Otherwise known as Ecclesiasticus
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The Wisdom of Ben Sira derives its title from the author, “Yeshua [Jesus], son of Eleazar, son of Sira” (50:27). This seems to be the earliest title of the book. The designation Liber Ecclesiasticus, meaning “Church Book,” appended to some Greek and Latin manuscripts, is perhaps due to the extensive use the church made of this book in presenting moral teaching to catechumens and to the faithful. The author, a sage who lived in Jerusalem, was thoroughly imbued with love for the wisdom tradition, and also for the law, priesthood, Temple, and divine worship. Written in Hebrew in the early years of the 2nd century BC, the book was finished by approximately 175.
1 All wisdom comes from the Lord and is with Him forever. 2 Who can count the sand of the seas, || The drops of rain, and the days of [the] age? 3 Who will search out the height of the sky, || The breadth of the earth, the deep, and wisdom? 4 Wisdom has been created before all things, || And the understanding of prudence from perpetuity. 5 . . . 6 To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? Who has known her shrewd counsels? 7 . . . 8 There is one wise, greatly to be feared, sitting on His throne: The Lord. 9 He created her. He saw and measured her. He poured her out on all His works. 10 She is with all flesh according to His gift. He gave her freely to those who love Him. 11 The fear of the Lord is glory, || Exultation, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. 12 The fear of the Lord will delight the heart, || And will give gladness, joy, and length of days. 13 Whoever fears the Lord, || It will go well with him at the end. He will be blessed in the day of his death. 14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It was created together with the faithful in the womb. 15 She laid a perpetual foundation with men. She will be trusted among their offspring. 16 To fear the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. She inebriates men with her fruits. 17 She will fill all her house with desirable things, || And her storehouses with her produce. 18 The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, || Making peace and perfect health to flourish. 19 He both saw and measured her. He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding || And exalted the honor of those who hold her fast. 20 To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom. Her branches are length of days. 21 . . . 22 Unjust wrath can never be justified, || For the sway of his wrath is his downfall. 23 A man that is patient will resist for a season, || And afterward gladness will spring up to him. 24 He will hide his words for a season, || And the lips of many will tell of his understanding. 25 An allegory of knowledge is in the treasures of wisdom; But godliness is an abomination to a sinner. 26 If you desire wisdom, keep the commands || And the Lord will give her to you freely; 27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction. Faith and humility are His good pleasure. 28 Do not disobey the fear of the Lord. Do not come to Him with a double heart. 29 Do not be a hypocrite in the mouths of men. Keep watch over your lips. 30 Do not exalt yourself, || Lest you fall and bring dishonor on your soul. The Lord will reveal your secrets || And will cast you down in the midst of the congregation, || Because you did not come to the fear of the Lord || And your heart was full of deceit.
My son, if you come to serve the Lord, || Prepare your soul for temptation. Set your heart correctly, || Constantly endure, || And do not hurry in time of calamity. Cling to Him, and do not depart, || That you may be increased at your latter end. Accept whatever is brought on you || And be patient when you suffer humiliation. For gold is tried in the fire, || And acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Put your trust in Him, || And He will help you. Make your ways straight || And set your hope on Him. All you who fear the Lord, || Wait for His mercy. Do not turn aside, lest you fall. All you who fear the Lord, || Put your trust in Him, || And your reward will not fail. All you who fear the Lord, || Hope for good things, || And for continuous gladness and mercy. Look at the generations of old, and see: Who ever put his trust in the Lord, and was ashamed? Or who remained in His fear, and was forsaken? Or who called on Him, and He despised him? For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. He forgives sins and saves in time of affliction. Woe to fearful hearts, to faint hands, || And to the sinner that goes two ways! Woe to the faint heart! For it does not believe. Therefore, it will not be defended. Woe to you who have lost your patience! And what will you all do when the Lord visits you? Those who fear the Lord will not disobey His words. Those who love Him will keep His ways. Those who fear the Lord will seek His good pleasure. Those who love Him will be filled with the Law. Those who fear the Lord will prepare their hearts || And will humble their souls in His sight. We will fall into the hands of the Lord, || And not into the hands of men; For as His majesty is, so also is His mercy.
1 Hear me, your father, O my children, || And do what you hear, that you all may be saved. 2 For the Lord has given the father glory concerning the children || And has confirmed the judgment of the mother concerning the sons. 3 He who honors his father will make atonement for sins. 4 He that gives glory to his mother is as one who lays up treasure. 5 Whoever honors his father will have joy in his own children. He will be heard in the day of his prayer. 6 He who gives glory to his father will have length of days. He who listens to the Lord will bring rest to his mother, 7 And will serve under his parents, as to masters. 8 Honor your father in deed and word, || That a blessing may come on you from him. 9 For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children, || But the curse of the mother roots out the foundations. 10 Do not glorify yourself in the dishonor of your father, || For your father’s dishonor is no glory to you. 11 For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father, || And a mother in dishonor is a reproach to her children. 12 My son, help your father in his old age, || And do not grieve him as long as he lives. 13 If he fails in understanding, have patience with him. Do not dishonor him in your full strength. 14 For the relieving of your father will not be forgotten. Instead of sins it will be added to build you up. 15 In the day of your affliction it will remember you; As fair weather on ice, so will your sins also melt away. 16 He who forsakes his father is as a blasphemer. He who provokes his mother is cursed by the Lord. 17 My son, go on with your business in humility; So you will be loved by an acceptable man. 18 The greater you are, humble yourself [all] the more, || And you will find favor before the Lord. 19 . . . 20 For the power of the Lord is great, || And He is glorified by those who are lowly. 21 Do not seek things that are too hard for you, || And do not search out things that are above your strength. 22 Think about the things that have been commanded you, || For you have no need of the things that are secret. 23 Do not be overly busy in your superfluous works, || For more things are showed to you than men can understand. 24 For the conceit of many has led them astray. Evil opinion has caused their judgment to slip. 25 There is no light without eyes. There is no wisdom without knowledge. 26 A stubborn heart will do badly at the end. He who loves danger will perish in it. 27 A stubborn heart will be burdened with troubles. The sinner will heap sin on sins. 28 The calamity of the proud is no healing, || For a weed of wickedness has taken root in him. 29 The heart of the prudent will understand an allegory. A wise man desires the ear of a listener. 30 Water will quench a flaming fire; Kindness will make atonement for sins. 31 He who repays with kind acts is mindful of that which comes afterward. In the time of his falling, he will find a support.
My son, do not deprive the poor of his living. Do not make the needy eyes wait long. Do not make a hungry soul sorrowful || Or provoke a man in his distress. Do not add more trouble to a heart that is provoked. Do not put off giving to him who is in need. Do not reject a suppliant in his affliction. Do not turn your face away from a poor man. Do not turn your eye away from one who asks. Give no occasion to a man to curse you. For if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, || He who made him will hear his supplication. Endear yourself to the assembly. Bow your head to a great man. Incline your ear to a poor man. Answer him with peaceful words in humility. Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of him that wrongs him; Do not be faint-hearted in giving judgment. Be as a father to the fatherless, || And like a husband to their mother. So you will be as a son of the Most High, || And He will love you more than your mother does. Wisdom exalts her sons || And takes hold of those who seek her. He who loves her loves life. Those who seek her early will be filled with gladness. He who holds her fast will inherit glory. Where he enters, the Lord will bless. Those who serve her minister to the Holy One. The Lord loves those who love her. He who gives ear to her will judge the nations. He who heeds her will dwell securely. If he trusts her, he will inherit her, || And his generations will possess her. For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, || And will bring fear and dread on him, || And torment him with her discipline, || Until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgments. Then she will return him again to the straight way, || And will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets. If he goes astray, she will forsake him, || And hand him over to his fall. Observe the opportunity and beware of evil. Do not be ashamed of your soul. For there is a shame that brings sin, || And there is a shame that is glory and grace. Do not show partiality against your soul. Do not revere any man to your falling. Do not refrain from speaking when it is for safety. Do not hide your wisdom for the sake of seeming fair. For wisdom will be known by speech, || And instruction by the word of the tongue. Do not speak against the truth and be shamed for your ignorance. Do not be ashamed to confess your sins. Do not fight the river’s current. Do not lay yourself down for a fool to tread on. Do not be partial to one that is mighty. Strive for the truth to death, || And the Lord God will fight for you. Do not be hasty with your tongue, || Or slack and negligent in your deeds. Do not be like a lion in your house, || Or suspicious of your servants. Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive || And closed when you should repay.
Do not set your heart on your goods. Do not say, “They are sufficient for me.” Do not follow your own mind and your strength || To walk in the desires of your heart. Do not say, “Who will have dominion over me?” For the Lord will surely take vengeance on you. Do not say, “I sinned, and what happened to me?” For the Lord is patient. Do not be so confident of atonement that you add sin on sins. Do not say, “His compassion is great. He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins,” || For mercy and wrath are with Him, || And His indignation will rest on sinners. Do not wait to turn to the Lord. Do not put off from day to day; For the wrath of the Lord will suddenly come on you, || And you will perish in the time of vengeance. Do not set your heart on unrighteous gains, || For you will profit nothing in the day of calamity. Do not winnow with every wind. Do not walk in every path. This is what the sinner who has a double tongue does. Be steadfast in your understanding. Let your speech be consistent. Be swift to hear and answer with patience. If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; But if not, put your hand over your mouth. Glory and dishonor is in talk. A man’s tongue may be his downfall. Do not be called a whisperer. Do not lie in wait with your tongue; For shame is on the thief, || And an evil condemnation is on him who has a double tongue. Do not be ignorant in a great or small matter.
Do not become an enemy instead of a friend; For an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. Do not exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, || That your soul is not torn in pieces as a bull. You will eat up your leaves, destroy your fruit, || And leave yourself as a dry tree. A wicked soul will destroy him who has it || And will make him a laughing-stock to his enemies. Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends. A gracious tongue will multiply courtesies. Let those that are at peace with you be many, || But your advisers one of one thousand. If you want to gain a friend, get him in a time of testing, || And do not be in a hurry to trust him. For there is a friend just for an occasion. He will not continue in the day of your affliction. And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach. And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, || But he will not continue in the day of your affliction. In your prosperity he will be as yourself || And will be bold over your servants. If you are brought low, he will be against you, || And will hide himself from your face. Separate yourself from your enemies and beware of your friends. A faithful friend is a strong defense. He who has found him has found a treasure. There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend. His excellency is beyond price. A faithful friend is a life-saving medicine. Those who fear the Lord will find Him. He who fears the Lord directs his friendship properly; For as he is, so is his neighbor also. My son, gather instruction from your youth up. Even when you have gray hair you will find wisdom. Come to her as one who plows and sows || And wait for her good fruit; For your toil will be little in her tillage, || And you will soon eat of her fruit. How exceedingly harsh she is to the unlearned! He who is without understanding will not remain in her. She will rest on him as a mighty stone of trial. He will not hesitate to cast her from him. For wisdom is according to her name. She is not manifest to many. Give ear, my son, and accept my judgment. Do not refuse my counsel. Bring your feet into her chains, || And your neck into her chain. Put your shoulder under her and bear her. Do not be grieved with her bonds. Come to her with all your soul. Keep her ways with your whole power. Search and seek, and she will be made known to you. When you get hold of her, do not let her go. For at the end you will find her rest; And she will be turned into gladness for you. Her chains will be to you for a covering of strength, || And her chains for a robe of glory. For there is a golden ornament on her, || And her bonds [are] a purple ribbon. You will put her on as a robe of glory || And will put her on as a crown of rejoicing. My son, if you are willing, you will be instructed. If you will yield your soul, you will be prudent. If you love to hear, you will receive. If you incline your ear, you will be wise. Stand in the multitude of the elders. Attach yourself to whoever is wise. Be willing to listen to every godly discourse. Do not let the proverbs of understanding escape you. If you see a man of understanding, get to him early. Let your foot wear out the steps of his doors. Let your mind dwell on the ordinances of the Lord || And meditate continually on His commands. He will establish your heart || And your desire for wisdom will be given to you.
Do no evil, so no evil will overtake you. Depart from wrong, and it will turn away from you. My son, do not sow on the furrows of unrighteousness, || And you will not reap them sevenfold. Do not seek preeminence from the Lord, || Nor the seat of honor from the king. Do not justify yourself in the presence of the Lord, || And do not display your wisdom before the king. Do not seek to be a judge, || Lest you not be able to take away iniquities, || Lest perhaps you fear the person of a mighty man || And lay a stumbling block in the way of your uprightness. Do not sin against the multitude of the city. Do not cast yourself down in the crowd. Do not commit a sin twice, || For even in one you will not be unpunished. Do not say, “He will look on the multitude of my gifts. When I make an offering to the Most High God, He will accept it.” Do not be faint-hearted in your prayer. Do not neglect to give alms. Do not laugh a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul, || For there is one who humbles and exalts. Do not devise a lie against your brother or do the same to a friend. Do not love to make any manner of lie, for that is not a good habit. Do not babble in the multitude of elders. Do not repeat your words in your prayer. Do not hate hard labor or farm work, which the Most High has created. Do not number yourself among the multitude of sinners. Remember that wrath will not wait. Humble your soul greatly, || For the punishment of the ungodly man is fire and the worm. Do not exchange a friend for something, || Neither a true brother for the gold of Ophir. Do not deprive yourself of a wise and good wife, || For her grace is worth more than gold. Do not abuse a servant who works faithfully, || Or a hireling who gives you his life. Let your soul love a wise servant. Do not defraud him of liberty. Do you have cattle? Look after them. If they are profitable to you, let them stay by you. Do you have children? Correct them and bow their necks from their youth. Do you have daughters? Take care of their bodies, || And do not be overly indulgent toward them. Give your daughter in marriage, || And you will have accomplished a great matter. Give her to a man of understanding. Do you have a wife after your mind? Do not cast her out. But do not entrust yourself to one who is hateful. Give glory to your father with your whole heart, || And do not forget the birth pangs of your mother. Remember that you were born of them. What will you repay them for the things that they have done for you? Fear the Lord with all your soul; Also revere His priests. With all your strength love Him who made you. Do not forsake His ministers. Fear the Lord and honor the priest. Give him his portion, even as it is commanded you: The first-fruits, the trespass offering, the gift of the shoulders, || The sacrifice of sanctification, and the first-fruits of holy things. Also stretch out your hand to the poor man, || That your blessing may be perfected. A gift has grace in the sight of every living man. Do not withhold grace for a dead man. Do not be lacking to those who weep, || And mourn with those who mourn. Do not be slow to visit a sick man, || For by such things you will gain love. In all your words, remember eternity, || And you will never sin.
Do not contend with a mighty man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands. Do not strive with a rich man, lest perhaps he overpowers you; For gold has destroyed many and turned away the hearts of kings. Do not contend with a talkative man. Do not heap wood on his fire. Do not jest with a rude man, lest your ancestors be dishonored. Do not reproach a man when he turns from sin. Remember that we are all worthy of punishment. Do not dishonor a man in his old age; For some of us are also growing old. Do not rejoice over one who is dead. Remember that we all die. Do not neglect the discourse of the wise. Be conversant with their proverbs; For from them you will learn instruction || And how to minister to great men. Do not miss the discourse of the aged, || For they also learned from their fathers, || Because from them you will learn understanding, || And [how] to give an answer in time of need. Do not kindle the coals of a sinner, || Lest you be burned with the flame of his fire. Do not rise up from the presence of an insolent man, || Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth. Do not lend to a man who is mightier than yourself; And if you lend, be as one who has lost. Do not be a guarantee above your power. If you are a guarantee, think as one who will have to pay. Do not go to law with a judge; For according to his honor they will give judgment for him. Do not go in the way with a rash man, || Lest he be burdensome to you; For he will do according to his own will, || And you will perish with his folly. Do not fight with a wrathful man. Do not travel with him through the desert, || For blood is as nothing in his sight. Where there is no help, he will overthrow you. Do not take counsel with a fool, || For he will not be able to conceal the matter. Do no secret thing before a stranger, || For you do not know what it will cause. Do not open your heart to every man. Do not let him return you a favor.
Do not be jealous over the wife of your bosom, || And do not teach her an evil lesson against yourself. Do not give your soul to a woman, || That she should set her foot on your strength. Do not go to meet a woman who plays the prostitute, || Lest perhaps you fall into her snares. Do not use the company of a woman who is a singer, || Lest perhaps you be caught by her attempts. Do not gaze at a maid, || Lest perhaps you be trapped in her penalties. Do not give your soul to prostitutes, || That you may not lose your inheritance. Do not look around you in the streets of the city, || Neither wander in its solitary places. Turn your eye away from a beautiful woman, || And do not gaze at another’s beauty. Many have been led astray by the beauty of a woman; And with this, affection is kindled as a fire. Do not sit at all with a woman who has a husband, || Or revel with her at the wine, || Lest perhaps your soul turns away to her, || And with your spirit you slide into destruction. Do not forsake an old friend; For the new is not comparable to him. A new friend is like new wine: If it becomes old, you will drink it with gladness. Do not envy the glory of a sinner; For you do not know what his overthrow will be. Do not delight in the delights of the ungodly. Remember, they will not go to the grave unpunished. Keep yourself far from the man who has power to kill, || And you will have no suspicion of the fear of death. If you come to him, commit no fault, || Lest he takes your life away. Surely know that you go about in the midst of snares || And walk on the battlements of a city. As well as you can, aim to know your neighbors, || And take counsel with the wise. Let your conversation be with men of understanding. Let all your discourse be in the Law of the Most High. Let just men be companions at your table. Let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord. A work is commended because of the hand of the artisan; So he who rules the people will be considered wise for his speech. A talkative man is dangerous in his city. He who is headlong in his speech will be hated.
1 A wise judge will instruct his people. The government of a man of understanding will be well ordered. 2 As is the judge of his people, || So are his ministers. As the city’s ruler is, || So are all those who dwell in it. 3 An uninstructed king will destroy his people. A city will be established through the understanding of the powerful. 4 The authority of the earth is in the Lord’s hand. In due time, He will raise up over it one who is profitable. 5 A man’s prosperity is in the Lord’s hand. He will lay his honor on the person of the scribe. 6 Do not be angry with your neighbor for every wrong. Do nothing by works of violence. 7 Pride is hateful before the Lord and men. Unrighteousness is abhorrent in the judgment of both. 8 Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation || Because of iniquities, deeds of violence, and greed for money. 9 Why are dirt and ashes proud? Because in life, my body decays. 10 A long disease mocks the physician. He is a king today, and tomorrow he will die. 11 For when a man is dead, || He will inherit creeping things, and beasts, and worms. 12 It is the beginning of pride when a man departs from the Lord. His heart has departed from Him who made him. 13 For the beginning of pride is sin. He who keeps it will pour out abomination. For this reason, the Lord brought strange calamities on them || And utterly overthrew them. 14 The Lord cast down the thrones of rulers || And set the meek in their place. 15 The Lord plucked up the roots of nations || And planted the lowly in their place. 16 The Lord overthrew the lands of nations || And destroyed them to the foundations of the earth. 17 He took some of them away || And destroyed them and made their memorial to cease from the earth. 18 Pride has not been created for men, || Nor wrathful anger for the offspring of women. 19 What manner of seed has honor? The seed of man, those who fear the Lord. What manner of seed has no honor? The seed of man, those who transgress the commands. 20 In the midst of countrymen he who rules them has honor. Those who fear the Lord have honor in his eyes. 21 . . . 22 The rich man, the honorable, and the poor || All glory in the fear of the Lord. 23 It is not right to dishonor a poor man who has understanding. It is not fitting to glorify a man who is a sinner. 24 The great man, the judge, and the mighty man will be glorified. There is not one of them greater than he who fears the Lord. 25 Free men will minister to a wise servant. A man who has knowledge will not complain. 26 Do not flaunt your wisdom in doing your work. Do not glorify yourself in the time of your distress. 27 Better is he who labors and abounds in all things, || Than he who glorifies himself and lacks bread. 28 My son, glorify your soul in humility, || And esteem yourself honor according to your true worth. 29 Who will justify him who sins against his own soul? Who will glorify him who dishonors his own life? 30 A poor man is glorified for his knowledge. A rich man is glorified for his riches. 31 But he who is glorified in poverty, how much more in riches? He who is dishonored in riches, how much more in poverty?
1 The wisdom of the lowly will lift up his head || And make him sit in the midst of great men. 2 Do not commend a man for his beauty. Do not abhor a man for his outward appearance. 3 The bee is little among flying creatures, || But what it produces is the best of confections. 4 Do not boast about the clothes you wear, || And do not exalt yourself in the day of honor; For the Lord’s works are wonderful, || And His works are hidden among men. 5 Many kings have sat down on the ground, || But one who was never thought of has worn a crown. 6 Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced. Men of renown have been delivered into other men’s hands. 7 Do not blame before you investigate. Understand first, and then rebuke. 8 Do not answer before you have heard. Do not interrupt while someone else is speaking. 9 Do not argue about a matter that does not concern you. Do not sit with sinners when they judge. 10 My son, do not be busy about many matters; For if you meddle much, || You will not be unpunished. If you pursue, you will not overtake, || And you will not escape by fleeing. 11 There is one who toils, labors, and makes haste, || And is even more behind. 12 There is one who is sluggish, and needs help, lacking in strength, and who abounds in poverty, || But the Lord’s eyes looked on him for good, || And He raised him up from his low condition, 13 And lifted up his head so that many marveled at him. 14 Good things and evil, life and death, || Poverty and riches, are from the Lord. 15 . . . 16 . . . 17 The Lord’s gift remains with the godly. His good pleasure will prosper forever. 18 One grows rich by his diligence and self-denial, || And this is the portion of his reward: 19 When he says, “I have found rest, and now I will eat of my goods!” He does not know how much time will pass || Until he leaves them to others and dies. 20 Be steadfast in your covenant || And be doing it and grow old in your work. 21 Do not marvel at the works of a sinner, || But trust the Lord and stay in your labor; For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord || To swiftly and suddenly make a poor man rich. 22 The Lord’s blessing is in the reward of the godly. He makes his blessing flourish in an hour that comes swiftly. 23 Do not say, “What use is there of me? What further good things can be mine?” 24 Do not say, “I have enough. What harm could happen to me now?” 25 In the day of good things, || Evil things are forgotten. In the day of evil things, || A man will not remember things that are good. 26 For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord || To reward a man in the day of death according to his ways. 27 The affliction of an hour causes delights to be forgotten. In the end, a man’s deeds are revealed. 28 Call no man happy before his death. A man will be known in his children. 29 Do not bring every man into your house, || For many are the plots of a deceitful man. 30 Like a decoy partridge in a cage, || So is the heart of a proud man. Like a spy, he looks for your weakness. 31 For he lies in wait to turn things that are good into evil || And assigns blame in things that are praiseworthy. 32 From a spark of fire, a heap of many coals is kindled, || And a sinful man lies in wait for blood. 33 Take heed of an evildoer, for he plans wicked things, || Lest perhaps he ruins your reputation forever. 34 Receive a stranger into your house, || And he will distract you with arguments and estrange you from your own.
If you do good, know to whom you do it, || And your good deeds will have thanks. Do good to a godly man, and you will find a reward—If not from him, then from the Most High. No good will come to him who continues to do evil, || Nor to him who gives no alms. Give to the godly man, || And do not help the sinner. Do good to one who is lowly. Do not give to an ungodly man. Keep back his bread, and do not give it to him, || Lest he subdue you with it; For you would receive twice as much evil || For all the good you would have done to him. For the Most High also hates sinners || And will repay vengeance to the ungodly. Give to the good man, and do not help the sinner. A man’s friend will not be fully tried in prosperity. His enemy will not be hidden in adversity. In a man’s prosperity, his enemies are grieved. In his adversity, even his friend leaves. Never trust your enemy, || For his wickedness is like corrosion in copper. Though he humbles himself and walks bowed down, || Still be careful and beware of him. You will be to him as one who has wiped a mirror, || To be sure it does not completely tarnish. Do not set him next to you, || Lest he overthrow you and stand in your place. Do not let him sit on your right hand, || Lest he seek to take your seat, || And at the last you acknowledge my words, || And be pricked with my sayings. Who will pity a charmer that is bitten by a snake, || Or any who come near wild beasts? Even so, who will pity him who goes to a sinner, || And is associated with him in his sins? For a while he will stay with you, || And if you falter, he will not stay. The enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, || And in his heart plan to throw you into a pit. The enemy may weep with his eyes, || But if he finds opportunity, he will want more blood. If adversity meets you, || You will find him there before you. Pretending to help you, he will trip you. He will shake his head, clap his hands, || Whisper much, and change his countenance.
1 He who touches pitch will be defiled. He who has fellowship with a proud man will become like him. 2 Do not take up a burden above your strength. Have no fellowship with one who is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship would the earthen pot have with the kettle? The kettle will strike, || And the pot will be dashed in pieces. 3 The rich man does a wrong and threatens. The poor is wronged and apologizes. 4 If you are profitable, || He will make merchandise of you. If you are in lack, || He will forsake you. 5 If you own something, || He will live with you. He will drain you bare and will not be sorry. 6 Does he need you? Then he will deceive you, || Smile at you, and give you hope. He will speak kindly to you and say, “What do you need?” 7 He will shame you by his meats || Until he has made you bare twice or three times, || And in the end he will laugh you to scorn. Afterward he will see you, || Will forsake you, and shake his head at you. 8 Beware that you are not deceived || And brought low in your mirth. 9 If a mighty man invites you, be reserved, || And he will invite you more. 10 Do not press him, lest you be thrust back. Do not stand far off, lest you be forgotten. 11 Do not try to speak with him as an equal, || And do not believe his many words; For he will test you with much talk || And will examine you in a smiling manner. 12 He who does not keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He will not hesitate to harm and to bind. 13 Keep them to yourself and be careful, || For you walk in danger of falling. 14 . . . 15 Every living creature loves its own kind, || And every man loves his neighbor. 16 All flesh associates with their own kind. A man will stick to people like himself. 17 What fellowship would the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly. 18 What peace is there between a hyena and a dog? What peace is there between a rich man and the poor? 19 Wild donkeys are the prey of lions in the wilderness; Likewise, poor men are feeding grounds for the rich. 20 Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; Likewise, a poor man is an abomination to the rich. 21 When a rich man is shaken, || He is supported by his friends, || But when one of low degree is down, || He is pushed away even by his friends. 22 When a rich man falls, there are many helpers. He speaks things not to be spoken, || And men justify him. A man of low degree falls, and men rebuke him. He utters wisdom and is not listened to. 23 A rich man speaks, and all keep silence. They extol what he says to the clouds. A poor man speaks, and they say, “Who is this?” If he stumbles, they will help to overthrow him. 24 Riches are good if they have no sin. Poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly. 25 The heart of a man changes his countenance, || Whether it is for good or for evil. 26 A cheerful countenance is a sign of a prosperous heart. Devising proverbs takes strenuous thinking.
Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth || And does not suffer from sorrow for sins. Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, || And who has not given up hope. Riches are not appropriate for a stingy person. What would an envious man do with money? He who gathers by denying himself gathers for others. Others will revel in his goods. If one is mean to himself, || To whom will he be good? He will not enjoy his possessions. There is none more evil than he who is stingy with himself. This is a punishment for his wickedness. Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness. In the end, he reveals his wickedness. A miser is evil. He turns away and disregards souls. A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion. Wicked injustice dries up his soul. A miser begrudges bread, || And it is lacking at his table. My son, according to what you have, treat yourself well, || And bring worthy offerings to the Lord. Remember that death will not wait, || And that the covenant of Hades has not been shown to you. Do good to your friend before you die. According to your ability, reach out and give to him. Do not defraud yourself of a good day. Do not let the portion of a good desire pass you by. Will you not leave your labors to another, || And your toils be divided by lot? Give, take, and treat yourself well, || Because there is no seeking of luxury in Hades. All flesh grows old like a garment, || For the covenant from the beginning is, “You must die.” Like the leaves flourishing on a thick tree—Some it sheds, and some grow—So also are the generations of flesh and blood: One comes to an end and another is born. Every work rots and falls away, || And its builder will depart with it. Blessed is the man who meditates on wisdom, || And who reasons by his understanding. He who considers her ways in his heart || Will also have knowledge of her secrets. Go after her like one who tracks || And lie in wait in her ways. He who pries in at her windows || Will also listen at her doors. He who lodges close to her house || Will also fasten a nail in her walls. He will pitch his tent near at hand to her || And will lodge in a lodging where good things are. He will set his children under her shelter || And will rest under her branches. By her he will be covered from heat || And will lodge in her glory.
He who fears the Lord will do this. He who has possession of the Law will obtain her. As a mother, she will meet him || And receive him as a wife married in her virginity. She will feed him with bread of understanding || And give him water of wisdom to drink. He will be stayed on her and will not be moved. He will rely on her and will not be confounded. She will exalt him above his neighbors. She will open his mouth in the midst of the congregation. He will inherit joy, a crown of gladness, and a perpetual name. Foolish men will not obtain her. Sinners will not see her. She is far from pride. Liars will not remember her. Praise is not attractive in the mouth of a sinner; For it was not sent to him from the Lord. For praise will be spoken in wisdom; The Lord will prosper it. Do not say, “It is through the Lord that I fell away”; For you will not do the things that He hates. Do not say, “It is He that caused me to err”; For He has no need of a sinful man. The Lord hates every abomination; And those who fear Him do not love them. He Himself made man from the beginning || And left him in the hand of his own counsel. If you will, you will keep the commands. To be faithful is good pleasure. He has set fire and water before you. You will stretch out your hand to whichever you desire. Before man is life and death. Whichever he likes, it will be given to him. For great is the wisdom of the Lord. He is mighty in power and sees all things. His eyes are on those who fear Him. He knows every work of man. He has not commanded any man to be ungodly. He has not given any man license to sin.
Do not desire a multitude of unprofitable children, || Neither delight in ungodly sons. If they multiply, do not delight in them || Unless the fear of the Lord is in them. Do not trust in their life. Do not rely on their condition. For one is better than one thousand, || And to die childless than to have ungodly children. For from one who has understanding, a city will be populated, || But a race of wicked men will be made desolate. I have seen many such things with my eyes. My ear has heard mightier things than these. In the congregation of sinners, a fire will be kindled. In a disobedient nation, wrath is kindled. He was not pacified toward the giants of ancient time, || Who revolted in their strength. He did not spare Lot’s neighbors, || Whom He abhorred for their pride. He did not pity the people of perdition || Who were taken away in their sins, Or in like manner, the six hundred thousand footmen || Who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts. Even if there is one stiff-necked person, || It is a marvel if he will be unpunished, || For mercy and wrath are both with Him who is mighty to forgive, || And He pours out wrath. As His mercy is great, || So is His correction also. He judges a man according to his works. The sinner will not escape with plunder. The perseverance of the godly will not be frustrated. He will make room for every work of mercy. Each man will receive according to his works. The Lord made the king of Egypt so stubborn || That he would not acknowledge the Lord, || In order that the world might know the Lord’s works. He shows His mercy to all creation; He has divided His light from darkness with a plumb line. Do not say, “I will be hidden from the Lord,” || And “Who will remember me from on high?” I will not be known among so many people, || For what is my soul in a boundless creation? Behold, the Heaven—the Heaven of heavens—The deep, and the earth, will be moved when He visits. The mountains and the foundations of the earth together || Are shaken with trembling when He looks at them. No heart will think about these things. Who could comprehend His ways? Like a tempest which no man can see, || Yes, the majority of His works are hidden. Who will declare His works of righteousness? Who will endure them? For His covenant is far off. He who is lacking in understanding thinks about these things. An unwise and erring man thinks follies. My son, listen to me, learn knowledge, || And heed my words with your heart. I will impart instruction with precision || And declare knowledge exactly. In the judgment of the Lord are His works from the beginning. From the making of them He determined their parts. He arranged His works for all time, || And their beginnings to their generations. They are not hungry or weary, || And they do not cease from their works. No one thrusts aside his neighbor. They will never disobey His word. After this the Lord also looked at the earth || And filled it with His blessings. All manner of living things covered its face, || And into it is their return.
The Lord created mankind out of the earth || And turned them back to it again. He gave them days by number, and a set time, || And gave them authority over the things that are on it. He endowed them with strength appropriate for them || And made them according to His own image. He put the fear of man on all flesh || And gave him dominion over beasts and birds. The Lord gave them the five senses, || But He also gave them a sixth—intelligence, || And a seventh—reason, || Which enables them to interpret what comes to them through the senses. He gave them counsel, tongue, eyes, ears, || And heart to have understanding. He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom || And showed them good and evil. He set His eye on their hearts, || To show them the majesty of His works. And He allowed them to take pride forever in His marvelous deeds. And they will praise the Name of His holiness, || That they may declare the majesty of His works. He added to them knowledge || And gave them a law of life for a heritage. He made a perpetual covenant with them || And showed them His judgments. Their eyes saw the majesty of His glory. Their ears heard the glory of His voice. He said to them, “Beware of all unrighteousness.” So He gave them command—Each man concerning his neighbor. Their ways are ever before Him. They will not be hidden from His eyes. From childhood on they tend to be evil; Their heart is like stone, || And they do not seem to be able to make it more human. He divided the nations of the whole earth. For every nation He appointed a ruler, || But Israel is the Lord’s portion. Israel is His firstborn, || Whom He disciplines as He brings him up. He gives him the light of His love and never neglects him. All their works are as clear as the sun before Him. His eyes are continually on their ways. Their iniquities are not hidden from Him. All their sins are before the Lord. But the Lord is gracious and knows His creatures; So He has spared them rather than abandon them. With Him the kindness of a man is as a signet. He will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye. Afterward He will rise up, and repay them, || And render their repayment on their head. However, to those who convert He grants a return. He comforts those who are losing patience. Return to the Lord and forsake sins. Make your prayer before His face offend less. Turn to the Most High again || And turn away from iniquity. Greatly hate the abominable thing. Who will give praise to the Most High in Hades, || In place of those who live and return thanks? Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, || As from one who does not exist. He who is in life and health will praise the Lord. How great is the mercy of the Lord, || And His forgiveness to those who turn to Him! For all things cannot be in men, || Because the son of man is not immortal. What is brighter than the sun? Yet even this fails. An evil man thinks about flesh and blood. He looks on the power of the height of Heaven, || While all men are earth and ashes.
He who lives forever created all things in common. The Lord alone will be justified || And there is no other besides Him. He guides the world with His hand, || And everything obeys Him. He is the King of all things, || And His power separates what is holy from what is not. He has given power to declare His works to no one. Who could trace out His mighty deeds? Who could measure the strength of His majesty? Who could also proclaim His mercies? As for the wondrous works of the Lord, || It is not possible to take from them nor add to them, || Neither is it possible to explore them. When a man has finished, || Then he is just at the beginning. When he ceases, || Then he will be in perplexity. What is mankind, and what purpose do they serve? What is their good, and what is their evil? The number of man’s days at the most are one hundred years. As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand, || So are a few years in the day [[or time]] of [the] age. For this reason the Lord was patient over them || And poured out His mercy on them. He saw and perceived their end, || That it is evil. Therefore, He multiplied His forgiveness. The mercy of a man is on his neighbor; But the mercy of the Lord is on all flesh: Reproving, disciplining, teaching, and bringing back, || As a shepherd does his flock. He has mercy on those who accept disciplining, || And that diligently seek after His judgments. My son, add no blemish to your good deeds, || And no grief of words in any of your giving. Does the dew not relieve the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift. Behold, is a word not better than a gift? Both are with a gracious man. A fool is ungracious and abusive. The gift of an envious man consumes the eyes. Learn before you speak. Take care of your health before you are sick. Before judgment examine yourself, || And in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness. Humble yourself before you become sick. In the time of sins, show conversion. Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time. Do not wait until death to be justified. Before you make a vow, prepare yourself. Do not be like a man who tempts the Lord. Think about the wrath coming in the days of the end, || And the time of vengeance, when He turns away His face. In the days of fullness remember the time of hunger. Remember poverty and lack in the days of wealth. From morning until evening, the time changes. All things are speedy before the Lord. A wise man is cautious in everything. In days of sinning, he will beware of offense. Every man of understanding knows wisdom. He will give thanks to him who found her. They who were of understanding in sayings || Also became wise themselves and poured out apt proverbs. Do not go after your lusts. Refrain yourself from your appetites. If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, || She will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies. Do not make merry in much luxury, || Neither be tied to the expense thereof. Do not be made a beggar by banqueting on borrowing || When you have nothing in your purse.
A workman who is a drunkard will not become rich. He who despises small things will fall little by little. Wine and women will make men of understanding fall away. And he who joins with prostitutes will be more reckless. Moths and worms will have him as their heritage. A reckless soul will be taken away. He who is hasty to trust is shallow-minded. He who sins will offend against his own soul. He who makes merry in his heart will be condemned: He who hates talk has less wickedness. Never repeat what is told you, || And you will not be lacking. Whether it is of friend or enemy, do not tell it. Unless it is a sin to you, do not reveal it. For he has heard you and observed you, || And when the time comes, he will hate you. Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be of good courage: it will not burst you. A fool will travail in pain with a word, || As a woman in labor with a child. As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, || So is a word in a fool’s belly. Reprove a friend: It may be [that] he did not do it. If he did something, || It may be [that] he may not do it again. Reprove your neighbor: It may be [that] he did not say it. If he has said it, || It may be [that] he may not say it again. Reprove a friend: For many times there is slander. Do not trust every word. There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who has not sinned with his tongue? Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; And give place to the Law of the Most High; And do not be angry. Fearing the Lord is the first step toward His accepting you; He will love you if you are wise. 19 Learn the Lord’s commands. It is a discipline that gives life. Those who do what pleases Him || Enjoy the fruit of the tree of immortality. All wisdom is the fear of the Lord. In all wisdom is the doing of the Law || And what the knowledge of His omnipotence means. If a servant refuses to obey his master, but later does obey, || The master is still angry. The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom. The prudence of sinners is not counsel. There is a wickedness, and it is abomination. There is a fool lacking in wisdom. Better is one who has small understanding, and fears, || Than one who has much prudence, and transgresses the Law. There is an exquisite subtlety, and it is unjust. And there is one who perverts favor to gain a judgment. There is one who does wickedly, || Who hangs down his head with mourning, || But inwardly he is full of deceit, Bowing his face down, || And making [it seem] as if he were deaf of one ear. Where he is not known, || He will be beforehand with you. And if for lack of power he is hindered from sinning, || If he finds opportunity, he will do mischief. A man will be known by his look; One who has understanding will be known by his face when you meet him. A man’s attire, grinning laughter, || And gait show what he is.
There is a reproof that is not timely; And there is a man who keeps silent and is wise. How good it is to reprove, rather than to be angry. He who confesses will be kept back from hurt. Admit when you are wrong, || And you will avoid embarrassment. As is the lust of a eunuch to deflower a virgin, || So is he who executes judgments with violence. There is one who keeps silent and is found wise; And there is one who is hated for his much talk. There is one who keeps silent, || For he has no answer to make; And there is one who keeps silent, as knowing his time. A wise man will be silent until his time has come, || But the braggart and fool will miss his time. He who uses many words will be abhorred. He who takes authority for himself will be hated in it. There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; And there is a gain that turns to loss. There is a gift that will not profit you; And there is a gift [that] pays back double. There is an abasement because of glory; And there is one who has lifted up his head from a low estate. There is one who buys much for a little and pays for it again sevenfold. He who is wise in words will make himself beloved; But the pleasantries of fools will be wasted. The gift of a fool will not profit you; For his eyes are many instead of one. He will give little and insult much. He will open his mouth like a crier. Today he will lend, || And tomorrow he will ask for it back. Such a one is a hateful man. The fool will say, “I have no friend, || And I have no thanks for my good deeds. They who eat my bread are of evil tongue.” How often, and of how many, will he be laughed to scorn! A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue. So the fall of the wicked will come speedily. A man without grace is a tale out of season. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. An allegory from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; For he will not speak it in its season. There is one who is hindered from sinning through lack. When he rests, he will not be troubled. There is one who destroys his soul through bashfulness. By a foolish countenance, he will destroy it. There is one who for bashfulness makes promises to his friend; And he makes him his enemy for nothing. A lie is a foul blot in a man. It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant. A thief is better than a man who is continually lying, || But they will both inherit destruction. The disposition of a liar is dishonor. His shame is with him continually. He who is wise in words will advance himself. And one who is prudent will please great men. He who tills his land will raise his heap high. He who pleases great men will get pardon for iniquity. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, || And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs. Wisdom that is hidden, and treasure that is out of sight—What profit is in them both? Better is a man who hides his folly || Than a man who hides his wisdom.
My son, have you sinned? Add no more to it; And ask forgiveness for your past sins. Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent; For if you draw near, it will bite you. Its teeth are lion’s teeth, slaying men’s souls. All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. Its stroke has no healing. Terror and violence will lay waste riches. So the house of an arrogant man will be laid waste. Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, || And his judgment comes speedily. One who hates reproof is in the path of the sinner. He who fears the Lord will turn again in his heart. He who is mighty in tongue is known far away, || But the man of understanding knows when he slips. He who builds his house with other men’s money || Is like one who gathers stones for his own tomb. The congregation of wicked men is as a bundle of tow || With a flame of fire at the end of them. The way of sinners is paved with stones, || And at the end of it is the pit of Hades. He who keeps the Law becomes master of its intent. The end of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. He who is not clever will not be instructed. There is a cleverness which makes bitterness abound. The knowledge of a wise man will be made to abound as a flood, || And his counsel as a fountain of life. The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel. He will hold no knowledge. If a man of knowledge hears a wise word, || He will commend it and add to it. The wanton man hears it, and it displeases him, || So he puts it away behind his back. The discourse of a fool is like a burden in the way, || But grace will be found on the lips of the wise. The mouth of the prudent man will be sought for in the congregation. They will ponder his words in their heart. As a house that is destroyed, || So is wisdom to a fool. The knowledge of an unwise man is talk without sense. Instruction is as chains on the feet of an unwise man, || And as shackles on the right hand. A fool lifts up his voice with laughter, || But a clever man smiles quietly. Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, || And as a bracelet on his right arm. The foot of a fool rushes into a house, || But a man of experience will be ashamed of entering. A foolish man peers into the door of a house, || But a man who is instructed will stand outside. It is a lack of instruction in a man to listen at a door, || But a prudent man will be grieved with the disgrace. The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things, || But the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance. The heart of fools is in their mouth, || But the mouth of wise men is their heart. When the ungodly curses Satan, || He curses his own soul. A whisperer defiles his own soul || And will be hated wherever he travels.
A slothful man is compared to a stone that is defiled. Everyone will hiss at him in his disgrace. A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill. Every man who takes it up will shake out his hand. An uninstructed child is a disgrace to his father, || And a foolish daughter is born to his loss. A prudent daughter will inherit a husband of her own. She who brings shame is the grief of her father. She who is bold brings shame on father and husband. She will be despised by both of them. Unseasonable discourse is as music in mourning, || But stripes and correction are wisdom in every season. He who teaches a fool is as one who glues a potsherd together, || Even as one who wakes a sleeper out of a deep sleep. He who teaches a fool is as one who teaches a man who slumbers. In the end he will say, “What is it?” Children who are brought up well || Do not show the humble origin of their parents. Children who are not brought up well, || Who are arrogant and conceited, || Are a stain on the noblest family. Weep for the dead, for he lacks light. Weep for a fool, for he lacks understanding. Weep more sweetly for the dead, because he has found rest, || But the life of the fool is worse than death. Mourning for the dead lasts seven days, || But for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life. Do not talk much with a foolish man, || And do not go to one that has no understanding: Beware of him, lest you have trouble and be defiled in his onslaught. Turn away from him, and you will find rest, || And you will not be wearied in his madness. What would be heavier than lead? What is its name, but a fool? Sand, salt, and a mass of iron are easier to bear || Than a man without understanding. Timber girded and bound into a building || Will not be released with shaking. So a heart established in due season on well advised counsel || Will not be afraid. A heart settled on a thoughtful understanding || Is as an ornament of plaster on a polished wall. Fences set on a high place || Will not stand against the wind; So a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool || Will not stand against any fear. He who pricks the eye will make tears fall. He who pricks the heart makes it show feeling. Whoever casts a stone at birds scares them away. He who insults a friend will dissolve friendship. If you have drawn a sword against a friend, do not despair, || For there may be a way back. If you have opened your mouth against a friend, do not be afraid, || For there may be reconciliation, || Unless it is for insulting, arrogance, disclosing of a secret, or a treacherous blow—For any friend will flee these things. Gain trust with your neighbor in his poverty, || That in his prosperity you may have gladness. Stay steadfast to him in the time of his affliction, || That you may be heir with him in his inheritance. Before fire is the vapor and smoke of a furnace, || So insults precede bloodshed. I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend. I will not hide myself from his face: If any evil happens to me because of him, || Everyone that hears it will beware of him. Who will set a watch over my mouth, || And a seal of shrewdness on my lips, || That I do not fall from it, || And that my tongue does not destroy me?
O Lord, Father and Master of my life, || Do not abandon me to their counsel. Do not let me fall by them. Who will set scourges over my thought, || And a discipline of wisdom over my heart, || That they do not spare me for my errors, || And not overlook their [[or my]] sins? Otherwise my errors might be multiplied, || And my sins abound, || [And] I fall before my adversaries, || And my enemy rejoice over me. O Lord, Father and God of my life, || Do not give me haughty eyes, And turn evil desire away from me. Let neither gluttony nor lust overtake me. Do not give me over to a shameless mind. Listen, my children, to the discipline of the mouth. He who keeps it will not be taken. The sinner will be overpowered through his lips. By them, the insulter and the arrogant will stumble. Do not accustom your mouth to an oath, || And do not be accustomed to naming the Holy One, For as a servant who is continually scourged will not lack a bruise, || So he also who swears and continually utters the Name || Will not be cleansed from sin. A man of many oaths will be filled with iniquity. The scourge will not depart from his house. If he offends, his sin will be on him. If he disregards it, he has sinned doubly. If he has sworn in vain, he will not be justified, || For his house will be filled with calamities. There is a manner of speech that is clothed with death. Do not let it be found in the heritage of Jacob, || For all these things will be far from the godly, || And they will not wallow in sins. Do not accustom your mouth to gross rudeness, || For it involves sinful speech. Remember your father and your mother, || For you sit in the midst of great men, || That you are not forgetful before them, || And become a fool by your custom; So you may wish that you had not been born, || And curse the day of your nativity. A man who is accustomed to words of reproach || Will not be corrected all the days of his life. Two sorts of people multiply sins, || And the third will bring wrath: A hot mind, as a burning fire, || Will not be quenched until it is consumed; A fornicator, in the body of his flesh, || Will never cease until he has burned out the fire. All bread is sweet to a fornicator. He will not cease until he dies. A man who goes astray from his own bed, || Says in his heart, “Who sees me? Darkness is around me, and the walls hide me. No one sees me. Of whom am I afraid? The Most High will not remember my sins.” The eyes of men are his terror. He does not know that the eyes of the Lord || Are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, || Seeing all the ways of men, || And looking into secret places. All things were known to Him before they were created, || And also after they were completed. This man will be punished in the streets of the city. He will be seized where he least expects it. So also is a wife who leaves her husband || And brings in an heir by a stranger. For first, she was disobedient in the Law of the Most High. Second, she trespassed against her own husband. Third, she played the adulteress in whoredom, || And brought in children by a stranger. She will be brought out into the congregation. Her punishment will extend to her children. Her children will not take root. Her branches will bear no fruit. She will leave her memory for a curse. Her reproach will not be blotted out. And those who are left behind || Will know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, || And nothing sweeter than to heed the commands of the Lord.
Wisdom will praise her own soul || And will proclaim her glory in the midst of her people. She will open her mouth in the congregation of the Most High || And proclaim her glory in the presence of His power. “I came out of the mouth of the Most High || And covered the earth as a mist. I lived in high places, || And my throne is in the pillar of the cloud. Alone I surrounded the circuit of Heaven || And walked in the depth of the abyss. In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, || And in every people and nation, I got a possession. With all these I sought rest. In whose inheritance will I lodge? Then the Creator of all things gave me a command. He who created me made my dwelling place to rest, || And said, Let your dwelling place be in Jacob, || And your inheritance in Israel. He created me from the beginning before the world. For all ages, I will not cease to exist. In the holy Dwelling Place, I ministered before Him. So I was established in Zion. In the beloved city, likewise He gave me rest. In Jerusalem was my domain. I took root in a people that was glorified, || Even in the portion of the Lord’s own inheritance. I was exalted like a cedar in Lebanon, || And like a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon. I was exalted like a palm tree on the seashore, || And as rose plants in Jericho, || And as a fair olive tree in the plain. I was exalted as a plane tree. As cinnamon and as palathus, || I have given a scent to perfumes. As choice myrrh, I spread abroad a pleasant fragrance, || As galbanum, onyx, stacte, || And as the smell of frankincense in the Dwelling Place. As the terebinth, I stretched out my branches. My branches are branches of glory and grace. As the vine, I put out grace. My flowers are the fruit of glory and riches. I am the mother of beautiful love, || Of fear, knowledge, and holy hope. Since I am perpetual, || I am given to all my children, who are named by Him. Come to me, all you who desire me, || And be filled with my fruits. For my memorial is sweeter than honey, || And my inheritance [is sweeter] than the honeycomb. Those who eat me will be hungry for more. Those who drink me will be thirsty for more. He who obeys me will not be ashamed. Those who work in me will not sin.” All these things are the Scroll of the Covenant of the Most High God, || The Law which Moses commanded us for an inheritance for the assemblies of Jacob. Always be strong in the Lord; Stay with Him, so that He may make you strong. There is no God but the Lord Almighty, || And no savior except Him. It is He who makes wisdom abundant, || As Pishon, and as Tigris in the days of first-fruits. He makes understanding as full as [the] Euphrates, || And as [the] Jordan in the days of harvest, Who makes instruction shine out as the light, || As [the] Gihon in the days of vintage. The first man did not know her perfectly. In like manner, the last has not explored her. For her thoughts are filled from the sea, || And her counsels from the great deep. “I came out as a canal stream from a river, || And as an irrigation ditch into a garden. I said, I will water my garden, || And will drench my garden bed. Behold, my stream became a river, || And my river became a sea. I will yet bring instruction to light as the morning || And will make these things clear from far away. I will continue to pour out doctrine like prophecy || And leave it to generations of ages. Behold that I have not labored for myself only, || But for all those who diligently seek her.”
In three things I was beautified || And stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: The concord of relatives, || And friendship of neighbors, || And a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement. But three sorts [of men] my soul hates, || And I am greatly offended at their life: A poor man that is arrogant, || And a rich man that is a liar, || [And] an old man that is an adulterer lacking understanding. In [your] youth you have not gathered, || And how should you find in your old age? How beautiful a thing is judgment for gray hairs, || And for elders to know counsel! How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, || And thought and counsel to men that are in honor! Much experience is the crown of old men; And their glorying is the fear of the Lord. There are nine things that I have thought of, || And in my heart counted happy; And the tenth I will utter with my tongue: A man that rejoices in his children; A man that lives and looks on the fall of his enemies; Happy is he that dwells with a wife of understanding; And he that has not slipped with his tongue; And he that has not served a man that is unworthy of him; Happy is he that has found prudence; And he that speaks in the ears of those who listen. How great is he that has found wisdom! Yet there is none above him that fears the Lord. The fear of the Lord passes all things: He that holds it—To whom will he be likened? Fearing the Lord is the first step toward loving Him, || And faith is the first step toward loyalty to Him. [Give me] any plague but the plague of the heart; And any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman; Any calamity, but a calamity from those who hate me; And any vengeance, but the vengeance of enemies. There is no head above the head of a serpent; And there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy. I would rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, || Than keep house with a wicked woman. The wickedness of a woman changes her look || And darkens her countenance as a bear does. Her husband will sit at meat among his neighbors, || And when he hears it he sighs bitterly. All malice is but little to the malice of a woman: Let the portion of a sinner fall on her. [As] the going up a sandy way [is] to the feet of the aged, || So is a wife full of words to a quiet man. Do not throw yourself on the beauty of a woman; And do not desire a woman for her beauty. There is anger, and impudence, and great reproach, || If a woman supports her husband. A wicked woman is a dejection of heart, || And sadness of countenance, and a wounded heart: A woman that will not make her husband happy || Is [as] hands that hang down, and palsied knees. From a woman [was] the beginning of sin; And because of her we all die. Do not give water an outlet; Neither [give] freedom of speech to a wicked woman. If she does not go as you would have her, || Cut her off from your flesh.
Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days will be doubled. A brave woman rejoices her husband; And he will fulfill his years in peace. A good wife is a good portion: She will be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord. Whether a man is rich or poor, || A good heart [makes] a cheerful countenance at all times. Of three things my heart was afraid; And concerning the fourth kind I made supplication: The slander of a city, || And the assembly of a multitude, || And a false accusation: All these are more grievous than death. A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of [another] woman, || And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all. A wicked woman is [as] a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that takes hold of her is as one that grasps a scorpion. A drunken woman [causes] great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame. The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it will be known by her eyelids. Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, || Lest she finds liberty for herself, and uses it. Look well after an impudent eye; And do not marvel if it trespasses against you. She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveler, || And drink of every water that is near: She will sit down at every post || And open her quiver against [any] arrow. The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones. A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing worth so much as a well-instructed soul. A modest woman is grace on grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul. As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, || So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man’s house. As the lamp that shines on the holy candlestick, || So is the beauty of the face in ripe age. As the golden pillars are on a base of silver, || So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is steadfast. My child, stay healthy while you are young, || And do not give your strength to strangers. Search the whole land for a fertile field, || And plant it with your own seed, || Trusting your own good stock. 21 Then your children will survive || And grow up confident of their good family. 22 A prostitute is like spit; A married woman who has affairs brings death to her lovers. A lawless man will get a godless wife, as he deserves, || But a man who honors the Lord will have a devout wife. 24 A shameless wife enjoys making a disgrace of herself, || But a modest wife will act modestly even alone with her husband. 25 A self-willed woman is a dog, || But a woman with a sense of decency honors the Lord. 26 A wife who honors her husband will seem wise to everyone; But if she dishonors him by her overbearing attitude, || Everyone will know that she is ungodly. The husband of a good wife is fortunate, || Because he will live twice as long. A loud-mouthed, talkative woman is like a trumpet sounding the signal for attack, || And any man who has such a wife will spend his life at war. For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes on me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse; One that turns back from righteousness to sin—The Lord will prepare him for the sword. A merchant will hardly keep himself from wrongdoing; And a huckster will not be acquitted of sin.
Many have sinned for a thing indifferent; And he that seeks to multiply [gain] will turn his eye away. A nail will stick fast between the joining of stones; And sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling. Unless [a man] holds on diligently in the fear of the Lord, || His house will soon be overthrown. In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains; So is the filth of man in his reasoning. The furnace will prove the potter’s vessels; And the trial of a man is in his reasoning. The fruit of a tree declares the farming thereof; So is the utterance of the thought of the heart of a man. Praise no man before [you hear him] reason; For this is the trial of men. If you follow righteousness, you will obtain her, || And put her on, as a long robe of glory. Birds will return to their like; And truth will return to those who practice her. The lion lies in wait for prey; So does sin for those who work iniquity. The discourse of a godly man is always wisdom, || But the foolish man changes as the moon. Among men void of understanding observe the opportunity; But continually stay among the thoughtful. The discourse of fools is an offense; And their laughter is in the wantonness of sin. The talk of a man of many oaths will make the hair stand upright; And their strife makes one stop his ears. The strife of the proud is a shedding of blood; And their reviling of each other is a grievous thing to hear. He that reveals secrets destroys credit || And will not find a friend to his mind. Love a friend and keep faith with him, || But if you reveal his secrets, || You will not pursue after him; For as a man has destroyed his enemy, || So have you destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. And as a bird which you have released out of your hand, || So have you let your neighbor go, || And you will not catch him again: Do not pursue him, for he has gone far away, || And has escaped as a gazelle out of the snare. For a wound may be bound up, || And after reviling there may be a reconcilement; But he that reveals secrets has lost hope. One that winks with the eye contrives evil things; And no man will remove him from it. When you are present, he will speak sweetly, || And will admire your words; But afterward he will writhe his mouth || And set a trap [for you] in your words. I have hated many things, || But nothing like him; And the Lord will hate him. One that casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; And a deceitful stroke will open wounds. He that digs a pit will fall into it; And he that sets a snare will be taken therein. He that does evil things, they will roll on him, || And he will not know from where they have come to him. Mockery and reproach are from the arrogant; And vengeance, as a lion, will lie in wait for him. They that rejoice at the fall of the godly || Will be taken in a snare; And anguish will consume them before they die. Wrath and anger, these are also abominations; And a sinful man will possess them.
He that takes vengeance will find vengeance from the Lord; And he will surely make firm his sins. Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done [you]; And then your sins will be pardoned when you pray. Man cherishes anger against man; And does he [then] seek healing from the Lord? On a man like himself he has no mercy; And does he [then] make supplication for his own sins? He being himself flesh nourishes wrath: Who will make atonement for his sins? Remember your last end, || And cease from enmity: [Remember] corruption and death, || And remain in the commands. Remember the commands || And do not be angry with your neighbor; And [remember] the covenant of the Highest, || And wink at ignorance. Abstain from strife, and you will diminish your sins, || For a passionate man will kindle strife; And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends || And will make debate among those who are at peace. As is the fuel of the fire, so will it burn; And as the stoutness of the strife is, [so] will it burn; As is the strength of the man, [so] will be his wrath; And as is his wealth, [so] he will exalt his anger. A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; And a hasty fighting sheds blood. If you blow a spark, it will burn; And if you spit on it, it will be quenched: And both these will come out of your mouth. Curse the whisperer and double-tongued, || For he has destroyed many that were at peace. A third person’s tongue has shaken many || And dispersed them from nation to nation; And it has pulled down strong cities || And overthrown the houses of great men. A third person’s tongue has cast out brave women || And deprived them of their labors. He that listens to it will not find rest, || Nor will he dwell quietly. The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh; But the stroke of a tongue will break bones. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: Yet not so many as those who have fallen because of the tongue. Happy is he that is sheltered from it, || Who has not passed through the wrath thereof; Who has not drawn its yoke, || And has not been bound with its bands. For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, || And the bands thereof are bands of brass. The death thereof is an evil death; And Hades would be better than it. It will not have rule over godly men; And they will not be burned in its flame. They that forsake the Lord will fall into it; And it will burn among them and will not be quenched: It will be sent out on them as a lion; And as a leopard it will destroy them. See to it that you hedge around your possession with thorns; Bind up your silver and your gold; And make a balance and a weight for your words; And make a door and a bar for your mouth. Take heed lest you slip therein; Lest you fall before one that lies in wait.
He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor; And he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commands. Lend to your neighbor in time of his need; And pay your neighbor again in due season. Confirm your word and keep faith with him; And at all seasons you will find what you need. Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall || And have given trouble to those that helped them. Until he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands; And for his neighbor’s money he will speak submissively: And when payment is due, he will prolong the time, || And return words of heaviness, and complain of the times. If he prevails, he will hardly receive the half; And he will count it as a windfall: If not, he has deprived him of his money, || And he has gotten him for an enemy without cause: He will pay him with cursing and railing; And he will pay him disgrace for honor. Many on account of [men’s] ill-dealing have turned away; They have feared to be defrauded for nothing. However, be patient with a man in poor estate; And do not let him wait for [your] kindness. Help a poor man for the command’s sake; And according to his need, do not send him away empty. Lose [your] money for a brother and a friend; And do not let it rust under the stone to be lost. Bestow your treasure according to the commands of the Most High, || And it will profit you more than gold. Shut up alms in your store-chambers, || And it will deliver you out of all affliction: It will fight for you against your enemy || Better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear. A good man will be a guarantee for his neighbor; And he that has lost shame will fail him. Do not forget the good offices of your guarantor; For he has given his life for you. A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his guarantor; And he that is of an unthankful mind will fail him that delivered him. Suretyship has undone many that were prospering || And shaken them as a wave of the sea: It has driven mighty men from their homes; And they wandered among strange nations. A sinner that falls into suretyship, || And undertakes contracts for work, || Will fall into lawsuits. Help your neighbor according to your power || And take heed to yourself that you do not fall [the same way]. The chief thing for life is water, and bread, || And a garment, and a house to cover shame. Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs, || Than sumptuous fare in another man’s house. With little or with much, be well satisfied. It is a miserable life to go from house to house: And where you are a sojourner, || You will not [dare to] open your mouth. You will entertain, and give to drink, and have no thanks: And in addition to this, you will hear bitter words. “Come here, you sojourner, furnish a table, || And if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it. Go out, you sojourner, from the face of honor; My brother has come to be my guest; I have need of my house.” These things are grievous to a man of understanding: The scolding of [the] household, || And the reproaching of the money-lender.
He that loves his son will continue to lay stripes on him, || That he may rejoice in him in the end. He that disciplines his son will profit from him || And will boast of him among his acquaintance. He that teaches his son will provoke his enemy to jealousy; And he will rejoice in him before friends. His father dies and is as though he had not died; For he has left one behind him like himself. In his life, he saw and rejoiced [in him]; And when he died, he did not sorrow: He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, || And one to repay kindness to his friends. He that makes too much of his son will bind up his wounds; And his heart will be troubled at every cry. An unbroken horse becomes stubborn; And a son left at large becomes headstrong. Pamper your child, and he will make you afraid: Play with him, and he will grieve you. Do not laugh with him, lest you have sorrow with him; And you will gnash your teeth in the end. Give him no liberty in his youth, || And do not wink at his follies. Bow his neck down in his youth || And beat him on the sides while he is a child, || Lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient to you; And there will be sorrow to your soul. Discipline your son, and take pains with him, || Lest his shameless behavior be an offense to you. Better is a poor man, being sound and strong of constitution, || Than a rich man that is plagued in his body. Health and a good constitution are better than all gold; And a strong body than wealth without measure. There is no riches better than health of body; And there is no gladness above the joy of the heart. Death is better than a bitter life, || And perpetual rest than a continual sickness. Good things poured out on a mouth that is closed || Are [as] messes of meat laid on a grave. What does an offering profit an idol? For neither will it eat nor smell; So is he that is afflicted of the Lord, Seeing with his eyes and groaning, || As a eunuch embracing a virgin and groaning. Do not give your soul over to sorrow; And do not afflict yourself in your own counsel. Gladness of heart is the life of a man; And the joyfulness of a man is length of days. Love your own soul and comfort your heart: And remove sorrow far from you; For sorrow has destroyed many, || And there is no profit therein. Envy and wrath shorten [a man’s] days; And care brings old age before the time. A cheerful and good heart || Will have a care of his meat and diet.
Wakefulness that comes of riches consumes the flesh, || And the anxiety thereof puts away sleep. Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber; And in a severe disease sleep will be broken. A rich man toils in gathering money together; And when he rests, he is filled with his good things. A poor man toils in lack of substance; And when he rests, he becomes needy. He that loves gold will not be justified; And he that follows destruction will himself have his fill [of it]. Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold; And their perdition meets them face to face. It is a stumbling block to those who sacrifice to it; And every fool will be taken with that. Blessed is the rich who is found without blemish, || And who does not go after gold. Who is he? and we will call him blessed; For he has done wonderful things among his people. Who has been tried by it, and found perfect? Then let him glory. Who has had the power to transgress, and has not transgressed? And to do evil, and has not done it? His goods will be made sure, ||
And the congregation will declare his alms. Do you sit at a great table? Do not be greedy on it, || And do not say, “There are many things on it.” Remember that an evil eye is a wicked thing: What has been created more evil than an eye? Therefore, it sheds tears from every face. Do not stretch your hand wherever it looks || And do not thrust yourself with it into the dish. Consider your neighbor’s [liking] by your own; And be discreet in every point. Eat, as [becomes] a man, || Those things which are set before you; And do not eat greedily, lest you be hated. Be first to leave off for manners’ sake; And do not be insatiable, lest you offend. And if you sit among many, || Do not reach out your hand before them. How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little, || And he does not breathe hard on his bed. Healthy sleep comes of moderate eating; He rises early, and his wits are with him: The pain of wakefulness, and colic, and griping, || Are with an insatiable man. And if you have been forced to eat, || Rise up in the midst thereof, and you will have rest. Hear me, my son, and do not despise me, || And at the end you will find my words [true]: In all your works be quick, || And no disease will come to you. Him that is liberal of his meat the lips will bless; And the testimony of his excellence will be believed. The city will murmur at he who is stingy with his meat; And the testimony of his stinginess will be sure. Do not show yourself valiant in wine, || For wine has destroyed many. The furnace proves the temper [of steel] by dipping; So does wine [prove] hearts in the quarreling of the proud. Wine is as good as life to men, || If you drink it in its measure: What life is there to a man that is without wine? And it has been created to make men glad. Wine drunk in season, to satisfy, || Is joy of heart and gladness of soul: Wine drunk abundantly is bitterness of soul, || With provocation and conflict. Drunkenness increases the rage of a fool to his hurt; It diminishes strength and adds wounds. Do not rebuke your neighbor at a banquet of wine, || Neither set him at nothing in his mirth; Do not speak a word of reproach to him, || And do not press on him by asking back [a debt].
Have they made you ruler [of a feast]? Do not be lifted up; Be among them as one of them; Take thought for them, and so sit down. And when you have done all your office, take your place, || That you may be gladdened on their account, || And receive a crown for your well ordering. Speak, you that are the elder, || For it is suitable for you, [but] with sound knowledge; And do not hinder music. Do not pour out talk where there is a performance of music, || And do not display your wisdom out of season. [As] a signet of carbuncle in a setting of gold, || [So] is a concert of music in a banquet of wine. [As] a signet of emerald in a work of gold, || [So] is a strain of music with pleasant wine. Speak, young man, if there is need of you; [Yet] scarcely if you be twice asked. Sum up your speech, many things in few words; Be as one that knows and yet holds his tongue. [If you be] among great men, || Do not behave as their equal; And when another is speaking, || Do not make much babbling. Lightning speeds before thunder; And before a modest man favor will go out. Rise up on time and do not be the last; Get home quickly and do not loiter: Take your pastime there and do what is in your heart; And do not sin by proud speech: And for these things bless Him that made you || And gives you to drink freely of His good things. He that fears the Lord will receive [His] discipline; And those who seek [Him] early will find favor. He that seeks the Law will be filled with that, || But the hypocrite will stumble at that. They that fear the Lord will find judgment || And will kindle righteous acts as a light. A sinful man shuns reproof || And will find a judgment according to his will. A man of counsel will not neglect a thought; A strange and proud man will not crouch in fear, || Even after he has done a thing by himself without counsel. Do nothing without counsel; And when you have once done [it], || Do not convert [from it]. Do not go in a way of conflict; And do not stumble in stony places. Do not be confident in a smooth way. And beware of your own children. In every work trust your own soul; For this is the keeping of the commands. He that believes the Law gives heed to the command; And he that trusts in the Lord will suffer no loss.
No evil will happen to him that fears the Lord, || But in temptation He will once again deliver him. A wise man will not hate the Law; But he that is a hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm. A man of understanding will put his trust in the Law; And the Law is faithful to him, || As when one asks at the oracle. Prepare [your] speech, and so will you be heard; Bind up instruction and make your answer. The heart of a fool is [as] a cartwheel; And his thoughts like a rolling axle-tree. A stallion horse is as a mocking friend; He neighs under everyone that sits on him. Why does one day excel [over] another, || When all the light of every day in the year is of the sun? By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished; And He varied seasons and feasts: Some of them He exalted and hallowed, || And some of them He has made ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, || And Adam was created of earth. In the abundance of His knowledge the Lord distinguished them || And made their ways various: Some of them He blessed and exalted, || And some of them He hallowed and brought near to Himself; Some of them He cursed and brought low, || And overthrew them from their place. As the clay of the potter in his hand, || All his ways are according to his good pleasure; So men are in the hand of Him that made them, || To render to them according to His judgment. Good is the opposite of evil, || And life is the opposite of death; So the sinner is the opposite of the godly. And so look on all the works of the Most High: Two and two, one against another. And I awoke last, as one that gleans after the grape gatherers: By the blessing of the Lord I got before them, || And filled my winepress as one that gathers grapes. Consider that I did not labor for myself alone, || But for all those who seek instruction. Hear me, you great men of the people, || And listen with your ears, you rulers of the congregation. To son and wife, to brother and friend, || Do not give power over yourself while you live; And do not give your goods to another, || Lest you convert and make supplication for them [again]. While you yet live, and breath is in you, || Do not give yourself over to anybody. For it is better that your children should supplicate you, || Than that you should look to the hand of your sons. In all your works keep the upper hand; Do not bring a stain on your honor. In the day that you end the days of your life, || And in the time of death, distribute your inheritance. Fodder, a stick, and burdens, for a donkey; Bread, and discipline, and work, for a servant. Set your servant to work, and you will find rest: Leave his hands idle, and he will seek liberty. Yoke and thong will bow the neck: And for an evil servant there are racks and tortures. Send him to labor, that he may not be idle; For idleness teaches much mischief. Set him to work, as is fit for him; And if he does not obey, make his chains heavy. And do not be excessive toward any; And do nothing without judgment. If you have a servant, let him be as yourself, || Because you have bought him with blood. If you have a servant, treat him as yourself, || For you will have need of him as your own soul: If you treat him ill, and he departs and runs away, || Which way will you go to seek him?
Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding; And dreams give wings to fools. As one that catches at a shadow, || And follows after the wind, || So is he that sets his mind on dreams. The vision of dreams is [as] this thing against that, || The likeness of a face near a face. Of an unclean thing what will be cleansed? And of that which is false what will be true? Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: And the heart has fantasies, as a woman’s in travail. If they are not sent from the Most High in [your] visitation, || Do not give your heart to them. For dreams have led many astray: And they have failed by putting their hope in them. Without lying the Law will be accomplished; And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth. A well-instructed man knows many things; And he that has much experience will declare understanding. He that has no experience knows few things, || But he that has wandered will increase [his] skill. In my wandering I have seen many things; And my understanding is more than my words. I was often in danger even to death; And I was preserved because of these things. The spirit of those that fear the Lord will live; For their hope is on Him that saves them. Whoever fears the Lord will not be afraid || And will not play the coward; For He is his hope. Blessed is the soul of him that fears the Lord: To whom does he give heed? and who is his stay? The eyes of the Lord are on those who love Him, || A mighty protection and strong stay, || A cover from the hot blast, and a cover from the noonday, || A guard from stumbling, and a help from falling. He raises up the soul, and enlightens the eyes: He gives healing, life, and blessing. He that sacrifices of a thing wrongfully gotten—His offering is made in mockery; And the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing. The Most High has no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; Neither is He pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices. [As] one that kills the son before his father’s eyes || Is he that brings a sacrifice from the goods of the poor. The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: He that deprives him thereof is a man of blood. [As] one that slays his neighbor || Is he that takes away his living; And [as] a shedder of blood || Is he that deprives a hireling of his hire. One building, and another pulling down—What profit have they had but toil? One praying, and another cursing—Whose voice will the Lord listen to? He that washes himself after [touching] a dead body, and touches it again—What profit does he have in his washing? Even so a man fasting for his sins, and going again, and doing the same—Who will listen to his prayer? And what profit does he have in his humiliation?
He that keeps the Law multiplies offerings; He that takes heed to the commands sacrifices a peace offering. He that returns a favor offers fine flour; And he that gives alms sacrifices a thank offering. To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; And to depart from unrighteousness is an atoning sacrifice. See that you do not appear in the presence of the Lord empty. For all these things [are to be done] because of the command. The offering of the righteous makes the altar fat; And the sweet savor thereof [is] before the Most High. The sacrifice of a righteous man is acceptable; And the memorial thereof will not be forgotten. Glorify the Lord with a good eye, || And do not limit the first-fruits of your hands. In every gift show a cheerful countenance || And dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to the Most High according as He has given; And as your hand has found, [give] with a good eye. For the Lord rewards, || And He will reward you sevenfold. Do not think to corrupt with gifts, || For He will not receive them: And do not set your mind on an unrighteous sacrifice, || For the Lord is judge, || And with Him is no respect of persons. He will not accept any person against a poor man; And He will listen to the prayer of him that is wronged. He will in no way despise the supplication of the fatherless; Nor the widow, when she pours out her tale. Do the tears of the widow not run down her cheek? And is her cry not against him that has caused them to fall? He that serves [God] according to His good pleasure will be accepted, || And his supplication will reach to the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds; And until it comes near, he will not be comforted; And he will not depart, until the Most High will visit; And He will judge righteously and execute judgment. And the Lord will not be slack, || Neither will He be patient toward them, || Until He has crushed the loins of the unmerciful; And He will repay vengeance to the heathen, || Until He has taken away the multitude of the arrogant, || And broken in pieces the scepters of the unrighteous; Until He has rendered to [every] man according to his doings, || And [to] the works of men according to their plans; Until He has judged the cause of His people; And He will make them to rejoice in His mercy. Mercy is seasonable in the time of His afflicting [them], || As clouds of rain in the time of drought.
Have mercy on us, O Lord the God of all, and behold; And send Your fear on all the nations: Lift up Your hand against the strange nations; And let them see Your mighty power. As You were sanctified in us before them, || So be magnified in them before us. And let them know You, as we also have known You, || That there is no God but only You, O God. Show new signs and work various wonders; Glorify Your hand and Your right arm. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath; Take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. Hasten the time and remember the oath; And let them declare Your mighty works. Let him that escapes be devoured by the rage of fire; And may those who harm Your people find destruction. Crush the heads of the rulers of the enemies, || That say, “There is none but us.” Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, || And take them for Your inheritance, as from the beginning. O Lord, have mercy on the people that is called by Your Name, || And on Israel, whom You did liken to a firstborn. Have compassion on the city of Your sanctuary: Jerusalem, the place of Your rest. Fill Zion; exalt Your oracles || And [fill] Your people with Your glory. Give testimony to those that were Your creatures in the beginning || And raise up the prophecies that have been in Your Name. Give reward to those who wait for You: And men will put their trust in Your prophets. Listen, O Lord, to the prayer of Your suppliants, || According to the blessing of Aaron concerning Your people; And all those who are on the earth will know || That You are the Lord, the perpetual God. The belly will eat any meat; Yet one meat is better than another. The mouth tastes meats taken in hunting; So does an understanding heart false speeches. A contrary heart will cause heaviness: And a man of experience will reward him. A woman will receive any man; But one daughter is better than another. The beauty of a woman cheers the countenance; And a man desires nothing so much. If there is mercy and meekness on her tongue, || Her husband is not like the sons of men. He that gets a wife enters on a possession: A help appropriate for him, and a pillar of rest. Where no hedge is, the possession will be laid waste; And he that has no wife will mourn as he wanders up and down. For who will trust a nimble robber || Who skips from city to city? Even so, [who will trust] a man that has no nest, || And [who] lodges wherever he finds himself at nightfall?
Every friend will say, “I am also his friend,” || But there is a friend who is only a friend in name. Is there not a grief in it even to death, || When a companion and friend is turned to enmity? O wicked imagination, from where did you come, || Rolling in to cover the dry land with deceitfulness? There is a companion who rejoices in the gladness of a friend, || But in time of affliction will be against him. There is a companion who for the belly’s sake labors with his friend, || [But] in the face of battle will take up the buckler. Do not forget a friend in your soul; And do not be unmindful of him in your riches. Every counselor extols counsel; But there is [one] who counsels for himself. Let your soul beware of a counselor || And know beforehand what his interest is, || For he will take counsel for himself; Lest he casts the lot on you, And says to you, “Your way is good”: And he will stand near you, || To see what will happen to you. Take no counsel with one that looks suspiciously at you; And hide your counsel from such as are jealous of you. [Take no counsel] with a woman about her rival; Neither with a coward about war; Nor with a merchant about exchange; Nor with a buyer about selling; Nor with an envious man about thankfulness; Nor with an unmerciful man about kindness; Nor with a sluggard about any kind of work; Nor with a hireling in your house about finishing [his work]; Nor with an idle servant about much business: Give no heed to these in any matter of counsel, But rather be continually with a godly man, || Whom you will have known to be a keeper of the commands, || Who in his soul is as your own soul, || And who will grieve with you, if you will miscarry. And make the counsel of your heart to stand; For there is none more faithful to you than it. For a man’s soul is sometimes accustomed to bring him tidings—More than seven watchmen that sit up high on a watchtower. And above all this, entreat the Most High, || That He may direct your way in truth. Let reason be the beginning of every work, || And let counsel go before every action. As a token of the changing of the heart, Four manner of things rise up: Good and evil, life and death; And that which rules over them continually is the tongue. There is one that is shrewd [and] the instructor of many, || And yet is unprofitable to his own soul. There is [one] that is subtle in words and is hated; He will be destitute of all food: For grace was not given to him from the Lord, || Because he is deprived of all wisdom. There is one that is wise to his own soul, || And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy in the mouth. A wise man will instruct his own people, || And the fruits of his understanding are trustworthy. A wise man will be filled with blessing, || And all those who see him will call him happy. The life of man is counted by days, || And the days of Israel are innumerable. The wise man will inherit confidence among his people, || And his name will live forever. My son, prove your soul in your life, || And see what is evil for it, and do not give that to it. For all things are not profitable for all men, || Neither does every soul have pleasure in everything. Do not be insatiable in any luxury, || And do not be greedy in the things that you eat. For in multitude of meats there will be disease, || And gorging will come near to colic. Because of gorging many have perished; But he that takes heed will prolong his life.
Honor a physician according to your need [of him] || With the honors due to him; For the Lord has truly created him. For from the Most High comes healing; And from the king he will receive a gift. The skill of the physician will lift up his head; And in the sight of great men he will be admired. The Lord created medicines out of the earth; And a prudent man will have no disgust at them. Was water not made sweet with wood, || That the virtue thereof might be known? And He gave men skill, || That they might be glorified in His marvelous works. With them He heals [a man and] takes away his pain. With these the apothecary will make a confection; And his works will not be brought to an end; And from him is peace on the face of the earth. My son, in your sickness do not be negligent; But pray to the Lord, and He will heal you. Put away wrongdoing, || And order your hands correctly, || And cleanse your heart from all manner of sin. Give a sweet savor, and a memorial of fine flour; And make fat your offering, as one that is not. Then give place to the physician, || For the Lord has truly created him; And do not let him go from you, for you have need of him. There is a time when in their very hands is the issue for good. For they will also implore the Lord, || That He may prosper them in [giving] relief and in healing for the maintenance of life. He that sins before his Maker, || Let him fall into the hands of the physician. My son, let your tears fall over the dead, || And as one that suffers grievously begin lamentation; And wind up his body according to his due, || And do not neglect his burial. Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing, || And let your mourning be according to his merit—For one day or two, || Lest you be spoken evil of: And so be comforted for your sorrow. For of sorrow comes death, || And sorrow of heart will bow down the strength. In calamity sorrow also remains: And the poor man’s life is grievous to the heart. Do not give your heart to sorrow. Put it away, remembering the latter end. Do not forget it, || For there is no returning again: You will not profit him, || And you will hurt yourself. Remember the sentence on him; For so yours will also be; Yesterday for me, and today for you. When the dead is at rest, || Let his remembrance rest; And be comforted for him, || When his spirit departs from him. The wisdom of the scribe comes by opportunity of leisure; And he that has little business will become wise. How will he become wise that holds the plow, || That glories in the shaft of the goad, || That drives oxen, and is occupied in their labors, || And whose discourse is of the stock of bulls? He will set his heart on turning his furrows; And his wakefulness is to give his heifers their fodder. So is every craftsman and master workman, || That passes his time by night as by day; They that cut gravings of signets, || And his diligence is to make great variety; He will set his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture || And will be wakeful to finish his work. So is the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the unworked iron: The vapor of the fire will waste his flesh; And in the heat of the furnace he will wrestle [with his work]: The noise of the hammer will be ever in his ear, || And his eyes are on the pattern of the vessel; He will set his heart on perfecting his works, || And he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly. So is the potter sitting at his work, || And turning the wheel around with his feet, || Who is always anxiously set at his work, || And all his handiwork is by number; He will fashion the clay with his arm || And will bend its strength in front of his feet; He will apply his heart to finish the glazing; And he will be wakeful to make clean the furnace. All these put their trust in their hands; And each becomes wise in his own work. Without these a city will not be inhabited, || And men will not sojourn nor walk up and down [therein]. They will not be sought for in the council of the people, || And in the assembly, they will not mount on high; They will not sit on the seat of the judge, || And they will not understand the covenant of judgment: Neither will they declare instruction and judgment; And where allegories are, they will not be found. But they will maintain the fabric of the world; And in the handiwork of their craft is their prayer.
Not so he that has applied his soul || And meditates in the Law of the Most High; He will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients || And will be occupied in prophecies. He will keep the discourse of the men of renown || And will enter in amidst the subtleties of allegories. He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs || And be conversant in the dark sayings of allegories. He will serve among great men || And appear before him that rules. He will travel through the land of strange nations; For he has tried good things and evil among men. He will apply his heart to return early to the Lord that made him, || And will make supplication before the Most High, || And will open his mouth in prayer, || And will make supplication for his sins. If the great Lord wills, || He will be filled with the spirit of understanding: He will pour out the words of his wisdom, || And in prayer give thanks to the Lord. He will direct his counsel and knowledge, || And in His secrets he will meditate. He will show out the instruction which he has been taught || And will glory in the Law of the covenant of the Lord. Many will commend his understanding; And so long as the world endures, || It will not be blotted out: His memorial will not depart, || And his name will live from generation to generation. Nations will declare his wisdom, || And the congregation will tell out his praise. If he continues, he will leave a greater name than one thousand, || And if he dies, he adds to that. Yet more I will utter, which I have thought on; And I am filled as the moon at the full. Listen to me, you holy children, || And bud out as a rose growing by a brook of water: And give a sweet savor as frankincense, || And put out flowers as a lily; Spread abroad a sweet smell, || And sing a song of praise; Bless the Lord for all His works. Magnify His Name, and give utterance to His praise || With the songs of your lips, and with harps; And so will you say when you utter [His praise]: “All the works of the Lord are exceedingly good, || And every command will be [accomplished] in his season.” None can say, “What is this? What is that?” For in his season they will all be sought out. At His word the waters stood as a heap, || And the receptacles of waters at the word of His mouth. At His command all His good pleasure is [done]; And there is none that will hinder His salvation. The works of all flesh are before Him; And it is not possible to be hid from His eyes. He sees from age to age; And there is nothing wonderful before Him. None can say, “What is this? What is that?” For all things are created for their uses. His blessing covered the dry land as a river || And saturated it as a flood. As He has made the waters salty, || So the heathen will inherit His wrath. His ways are plain to the holy, || So are they stumbling blocks to the wicked. Good things are created from the beginning for the good, || So are evil things for sinners. The chief of all things necessary for the life of man || Are water, and fire, and iron, and salt, || And flour of wheat, and honey, and milk, || The blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing. All these things are for good to the godly; So to the sinners they will be turned into evil. There are winds that are created for vengeance, || And in their fury their scourges lay on heavily; In the time of consummation they pour out their strength || And will appease the wrath of Him that made them. Fire, and hail, and famine, and death—All these are created for vengeance— Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions and adders, || And a sword punishing the ungodly to destruction. They will rejoice in His command, || And will be made ready on earth when there is need; And in their seasons they will not transgress [His] word. Therefore, I was resolved from the beginning, || And I considered [this, and] left it in writing; All the works of the Lord are good: And He will supply every need in its season. And none can say, “This is worse than that,” || For they will all be well approved in their season. And now with all your heart and mouth || Sing praises and bless the Name of the Lord.
Great travail is created for every man, || And a heavy yoke is on the sons of Adam, || From the day of their coming out from their mother’s womb, || Until the day for their burial in the mother of all things. The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, || [Trouble] their thoughts, and [cause] fear of heart— From him that sits on a lofty throne, || Even to him that is humbled in earth and ashes; From him that wears purple and a crown, || Even to him that is clothed with a hempen gown. [There is] wrath, and jealousy, and trouble, and disquiet, || And fear of death, and anger, and strife; And in the time of rest on his bed || His night sleep changes his knowledge. Little or nothing is his resting, || And afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, || He is troubled in the vision of his heart, || As one that has escaped from the front of battle. In the very time of his deliverance he awakens, || And marvels that the fear is nothing. [It is so] with all flesh, from man to beast, || And on sinners sevenfold more. Death, and bloodshed, and strife, and sword, || Calamities, famine, suffering, and the scourge— All these things were created for the wicked, || And because of them the flood came. All things that are of the earth return to the earth again, || And [all things that are] of the waters return into the sea. All bribery and injustice will be blotted out; And good faith will stand forever. The goods of the unjust will be dried up like a river, || And like a great thunder in rain will go off in noise. In opening his hands, [a man] will be made glad; So will transgressors utterly fail. The children of the ungodly will not put out many branches; And [they are as] unclean roots on a sheer rock. The sedge [that grows] on every water and bank of a river || Will be plucked up before all grass. Bounty is as a garden of blessings, || And kindness endures forever. The life of one that labors, and is content, will be made sweet; And he that finds a treasure is above both. Children and the building of a city establish a name; And a blameless wife is counted above both. Wine and music make the heart rejoice; And the love of wisdom is above both. The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody; And a pleasant tongue is above both. Your eye will desire grace and beauty; And above both—the green blade of corn. A friend and a companion never meet wrongly; And a wife with her husband is above both. Brothers and help are for a time of affliction; And kindness is a deliverer above both. Gold and silver will make the foot stand sure; And counsel is esteemed above them both. Riches and strength will lift up the heart; And the fear of the Lord is above both: There is nothing lacking in the fear of the Lord, || And there is no need to seek help therein. The fear of the Lord is as a garden of blessing || And [it] covers a man above all glory. My son, do not lead a beggar’s life; It is better to die than to beg. A man that looks to the table of another, || His life is not to be counted for a life; He will pollute his soul with another man’s meats, || But a man wise and well-instructed will beware thereof. In the mouth of the shameless, begging will be sweet; And in his belly a fire will be kindled.
O death, how bitter is the remembrance of you || To a man that is at peace in his possessions, || To the man that has nothing to distract him, || And [who] has prosperity in all things, || And who still has strength to receive meat! O death, your sentence is acceptable to a man that is needy, || And that fails in strength, that is in extreme old age, || And is distracted about all things, and is perverse, and has lost patience! Do not be afraid of the sentence of death; Remember those who have been before you, || And that come after: This is the sentence from the Lord over all flesh. And why do you refuse, || When it is the good pleasure of the Most High? Whether it be ten, or one hundred, or one thousand years, || There is no inquisition of life in the grave. The children of sinners are abominable children, || And they frequent the dwellings of the ungodly. The inheritance of sinners’ children will perish, || And a perpetual reproach will be with their posterity. Children will complain of an ungodly father, || Because they will be reproached for his sake. Woe to you, ungodly men, || Which have forsaken the Law of the Most High God! If you are born, you will be born to a curse; If you die, a curse will be your portion. All things that are of the earth will go back to the earth; So the ungodly will go from a curse to perdition. The mourning of men is about their bodies, || But the name of sinners being evil will be blotted out. Have regard for your name, || For it continues with you longer than one thousand great treasures of gold. A good life has its number of days; And a good name continues forever. My children, keep instruction in peace, || But wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, || What profit is in them both? Better is a man that hides his foolishness || Than a man that hides his wisdom. Why show reverence to my word, || For it is not good to retain every kind of shame; And not all things are approved by all in good faith. Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother, || And of a lie before a prince and a mighty man; Of an offense before a judge and ruler; Of iniquity before the congregation and the people; Of unjust dealing before a partner and friend; And of theft in regard of the place where you sojourn, || And in regard of the truth of God and His covenant; And of leaning with your elbow at meat; And of vulgarity in the matter of giving and taking; And of silence before those who salute you; And of looking on a woman that is a prostitute; And of turning your face away from a relative; Of taking away a portion or a gift; And of gazing on a woman that has a husband; Of being over-busy with his maid—And do not come near her bed; Of scolding speeches before friends; And after you have given, do not scold; Of repeating and speaking what you have heard; And of revealing of secrets. So you will be truly modest and find favor in the sight of every man.
Do not be ashamed of these things, || And accept no man’s person to sin [by it]: Of the Law of the Most High, and His covenant; And of judgment to do justice to the ungodly; Of reckoning with a partner and with travelers; And of a gift from the heritage of friends; Of exactness of balance and weights; And of getting much or little; Of indifferent selling of merchants; And of much correction of children; And of making the side of an evil servant to bleed. Keeping a seal is good where an evil wife is; And where many hands are, shut [things] closed. Whatever you hand over, || Let it be by number and weight; And in giving and receiving, || Let all be in writing. [Do not be ashamed] to instruct the unwise and foolish, || And one of extreme old age that contends with those that are young; And so you will be well instructed indeed, || And approved in the sight of every living man. A daughter is a secret cause of wakefulness to a father; And the care for her puts away sleep in her youth, || Lest she pass the flower of her age; And when she is married, || Lest she should be hated; In her virginity, || Lest she should be defiled || And be with child in her father’s house; And when she has a husband, || Lest she should transgress; And when she is married, || Lest she should be barren. Keep a strict watch over a headstrong daughter, || Lest she makes you a laughing-stock to your enemies, || A byword in the city and notorious among the people, || And shame you before the multitude. Do not look on everybody in regard of beauty || And do not sit in the midst of women; For from garments comes a moth, || And from a woman a woman’s wickedness. Better is the wickedness of a man || Than a pleasant-dealing woman, || And a woman which puts you to shameful reproach. I will now make mention of the works of the Lord || And will declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord are His works. The sun that gives light looks on all things; And the work of the Lord is full of His glory. The Lord has not given power to the saints || To declare all His marvelous works, || Which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, || That whatever exists might be established in His glory. He searches out the deep, and the heart, || And He has understanding of their cunning plans; For the Most High knows all knowledge, || And He looks into the signs of the world, Declaring the things that are past, || And the things that will be, || And revealing the traces of hidden things. No thought escapes Him; There is no word hidden from Him. He has ordered the mighty works of His wisdom—[He] who is from age to age: Nothing has been added to them, || Nor diminished from them; And He had no need of any counselor. How desirable are all His works! One may behold [this] even to a spark. All these things live and remain forever in all manner of uses, || And they are all obedient. All things are double—one against another: And He has made nothing imperfect. One thing establishes the good things of another; And who will be filled with beholding His glory?
The pride of the height is the expanse in its clearness, || The appearance of Heaven, in the spectacle of its glory. The sun when he appears, || Bringing tidings as he goes out, || Is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High: At his noon he dries up the country, || And who will stand against his burning heat? A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, || [But] the sun [is] three times more: Burning up the mountains, || Breathing out fiery vapors, || And sending out bright beams—he dims the eyes. Great is the Lord that made him; And at His word he hastens his course. The moon is also in all things for her season, || For a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. From the moon is the sign of the feast day—A light that wanes when she has come to the full. The month is called after her name, || Increasing wonderfully in her changing; An instrument of the army on high, || Shining out in the expanse of Heaven; The beauty of Heaven, the glory of the stars, || An ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. At the word of the Holy One they will stand in due order, || And they will not faint in their watches. Look on the rainbow and praise Him that made it—Exceedingly beautiful in the brightness thereof. It encircles the Heaven around with a circle of glory; The hands of the Most High have stretched it. By His command He makes the snow to fall speedily || And swiftly sends the lightnings of His judgment. By reason thereof the treasure-houses are opened; And clouds fly out as birds. By His mighty power He makes the clouds strong, || And the hailstones are broken small: And at His appearing the mountains will be shaken, || And at His will the south wind will blow. The voice of His thunder makes the earth to travail; So does the northern storm and the whirlwind. As birds flying down, He sprinkles the snow; And as the lighting of the locust is the falling down thereof: The eye will marvel at the beauty of its whiteness, || And the heart will be astonished at the raining of it. He also pours the hoarfrost on the earth as salt; And when it is congealed, it is [as] points of thorns. The cold north wind will blow, || And the ice will be congealed on the water: It will lodge on every gathering of water, || And the water will put it on as [if] it were a breastplate. It will devour the mountains, and burn up the wilderness, || And consume the green herb as fire. A mist coming speedily is the healing of all things; A dew coming after heat will bring cheerfulness. By His counsel He has stilled the deep, || And planted islands therein. They that sail on the sea tell of the danger thereof; And when we hear it with our ears, we marvel. Therein are also those strange and wondrous works, || A variety of all that has life—the race of sea-monsters. By reason of Him his end has success, || And by His word all things consist. We may say many things, || Yet we will not attain [to them]; And the sum of our words is, “He is all.” How will we have strength to glorify Him? For He Himself is the great one above all His works. The Lord is terrible and exceedingly great; And His power is marvelous. When you glorify the Lord, || Exalt Him as much as you can; For even yet He will exceed: And when you exalt Him, put out your full strength: Do not be weary, for you will never attain. Who has seen Him, that he may declare Him? And who will magnify Him as He is? Many things are hidden greater than these; For we have seen but a few of His works. For the Lord made all things; And He gave wisdom to the godly.
Let us now praise famous men, || And our fathers that became the father of us. The Lord manifested [in them] great glory, || [Even] His mighty power from the beginning: Such as bore rule in their kingdoms, || And were men renowned for their power, || Giving counsel by their understanding; Such as have brought tidings in prophecies; Leaders of the people by their counsels, || And by their understanding [men of] learning for the people—Wise [were] their words in their instruction; Such as sought out musical tunes, || And set out verses in writing; Rich men furnished with ability, || Living peaceably in their habitations: All these were honored in their generations, || And were a glory in their days. There is of them, that have left a name behind them, || To declare their praises. And there are some which have no memorial, || Who have perished as though they had not been || And have become as though they had not been born—And their children after them. But these were men of mercy, || Whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten. A good inheritance will remain with their seed continually; Their children [are] within the covenants. Their seed stands fast, || And their children for their sakes. Their seed will remain forever, || And their glory will not be blotted out. Their bodies were buried in peace, || And their name lives to all generations. Peoples will declare their wisdom, || And the congregation tells out their praise. Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, || [Being] an example of conversion to all generations. Noah was found perfect [and] righteous; In the season of wrath, he was taken in exchange [for the world]; Therefore a remnant was left to the earth when the flood came. Perpetual covenants were made with him, || That all flesh should no longer be blotted out by a flood. Abraham was a great father of a multitude of nations; And there was none found like him in glory, Who kept the Law of the Most High || And was taken into covenant with Him: In his flesh he established the covenant; And when he was tested, he was found faithful. Therefore He assured him by an oath, || That the nations should be blessed in his seed; That He would multiply him as the dust of the earth, || And exalt his seed as the stars, || And cause them to inherit from sea to sea, || And from the River to the utmost part of the earth. In Isaac He also established likewise, for his father Abraham’s sake, || The blessing of all men, and the covenant: And He made it rest on the head of Jacob; He acknowledged him in His blessings, || And gave to him by inheritance, and divided his portions; He parted them among [the] twelve tribes.
And He brought out of him a man of mercy, || Which found favor in the sight of all flesh; A man beloved of God and men—Even Moses, whose memorial is blessed. He made him like to the glory of the saints || And magnified him in the fears of his enemies. By his words He caused the wonders to cease; He glorified him in the sight of kings; He gave him command for his people || And showed him part of His glory. He sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness; He chose him out of all flesh. He made him to hear His voice, || And led him into the thick darkness, || And gave him commands face to face—Even the law of life and knowledge, || That he might teach Jacob the covenant, || And Israel His judgments. He exalted Aaron, a holy man like to him, || Even his brother, of the tribe of Levi. He established a perpetual covenant for him || And gave him the priesthood of the people; He beautified him with attractive ornaments || And girded him around with a robe of glory. He clothed him with the perfection of exultation, || And strengthened him with apparel of honor: The linen trousers, the long robe, and the ephod. And He compassed him with pomegranates of gold, || And with many bells around—To send out a sound as he went, || To make a sound that might be heard in the temple, || For a memorial to the children of his people— With a holy garment, || With gold, and blue, and purple, the work of the embroiderer, || With an oracle of judgment, || With the Lights and Perfections; With twisted scarlet, the work of the craftsman, || With precious stones graven like a signet, || In a setting of gold, the work of the jeweler, || For a memorial engraved in writing, || After the number of the tribes of Israel; With a crown of gold on the miter, || Having graven on it, as on a signet, Holiness, || An ornament of honor, a work of might, || The desires of the eyes, attractive and beautiful. There have never been any such before him; No stranger put them on, || But his sons only, and his offspring perpetually. His sacrifices will be wholly consumed every day—twice continually. Moses consecrated him and anointed him with holy oil: It was to him for a perpetual covenant, || And to his seed, all the days of Heaven, || To minister to Him, and also to execute the priest’s office, || And to bless His people in His Name. He chose him out of all living to offer sacrifice to the Lord, || Incense, and a sweet savor, for a memorial, || To make reconciliation for Your people. He gave His commands to him—Authority in the covenants of judgments, || To teach Jacob the testimonies, || And to enlighten Israel in His law. Strangers gathered themselves together against him, || And envied him in the wilderness, || [Even] Dathan and Abiram with their company, || And the congregation of Korah, with wrath and anger. The Lord saw it, and it displeased Him; And in the wrath of His anger they were destroyed: He did wonders on them, || To consume them with flaming fire. And He added glory to Aaron and gave him a heritage: He divided to him the first-fruits of the increase; [And] first he prepared bread in abundance: For they will eat the sacrifices of the Lord, || Which He gave to him and to his seed. However, in the land of the people he will have no inheritance, || And he has no portion among the people; For He Himself is your portion [and] inheritance. And Phinehas the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, || In that he was zealous in the fear of the Lord, || And stood fast in the good forwardness of his soul when the people turned away, || And he made reconciliation for Israel. Therefore there was a covenant of peace established for him, || [That he should be] leader of the saints and of His people; That he and his seed should have the dignity of the priesthood forever. Also [He made] a covenant with David the son of Jesse, of the tribe of Judah; The inheritance of the king is his alone from son to son; So the inheritance of Aaron is also to his seed. [God] give you wisdom in your heart to judge His people in righteousness, || That their good things may not be abolished, || And [that] their glory [may endure] for all their generations.
Joshua the son of Nun was valiant in war || And was the successor of Moses in prophecies: Who according to his name was made great for the saving of God’s chosen ones, || To take vengeance of the enemies that rose up against them, || That he might give Israel their inheritance. How he was glorified in lifting up his hands, || And in stretching out his sword against the cities! Who before him so stood fast? For the Lord Himself brought his enemies to him. Did the sun not go back by his hand? And did one day not become as two? He called on the Most High [and] Mighty One, || When his enemies pressed him around; And the great Lord heard him. With hailstones of mighty power || He caused war to break violently on the nation, || And in the going down he destroyed those who resisted, || That the nations might know his armor, || How that he fought in the sight of the Lord; For he followed after the Mighty One. Also in the time of Moses he did a work of mercy—He and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, || In that they withstood the adversary, || Hindered the people from sin, || And stilled the murmuring of wickedness. And of six hundred thousand people on foot, || They two alone were preserved to bring them into the heritage, || Even into a land flowing with milk and honey. Also the Lord gave strength to Caleb, || And it remained with him to his old age, || So that he entered on the height of the land, || And his seed obtained it for a heritage: That all the sons of Israel might see || That it is good to walk after the Lord. Also the judges, everyone by His Name—All whose hearts did not go whoring, || And who did not turn away from the Lord—May their memorial be blessed, May their bones again flourish out of their place, || And may the name of those who have been honored be renewed on their children. Samuel, the prophet of the Lord, beloved of his Lord, || Established a kingdom, and anointed princes over His people. By the Law of the Lord he judged the congregation, || And the Lord visited Jacob. By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet, || And by his words he was known to be faithful in vision. Also when his enemies pressed around him, || He called on the Lord, the Mighty One, || With the offering of the sucking lamb. And the Lord thundered from Heaven, || And made His voice to be heard with a mighty sound. And He utterly destroyed the rulers of the Tyrians, || And all the princes of the Philistines. Also before the time of his long sleep || He made protestations in the sight of the Lord and [His] anointed: “I have not taken any man’s goods, so much as a sandal”: And no man did accuse him. And after he fell asleep, he prophesied, || And showed the king his end, || And lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy, || To blot out the wickedness of the people.
And after him, Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David. As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, || So was David [separated] from the sons of Israel. He played with lions as with kids, || And with bears as with lambs of the flock. In his youth did he not kill a giant, || And take away reproach from the people, || When he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, || And beat down the boasting of Goliath? For he called on the Most High Lord; And He gave him strength in his right hand, || To kill a man mighty in war, || To exalt the horn of His people. So they glorified him for [his] tens of thousands, || And praised him for the blessings of the Lord, || In that there was given to him a diadem of glory. For he destroyed the enemies on every side, || And brought to nothing the Philistines his adversaries, || [And] broke their horn in pieces to this day. In every work of his || He gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory; With his whole heart he sang praise || And loved Him that made him. He also set singers before the altar, || So as to make sweet melody by their music. He gave beauty to the feasts, || And set in order the seasons to perfection, || While they praised His holy Name, || And the sanctuary sounded from early morning. The Lord took away his sins, || And exalted his horn forever, || And gave him a covenant of kings, || And a throne of glory in Israel. After him, [his] son rose up—a man of understanding; And for his sake he lived at large. Solomon reigned in days of peace; And God gave to him rest around, || That he might set up a house for His Name || And prepare a sanctuary forever. How wise you were made in your youth || And filled as a river with understanding! Your soul covered the earth, || And you filled it with dark allegories. Your name reached to the isles far off; And you were beloved for your peace. For your songs, and proverbs, and allegories, || And for your interpretations, the countries marveled at you. By the Name of the Lord God, which is called the God of Israel, || You gathered gold as tin and multiplied silver as lead. You bowed your loins to women, || And in your body you were brought into subjection. You blemished your honor and profaned your seed, || To bring wrath on your children; And I was grieved for your folly, So that the sovereignty was divided, || And out of Ephraim a disobedient kingdom ruled. But the Lord will never forsake His mercy; And He will not destroy any of His works, || Nor blot out the posterity of His chosen ones; And the seed of him that loved Him He will not take away; And He gave a remnant to Jacob, || And to David a root out of him. And [so] rested Solomon with his fathers; And of his seed he left behind him Rehoboam—[Even] the foolishness of the people, || And one that lacked understanding, || Who made the people to revolt by his counsel. Also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, || Who made Israel to sin, and gave to Ephraim a way of sin. And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, || To remove them from their land. For they sought out all manner of wickedness, || Until vengeance should come on them.
Also there arose Elijah the prophet as fire, || And his word burned like a torch: Who brought a famine on them, || And by his zeal made them few in number. By the word of the Lord he shut up the Heaven: Three times he so brought down fire. How you were glorified, O Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! And who will [have] glory like to you? Who raised up a dead man from death, || And from the place of the dead, by the word of the Most High; Who brought down kings to destruction, || And honorable men from their bed; Who heard rebuke in Sinai, || And judgments of vengeance in Horeb; Who anointed kings for retribution, || And prophets to succeed after him; Who was taken up in a tempest of fire, || In a chariot of fiery horses; Who was recorded for reproofs in their seasons, || To pacify anger, before it broke out into wrath; To turn the heart of the father to the son, || And to restore the tribes of Jacob. Blessed are those who saw you, || And those who have been beautified with love; For we also will surely live. [It was] Elijah who was wrapped in a tempest, || And Elisha was filled with his spirit; And in [all] his days he was not moved by [the fear of] any ruler, || And no one brought him into subjection. Nothing was too high for him; And when he was laid on sleep his body prophesied. As in his life he did wonders, || So in death his works were marvelous. For all this the people did not convert, || And they did not depart from their sins, || Until they were carried away as a plunder from their land || And were scattered through all the earth; And the people were left very few in number, || And a ruler [was left] in the house of David. Some of them did that which was pleasing [to God], || [And] some multiplied sins. Hezekiah fortified his city || And brought in water into the midst of them: He dug the sheer rock with iron || And built up wells for waters. In his days Sennacherib came up, || And sent Rabshakeh, and departed; And he lifted up his hand against Zion || And boasted great things in his arrogance. Then their hearts and their hands were shaken, || And they were in pain, as women in travail; And they called on the Lord, who is merciful, || Spreading out their hands to Him: And the Holy One heard them speedily out of Heaven, || And delivered them by the hand of Isaiah. He struck the camp of the Assyrians, || And His messenger utterly destroyed them. For Hezekiah did that which was pleasing to the Lord || And was strong in the ways of his father David, || Which Isaiah the prophet commanded, || Who was great and faithful in his vision. In his days the sun went backward; And he added life to the king. He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the end; And he comforted those who mourned in Zion. He showed the things that should be to the end of time, || And the hidden things before they came.
The memorial of Josiah is like the composition of incense || Prepared by the work of the apothecary: It will be sweet as honey in every mouth, || And as music at a banquet of wine. He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people || And took away the abominations of iniquity. He set his heart right toward the Lord; In the days of wicked men, || He made godliness to prevail. Except David, and Hezekiah, and Josiah, all committed trespass; For they forsook the Law of the Most High; The kings of Judah failed. For they gave their power to others, || And their glory to a strange nation. They set the chosen city of the sanctuary on fire, || And made her streets desolate, [as it was written] by the hand of Jeremiah. For they mistreated him; And yet he was sanctified in the womb to be a prophet, || To root out, and to afflict, and to destroy; [And] in like manner to build and to plant. [It was] Ezekiel who saw the vision of glory, || Which [God] showed him on the chariot of the cherubim. For truly he remembered the enemies in storm, || And to do good to those who directed their ways correctly. Also of the twelve prophets || May the bones flourish again out of their place. And he comforted Jacob and delivered them by confidence of hope. How will we magnify Zerubbabel? And he was as a signet on the right hand: So was Jesus the son of Josedek: Who in their days built the house, || And exalted a people holy to the Lord, prepared for continuous glory. Also of Nehemiah the memorial is great: Who raised up for us the walls that were fallen, || And set up the gates and bars, and raised up our homes again. No man was created on the earth such as was Enoch; For he was taken up from the earth. Neither was there a man born like to Joseph, || A governor of his countrymen, a support of the people: Yes, his bones were visited. Shem and Seth were glorified among men; And above every living thing in the creation is Adam.
[It was] Simon, the son of Onias, the great priest, || Who in his life repaired the house, || And in his days strengthened the temple: And by him was built from the foundation the height of the double [wall], || The lofty underworks of the enclosure of the temple: In his days the cistern of waters was diminished, || The brazen vessel in compass as the sea. [It was] he that took thought for his people that they should not fall || And fortified the city against besieging; How glorious was he when the people gathered around him || At his coming out of the sanctuary— As the morning star in the midst of a cloud, || As the moon at the full; As the sun shining out on the temple of the Most High, || And as the rainbow giving light in clouds of glory; As the flower of roses in the days of new [fruits], || As lilies at the water spring, || As the shoot of the frankincense tree in the time of summer; As fire and incense in the censer, || As a vessel all of beaten gold, || Adorned with all manner of precious stones; As an olive tree budding out fruits, || And as a cypress growing high among the clouds. When he took up the robe of glory, || And put on the perfection of exultation, || In the ascent of the holy altar, || He made the precinct of the sanctuary glorious. And when he received the portions out of the priests’ hands, || Himself also standing by the hearth of the altar, || His countrymen as a garland around him, || He was as a young cedar in Libanus; And as stems of palm trees compassed around him, And all the sons of Aaron in their glory, || And the Lord’s offering in their hands, || Before all the congregation of Israel. And finishing the service at the altars, || That he might adorn the offering of the Most High, the Almighty, He stretched out his hand to the cup, || And poured out the cup of the grape; He poured out at the foot of the altar || A sweet smelling savor to the Most High, the King of all. Then the sons of Aaron shouted, || They sounded the trumpets of beaten work, || They made a great noise to be heard, || For a remembrance before the Most High. Then all the people hurried together || And fell down on the earth on their faces to worship their Lord—The Almighty, God Most High. The singers also praised Him with their voices; In the whole house sweet melody was made. And the people implored the Lord Most High, || In prayer before Him that is merciful, || Until the worship of the Lord should be ended; And so, they accomplished His service. Then he went down and lifted up his hands || Over the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, || To give blessing to the Lord with his lips, || And to glory in His Name. And he bowed himself down in worship the second time, || To declare the blessing from the Most High. And now bless the God of all, who everywhere does great things, || Who exalts our days from the womb, || And deals with us according to His mercy. May He grant us joyfulness of heart, || And that peace may be in our days in Israel for the days of [the] age: To entrust His mercy with us; And let Him deliver us in His time! With two nations is my soul vexed, || And the third is no nation: They that sit on the mountain of Samaria, and the Philistines, || And that foolish people that dwells in Shechem. I have written in this scroll the instruction of understanding and knowledge, || I, Jesus, the son of Sirach Eleazar, of Jerusalem, || Who out of his heart poured out wisdom. Blessed is he that will be exercised in these things; And he that lays them up in his heart will become wise. For if he does them, he will be strong for all things; For the light of the Lord is his guide.
A Prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. 1 I will give thanks to You, O Lord, O King, || And will praise You, O God my Savior: I give thanks to Your Name, 2 For You were my protector and helper, || And You delivered my body out of destruction, || And out of the snare of a slanderous tongue, || From lips that forge lies, || And were my helper before those who stood by; 3 And You delivered me, || According to the abundance of Your mercy, and [greatness] of Your Name, || From the gnashing [of teeth] ready to devour, || Out of the hand of such as sought my life, || Out of the manifold afflictions which I had; 4 From the choking of a fire on every side, || And out of the midst of fire which I did not kindle; 5 Out of the depth of the belly of the grave, || And from an unclean tongue, and from lying words— 6 The slander of an unrighteous tongue to the king. My soul drew near even to death, || And my life was near to the grave beneath. 7 They compassed me on every side, || And there was none to help [me]. I was looking for the help of men, and it was not. 8 And I remembered Your mercy, O Lord, || And Your working which has been from perpetuity, || How You deliver those who wait for You, || And save them out of the hand of the enemies. 9 And I lifted up my supplication from the earth || And prayed for deliverance from death. 10 I called on the Lord, the Father of my Lord, || That He would not forsake me in the days of affliction, || In the time when there was no help against the proud. 11 I will praise Your Name continually || And will sing praise with thanksgiving; And my supplication was heard: 12 For You saved me from destruction, || And delivered me from the evil time. Therefore, I will give thanks and praise to You, || And bless the Name of the Lord. 13 When I was yet young, before I went abroad, || I sought wisdom openly in my prayer. 14 Before the temple I asked for her, || And I will seek her out even to the end. 15 From [her] flower, as from the ripening grape, || My heart delighted in her; My foot trod in uprightness, || From my youth I tracked her out. 16 I bowed my ear down a little, and received her, || And found for myself much instruction. 17 I profited in her: To Him that gives me wisdom I will give glory. 18 For I purposed to practice her, || And I was zealous for that which is good; And I will never be put to shame. 19 My soul has wrestled in her, || And in my doing I was exact: I spread out my hands to the Heaven above || And mourned my ignorance of her. 20 I set my soul properly to her, || And in pureness I found her. I got myself a heart [joined] with her from the beginning: Therefore, I will not be forsaken. 21 My inward part was also troubled to seek her: Therefore, I have gotten a good possession. 22 The Lord gave me a tongue for my reward; And I will praise Him with that. 23 Draw near to me, you unlearned, || And lodge in the house of instruction. 24 Say, “Why are you lacking in these things, || And your souls are very thirsty?” 25 I opened my mouth, and spoke, || “Get her for yourselves without money. 26 Put your neck under the yoke, || And let your soul receive instruction: She is hard at hand to find. 27 Behold with your eyes, how that I labored but a little, || And found for myself much rest. 28 Get instruction with a great sum of silver || And gain much gold by her. 29 May your soul rejoice in His mercy, || And may you not be put to shame in praising Him. 30 Work your work before the time comes, || And in His time, He will give you your reward.”