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Duties towards the Poor and the Oppressed

4My child, do not cheat the poor of their living,
   and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
² Do not grieve the hungry,
   or anger one in need.
³ Do not add to the troubles of the desperate,
   or delay giving to the needy.
⁴ Do not reject a suppliant in distress,
   or turn your face away from the poor.
⁵ Do not avert your eye from the needy,
   and give no one reason to curse you;
⁶ for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you,
   their Creator will hear their prayer.

⁷ Endear yourself to the congregation;
   bow your head low to the great.
⁸ Give a hearing to the poor,
   and return their greeting politely.
⁹ Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor;
   and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.
¹⁰ Be a father to orphans,
   and be like a husband to their mother;
you will then be like a son of the Most High,
   and he will love you more than does your mother.

The Rewards of Wisdom

¹¹ Wisdom teaches^* her children
   and gives help to those who seek her.
¹² Whoever loves her loves life,
   and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
¹³ Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
   and the Lord blesses the place she^* enters.
¹⁴ Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
   the Lord loves those who love her.
¹⁵ Those who obey her will judge the nations,
   and all who listen to her will live secure.
¹⁶ If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
   their descendants will also obtain her.
¹⁷ For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths;
   she will bring fear and dread upon them,
and will torment them by her discipline
   until she trusts them,^*
and she will test them with her ordinances.
¹⁸ Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them,
   and will reveal her secrets to them.
¹⁹ If they go astray she will forsake them,
   and hand them over to their ruin.

²⁰ Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
   and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
²¹ For there is a shame that leads to sin,
   and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
²² Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
   or deference, to your downfall.
²³ Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,^*
   and do not hide your wisdom.^*
24 For wisdom becomes known through speech,
   and education through the words of the tongue.
²⁵ Never speak against the truth,
   but be ashamed of your ignorance.
²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
   and do not try to stop the current of a river.
²⁷ Do not subject yourself to a fool,
   or show partiality to a ruler.
²⁸ Fight to the death for truth,
   and the Lord God will fight for you.

²⁹ Do not be reckless in your speech,
   or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
³⁰ Do not be like a lion in your home,
   or suspicious of your servants.
³¹ Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
   and closed when it is time to give.