1All wisdom is from the Lord,
and with him it remains for ever.
2The sand of the sea, the drops of rain,
and the days of eternity—who can count them?
3The height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,
the abyss, and wisdom*—who can search them out?
4Wisdom was created before all other things,
and prudent understanding from eternity.*
6The root of wisdom—to whom has it been revealed?
Her subtleties—who knows them?*
8There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,
seated upon his throne—the Lord.
9It is he who created her;
he saw her and took her measure;
he poured her out upon all his works,
10upon all the living according to his gift;
he lavished her upon those who love him.*
11The fear of the Lord is glory and exultation,
and gladness and a crown of rejoicing.
12The fear of the Lord delights the heart,
and gives gladness and joy and long life.*
13Those who fear the Lord will have a happy end;
on the day of their death they will be blessed.
14To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
she is created with the faithful in the womb.
15She made* among human beings an eternal foundation,
and among their descendants she will abide faithfully.
16To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom;
she inebriates mortals with her fruits;
17she fills their* whole house with desirable goods,
and their* storehouses with her produce.
18The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom,
making peace and perfect health to flourish.*
19She rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension,
and she heightened the glory of those who held her fast.
20To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom,
and her branches are long life.*
22Unjust anger cannot be justified,
for anger tips the scale to one’s ruin.
23Those who are patient stay calm until the right moment,
and then cheerfulness comes back to them.
24They hold back their words until the right moment;
then the lips of many tell of their good sense.
25In the treasuries of wisdom are wise sayings,
but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.
26If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
and the Lord will lavish her upon you.
27For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline,
fidelity and humility are his delight.
28Do not disobey the fear of the Lord;
do not approach him with a divided mind.
29Do not be a hypocrite before others,
and keep watch over your lips.
30Do not exalt yourself, or you may fall
and bring dishonour upon yourself.
The Lord will reveal your secrets
and overthrow you before the whole congregation,
because you did not come in the fear of the Lord,
and your heart was full of deceit.
2My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for testing.*
2Set your heart right and be steadfast,
and do not be impetuous in time of calamity.
3Cling to him and do not depart,
so that your last days may be prosperous.
4Accept whatever befalls you,
and in times of humiliation be patient.
5For gold is tested in the fire,
and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation.*
6Trust in him, and he will help you;
make your ways straight, and hope in him.
7You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy;
do not stray, or else you may fall.
8You who fear the Lord, trust in him,
and your reward will not be lost.
9You who fear the Lord, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.*
10Consider the generations of old and see:
has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?
Or has anyone persevered in the fear of the Lord* and been forsaken?
Or has anyone called upon him and been neglected?
11For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;
he forgives sins and saves in time of distress.
12Woe to timid hearts and to slack hands,
and to the sinner who walks a double path!
13Woe to the faint-hearted who have no trust!
Therefore they will have no shelter.
14Woe to you who have lost your nerve!
What will you do when the Lord’s reckoning comes?
15Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words,
and those who love him keep his ways.
16Those who fear the Lord seek to please him,
and those who love him are filled with his law.
17Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts,
and humble themselves before him.
18Let us fall into the hands of the Lord,
but not into the hands of mortals;
for equal to his majesty is his mercy,
and equal to his name are his works.*
3Listen to me your father, O children;
act accordingly, that you may be kept in safety.
2For the Lord honours a father above his children,
and he confirms a mother’s right over her children.
3Those who honour their father atone for sins,
4 and those who respect their mother are like those who lay up treasure.
5Those who honour their father will have joy in their own children,
and when they pray they will be heard.
6Those who respect their father will have long life,
and those who honour* their mother obey the Lord;
7 they will serve their parents as their masters.*
8Honour your father by word and deed,
that his blessing may come upon you.
9For a father’s blessing strengthens the houses of the children,
but a mother’s curse uproots their foundations.
10Do not glorify yourself by dishonouring your father,
for your father’s dishonour is no glory to you.
11The glory of one’s father is one’s own glory,
and it is a disgrace for children not to respect their mother.
12My child, help your father in his old age,
and do not grieve him as long as he lives;
13even if his mind fails, be patient with him;
because you have all your faculties do not despise him.
14For kindness to a father will not be forgotten,
and will be credited to you against your sins;
15in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favour;
like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away.
16Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer,
and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord.
17My child, perform your tasks with humility;*
then you will be loved by those whom God accepts.
18The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself;
so you will find favour in the sight of the Lord.*
20For great is the might of the Lord;
but by the humble he is glorified.
21Neither seek what is too difficult for you,
nor investigate what is beyond your power.
22Reflect upon what you have been commanded,
for what is hidden is not your concern.
23Do not meddle in matters that are beyond you,
for more than you can understand has been shown to you.
24For their conceit has led many astray,
and wrong opinion has impaired their judgement.
25Without eyes there is no light;
without knowledge there is no wisdom.*
26A stubborn mind will fare badly at the end,
and whoever loves danger will perish in it.
27A stubborn mind will be burdened by troubles,
and the sinner adds sin to sins.
28When calamity befalls the proud, there is no healing,
for an evil plant has taken root in him.
29The mind of the intelligent appreciates proverbs,
and an attentive ear is the desire of the wise.
30As water extinguishes a blazing fire,
so almsgiving atones for sin.
31Those who repay favours give thought to the future;
when they fall they will find support.
4My child, do not cheat the poor of their living,
and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
2Do not grieve the hungry,
or anger one in need.
3Do not add to the troubles of the desperate,
or delay giving to the needy.
4Do not reject a suppliant in distress,
or turn your face away from the poor.
5Do not avert your eye from the needy,
and give no one reason to curse you;
6for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you,
their Creator will hear their prayer.
7Endear yourself to the congregation;
bow your head low to the great.
8Give a hearing to the poor,
and return their greeting politely.
9Rescue the oppressed from the oppressor;
and do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.
10Be 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.
11Wisdom teaches* her children
and gives help to those who seek her.
12Whoever loves her loves life,
and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
13Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
and the Lord blesses the place she* enters.
14Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
the Lord loves those who love her.
15Those who obey her will judge the nations,
and all who listen to her will live secure.
16If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
their descendants will also obtain her.
17For 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.
18Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them,
and will reveal her secrets to them.
19If they go astray she will forsake them,
and hand them over to their ruin.
20Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
21For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
22Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
or deference, to your downfall.
23Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,*
and do not hide your wisdom.*
24For wisdom becomes known through speech,
and education through the words of the tongue.
25Never speak against the truth,
but be ashamed of your ignorance.
26Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
and do not try to stop the current of a river.
27Do not subject yourself to a fool,
or show partiality to a ruler.
28Fight to the death for truth,
and the Lord God will fight for you.
29Do not be reckless in your speech,
or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
30Do not be like a lion in your home,
or suspicious of your servants.
31Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
and closed when it is time to give.
5Do not rely on your wealth,
or say, ‘I have enough.’
2Do not follow your inclination and strength
in pursuing the desires of your heart.
3Do not say, ‘Who can have power over me?’
for the Lord will surely punish you.
4Do not say, ‘I sinned, yet what has happened to me?’
for the Lord is slow to anger.
5Do not be so confident of forgiveness*
that you add sin to sin.
6Do not say, ‘His mercy is great,
he will forgive* the multitude of my sins’,
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
and his anger will rest on sinners.
7Do not delay to turn back to the Lord,
and do not postpone it from day to day;
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come upon you,
and at the time of punishment you will perish.
8Do not depend on dishonest wealth,
for it will not benefit you on the day of calamity.
9Do not winnow in every wind,
or follow every path.*
10Stand firm for what you know,
and let your speech be consistent.
11Be quick to hear,
but deliberate in answering.
12If you know what to say, answer your neighbour;
but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
13Honour and dishonour come from speaking,
and the tongue of mortals may be their downfall.
14Do not be called double-tongued*
and do not lay traps with your tongue;
for shame comes to the thief,
and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.
15In great and small matters cause no harm,*
6
for a bad name incurs shame and reproach;
so it is with the double-tongued sinner.
2Do not fall into the grip of passion,*
or you may be torn apart as by a bull.*
3Your leaves will be devoured and your fruit destroyed,
and you will be left like a withered tree.
4Evil passion destroys those who have it,
and makes them the laughing-stock of their enemies.
5Pleasant speech multiplies friends,
and a gracious tongue multiplies courtesies.
6Let those who are friendly with you be many,
but let your advisers be one in a thousand.
7When you gain friends, gain them through testing,
and do not trust them hastily.
8For there are friends who are such when it suits them,
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
9And there are friends who change into enemies,
and tell of the quarrel to your disgrace.
10And there are friends who sit at your table,
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
11When you are prosperous, they become your second self,
and lord it over your servants;
12but if you are brought low, they turn against you,
and hide themselves from you.
13Keep away from your enemies,
and be on guard with your friends.
14Faithful friends are a sturdy shelter:
whoever finds one has found a treasure.
15Faithful friends are beyond price;
no amount can balance their worth.
16Faithful friends are life-saving medicine;
and those who fear the Lord will find them.
17Those who fear the Lord direct their friendship aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbours also.
18My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have grey hair you will still find wisdom.
19Come to her like one who ploughs and sows,
and wait for her good harvest.
For when you cultivate her you will toil but little,
and soon you will eat of her produce.
20She seems very harsh to the undisciplined;
fools cannot remain with her.
21She will be like a heavy stone to test them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22For wisdom is like her name;
she is not readily perceived by many.
23Listen, my child, and accept my judgement;
do not reject my counsel.
24Put your feet into her fetters,
and your neck into her collar.
25Bend your shoulders and carry her,
and do not fret under her bonds.
26Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
27Search out and seek, and she will become known to you;
and when you get hold of her, do not let her go.
28For at last you will find the rest she gives,
and she will be changed into joy for you.
29Then her fetters will become for you a strong defence,
and her collar a glorious robe.
30Her yoke* is a golden ornament,
and her bonds a purple cord.
31You will wear her like a glorious robe,
and put her on like a splendid crown.*
32If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined,
and if you apply yourself you will become clever.
33If you love to listen you will gain knowledge,
and if you pay attention you will become wise.
34Stand in the company of the elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35Be ready to listen to every godly discourse,
and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36If you see an intelligent person, rise early to visit him;
let your foot wear out his doorstep.
37Reflect on the statutes of the Lord,
and meditate at all times on his commandments.
It is he who will give insight to* your mind,
and your desire for wisdom will be granted.
7Do no evil, and evil will never overtake you.
2Stay away from wrong, and it will turn away from you.
3Do* not sow in the furrows of injustice,
and you will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4Do not seek from the Lord high office,
or the seat of honour from the king.
5Do not assert your righteousness before the Lord,
or display your wisdom before the king.
6Do not seek to become a judge,
or you may be unable to root out injustice;
you may be partial to the powerful,
and so mar your integrity.
7Commit no offence against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the people.
8Do not commit a sin twice;
not even for one will you go unpunished.
9Do not say, ‘He will consider the great number of my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High God, he will accept it.’
10Do not grow weary when you pray;
do not neglect to give alms.
11Do not ridicule a person who is embittered in spirit,
for there is One who humbles and exalts.
12Do not devise* a lie against your brother,
or do the same to a friend.
13Refuse to utter any lie,
for it is a habit that results in no good.
14Do not babble in the assembly of the elders,
and do not repeat yourself when you pray.
15Do not hate hard labour
or farm work, which was created by the Most High.
16Do not enrol in the ranks of sinners;
remember that retribution does not delay.
17Humble yourself to the utmost,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and worms.*
18Do not exchange a friend for money,
or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.
19Do not dismiss* a wise and good wife,
for her charm is worth more than gold.
20Do not abuse slaves who work faithfully,
or hired labourers who devote themselves to their task.
21Let your soul love intelligent slaves;*
do not withhold from them their freedom.
22Do you have cattle? Look after them;
if they are profitable to you, keep them.
23Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient* from their youth.
24Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,*
and do not show yourself too indulgent with them.
25Give a daughter in marriage, and you complete a great task;
but give her to a sensible man.
26Do you have a wife who pleases you?* Do not divorce her;
but do not trust yourself to one whom you detest.
27With all your heart honour your father,
and do not forget the birth pangs of your mother.
28Remember that it was of your parents* you were born;
how can you repay what they have given to you?
29With all your soul fear the Lord,
and revere his priests.
30With all your might love your Maker,
and do not neglect his ministers.
31Fear the Lord and honour the priest,
and give him his portion, as you have been commanded:
the first fruits, the guilt-offering, the gift of the shoulders,
the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of the holy things.
32Stretch out your hand to the poor,
so that your blessing may be complete.
33Give graciously to all the living;
do not withhold kindness even from the dead.
34Do not avoid those who weep,
but mourn with those who mourn.
35Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such deeds you will be loved.
36In all you do, remember the end of your life,
and then you will never sin.
8Do not contend with the powerful,
or you may fall into their hands.
2Do not quarrel with the rich,
in case their resources outweigh yours;
for gold has ruined many,
and has perverted the minds of kings.
3Do not argue with the loud of mouth,
and do not heap wood on their fire.
4Do not make fun of one who is ill-bred,
or your ancestors may be insulted.
5Do not reproach one who is turning away from sin;
remember that we all deserve punishment.
6Do not disdain one who is old,
for some of us are also growing old.
7Do not rejoice over anyone’s death;
remember that we must all die.
8Do not slight the discourse of the sages,
but busy yourself with their maxims;
because from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve princes.
9Do not ignore the discourse of the aged,
for they themselves learned from their parents;*
from them you learn how to understand
and to give an answer when the need arises.
10Do not kindle the coals of sinners,
or you may be burned in their flaming fire.
11Do not let the insolent bring you to your feet,
or they may lie in ambush against your words.
12Do not lend to one who is stronger than you;
but if you do lend anything, count it as a loss.
13Do not give surety beyond your means;
but if you give surety, be prepared to pay.
14Do not go to law against a judge,
for the decision will favour him because of his standing.
15Do not go travelling with the reckless,
or they will be burdensome to you;
for they will act as they please,
and through their folly you will perish with them.
16Do not pick a fight with the quick-tempered,
and do not journey with them through lonely country,
because bloodshed means nothing to them,
and where no help is at hand they will strike you down.
17Do not consult with fools,
for they cannot keep a secret.
18In the presence of strangers do nothing that is to be kept secret,
for you do not know what they will divulge.*
19Do not reveal your thoughts to anyone,
or you may drive away your happiness.*
12If you do good, know to whom you do it,
and you will be thanked for your good deeds.
2Do good to the devout, and you will be repaid—
if not by them, certainly by the Most High.
3No good comes to one who persists in evil
or to one who does not give alms.
4Give to the devout, but do not help the sinner.
5 Do good to the humble, but do not give to the ungodly;
hold back their bread, and do not give it to them,
for by means of it they might subdue you;
then you will receive twice as much evil
for all the good you have done to them.
6For the Most High also hates sinners
and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.*
7Give to one who is good, but do not help the sinner.
8A friend is not known* in prosperity,
nor is an enemy hidden in adversity.
9One’s enemies are friendly* when one prospers,
but in adversity even one’s friend disappears.
10Never trust your enemy,
for like corrosion in copper, so is his wickedness.
11Even if he humbles himself and walks bowed down,
take care to be on your guard against him.
Be to him like one who polishes a mirror,
to be sure it does not become completely tarnished.
12Do not put him next to you,
or he may overthrow you and take your place.
Do not let him sit at your right hand,
or else he may try to take your own seat,
and at last you will realize the truth of my words,
and be stung by what I have said.
13Who pities a snake-charmer when he is bitten,
or all those who go near wild animals?
14So no one pities a person who associates with a sinner
and becomes involved in the other’s sins.
15He stands by you for a while,
but if you falter, he will not be there.
16An enemy speaks sweetly with his lips,
but in his heart he plans to throw you into a pit;
an enemy may have tears in his eyes,
but if he finds an opportunity he will never have enough of your blood.
17If evil comes upon you, you will find him there ahead of you;
pretending to help, he will trip you up.
18Then he will shake his head, and clap his hands,
and whisper much, and show his true face.
13Whoever touches pitch gets dirty,
and whoever associates with a proud person becomes like him.
2Do not lift a weight too heavy for you,
or associate with one mightier and richer than you.
How can the clay pot associate with the iron kettle?
The pot will strike against it and be smashed.
3A rich person does wrong, and even adds insults;
a poor person suffers wrong, and must add apologies.
4A rich person* will exploit you if you can be of use to him,
but if you are in need he will abandon you.
5If you own something, he will live with you;
he will drain your resources without a qualm.
6When he needs you he will deceive you,
and will smile at you and encourage you;
he will speak to you kindly and say, ‘What do you need?’
7He will embarrass you with his delicacies,
until he has drained you two or three times,
and finally he will laugh at you.
Should he see you afterwards, he will pass you by
and shake his head at you.
8Take care not to be led astray
and humiliated when you are enjoying yourself.*
9When an influential person invites you, be reserved,
and he will invite you more insistently.
10Do not be forward, or you may be rebuffed;
do not stand aloof, or you will be forgotten.
11Do not try to treat him as an equal,
or trust his lengthy conversations;
for he will test you by prolonged talk,
and while he smiles he will be examining you.
12Cruel are those who do not keep your secrets;
they will not spare you harm or imprisonment.
13Be on your guard and very careful,
for you are walking about with your own downfall.*
15Every creature loves its like,
and every person a neighbour.
16All living beings associate with their own kind,
and people stick close to those like themselves.
17What does a wolf have in common with a lamb?
No more has a sinner with the devout.
18What peace is there between a hyena and a dog?
And what peace between the rich and the poor?
19Wild asses in the wilderness are the prey of lions;
likewise the poor are feeding-grounds for the rich.
20Humility is an abomination to the proud;
likewise the poor are an abomination to the rich.
21When the rich person totters, he is supported by friends,
but when the humble* falls, he is pushed away even by friends.
22If the rich person slips, many come to the rescue;
he speaks unseemly words, but they justify him.
If the humble person slips, they even criticize him;
he talks sense, but is not given a hearing.
23The rich person speaks and all are silent;
they extol to the clouds what he says.
The poor person speaks and they say, ‘Who is this fellow?’
And should he stumble, they even push him down.
24Riches are good if they are free from sin;
poverty is evil only in the opinion of the ungodly.
25The heart changes the countenance,
either for good or for evil.*
26The sign of a happy heart is a cheerful face,
but to devise proverbs requires painful thinking.
14Happy are those who do not blunder with their lips,
and need not suffer remorse for sin.
2Happy are those whose hearts do not condemn them,
and who have not given up their hope.
3Riches are inappropriate for a small-minded person;
and of what use is wealth to a miser?
4What he denies himself he collects for others;
and others will live in luxury on his goods.
5If one is mean to himself, to whom will he be generous?
He will not enjoy his own riches.
6No one is worse than one who is grudging to himself;
this is the punishment for his meanness.
7If ever he does good, it is by mistake;
and in the end he reveals his meanness.
8The miser is an evil person;
he turns away and disregards people.
9The eye of the greedy person is not satisfied with his share;
greedy injustice withers the soul.
10A miser begrudges bread,
and it is lacking at his table.
11My child, treat yourself well, according to your means,
and present worthy offerings to the Lord.
12Remember that death does not tarry,
and the decree* of Hades has not been shown to you.
13Do good to friends before you die,
and reach out and give to them as much as you can.
14Do not deprive yourself of a day’s enjoyment;
do not let your share of desired good pass by you.
15Will you not leave the fruit of your labours to another,
and what you acquired by toil to be divided by lot?
16Give, and take, and indulge yourself,
because in Hades one cannot look for luxury.
17All living beings become old like a garment,
for the decree* from of old is, ‘You must die!’
18Like abundant leaves on a spreading tree
that sheds some and puts forth others,
so are the generations of flesh and blood:
one dies and another is born.
19Every work decays and ceases to exist,
and the one who made it will pass away with it.
20Happy is the person who meditates on* wisdom
and reasons intelligently,
21who* reflects in his heart on her ways
and ponders her secrets,
22pursuing her like a hunter,
and lying in wait on her paths;
23who peers through her windows
and listens at her doors;
24who camps near her house
and fastens his tent-peg to her walls;
25who pitches his tent near her,
and so occupies an excellent lodging-place;
26who places his children under her shelter,
and lodges under her boughs;
27who is sheltered by her from the heat,
and dwells in the midst of her glory.
15Whoever fears the Lord will do this,
and whoever holds to the law will obtain wisdom.*
2She will come to meet him like a mother,
and like a young bride she will welcome him.
3She will feed him with the bread of learning,
and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
4He will lean on her and not fall,
and he will rely on her and not be put to shame.
5She will exalt him above his neighbours,
and will open his mouth in the midst of the assembly.
6He will find gladness and a crown of rejoicing,
and will inherit an everlasting name.
7The foolish will not obtain her,
and sinners will not see her.
8She is far from arrogance,
and liars will never think of her.
9Praise is unseemly on the lips of a sinner,
for it has not been sent from the Lord.
10For in wisdom must praise be uttered,
and the Lord will make it prosper.
11Do not say, ‘It was the Lord’s doing that I fell away’;
for he does not do* what he hates.
12Do not say, ‘It was he who led me astray’;
for he has no need of the sinful.
13The Lord hates all abominations;
such things are not loved by those who fear him.
14It was he who created humankind in the beginning,
and he left them in the power of their own free choice.
15If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice.
16He has placed before you fire and water;
stretch out your hand for whichever you choose.
17Before each person are life and death,
and whichever one chooses will be given.
18For great is the wisdom of the Lord;
he is mighty in power and sees everything;
19his eyes are on those who fear him,
and he knows every human action.
20He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
and he has not given anyone permission to sin.
16Do not desire a multitude of worthless* children,
and do not rejoice in ungodly offspring.
2If they multiply, do not rejoice in them,
unless the fear of the Lord is in them.
3Do not trust in their survival,
or rely on their numbers;*
for one can be better than a thousand,
and to die childless is better than to have ungodly children.
4For through one intelligent person a city can be filled with people,
but through a clan of outlaws it becomes desolate.
5Many such things my eye has seen,
and my ear has heard things more striking than these.
6In an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled,
and in a disobedient nation wrath blazes up.
7He did not forgive the ancient giants
who revolted in their might.
8He did not spare the neighbours of Lot,
whom he loathed on account of their arrogance.
9He showed no pity on the doomed nation,
on those dispossessed because of their sins;*
10or on the six hundred thousand foot-soldiers
who assembled in their stubbornness.*
11Even if there were only one stiff-necked person,
it would be a wonder if he remained unpunished.
For mercy and wrath are with the Lord;*
he is mighty to forgive—but he also pours out wrath.
12Great as is his mercy, so also is his chastisement;
he judges a person according to his or her deeds.
13The sinner will not escape with plunder,
and the patience of the godly will not be frustrated.
14He makes room for every act of mercy;
everyone receives in accordance with his or her deeds.*
17Do not say, ‘I am hidden from the Lord,
and who from on high has me in mind?
Among so many people I am unknown,
for what am I in a boundless creation?
18Lo, heaven and the highest heaven,
the abyss and the earth, tremble at his visitation!*
19The very mountains and the foundations of the earth
quiver and quake when he looks upon them.
20But no human mind can grasp this,
and who can comprehend his ways?
21Like a tempest that no one can see,
so most of his works are concealed.*
22Who is to announce his acts of justice?
Or who can await them? For his decree* is far off.’*
23Such are the thoughts of one devoid of understanding;
a senseless and misguided person thinks foolishly.
24Listen to me, my child, and acquire knowledge,
and pay close attention to my words.
25I will impart discipline precisely*
and declare knowledge accurately.
26When the Lord created* his works from the beginning,
and, in making them, determined their boundaries,
27he arranged his works in an eternal order,
and their dominion* for all generations.
They neither hunger nor grow weary,
and they do not abandon their tasks.
28They do not crowd one another,
and they never disobey his word.
29Then the Lord looked upon the earth,
and filled it with his good things.
30With all kinds of living beings he covered its surface,
and into it they must return.
17The Lord created human beings out of earth,
and makes them return to it again.
2He gave them a fixed number of days,
but granted them authority over everything on the earth.*
3He endowed them with strength like his own,*
and made them in his own image.
4He put the fear of them* in all living beings,
and gave them dominion over beasts and birds.*
6Discretion and tongue and eyes,
ears and a mind for thinking he gave them.
7He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and showed them good and evil.
8He put the fear of him into* their hearts
to show them the majesty of his works.*
10And they will praise his holy name,
9 to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
11He bestowed knowledge upon them,
and allotted to them the law of life.*
12He established with them an eternal covenant,
and revealed to them his decrees.
13Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
14He said to them, ‘Beware of all evil.’
And he gave commandment to each of them concerning a neighbour.
15Their ways are always known to him;
they will not be hid from his eyes.*
17He appointed a ruler for every nation,
but Israel is the Lord’s own portion.*
19All their works are as clear as the sun before him,
and his eyes are ever upon their ways.
20Their iniquities are not hidden from him,
and all their sins are before the Lord.*
22One’s almsgiving is like a signet ring with the Lord,*
and he will keep a person’s kindness like the apple of his eye.*
23Afterwards he will rise up and repay them,
and he will bring their recompense on their heads.
24Yet to those who repent he grants a return,
and he encourages those who are losing hope.
25Turn back to the Lord and forsake your sins;
pray in his presence and lessen your offence.
26Return to the Most High and turn away from iniquity,*
and hate intensely what he abhors.
27Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades
in place of the living who give thanks?
28From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has ceased;
those who are alive and well sing the Lord’s praises.
29How great is the mercy of the Lord,
and his forgiveness for those who return to him!
30For not everything is within human capability,
since human beings are not immortal.
31What is brighter than the sun? Yet it can be eclipsed.
So flesh and blood devise evil.
32He marshals the host of the height of heaven;
but all human beings are dust and ashes.
18He who lives for ever created the whole universe;
2 the Lord alone is just.*
4To none has he given power to proclaim his works;
and who can search out his mighty deeds?
5Who can measure his majestic power?
And who can fully recount his mercies?
6It is not possible to diminish or increase them,
nor is it possible to fathom the wonders of the Lord.
7When human beings have finished, they are just beginning,
and when they stop, they are still perplexed.
8What are human beings, and of what use are they?
What is good in them, and what is evil?
9The number of days in their life is great if they reach one hundred years.*
10Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand,
so are a few years among the days of eternity.
11That is why the Lord is patient with them
and pours out his mercy upon them.
12He sees and recognizes that their end is miserable;
therefore he grants them forgiveness all the more.
13The compassion of human beings is for their neighbours,
but the compassion of the Lord is for every living thing.
He rebukes and trains and teaches them,
and turns them back, as a shepherd his flock.
14He has compassion on those who accept his discipline
and who are eager for his precepts.
15My child, do not mix reproach with your good deeds,
or spoil your gift by harsh words.
16Does not the dew give relief from the scorching heat?
So a word is better than a gift.
17Indeed, does not a word surpass a good gift?
Both are to be found in a gracious person.
18A fool is ungracious and abusive,
and the gift of a grudging giver makes the eyes dim.
19Before you speak, learn;
and before you fall ill, take care of your health.
20Before judgement comes, examine yourself;
and at the time of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
21Before falling ill, humble yourself;
and when you have sinned, repent.
22Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,
and do not wait until death to be released from it.
23Before making a vow, prepare yourself;
do not be like one who puts the Lord to the test.
24Think of his wrath on the day of death,
and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
25In the time of plenty think of the time of hunger;
in days of wealth think of poverty and need.
26From morning to evening conditions change;
all things move swiftly before the Lord.
27One who is wise is cautious in everything;
when sin is all around, one guards against wrongdoing.
28Every intelligent person knows wisdom,
and praises one who finds her.
29Those who are skilled in words become wise themselves,
and pour forth apt proverbs.*
30Do not follow your base desires,
but restrain your appetites.
31If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire,
it will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies.
32Do not revel in great luxury,
or you may become impoverished by its expense.
33Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money
when you have nothing in your purse.*
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The New Revised Standard Version (Anglicized Edition), copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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v 2.2.5
2 March 2008