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⁶ Upon your walls, O Jerusalem,
   I have posted sentinels;
all day and all night
   they shall never be silent.
You who remind the Lord,
   take no rest,
⁷ and give him no rest
   until he establishes Jerusalem
   and makes it renowned throughout the earth.
⁸ The Lord has sworn by his right hand
   and by his mighty arm:
I will not again give your grain
   to be food for your enemies,
and foreigners shall not drink the wine
   for which you have laboured;
⁹ but those who garner it shall eat it
   and praise the Lord,
and those who gather it shall drink it
   in my holy courts.

¹⁰ Go through, go through the gates,
   prepare the way for the people;
build up, build up the highway,
   clear it of stones,
   lift up an ensign over the peoples.

Autobiographical Poem on Wisdom

¹³ While I was still young, before I went on my travels,
   I sought wisdom openly in my prayer.
¹⁴ Before the temple I asked for her,
   and I will search for her until the end.

¹⁵ From the first blossom to the ripening grape
   my heart delighted in her;
my foot walked on the straight path;
   from my youth I followed her steps.

¹⁶ I inclined my ear a little and received her,
   and I found for myself much instruction.
¹⁷ I made progress in her;
   to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.

¹⁸ For I resolved to live according to wisdom,^*
   and I was zealous for the good,
   and I shall never be disappointed.
¹⁹ My soul grappled with wisdom,^*
   and in my conduct I was strict;^*

I spread out my hands to the heavens,
   and lamented my ignorance of her.
²⁰ I directed my soul to her,
   and in purity I found her.

With her I gained understanding from the first;
   therefore I will never be forsaken.
²¹ My heart was stirred to seek her;
   therefore I have gained a prize possession.
²² The Lord gave me my tongue as a reward,
   and I will praise him with it.

²³ Draw near to me, you who are uneducated,
   and lodge in the house of instruction.
²⁴ Why do you say you are lacking in these things,^*
   and why do you endure such great thirst?
²⁵ I opened my mouth and said,
   Acquire wisdom^* for yourselves without money.

²⁶ Put your neck under her^* yoke,
   and let your souls receive instruction;
   it is to be found close by.

²⁷ See with your own eyes that I have laboured but little
   and found for myself much serenity.
²⁸ Hear but a little of my instruction,
   and through me you will acquire silver and gold.^*

²⁹ May your soul rejoice in God’s^* mercy,
   and may you never be ashamed to praise him.
³⁰ Do your work in good time,
   and in his own time God^* will give you your reward.