Sirach

1All wisdom comes from the Lord, And is with him forever.

2The sand of the seas, and the drops of rain, And the days of eternity, who shall count?

3The height of the heaven, and the breadth of the earth, And the deep, and wisdom, who shall search them out?

4Wisdom has been created before all things, And the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

6To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? And who has known her shrewd counsels?

8There is one wise, greatly to be feared, The Lord sitting upon his throne:

9He created her, And saw, and counted her, And poured her out upon all his works.

10She is with all flesh according to his gift; And he gave her freely to them that love him.

11The fear of the Lord is glory, and exultation, And gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

12The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, And shall give gladness, and joy, and length of days.

13Whoso fears the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, And in the day of his death he shall be blessed.

14To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; And it was created together with the faithful in the womb.

15With men she laid an eternal foundation; And with their seed shall she be had in trust.

16To fear the Lord is the fulness of wisdom; And she satiateth men with her fruits.

17She shall fill all her house with desirable things, And her garners with her produce.

18The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom, Making peace and perfect health to flourish.

19He both saw and counted her; He rained down skill and knowledge of understanding, And exalted the honor of them that hold her fast.

20To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom; And her branches are length of days.

22Unjust wrath can never be justified; For the sway of his wrath is his downfall.

23A man that is longsuffering will bear for a season, And afterward gladness shall spring up to him;

24He will hide his words for a season, And the lips of many shall tell forth his understanding.

25A parable of knowledge is in the treasures of wisdom; But godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

26If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, And the Lord shall give her to you freely:

27For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction; And in faith and meekness is his good pleasure.

28Disobey not the fear of the Lord; And come not to him with a double heart.

29Be not a hypocrite in the mouths of men; And take good heed to your lips.

30Exalt not yourself, lest you fall, And bring dishonor upon your soul; And so the Lord shall reveal your secrets, And shall cast you down in the midst of the congregation; Because you came not to the fear of the Lord, And your heart was full of deceit.

1My son, if you come to serve the Lord, Prepare your soul for temptation.

2Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, And make not haste in time of calamity.

3Cleave to him, and depart not, That you may be increased at your latter end.

4Accept whatever is brought upon you, And be longsuffering when you passest into humiliation.

5For gold is tried in the fire, And acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

6Put your trust in him, and he will help you: Order your ways aright, and set your hope on him.

7You⌃ that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; And turn not aside, lest you⌃ fall.

8You⌃ that fear the Lord, put your trust in him; And your reward shall not fail.

9You⌃ that fear the Lord, hope for good things, And for eternal gladness and mercy.

10Look at the generations of old, and see: Who did ever put his trust in the Lord, and was ashamed? Or who did abide in his fear, and was forsaken? Or who did call upon him, and he despised him?

11For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy; And he forgives sins, and saves in time of affliction.

12Woe to fearful hearts, and to faint hands, And to the sinner that goes two ways!

13Woe to the faint heart! for it believes not; Therefore shall it not be defended.

14Woe to you that have lost your patience! And what will you⌃ do when the Lord shall visit you?

15They that fear the Lord will not disobey his words; And they that love him will keep his ways.

16They that fear the Lord will seek his good pleasure; And they that love him shall be filled with the law.

17They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, And will humble their souls in his sight,

18saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, And not into the hands of men: For as his majesty is, So also is his mercy.

1Hear me your father, O my children, And do thereafter, that you⌃ may be saved.

2For the Lord has given the father glory as touching the children, And has confirmed the judgement of the mother as touching the sons.

3He that honors his father shall make atonement for sins:

4And he that gives glory to his mother is as one that lays up treasure.

5Whoso honors his father shall have joy of his children; And in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.

6He that gives glory to his father shall have length of days; And he that hearkens to the Lord shall bring rest to his mother,

7And will do service under his parents, as to masters.

8In deed and word honor your father, That a blessing may come upon you from him.

9For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; But the curse of the mother roots out the foundations.

10Glorify not yourself in the dishonor of your father; For your father’s dishonor is no glory to you.

11For the glory of a man is from the honor of his father; And a mother in dishonor is a reproach to her children.

12My son, help your father in his old age; And grieve him not as long as he lives.

13And if he fails in understanding, have patience with him; And dishonor him not while you are in your full strength.

14For the relieving of your father shall not be forgotten: And instead of sins it shall be added to build you up.

15In the day of your affliction it shall remember you; As fair weather upon ice, So shall your sins also melt away.

16He that forsakes his father is as a blasphemer; And he that provoketh his mother is cursed of the Lord.

17My son, go on with your business in meekness; So shall you be beloved of an acceptable man.

18The greater you are, humble yourself the more, And you shall find favor before the Lord.

20For great is the potency of the Lord, And he is glorified of them that are lowly.

21Seek not things that are too hard for you, And search not out things that are above your strength.

22The things that have been commanded you, think thereupon; For you have no need of the things that are secret.

23Be not over busy in your superfluous works: For more things are showed to you than men can understand.

24For the conceit of many has led them astray; And evil surmising has caused their judgement to slip.

26A stubborn heart shall fare ill at the last; And he that loves danger shall perish therein.

27A stubborn heart shall be laden with troubles; And the sinner shall heap sin upon sin.

28The calamity of the proud is no healing; For a plant of wickedness has taken root in him.

29The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; And the ear of a listener is the desire of a wise man.

30Water will quench a flaming fire; And almsgiving will make atonement for sins.

31He that requites good turns is mindful of that which comes afterward; And in the time of his falling he shall find a support.

1My son, deprive not the poor of his living, And make not the needy eyes to wait long.

2Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; Neither provoke a man in his distress.

3To a heart that is provoked add not more trouble; And defer not to give to him that is in need.

4Reject not a suppliant in his affliction; And turn not away your face from a poor man.

5Turn not away your eye from one that asks of you, And give none occasion to a man to curse you:

6For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, He that made him will hear his supplication.

7Get yourself the love of the congregation; And to a great man bow your head.

8Incline your ear to a poor man, And answer him with peaceful words in meekness.

9Deliver him that is wronged from the hand of him that wrongeth him; And be not faint-hearted in giving judgement.

10Be as a father to the fatherless, And instead of a husband to their mother: So shall you be as a son of the Most High, And he shall love you more than your mother does.

11Wisdom exalts her sons, And takes hold of them that seek her.

12He that loves her loves life; And they that seek to her early shall be filled with gladness.

13He that holds her fast shall inherit glory; And where he enters, the Lord will bless.

14They that do her service shall minister to the Holy One; And them that love her the Lord does love.

15He that gives ear to her shall judge the nations; And he that gives heed to her shall dwell securely.

16If he trust her, he shall inherit her; And his generations shall have her in possession.

17For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, And will bring fear and dread upon him, And torment him with her discipline, Until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgements:

18Then will she return again the straight way to him, And will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets.

19If he go astray, she will forsake him, And give him over to his fall.

20Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; And be not ashamed concerning your soul.

21For there is a shame that brings sin; And there is a shame that is glory and grace.

22Accept not the person of any against your soul; And reverence no man to your falling.

23Refrain not speech, when it tendeth to safety; And hide not your wisdom for the sake of fair-seeming.

24For by speech wisdom shall be known; And instruction by the word of the tongue.

25Speak not against the truth; And be abashed for your ignorance.

26Be not ashamed to make confession of your sins; And force not the current of the river.

27Lay not yourself down for a fool to tread upon; And accept not the person of one that is mighty.

28Strive for the truth to death, and the Lord God shall fight for you.

29Be not hasty in your tongue, And in your deeds slack and remiss.

30Be not as a lion in your house, Nor fanciful among your servants.

31Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and closed when you should repay.

1Set not your heart upon your goods; And say not, They are sufficient for me.

2Follow not your own mind and your strength, To walk in the desires of your heart;

3And say not, Who shall have dominion over me? For the Lord will surely take vengeance on you.

4Say not, I sinned, and what happened to me? For the Lord is longsuffering.

5Concerning atonement, be not without fear, To add sin upon sins:

6And say not, His compassion is great; He will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: For mercy and wrath are with him, And his indignation will rest upon sinners.

7Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord; And put not off from day to day: For suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth; And you shall perish in the time of vengeance.

8Set not your heart upon unrighteous gains: For you shall profit nothing in the day of calamity.

9Winnow not with every wind, And walk not in every path: Thus does the sinner that has a double tongue.

10Be stedfast in your understanding; And let your word be one.

11Be swift to hear; And with patience make your answer.

12If you have understanding, answer your neighbor; And if not, let your hand be upon your mouth.

13Glory and dishonor is in talk: And the tongue of a man is his fall.

14Be not called a whisperer; And lie not in wait with your tongue: For upon the thief there is shame, And an evil condemnation upon him that has a double tongue.

15In a great matter and in a small, be not ignorant;

1And instead of a friend become not an enemy; For an evil name shall inherit shame and reproach: Even so shall the sinner that has a double tongue.

2Exalt not yourself in the counsel of your soul; That your soul be not torn in pieces as a bull:

3You shall eat up your leaves, and destroy your fruits, And leave yourself as a dry tree.

4A wicked soul shall destroy him that has gotten it, And shall make him a laughing stock to his enemies.

5Sweet words will multiply a man’s friends; And a fair-speaking tongue will multiply courtesies.

6Let those that are at peace with you be many; But your counselors one of a thousand.

7If you would get you a friend, get him by proving, And be not in haste to trust him.

8For there is a friend that is so for his own occasion; And he will not continue in the day of your affliction.

9And there is a friend that turns to enmity; And he will discover strife to your reproach.

10And there is a friend that is a companion at the table; And he will not continue in the day of your affliction.

11And in your prosperity he will be as yourself, And will be bold over your servants:

12If you shall be brought low, he will be against you, And will hide himself from your face.

13Separate yourself from your enemies; And beware of your friends.

14A faithful friend is a strong defence; And he that has found him has found a treasure.

15There is nothing that can be taken in exchange for a faithful friend; And his excellency is beyond price.

16A faithful friend is a medicine of life; And they that fear the Lord shall find him.

17He that fears the Lord directs his friendship aright; For as he is, so is his neighbor also.

18My son, gather instruction from your youth up: And even to hoar hairs you shall find wisdom.

19Come to her as one that plows and sows, And wait for her good fruits; For your toil shall be little in the tillage of her, And you shall eat of her fruits right soon.

20How exceeding harsh is she to the unlearned! And he that is without understanding will not abide in her.

21As a mighty stone of trial shall she rest upon him; And he will not delay to cast her from him.

22For wisdom is according to her name; and she is not manifest to many.

23Give ear, my son, and accept my judgement, And refuse not my counsel,

24And bring your feet into her fetters, And your neck into her chain.

25Put your shoulder under her, and bear her, And be not grieved with her bonds.

26Come to her with all your soul, And keep her ways with your whole power.

27Search, and seek, and she shall be made known to you; And when you have got hold of her, let her not go.

28For at the last you shall find her rest; And she shall be turned for you into gladness.

29And her fetters shall be to you for a covering of strength, And her chains for a robe of glory.

30For there is a golden ornament upon her, And her bands are a riband of blue.

31You shall put her on as a robe of glory, And shall array you with her as a crown of rejoicing.

32My son, if you will, you shall be instructed; And if you will yield your soul, you shall be prudent.

33If you love to hear, you shall receive; And if you incline your ear, you shall be wise.

34Stand you in the multitude of the elders; And whoso is wise, cleave you to him.

35Be willing to listen to every godly discourse; And let not the proverbs of understanding escape you.

36If you see a man of understanding, get you betimes to him, And let your foot wear out the steps of his doors.

37Let your mind dwell upon the ordinances of the Lord, And meditate continually in his commandments: He shall establish your heart, And your desire of wisdom shall be given to you.

1Do no evil, so shall no evil overtake you.

2Depart from wrong, and it shall turn aside from you.

3My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, And you shall not reap them sevenfold.

4Seek not of the Lord preeminence, Neither of the king the seat of honor.

5Justify not yourself in the presence of the Lord; And display not your wisdom before the king.

6Seek not to be a judge, Lest you be not able to take away iniquities; Lest haply you fear the person of a mighty man, And lay a stumbling block in the way of your uprightness.

7Sin not against the multitude of the city, And cast not yourself down in the crowd.

8Bind not up sin twice; For in one sin you shall not be unpunished.

9Say not, He will look upon the multitude of my gifts, And when I offer to the Most High God, he will accept it.

10Be not faint-hearted in your prayer; And neglect not to give alms.

11Laugh not a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul; For there is one who humbles and exalts.

12Devise not a lie against your brother; Neither do the like to a friend.

13Love not to make any manner of lie; For the custom thereof is not for good.

14Prate not in the multitude of elders; And repeat not your words in your prayer.

15Hate not laborious work; Neither husbandry, which the Most High has ordained.

16Number not yourself among the multitude of sinners: Remember that wrath will not wait.

17Humble your soul greatly; For the punishment of the ungodly man is fire and the worm.

18Change not a friend for a thing indifferent; Neither a true brother for the gold of Ophir.

19Forgo not a wise and good wife; For her grace is above gold.

20Entreat not evil a servant that works truly, Nor a hireling that gives you his life.

21Let your soul love a wise servant; Defraud him not of liberty.

22Hast you cattle? have an eye to them; And if they are profitable to you, let them stay by you.

23Hast you children? correct them, And bow down their neck from their youth.

24Hast you daughters? give heed to their body, And make not your face cheerful toward them.

25Give your daughter in marriage, and you shall have accomplished a great matter: And give her to a man of understanding.

26Hast you a wife after your mind? cast her not out: But trust not yourself to one that is hateful.

27Give glory to your father with your whole heart; And forget not the pangs of your mother.

28Remember that of them you were born: And what will you recompense them for the things that they have done for you?

29Fear the Lord with all your soul; And reverence his priests.

30With all your strength love him that made you; And forsake not his ministers.

31Fear the Lord, and glorify the priest; And give him his portion, even as it is commanded you; The first fruits, and the trespass offering, and the gift of the shoulders, And the sacrifice of sanctification, and the first fruits of holy things.

32Also to the poor man stretch out your hand, That your blessing may be perfected.

33A gift has grace in the sight of every man living; And for a dead man keep not back grace.

34Be not lacking to them that weep; And mourn with them that mourn.

35Be not slow to visit a sick man; For by such things you shall gain love.

36In all your matters remember your last end, And you shall never do amiss.

1Contend not with a mighty man, Lest haply you fall into his hands.

2Strive not with a rich man, lest haply he overweigh you: For gold has destroyed many, And turned aside the hearts of kings.

3Contend not with a man that is full of tongue, And heap not wood upon his fire.

4Jest not with a rude man, Lest your ancestors be dishonored.

5Reproach not a man when he turns from sin: Remember that we are all worthy of punishment.

6Dishonour not a man in his old age; For some of us also are waxing old.

7Rejoice not over one that is dead: Remember that we die all.

8Neglect not the discourse of the wise, And be conversant with their proverbs; For of them you shall learn instruction, And how to minister to great men.

9Miss not the discourse of the aged; For they also learned of their fathers: Because from them you shall learn understanding, And to give answer in time of need.

10Kindle not the coals of a sinner, Lest you be burned with the flame of his fire.

11Rise not up from the presence of an insolent man, Lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth.

12Lend not to a man that is mightier than yourself; And if you lend, be as one that has lost.

13Be not surety above your power: And if you be surety, take thought as one that will have to pay.

14Go not to law with a judge; For according to his honor will they give judgement for him.

15Go not in the way with a rash man, Lest he be aggrieved with you; For he will do according to his own will, And you shall perish with his folly.

16Fight not with a wrathful man, And travel not with him through the desert: For blood is as nothing in his sight; And where there is no help, he will overthrow you.

17Take not counsel with a fool; For he will not be able to conceal the matter.

18Do no secret thing before a stranger; For you know not what he will bring forth.

19Open not your heart to every man; And let him not return you a favor.

1Be not jealous over the wife of your bosom, And teach her not an evil lesson against yourself.

2Give not your soul to a woman, That she should set her foot upon your strength.

3Go not to meet a woman that playeth the harlot, Lest haply you fall into her snares.

4Use not the company of a woman that is a singer, Lest haply you be caught by her attempts.

5Gaze not on a maid, lest haply you be trapped in her penalties.

6Give not your soul to harlots, That you lose not your inheritance.

7Look not round about you in the streets of the city, Neither wander you in the solitary places thereof.

8Turn away your eye from a comely woman, And gaze not on another’s beauty: By the beauty of a woman many have been led astray; And herewith love is kindled as a fire.

9Sit not at all with a woman that has a husband; And revel not with her at the wine; Lest haply your soul turn aside to her, And with your spirit you slide into destruction.

10Forsake not an old friend; For the new is not comparable to him: As new wine, so is a new friend; If it become old, you shall drink it with gladness.

11Envy not the glory of a sinner; For you know not what shall be his overthrow.

12Delight not in the delights of the ungodly: Remember they shall not go unpunished to the grave.

13Keep you far from the man that has power to kill, And you shall have no suspicion of the fear of death: And if you come to him, commit no fault, Lest he take away your life: Know surely that you go about in the midst of snares, And walk upon the battlements of a city.

14As well as you can, guess at your neighbors; And take counsel with the wise.

15Let your converse be with men of understanding; And let all your discourse be in the law of the Most High.

16Let just men be the companions of your board; And let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord.

17For the hand of the artificers a work shall be commended: And he that rules the people shall be counted wise for his speech.

18A man full of tongue is dangerous in his city; And he that is headlong in his speech shall be hated.

1A wise judge will instruct his people; And the government of a man of understanding shall be well ordered.

2As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers; And as is the ruler of the city, such are all they that dwell therein.

3An uninstructed king will destroy his people; And a city will be established through the understanding of the powerful.

4In the hand of the Lord is the authority of the earth; And in due time he will raise up over it one that is profitable.

5In the hand of the Lord is the prosperity of a man; And upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honor.

6Be not angry with your neighbor for every wrong; And do nothing by works of violence.

7Pride is hateful before the Lord and before men; And in the judgement of both will unrighteousness err.

8Sovereignty is transferred from nation to nation, Because of iniquities, and deeds of violence, and greed of money.

9Why is earth and ashes proud? Because in his life he has cast away his bowels.

10It is a long disease; the physician mocketh: And he is a king today, and tomorrow he shall die.

11For when a man is dead, He shall inherit creeping things, and beasts, and worms.

12It is the beginning of pride when a man departs from the Lord; And his heart is departed from him that made him.

13For the beginning of pride is sin; And he that keeps it will pour forth abomination. For this cause the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, And overthrew them utterly.

14The Lord cast down the thrones of rulers, And set the meek in their stead.

15The Lord plucked up the roots of nations, And planted the lowly in their stead.

16The Lord overthrew the lands of nations, And destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.

17He took some of them away, and destroyed them, And made their memorial to cease from the earth.

18Pride has not been created for men, Nor wrathful anger for the offspring of women.

19What manner of seed has honor? the seed of man. What manner of seed has honor? they that fear the Lord. What manner of seed has no honor? the seed of man. What manner of seed has no honor? they that transgress the commandments.

20In the midst of brethren he that rules them has honor; And in the eyes of the Lord they that fear him.

22The rich man, and the honorable, and the poor, Their glorying is the fear of the Lord.

23It is not right to dishonor a poor man that has understanding; And it is not fitting to glorify a man that is a sinner.

24The great man, and the judge, and the mighty man, shall be glorified; And there is not one of them greater than he that fears the Lord.

25Free men shall minister to a wise servant; And a man that has knowledge will not murmur thereat.

26Be not over wise in doing your work; And glorify not yourself in the time of your distress.

27Better is he that labores, and abounds in all things, Than he that glorifieth himself, and lacketh bread.

28My son, glorify your soul in meekness, And give it honor according to the worthiness thereof.

29Who will justify him that sins against his own soul? And who will glorify him that dishonors his own life?

30A poor man is glorified for his knowledge; And a rich man is glorified for his riches.

31But he that is glorified in poverty, how much more in riches? And he that is inglorious in riches, how much more in poverty?

1The wisdom of the lowly shall lift up his head, And make him to sit in the midst of great men.

2Commend not a man for his beauty; And abhor not a man for his outward appearance.

3The bee is little among such as fly; And her fruit is the chief of sweetmeats.

4Glory not in the putting on of raiment, And exalt not yourself in the day of honor; For the works of the Lord are wonderful, And his works are hidden among men.

5Many kings have sat down upon the ground; And one that was never thought of has worn a diadem.

6Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; And men of renown have been delivered into other men’s hands.

7Blame not before you have examined: Understand first, and then rebuke.

8Answer not before you have heard; And interrupt not in the midst of speech.

9Strive not in a matter that concerns you not; And where sinners judge, sit not you with them.

10My son, be not busy about many matters: For if you meddle much, you shall not be unpunished; And if you pursue, you shall not overtake; And you shall not escape by fleeing.

11There is one that toileth, and labores, and makes haste, And is so much the more behind.

12There is one that is sluggish, and has need of help, Lacking in strength, and that abounds in poverty; And the eyes of the Lord looked upon him for good, And he set him up from his low estate,

13And lifted up his head; And many marveled at him.

14Good things and evil, life and death, Poverty and riches, are from the Lord.

17The gift of the Lord remains with the godly, And his good pleasure shall prosper for ever.

18There is that waxes rich by his wariness and pinching, And this is the portion of his reward:

19When he says, I have found rest, And now will I eat of my goods; Yet he knows not what time shall pass, And he shall leave them to others, and die.

20Be stedfast in your covenant, and be conversant therein, And wax old in your work.

21Marvel not at the works of a sinner; But trust the Lord, and abide in your labor: For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord swiftly on the sudden to make a poor man rich.

22The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly; And in an hour that comes swiftly he makes his blessing to flourish.

23Say not, What use is there of me? And what from henceforth shall my good things be?

24Say not, I have sufficient, And from henceforth what harm shall happen to me?

25In the day of good things there is a forgetfulness of evil things; And in the day of evil things a man will not remember things that are good.

26For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord To reward a man in the day of death according to his ways.

27The affliction of an hour causes forgetfulness of delight; And in the last end of a man is the revelation of his deeds.

28Call no man blessed before his death; And a man shall be known in his children.

29Bring not every man into your house; For many are the plots of the deceitful man.

30As a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of a proud man; And as one that is a spy, he looks upon your falling.

31For he lies in wait to turn things that are good into evil; And in things that are praiseworthy he will lay blame.

32From a spark of fire a heap of many coals is kindled; And a sinful man lies in wait for blood.

33Take heed of an evil-doer, for he contriveth wicked things; Lest haply he bring upon you blame for ever.

34Receive a stranger into your house, and he will distract you with brawls, And estrange you from your own.

1If you do good, know to whom you do it; And your good deeds shall have thanks.

2Do good to a godly man, and you shall find a recompense; And if not from him, yet from the Most High.

3There shall no good come to him that continueth to do evil, Nor to him that gives no alms.

4Give to the godly man, And help not the sinner.

5Do good to one that is lowly, And give not to an ungodly man: Keep back his bread, and give it not to him, Lest he overmaster you thereby: For you shall receive twice as much evil For all the good you shall have done to him.

6For the Most High also hates sinners, And will repay vengeance to the ungodly.

7Give to the good man, And help not the sinner.

8A man’s friend will not be fully tried in prosperity; And his enemy will not be hidden in adversity.

9In a man’s prosperity his enemies are grieved; And in his adversity even his friend will be separated from him.

10Never trust your enemy: For like as the brass rusts, so is his wickedness.

11Though he humble himself, and go crouching, Yet take good heed, and beware of him, And you shall be to him as one that has wiped a mirror, And you shall know that he has not utterly rusted it.

12Set him not by you, Lest he overthrow you and stand in your place; Let him not sit on your right hand, Lest he seek to take your seat, And at the last you acknowledge my words, And be pricked with my sayings.

13Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, Or any that come near wild beasts?

14Even so who will pity him that goes to a sinner, And is mingled with him in his sins?

15For a while he will abide with you, And if you give way, he will not hold out.

16And the enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, And in his heart take counsel how to overthrow you into a pit: The enemy will weep with his eyes, And if he find opportunity, he will not be satiated with blood.

17If adversity meet you, you shall find him there before you; And as though he would help you, he will trip up your heel.

18He will shake his head, and clap his hands, And whisper much, and change his countenance.

1He that touches pitch shall be defiled; And he that has fellowship with a proud man shall become like to him.

2Take not up a burden above your strength; And have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than yourself. What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? This shall strike, and that shall be dashed in pieces.

3The rich man does a wrong, and he threatens withal: The poor is wronged, and he shall entreat withal.

4If you be profitable, he will make merchandise of you; And if you be in lack, he will forsake you.

5If you have substance, he will live with you; And he will make you bare, and will not be sorry.

6Hath he had need of you? then he will deceive you, And smile upon you, and give you hope: He will speak you fair, and say, What need you?

7And he will shame you by his meats, Until he have made you bare twice or thrice, And at the last he will laugh you to scorn: Afterward will he see you, and will forsake you, And shake his head at you.

8Beware that you be not deceived, and brought low in your mirth.

9If a mighty man invite you, be retiring, And so much the more will he invite you.

10Press not upon him, lest you be thrust back; And stand not far off, lest you be forgotten.

11Affect not to speak with him as an equal, And believe not his many words: For with much talk will he try you, And in a smiling manner will search you out.

12He that keeps not to himself words spoken is unmerciful; And he will not spare to hurt and to bind.

13Keep them to yourself, and take earnest heed, For you walk in peril of your falling.

15Every living creature loves his like, And every man loves his neighbor.

16All flesh consorts according to kind, And a man will cleave to his like.

17What fellowship shall the wolf have with the lamb? So is the sinner to the godly.

18What peace is there between the hyena and the dog? And what peace between the rich man and the poor?

19Wild asses are the prey of lions in the wilderness; So poor men are pasture for the rich.

20Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; So a poor man is an abomination to the rich.

21A rich man when he is shaken is held up of his friends; But one of low degree being down is thrust away also by his friends.

22When a rich man is fallen, there are many helpers; He speaks things not to be spoken, and men justify him: A man of low degree falls, and men rebuke him withal; He utters wisdom, and no place is allowed him.

23A rich man speaks, and all keep silence; And what he says they extol to the clouds: A poor man speaks, and they say, Who is this? And if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.

24Riches are good that have no sin; And poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.

25The heart of a man changes his countenance, Whether it be for good or for evil.

26A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; And the finding out of parables is a weariness of thinking.

1Blessed is the man that has not slipped with his mouth, And is not pricked with sorrow for sins.

2Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, And who is not fallen from his hope.

3Riches are not comely for a niggard; And what should an envious man do with money?

4He that gathers by taking from his own soul gathers for others; And others shall revel in his goods.

5He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? And he shall not rejoice in his possessions.

6There is none more evil than he that envies himself; And this is a recompense of his wickedness.

7Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness; And at the last he shows forth his wickedness.

8Evil is he that envies with his eye, Turning away the face, and despising the souls of men.

9A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; And wicked injustice dries up his soul.

10An evil eye is grudging of bread, And he is miserly at his table

11My son, according as you have, do well to yourself, And bring offerings to the Lord worthily.

12Remember that death will not wait, And that the covenant of the grave is not showed to you.

13Do well to your friend before you die; And according to your ability stretch out your hand and give to him.

14Defraud not yourself of a good day; And let not the portion of a good desire pass you by.

15Shall you not leave your labors to another? And your toils to be divided by lot?

16Give, and take, and decieve your soul; For there is no seeking of luxury in the grave.

17All flesh waxes old as a garment; For the covenant from the beginning is, You shall die the death.

18As of the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, Some it sheds, and some it makes to grow; So also of the generations of flesh and blood, One comes to an end, and another is born.

19Every work rots and falls away, And the worker thereof shall depart with it.

20Blessed is the man that shall meditate in wisdom, And that shall discourse by his understanding.

21He that considers her ways in his heart Shall also have knowledge in her secrets.

22Go forth after her as one that tracketh, And lie in wait in her ways.

23He that pries in at her windows Shall also hearken at her doors.

24He that lodges close to her house Shall also fasten a nail in her walls.

25He shall pitch his tent near at hand to her, And shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.

26He shall set his children under her shelter, And shall rest under her branches.

27By her he shall be covered from heat, And shall lodge in her glory.

1He that fears the Lord will do this; And he that has possession of the law shall obtain her.

2And as a mother shall she meet him, And receive him as a wife married in her virginity.

3With bread of understanding shall she feed him, And give him water of wisdom to drink.

4He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; And shall rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.

5And she shall exalt him above his neighbors; And in the midst of the congregation shall she open his mouth.

6He shall inherit joy, and a crown of gladness, And an everlasting name.

7Foolish men shall not obtain her; And sinners shall not see her.

8She is far from pride; And liars shall not remember her.

9Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner; For it was not sent him from the Lord.

10For praise shall be spoken in wisdom; And the Lord will prosper it.

11Say not you, It is through the Lord that I fell away; For you shall not do the things that he hates.

12Say not you, It is he that caused me to err; For he has no need of a sinful man.

13The Lord hates every abomination; And they that fear him love it not.

14He himself made man from the beginning, And left him in the hand of his own counsel.

15If you will, you shall keep the commandments; And to perform faithfulness is of your own good pleasure.

16He has set fire and water before you: You shall stretch forth your hand to whichever you will.

17Before man is life and death; And whichever he likes, it shall be given him.

18For great is the wisdom of the Lord: He is mighty in power, and sees all things;

19And his eyes are upon them that fear him; And he will take knowledge of every work of man.

20He has not commanded any man to be ungodly; And he has not given any man licence to sin.

1Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, Neither delight in ungodly sons.

2If they multiply, delight not in them, Except the fear of the Lord be with them.

3Trust not you in their life, Neither rely on their condition: For one is better than a thousand; And to die childless than to have ungodly children.

4For from one that has understanding shall a city be peopled; But a race of wicked men shall be made desolate.

5Many such things I have seen with mine eyes; And mine ear has heard mightier things than these.

6In the congregation of sinners shall a fire be kindled; And in a disobedient nation wrath is kindled.

7He was not pacified toward the giants of old time, Who revolted in their strength.

8He spared not those with whom Lot sojourned, Whom he abhorred for their pride.

9He pitied not the people of perdition, Who were taken away in their sins.

10And in like manner the six hundred thousand footmen, Who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

11Even if there be one stiff-necked person, It is marvel if he shall be unpunished: For mercy and wrath are with him; He is mighty to forgive, and he pours out wrath.

12As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: He judges a man according to his works.

13The sinner shall not escape with his plunder; And the perseverance of the godly shall not be frustrated.

14He will make room for every work of mercy; Each man shall find according to his works.

17Don’t say, I shall be hidden from the Lord; And who shall remember me from on high? I shall not be known among so many people; For what is my soul in a boundless creation?

18Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, The deep, and the earth, shall be moved when he shall visit.

19The mountains and the foundations of the earth together Are shaken with trembling, when he looks upon them.

20And no heart shall think upon these things: And who shall conceive his ways?

21And there is a tempest which no man shall see; Yes, the more part of his works are hid.

22Who shall declare the works of his righteousness? Or who shall endure them? For his covenant is afar off.

23He that is lacking in understanding thinks upon these things; And an unwise and erring man thinks follies.

24My son, hearken to me, and learn knowledge, And give heed to my words with your heart.

25I will show forth instruction by weight, And declare knowledge exactly.

26In the judgement of the Lord are his works from the beginning; And from the making of them he disposed the parts thereof.

27He garnished his works for ever, And the beginnings of them to their generations: They neither hunger, nor are weary, And they cease not from their works.

28No one thrusteth aside his neighbor; And they shall never disobey his word.

29After this also the Lord looked upon the earth, And filled it with his blessings.

30All manner of living things covered the face thereof; And into it is their return.

1The Lord created man of the earth, And turned him back to it again.

2He gave them days by number, and a set time, And gave them authority over the things that are thereon.

3He endued them with strength proper to them; And made them according to his own image.

4He put the fear of man upon all flesh, And gave him to have dominion over beasts and fowls.

6Counsel, and tongue, and eyes, Ears, and heart, gave he them to understand withal.

7He filled them with the knowledge of wisdom, And showed them good and evil.

8He set his eye upon their hearts, To show them the majesty of his works.

10And they shall praise the name of his holiness, That they may declare the majesty of his works.

11He added to them knowledge, And gave them a law of life for a heritage.

12He made an everlasting covenant with them, And showed them his judgements.

13Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory; And their ear heard the glory of his voice.

14And he said to them, Beware of all unrighteousness; And he gave them commandment, each man concerning his neighbor.

15Their ways are ever before him; They shall not be hid from his eyes.

17For every nation he appointed a ruler; And Israel is the Lord’s portion.

19All their works are as the sun before him; And his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20Their iniquities are not hid from him; And all their sins are before the Lord.

22With him the alms of a man is as a signet; And he will keep the bounty of a man as the apple of the eye.

23Afterwards he will rise up and recompense them, And render their recompense upon their head.

24Howbeit to them that repent he granteth a return; And he comforteth them that are losing patience.

25Return to the Lord, and forsake sins: Make your prayer before his face, and lessen the offence.

26Turn again to the Most High, and turn away from iniquity; And greatly hate the abominable thing.

27Who shall give praise to the Most High in the grave, Instead of them which live and return thanks?

28Thanksgiving perishes from the dead, as from one that is not: He that is in life and health shall praise the Lord.

29How great is the mercy of the Lord, And his forgiveness to them that turn to him!

30For all things can’t be in men, Because the son of man is not immortal.

31What is brighter than the sun? yet this fails: And an evil man will think on flesh and blood.

32He looks upon the power of the height of heaven: And all men are earth and ashes.

1He that lives for ever created all things in common.

2The Lord alone shall be justified.

4To none has he given power to declare his works: And who shall trace out his mighty deeds?

5Who shall number the strength of his majesty? And who shall also tell out his mercies?

6As for the wondrous works of the Lord, it is not possible to take from them nor add to them, Neither is it possible to track them out.

7When a man has finished, then he is but at the beginning; And when he ceaseth, then shall he be in perplexity.

8What is man, and whereto serves he? What is his good, and what is his evil?

9The number of man’s days at the most are a hundred years.

10As a drop of water from the sea, and a pebble from the sand; So are a few years in the day of eternity.

11For this cause the Lord was longsuffering over them, And poured out his mercy upon them.

12He saw and perceived their end, that it is evil; Therefore he multiplied his forgiveness.

13The mercy of a man is upon his neighbor; But the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh; Reproving, and chastening, and teaching, And bringing again, as a shepherd does his flock.

14He has mercy on them that accept chastening, And that diligently seek after his judgements.

15My son, to your good deeds add no blemish; And no grief of words in any of your giving.

16Shall not the dew assuage the scorching heat? So is a word better than a gift.

17Behold, is not a word better than a gift? And both are with a gracious man.

18A fool will upbrade ungraciously; And the gift of an envious man consumes the eyes.

19Learn before you speak; And have a care of your health or ever you be sick.

20Before judgement examine yourself; And in the hour of visitation you shall find forgiveness.

21Humble yourself before you be sick; And in the time of sins show repentance.

22Let nothing hinder you to pay your vow in due time; And wait not until death to be justified.

23Before you make a vow, prepare yourself; And be not as a man that tempts the Lord.

24Think upon the wrath that shall be in the days of the end, And the time of vengeance, when he turns away his face.

25In the days of fulness remember the time of hunger, And poverty and lack in the days of wealth.

26From morning until evening the time changes; And all things are speedy before the Lord.

27A wise man will fear in everything; And in days of sinning he will beware of offence.

28Every man of understanding knows wisdom; And he will give thanks to him that found her.

29They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, And poured forth apt proverbs.

30Go not after your lusts; And refrain yourself from your appetites.

31If you give fully to your soul the delight of her desire, She will make you the laughing stock of your enemies.

32Make not merry in much luxury; Neither be tied to the expense thereof.

33Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, When you have nothing in your purse.

1A workman that is a drunkard shall not become rich: He that despises small things shall fall by little and little.

2Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: And he that cleaves to harlots will be the more reckless.

3Moths and worms shall have him to heritage; And a reckless soul shall be taken away.

4He that is hasty to trust is light-minded; And he that sins shall offend against his own soul.

5He that makes merry in his heart shall be condemned:

6And he that hates talk has the less wickedness.

7Never repeat what is told you, And you shall fare never the worse.

8Whether it be of friend or foe, tell it not; And unless it is a sin to you, reveal it not.

9For he has heard you, and observed you, And when the time comes he will hate you.

10Hast you heard a word? let it die with you: Be of good courage, it will not burst you.

11A fool will travail in pain with a word, As a woman in labor with a child.

12As an arrow that sticks in the flesh of the thigh, So is a word in a fool’s belly.

13Reprove a friend; it may be he did it not: And if he did something, that he may do it no more.

14Reprove your neighbor; it may be he said it not: And if he has said it, that he may not say it again.

15Reprove a friend; for many times there is slander: And trust not every word.

16There is one that slips, and not from the heart: And who is he that has not sinned with his tongue?

17Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; And give place to the law of the Most High.

20All wisdom is the fear of the Lord; And in all wisdom is the doing of the law.

22And the knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom; And the prudence of sinners is not counsel.

23There is a wickedness, and the same is abomination; And there is a fool lacking in wisdom.

24Better is one that has small understanding, and fears, Than one that has much prudence, and transgresses the law.

25There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; And there is one that perverteth favor to gain a judgement.

26There is one that does wickedly, that hangs down his head with mourning; But inwardly he is full of deceit,

27Bowing down his face, and making as if he were deaf of one ear: Where he is not known, he will be beforehand with you.

28And if for lack of power he be hindered from sinning, If he find opportunity, he will do mischief.

29A man shall be known by his look, And one that has understanding shall be known by his face, when you meet him.

30A man’s attire, and grinning laughter, And gait, show what he is.

1There is a reproof that is not comely; And there is a man that keeps silence, and he is wise.

2How good is it to reprove, rather than to be angry; And he that makes confession shall be kept back from hurt.

4As is the lust of an eunuch to deflower a virgin; So is he that executes judgements with violence.

5There is one that keeps silence, and is found wise; And there is one that is hated for his much talk.

6There is one that keeps silence, for he has no answer to make; And there is that keeps silence, as knowing his time.

7A wise man will be silent till his time come; But the braggart and fool will overpass his time.

8He that uses many words shall be abhorred; And he that takes to himself authority therein shall be hated.

9There is a prosperity that a man finds in misfortunes; And there is a gain that turns to loss.

10There is a gift that shall not profit you; And there is a gift whose recompense is double.

11There is an abasement because of glory; And there is that has lifted up his head from a low estate.

12There is that buys much for a little, And pays for it again sevenfold.

13He that is wise in words shall make himself beloved; But the pleasantries of fools shall be wasted.

14The gift of a fool shall not profit you; For his eyes are many instead of one.

15He will give little, and upbraid much; And he will open his mouth like a crier: Today he will lend, and tomorrow he will ask it again: Such an one is a hateful man.

16The fool will say, I have no friend, And I have no thanks for my good deeds; They that eat my bread are of evil tongue.

17How often, and of how many, shall he be laughed to scorn!

18A slip on a pavement is better than a slip with the tongue; So the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.

19A man without grace is as a tale out of season: It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

20A wise sentence from a fool’s mouth will be rejected; For he will not speak it in its season.

21There is that is hindered from sinning through lack; And when he takes rest, he shall not be troubled.

22There is that destroys his soul through bashfulness; And by a foolish countenance he will destroy it.

23There is that for bashfulness promises to his friend; And he makes him his enemy for nothing.

24A lie is a foul blot in a man: It will be continually in the mouth of the ignorant.

25A thief is better than a man that is continually lying: But they both shall inherit destruction.

26The disposition of a liar is dishonor; And his shame is with him continually.

27He that is wise in words shall advance himself; And one that is prudent will please great men.

28He that tils his land shall raise his heap high; And he that pleases great men shall get pardon for iniquity.

29Presents and gifts blind the eyes of the wise, And as a muzzle on the mouth, turn away reproofs.

30Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is out of sight, What profit is in them both?

31Better is a man that hides his folly Than a man that hides his wisdom.

1My son, have you sinned? add no more thereto; And make supplication for your former sins.

2Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent; For if you draw near it will bite you: The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, Slaying the souls of men.

3All iniquity is as a two-edged sword; Its stroke has no healing.

4Terror and violence will lay waste riches; So the house of a haughty man shall be laid waste.

5Supplication from a poor man’s mouth reaches to the ears of God, And his judgement comes speedily.

6One that hates reproof is in the path of the sinner; And he that fears the Lord will turn again in his heart.

7He that is mighty in tongue is known afar off: But the man of understanding knows when he slips.

8He that builds his house with other men’s money Is like one that gathers himself stones against winter.

9The congregation of wicked men is as tow wrapped together; And the end of them is a flame of fire.

10The way of sinners is made smooth with stones; And at the last end thereof is the pit of Hades.

11He that keeps the law becomes master of the intent thereof; And the end of the fear of the Lord is wisdom.

12He that is not clever will not be instructed; And there is a cleverness which makes bitterness to abound.

13The knowledge of a wise man shall be made to abound as a flood; And his counsel as a fountain of life.

14The inward parts of a fool are like a broken vessel; And he will hold no knowledge.

15If a man of knowledge hear a wise word, He will commend it, and add to it: The dissolute man hears it, and it displeases him, And he puts it away behind his back.

16The discourse of a fool is like a burden in the way; But grace shall be found on the lips of the wise.

17The mouth of the prudent man shall be sought for in the congregation; And they will ponder his words in their heart.

18As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool; And the knowledge of an unwise man is as talk without sense.

19Instruction is as fetters on the feet of an unwise man, And as manacles on the right hand.

20A fool lifts up his voice with laughter; But a clever man will scarce smile quietly.

21Instruction is to a prudent man as an ornament of gold, And as a bracelet upon his right arm.

22The foot of a fool is soon in another man’s house; But a man of experience will be ashamed of entering.

23A foolish man peepeth in from the door of another man’s house; But a man that is instructed will stand without.

24It is a lack of instruction in a man to listen at the door; But the prudent man will be grieved with the disgrace.

25The lips of strangers will be grieved at these things; But the words of prudent men will be weighed in the balance.

26The heart of fools is in their mouth; But the mouth of wise men is their heart.

27When the ungodly curses Satan, He curses his own soul.

28A whisperer defiles his own soul, And shall be hated wherever he sojourneth.

1A slothful man is compared to a stone that is defiled; And every one will hiss him out in his disgrace.

2A slothful man is compared to the filth of a dunghill: Every man that takes it up will shake out his hand.

3A father has shame in having begotten an uninstructed son; And a foolish daughter is born to his loss.

4A prudent daughter shall inherit a husband of her own; And she that brings shame is the grief of her father.

5She that is bold brings shame upon father and husband; And she shall be despised of them both.

6Unseasonable discourse is as music in mourning; But stripes and correction are wisdom at every season.

7He that teaches a fool is as one that glues a potsherd together; Even as one that wakes a sleeper out of a deep sleep.

8He that discourseth to a fool is as one discoursing to a man that slumbereth; And at the end he will say, What is it?

11Weep for the dead, for light has failed him; And weep for a fool, for understanding has failed him: Weep more sweetly for the dead, because he has found rest; But the life of the fool is worse than death.

12Seven days are the days of mourning for the dead; But for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.

13Talk not much with a foolish man, And go not to one that has no understanding: Beware of him, lest you have trouble; And so you shall not be defiled in his onslaught: Turn aside from him, and you shall find rest; And so you shall not be wearied in his madness.

14What shall be heavier than lead? And what is the name thereof, but a fool?

15Sand, and salt, and a mass of iron, is easier to bear, Than a man without understanding.

16Timber girded and bound into a building shall not be loosed with shaking: So a heart established in due season on well advised counsel shall not be afraid.

17A heart settled upon a thoughtful understanding Is as an ornament of plaister on a polished wall.

18Pales set on a high place will not stand against the wind: So a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool will not stand against any fear.

19He that pricks the eye will make tears to fall; And he that pricks the heart makes it to show feeling.

20Whoso casts a stone at birds frays them away; And he that upbraids a friend will dissolve friendship.

21If you have drawn a sword against a friend, despair not; For there may be a returning.

22If you have opened your mouth against a friend, fear not; For there may be a reconciling; Except it be for upbraiding, and arrogance, and disclosing of a secret, and a treacherous blow: For these things every friend will flee.

23Gain trust with your neighbor in his poverty, That in his prosperity you may have gladness: Abide stedfast to him in the time of his affliction, That you may be heir with him in his inheritance.

24Before fire is the vapor and smoke of a furnace; So revilings before bloodshed.

25I will not be ashamed to shelter a friend; And I will not hide myself from his face:

26And if any evil happen to me because of him, Every one that hears it will beware of him.

27Who shall set a watch over my mouth, And a seal of shrewdness upon my lips, That I fall not from it, and that my tongue destroy me not?

1O Lord, Father and Master of my life, Abandon me not to their counsel: Suffer me not to fall by them.

2Who will set scourges over my thought, And a discipline of wisdom over mine heart? That they spare me not for mine ignorances, And my heart pass not by their sins:

3That mine ignorances be not multiplied, And my sins abound not; And I shall fall before mine adversaries, And mine enemy rejoice over me.

4O Lord, Father and God of my life, Give me not a proud look,

5And turn away concupiscense from me.

6Let not greediness and chambering overtake me; And give me not over to a shameless mind.

7Hear you⌃, my children, the discipline of the mouth; And he that keeps it shall not be taken.

8The sinner shall be overtaken in his lips; And the reviler and the proud man shall stumble therein.

9Accustom not your mouth to an oath; And be not accustomed to the naming of the Holy One.

10For as a servant that is continually scourged shall not lack a bruise, So he also that swears and names God continually shall not be cleansed from sin.

11A 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 has sinned doubly; And if he has sworn in vain, he shall not be justified; For his house shall be filled with calamities.

12There 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.

13Accustom not your mouth to gross rudeness, For therein is the word of sin.

14Remember your father and your mother, For you sit in the midst of great men; That you be not forgetful before them, And become a fool by your custom; So shall you wish that you had not been born, And curse the day of your nativity.

15A man that is accustomed to words of reproach Will not be corrected all the days of his life.

16Two 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 has burned out the fire.

17All bread is sweet to a fornicator: He will not leave off till he die.

18A man that goes astray from his own bed, Saying in his heart, Who sees me? Darkness is round about me, and the walls hide me, And no man sees me; of whom am I afraid? The Most High will not remember my sins;

19— And the eyes of men are his terror, And he knows 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.

20All things were known to him or ever they were created; And in like manner also after they were perfected.

21This man shall be punished in the streets of the city; And where he suspected not he shall be taken.

22So also a wife that leaves her husband, And brings in an heir by a stranger.

23For first, she was disobedient in the law of the Most High; And secondly, she trespassed against her own husband; And thirdly, she played the adulteress in whoredom, And brought in children by a stranger.

24She shall be brought out into the congregation; And upon her children shall there be visitation.

25Her children shall not spread into roots, And her branches shall bear no fruit.

26She shall leave her memory for a curse; And her reproach shall not be blotted out.

27And they that are left behind shall know that there is nothing better than the fear of the Lord, And nothing sweeter than to take heed to the commandments of the Lord.

1Wisdom shall praise herself, And shall glory in the midst of her people.

2In the congregation of the Most High shall she open her mouth, And glory in the presence of his power.

3I came forth from the mouth of the Most High, And covered the earth as a mist.

4I lived in high places, And my throne is in the pillar of the cloud.

5Alone I compassed the circuit of heaven, And walked in the depth of the abyss.

6In the waves of the sea, and in all the earth, And in every people and nation, I got a possession.

7With all these I sought rest; And in whose inheritance shall I lodge?

8Then the Creator of all things gave me a commandment; And he that created me made my tabernacle to rest, And said, Let your tabernacle be in Jacob, And your inheritance in Israel.

9He created me from the beginning before the world; And to the end I shall not fail.

10In the holy tabernacle I ministered before him; And so was I established in Sion.

11In the beloved city likewise he gave me rest; And in Jerusalem was my authority.

12And I took root in a people that was glorified, Even in the portion of the Lord’s own inheritance.

13I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, And as a cypress tree on the mountains of Hermon.

14I 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.

15As 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.

16As the terebinth I stretched out my branches; And my branches are branches of glory and grace.

17As the vine I put forth grace; And my flowers are the fruit of glory and riches.

19Come to me, you⌃ that are desirous of me, And be you⌃ filled with my produce.

20For my memorial is sweeter than honey, And mine inheritance than the honeycomb.

21They that eat me shall yet be hungry; And they that drink me shall yet be thirsty.

22He that obeys me shall not be ashamed; And they that work in me shall not do amiss.

23All these things are the book of the covenant of the Most High God, Even the law which Moses commanded us for a heritage to the assemblies of Jacob.

25It is he that makes wisdom abundant, as Pishon, And as Tigris in the days of new fruits;

26That makes understanding full as Euphrates, And as Jordan in the days of harvest;

27That makes instruction to shine forth as the light, As Gihon in the days of vintage.

28The first man knew her not perfectly; And in like manner the last has not traced her out.

29For her thoughts are filled from the sea, And her counsels from the great deep.

30And I came out as a stream from a river, And as a conduit into a garden.

31I said, I will water my garden, And will water abundantly my garden bed; And, behold, my stream became a river, And my river became a sea.

32I will yet bring instruction to light as the morning, And will make these things to shine forth afar off.

33I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, And leave it to generations of ages.

34Behold that I have not laboured for myself only, But for all them that diligently seek her.

1In three things I was beautified, And stood up beautiful before the Lord and men: The concord of brethren, and friendship of neighbors, And a woman and her husband that walk together in agreement.

2But three sorts of men my soul hates, 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.

3In your youth you have not gathered, And how should you find in your old age?

4How beautiful a thing is judgement for gray hairs, And for elders to know counsel!

5How beautiful is the wisdom of old men, And thought and counsel to men that are in honor!

6Much experience is the crown of old men; And their glorying is the fear of the Lord.

7There 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 has joy of his children; A man that lives and looks upon the fall of his enemies:

8Happy is he that dwells with a wife of understanding; And he that has not slipped with his tongue; And he that has not served a man that is unworthy of him:

9Happy is he that has found prudence; And he that discourseth in the ears of them that listen.

10How great is he that has found wisdom! Yet is there none above him that fears the Lord.

11The fear of the Lord passes all things: He that holds it, to whom shall he be likened?

13Give me any plague but the plague of the heart; And any wickedness but the wickedness of a woman;

14Any calamity, but a calamity from them that hate me; And any vengeance, but the vengeance of enemies.

15There is no head above the head of a serpent; And there is no wrath above the wrath of an enemy.

16I will rather dwell with a lion and a dragon, Than keep house with a wicked woman.

17The wickedness of a woman changes her look, And darkens her countenance as a bear does.

18Her husband shall sit at meat among his neighbors, And when he hears it he sighs bitterly.

19All malice is but little to the malice of a woman: Let the portion of a sinner fall on her.

20As the going up a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, So is a wife full of words to a quiet man.

21Throw not yourself upon the beauty of a woman; And desire not a woman for her beauty.

22There is anger, and impudence, and great reproach, If a woman maintain her husband.

23A 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.

24From a woman was the beginning of sin; And because of her we all die.

25Give not water an outlet; Neither to a wicked woman freedom of speech.

26If she go not as you would have her, Cut her off from your flesh.

1Happy is the husband of a good wife; And the number of his days shall be twofold.

2A brave woman rejoices her husband; And he shall fulfil his years in peace.

3A good wife is a good portion: She shall be given in the portion of such as fear the Lord.

4Whether a man be rich or poor, A good heart makes at all times a cheerful countenance.

5Of 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.

6A grief of heart and sorrow is a woman that is jealous of another woman, And the scourge of a tongue communicating to all.

7A wicked woman is as a yoke of oxen shaken to and fro: He that takes hold of her is as one that graspeth a scorpion.

8A drunken woman causes great wrath; And she will not cover her own shame.

9The whoredom of a woman is in the lifting up of her eyes; And it shall be known by her eyelids.

10Keep strict watch on a headstrong daughter, Lest she find liberty for herself, and use it.

11Look well after an impudent eye; And marvel not if it trespass against you.

12She 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.

13The grace of a wife will delight her husband; And her knowledge will fatten his bones.

14A silent woman is a gift of the Lord; And there is nothing so much worth as a well-instructed soul.

15A shamefast woman is grace upon grace; And there is no price worthy of a continent soul.

16As the sun when it arises in the highest places of the Lord, So is the beauty of a good wife in the ordering of a man’s house.

17As the lamp that shineth upon the holy candlestick, So is the beauty of the face in ripe age.

18As the golden pillars are upon a base of silver, So are beautiful feet with the breasts of one that is stedfast.

28For two things my heart is grieved; And for the third anger comes upon me: A man of war that suffers for poverty; And men of understanding that are counted as refuse: One that turns back from righteousness to sin; The Lord shall prepare him for the sword.

29A merchant shall hardly keep himself from wrong doing; And a huckster shall not be acquitted of sin.

1Many have sinned for a thing indifferent; And he that seeks to multiply gain will turn his eye away.

2A nail will stick fast between the joinings of stones; And sin will thrust itself in between buying and selling.

3Unless a man hold on diligently in the fear of the Lord, His house shall soon be overthrown.

4In the shaking of a sieve, the refuse remains; So the filth of man in his reasoning.

5The furnace will prove the potter’s vessels; And the trial of a man is in his reasoning.

6The fruit of a tree declares the husbandry thereof; So is the utterance of the thought of the heart of a man.

7Praise no man before you hear him reason; For this is the trial of men.

8If you follow righteousness, you shall obtain her, And put her on, as a long robe of glory.

9Birds will resort to their like; And truth will return to them that practise her.

10The lion lies in wait for prey; So does sin for them that work iniquity.

11The discourse of a godly man is always wisdom: But the foolish man changes as the moon.

12Among men void of understanding observe the opportunity; But stay continually among the thoughtful.

13The discourse of fools is an offence; And their laughter is in the wantonness of sin.

14The talk of a man of many oaths will make the hair stand upright; And their strife makes one stop his ears.

15The strife of the proud is a shedding of blood; And their reviling of each other is a grievous thing to hear.

16He that reveals secrets destroys credit, And shall not find a friend to his mind.

17Love a friend, and keep faith with him: But if you reveal his secrets, You shall not pursue after him;

18For as a man has destroyed his enemy, So have you destroyed the friendship of your neighbor.

19And as a bird which you have loosed out of your hand, So have you let your neighbor go, and you will not catch him again:

20Pursue him not, for he is gone far away, And has escaped as a gazelle out of the snare.

21For a wound may be bound up, and after reviling there may be a reconcilement; But he that reveals secrets has lost hope.

22One that winks with the eye contriveth evil things; And no man will remove him from it.

23When you are present, he will speak sweetly, And will admire your words; But afterward he will writhe his mouth, And set a trap for you in your words.

24I have hated many things, but nothing like him; And the Lord will hate him.

25One that casts a stone on high casts it on his own head; And a deceitful stroke will open wounds.

26He that digs a pit shall fall into it; And he that sets a snare shall be taken therein.

27He that does evil things, they shall roll upon him, And he shall not know whence they have come to him.

28Mockery and reproach are from the haughty; And vengeance, as a lion, shall lie in wait for him.

29They that rejoice at the fall of the godly shall be taken in a snare; And anguish shall consume them before they die.

30Wrath and anger, these also are abominations; And a sinful man shall possess them.

1He that takes vengeance shall find vengeance from the Lord; And he will surely make firm his sins.

2Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he has done you; And then your sins shall be pardoned when you pray.

3Man cherisheth anger against man; And does he seek healing from the Lord?

4Upon a man like himself he has no mercy; And does he make supplication for his own sins?

5He being himself flesh nourishes wrath: Who shall make atonement for his sins?

6Remember your last end, and cease from enmity: Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

7Remember the commandments, and be not angry with your neighbor; And remember the covenant of the Highest, and wink at ignorance.

8Abstain from strife, and you shall diminish your sins: For a passionate man will kindle strife;

9And a man that is a sinner will trouble friends, And will make debate among them that be at peace.

10As 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.

11A contention begun in haste kindles a fire; And a hasty fighting sheds blood.

12If you blow a spark, it shall burn; And if you spit upon it, it shall be quenched: And both these shall come out of your mouth.

13Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: For he has destroyed many that were at peace.

14A third person’s tongue has shaken many, And dispersed them from nation to nation; And it has pulled down strong cities, And overthrown the houses of great men.

15A third person’s tongue has cast out brave women, And deprived them of their labors.

16He that hearkens to it shall not find rest, Nor shall he dwell quietly.

17The stroke of a whip makes a mark in the flesh; But the stroke of a tongue will break bones.

18Many have fallen by the edge of the sword: Yet not so many as they that have fallen because of the tongue.

19Happy is he that is sheltered from it, That has not passed through the wrath thereof; That has not drawn its yoke, And has not been bound with its bands.

20For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, And the bands thereof are bands of brass.

21The death thereof is an evil death; And Hades were better than it.

22It shall not have rule over godly men; And they shall not be burned in its flame.

23They 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.

24Look that you hedge your possession about with thorns; Bind up your silver and your gold;

25And make a balance and a weight for your words; And make a door and a bar for your mouth.

26Take heed lest you slip therein; Lest you fall before one that lies in wait.

1He that shows mercy will lend to his neighbor; And he that strengthens him with his hand keeps the commandments.

2Lend to your neighbor in time of his need; And pay you your neighbor again in due season.

3Confirm your word, and keep faith with him; And at all seasons you shall find what you need.

4Many have reckoned a loan as a windfall, And have given trouble to those that helped them.

5Till he has received, he will kiss a man’s hands; And for his neighbor’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.

6If he prevail, he shall hardly receive the half; And he will count it as a windfall: If not, he has deprived him of his money, And he has gotten him for an enemy without cause: He will pay him with cursings and railings; And for honor he will pay him disgrace.

7Many on account of men’s ill-dealing have turned away; They have feared to be defrauded for nothing.

8Howbeit with a man in poor estate be longsuffering; And let him not wait for your alms.

9Help a poor man for the commandment’s sake; And according to his need send him not empty away.

10Lose your money for a brother and a friend; And let it not rust under the stone to be lost.

11Bestow your treasure according to the commandments of the Most High; And it shall profit you more than gold.

12Shut up alms in your store-chambers; And it shall deliver you out of all affliction:

13It shall fight for you against your enemy Better than a mighty shield and a ponderous spear.

14A good man will be surety for his neighbor; And he that has lost shame will fail him.

15Forget not the good offices of your surety; For he has given his life for you.

16A sinner will overthrow the good estate of his surety;

17And he that is of an unthankful mind will fail him that delivered him.

18Suretiship has undone many that were prospering, And shaken them as a wave of the sea: Mighty men has it driven from their homes; And they wandered among strange nations.

19A sinner that falls into suretiship, And undertakes contracts for work, shall fall into lawsuits.

20Help your neighbor according to your power, And take heed to yourself that you fall not to the same.

21The chief thing for life is water, and bread, And a garment, and a house to cover shame.

22Better is the life of a poor man under a shelter of logs, Than sumptuous fare in another man’s house.

23With little or with much, be well satisfied.

24It is a miserable life to go from house to house: And where you are a sojourner, you shall not dare to open your mouth.

25You shall entertain, and give to drink, and have no thanks: And besides this you shall hear bitter words.

26Come hither, you sojourner, furnish a table, And if you have anything in your hand, feed me with it.

27Go forth, you sojourner, from the face of honor; My brother is come to be my guest; I have need of my house.

28These things are grievous to a man of understanding; The upbraiding of house-room, and the reproaching of the money-lender.

1He that loves his son will continue to lay stripes upon him, That he may have joy of him in the end.

2He that chastises his son shall have profit of him, And shall glory of him among his acquaintance.

3He that teaches his son shall provoke his enemy to jealousy; And before friends he shall rejoice of him.

4His father dieth, and is as though he had not died; For he has left one behind him like himself.

5In his life, he saw and rejoiced in him; And when he died, he sorrowed not:

6He left behind him an avenger against his enemies, And one to requite kindness to his friends.

7He that makes too much of his son shall bind up his wounds; And his heart will be troubled at every cry.

8An unbroken horse becomes stubborn; And a son left at large becomes headstrong.

9Cocker your child, and he shall make you afraid: Play with him, and he will grieve you.

10Laugh not with him, lest you have sorrow with him; And you shall gnash your teeth in the end.

11Give him no liberty in his youth, And wink not at his follies.

12Bow down his neck in his youth, And beat him on the sides while he is a child, Lest he wax stubborn, and be disobedient to you; And there shall be sorrow to your soul.

13Chastise your son, and take pains with him, Lest his shameless behavior be an offence to you.

14Better is a poor man, being sound and strong of constitution, Than a rich man that is plagued in his body.

15Health and a good constitution are better than all gold; And a strong body than wealth without measure.