Chapter IV: Introduction (3)

That mine ignorances be not multiplied, and my sins abound not; and I shall fall before mine adversaries, and mine enemy rejoice over me.

O Lord, Father and God of my life, give me not a proud look,

And turn away concupiscence from me.

Let not greediness and chambering overtake me; and give me not over to a shameless mind.

* * * * *

Hear ye, my children, the discipline of the mouth; and he that keepeth it shall not be taken.

The sinner shall be overtaken in his lips; and the reviler and the proud man shall stumble therein.

Accustom not thy mouth to an oath; and be not accustomed to the naming of the Holy One.

For as a servant that is continually scourged shall not lack a bruise, so he also that sweareth and nameth God continually shall not be cleansed from sin.

A man of many oaths shall be filled with iniquity; and the scourge shall not depart from his house: if he shall offend, his sin shall be upon him; and if he disregard it, he hath sinned doubly; and if he hath sworn in vain, he shall not be justified; for his house shall be filled with calamities.

There is a manner of speech that is clothed about with death: let it not be found in the heritage of Jacob; for all these things shall be far from the godly, and they shall not wallow in sins.

Accustom not thy mouth to gross rudeness, for therein is the word of sin.

Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest in the midst of great men; that thou be not forgetful before them, and become a fool by thy custom; so shalt thou wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity.

A man that is accustomed to words of reproach will not be corrected all the days of his life.

* * * * *

Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third will bring wrath: a hot mind, as a burning fire, will not be quenched till it be consumed: a fornicator in the body of his flesh will never cease till he hath burned out the fire.

All bread is sweet to a fornicator: he will not leave off till he die.

A man that goeth astray from his own bed, saying in his heart, Who seeth me? darkness is round about me, and the walls hide me, and no man seeth me; of whom am I afraid? the Most High will not remember my sins;

--And the eyes of men are his terror, and he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men, and looking into secret places.

All things were known unto him or ever they were created; and in like manner also after they were perfected.

This man shall be punished in the streets of the city; and where he suspected not he shall be taken.

* * * * *

=24= Wisdom shall praise herself, and shall glory in the midst of her people.

In the congregation of the Most High shall she open her mouth, and glory in the presence of his power.

I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, and covered the earth as a mist.

I dwelt in high places, and my throne is in the pillar of the cloud.

Alone I compassed 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; and in whose inheritance shall I lodge?

Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment; and he that created me made my tabernacle to rest, and said, Let thy tabernacle be in Jacob, and thine inheritance in Israel.

He created me from the beginning before the world; and to the end I shall not fail.

In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him; and so was I established in Sion.

In the beloved city likewise he gave me rest; and in Jerusalem was my authority.

And 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 Libanus, and as a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon.

I was exalted like a palm tree on the sea shore, and as rose plants in Jericho, and as a fair olive tree in the plain; and I was exalted as a plane tree.

As cinnamon and aspalathus, I have given a scent of perfumes; and as choice myrrh, I spread abroad a pleasant odour; as galbanum, and onyx, and stacte, and as the fume of frankincense in the tabernacle.

As the terebinth I stretched out my branches; and my branches are branches of glory and grace.

As the vine I put forth grace; and my flowers are the fruit of glory and riches.

Come unto me, ye that are desirous of me, and be filled with my produce.

For my memorial is sweeter than honey, and mine inheritance than the honeycomb.

They that eat me shall yet be hungry; and they that drink me shall yet be thirsty.

He that obeyeth me shall not be ashamed; and they that work in me shall not do amiss.

* * * * *

All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God, even the law which Moses commanded us for a heritage unto the assemblies of Jacob.

It is he that maketh wisdom abundant, as Pishon, and as Tigris in the days of new fruits;

That maketh understanding full as Euphrates, and as Jordan in the days of harvest;

That maketh instruction to shine forth as the light, as Gihon in the days of vintage.

The first man knew her not perfectly; and in like manner the last hath not traced her out.

For her thoughts are filled from the sea, and her counsels from the great deep.

* * * * *

And I came out as a stream from a river, and as a conduit into a garden.

I said, I will water my garden, and will water abundantly my garden bed; and, lo, 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 to shine forth afar off.

I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and leave it unto generations of ages.

Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all them that diligently seek her.

* * * * *

=25= In three things I was beautified, and stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: the concord of brethren, and friendship of neighbours, and a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement.

But three sorts of men my soul hateth, and I am greatly offended at their life: a poor man that is haughty, and a rich man that is a liar, and an old man that is an adulterer lacking understanding.

* * * * *

In thy youth thou hast not gathered, and how shouldest thou find in thine old age?

How beautiful a thing is judgement 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 honour!

Much experience is the crown of old men; and their glorying is the fear of the Lord.

* * * * *

There be nine things that I have thought of, and in mine heart counted happy; and the tenth I will utter with my tongue: a man that hath joy of his children; a man that liveth and looketh upon the fall of his enemies:

Happy is he that dwelleth with a wife of understanding; and he that hath not slipped with his tongue; and he that hath not served a man that is unworthy of him:

Happy is he that hath found prudence; and he that discourseth in the ears of them that listen.

How great is he that hath found wisdom! yet is there none above him that feareth the Lord.

The fear of the Lord passeth all things: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?

* * * * *

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 them that 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 will rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, than keep house with a wicked woman.

The wickedness of a woman changeth her look, and darkeneth her countenance as a bear doth.

Her husband shall sit at meat among his neighbours, and when he heareth it he sigheth 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.

Throw not thyself upon the beauty of a woman; and desire not a woman for her beauty.

There is anger, and impudence, and great reproach, if a woman maintain her husband.

A wicked woman is abasement 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.

Give not water an outlet; neither to a wicked woman freedom of speech.

If she go not as thou wouldest have her, cut her off from thy flesh.

* * * * *

=26= Happy is the husband of a good wife; and the number of his days shall be twofold.

A brave woman rejoiceth her husband; and he shall fulfil his years in peace.

A good wife is a good portion: she shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

Whether a man be rich or poor, a good heart maketh at all times a cheerful countenance.

* * * * *

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 taketh hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.

A drunken woman causeth 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 shall be known by her eyelids.

Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

Look well after an impudent eye; and marvel not if it trespass against thee.

She will open her mouth, as a thirsty traveller, and drink of every water that is near: at every post will she sit down, 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 so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; and there is no price worthy of a continent soul.

As the sun when it ariseth 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 shineth upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, so are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.

* * * * *

For two things my heart is grieved; and for the third anger cometh upon me: a man of war that suffereth for poverty; and men of understanding that are counted as refuse: one that turneth back from righteousness to sin; the Lord shall prepare him for the sword.

A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; and a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.

=27= Many have sinned for a thing indifferent; and he that seeketh to multiply gain will turn his eye away.

A nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones; and sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling.

Unless a man hold on diligently in the fear of the Lord, his house shall soon be overthrown.

* * * * *

In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remaineth; so 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 declareth the husbandry thereof; so is the utterance of the thought of the heart of a man.

Praise no man before thou hearest him reason; for this is the trial of men.

* * * * *

If thou followest righteousness, thou shalt obtain her, and put her on, as a long robe of glory.

Birds will resort unto their like; and truth will return unto them that practise her.

The lion lieth in wait for prey; so doth sin for them that work iniquity.

* * * * *

The discourse of a godly man is always wisdom: but the foolish man changeth as the moon.

Among men void of understanding observe the opportunity; but stay continually among the thoughtful.

The discourse of fools is an offence; 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 maketh 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 revealeth secrets destroyeth credit, and shall not find a friend to his mind.

Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if thou reveal his secrets, thou shalt not pursue after him;

For as a man hath destroyed his enemy, so hast thou destroyed the friendship of thy neighbour.

And as a bird which thou hast loosed out of thy hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou wilt not catch him again:

Pursue him not, for he is gone far away, and hath 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 revealeth secrets hath lost hope.

* * * * *

One that winketh with the eye contriveth evil things; and no man will remove him from it.

When thou art present, he will speak sweetly, and will admire thy words; but afterward he will writhe his mouth, and set a trap for thee in thy words.

I have hated many things, but nothing like him; and the Lord will hate him.

One that casteth a stone on high casteth it on his own head; and a deceitful stroke will open wounds.

He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and he that setteth a snare shall be taken therein.

He that doeth evil things, they shall roll upon him, and he shall not know whence they have come to him.

Mockery and reproach are from the haughty; and vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for him.

They that rejoice at the fall of the godly shall be taken in a snare; and anguish shall consume them before they die.

* * * * *

Wrath and anger, these also are abominations; and a sinful man shall possess them.

=28= He that taketh vengeance shall find vengeance from the Lord; and he will surely make firm his sins.

Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done thee; and then thy sins shall be pardoned when thou prayest.

Man cherisheth anger against man; and doth he seek healing from the Lord?

Upon a man like himself he hath no mercy; and doth he make supplication for his own sins?

He being himself flesh nourisheth wrath: who shall make atonement for his sins?

Remember thy last end, and cease from enmity: remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

Remember the commandments, and be not wroth with thy neighbour; and remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

Abstain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins; for a passionate man will kindle strife;

And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends, and will make debate among them that be 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 will he exalt his anger.

A contention begun in haste kindleth a fire; and a hasty fighting sheddeth blood.

If thou blow a spark, it shall burn; and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these shall come out of thy mouth.

* * * * *

Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for he hath destroyed many that were at peace.

A third person’s tongue hath shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation; and it hath pulled down strong cities, and overthrown the houses of great men.

A third person’s tongue hath cast out brave women, and deprived them of their labours.

He that hearkeneth unto it shall not find rest, nor shall he dwell quietly.

The stroke of a whip maketh 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 they that have fallen because of the tongue.

Happy is he that is sheltered from it, that hath not passed through the wrath thereof; that hath not drawn its yoke, and hath 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 were better than it.

It shall not have rule over godly men; and they shall not be burned in its flame.

They that forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn among them, and shall not be quenched; it shall be sent forth upon them as a lion; and as a leopard it shall destroy them.

Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns; bind up thy silver and thy gold;

And make a balance and a weight for thy words; and make a door and a bar for thy mouth.

Take heed lest thou slip therein; lest thou fall before one that lieth in wait.

* * * * *

=29= He that sheweth mercy will lend unto his neighbour; and he that strengtheneth him with his hand keepeth the commandments.

Lend to thy neighbour in time of his need; and pay thou thy neighbour again in due season.

Confirm thy word, and keep faith with him; and at all seasons thou shalt find what thou needest.

Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall, and have given trouble to those that helped them.

Till he hath received, he will kiss a man’s hands; and for his neighbour’s money he will speak submissly: and when payment is due, he will prolong the time, and return words of heaviness, and complain of the times.

If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half; and he will count it as a windfall: if not, he hath deprived him of his money, and he hath gotten him for an enemy without cause: he will pay him with cursings and railings; and for honour he will pay him disgrace.

Many on account of men’s ill-dealing have turned away; they have feared to be defrauded for nought.

Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; and let him not wait for thine alms.

Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake; and according to his need send him not empty away.

Lose thy money for a brother and a friend; and let it not rust under the stone to be lost.

Bestow thy treasure according to the commandments of the Most High; and it shall profit thee more than gold.

Shut up alms in thy store-chambers; and it shall deliver thee out of all affliction:

It shall fight for thee against thine enemy better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.

* * * * *

A good man will be surety for his neighbour; and he that hath lost shame will fail him.

Forget not the good offices of thy surety; for he hath given his life for thee.

A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety;

And he that is of an unthankful mind will fail him that delivered him.

Suretiship hath undone many that were prospering, and shaken them as a wave of the sea: mighty men hath it driven from their homes; and they wandered among strange nations.

A sinner that falleth into suretiship, and undertaketh contracts for work, shall fall into lawsuits.

Help thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thyself that thou fall not to the same.

* * * * *

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 thou art a sojourner, thou shalt not dare to open thy mouth.

Thou shalt entertain, and give to drink, and have no thanks: and besides this thou shalt hear bitter words.

Come hither, thou sojourner, furnish a table, and if thou hast aught in thy hand, feed me with it.

Go forth, thou sojourner, from the face of honour; my brother is come to be my guest; I have need of my house.

These things are grievous to a man of understanding; the upbraiding of house-room, and the reproaching of the money-lender.

* * * * *

=30= He that loveth his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, that he may have joy of him in the end.

He that chastiseth his son shall have profit of him, and shall glory of him among his acquaintance.

He that teacheth his son shall provoke his enemy to jealousy; and before friends he shall rejoice of him.

His father dieth, and is as though he had not died; for he hath left one behind him like himself.

In his life, he saw and rejoiced in him; and when he died, he sorrowed not:

He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, and one to requite kindness to his friends.

He that maketh too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; and his heart will be troubled at every cry.

An unbroken horse becometh stubborn; and a son left at large becometh headstrong.

Cocker thy child, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he will grieve thee.

Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow with him; and thou shalt gnash thy teeth in the end.

Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his follies.

Bow down his neck in his youth, and beat him on the sides while he is a child, lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient unto thee; and there shall be sorrow to thy soul.

Chastise thy son, and take pains with him, lest his shameless behaviour be an offence unto thee.

* * * * *

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 eternal rest than a continual sickness.

Good things poured out upon a mouth that is closed are as messes of meat laid upon a grave.

What doth an offering profit an idol? for neither shall it eat nor smell: so is he that is afflicted of the Lord,

Seeing with his eyes and groaning.

* * * * *

Give not over thy soul to sorrow; and afflict not thyself in thine own counsel.

Gladness of heart is the life of a man; and the joyfulness of a man is length of days.

Love thine own soul, and comfort thy heart: and remove sorrow far from thee; for sorrow hath destroyed many, and there is no profit therein.

Envy and wrath shorten a man’s days; and care bringeth old age before the time.

A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.

=31= Wakefulness that cometh of riches consumeth the flesh, and the anxiety thereof putteth away sleep.

Wakeful anxiety will crave slumber; and in sore disease sleep will be broken.

* * * * *

A rich man toileth in gathering money together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his good things.

A poor man toileth in lack of substance; and when he resteth, he becometh needy.

He that loveth gold shall not be justified; and he that followeth destruction shall himself have his fill of it.

Many have been given over to ruin for the sake of gold; and their perdition meeteth them face to face.

It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it; and every fool shall be taken therewith.

Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and that goeth not after gold.

Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people.

Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? Then let him glory. Who hath had the power to transgress, and hath not transgressed? And to do evil, and hath not done it?

His goods shall be made sure, and the congregation shall declare his alms.

Sittest thou at a great table? be not greedy upon it, and say not, Many are the things upon it.

Remember that an evil eye is a wicked thing: what hath been created more evil than an eye? therefore it sheddeth tears from every face.

Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and trust not thyself with it into the dish.

Consider thy neighbour’s liking by thine own; and be discreet in every point.

Eat, as becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and eat not greedily, lest thou be hated.

Be first to leave off for manners’ sake; and be not insatiable, less thou offend.

And if thou sittest among many, reach not out thy hand before them.

How sufficient to a well-mannered man is a very little, and he doth not breathe hard upon his bed.

Healthy sleep cometh of moderate eating; he riseth early, and his wits are with him; the pain of wakefulness, and colic, and griping, are with an insatiable man.

And if thou hast been forced to eat, rise up in the midst thereof, and thou shalt have rest.

Hear me, my son, and despise me not, and at the last thou shall find my words true: in all thy works be quick, and no disease shall come unto thee.

* * * * *

Him that is liberal of his meat the lips shall bless; and the testimony of his excellence shall be believed.

Him that is a niggard of his meat the city shall murmur at; and the testimony of his niggardness shall be sure.

* * * * *

Shew not thyself valiant in wine; for wine hath destroyed many.

The furnace proveth the temper of steel by dipping; so doth wine prove hearts in the quarrelling of the proud.

Wine is as good as life to men, if thou drink it in its measure: what life is there to a man that is without wine? and it hath been created to make men glad.

Wine drunk in season and to satisfy is joy of heart, and gladness of soul:

Wine drunk largely is bitterness of soul, with provocation and conflict.

Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool unto his hurt; it diminisheth strength, and addeth wounds.

* * * * *

Rebuke not thy neighbour at a banquet of wine, neither set him at nought in his mirth: speak not unto him a word of reproach, and press not upon him by asking back a debt.

=32= Have they made thee ruler of a feast? be not lifted up, be thou among them as one of them; take thought for them, and so sit down.

And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be gladdened on their account, and receive a crown for thy well ordering.

* * * * *

Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound knowledge; and hinder not music.

Pour not out talk where there is a performance of music, and display not thy 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 be need of thee; yet scarcely if thou be twice asked.

Sum up thy speech, many things in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

If thou be among great men, behave not as their equal; and when another is speaking, make not much babbling.

Before thunder speedeth lightning; and before a shamefast man favour shall go forth.

Rise up betimes, and not be the last; get thee home quickly and loiter not:

There take thy pastime, and do what is in thy heart; and sin not by proud speech;

And for these things bless him that made thee, and giveth thee to drink freely of his good things.

He that feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.

He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite shall stumble thereat.

They that fear the Lord shall find judgement, and shall kindle righteous acts as a light.

A sinful man shunneth reproof, and will find a judgement 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 hath done a thing by himself without counsel.

Do nothing without counsel; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

Go not in a way of conflict; and stumble not in stony places.

Be not confident in a smooth way.

And beware of thine own children.

In every work trust thine own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.

* * * * *

He that believeth the law giveth heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in the Lord shall suffer no loss.

=33= There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation once and again will he 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 unto him, as when one asketh at the oracle.

Prepare thy speech, and so shalt thou be heard; bind up instruction, and make thine 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 neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.

* * * * *

Why doth one day excel 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 hath he 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 nigh 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 unto them according to his judgement.

Good is set over against evil, and life over against death: so is the sinner over against the godly.

And thus look upon all the works of the Most High; two and two, one against another.

* * * * *

And I awaked up last, as one that gleaneth after the grape-gatherers: by the blessing of the Lord I got before them, and filled my winepress as one that gathereth grapes.

Consider that I laboured not for myself alone, but for all them that seek instruction.

Hear me, ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.

* * * * *

To son and wife, to brother and friend, give not power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy goods to another, lest thou repent and make supplication for them again.

Whilst thou yet livest, and breath is in thee, give not thyself over to anybody.

For better it is that thy children should supplicate thee, than that thou shouldest look to the hand of thy sons.

In all thy works keep the upper hand; bring not a stain on thine honour.

In the day that thou endest the days of thy life, and in the time of death, distribute thine inheritance.

* * * * *

Fodder, a stick, and burdens, for an ass; bread, and discipline, and work, for a servant.

Set thy servant to work, and thou shalt 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 labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much mischief.

Set him to work, as is fit for him; and if he obey not, make his fetters heavy.

And be not excessive toward any; and without judgement do nothing.

If thou hast a servant, let him be as thyself, because thou hast bought him with blood.

If thou hast a servant, treat him as thyself; for as thine own soul wilt thou have need of him: if thou treat him ill, and he depart and run away, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

* * * * *

=34= Vain and false hopes are for a man void of understanding; and dreams give wings to fools.

As one that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind, so is he that setteth his mind on dreams.

The vision of dreams is as this thing against that, the likeness of a face over against a face.

Of an unclean thing what shall be cleansed? and of that which is false what shall be true?

Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s in travail.

If they be not sent from the Most High in thy visitation, give not thy heart unto them.

For dreams have led many astray: and they have failed by putting their hope in them.

Without lying shall the law be accomplished; and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

* * * * *

A well-instructed man knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare understanding.

He that hath no experience knoweth few things: but he that hath wandered shall increase his skill.

In my wandering I have seen many things; and more than my words is my understanding.

Ofttimes was I in danger even unto death; and I was preserved because of these things.

The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is upon him that saveth them.

Whoso feareth the Lord shall not be afraid, and shall not play the coward; for he is his hope.

Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he give heed? and who is his stay?

The eyes of the Lord are upon them that 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 succour from falling.

He raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes: he giveth healing, life, and blessing.

* * * * *

He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is made in mockery; and the mockeries of wicked men are not well-pleasing.

The Most High hath no pleasure in the offerings of the ungodly; neither is he pacified for sins by the multitude of sacrifices.

As one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes is he that bringeth a sacrifice from the goods of the poor.

The bread of the needy is the life of the poor: he that depriveth him thereof is a man of blood.

As one that slayeth his neighbour is he that taketh away his living; and as a shedder of blood is he that depriveth 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 washeth himself after touching a dead body, and toucheth it again, what profit hath he 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 hath he in his humiliation?

* * * * *

=37= Every friend will say, I also am his friend: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name.

Is there not a grief in it even unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to enmity?

O wicked imagination, whence camest thou rolling in to cover the dry land with deceitfulness?

There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the gladness of a friend, but in time of affliction will be against him.

There is a companion, which for the belly’s sake laboureth with his friend, in the face of battle will take up the buckler.

Forget not a friend in thy soul; and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

* * * * *

Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is that counselleth for himself.

Let thy soul beware of a counsellor, and know thou before what is his interest (for he will take counsel for himself); lest he cast the lot upon thee,

And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and he will stand over against thee, to see what shall befall thee.

Take not counsel with one that looketh askance at thee; and hide thy counsel from such as are jealous of thee.

Take not 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 kindliness; nor with a sluggard about any kind of work; nor with a hireling in thy house about finishing his work; nor with an idle servant about much business: give not heed to these in any matter of counsel.

But rather be continually with a godly man, whom thou shalt have known to be a keeper of the commandments, who in his soul is as thine own soul, and who will grieve with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.

And make the counsel of thy heart to stand; for there is none more faithful unto thee than it.

For a man’s soul is sometime wont to bring him tidings, more than seven watchmen that sit on high on a watch-tower.

And above all this intreat the Most High, that he may direct thy 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 do rise up, good and evil, life and death; and that which ruleth 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 subtil in words, and is hated; he shall be destitute of all food:

For grace was not given 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 shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall call him happy.

The life of man is numbered by days; and the days of Israel are innumerable.

The wise man shall inherit confidence among his people, and his name shall live for ever.

* * * * *

My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it.

For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.

Be not insatiable in any luxury, and be not greedy on the things that thou eatest.

For in multitude of meats there shall be disease, and surfeiting shall come nigh unto colic.

Because of surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed shall prolong his life.

* * * * *

=38= Honour a physician according to thy need of him with the honours due unto him: for verily the Lord hath created him.

For from the Most High cometh healing; and from the king he shall receive a gift.

The skill of the physician shall lift up his head; and in the sight of great men he shall be admired.

The Lord created medicines out of the earth; and a prudent man will have no disgust at them.

Was not water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known?

And he gave men skill, that they might be glorified in his marvellous works.

With them doth he heal a man, and taketh away his pain.

With these will the apothecary make a confection; and his works shall not be brought to an end; and from him is peace upon the face of the earth.

* * * * *

My son, in thy sickness be not negligent; but pray unto the Lord, and he shall heal thee.

Put away wrong doing, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all manner of sin.

Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make fat thine offering, as one that is not.

Then give place to the physician, for verily the Lord hath created him; and let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.

There is a time when in their very hands is the issue for good.

For they also shall beseech the Lord, that he may prosper them in giving relief and in healing for the maintenance of life.

He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hands of the physician.

* * * * *

My son, let thy tears fall over the dead, and as one that suffereth grievously begin lamentation; and wind up his body according to his due, and neglect not his burial.

Make bitter weeping, and make passionate wailing, and let thy mourning be according to his desert, for one day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of; and so be comforted for thy sorrow.

For of sorrow cometh death, and sorrow of heart will bow down the strength.

In calamity sorrow also remaineth; and the poor man’s life is grievous to the heart.

Give not thy heart unto sorrow: put it away, remembering the last end:

Forget it not, for there is no returning again: him thou shalt not profit, and thou wilt hurt thyself.

Remember the sentence upon him; for so also shall thine be; yesterday for me, and to-day for thee.

When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his spirit departeth from him.

* * * * *

The wisdom of the scribe cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that hath little business shall become wise.

How shall he become wise that holdeth the plough, that glorieth in the shaft of the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose discourse is of the stock of bulls?

He will set his heart upon turning his furrows; and his wakefulness is to give his heifers their fodder.

So is every artificer and workmaster, that passeth 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 unwrought iron: the vapour of the fire will waste his flesh; and in the heat of the furnace will he wrestle with his work: the noise of the hammer will be ever in his ear, and his eyes are upon the pattern of the vessel; he will set his heart upon perfecting his works, and he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly.

So is the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always anxiously set at his work, and all his handywork is by number;

He will fashion the clay with his arm, and will bend his 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 becometh wise in his own work.

Without these shall not a city be inhabited, and men shall not sojourn nor walk up and down therein.

They shall not be sought for in the council of the people, and in the assembly they shall not mount on high; they shall not sit on the seat of the judge, and they shall not understand the covenant of judgement: neither shall they declare instruction and judgement; and where parables are they shall not be found.

But they will maintain the fabric of the world; and in the handywork of their craft is their prayer.

* * * * *

=39= Not so he that hath applied his soul, and meditateth 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 subtilties of parables.

He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs, and be conversant in the dark sayings of parables.

He will serve among great men, and appear before him that ruleth; he will travel through the land of strange nations; for he hath tried good things and evil among men.

He will apply his heart to resort 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 will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour forth the words of his wisdom, and in prayer give thanks unto the Lord.

He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.

He shall shew forth the instruction which he hath been taught, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.

Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out: his memorial shall not depart, and his name shall live from generation to generation.

Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the congregation shall tell out his praise.

If he continue, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he die, he addeth thereto.

* * * * *

Yet more will I utter, which I have thought upon; and I am filled as the moon at the full.

Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by a brook of water:

And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and put forth flowers as a lily, spread abroad a sweet smell, and sing a song of praise; bless ye 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 thus shall ye say when ye utter his praise:

* * * * *

All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and every command shall be accomplished in his season.

None can say, What is this? wherefore is that? for in his season they shall 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 is all his good pleasure done; and there is none that shall hinder his salvation.

The works of all flesh are before him; and it is not possible to be hid from his eyes.

He beholdeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him.

None can say, What is this? wherefore 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 hath turned the waters into saltness; so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.

His ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto 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 shall be turned into evil.

There be winds that are created for vengeance, and in their fury lay on their scourges heavily; in the time of consummation they pour out their strength, and shall 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 unto destruction.

They shall rejoice in his commandment, and shall be made ready upon earth, when need is; and in their seasons they shall not transgress his word.

* * * * *

Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I thought 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 shall all be well approved in their season.

And now with all your heart and mouth sing ye praises, and bless the name of the Lord.

* * * * *

=40= Great travail is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their coming forth 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 sitteth on a throne of glory, even unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes;

From him that weareth purple and a crown, even unto him that is clothed with a hempen frock.

There is wrath, and jealousy, and trouble, and disquiet, and fear of death, and anger, and strife; and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep doth change his knowledge.