4QInstruction

The instruction unto the poor in spirit — though thou art poor in this world, thou hast an inheritance among the holy ones; live therefore as a son of the kingdom.

1And thou — though thou art poor, despise not thy poverty. The Lord hath made thee poor; the Lord can make thee rich. Thy portion is not in this world; thy portion is with the holy ones in the everlasting.

2Borrow not silver where thou canst not pay; for the borrower is the slave of the lender. If thou dost borrow, pay back swiftly. Speak not lightly an oath; better not to swear at all, lest thou be found a transgressor.

3If thou hast nothing, eat not at the table of the rich man; for thou shalt envy his portion, and shalt grow bitter in thy soul. Eat thy bread alone, before the Lord; and the Lord shall be thy companion.

4Honour thy father and thy mother — though they be poor; for as the Lord hath honoured the parents above the child, so honour thou them all the days of their life. Take care of them in their old age; cover their nakedness; provide their bread; and the Lord shall reward thee.

5Take care of thy wife. She is given thee of the Lord; she is the partner of thy way. Cleave unto her; love her; teach her the truth. Together shall ye walk in the way; together shall ye keep the covenant; together shall ye be received unto the kingdom.

6Take care of thy children. Teach them the law from their youth. Discipline them in love; rebuke them in patience. Show them the wisdom of the mystery of being. Set their feet upon the path; and the Lord shall preserve them all the days of their life.

7Stretch out thy hand unto the needy. The Lord giveth thee, that thou mayest give unto another. He that hath gathered manna and stored it up shall find it stinketh; but he that hath shared it shall find it sweet. Withhold not the wage of the labourer; for the cry of the labourer reacheth unto the Lord, and He shall require it of thee.

8And in all things, my son, take heed unto thyself. The world is full of snares. The adversary lieth in wait for thy soul. But the Lord is a tower of refuge for them that fear Him. Run thou into Him; thou shalt be safe.

9And in the day of thy visitation, the Lord shall raise thee up. Thou shalt sit among the holy ones. Thou shalt inherit the everlasting kingdom. Thou shalt know the mystery of being in fullness; and thou shalt rejoice in the wisdom of the Lord for ever. Amen.