will the last exhaust her. {R}_{I}29_{/}For her thoughts are wider than 
the sea and her designs, deeper than the abyss.

{N}I HAVE NOT WORKED FOR MYSELF ALONE {/}

[\u0095]_{I}30_{/}I, for my part, went forth like a brook from a river, a 
stream diverted into a delightful garden. {R}_{I}31_{/}I thought, "Let me 
irrigate my orchard and water my flowers." But now my brook has 
grown into a river and the river, into a sea.

{I}32_{/}May my teaching shine forth like the dawn; may I carry its 
light to faraway places. {I}33_{/}I will spread my teaching like a 
prophecy and leave it to future generations.
{I}34_{/}See, all of you, that I have not worked for myself alone but 
for all those who seek wisdom.

{1}25{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Three things delight me and are delightful to God and men: 
agreement between brothers, friendship between neighbors, and 
perfect harmony between husband and wife.
{R}_{I}2_{/}There are three kinds of persons whom I detest and whose 
existence I cast away from me: a poor man full of pride, a rich 
man who is a liar, and an adulterous old man who is a fool.
{I}3_{/}If you have saved nothing in your youth, what will you have in 
old age?
{R}_{I}4_{/}What a great thing is old age with sound judgment, an old man 
who can counsel!
{I}5_{/}What a great thing is wisdom in those who are old, or 
understanding and prudence in the great.
{I}6_{/}Rich experience is the crown of the old, their pride is the 
fear of the Lord.
{R}_{I}7_{/}I think of nine things which I consider happy and a tenth to 
which I will also refer: the man who finds his happiness in his 
children; the man who sees the ruin of his enemies in his 
lifetime. {R}_{I}8_{/}Happy the man who lives with a sensible wife; he 
who does not plow with a donkey and ox; he who has done no wrong 
in speech; he who does not serve an unworthy master. {I}9_{/}Happy he 
who has acquired good sense and is able to speak before an 
attentive audience! {R}_{I}10_{/}Great is he who has gained wisdom, but 
no one surpasses the man who fears the Lord.
{I}11_{/}Since the fear of the Lord excels everything, who can compare 
with the one who possesses it?
{I}13_{/}Any wound rather than the wound of the heart; any wickedness 
rather than the wickedness of a woman; {I}14_{/}any sadness rather 
than that inflicted by an enemy; any vengeance rather than the 
vengeance of a foe.
{R}_{I}15_{/}There is no poison worse than a snake's venom, there is no 
rage worse than an enemy's.
[=]_{R}_{I}16_{/}Better to live with a lion and a snake than to share a 
house with a wicked woman.
{I}17_{/}Wickedness disfigures a woman's appearance, it saddens the 
face, making her look like a bear.
{I}18_{/}When her husband dines with his neighbor, he sighs bitterly, 
in spite of himself.
{I}19_{/}All wickedness is nothing compared with a woman's wickedness. 
Let her lot be that of a sinner!
{R}_{I}20_{/}As a sandhill is to an old man's feet, so is the talkative 
woman to her quiet husband. {I}21_{/}Do not be fooled by a woman's 
beauty or fall in love with her.
{I}22_{/}Expect anger, reproach and plenty of shame when the wife 
rules the husband.
{I}23_{/}Dejected spirits, a sad face and unseen wounds, these are the 
work of a wicked woman. Idle hands and unsteady knees are found 
when a wife brings her husband no happiness.
[=]_{R}_{I}24_{/}For sin began with woman and we all die because of the 
inheritance of the congregations of Israel.
{R}_{I}25_{/}Do not let water leak out or give free rein to a wicked 
woman. If she does not do as you tell her, get rid of her.

{1}26{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Happy the husband of a good wife, the number of his days 
will be doubled. {I}2_{/}A woman of character is her husband's joy, he 
will live in peace all the years of his life.
{I}3_{/}A good wife is the best of gifts, reserved for those who fear 
the Lord; {I}4_{/}rich or poor, he will have a serene heart and a 
happy face.
{R}_{I}5_{/}Three things disturb me and a fourth frightens me: 
neighborhood gossip, a rioting mob, a false accusation, all these 
are worse than death. {I}6_{/}But the woman jealous of another woman 
brings heartbreak, her tongue lashes out at everyone.
{I}7_{/}A bad wife is like a badly fixed yoke; taking her is like 
grasping a scorpion.
{I}8_{/}A drunken wife causes scandal; her disgrace will not remain 
hidden.
{I}9_{/}A licentious woman is noticed by her secretive looks and 
recognized by her lively eyes. [=]_{I}10_{/}Keep a firm eye on a 
defiant daughter, so that she may not take advantage of some 
occasion.
{I}11_{/}Guard against the provocative woman and do not be surprised 
if she wishes to drag you into disgrace.
{R}_{I}12_{/}She opens her mouth like a thirsty traveler to drink any 
water coming her way; she sits by any pole and opens her quiver to 
every arrow.
{I}13_{/}A wife's grace gladdens her husband and her prudence 
refreshes his body. {I}14_{/}A wife who knows how to be silent is a 
gift from the Lord; the well-trained wife is invaluable. {I}15_{/}A 
modest wife is a favor among favors; the chaste wife is priceless.
{I}16_{/}Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is 
the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept house.
{I}17_{/}Like the light which shines from the sacred lampstand, such 
is a beautiful face in a well-shaped body. {I}18_{/}Like pillars of 
gold on a silver base, such are beautiful legs on sturdy feet.
{I}28_{/}There are two things which grieve me and a third which makes 
me angry: a warrior who suffers want; intelligent men who are 
treated contemptuously; a man who turns from virtue to sin. The 
Lord singles this man out to strike him down.
{I}29_{/}The merchant can barely avoid greed; the shopkeeper cannot 
remain sinless.

{1}27{/}

{I}1_{/}Many sin for love of gain, he who desires riches silences his 
conscience.
{R}_{I}2_{/}Just as the stake is settled between two stones, so sin 
wedges itself between buying and selling. {I}3_{/}The house of him who 
does not keep himself firmly in the fear of the Lord will soon be 
knocked to the ground.
{R}_{I}4_{/}When a sieve is shaken the dirt falls through; so, too, the 
defects of a man are seen when he begins to speak.
{R}_{I}5_{/}The kiln tests the potter's handiwork; a man is tested by his 
conversation.
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}A well-tended tree is shown by its fruits so a man's 
feelings can be detected in what he says.
{I}7_{/}Praise no one before he has spoken, since this is the acid 
test.
{I}8_{/}If you pursue righteousness, you will achieve it and wear it 
like a festive garment.
{I}9_{/}Birds associate with their own kind, so, too, does truth greet 
those who are faithful.
{I}10_{/}The lion lurks in wait for its prey; so, too, does sin lie in 
wait for those who do wrong.
{R}_{I}11_{/}The wise man's conversation follows wisdom all the time. In 
contrast, the fool changes like the moon.
{I}12_{/}When among fools, be sparing with your time; among thoughtful 
people, be lavish with it. [=]_{I}13_{/}The conversation of fools is 
hateful, their laughter is coarse and raucous.
{I}14_{/}No one can bear those who swear all the time. Their quarrels 
make you cover your ears.
{I}15_{/}Blood is spilt when proud men quarrel and their insults are 
painful to the ear.
{I}16_{/}He who betrays a secret is no longer trusted; he will no 
longer find reliable friends. {I}17_{/}Love your friend and be loyal; 
if you have revealed his secrets, go with him no longer. {I}18_{/}It 
is like having lost some of your relatives: his friendship to you 
has died.
{I}19_{/}Like a bird, you have let your friend go, you will not get 
him back. When you open your hand, the bird flies off; {I}20_{/}do not 
pursue him: he is far away and has fled like a gazelle from the 
snare. {I}21_{/}For a wound can be bandaged and an insult forgiven, 
but if you betray a secret there is no hope.
{R}_{I}22_{/}The man who winks an eye is plotting evil, no one can 
persuade him to change. {I}23_{/}He is all sweetness to your face, 
praising your words, but behind your back he speaks differently 
and twists your words.
{I}24_{/}I hate many things but nothing more than this man; the Lord, 
also, hates and curses him.
{I}25_{/}When one tosses a stone in the air it falls back on his head; 
whoever deals a treacherous blow, wounds himself.
{I}26_{/}He who digs a pit will fall into it; he who sets a snare will 
be caught in it.
{I}27_{/}If you do evil, evil will befall you and you will not know 
from where it comes.
{R}_{I}28_{/}The proud man makes use of mockery and insults, but 
vengeance lies in wait for him like a lion.
{I}29_{/}Those who gloat over the downfall of good men will fall into 
the snare; suffering will consume them before they die.
{I}30_{/}Grudge and wrath, these also are abominations in which sinful 
people excel.

{N}DON'T BEAR GRUDGES{/}

{1}28{/}

{I}1_{/}He who demands revenge  will suffer the vengeance of the Lord 
who keeps a strict account of his sins. [=]_{I}2_{/}Forgive the 
mistakes of your neighbor and you may ask that your sins be 
forgiven.
{R}_{I}3_{/}If a man bears resentment against another, how can he ask God 
for healing? [=]_{I}4_{/}If he has no compassion on others, how can he 
pray for forgiveness for his sins? {I}5_{/}As long as he, mere flesh, 
is resentful, who will obtain his pardon?
{I}6_{/}Remember your end and give up hatred; keep in mind your final 
corruption in the grave and keep the commandments. 
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}Remember the commandments and do not bear grudges against 
your neighbor. Remember the covenant with the Most High and 
overlook the offense.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Refrain from quarreling and you will avoid sin; the hot-
headed man sparks off disputes.
{I}9_{/}The sinner causes trouble between friends, sowing discord 
among peaceful people.
{R}_{I}10_{/}Fire burns when fuel is thrown on it; stubbornness drags out 
the discussion.
The more powerful the man, the greater his rage; his anger will be 
in proportion to his riches.
{I}11_{/}A sudden quarrel sparks off a fire; a hasty dispute leads to 
bloodshed.
{I}12_{/}Blow on a spark and it ignites; spit on it and it dies out: 
both come from your mouth.
[=]_{I}13_{/}Cursed be the gossiper with his spiteful tongue. He has 
destroyed many who lived peacefully. {I}14_{/}The vicious tongue has 
demolished many and hounded them from nation to nation. It has 
ruined powerful cities and laid low great households.
{I}15_{/}The vicious tongue has cast out wives who were beyond 
reproach, depriving them of the fruit of their work. {I}16_{/}Whoever 
listens to it will never find rest or be able to live in peace.
{I}17_{/}The whip leaves a mark but the lash of the tongue shatters 
bones.
{I}18_{/}Many have been felled by the sword but many more have 
perished by the tongue.
{I}19_{/}Happy he who has escaped it and has not been exposed to its 
fury, who has not been weighed down by its yoke or been tied up in 
its chains.
{I}20_{/}For it is a yoke of iron and its chains are bronze. {R}_{I}21_{/}It 
brings a miserable death. Actual death is better! {R}_{I}22_{/}But it 
will not tyrannize those who keep faith, it will not consume their 
soul.
{R}_{I}23_{/}Those who desert the Lord will be its victims, it will burn 
them without being burnt up itself; it will lunge at them like a 
lion, and rip them apart like a leopard.
{I}24_{/}Look, you put a fence around your property and protect your 
silver and gold. {I}25_{/}In the same way, make weights and scales for 
your words and put a bolted door at your mouth.
{I}26_{/}Beware of a slip of the tongue when you speak, lest you fall 
in front of those who lie in wait for you.

{1}29{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Lending to your neighbor is an act of mercy, going to his 
aid fulfills the commandments.
{I}2_{/}Learn to lend to your neighbor when he is in need and, in 
turn, repay him any loan on time.
{I}3_{/}Keep your word, remain faithful and you will find what you 
need on every occasion.
{I}4_{/}Many think of a loan as a quick deal and put those who help 
them in a fix.
{I}5_{/}The moment they receive it, they kiss the hand of the 
moneylender and humble themselves in deference to his wealth. But 
on the day repayment is due, they prolong the time, repay with 
reproaches and blame the current situation.
{I}6_{/}If they can repay, they pay barely half and the moneylender 
will be grateful for that much. They have robbed him of his money 
and, moreover, he has gained enemies, for they repay him with 
curses and insults and reproaches instead of gratitude.
{I}7_{/}Many a good person refuses to lend, not for any malicious 
reason: he is afraid of being cheated without cause.
[=]_{I}8_{/}Nevertheless, be kind to those who have fallen on hard 
times, do not keep them waiting for your help.
{I}9_{/}For the commandments' sake, help the poor man; see his need 
and do not turn him away empty-handed.
[=]_{I}10_{/}Better to spend your money on a brother or friend than to 
let it rust under a stone, to your discredit.
{I}11_{/}Use your money according to the commandments of the Most High 
and you will find it more valuable than gold.
[=]_{I}12_{/}Fill your barns with good deeds and these will rescue you 
from misfortune. {I}13_{/}They will fight for you against your enemy 
better than any strong shield and mighty spear.
{R}_{I}14_{/}A good man goes surety for his neighbor; the scoundrel 
leaves him to his fate.
{I}15_{/}Do not forget the favors of your guarantor: he has risked his 
life for you.
{R}_{I}16_{/}The sinner wastes his guarantor's money; the ungrateful man 
forgets the one who saved him. {R}_{I}17_{/}Acting as guarantor has 
ruined many a good man and has tossed him like the waves of the 
sea. {I}18_{/}It has banished powerful men and forced them to wander 
among foreign nations.
{I}19_{/}The sinner is anxious to be a guarantor but he will be 
condemned as a loan shark.
{I}20_{/}Help your neighbor as far as you can but beware of falling 
into the same plight.
{R}_{I}21_{/}Some things you cannot live without: water, bread, clothes 
and a house for shelter.
{R}_{I}22_{/}Better a poor man's life in his wooden shack than lavish 
banquets in another man's house.
{I}23_{/}Be content with whatever you have, be it great or small; this 
is better than to go elsewhere and be reproached as an outsider.
{I}24_{/}It is hard to go from house to house; {I}25_{/}when you are an 
outsider, do not risk opening your mouth. You will eat and drink 
without much welcome and, on top of that, hear bitter remarks: 
{I}26_{/}"Come, stranger, set the table and whatever you have, give it 
to me to eat."
{I}27_{/}"Be off, stranger, make room for somebody more important; my 
brother is coming to see me, I need the house."
{R}_{I}28_{/}It is hard for a good man to have hospitality denied him and 
to be treated like a debtor.

{N}CORRECT YOUR CHILD{/}

{1}30{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}The man who loves his  son makes use of the rod; later on 
he will be proud of him. {R}_{I}2_{/}The man who corrects his son will 
reap the benefit and be proud of him among his acquaintances. 
{I}3_{/}By instructing his son he makes his enemy envious; he will be 
well pleased with him in the company of his friends.
[=]_{R}_{I}4_{/}If such a father dies it is as if he had not died, for he 
leaves behind him another man like himself. {R}_{I}5_{/}In life he had 
the joy of his company and he is not sorrowful when death comes.
{R}_{I}6_{/}He leaves it to his family to take revenge on his enemies and 
to return gifts to his friends.
{R}_{I}7_{/}The man who coddles his son will be constantly bandaging his 
wounds; at his every cry he will be troubled.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Just as a badly broken-in horse cannot be mounted, so a 
spoiled son becomes insolent. {I}9_{/}Pamper your child and later he 
will terrify you; play with him and he will bring you sorrow.
{I}10_{/}Do not laugh at him lest you have to suffer and grind your 
teeth. {I}11_{/}Do not let him be independent as a child, {I}12_{/}but 
rather bruise his ribs while he is still young, lest he grow 
stubborn and refuse to obey.
{I}13_{/}Be strict with your son and persevere in this, so as not to 
suffer because of his misconduct.
{R}_{I}14_{/}Better a poor man healthy and fit, than a rich man tormented 
in body.
{I}15_{/}Health and vigor are worth more than gold, a robust body, 
more than great wealth. {I}16_{/}No riches are preferable to physical 
well-being, and no joy is greater than a cheerful heart.
[=]_{R}_{I}17_{/}Death is better than a wretched life and eternal rest 
preferable to lasting sickness.
{R}_{I}18_{/}Dishes of food placed on an empty tomb are like good things 
offered to one who cannot eat.
{R}_{I}19_{/}What good is a sacrifice offered to an idol? It can neither 
eat nor smell. So is it with the one whom the Lord has stricken; 
{I}20_{/}he sees with his eyes and groans, like a eunuch embracing a 
virgin and sighing.
{I}21_{/}Do not give yourself over to sadness or torment yourself with 
brooding.
{R}_{I}22_{/}Joy of heart is life to a man; gladness gives him length of 
days.
{R}_{I}23_{/}Delight your soul and console your heart; chase sorrow far 
away, for sorrow has destroyed many and never did good to anyone.
{I}24_{/}Jealousy and anger shorten your life; worry makes you old 
before the time.
[=]_{I}25_{/}A cheerful and kindly person will have a good appetite 
and enjoy his food.

{1}31{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The sleeplessness that wealth brings makes a man lose weight; 
his worries drive sleep away.
{I}2_{/}The cares of the day prevent sleep; in the same way, serious 
illness makes rest impossible.

{N}HAPPY THE ONE WHO DOESN'T GO AFTER GOLD{/}

{R}_{I}3_{/}The rich man toils to increase his wealth and then sits back 
and lives in luxury; {R}_{I}4_{/}the poor man toils to survive and is in 
want as soon as he leaves off.
{I}5_{/}He who loves gold cannot be righteous; whoever runs after gain 
will be led astray. {I}6_{/}Many have been ruined because of gold; 
disgrace went to meet them.
{I}7_{/}Gold is a snare for those who are possessed by love of it. The 
senseless will be caught in it.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Happy is the rich man who has not sinned in this way and has 
not gone after gold! {R}_{I}9_{/}Who is he? Let us say: Fortunate man! 
For he has given a wonderful example.
{I}10_{/}Who has been tested in this and found perfect? He has reason 
to be proud. Who could have sinned but resisted, who could have 
done wrong and did not do it? {I}11_{/}His fortune is firmly 
established and the assembly will acknowledge his generosity.

{N}DINNER PARTIES{/}

[\u0095]_{I}12_{/}Are you seated at a lavish banquet? Don't be over-ready 
to eat and don't say, "What a feast!"
{I}13_{/}Remember that a greedy eye is an evil thing. What is worse 
than such an eye? That is why it was condemned to weep.
{I}14_{/}Do not stretch out your hand to everything you see or be 
quick in reaching for a dish. {I}15_{/}Judge the needs of your fellow 
guest by your own and in all things act prudently.
{I}16_{/}Eat what is set before you like an educated person and don't 
be a glutton, lest you be detested.
{I}17_{/}Like a well-mannered man, be the first to stop; don't be 
voracious if you are to avoid difficulties. {I}18_{/}If important 
people are present, do not be the first to serve yourself.
{I}19_{/}A little is sufficient for a well-bred person; your breathing 
moreover will be easier when you go to bed. {I}20_{/}Healthy sleeping 
is for the moderate eater. He rises early and feels fit! 
Sleeplessness and stomach trouble attend the overindulgent. 
{I}21_{/}If you are obliged to eat too much, go off and vomit and you 
will be at ease.
{I}22_{/}Listen to me, my friend, and do not neglect what I say; in 
the end you will see the truth of it. Be moderate in all that you 
do and you will be without illness.
{I}23_{/}A generous host is appreciated: he is justly praised, 
{I}24_{/}but everyone will complain about a stingy host and their 
complaints will be justified.
{I}25_{/}Do not try to show how much wine you can take, for wine has 
been the ruin of many. {I}26_{/}As the furnace tests the temper of 
steel, so wine proves hearts and makes proud men quarrel.
[=]_{R}_{I}27_{/}Wine is life for man if taken in moderation. What is 
life without wine? {I}28_{/}Wine makes for a glad heart and a cheerful 
mind, if taken moderately and at the right time. {R}_{I}29_{/}But if 
taken to excess it brings bitterness of soul, excitement and a 
fumbling step.
{I}30_{/}Drunkenness inflames the anger of a stupid person to the 
point of scandal. It reduces his strength and brings him blows. 
{I}31_{/}Do not reproach a neighbor during a wine feast, and don't 
look down on him when he is merry; do not speak harshly to him or 
annoy him by asking him to settle a debt.

{1}32{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Have you been chosen to preside at a party? Don't give 
yourself airs! Just be like everyone else in the group; see to 
their needs and then sit down. {I}2_{/}When you have done what you 
should, take your place and enjoy yourself with the others. They 
will congratulate you for a job well done.
{I}3_{/}If you are older, speak as befits your age, but know what you 
are talking about and do not interrupt the music.
{R}_{I}4_{/}If there is a concert, refrain from speaking; it is not the 
time for playing the wise man. {I}5_{/}A musical concert at a wine 
banquet is like a ruby set in gold. {I}6_{/}As an emerald signet set 
in a work of gold, so is the music with good wine.
{I}7_{/}If you are young, speak if you have to, but not more than 
twice and only if requested. {I}8_{/}Keep to the point and say it all 
in a few words. Show that you are well informed but not over-
anxious to speak.
{I}9_{/}Do not try to be the equal of eminent people and do not chat 
when someone else is speaking.
{R}_{I}10_{/}As lightning goes before thunder, the reputation of a modest 
man goes before him.
{I}11_{/}Leave the party at the right time and do not be slow about 
it; no lingering, go straight home!
{I}12_{/}There you may relax and do as you please, but do not sin by 
bragging.
{I}13_{/}And thank your Creator for the enjoyment of all good things.
{I}14_{/}Whoever fears the Lord will accept his correction, and those 
who rise at dawn will win his favor.
{R}_{I}15_{/}The man who follows his Law will be nourished by it, but the 
hypocrite will find it a stumbling block.
{I}16_{/}Those who fear the Lord will please him and their good deeds 
will shine as a light.
{I}17_{/}The sinner refuses correction and excuses himself for doing 
what he wants.
{R}_{I}18_{/}A person of judgment reflects beforehand; the stubborn and 
proud man goes ahead without worrying about anything.
{I}19_{/}Never act without first reflecting, and you will have no 
regrets.
{I}20_{/}Do not go along a rough road lest you stumble on stones. 
{I}21_{/}And do not be too sure of your step on a smooth path. 
{I}22_{/}Beware even of your own children.
{I}23_{/}Be careful in whatever you do. In so doing you keep the 
commandments.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Those who trust in the Law will keep the commandments and 
those who obey the Lord will come to no harm.

{1}33{/}

{I}1_{/}Evil will not go to meet the one who fears the Lord; if he is 
in danger he will be rescued.
{R}_{I}2_{/}The wise man never departs from the Law; he who only pretends 
to keep it is like a storm-tossed boat.
[=]_{R}_{I}3_{/}An intelligent man has faith in the Law, which for him is 
as trustworthy as an oracle.
{I}4_{/}If you want people to listen to you, prepare what you have to 
say; recall what you have learned before you give an answer. {I}5_{/}A 
cart wheel! That is what the feelings of a fool are like. His mind 
resembles a turning axle.
{I}6_{/}A mocking friend is like a wild horse, neighing when anyone 
rides him.
{I}7_{/}Why is one day holier than another, when the light of the sun 
shines on every day of the year? {I}8_{/}By the Lord's decision they 
were made different; he arranged the different seasons and feasts.
{I}9_{/}Some of these he chose to make holy, others he made ordinary 
days. {I}10_{/}All men come from clay just as Adam himself was formed. 
{I}11_{/}In the fullness of his wisdom the Lord made each one unique 
and diversified his conditions.
[=]_{I}12_{/}Some he made holy, keeping them near to himself. Others 
he cursed and humiliated, removing them from where they were.
[=]_{I}13_{/}As clay in the hand of the potter to be molded as he 
pleases, so are all in the hands of the Creator to be dealt with 
as he sees fit. 
{R}_{I}14_{/}Good is the opposite of evil, and life, of death, and the 
sinner is the opposite of the upright. [=]_{I}15_{/}Consider all the 
works of the Most High and you will see how they go in pairs, by 
opposites.
{I}16_{/}As for me I have been the last to keep watch, like a gleaner 
following the grape-pickers. {I}17_{/}By the blessing of the Lord I 
have taken the lead and like the grape-picker I have filled the 
winepress. {I}18_{/}Note that not only for myself have I toiled, but 
for all who seek instruction. {I}19_{/}Hear me, rulers of the people, 
leaders of the assembly hear!
{R}_{I}20_{/}Neither to son, wife, brother nor friend give power over 
yourself during your life. Do not give your property to another in 
case you regret it and have to beg them to return it.
{I}21_{/}As long as you live and there is breath in you, do not give 
power over yourself to anyone. {I}22_{/}It is preferable for your 
children to be dependent on you, than that you be obliged to 
depend on them. {I}23_{/}Be master of all that you do; let not others 
stain your reputation.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Wait until the end of your days, until death is near, to 
distribute your inheritance.

{N}YOUR SLAVES{/}

[=]_{I}25_{/}Fodder, stick and burdens are for the donkey; bread, 
correction and work are for the slave.
{I}26_{/}Put your slave to work and you will have peace. Let him take 
it easy and he will want to be free. {I}27_{/}Yoke and harness will 
bow the neck. For a criminal slave there are torture and the 
stocks.
{I}28_{/}Send him to work or he will be idle, and idleness teaches 
much evil. {I}29_{/}Give him work that is appropriate for him; if he 
does not obey, put his feet in chains.
{I}30_{/}But do not be over-demanding with anyone and do nothing 
without discernment.
{I}31_{/}You have a slave? Let him be like you; for you bought him 
through blood.
{I}32_{/}You have a slave? Treat him like a brother. You need him as 
you need yourself. {I}33_{/}If you ill-treat him and he escapes, where 
will you go to look for him?

{N}DREAMS{/}

{1}34{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}The foolish are deceived  by vain and false hopes; dreams 
give them wings.
{I}2_{/}To rely on dreams is like grasping a shadow or chasing the 
wind. {I}3_{/}What you see in dreams are only reflections: a person 
sees his own image.
[=]_{I}4_{/}What clean thing can come from what is unclean? What truth 
comes from what is false? [=]_{I}5_{/}Divinations, omens and dreams 
are empty like the fantasies of a woman in labor. 
{I}6_{/}Unless they come as messengers of the Most High, do not pay 
attention to them. {I}7_{/}For dreams have led many people astray. 
Those who hoped in them have fallen.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Not so the Law, which never fails but comes true. Wisdom from 
the truthful lips of God is the highest truth.
{R}_{I}9_{/}One who has traveled knows a great deal, and a man of wide 
experience will talk soundly. {R}_{I}10_{/}A person who has not had 
trials knows very little. But the traveled man is competent in 
many ways. {I}11_{/}I have made many discoveries on my travels and 
understood more than I can express. {R}_{I}12_{/}I have often been in 
danger of death but have been saved thanks to my experience.
{R}_{I}13_{/}The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live, for their 
hope is placed in the One who saves.
{I}14_{/}He who fears the Lord is in dread of nothing. He will not be 
cowardly for he is his hope. {I}15_{/}He who fears the Lord is a happy 
person. To whom does he turn? Who is his support?
[=]_{I}16_{/}The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him. For them 
he is powerful protection, strong support, shelter against 
scorching wind and the midday sun. He is a safeguard against 
stumbling and assurance against a fall. {R}_{I}17_{/}He lifts up the soul 
and gives a sparkle to the eyes; he gives healing, life and 
blessing.

{N}OFFERINGS PLEASING TO GOD{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}18_{/}An offering to God from stolen goods is a stained 
offering, the sacrifices of the wicked do not please God.
{I}19_{/}The Most High takes no pleasure in the offering of the 
godless. It is not the number of victims that obtains pardon for 
sin.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Offering to God from what belongs to the poor is like 
slaughtering a son in the presence of his father. 
{I}21_{/}Bread is life to the poor; he who takes it from them is a 
murderer. [=]_{I}22_{/}He who deprives others of a livelihood kills 
them, and whoever withdraws the salary of a worker is guilty of 
blood.
{I}23_{/}If one builds and the other destroys, what do they gain 
besides trouble? {I}24_{/}If one prays and the other curses, whose 
voice will the Master listen to?
{R}_{I}25_{/}If a man is cleansed after touching a corpse and then 
touches it again, what good was there in his cleansing?
{I}26_{/}If anyone fasts for his sins and then commits the same sins, 
who will hear his prayer? What value is there in his fasting?

{1}35{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Keeping the Law is worth  many offerings. Being faithful to 
the commandments is like a peace offering.
[=]_{R}_{I}2_{/}Returning kindness is an offering of fine flour; giving 
alms is a sacrifice of praise.
{R}_{I}3_{/}Renouncing sin pleases the Lord, and shunning injustice is a 
sacrifice of atonement.
{I}4_{/}Do not appear before the Lord with empty hands. The 
commandment requires that you bring an offering.
[=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}When the offering of the righteous is burned on the 
altar, the fat drips down and a fragrant aroma rises to the Most 
High.
{R}_{I}6_{/}The sacrifice of the just man pleases God and will not be 
forgotten. {I}7_{/}Honor the Lord with a generous heart and do not be 
stingy with the first fruits of your harvest.
[=]_{I}8_{/}Offer your gifts with a smiling face and when you pay your 
tithes do it gladly.

{N}THE LORD WILL NOT DELAY{/}

[\u0095]_{I}9_{/}Give to the Most High as he has given to you; give 
generously to the Lord according to what you have; {I}10_{/}the Lord 
will repay, he will reward you sevenfold.
[=]_{I}11_{/}If you attempt to bribe him with gifts he will not accept 
them; do not rely on offerings from dishonest gain.
{I}12_{/}The Lord is judge and shows no partiality. {I}13_{/}He will not 
disadvantage the poor, he who hears the prayer of the oppressed. 
[=]_{I}14_{/}He does not disdain the plea of the orphan, nor the 
complaint of the widow.
{I}15_{/}When tears flow down her cheeks, is she not crying out 
against the one who caused her to weep?
{R}_{I}16_{/}The one who serves God wholeheartedly will be heard; his 
petition will reach the clouds. [=]_{I}17_{/}The prayer of the humble 
person pierces the clouds, and he is not consoled until he has 
been heard. {I}18_{/}His prayer will not cease until the Most High has 
looked down, until justice has been done in favor of the 
righteous.
{I}19_{/}And the Lord will not delay, nor will he be patient with the 
wicked, {R}_{I}20_{/}but he will crush the backbone of the merciless and 
have vengeance on the nations, [=]_{I}21_{/}until he has completely 
destroyed the hordes of the violent and broken the power of the 
wicked, {I}22_{/}until he has repaid each one according to his deeds, 
{I}23_{/}until he has judged his people and made them rejoice because 
of his mercy.
{I}24_{/}Blessed is his mercy in the time of adversity! It is like 
rain clouds during a drought!

{N}PRAYER FOR THE DELIVERANCE OF ISRAEL{/}

{1}36{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Have mercy on us, Master, God of all, and look on us; 
make every nation stand in fear of you.
{I}2_{/}Take action against the pagan nations and let them see your 
power. [=]_{I}3_{/}You have shown them your holiness through what 
happened to us, so now let us see your great power in acting among 
them.
[=]_{R}_{I}4_{/}Let them acknowledge, as we have acknowledged, that there 
is no God but you, Lord.
{I}5_{/}Give new signs, do fresh wonders, stretch out your hand and be 
glorified in your strength.
{I}6_{/}Kindle your fury and rouse your anger, destroy your opponents, 
crush your enemy.
{R}_{I}7_{/}Hasten the day, remember your covenant so that we may speak 
of your great deeds. {I}8_{/}Let the survivors be consumed in fiery 
wrath, let those who oppress send to perdition. {I}9_{/}Crush the 
heads of hostile rulers - those who say they alone count.
[=]_{R}_{I}10_{/}Gather all the tribes of Jacob, give them back their 
inheritance as in the beginning.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Have pity, Lord, on the people known by your Name, on 
Israel whom you called your firstborn.
[=]_{R}_{I}12_{/}Show compassion to the holy city, to Jerusalem where you 
rest.
{I}13_{/}Fill Zion with the fame of your wonders, and your people with 
your glory.
{I}14_{/}Confirm the promises made to your people long ago and fulfill 
the promises made in your name.
{R}_{I}15_{/}Reward those who wait for you and fulfill the words of your 
prophets.
[=]_{R}_{I}16_{/}Hear the prayer of your servants, Lord; hear your 
priests giving Aaron's blessing to your people.
{R}_{I}17_{/}So that all on earth may acknowledge that you are Lord and 
everlasting God.

{N}CHOOSING A WIFE{/}

{I}18_{/}The stomach takes in all kinds of food but one food is better 
than another.
{R}_{I}19_{/}Just as the tongue can distinguish the flavor of game, so 
does the alert mind detect lies.
{I}20_{/}A crooked heart causes sorrow, but an experienced person 
knows how to get even with him.
[=]_{I}21_{/}A woman will accept any husband but some daughters are 
better than others.
{I}22_{/}Woman's beauty rejoices people and is beyond all that could 
be wished for.
{I}23_{/}If she is kindly-spoken and gentle he is the most fortunate 
of men.
{R}_{I}24_{/}When a man marries he acquires a fortune, someone who 
understands him and who will help and support him.
[=]_{R}_{I}25_{/}When there is no hedge the property will be destroyed; 
and when a man has no wife he is a fretful wanderer.
{I}26_{/}Who would trust a clever robber flitting from town to town? 
{R}_{I}27_{/}And who would trust a man without a nest, who lodges 
wherever nightfall finds him? 

{N}FRIENDS AND COUNSELORS{/}

{1}37{/}

[=]_{I}1_{/}Every friend says, "I am your friend, too," but some 
friends are only friends in name.
{I}2_{/}Is it not a deadly grief when a companion or friend turns into 
an enemy?
{I}3_{/}O evil intention! From where have you sprung, to cover the 
earth with deceit?
One kind of comrade takes advantage of his friend's good fortune; 
in time of trouble he turns against him. {I}5_{/}Another kind shares 
his friend's suffering, for the sake of a meal; when it comes to a 
fight, he thinks only of saving himself.
{I}6_{/}Do not neglect a friend or forget him once you are wealthy.
{I}7_{/}All advisers give advice but some seek only their own gain.
{I}8_{/}Distrust the person who offers advice, lest he take advantage 
of you; first of all, ask yourself what he lacks, and what his own 
interest suggests to him.
{I}9_{/}Perhaps he says to you, "You are on the right road," while he 
keeps his distance, to see what happens to you.
{I}10_{/}Do not seek advice from one who looks at you suspiciously; 
hide your plans from those who envy you.
{I}11_{/}Do not consult a woman about her rival, or a coward about 
war, or a merchant about exchange rates, or a buyer about selling, 
or a jealous man about gratitude, or a selfish person about 
generosity, or an idler about any kind of work, or a casual worker 
about finishing a job, or a lazy servant about an important task. 
Do not rely on these people for any advice.

{R}_{I}12_{/}But go to a trustworthy man whom you know to be a keeper of 
the commandments, whose soul reflects your own and who will suffer 
with you, if you fail.
{I}13_{/}In the end, keep to your own heart's advice, since no one 
deserves to be trusted more than your heart.
{R}_{I}14_{/}For a man's soul often gives better advice than seven 
watchmen placed on a height.
[=]_{I}15_{/}Besides all this, implore the Almighty to guide your 
steps in the truth.
{I}16_{/}A plan must be at the beginning of all work; reflection comes 
before every action.
{I}17_{/}When you decide, four ways are open before you: 
[=]_{R}_{I}18_{/}good, evil, life and death. Your own decision makes the 
choice.
{R}_{I}19_{/}A clever man may teach many but do no good for himself.
{R}_{I}20_{/}A man may be wise, but if his words are rejected he will end 
up starving,
{I}21_{/}not having won the favor of the Lord and being destitute of 
all wisdom.
{R}_{I}22_{/}Another man is wise for himself. He himself takes advantage 
of his wisdom.
{R}_{I}23_{/}The truly wise man teaches his people, and they benefit by 
his knowledge.
{R}_{I}24_{/}The wise man is full of blessings; those who see him call 
him happy.
{R}_{I}25_{/}Man's days are numbered but Israel's days are countless.
{R}_{I}26_{/}The wise man will win the confidence of his people; his name 
will live forever.
{I}27_{/}My son, test yourself during the course of your life; see 
what is harmful and avoid it.
[=]_{I}28_{/}For everything does not suit everybody, nor is everyone 
satisfied with all things.
{I}29_{/}Do not be insatiable in every pleasure, or be excessive in 
what you eat; {I}30_{/}for overeating leads to sickness and gluttony 
brings indigestion. {I}31_{/}Many have died because of gluttony; he 
who takes care prolongs his life.

{N}THE DOCTOR{/}

{1}38{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Give due honor to the  doctor, for you need him and God 
himself established him.
{I}2_{/}Healing, in fact, comes from the Most High; the gift of 
healing comes from the Sovereign.
{I}3_{/}The doctor's expertise gives him prestige and wins for him the 
admiration of the powerful.
{I}4_{/}The Lord created the medicinal herbs which grow on the earth, 
and these a sensible person will not despise.
[=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}Remember that he used a simple wooden rod to purify water 
and so make known his power to everyone.
{I}6_{/}It is he who gives knowledge to men so that his power be 
glorified; {I}7_{/}the doctor uses it to heal and comfort, the chemist 
to make his mixtures. {I}8_{/}In that way the Lord's work never ceases 
and well-being prevails on the earth.
{I}9_{/}My son, when you are sick do not be anxious; pray to the Lord 
to heal you. {I}10_{/}Give up bad habits, keep your hands unsoiled, 
and purify your heart from all sin.
{I}11_{/}Offer incense and a memorial gift of fine flour and rich 
offerings according to your means. {I}12_{/}Then consult the doctor; 
remember that he was established by the Lord, so do not disregard 
him - you need him. {I}13_{/}There are cases when good health depends 
on doctors. {I}14_{/}They, too, will pray to the Most High to grant 
them success in healing in order to save life.
{I}15_{/}May he who sins before his Maker, fall into the hands of the 
doctor!

{N}GRIEVING{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}16_{/}My son, weep for the dead, lament to express your sorrow 
and bury the dead with fitting ceremony, and do not fail to honor 
his tomb.
{I}17_{/}Weep bitterly, cry out with full voice, and observe the 
period of mourning in accordance with the merits of the deceased. 
Let it be for one or two days, and so avoid criticism, and then be 
consoled in your grief.
{R}_{I}18_{/}For sorrow may lead to death and a dejected heart loses its 
vitality.
{I}19_{/}Let your affliction cease with the funeral; a life of sorrow 
is intolerable.
{I}20_{/}Do not let your heart give way to grief; bear up and think of 
your own end.
{R}_{I}21_{/}Remember! There is no coming back, you do the dead no good, 
but rather harm yourself.
{I}22_{/}Keep in mind my sentence which will be yours as well: mine 
yesterday, yours today!
{R}_{I}23_{/}When the dead person is at rest, let his memory be one of 
peace; be comforted on his account once his spirit has departed.

{N}CRAFTSMEN AND WISE MEN{/}

{R}_{I}24_{/}A law student acquires wisdom during his leisure hours; free 
from business he is capable of becoming wise.
{R}_{I}25_{/}How can the man who guides a plow become wise, he whose 
pride lies in snapping a whip and driving a bullock, who works 
continually and talks of nothing but cattle? {I}26_{/}His heart is set 
on plowing furrows and all his attention is given to fattening 
heifers.
{I}27_{/}It is the same for all craftsmen and skilled workers who toil 
day and night, professional engravers and designers of seals. All 
are intent on creating different designs and reproducing the 
model, and they work even at night in order to succeed.
{I}28_{/}So, too, is the smith standing beside the anvil intent on 
forging iron; his face is scorched by flames from the fire and he 
struggles in the heat of the furnace; the clang of the hammer is 
deafening; his eyes are fixed on the model to be copied, he makes 
every effort to work well and spends time at night in bringing his 
task to perfection.
{I}29_{/}It is the same for the potter seated at his work, his foot 
turning the wheel, always concentrating on what he is molding, 
every movement purposefully controlled. {I}30_{/}His arm kneads the 
clay, his feet make it pliable. All his attention is needed in 
applying the glaze and at night he sees to the cleaning of the 
furnace.
{I}31_{/}All these craftsmen depend on their hands for gaining skill 
in their different crafts. {I}32_{/}Without them a city could not be 
built; no settlers or travelers would come to it.
{R}_{I}33_{/}But they are not to be found in the councils of people, nor 
do their words carry weight in an assembly. They do not occupy the 
judge's seat and they are not familiar with the Law.
{I}34_{/}They are not cultured people or skilled in judgment and they 
are not found among authors of proverbs.
They uphold creation and civilization, and their prayer is in 
their life's work.

{1}39{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Quite different is it with the person who spends his life 
reflecting on the Law of the Most High. He examines the wisdom of 
the sages in times past and in his free time he studies 
prophecies.
{I}2_{/}He keeps in mind what men of renown have said and penetrates 
the mystery of parables. {I}3_{/}He searches for the inner meaning of 
proverbs and is interested in the secret of parables.
{I}4_{/}He is at the service of great men and is seen in the company 
of leaders. He travels in foreign lands and has experience of both 
the good and the evil in mankind.
{I}5_{/}Early in the morning his heart is set on turning to the Lord, 
his Maker, and raising his being to the Most High. He opens his 
mouth in prayer and makes supplication because of his sins.
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}If such is the will of the great Lord he will be filled 
with the spirit of discernment. He will then speak words of wisdom 
and celebrate the Lord in prayer.
{I}7_{/}He will acquire just judgment and knowledge and reflect on the 
Lord's hidden mysteries.
{R}_{I}8_{/}In his teaching he discloses what he has learned and glories 
in the law of the Lord's covenant.
{I}9_{/}Many people praise his discernment and never will he be 
forgotten. His memory will not fade and his name will live on from 
generation to generation.
{I}10_{/}Nations will proclaim his wisdom and the assembly will 
celebrate his praise.
{I}11_{/}As long as he lives his name will be more glorious than a 
thousand others, and when he dies that fame will be enough.

{N}ALL CREATION IS GOOD{/}

{I}12_{/}I wish to share still more of my reflections; I am filled 
with them just as the moon is said to be full.
{I}13_{/}Hear me, devoted people, and grow as a rose planted near a 
stream.
{I}14_{/}Spread fragrance around you like incense; blossom and perfume 
the air like a lily; sing a hymn and bless Yahweh for all his 
works.
{I}15_{/}Magnify his Name and proclaim his praise with song and lyre, 
expressing this with thanksgiving.
{I}16_{/}How magnificent are the works of the Lord! All his commands 
are appropriately timed and satisfy every need.
No one should say: "What is this? Why is that?" All must be 
studied in its time.
{I}17_{/}At his word the waters ceased to flow and piled up, his voice 
caused the reservoir of water to open; [=]_{I}18_{/}at his order his 
every wish is fulfilled, and no one hinders his work of salvation.
{R}_{I}19_{/}The deeds of every man are before him, nothing is hidden 
from his eyes; {I}20_{/}he sees all from eternity to eternity and 
nothing surprises him.
{I}21_{/}No one must say: "What is that? Why is it so?" for everything 
is created for a purpose.
{I}22_{/}His blessing covers all things and like a river drenches the 
land as in a flood. [=]_{R}_{I}23_{/}Similarly he may pour out his wrath 
on the nations, just as he has turned fresh water into salt.
{I}24_{/}If his ways are smooth for holy people they are full of 
obstacles for the wicked. {I}25_{/}From the beginning, good things 
have been created for the good and likewise evil things for the 
wicked.
{R}_{I}26_{/}Most necessary for man's life are water, fire, iron and 
salt, wheaten flour, milk, honey, the juice of the grape, oil and 
clothing.
{I}27_{/}All these are good for those who are good, but for sinners 
they become evil.
{I}28_{/}Certain winds are created as a means of punishment and in 
their fury they are a scourge, unleashing their violence in the 
time of destruction and satisfying the wrath of their Creator.
{R}_{I}29_{/}Fire, hail, famine and death have all been created for 
punishment.
{R}_{I}30_{/}The fangs of wild beasts, scorpions, vipers and the avenging 
sword for the destruction of the wicked, {I}31_{/}all joyfully carry 
out his commands, all are ready when need arises and at a given 
moment they will not fail to obey his word.
{I}32_{/}For that reason I reflected and from the beginning I decided 
to write:
{I}33_{/}All the works of the Lord are good and he will satisfy every 
need in due time.
{I}34_{/}You must not say: This is less good than that, for in its 
time everything will serve a purpose.
{I}35_{/}So now, with all your heart and in full voice, sing and bless 
the Name of the Lord.

{N}THE MISERY OF HUMAN LIFE{/}

{1}40{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Painful is the lot of all men, a heavy yoke is upon the 
sons of Adam from the day they leave their mother's womb to the 
day they return to the mother of us all.
{R}_{I}2_{/}What is on their mind, what they fear in their heart, is the 
day of their death. {R}_{I}3_{/}From the king, glorious on his throne, 
robed in purple and wearing a crown, {R}_{I}4_{/}to the lowliest person 
sitting in dust and ashes and covered with sackcloth, there is 
anger, envy, trouble and unrest, fear of death, rivalry and 
quarrels.
[=]_{I}5_{/}And at night when we lie down we have fresh worries: 
{I}6_{/}scarcely are we at rest and asleep when we are troubled by 
dreams as vivid as if it were day and we were fleeing from a 
battle. {I}7_{/}When it is time to wake up, we feel surprised to find 
that there is nothing to fear.
{R}_{I}8_{/}This is the fate of every living creature, man and beast, but 
for sinners it is seven times worse, {R}_{I}9_{/}in death, bloodshed, 
strife, sword, misfortune, famine, affliction and calamity.
{I}10_{/}All these were created for the wicked, and the flood as well 
was sent on their account.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Everything that comes from the earth goes back to the 
earth, and what comes from the waters returns to the sea.
{I}12_{/}All bribery, all injustice will disappear but good faith will 
last forever.
{I}13_{/}The unjust riches will vanish like a stream that dries up; 
they will crash like a clap of thunder during a downpour.
{R}_{I}14_{/}A generous man has reason to rejoice, whereas sinners go to 
their ruin.
{I}15_{/}The children of the ungodly will not be blessed with large 
families; they are like plants taking root on sheer rock, 
{R}_{I}16_{/}like reeds in water and along the river bank, withering 
sooner than other plants.
{I}17_{/}Kindness is like a garden of blessings and charity endures 
forever.
{I}18_{/}Life is pleasant both for an independent person and a self-
reliant worker, but still better off is the one who finds a 
treasure.
{R}_{I}19_{/}The name of a man who has children or who has established a 
town will live on, but to have found wisdom is a greater good.
Owning cattle and plantations brings fame, but a perfect wife is a 
richer blessing.
{I}20_{/}Wine and music gladden the heart, but better still is the 
love of wisdom.
{I}21{/}The flute and harp make fine music, but even more appreciated 
is a pleasant voice.
{I}22_{/}Gracefulness and beauty delight the eye, but not as much as 
the fresh growth of fields.
{I}23_{/}It is always good for friends and companions to meet, better 
still for husband and wife.
{I}24_{/}Brothers and protectors are useful in hard times, but it will 
be of greater help to have been a giver of alms.
{I}25_{/}Gold and silver make for security but good advice is better.
{I}26_{/}Wealth and strength give confidence, but good counsel is more 
esteemed than either.
You cannot suffer loss when you fear the Lord, with it you have 
all the support you need.
{I}27_{/}The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessings; it 
clothes a person better than any glory.
{I}28_{/}My son, do not live the life of a beggar; it would be better 
to die than to beg.
{R}_{I}29_{/}When a man is always eyeing another's table, it cannot be 
said that he is really living, for he is defiling himself with 
another's food; an intelligent and educated man will avoid this.
{R}_{I}30_{/}That for which a shameless man begs may seem sweet to his 
mouth but his inner being is burning.

{N}DEATH{/}

{1}41{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Death! What a bitter thought for someone who lives happily 
among his possessions, a prosperous and successful man who is 
still able to enjoy his food!
{R}_{I}2_{/}Your sentence, Death, is welcome to a needy person whose 
strength is failing, who is old, worn out, and full of worries; to 
one who is angry and without hope!
{R}_{I}3_{/}Do not be afraid of Death's sentence; think of those who have 
gone before you and those who will follow. [=]_{I}4_{/}The Lord has 
decreed it for every living creature; why should you rebel against 
the good pleasure of the Most High?
Whether you live for ten, a hundred or a thousand years, no one in 
the netherworld is concerned.
{I}5_{/}Abominable people, such are the children of sinners who gather 
in the houses of the ungodly.
{I}6_{/}The inheritance of the sons of sinners will perish; their 
prosperity will be a lasting reproach.
{I}7_{/}An ungodly father will be insulted by his children, for they 
hold him responsible for their disgrace.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Woe to you, wicked people who have forsaken the law of the 
Most High! {R}_{I}9_{/}At birth you are born to be cursed and you will be 
cursed at death.
{I}10_{/}All that comes from the earth returns to the earth, and the 
ungodly go from curse to ruin.
{I}11_{/}People grieve because their bodies will perish, but even the 
evil names of sinners will be blotted out.
[=]_{I}12_{/}Have regard for your reputation, for it will live on, of 
greater value than a thousand hoards of gold. {R}_{I}13_{/}Few perhaps 
are the days of the just man's life but an honored name endures 
forever.

{N}TRUE AND FALSE SHAME{/}

[=]_{I}14_{/}My children, keep my teaching and live in peace. Of what 
use is hidden wisdom and unseen treasure?
{R}_{I}15_{/}It is better for a man to hide his foolishness than to hide 
his wisdom.
{I}16_{/}Therefore, feel shame according to what I say. It is not 
always fitting to feel shame, but this is not understood by 
everyone.
{I}17_{/}Be ashamed of licentiousness before your father and mother, 
and of a lie before a ruler or an important person.
{I}18_{/}Be ashamed of criminal behavior before a judge, and of 
iniquity before an assembly of people.
{I}19_{/}Feel ashamed of dishonesty before your partner or friend, and 
of a theft in the place where you live.
{R}_{I}20_{/}Be ashamed before the truth of God and his covenant. Be 
ashamed of keeping the loaves for yourself,{I}_21_{/}of being unable 
to give and to receive, of not returning a greeting,
{I}22_{/}of staring at a prostitute,
of rejecting a compatriot,
{R}_{I}23_{/}of depriving someone of what is his,
of gazing at another man's wife,
{I}24_{/}of being too familiar with your maidservant - keep away from 
her bed!
{I}25_{/}of insulting words to a friend -
do not follow up a gift with a reproach!
{I}26_{/}of repeating what you have heard and betraying secrets.
{I}27_{/}On these occasions feel genuine shame and you will be 
respected by all.

{1}42{/}

{I}1_{/}But do not let yourself be led astray by any of the things 
that follow. {R}_{I}2_{/}Do not be ashamed
of the law of the Most High and his covenant,
of judging even the wicked fairly,
{I}3_{/}of keeping accounts with a traveling companion,
and of sharing your inheritance with friends,
{I}4_{/}of checking weights and scales, {I}5_{/}of making a profit whether 
small or great,
of bargaining with traders, and of being strict with children,
of severe corporal punishment for a servant who deserves it.

{I}6_{/}With a prying wife or when many people are around, it is wise 
to make use of seal and lock!
{I}7_{/}For deposits it is essential to reckon by number and weight 
and keep a written record of what you give and receive.
{R}_{I}8_{/}Do not be ashamed of correcting someone who is foolish or 
stupid or an old man who has become childish.
Doing that, you prove that you are a well-educated person and you 
will be generally respected.
[\u0095]_[=]_{I}9_{/}A daughter causes her father hidden worries; anxiety 
on her account keeps him awake:
Is she young? She may not marry. Is she married? She may be 
disliked;
{I}10_{/}Is she a virgin? She may be seduced and become pregnant in 
her father's house!
Is she married? She may be unfaithful or unable to have children!

{I}11_{/}Your daughter is unruly? Watch her well, or she may make you 
a laughingstock to your enemies, the talk of the town and a public 
disgrace.
{I}12_{/}Do not be taken by human beauty and do not sit down in the 
company of women; [=]_{I}13_{/}for just as a moth comes out of a 
garment, woman's wickedness comes out of a woman.
{R}_{I}14_{/}Better a man's wickedness than a woman's kindness; women 
bring shame and disgrace.

{C}SECOND PART: GOD'S WISDOM IN HISTORY{/}

{N}WONDERS OF NATURE{/}

[\u0095]_[=]_{I}15_{/}Now I Shall remind you of the works of The Lord and 
relate what I have seen.
The Lord's works depend on his word, and creation obeys his will.
{I}16_{/}The sun shines on everything and the work of the Lord is 
filled with his glory.
{I}17_{/}Not even to his holy ones has the Lord given full knowledge 
of all his marvelous works.
The Lord, Master of the universe, has ordained that all should 
stand firm in his glory.
{I}18_{/}He penetrates both the depth of the abyss and the human heart 
and knows their secrets.
For the Most High has full knowledge and ordains the signs of the 
heavens.
{I}19_{/}He knows the past and foretells the future and reveals the 
traces of the world's mysteries.
[=]_{I}20_{/}No thought escapes him, no word is hidden from him.
[=]_{I}21_{/}He has ordered the marvelous works of his wisdom, from 
ever and for ever. Nothing can be added, nothing can be taken away 
and he has no need of counsel.
{I}22_{/}All his works are beautiful, even to the smallest spark of 
light.
{I}23_{/}All this lives and endures forever: all is useful and 
obedient to his will.
[=]_{I}24_{/}All things are in pairs, one opposite the other, and 
nothing he makes is in any way deficient.
{I}25_{/}One thing emphasizes the excellence of the other; who could 
ever weary of admiring his glory?

{1}43{/}

[=]_{I}1_{/}The pride of the heights above is the clear firmament. How 
glorious is the spectacle of the heavens!
[=]_{I}2_{/}When the sun rises and appears, it proclaims: "I am your 
marvelous work, Most High!"
{I}3_{/}At noon, it dries up the land; who can bear its burning heat?
{I}4_{/}You may stoke a furnace to produce heat, but three times 
greater is the heat of the sun burning the mountains, and sending 
out fiery vapors, blinding the eyes with its rays.

{I}5_{/}How great is the Lord who made it and whose word directs its 
rapid course!
{I}6_{/}He also made the moon, exact in marking the months and the 
passage of time. [=]_{I}7_{/}With its full light gradually decreasing, 
the moon determines and rules over the feast days. [=]_{I}8_{/}The 
month also takes its name from the moon. How marvelously does it 
increase in its phases, providing a signal for the heavenly hosts, 
brightly shining in the expanse of the sky!
{I}9_{/}The bright radiance of the stars accounts for the beauty of 
the sky. What a brilliant ornament they are for the heights of the 
Lord!
[=]_{I}10_{/}At the command of the All Holy they stand as appointed 
and never fail to keep watch.
[=]_{I}11_{/}Look at the rainbow and praise the One who made it. How 
magnificent it is in splendor!
{I}12_{/}It forms a circle of glory in the sky, a bow that is bent by 
the hands of its Maker.
[=]_{I}13_{/}At his order the snow falls and lightning strikes 
according to his decrees.
{I}14_{/}The storerooms of heaven are opened and clouds fly away like 
birds.
{I}15_{/}It is his power that thickens the clouds, making them freeze 
and break into hailstones.
{I}16a_{/}He has only to look and the mountains are shaken; {I}17a_{/}the 
voice of his thunder terrifies the earth.
{I}16b_{/}At his will the south wind blows, {I}17b_{/}as do cyclones and 
hurricanes from the north.
{I}18_{/}The snow flutters down like birds and alights on the ground 
like locusts.
The eye marvels at the beauty of its whiteness and the mind is 
amazed to see it fall.
[=]_{I}19_{/}He sprinkles frost on the earth like salt; it freezes and 
becomes like thorny spikes.
{R}_{I}20_{/}The cold north wind blows and turns the water into ice.
Ice forms on all stagnant water giving it a freezing coat of 
armor.
{R}_{I}21_{/}He wears down the mountains and scorches the desert, 
withering the green grass as if by fire.
{I}22_{/}A mist is a timely remedy, and dew after the heat restores it 
all to life.
[=]_{I}23_{/}According to his plan he stilled the great deep and 
planted islands in it.
{I}24_{/}Those who cross the seas tell of its dangers, and we listen 
in astonishment to what they relate:
[=]_{I}25_{/}It is all about strange and marvelous adventures with 
marine animals and monsters of all kinds.
{R}_{I}26_{/}Thanks be to God, all turns out well and everything is held 
together by his word.
{I}27_{/}We shall not give further examples; one last word: He is 
everything.
{I}28_{/}Where shall we find the strength to glorify him? For he is 
the Mighty One, greater than all his works.
{I}29_{/}The Lord is awesome and sovereignly great, and admirable in 
his power.
{I}30_{/}Let your praise exalt the Lord as best you can, he is greater 
than you could even express.
Honor him with all your strength and do not tire, for you can 
never praise him enough.
{I}31_{/}Who has seen him and can describe what he has seen? Who can 
glorify him as he merits?
{I}32_{/}Many mysteries greater than these still remain, for we have 
only seen a fraction of his works.
The Lord has created all things and to upright men he has given 
wisdom.

{N}IN PRAISE OF ANCESTORS{/}

{1}44{/}

[\u0095]_{I}1_{/}Let us now glorify illustrious men, the ancestors of our 
people.
{I}2_{/}The Lord gave them great glory according to his own greatness 
from the beginning.
{R}_{I}3_{/}Some ruled kingdoms and were renowned for their achievements, 
others were wise and able to counsel, or spoke as prophets.
{I}4_{/}They led the people with their warnings or with their 
knowledge of the popular writings.
{I}5_{/}Some cultivated music and poetry, {I}6_{/}others were rich and 
powerful men living peacefully in their homes.
{I}7_{/}All were highly respected in their days and honored by the 
people they lived with.
{I}8_{/}The names of some lived on and people still praise them today; 
{I}9_{/}others are not remembered and have disappeared as if they 
never existed. It is the same for their children.
[=]_{I}10_{/}But now consider the godly men whose good deeds have not 
been forgotten. {I}11_{/}Those who came after them benefited from the 
rich legacy they left; {R}_{I}12_{/}their race remained faithful to the 
Covenant, their children followed their example. {I}13_{/}Their family 
will endure forever and never will its glory be tarnished. 
{I}14_{/}Their bodies were buried in peace but their memory lives 
through generations. {R}_{I}15_{/}Peoples will speak of their wisdom and 
the assembly will celebrate their praise.
[=]_{I}16_{/}Enoch pleased the Lord and was taken up, calling future 
generations to repentance.
[=]_{I}17_{/}Noah was found to be perfectly just; at the time of 
divine anger he was the ransom; through him a remnant was left on 
earth after the flood. {I}18_{/}Eternal covenants were made with him 
to ensure that never again would life be destroyed by flood.

{N}ABRAHAM, ISAAC AND JACOB{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}19_{/}No one has been found to equal Abraham in glory, the 
great ancestor of many nations. {R}_{I}20_{/}He was faithful to the Law 
of the Most High who made a covenant with him, a covenant that was 
marked on his flesh, and on the day he was tested he was found 
faithful. [=]_{R}_{I}21_{/}That is why God promised by oath to bless all 
the nations through his descendants, that he would make them as 
numerous as the dust of the earth and exalt his posterity like the 
stars. He promised that their land would stretch from sea to sea, 
from the River to the ends of the earth.
[=]_{R}_{I}22_{/}The Lord renewed his Covenant with Isaac for the sake of 
his father, Abraham. [=]_{R}_{I}23_{/}This Covenant and the blessing of 
all mankind he made to rest on the head of Jacob.
He assured Jacob of his blessing, giving him the land that would 
be his and determining the portions to be shared among the twelve 
tribes.

{N}MOSES, AARON{/}

{1}45{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}From Jacob's descendants the Lord brought forth an upright 
man who won the favor of everyone and was loved by God and men - 
Moses. Blessed be his memory! [=]_{I}2_{/}The Lord gave him glory 
equal to his holy angels and power that terrified his enemies. 
{R}_{I}3_{/}At Moses' word he halted disaster; the Lord exalted him in 
the presence of kings. He gave him commandments for his people and 
let him glimpse something of his glory.
{I}4_{/}He chose him from among the living to become holy by being 
faithful and humble. [=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}God let him hear his voice and led 
him into darkness, where face to face he gave him the 
commandments, the law of life and knowledge, to teach Jacob the 
covenant and make his decrees known to Israel.
{R}_{I}6_{/}He raised up Aaron, the brother of Moses, a holy man like 
Moses, of the tribe of Levi. {R}_{I}7_{/}He made an eternal covenant with 
him and conferred on him the priesthood of the people.
He honored him by giving him majesty and putting a glorious robe 
upon him. {I}8_{/}His vestments and ornaments were splendid in their 
perfection - breeches, cloak and ephod. [=]_{R}_{I}9_{/}As a fringe to 
his vestment he gave him pomegranates and many golden bells to 
tinkle as he walked and to be heard in the Temple as a reminder to 
the sons of his people. 
[=]_{I}10_{/}The Lord gave Aaron sacred vestments of gold, blue and 
purple, the work of artists, the pectoral of judgment, the Urim 
and Thummim, scarlet yarn spun by a craftsman, [=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}precious 
stones with engravings in a setting of gold, the work of a 
jeweler, to serve as a memorial with their graven inscriptions of 
the tribes of Israel. {I}12_{/}He gave him the turban with a golden 
diadem engraved with the words of his consecration, a superb 
ornament, expertly crafted and a delight to the eyes.
{I}13_{/}Such things had never been seen before Aaron's time; no 
outsider ever put them on or ever will, only his children and 
descendants.
{I}14_{/}His sacrifices were to be completely burned twice daily, in 
perpetuity. 
[=]_{R}_{I}15_{/}It was Moses who consecrated him and anointed him with 
holy oil. It was for him an eternal covenant and for his 
descendants, for as long as the heavens would last, to serve the 
Lord as his priests and bless the people in his name. [=]_{R}_{I}16_{/}He 
chose him from among all the living to offer sacrifice to the Lord 
and sweet smelling incense as a memorial, to make atonement for 
the people.
{R}_{I}17_{/}The Lord gave him authority to interpret his commandments 
and utter decisions, to teach Jacob the divine words and enlighten 
Israel with his Law. [=]_{R}_{I}18_{/}Outsiders conspired against him and 
were jealous of him in the desert - Dathan, Abiram and their 
followers and the supporters of Korah, all violent men full of 
hate. {I}19_{/}The Lord saw it and was angry; in his wrath he 
destroyed them. He wrought wonders against them, consuming them in 
the flames of fire.
[=]_{I}20_{/}He increased Aaron's glory by giving him a heritage. He 
allotted to him the first fruits and to begin with, bread in 
abundance. {R}_{I}21_{/}For their food is the sacrifice offered to the 
Lord, which he gave to Aaron and his descendants.
[=]_{I}22_{/}But he was to inherit no land as patrimony, no special 
portion was to be his own, for the Lord himself is his portion and 
inheritance.

{N}PHINEHAS{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}23_{/}As for Phinehas, son of Eleazar, he is the third in 
glory, for he was full of zeal in the fear of the Lord when he 
stood firm among a rebellious people with noble courage and made 
atonement for Israel.
{R}_{I}24_{/}Consequently, a covenant of peace was concluded with him, 
making him the leader of the sanctuary and of his people. He and 
his descendants were to have the dignity of high priesthood 
forever. {R}_{I}25_{/}It is not like the covenant established with David, 
the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah, for the kingship passes 
only from father to one of his sons, but the heritage of Aaron 
passes to all his descendants.
{I}26_{/}May the Lord give them wisdom of heart to judge his people 
with justice, so that their prosperity may not dwindle and their 
glory may live on in their descendants!

{N}JOSHUA AND THE JUDGES{/}

{1}46{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}Joshua, son of Nun, was a valiant  arrior and as a prophet he 
was the successor of Moses. He lived up to his name, proving 
himself to be a savior of God's chosen people, punishing the 
enemies that attacked them and leading Israel to claim their land.
{I}2_{/}How magnificent to see him, arm raised and with sword ready to 
attack the cities!
{I}3_{/}Who before him had such staying power? He was, indeed, 
Yahweh's warrior. [=]_{I}4_{/}Was it not he who held back the sun, 
making one day as long as two? {I}5_{/}He called on the Most High when 
the enemy pressed on every side, and the Mighty Lord responded 
with hailstones of exceptional size. {R}_{I}6_{/}He attacked the enemy 
nation and destroyed the assailants at the pass of Beth-horan, so 
that the nations might know the strength of Joshua and that they 
were fighting against the Lord.
[=]_{R}_{I}7_{/}Joshua was loyal and devoted to the Almighty in the time 
of Moses, he and Caleb, son of Jephunneh. They stood firm against 
the assembly and tried to keep them from sinning by silencing 
their wicked murmuring.
{I}8_{/}Because of this, they were the only two spared out of six 
hundred thousand people on foot. And they took possession of their 
inheritance in a land flowing with milk and honey.
[=]_{R}_{I}9_{/}The Lord gifted Caleb with strength; this he enjoyed to 
the end of his days, and he went into the hill country that was 
given to his children in heritage. {R}_{I}10_{/}With this it was clear to 
all Israel that it is good to follow the Lord. {R}_{I}11_{/}After that 
came the judges. Although each of them won his own renown, all 
were men of faithful heart who did not turn away from the Lord. 
Blessed be their memory! {I}12_{/}May their bones spring to life from 
the tomb and the names of these illustrious men live on in their 
children!

{N}SAMUEL{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}13_{/}Samuel was a prophet and beloved of the Lord. He 
established the kingdom and anointed rulers to govern his people.
{R}_{I}14_{/}He judged the assembly according to the Law of the Lord and 
the Lord protected Jacob. {R}_{I}15_{/}He was accepted as prophet because 
of his faithfulness, and proved that his words were of a 
trustworthy seer.
[=]_{I}16_{/}He called on the Almighty Lord when the enemy pressed 
from all directions and he offered a sucking lamb.
{I}17_{/}Then with a mighty roar the Lord thundered from heaven 
{I}18_{/}and destroyed all the enemy's leaders and the tyrants of 
Philistia.
[=]_{R}_{I}19_{/}Before his time came for eternal rest, Samuel called men 
to witness before the Lord and his anointed: "I have not taken 
anyone's belongings, not even his sandals," and there was no one 
to accuse him.
[=]_{R}_{I}20_{/}Even after he died, he prophesied and revealed to the 
king his death. From the grave he spoke as a prophet to blot out 
the wickedness of his people.

{N}DAVID{/}

{1}47{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}After him the Lord raised Nathan to prophesy in the time 
of David.
{R}_{I}2_{/}As fat is selected from the peace offering, so David was 
chosen from among the Israelites.
{I}3_{/}He played with lions and bears as if they were lambs or young 
goats.
[=]_{I}4_{/}He was still young when he slew a giant to restore the 
honor of his people; with a sling he aimed a stone that killed the 
arrogant Goliath.
{I}5_{/}He invoked the Lord Most High, who gave him strength to slay a 
mighty warrior, and so exalt the power of his people.
[=]_{R}_{I}6_{/}So they glorified him for his ten thousands and praised 
him as a blessing from the Lord when he was chosen king.
{R}_{I}7_{/}For he wiped out his enemies on all sides and annihilated his 
adversaries, the Philistines, crushing their power forever.
[=]_{I}8_{/}In all that he did he gave thanks to the Most High, and 
showed his love for his Maker by singing with all his heart.
{R}_{I}9_{/}He placed singers accompanied by harps before the altar to 
make beautiful music; {I}10_{/}he gave splendor to feasts and even 
greater magnificence to the more solemn occasions, exalting the 
holy Name of the Lord and having the sanctuary ring with his 
praises from early morning.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}The Lord forgave David's sins and established his power 
forever; he made a covenant with him for the benefit of the kings 
and gave him a glorious throne in Israel.

{N}SOLOMON{/}

{I}12_{/}A wise son succeeded him and fared well because of him.
[=]_{R}_{I}13_{/}Solomon reigned during times of peace, and God gave him 
rest from war to enable him to build a house for his Name, a 
sanctuary that would stand forever.
{R}_{I}14_{/}How wise you were in your youth, Solomon! as full of 
understanding as a river. {R}_{I}15_{/}Your spirit covered the earth, you 
filled it with proverbs and parables. [=]_{I}16_{/}Your reputation 
reached distant islands and you were loved for your peace. 
{I}17_{/}Your songs, proverbs, parables and interpretation drew the 
admiration of the world.
{R}_{I}18_{/}In the name of the Lord God, called the God of Israel, you 
accumulated gold like tin and gathered silver like lead.
{I}19_{/}But you gave your body to women and became the slave of your 
senses; {I}20_{/}you stained your reputation and defiled your 
descendants, bringing wrath and disaster upon your children 
because of your foolishness.
[=]_{R}_{I}21_{/}So the nation was divided; from Ephraim came a kingdom 
in revolt.
{R}_{I}22_{/}But God's mercy never fails nor does he forget his promises; 
he did not deprive his chosen one of descendants nor destroy the 
race of the one he loved. So to Jacob he gave a remnant and 
allowed David's family to survive.
{R}_{I}23_{/}Solomon rested with his forefathers and left one of his sons 
to rule after him, the most foolish of men and without 
intelligence; this was Rehoboam who drove the people to rebellion.
[=]_{R}_{I}24_{/}As for Jeroboam, son of Nebat, it was he who caused 
Israel to sin and taught Ephraim the way of evil.
From then on their sins increased and later brought about their 
exile, {I}25_{/}for they were intent on doing every sort of evil until 
vengeance fell on them.

{N}ELIJAH AND ELISHA{/}

{1}48{/}

[=]_{R}_{I}1_{/}Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a 
burning torch.
{I}2_{/}He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had 
them reduced in number.
[=]_{I}3_{/}Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, 
and on three occasions called down fire.
{R}_{I}4_{/}How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who 
could ever boast of being your equal? [=]_{R}_{I}5_{/}By the word of the 
Most High you brought a dead man back to life; {R}_{I}6_{/}you brought 
kings to destruction and thrust famous men from their beds.
{R}_{I}7_{/}You heard a rebuke at Sinai and sentences of punishment at 
Horeb; {R}_{I}8_{/}you anointed kings to be avengers and prophets to 
succeed you. 
[=]_{I}9_{/}You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot 
drawn by fiery horses.
[=]_{R}_{I}10_{/}It was written that you should be the one to calm God's 
anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the 
hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of 
Jacob.
{I}11_{/}Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, 
for we too shall live.
[=]_{R}_{I}12_{/}Such was Elijah, taken up in a whirlwind, and Elisha was 
filled with his spirit.
During his life no leader could shake him, no one dominated him. 
{R}_{I}13_{/}Nothing was too difficult for him and even in death his body 
prophesied. {R}_{I}14_{/}In life he worked wonders, in death his deeds 
were amazing.
{I}15_{/}Despite all this, the people were not converted and did not 
turn away from sin; not until they were deported far from their 
country and scattered over the earth.
{R}_{I}16_{/}The people were greatly reduced in number but they still had 
a ruler from the line of David. Some of them were upright people, 
others became sinful.
[=]_{R}_{I}17_{/}Hezekiah fortified his city and brought water within its 
walls, tunneling the rock with iron tools to construct cisterns.
[=]_{R}_{I}18_{/}During his reign Sennacherib began his campaigns and 
sent off Rabshakeh, and insolent and arrogant as he was, he raised 
his arm against Zion.
{I}19_{/}Then their courage was shaken, their hands trembled, they 
felt anguish like women in labor. {R}_{I}20_{/}They stretched out their 
hands and called on the merciful Lord.
From heaven the Holy One quickly heard them and saved them by the 
hand of Isaiah. {I}21_{/}The Lord struck the Assyrian camp and his 
angel wiped them out.
{R}_{I}22_{/}For Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord and was firm 
in following the ways of David, his father, as the great and 
faithful prophet Isaiah ordered, a man of trustworthy vision.
{R}_{I}23_{/}In his time the sun went back and he lengthened the life of 
the king.
[=]_{R}_{I}24_{/}In the power of the spirit he foresaw the last things 
and consoled the afflicted people of Zion. {I}25_{/}He revealed what 
would happen until the end of time and made hidden events known 
before they occurred.

{N}OTHER KINGS AND PROPHETS{/}

{1}49{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The memory of Josiah is like blended incense carefully 
prepared by the perfumer; it is like delicious honey to every 
mouth, like music during a banquet.
{I}2_{/}He followed the right way in converting the people and 
removing the horror of idolatry. {I}3_{/}He set his heart on the Lord 
and succeeded in having godliness prevail over wickedness.
{R}_{I}4_{/}With the exception of David, Hezekiah and Josiah, the kings 
were very sinful men. they abandoned the Law of the Most High 
bringing an end to the kings of Judah.
{I}5_{/}They surrendered their power and their honor to foreign 
nations. {I}6_{/}Their enemies set fire to the holy city, making its 
streets desolate {R}_{I}7_{/}as Jeremiah had foretold.
[=]_{R}_{I}8_{/}It was Ezekiel who saw the vision of Glory when the Lord 
showed it to him above the chariot of the cherubim. {I}9_{/}He also 
remembered Job, the one who always followed the way of justice.
{R}_{I}10_{/}As for the twelve prophets, may their bones spring to life 
from the tomb, for they comforted the people of Jacob and saved 
them with confident hope.
[=]_{R}_{I}11_{/}Can we ever adequately praise Zerubbabel who was like a 
ring at the finger of God, and {R}_{I}12_{/}likewise Joshua, son of 
Jozadak? They were men who, in their days, built the Temple to the 
Lord, a sanctuary destined for everlasting glory. {R}_{I}13_{/}Lasting 
too is the memory of Nehemiah, who rebuilt our ruined walls, 
provided gates and bars and rebuilt our homes.
[=]_{I}14_{/}No one on earth was created to equal Enoch for he was 
taken up from the earth.
{R}_{I}15_{/}And never was there a man like Joseph, the greatest among 
his brothers, the leader of his people; his bones were honored.
[\u0095]_{I}16_{/}Shem and Seth were exalted among men, but Adam's glory 
was greater than any other living being.

{N}SIMON THE PRIEST{/}

{1}50{/}

{R}_{I}1_{/}The High Priest Simon, son of Onias, repaired the sanctuary 
and fortified the Temple during his lifetime.
{R}_{I}2_{/}He laid the foundations for the high double wall and for the 
fortifications surrounding the Temple.
{R}_{I}3_{/}In his days a reservoir for water, a cistern as great as a 
sea, was excavated.
{I}4_{/}Anxious lest his people might perish, he fortified the city 
against a siege.
[\u0095]_[=]_{I}5_{/}How magnificent he was when, surrounded by his people, 
he emerged from the inner sanctuary {I}6_{/}like the morning star 
amidst the clouds, like the full moon, {R}_{I}7_{/}like the sun shining 
on the Temple of the Most High or a rainbow in a glory of clouds!
{I}8_{/}He was like a rose in spring, a lily beside a stream, a green 
shoot on a summer day, {I}9_{/}or incense burning in the censer.
He could be likened to a massive, golden vase adorned with every 
kind of precious stone, {I}10_{/}to an olive tree heavy with fruit, or 
to a cypress rising to the clouds, {R}_{I}11_{/}when, robed in ceremonial 
garb and in perfect splendor, he went to the sacred altar filling 
the court of the sanctuary with glory.
{R}_{I}12_{/}There he would receive from the hand of the priests the 
portions of the sacrifice, as he stood by the hearth of the altar 
encircled by his brethren like a young cedar on Lebanon.
{R}_{I}13_{/}It was as if he was surrounded by palm trees when all the 
sons of Aaron in their splendor, with the offerings to the Lord in 
their hands, stood before the assembly of Israel.
{R}_{I}14_{/}When he had completed the service at the altar and presented 
with dignity the offering to the Almighty and Most High, {R}_{I}15_{/}he 
took the cup in his hand and poured out a libation of the juice of 
the grape at the foot of the altar, a pleasing aroma to the Most 
High, King of the world.
[=]_{I}16_{/}Then the sons of Aaron shouted; they blew their trumpets 
of solid silver, making a great noise as a memorial before the 
Most high.
{R}_{I}17_{/}Then suddenly all the people bowed down with their faces to 
the ground and adored the Lord, the Almighty and most High God.
{I}18_{/}The choir as well sang his praises, making beautiful music. 
{I}19_{/}And the people made supplication to the Most High and prayed 
to their merciful Lord, until the ceremony was over and the 
service of the Lord completed.
[=]_{R}_{I}20_{/}The High Priest then came down and raised his hands 
towards the whole assembly of the people of Israel to give them in 
a loud voice the blessing of the Lord and to have the honor of 
pronouncing his name.
{I}21_{/}Then for a second time the people bowed in worship to receive 
the blessing of the Most High:
{I}22_{/}"And now, bless the Lord of the universe who everywhere does 
great things, who exalts our days from birth and is merciful to 
us. 
{R}_{I}23_{/}May he give us happiness and grant peace to Israel in our 
days and forever!
{I}24_{/}May he continue to give us his blessings and be a savior to 
us in our days."
{I}25_{/}There are two nations I greatly dislike, the third is not a 
nation: {R}_{I}26_{/}they are the inhabitants of Mount Seir, the 
Philistines and the foolish people who live in Shechem.
{R}_{I}27_{/}Instruction in understanding and knowledge, that is what 
Jesus the son of Sira, the son of Eleazar of Jerusalem, has 
written in this book as he poured out the wisdom of his heart.
{I}28_{/}Happy the one who pays attention to this teaching and gains 
wisdom by taking it to heart.
{I}29_{/}Doing that, he will be strong in all circumstances, for the 
light of the Lord is his path.

{N}PRAYER OF JESUS, SON OF SIRACH{/}

{1}51{/}

[\u0095]_{R}_{I}1_{/}I will give thanks to you,  O Lord and King; I praise 
you, my God and Savior, I give thanks to your Name.
{I}2_{/}For you are my protector and helper, you have delivered my 
body from destruction, from the snare of the wicked tongue and 
from lips that speak lies.
In the presence of those who stood against me, you were my helper, 
my deliverer.
{I}3_{/}In the fullness of mercy and the glory of your Name, you 
delivered me from the teeth of those ready to devour me, from the 
hand of those wanting to take my life and from my many trials. 
{I}4_{/}You rescued me from choking fire on every side; you saved me 
from a fire I had not kindled.
{I}5_{/}You delivered me from the depths of the netherworld, from an 
impure tongue and lying words, {R}_{I}6_{/}from vicious slander reported 
to the king. I was near to death, I was already at the gates of 
the netherworld.
{I}7_{/}They surrounded me on every side with no one to help me. I 
looked for human comfort and there was none.
{I}8_{/}Then, Lord, I remembered your mercy and your deeds from all 
eternity, knowing that you deliver those who hope in you and save 
them from the hands of their enemies.
{R}_{I}9_{/}I sent up my prayer from the earth, begging to be delivered 
from death.
[=]_{I}10_{/}I called on the Lord, the Father of my Lord: "Do not 
forsake me in the day of my affliction, when I am helpless against 
arrogant enemies; I will praise your name continually and sing to 
you my thanksgiving."
{I}11_{/}And my prayer was heard, you saved me from destruction and 
delivered me from an evil plight.
{I}12_{/}That is why I will give you thanks and praise and bless the 
Name of the Lord.
[=]_{I}13_{/}In my youth, before I set out on my travels, I openly 
sought wisdom in prayer; {R}_{I}14_{/}before the Temple I asked for her 
and I will pursue her to the end of my days.
{I}15_{/}While she blossomed like a ripening cluster, my heart was 
delighted in her; my feet followed the right path, because from my 
youth I searched for her.
{I}16_{/}As soon as I began listening to her she was given to me, and 
with her, much instruction.
{I}17_{/}With her help I made progress and I will glorify him who 
gives me wisdom, {I}18_{/}for I decided to put it into practice and 
ardently seek what is good. I shall not regret it.
{R}_{I}19_{/}My soul has struggled to possess her. I have been attentive 
to observe the Law, and after my faults I have stretched out my 
hands to heaven and lamented my ignorance of her.
{I}20_{/}My love of her increased and I found her in repentance. It 
was through her from the beginning that I learned to possess my 
heart. She will not forsake me.
{I}21_{/}With my whole being I sought her; that is why I won what is 
best.
{R}_{I}22_{/}In return for this, the Lord has given me words to praise 
him.
{I}23_{/}come near, you who are without understanding and join her 
school.
[=]_{I}24_{/}Why do you say you are deprived of all this and that your 
souls are thirsty?
{I}25_{/}This is what I say: Buy this without money; [=]_{I}26_{/}put your 
neck under her yoke and let your minds receive instruction; it is 
very near and within your reach.
{I}27_{/}See for yourselves: my toil has been slight and I found deep 
rest.
[=]_{I}28_{/}Be instructed, whatever the cost, and you will gain what 
is better than gold.
{R}_{I}29_{/}Let your soul find joy in the mercy of the Lord, and do not 
be ashamed to praise him.
{I}30_{/}Do your work within the appointed time, and the Lord in his 
time will give you your reward.

