ECCLESIASTICUS
or
THE
WISDOM OF JESUS SON OF SIRACH
Introduction
The title Ecclesiasticus
implies that this book was used within the church. In the Christian Church in
the area of Alexandria, Egypt
there is evidence that this was so. Across the centuries, however, Jewish and
Christian reformers rejected the book as a part of the canon. The earliest
evidence of the text in Hebrew was discovered in 1900. The discovery of the
Dead Sea Scrolls brought to light approximately two thirds of the text in fragments.
The text was translated into Greek (LXX), possibly as early as 180 -175 BCE, and later
was translated into Latin by St. Jerome
in his translation of the Vulgate at the request of Pope Damasus
I in 382 CE. The Vulgate it was accepted
but not ‘oficially” approved for many
centuries. A movement to officially approve the Vulgate was made at the Council
of Trent (1549 – 63) but official approval was given by Pope Pius XII in
his Encyclical: “Divino Afflante
Spiritu” in 1943, thereby approving not only
this but also the other fourteen books of the Apocrypha, as the official text
of the Roman Catholic Biblical Canon.
There seem to be several some-what different recensions
of the text in various ancient manuscripts. Earlier work in standardizing the
text was done by Mr. Brown and Mr. Gelson, and later
expanded by Dr. Schechler This translation is an
attempt to unify the various recensions as much as possible, and is based on
the work edited by J. Ziegler.
The writer signs his name in 50:27, his profession in
36:14, and invites students to attend his school in 51:23. The work seems to have some evidence of a
connection with the Maccabean Revolt, devoting his
energies into writing in an attempt to guide the way of life of the people in
that difficult time.
Some time later a Prologue was written, thought by some
to have been written by the author’s grandson, who urges strongly the
importance of understanding and knowledge of the Law and the Prophets and other
books, which presumably are in the Hebrew canon.
The book is not carefully structured. Scholars have tried
to outline the book but it is not carefully divided by subject to make an
outline plausible. Its characteristic is much like that of the book of
Proverbs. The emphasis is on a variety of subjects, among them being: wisdom
teaching, proper speech, riches and poverty, honesty, diligence, choice of
friends, sin and death, retribution, the
problem of suffering and wisdom. He has
used many of the traditional themes of the prophets.
It follows the usual pattern of Hebrew teaching, in that
one’s immortality comes through one’s progeny and a good name. As
with other wisdom literature, it does not deal with immortality beyond what has
just been written, giving no knowledge or suggestion about the end time and a
possible eternal abode.
A word should be said about the alternate name for the
book: The Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach. The title is often written as “The
Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sirach.” Ben, in
Hebrew, means “son.” We have no information concerning Sirach, though possibly he was a well known person at the
time of the writing of the book.
Some scholars have attempted to declare that there is
evidence to unite this ook with New Testament
writings. Examples of their work can be
found by studying the following:
John Eccl. Matt Eccl.
1:5 18:4 6:14 28:2
1:6. 8 1:28 6:19 29:1
1:2 – 4 2:11 16:25 32:24
1:13
– 15 5:11- 2O
1:19 5:11 Luke Eccl.
1:23 5:11 1:17 48:10
5:8 27:{9
- 15
None of the studies of the connection of the above
passages is very convincing. The book is listed as approved in the earliest
writing of the Didache but excluded in later
revisions.
On occasion a verse, in the various recensions, is found
only in one ancient or a few ancient manuscripts. These are generally noted
with brackets [ ] and are possibly only
found in one recension.
ECCLESIASTICUS
Foreword
Many great teachings have been given to us through the
Law and the Prophets and
the others (or, other books)
that followed them, and for these we should praise Israel
for
instruction and wisdom.
Now, those who read the scriptures must not only themselves
understand them, but must
also be their duty, as lovers of learning, to be able through the spoken and
written word, to help the outsiders. So my grandfather, Jesus [the son of Sirach], who had
devoted himself especially to the reading of the Law and the Prophets and the
other writings of our ancestors, and had acquired considerable proficiency in
them, and felt himself to be compelled to write something pertaining to
instruction and wisdom so that by becoming familiar also with his book
those who love learning might make even greater progress in living according to
the law.
You are therefore invited [or, asked]
to read it with goodwill and attention, and to be intelligent in cases where,
despite our diligent labor in translating, we may seem to have rendered some
phrases imperfectly. For what was originally expressed in Hebrew dies, but,
gave exactly the same sense when translated
into another language. Not only this good, but even the Law itself, the
Prophecies, and the rest of the books differ but a little when read in the
original.
When I came to Egypt
in the thirty-eighth year of
the reign of Euergetes
II and
stayed for some time,
I found opportunity for no little instruction.
It seemed highly
necessary that I should
myself devote some diligence and labor
to the translation of this
book. During that time I had applied my skill day
and night, to complete and publish the
book for those
living abroad who wished to gain knowledge and are disposed to live
according to the law.
<CHAPTER 1>
In
Praise of Wisdom
1
All wisdom is from the Lord, and remain with them forever.
2
Who can count the sand of the sea,
the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
3
Who can measure the height of heaven, the breadth of the earth,
the
subterranean waters, (or, the depth of the abyss),
or wisdom?
` 4
Wisdom was created before all other things,
and prudent understanding from eternity.
5
[The source of wisdom is God’s word in the highest heaven,
and her ways are the eternal commandment.]
6
The root of wisdom – to whom has it been revealed?
Her subtleties – who knows them?
7
[The knowledge of wisdom – to whom was it manifested?
And her abundant experience – who has
understood it?]
8
There is but one who is wise, greatly to be feared,
seated upon his throne – the Lord.
9
It is he who created her, he saw her and took her measure,
he poured her out upon all his works,
10
upon all the living
according to his gift,
he lavished her upon those who love him.
[Love of the Lord is glorious wisdom; to those to whom he
appears,
he apportions her, that they may see him.]
11
This fear
of the Lord is brings glory (or, hope) and
exultation,
and gladness and a garland of rejoicing.
12
The fear of the Lord delights the heart,
and
gives gladness and joy and long life.
[The fear of the Lord is a gift from the Lord,
also for love he makes firm paths.]
13
Those who fear the Lord will have a happy end;
on the day of their death they will be
blessed.
14
To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
she is created with the faithful in her womb.
15 She made
among human beings an eternal foundation,
and among their descendants
she will abide forever.
16
To fear the Lord is fullness of wisdom,
she inebriates morals with her fruit;
17 she fills their
entire house with desirable goods,
and their storehouses with her produce.
18
The fear of the Lord is divine wisdom,
making peace and perfect health to flourish.
[Both are gifts of God for peace, glory opens up for
those who love him:
He saw her and took her measure.]
19
She rained down knowledge and discerning comprehension,
and she heightened the glory of those who
held her fast.
20
To fear the Lord is the root of wisdom,
and her branches are long life.
21
[The fear of the Lord drives away sins,
and where it abides, it will turn away all
anger.]
Self-control
22
Unjust anger cannot be justified (or, excused),
for anger tips the scale to one’s
personal downfall.
23
Those who are patient stay calm until the right moment,
and then cheerfulness comes back to them.
24
They hold back their words until the right moment,
for then many will speak of their good sense.
Wisdom
and Reverence for God
25
In the treasures of wisdom are wise sayings,
but
godliness
has been deserted by the sinners.
26
If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments,
and the Lord will lavish wisdom upon you.
27 For the fear of the Lord is
wisdom and discipline,
fidelity and humility are his delight.
28
Do not disobey the fear of the Lord,
do not approach him with your mind being
insincere.
29
Do not be a hypocrite
before others,
and keep watch over your lips.
30
Do not be arrogant, or you will fall
and bring dishonor upon yourself.
The Lord will reveal your secrets,
and humiliate you before the entire
congregation,
because you did not come in the fear of the
Lord,
and your heart was full of deceit.
<CHAPTER 2>
Faithfulness
to God
1
My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for testing (or, trials).
2
Set your heart on the right course and be steadfast,
and do not be dismayed in times of calamity.
3
Cling to him and do not let go,
so that your last days may be prosperous.
4
Accept whatever befalls you,
and be
patient in times of humiliation, .
5
for gold is tested (or, assayed) in
the fire,
and those found acceptable (or, chosen), in the furnace of humiliation,
6
must trust I him, and he will help you.
set the straight course for yourself, and
base your hope in him..
7
You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy,
do not stray, or else you may fall.
8
You who revere the Lord: trust his mercy,
and your reward will not be lost.
9
You who are in awe of the Lord, hope for prosperity (or, good things),
for lasting joy and mercy.
10
Consider the past generations and be attentive:
has anyone trusted in the Lord and been
disappointed?
Or has anyone who has stood firm in reverence of the Lord
and been forsaken?
Or, has anyone called upon him and been
neglected?
11
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
he forgives sins, and saves in time of distress
12
Woe to faint hearts and to slack hands,
and to the sinner who leads a double life!
13
Woe to the fainthearted who have no trust (or, faith)!!
Therefore they will have no shelter (or, protection)..
14
Woe to you who have lost your nerve!
What will you do at the time of the
Lord’s reckoning comes?
15
Those who fear the Lord never disobey his words,
and those who love him keep his ways.
16
Those who fear the Lord try to please him,
and those who love him are filled with his
law.
17
Those who fear the Lord prepared their hearts,
and humble themselves before him, saying,
18
[“Let us fall into the hands of the Lord,
but not into the hands of people,]
for
equal to his majesty is his mercy,
and equal to his name are his works.
<CHAPTER 3>
Duties
to Parents
1
O children, listen to me
your father,
act accordingly, that you may be
kept in safety,
2
for the Lord honors a father above his children,
and he confirms a mother’s right over
her children.
3
Those who honor their father atone for sins,
4 and those who respect their mother are like those who lay
up treasure.
5
Those who respect their father will have joy in their own
children,
and when they pray they will be heard.
6
Those who respect their father will have a long life,
and those who honor
their mother obey the Lord,
7 they
will submit
to their parents as their masters.
8
Honor your father by word and deed,
that his blessing may come upon you.
9
A father’s blessing strengthens the houses of their
children,
but a mother’s curse uproots their
foundations.
10
Do not glorify yourself by dishonoring your father,
for how can your father’s dishonor
bring glory to you?
11
The honor
of one’s father is one’s own glory,
and it is a disgrace for children not to
respect their mother.
12
My child, help your father in his old age,
and as long as he lives do nothing that would
grieve him.
13
Even if his mind fails, be patient (or,
considerate) with him,
for just because you have all your faculties
does not grant you permission to despise him.
14 Kindness
to a father will not be forgotten,
and will be as a credit to you and thus you
will gain forgiveness,
15 so that, in the days of your distress
it will be remembered in your favor,
like frost in sunny weather, your sins will
melt away.
16
Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer,
and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the
Lord.
Humility
17
My child, perform your tasks with humility,
then you will be loved by those whom God
accepts.
18
The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself;
so you will find favor in the sight of the
Lord.
19
[Many are haughty and illustrious,
but he reveals his secrets to the humble.]
20
Great is the might of the Lord,
but by
the humble he is glorified.
(or, he reveals his secrets
to the humble).
21
Do not meditate on what is too difficult for you,
nor investigate what is beyond your power.
22
Meditate on what has been commanded,
for what is hidden is not your concern.
23
Do not meddle in matters that you, cannot grasp,
[respond to the things that have been
commanded]
for more than you can understand has been
shown you,
even when they seem to be beyond you.]
24
Their desire to appear to be wise
has led may astray,
and wrong opinion has impaired their
judgments.
25 Without eyes there is no light,
without knowledge there is no wisdom.
26
A stubborn mind
will fare badly at the end,
and whoever loves danger will perish in it.
27
A stubborn mind will be burdened with troubles,
and the sinner adds sins to sins.
28
When calamity befalls the arrogant, there is no healing,
for an evil plant has taken root in him.
29
The mind of the intelligent appreciates proverbs,
and an
attentive ear is the desire of the wise.
Giving
to the Poor
30
As water extinguishes a blazing fire,
so almsgiving atones for sin.
31
Those who repay favors give thought for the future;
when they fall, they will find support.
<CHAPTER 4>
1
My child, do no cheat the poor of their livelihood,
and do not keep
needy eyes waiting.
2
Do not grieve (or, tantalize)
the hungry, or anger ones who are in need.
3
Do not add to the troubles of the desperate,
or delay giving to the needy.
[Do not add more trouble
to a heart that is filled with problems.]
4
Do not refuse to help a beggar in distress,
or turn your face away from the poor.
5 Do not look the other way to avoid the needy,
and
give no one reason to curse you,
6 for if in bitterness of soul some should
curse you,
their
Creator will hear their prayer.
7 Make yourself accepted by (or, popular with) the congregation,
and
do not pretend to be an authority to those who are in leadership.
8 Listen to the poor,
and
return their greeting politely.
9 Protect the oppressed from those who oppress,
and
do not be hesitant in giving a verdict.
[Do
not be fainthearted when giving judgment.]
10 Be a parent to the fatherless,
and
provide, like a husband, to their mother,
for you will then be like a son of
the Most High,
and
he will love you more than your mother does.
Wisdom as a Teacher
11
Wisdom exalts (or, takes care)
of her children
and gives help to those who seek her.
12
To love wisdom is to have life,
and those who seek her early in the morning
are filled with joy.
13
Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
and the Lord blesses the place she (or, he) enters.
14
Those who serve her ministers to the Holy One,
the Lord loves those who love her.
15
Those who obey her will judge the nations,
and all who listen to her will have security.
16
If they remain faithful [to wisdom],
they will inherit her,
their descendants will also obtain her.
17
For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths,
she will bring fear and dread upon them,
and will
torment them by her discipline
until she trusts them, (or, until
they remain faithful in their heart)
and she will test them with her ordinances.
18
Then she will come straight back
to them again and gladden them,
and will reveal her secrets to them.
19
If they go astray she will forsake them,
and hand them over to their ruin.
Self-Confidence
20
[My son, observe the times and the seasons.]
Watch for the opportune time, an beware of
evil,
and do not under-rate yourself.
21
For there is a shame that
leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favor.
22
Do not show partiality to your own harm,
or favoritism, to your downfall.
23
Do not remain silent at the proper moment,
and
do not hide your wisdom.
24
For Wisdom becomes known through speech,
and education through the words you speak..
25
Never speak against the truth,
but be ashamed to confess your ignorance.
26
Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, (or, name
your misdeeds),
and do
not try to stop the current of a river.
27
Do not let
yourself be dominated by a fool,
or show partiality to a ruler.
28
Stand for the truth, even if it costs you your life,
and the Lord God will fight for you.
29
Do not be reckless in your speech,
or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
30
Do not be like a lion in your home,
or suspicious of your servant.
31
Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive,
and closed (or,
tightfisted) when it is time to give.
<CHAPTER 5>
Don’t
Be Presumptuous
1
Do not rely
on your wealth,
to make you feel independent.
2
Do not follow your inclination and strength,
in pursuing the desires of our heart.
3
Do not say, “Who can have power over me?
for the Lord will surely punish you.
4
Do not say, “I sinned, yet what has happened to me?”
Understand that the Lord is slow to anger.
5
Do not be so confident of forgiveness,
that you do not keep on being sinful.
6
Do not say, “His mercy is great, he will forgive the
multitude of my sins,”
for both mercy and wrath are with him,
and you will feel the rage of his
retribution.
7
Do not delay to return to the Lord,
and do defer action from one day to the next,
for suddenly the wrath of the Lord will come
upon ou,
and at the time of punishment you will
perish.
8
Do not depend on dishonest wealth,
for it will not benefit you on the day of
calamity.
Sincerity
and Self-control
9
Do not winnow in every wind, or follow every path.
[so it is with the double-tongued sinner,]
(or, this is the manner of
duplicity).
10
Stand firm for what you know,
and let your speech be consistent.
11
Be quick to listen, but be steadfast with a good response.
12
If you know what to say, answer your neighbor;
but if not, put your hand over your mouth.
13
Honor and dishonor come from speaking,
and the tongue can be its owners downfall.
14
Do not be a gossip (or, two-faced)
and do not lay traps with your tongue;
for shame comes to the thief,
and severe condemnation to the double-tongued.
15
In great and small matters cause no harm,
<CHAPTER 6>
1 and do not become an enemy
instead of a friend,
for a bad reputation results in shame and
disgrace,
so it is with the double-tongued sinner (or, duplicity)..
2
Do not fall into the grip of passion,
or you may be torn apart as if by a bull.
[Do not exalt yourself in the council,
so that your soul might not be tossed in
pieces, as does a bull.]
3
Your leaves will be devoured and your fruit destroyed,
and you will be left like a withered tree.
4
Uncontrolled desire destroys those who harbor it,
and makes them the laughingstock of their
enemies.
Friendship
5
Pleasant speech
multiplies friends,
and courteous tongue makes acquaintance
easily.
6
Let those who are friendly with you be many,
but accept advice only from one in a
thousand.
7
When you acquire friends,
begin by testing them,
and do not rush to trust.
8
For there are friends who are such when it suits them,
but they will not stand by you in time of trouble.
9
There are friends who change into enemies,
and
disgrace you in public by quarreling.
10
And there are friends who sit at your table,
but they will not stand by you in time of
trouble.
11
When you are prosperous, they become your second self,
and do not speak in a humiliating manner to your
servants,
12
but if you are brought low, they turn against you,
and hide themselves from you.
13
Keep a distance between you and your enemies,
and be wary of your friends.
14
Faithful friends are a secure shelter,
and whoever finds one has found a treasure,
[and are found only by those who revere the
Lord.]
15
Faithful friends are beyond price,
no amount can balance their worth,
[and there is no problem with his goodness.]
16
Faithful friends are life-saving medicine,
and those who revere the Lord will find them.
17
Those who stand in awe of the Lord direct their friendship
aright,
for as they are, so are their neighbors also.
Learn
From Wisdom
18
My child, from your youth choose discipline,
and when you have gray hair you will still
find wisdom.
19
Come to her like one who plows and sows,
` [in cultivating her you need to take very
little]
and you will await her good harvest.
[If you cultivate her you will labor for a brief time
but soon will be enjoying the harvest.]
20
She seems very harsh to the undisciplined,
fools cannot stand her
[How hard she is to a fool,
and he who lacks understanding cannot stand
her.].
21 She will be like a heavy stone
to test them,
and they will not delay in casting her aside.
22
For wisdom is like her name,
she is not readily perceived by many.
23
Listen, my child, and accept my opinion,
do not reject my advice.
24
Put your feet into wisdom’s fetters,
and your neck into her collar.
25
Bend your shoulders and carry her,
and do not chafe
under her bonds.
26
Come to her with all your soul,
and keep her ways with all your might.
27
Search out and seek, and she will become known to your,
and when you grasp her, do not let her go,
28
for at last you will find the rest she offers,
and she will be transformed into luxury for
you.
29
Then her fetters will become for you a strong defense,
and her collar a glorious robe..
30
Her yoke
is a golden ornament,
and her bonds a purple coat.
31
You will wear her like a glorious robe,
and put her on like a splendid crown.
32
If you are willing, my child, you can be disciplined (or, instructed),,
and if you apply yourself you will become
clever;
33
If you love to listen you will gain knowledge,
and if you apply yourself you will become
clever.
34 Stand in the company of the
elders.
Who is wise? Attach yourself to such a one.
35
Be ready to listen to every godly conversation,
and let no wise proverbs escape you.
36
If you discover an intelligent person, rise early to visit him,
let your feet wear out his doorstep.
37
Reflect 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.
<CHAPTER 7>
Miscellaneous
Advice
1
Do no evil and evil will never overtake you.
2
Avoid
wrong, and it will avoid you.
3
My child, do not sow in the furrows of injustice,
lest you
will not reap a sevenfold crop.
4
Do not seek a high office from the Lord,
or the seat of honor from the king.
5
Do not assert your
righteousness before the Lord’s presence,
or display your wisdom in the king’s
presence..
6
Do not seek to become a judge,
or you may lack the ability
to root out injustice,
you may be intimidated by the powerful,
and thus compromise your integrity.
7
Commit no offense against the public,
and do not disgrace yourself among the
people.
8
Do not commit a sin twice,
not even when you go unpunished.
9
Do not say, “He will take into account the great number of
my gifts,
and when I make an offering to the Most High
God, he will accept it.”
10
Do not grow weary when you pray,
do not neglect to give alms
11
Do not ridicule anyone in his bitter humiliation,
for there is One who humbles and exalts.
12
Do not devise
a lie against your brother,
or do the same to a friend.
13
Refuse to utter any lie,
for it is a habit that results in no good.
14
Do not babble in the assembly of the elders,
and do not repeat yourself when you pray.
15
Do not hate manual labor,
or farm work, which was created by the Most
High.
16
Do not enroll in the ranks of sinners,
remember that retribution does not delay.
17
Humble yourself to the utmost,
for the punishment of the ungodly is fire and
worms.
Relations
with Others
18
Do not exchange a friend for mercy [gain],,
or a real brother for the gold of Ophir.
19
Do not dismiss
a wise and good wife,
for her charm (or,
attractiveness) is worth more than gold.
20
Do not abuse slaves who work faithfully,
or hired laborers who devote themselves to
their task.
21
Let your soul love intelligent slaves,
do not withhold their freedom from them.
22
Do you have cattle? Look after them;
if they are profitable
to you, keep them.
23
Do you have children? Discipline them,
and make them obedient
from their youth.
24
Do you have daughters? Be concerned for their chastity,
and do not show yourself too indulgent with
them.
25
Give a daughter in marriage, and you will have completed a great
task;
but give her a sensible man.
26 Do you have a wife who pleases
you? Do not divorce her;
but do not trust yourself to one whom you are
unable to love.
27
Honor your father with all your heart,
and do not forget your mother’s the
birth pangs.
28
Remember that it was of your parents [body]
that you were born,
how can you repay what they have given to
you?
29
Reverence the Lord with your entire soul,
and respect his priests.
30 Love your Maker with all your
heart,
and do not neglect respect for his ministers.
31
Stand in awe of the Lord and honor 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.
32
Stretch out your hand
on behalf of the poor,
so that your blessing may be complete.
33
Give graciously to all the living,
do not withhold kindness even from the dead.
34
Do not avoid
those who weep,
but
mourn with those who mourn.
35
Do not hesitate to visit the sick,
because for such deeds you will be loved.
36
In all you do, remember the end of your life,
and then you will never sin.
<CHAPTER 8?
Using
Common Sense
1
Do not contend with the powerful,
or you may fall into their hands.
2
Do not quarrel
with the rich,
in case their resources [outweigh] yours,
for gold has ruined
many, and has perverted the minds of kings.
3
Do not argue with those who are loud mouthed,
and do add fuel to their fire.
4
Do not make fun of one who is ill-mannered,
or you may hear your ancestors being
insulted.
5
Do not reproach one who is a repentant sinner,
remember that we all deserve punishment (or, are guilty)..
6
Do not disdain one who is old,
for some of us are also growing old.
7
Do not rejoice
over anyone’s death;
remember that we all must die.
8
Do not slight the discourse of the sages,
but apply
yourself with their maxims;
because from them you will learn discipline
and how to serve princes.
9
Do not ignore the discourse of the aged (or, elders),
for they themselves heard
from their parents (or, ancestors);
from them you learn how to understand
and have an answer ready when the need
arises.
10
Do not start a blaze in sinners,
for you may be burned in their flaming fire.
11
Do not let sources of insolence bring you to your feet,
or they may lie in ambush against your words.
12
Do not lend to one who is stronger than you,
but if you do lend anything, write it off as
a loss.
13
Do not give surety beyond your means,
but if you give surety, be prepared to pay.
14
Do not go to law against a judge,
lest you be overshadowed by his position.
15
Do not go traveling 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.
16
Do 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.
17
Do not consult any fools,
for they are unable to keep a secret.
18
In the presence of strangers do nothing that is to be kept
secret,
for you
do not know what they will divulge.
19
Do not reveal thoughts to anyone,
or you my drive away your happiness,
[or accept favors from them].
<CHAPTER 9>
Women
1
Do not be jealous of your dear wife,
or you
will teach her an evil lesson in your own hurt.
2
Do not give yourself to a woman
and let her trample down your strength.
3
Do not go near an immoral
woman,
or you will fall into her snares.
4
Do not dally with a singing (or, dancing)
girl,
or you
will be caught by her wiles.
5
Do not look intently at a virgin,
or you may become trapped, and incur
penalties for her.
6
Do not give yourself to prostitutes
or you may lose all that you possess..
7 Do not look around in the
streets of a city,
or wander about in its unfrequented streets.
8
Turn away your eyes from a shapely woman,
and do not stare at beauty belonging to
another,
many have been seduced by a woman’s
beauty,
and by it a passion is kindled like a fire.
9
Never dine
with another man’s wife,
or join her and imbibe in a drink of wine,
or your heart may turn aside to her,
and in blood
for the result will be destruction.
Friendship
with Other Men
10
Do not forsake old friends,
for new ones cannot equal them.
A new friend is like new wine;
For until it is aged it cannot be drunk with
pleasure.
11
Do not envy the success of sinners,
for you do not know what their end will be
like.
12
Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly,
remember that their guilt will overtake them
permanently.
13
Keep far from those who have power to kill,
and you will not be haunted by the fear of
death.
But if you approach them make no misstep,
or they may rob you of your life.
Know that you are stepping among snares,
and that you are walking on the city
battlements.
14
[Try to know your neighbors as much as possible,
and accept advice from those who are wise.]
15
Let your conversations be with intelligent people,
and let all your discussion be about the law
of the Most High.
16
Let the righteous be your dinner companions,
and let your glory be in reverence of the
Lord.
Rulers
17
A work is praised for the skill of the craftsmen,
and so a people’s leader is proved
wisely by his words.
18
Those who are loud-mouthed are feared in their city,
and the one who is reckless in speech is
hated.
<CHAPTER 10>
1
A wise magistrate
educates his people,
and the rule of an intelligent person will be
orderly.
2
As the people’s judge
is, so are the officials,
as the ruler of the city is, so are all its
inhabitants.
3
A king who has broken
loose from all restraints ruins his people,
but a city becomes fit to live in through the
understanding of its rulers.
4
The government of the world is in the hand of the Lord,
and at the right time he will find the right
leader to rule.
5
Human success is in the hand of the Lord,
and it is he who confers honor upon the
lawgiver (or, scribe).
Pride
6
Do not get angry with your neighbor for every offence,
and do not resort to acts of insolence
because of injured pride.
7 Arrogance is hateful to God and to
persons,
and injustice is
offensive
to both..
8 Sovereignty passes from nation to
nation
on
account of the injustice, insolence and wealth.
[Nothing is more wicked
than one who loves money,
for such a person puts
his own soul up for sale.]
9 Of what can dust and ashes be proud?
[He is only dust and ashes.]
Even in life the human
body decays.
10 A long illness baffles the physician,
today’s king will die tomorrow.
11 When one is dead he inherits maggots,
vermin and worms.
12 The beginning of human pride is to
forsake the Lord,
the heart has withdrawn
from its Maker.
13
The beginning of pride is sin,
and the one who clings to it pours out
abominations (or, depravity)..
[Therefore the Lord inflicts punishment on the proud,
and brings them to utter disaster.]
14
The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers,
and enthrones the meek in their place.
15
The Lord plucks up the roots of the [proud] nations,
and plants the humble in their place.
16
The Lord lays waste the lands of nations,
and destroys them in the foundations of the
earth.
17
He removes some of them and destroys them,
and erases the memory of them from the earth.
18
Pride was not created for human beings,
or violent anger for those born of women.
People
Who Should Be Honored
19
Whose offspring are worthy of honor?
Human offspring.
Whose offspring are worthy of honor?
Those who revere the Lord.
Whose offspring are unworthy of honor?
Human offspring.
Whose offspring are unworthy of honor?
Those who break the commandments.
20
Among family members their leader is worthy of honor,
but those who fear the Lord are worthy of
honor in his eyes.
21
[The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance,
obduracy and prude are the beginning of
rejection.]
22 The rich, the eminent, and the
poor –
their glory is their reverence of the Lord.
23
It is not right to despise one who is intelligent but poor,
and it is not proper to honor one who is
sinful.
24
The prince, the judge and the ruler are honored,
but none of them is greater than the one who
reveres the Lord.
25
Free citizens will serve a wise servant,
and an intelligent person will not complain.
Humility
and Self-respect
26
Do not make a display of your wisdom when you do your work,
and do not boast when you are in need.
27
Better is the worker who has goods in plenty,
than the boaster who lacks bread.
28
My child, honor yourself with humility,
and give yourself the esteem you deserve.
29
Who will acquit those who condemn
themselves?
Who will honor those who dishonor themselves?
30
The poor are honored for their knowledge,
while the rich are honored for their wealth.
31
One who is honored in poverty,
how much more in wealth!
If one is dishonored in wealth,
how much more is his poverty!
<CHAPTER 11>
1
The wisdom of the humble lifts their heads high,
and seats them among the great.
Appearances
2
Do not praise individuals for their good looks,
or be repelled solely by appearance.
3
The bee is small among winged creatures,
yet what it produces is the best of all that
is sweet.
4
Do not mock the clothing worn by the poor,
and do not exalt yourself when you are
honored.
Remember that the works of the Lord are
wonderful,
and his works are concealed from human eyes.
[Do not ridicule someone who is poor, and is dressed in
rags.
Do not take pride in fine clothes,
and do not let compliments go to your heart.]
5
Many kings have been reduced to sitting on the ground,
while one who was never thought of has worn a
crown.
6
Many rulers have been utterly disgraced,
and the honored have been handed over to the
mercy of others.
Be
Cautious
7
Do not find fault before you investigate,
examine first, and then criticize.
8
Do not answer before you listen,
and do not interrupt when another is
speaking.
9
Do not argue about a matter that does not concern you,
and do not become involved with sinners when
they judge a case.
10 My child, do not busy yourself with
many matters,
if you try to do too many activities you will not be held blameless.
If you pursue, you will not overtake,
and by fleeing you will not escape.
11
There are those who work and struggle and hurry,
but are so much the more in want.
12
There are others who are slow and need help,
who lack strength and abound in poverty;
but the eyes of the Lord look kindly upon
them;
he lifts them out of their lowly condition
13 and raises up their heads,
to the amazement of the many.
14
Good things and bad, life and death,
[all things are equal with God.]
poverty an wealth, come from the Lord.
15
[Wisdom, understanding and knowledge of the law come from the
Lord;
affection
and the ways of good works come from him.
16
Error and darkness were created
with sinners;
evil grows old with those who take pride in
malice.]
17 The Lord’s gift
remains with the devout,
and his favor brings lasting prosperity.
18
One becomes rich through diligence and self-denial,
and the reward allotted to him is this,
19
when he says, “I have found rest,
and now I will feast on my goods (or, savings)!
He does not know how long it will be
until he leaves them to others and dies.
[My son, be steadfast in your allotted time.]
20
Stand by your agreement and attend to it,
and grow old in your work.
21
Do not wonder at the works of the wicked,
but trust in the Lord and keep at your job;
for it is easy in the sight of the Lord
to make the poor rich suddenly, in an
instant.
22
The blessing of the Lord is
the reward of the pious,
and God quickly causes his blessings to
flourish.
23
Do not say, “What do I need,
and what goal can the future bring to me?
[What further benefit can be mine?”
24
Do not say, “I have enough (or, I am
self sufficient),
and what harm can come to me now?”
25
In the day of prosperity hardships are forgotten,
and in the day of adversity prosperity is not remembered.
26
It is easy for the Lord, on the day of death,
to reward individuals according to their
conduct.
27
An hour’s misery makes one forget past delights,
and at the close of one’s life
one’s deeds are revealed.
28
Call no one happy before his death,
for a person becomes known by how he ends,
[and
through his children a person becomes known.]
Be
Careful in Choosing Friends
29 Do not invite everyone into your
home,
for the tricks of the crafty are many.
30
Like a decoy partridge in a cage,
so is the mind of the proud,
and like spies they observe your weakness;
31
for they lie in wait, to turn good into evil,
and they attach blame to worthy actions.
32
From a spark many coals are kindled (or, Do not
play with fire),
and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood.
33
Beware of scoundrels, for they devise evil,
and they may ruin your reputation forever.
34
Receive strangers into your home and they will stir up trouble
for you,
and will make you a stranger to your own
family.
<CHAPTER 12>
1
If you do good, know to whom you do it,
and you will be thanked for your good deeds.
2
Do good to the devout, and you will be repaid –
if not by them, then certainly by the Most
High.
3
No good comes to one who
persists in evil
or to one who does not give alms.
4
Give to the devout, but do not help the sinner.
[Reject one who makes evil a habit, or
refuses to give to the poor.]
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.
6
For the Most High also hates sinners
and will inflict punishment on the ungodly.
7
Give to the one who is good, but do not help the sinner.
8
A friend is not known
in prosperity,
nor is an enemy hidden in adversity.
9
One’s enemies can be friendly
when one prospers,
but in adversity even one’s friend
disappears.
10
Never trust your enemy,
for like corrosion in copper (or, bronze), so is his wickedness.
11
Even if he humbles himself,
(or, is compliant) 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.
12
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.
13
Who pities a snake charmer when he is bitten,
or all those who go near wild animals.
14
No one pities a person who associates with a sinner,
and becomes
involved in the other’s sins.
15
He stands by you for a while,
but if you falter, he will not be there.
16
An 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.
17
If evil comes upon you, you will find him there ahead of you,
pretending to help, he will trip you up.
18
Then he will shake his head, and clap his hands,
and whisper much, and show his true face.
<CHAPTER 13>
1
Whoever handles pitch gets dirty,
and whoever
associates with arrogant persons becomes like them.
2
Do not lift a weight that is too heavy for yourself,
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.
3
A rich person does wrong, and even adds insult to injury;
a poor person suffers wrong and must even apologise.
4
A rich person will exploit you if you can
be of use to him,
but if you are in need he will abandon you.
5
If you own something, he will live with you as your constant
companion,
he will drain your resources without any qualms.
6
When he needs you he will deceive you,
and will smile at you and encourage you,
he will pay you a compliment, saying,
“What do you
need?” (or, “What can I do for you?”
7
He will embarrass you with his hospitality,
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
[as if he does not know you,]
and shake his head at you.
8
Take care not to be misled,
and humiliated when you are enjoying yourself
(or, your folly).
9
When an influential person invites you, be reserved,
and he will invite you more insistently.
10
Do not be forward, lest you might be rebuffed,
do not stand aloof, or you will be
forgiven.
11
.Do not try to treat him as an equal,
or trust his lengthy conversations,
for he will test you by his prolonged talk,
and while he smiles he will be examining you.
12
Those who betray a confidence are cruel,
they will not spare you injury or
imprisonment.
13
Be on your guard and very careful,
[do not speak in confidence to others,]
for you are walking about on dangerous
ground,
14
[When you hear these things in your sleep, wake up!
Love the Lord during your entire life,
[and appeal to him for your salvation.]
15
Every creature loves its own species,
and every person his fellow human beings.
16
All living beings associate with their same species,
and people stick close to those like
themselves.
17
What does the wolf have in common with a lamb?
Nor does the sinner have things in common
with the devout.
18
What peace is here between a hyena and a dog?
And what peace is there between the rich and
the poor?
19
Wild donkeys in the wilderness are the prey of lions,
likewise the poor are feeding grounds for the
rich.
20
Humility is disgusting to the proud,
likewise the poor are disgusted by the rich.
21
When the rich person totters, he is steadied by friends,
but when the humble (or, poor)
falls, he is even disdained
by friends.
22 If the rich person slips, many
come to his rescue,
he speaks outrageous words, but they justify
him.
If the humble person speaks in error, they
even criticize him.
Even if he talks sense, he is not given a
hearing.
23
The rich person speaks and all are silent,
they praise what he says to the clouds.
The poor person
speaks and they say, “Who is this fellow?”
And should he stumble, they even push him
down.
24
Riches are good if they are not tainted by sin,
poverty is evil only in the opinion of the
ungodly.
25
The heart changes the countenance,
either for good or for evil,
[and a glad heart makes a cheerful
countenance.]
26
The sign of a happy heart is a cheerful face,
but to devise proverbs requires proverbs
requires wearisome thinking.
<CHAPTER 14>
1
Happy are those who never
blunder with their lips,
and have no need to suffer remorse for sin.
2
Happy are those whose conscience
does not accuse them,
and who have never had dashed hopes.
Responsible
Use of Wealth
3
Riches are inappropriate for a small-minded person,
and of what use is wealth to a miser?
4
He derives himself, only to hoard for others;
and others will live in luxury on his goods.
5
If one is mean to himself,
to whom will he be generous?
He will not enjoy his own riches.
6
No one is worse than one who is grudging to himself,
[his stinginess is his own retribution,]
for this is the punishment for his meanness.
7
If ever he does good, it is done by accident,
in the end he reveals his meanness.
8
The miser is an evil person,
for he turns his back, disregarding other
people.
9
The eye of the greedy person is not satisfied with his share,
greedy injustice withers the soul.
10
A miser begrudges bread,
and it is lacking at his table.
[A good person provides bread for the table,
and a dry fountain provides water for the
table.]
11
My child, treat yourself well, according to your means,
and present worthy offerings to the Lord.
12
Remember that death does not tarry,
and the decree
of death has not yet been determined for you.
13
Do good to friends before you die,
and reach out and give to them as much as you
can.
14
Do not deprive yourself of a day’s enjoyment,
do not let your share of innocent pleasure
pass by you.
15
Will you not leave the fruit of your labors to another,
and what you acquired by toil to be divided
by lot?
16
Give, and take, and pamper yourself,
because in the grave one cannot look for
luxury.
17
All living beings become old like a garment,
for the decree
from of old is “You must die.”
18
Like abundant leaves on a spreading tree
that
sheds some and others flourish in their stead,
so are the generations of flesh and blood:
one dies and another is born.
19
Every work decays and ceases to exist,
and the one who made it will pass away with
it.
The
Happiness of Having Wisdom
20
Happy is the person who mediates on [dies in] wisdom
and reasons intelligently.
21
who reflects in his heart on her ways
and ponders
her secrets,
22
pursuing her like a hunter,
and lying in wait on her paths,
23
who peers through her windows
and listens
at her doors,
24
who camps near her house,
and fastens his tent peg to her walls;
25
who pitches his tent near her,
thus occupying an excellent lodging place,
26
who places his children under her shelter,
and lodges under her boughs,
27 who is sheltered by her from
the heat,
and dwells in the midst of her glory.
<CHAPTER 15>
1
Whoever reveres the Lord
will do this,
and whoever holds to the law will obtain
wisdom.
2
She will come to meet him like a mother,
and she will welcome him like a young bride.
3
She will feed him with the bread of learning (or, understanding),,
and give him the water of wisdom to drink.
4
He will lean on her, and not fall,
and he will rely on her and not be put to
shame.
5
She will exalt him above his neighbors,
and will enable him to speak in the midst of
the assembly.
6
He will find gladness and a crown of rejoicing,
and will inherit everlasting renown.
7
The foolish
will not obtain wisdom,
and sinners
will not even get a glimpse of her.
8
She is far from arrogant,
and liars will never think of her.
9
Praise is out of place on the lips of a sinner,
for it has not been sent from the Lord.
10
For praise must be uttered in wisdom,
and the Lord will make it prosper.
Free
Will
11
Do not say, “It was the Lord’s doing that I went
astray,”
for he does not create
what he hates.
12
Do not say, “It was he who led me to live a life in error.”
for he has no need of the sinful.
13
The Lord hates all kinds of evil;
such things are not capable to be loved by
those who revere him.
14
It was he who created humans in the beginning,
and he left them in the power of their own
free choice.
15
If you choose, you can keep the commandments,
and to act faithfully is a matter of your own
choice.
16
He has placed fire and water before you.
Stretch out your hand for whichever you
choose.
17
Each person is offered life or death,
and whichever one chooses will be given.
18
Great is the wisdom of the Lord,
he is mighty in power and sees everything,
19
his eyes are on those who are in awe of him,
and he knows every human action.
20
He has not commanded anyone to be wicked,
and he has not given anyone permission to
sin.
<CHAPER 16>
God’s Punishment of Sinners
1
Do not desire a multitude of worthless
children,
and do not rejoice in ungodly offspring.
2
If they multiply, do not rejoice in them,
unless the reverence of the Lord is in them.
3
Do not trust in their survival,
or rely on their numbers,
[for you will groan, in untimely mourning,
and will know of their sudden end.]
for one son can be better than a thousand,
and to die childless is better than to have
ungodly children.
4
Through one intelligent
person a city can be filled with people,
but through a clan of outlaws it becomes
desolate.
5
Many such things my eye has seen,
and my ear has heard things more striking tht these.
6
In an assembly of sinners a fire is kindled
and in a disobedient nation retribution
blazes up.
7
He did not forgive the ancient giants,
who revolted in their might.
8
He did not spare the neighbors of Lot,
whom he loathed on account of their
arrogance.
9
He showed no pity on the doomed nation,
on those dispossessed because of their sins.
[All these things he did to the hard-hearted nations,
and by the multitude of his holy ones he was
not appeased;]
10
or on the six hundred thousand foot soldiers,
who assembled in their stubbornness.
Chastising, showing mercy, striking, and healing,
for Lord persisted in mercy and discipline.
11
Even if there were only one stiff-necked person,
it would be a wonder if he remained
unpunished.
Mercy and wrath are with the Lord;
He is mighty to forgive -- but he also pours
out wrath.
12
As great as is his mercy, so also is his condemnation,
he judges a person according to his or her
deeds.
13
The sinner will not escape with plunder,
and the patience of the godly will not be
frustrated.
14
He makes room for every act of mercy;
everyone receives in accordance with his or
her deeds.
15
[The Lord hardened Pharaoh so that he did not recognize him,
in order that his work might be known under
heaven.
16 His mercy is manifest to
the entire creation,
and he divided his light and darkness with a
plumb line.]
17
Do 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?
18
Heaven and the highest heaven,
the abyss and the earth tremble at his
visitation!
[The whole world, past and present, is in his
will.]
19
The very mountains and the foundations of the earth
quiver and quake when he looks upon them
20
But no human mind can grasp this,
and who can comprehend his ways?
21
Just as a tempest that strikes people unaware
so most of his works are concealed.
[If I sin no eye can see me
and if I am disloyal all in secret,
who is to know?]
22
Who is to announce his acts of justice?
Who can await them? His decree
is far off,”
[and a scrutiny for all comes at the end.]
23
Such are the thoughts of one who has little understanding,
a senseless and misguided person thinks
foolishly.
God’s
Wisdom in Creation
24
Listen to me, my child, and acquire knowledge,
and pay close attention to my words.
25
I will impart
correct instruction
and teach you accurate knowledge.
26
When the Lord created
his works from the beginning,
and, in making them, determined their boundaries,
27
he arranged his works in an eternal order,
and their dominion (or, elements)
for all generations.
They neither hunger nor grow weary,
and they do not abandon their tasks.
28 They do not crowd 9or jostle) one another,
and they never disobey his word.
29
Then the Lord looked upon the earth,
and filled it with his good things.
30
With all kinds of living
beings he covered the surface,
and into it they must return.
<CHAPTER 17>
1
The Lord created human beings out of earth,
and makes them return to it again.
2
He set a fixed span on everything on the earth.
but granted them authority over everything on
earth.
3
He endowed them with strength like his own,
(or, he clothed them with
power like his own),
and made them in his own image.
4
He put the fear of them
in all living beings,
and gave them dominion over beasts and birds.
5
[They obtained the use of five faculties of the Lord,
as sixth he distributed to them the gifts of
mind,
and as the seventh, reason, the interpreter
of one’s faculties,]
6
Discretion and tongue and eyes,
he gave then ears and a mind for thinking.
7
He filled them with knowledge and understanding,
and showed them good and evil.
8
He put the fear of him into
[He kept his eyes on ] their hearts,
to show them the majesty of his works.
[and he gave them to boast of his miracles
forever.]
` 10
They will praise his holy name,
9 to proclaim the grandeur of his works.
11
He bestowed knowledge upon them,
and allotted to them the law of life,
[so that they may know that they who are
alive now are mortal.]
12
He established
an eternal covenant with them,
and revealed his decrees to them.
13
Their eyes saw his glorious majesty,
and their ears heard the glory of his voice.
14
He said to them, “Beware of all wrongdoing,”
and he gave commandments to each of them
concerning how to deal with their neighbor.
God
Is Judge
15
Their ways are always known to him,
they will not be hidden from his sight.
16
[Their ways, from youth tend toward evil,.
and they were unable to make for themselves
hearts
of flesh and blood in place of their hearts
of stone.
17
For in his division of the
leaders of the entire earth,]
he appointed a ruler for every nation,
but Israel
is the Lord’s own portion,.
18
He reared them with discipline as his first-born,
imparting to them the light of one from which
they should never part,
[whom, being his firstborn, he brings up with discipline,
and allotting to him the light of his love,
he does not neglect him.]
19
All their works are as clear as the sun before him
and his eyes are always upon their ways.
20
Their misdeeds are not hidden from him,
and all their sins are observed by the Lord.
[The Lord who is gracious knows who they are,
and he does not reject or condone them but
spares them.]
21
[But the Lord who is gracious and knows how they are formed,
has neither left them nor abandoned them, but
has spared them.]
22
One’s almsgiving
is like a signet ring with the Lord,
and he will keep a person’s kindness
like the apple of his eye,
[apportioning repentance to his sons and
daughters.]
23
Afterward he will rise up and repay them,
and he will bring their retribution on their
heads.
24
Yet to those who repent he grants a return,
and he encourages those who are losing hope.
Call
to Repentance
25
Return to the Lord and forsake your sins,
pray in his presence and lessen your offense.
26 Return to the Most High and
renounce wrong-doing,
and
hate intensely what he abhors.
[for he will lead you out of darkness to the
light of health.]
27
Who will sing praises to the Most High in Hades,
in place of the living who give thanks?
28
From the dead, as from one who does not exist, thanksgiving has
ceased,
and those who are alive and well sing the
Lord’s praises.
29
How great is the mercy
of the Lord,
and his forgiveness for those who return to
him.
30
For not everything is within human capability,
since human beings are not immortal.
31
What is brighter than the sun?” Yet it can be eclipsed.
So flesh and blood devise evil.
32
He marshals the host of the height of heaven,
but all beings are dust and ashes.
<CHAPTER 18>
The
Greatness of God
1
He who lives forever created the whole universe,
2
the Lord alone is just. [and there is no other beside him.
[and none of those with him bless him.]
3
Ho cab steer the world with the span of his hand,
so that all things obey his will;
for he is king of all things by his power,
separating them [to designate then as
the holy things or the profane.]
4
To none has he given power to proclaim his works;
and who can search out his mighty deeds?
5
Who can measure his majestic power?
Who can fully name his mercies?
6
It is not possible to diminish or increase them,
nor is it possible to fathom the wonders of
the Lord.
7
when human beings have finished, they are just beginning,
and when they stop, they are still perplexed.
Man
is Nothing
8 What
are human beings, and of what use are they?
What is good in them, and what is evil?
9
The number of days in their life is great if they reach one
hundred years.
[but the death of each one is beyond the
calculation of all.]
10
Like a drop of water from the sea and a grain of sand,
so are a few yeas among the days of eternity.
11
That is why the Lord is patient with his people,
and pours out his mercy upon them.
12
He sees, knows, and recognizes that their end is miserable,
therefore he grants them forgiveness all the
more.
13
This compassion of human beings reaches out to their neighbors,
but the compassion of the Lord is for every
living thing.
He corrects, disciplines and teaches them,
turning them back, as does a shepherd his
flock.
14
He has compassion on those who accept his discipline,
and who are eager for his precepts.
Kindness
and Charity
15
My child, do not mix reproach with your good de
or spoil your gift by harsh words.
16
Does not the dew give relief from the scorching heat?
so a word is better than a gift.
17
Indeed, does not a word
surpass a good gift?
Both are to be found in a gracious person.
18
A fool is ungracious and abusive,
and the gift of a grudging giver makes the
eyes dim.
Self-examination
19
Before you speak, learn,
and before you fall ill, take care of your
health.
20
Before judgment comes, examine yourself,
and at the time of scrutiny you will find
forgiveness.
21
Before falling ill, humble yourself,
and when you have sinned, repent.
22
Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow promptly,
and do not wait until death to be released
from it.
23
Before making a vow, prepare yourself,
do not be like one who puts the Lord to the
test.
24
Think of his wrath on the day of death,
and of the moment of reckoning,
when he turns away his face.
25
In the time of plenty
think of the time of hunger,
in the days of wealth think of poverty and
need.
26
From morning to evening conditions change,
all things move swiftly before the Lord.
27
One who is wise is cautious in everything,
when sin is all around, one guards against
wrongdoing.
28
Every intelligent person knows wisdom,
and praises the one who finds her.
29
Those who are skilled in words become wise themselves,
and pour forth apt proverbs.
[Better is confidence in the Lord
from clinging with a dead heart to a dead
one.]
Self-control
30
Do not follow your base desires,
but restrain your lusts.
(or, keep your lusts under
control).
31
If you allow your soul to take pleasure in base desire,
it will make a laughing stock of your
enemies.
32
Do not revel in great luxury,
or you may become impoverished by its
expense.
33
Do not become a beggar by feasting with borrowed money,
when you have nothing in your purse,
[for you will be plotting against your own life.]
<CHAPTER 19>
1
The one who does this
will not become rich,
one who despises small things will fail
little by little.
2
Wine and women lead intelligent men astray,
and the man who consorts with prostitutes is
increasingly reckless.
3
Decay and worms will take possession of him,
and the
reckless person will be snatched away (or, estranged)..
4
One who trusts others too quickly has a shallow mind,
and one who sins does injury to himself.
Loose
Talk
5
One who rejoices in wickedness
will be condemned,
[but one
who withstands pleasure crowns his life.
6
One who controls his tongue will live without strife.]
but one who hates gossip has less evil.
7
Never repeat a conversation,
and you will lose nothing at all.
8
With friend or foe do not report it,
and unless it would be a sin for you, do not
reveal it,
9
for someone may have heard you and watched you,
and in time will hate you.
10
Have you heard a rumor? Let it die with you.
Be brave, it will not make you burst!
11
A fool, having heard something, the fool suffers birth pangs
like a woman in labor with a child.
12
Like an arrow stuck in a person’s thigh,
so is gossip inside a fool.
13
Question (or, exhort) a friend;
perhaps he did not do what was wrong,
or if he did, so that he may not do it again.
14
Question 9or, exhort) a
neighbor; perhaps he did not say it,
or if he said it, so that he may not repeat
it.
15
Question (or, exhort) a friend, for often it is slander;
so do not believe everything you hear.
16
A person may make a slip without intending it.
Who has not sinned with his tongue?
17
Question (or, exhort)
your neighbor before you threaten him,
and let the law of the Most High take its
course.
[and do not be angry.
18
The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of acceptance,
and
wisdom obtains his love.
19
The knowledge of the Lord’s commandments is life giving
discipline,
and those who do what is pleasing to him
enjoy the fruit of the tree of immortality.]
Recognizing
Real Wisdom
20
All of wisdom reveres of the Lord,
and in all wisdom there is the fulfillment of
the law.
[and the knowledge of his omnipotence.
21
When a slave says to his master,
“I will not act as you wish,”
even if later he does it,
he angers the one who supports him.]
22
The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom,
nor is there prudence in the counsel of
sinners.
23
There is a cleverness that repels,
and there is a fool who merely lacks wisdom.
24
Better are the God-fearing who lack understanding
than the highly intelligent who transgress
the law.
25
There is a cleverness that is exact but unjust,
and there are people who use favors to gain a
verdict.
26
There is a villain bowed down in mourning,
but inwardly he is full of deceit.
27
He hides his face and pretends to be deaf,
but when no one notices, he will take
advantage of you.
28
Even if lack of strength keeps him from sinning,
he will nevertheless do evil when he finds
the opportunity.
29
A person is known by his appearance,
and a sensible person is known when first
met, face to face.
30
A person’s attire and hearty laughter,
and the
way he walks, shows his character.
.
<CHAPTER 20>
Knowing
When to Talk
1 There
is a rebuke that is untimely,
and there is the person who is wise enough to
keep silent.
2
How much better it is to rebuke than to vent one’s anger@
3
The one who admits his fault will be kept from failure.
[How good it is to meet reproof with
repentance,
and so escape deliberate sin.]
4
Like a eunuch lusting to ravish a girl
is
person who resorts to force ( lit. judgment)
to get what is desired..
5
Some people keep silent and are thought to be wise,
while others are detested for being
talkative.
6
Some people keep silent because they have nothing to say,
while others keep silent because they
recognize when to keep silent.
7
The wise remain silent until the right moment,
but the boasting fool misses the right moment.
8
Whoever talks too much is detested,
and whoever pretends to be an authority is
hated.
[How good it is to show repentance when you
are reproved,
for so you will escape deliberate sin.]
Sudden
Changes in Fortune
9
There may be good fortune for the person in adversity,
and a windfall my result in a loss.
10
There is the gift that profits you nothing,
and the gift to be paid back double.
[The quest for honor may lead some to loss of position,
while others may rise from obscurity to
eminence.]
11
There are losses for the sake of glory,
and there are some who have raised their
heads
from humble circumstances.
12
Some buy much for little,
and yet pay for it seven times more.
13
The wise persons endear themselves by only few words,
but the courtesies of fools are wasted.
14
A fool’s gift will profit you nothing,
[so it is with the envious who give under
compulsion,]
for he looks for recompense sevenfold.
15
He gives little and criticizes much,
he opens his mouth as widely as a town crier.
Today he lends and tomorrow he demands that it is
returned,
Such a one is hateful to God and humans.
16
The fool says, “I have no friends, and I get no thanks for
my good deeds,
Those who eat my bread
are evil tongued,
[for he has not honestly received what he
has,
and what he does not have is unimportant to
him.]
17
How many will ridicule him, and how often! (or, his
foolish look).
Inappropriate
Talk
18
A slip on the pavement is better than a slip of the tongue,
the downfall of the wicked will occur just as
suddenly.
19
A course person is like an
inappropriate story,
continually on the lips of the ignorant.
20
A proverb from a fool’s lips will be rejected,
for he does not tell it at the proper time.
21
One may be prevented from sinning by poverty,
so when he rests he feels no remorse.
22
One might lose his life through shame,
or lose it because of human respect. (or, his foolish look).
23
Another out of shame makes promises to a friend,
and so needlessly make an enemy.
24
A lie is an ugly blot on a person’s name,
for it is continually on the lips of the
ignorant.
25
A thief is preferable to a habitual liar,
but the lot of both is ruin.
26
A liar’s way leads to disgrace,
and his shame is eve with him.
Proverbial
Sayings
Stewardship
or Wisdom
27 The wise person advances
himself by his words,
and one who is sensible pleases the great.
28
Those who cultivate the soil heap up their harvest,
and those who please gain a pardon for their
offenses.
29
Favors and gifts blind the eyes of the wise,
like a muzzle on the mouth they stop
reproofs.
30
Hidden wisdom and unseen
treasure,
of what value are either?
31
Better are those who hide their folly
than those who hide their wisdom.
32
[Unwearied endurance in seeking the Lord
is better than a master-less charioteer of
one’s own life.]
<CHAPTER 21>
Sin
1
Have you sinned, my child? Do so no more,
but ask forgiveness for your wrong doing.
2
Flee from sin as from a snake,
for if you approach sin, it will bite you.
It’s teeth are like those of a lion.
and can destroy human lives.
3
Every breach of the law is
like a two-edged sword;
the wound it inflicts is incurable.
4
Bullying
and insolence will destroy wealth,
thus the house of the proud will be destrpued. (or, uprooted).
5
The prayer of the poor goes from their lips to the care of God,
and his judgment comes promptly.
8
Those who hate reproof walk in the pathway of sinner’s,
but those who revere the Lord repent in their
heart.
7
The mighty in speech are widely known,
when they slip, the sensible person knows it.
8
Whoever builds his home with borrowed money,
is like one who gathers stories for his
burial tomb [or, for the winter].
9
An assembly of the wicked is like a bundle of tow;
and their end is a blazing fire.
10
The way of sinners is paved with smooth stones,
but at its end is the pit of the grave.
Wisdom
and Foolishness
11
Whoever keeps the law
controls his thoughts,
and the fulfillment of the awe of the Lord is
wisdom.
12
The one who is not clever can not be taught,
but there is a cleverness that breeds
bitterness.
13
The knowledge of the wise will increase like a flood,
and their advice is like a life-giving
spring.
14
The mind
of a fool is like a broken jar,
it can not retain knowledge.
15 When an intelligent person
hears a wise saying,
he praises it and improves on it.
When a fool
hears it he laughs at (or, dislikes)
it, and disregards it.
16
A fool’s chatter is like a burden on a journey,
but delight is found in the speech of the
sensible person.
17
The utterance of a sensible person is sought in the assembly,
and they ponder his words in their minds.
18
Wisdom to a fool is like a house in ruins,
and to an ignorant, knowledge is talk that
has no meaning.
19
To a senseless person education is fetters to his feet,
and like manacles on his right hand.
20
A fool raises his voice when he laughs,
but the wise
youths smile quietly.
21
To the sensible person education is like a golden ornament,
and like a bracelet on the right arm.
22
The foot of a fool rushes into a house,
but an experienced person waits respectfully
outside.
23
A boor peers into the house from the door,
but a cultivated person remains outside.
24
It is ill-mannered for a person to eavesdrop at a door,
the discreet would be grieved by the
intolerable disgrace.
25
The lips of babblers speak of what is not their concern,
[or, speak of
these things].
but the words of the prudent are weighed in
the balance.
26
The mind of fools is in their mouth,
but the mouth of the wise is in
their mind.
27
When an ungodly person curses an adversary (or, curses
Satan),
he really curses himself.
28
A whisperer degrades himself,
and is hated in his neighborhood.
<CHAPTER 22>
Laziness
and Foolishness
1
The idler is like a filthy stone,
and every one hisses at his disgrace.
2
The killer is like the filth of dunghills,
anyone who picks it up will shake it off his
hand.
3
it is a disgrace to be the father of an undisciplined son,
and the birth of a daughter is a loss.
4
A sensible daughter obtains a husband of her own,
but one who acts immodestly is a grief to her
father.
5
An impudent daughter disgraces her father and husband,
and is despised by both.
6
Like music in a time of mourning is ill-timed conversation,
but a thrashing and discipline are at all
times wisdom.
[Children who are brought up in a good life,
are disdainfully and boorishly haughty
and stain the nobility of their kindred.]
9
Whoever teaches a fool is like one who glues potsherds together,
or who rouses a sleeper from deep slumber.
10
Whoever tells a story to a fool tells it to a drowsy man,
and at the end he will say, “What is
it?”
11
Weep for the dead, for he has left the light behind,
and weep for the fool, for he has left
intelligence behind.
Weep less bitterly for the dead, for he is at rest,
but the life of a fool is worse than death.
12
Mourning for the dead lasts seven days,
but for the foolish or the ungodly it lasts
all the days of their lives.
13
Do not prolong conversation with a senseless person
or visit an unintelligent person,
[for being without sense he will despise
everything about you.]
Stay clear of him, or you may have trouble,
and be spattered when he shakes himself off.
Avoid him and you will find rest,
and you will never be wearied by his lack of
sense.
14
What is heavier than lead?
and what is its name except
“Fool”?
15 Sand, salt, and a piece of iron are
easier to bear than a stupid person.
16
A wooden beam firmly bonded into a building
is not loosened by an earthquake,
so the mind firmly resolved after due
reflection
will not be afraid in a crisis.
17
A mind settled on an intelligent
thought
is like stucco decoration that makes a wall
smooth.
18
Fences (or, Pebbles)
set on a high place will not stand firm against the wind,
so a timid mind with a fool’s resolve
will not stand firm against any fear.
Friendship
19
One who pricks the eye brings tears,
and one who pricks the heart clearly reveals
how sensitive it is.
20
One who throws a stone at birds scares them away,
and one who taunts a friend destroys a
friendship.
21
Even if you draw your sword against a friend,
do not despair, for there is a way back.
22
If you have quarreled with your friend,
do not worry, for reconciliation is possible.
But as for taunting, arrogance, disclosure of secrets, or
a treacherous blow---
in these
cases a friend will take to flight.
23
Gain the confidence of your neighbor in his poverty,
so that you say rejoice with him in his
prosperity.
Stand by him in time of distress,
so that you may share with him in his
inheritance,
[For one should not always despise restricted
circumstances,
or admire a rich person who is stupid.]
24
Just as vapor and smoke of the furnace precede the fire,
so insults precede bloodshed.
25
I am not ashamed to protect a friend,
and I will not hide from him.
26
But if harm should come to me because of him,
whoever hears of it will beware of him.
A
Prayer for Help Against Sin
27
Provide a sentry to guard my mouth,
and an effective seal upon my lips,
so that I may not experience a downfall
because of them,
and keep my tongue from destroying me?
<CHAPTER 23>
1
O Lord, Father, and Master of my life,
do not abandon me to these designs,
and do not let me fall because of them.
2
Who will set whips over my thoughts,
and the discipline of wisdom over my mind,
so as not to spare me in my errors,
and not overlook my sins.
3
Otherwise my mistakes may be multiplied, and my sins may abound,
and I may fall before my adversaries, and my
enemy may gloat over me,
[From
them the hope of your mercy is remote.]
4
O Lord. Father and God of my life,
do not give me a supercilious look,
5 and remove evil desire
from me.
6
Let neither gluttony nor lust overcome me,
and do not give me over to shameless passion.
Discipline of the Tongue
7
My children, be attentive to instruction concerning the mouth,
the one who observes it will never be caught.
8 Sinners are ensnared to speak evil with
their lips,
by them the reviler and the arrogant are
tripped up.
9
Do not accustom your mouth to oaths,
do not habitually utter the name of the Holy
One,
10
for as a servant who is constantly under the lash will not lack
welts,
so also the person who always swears and utters
the Name
will never be cleansed from sin (or, cleared of guilt)..
11
The one who swears many oaths is full of iniquity,
and the scourge will not leave his house.
If he swears in error, his sin remains on him,
and if he disregards it, he sins doubly,
If he swears a false oath, he will not be justified,
for his house will be filled with calamities
(or, the counterpart of death)..
Filthy
Talk
12
There is a manner of speaking comparable to death
[or clothed about with death],
may it never be found in the inheritance of
Jacob!
Such conduct will be far from the godly,
and they will not wallow in sins.
13 Do not accustom your mouth to
coarse, foul language,
for it involves sinful speech.
14
Remember your father and mother when you sit among the great,
or you may forget yourself in their presence,
and
behave like a fool through bad habit,
then you will wish you had never been born,
and you will curse the day of your birth.
15
Those who are addicted to using abusive language,
will never become disciplined as long as they
live.
Sexual
Sins
16
Two kinds of individuals multiply sins,
and a third incurs wrath.
Hot passion that blazes like a fire will not be quenched
until it burns itself out,
one whose entire body is given to sexuality
with close relatives
will never cease until the fire buns him up.
17
To a fornicator all bread is sweet,
he will never weary until he dies.
18
The one who sins against his marriage bed
says to himself, “Who can see me?
Darkness surrounds me, the walls hide me,
and no one sees me. Why should I worry?
The Most High will not remember my
sins.”
19
His fear is confined to human eyes
and he does not realize that the eyes of the
Lord
are ten thousand times brighter that the sun,
they look upon every aspect of human
behavior,
and see into hidden corners.
20
Before the universe was created, it was known to him,
and so it is since its completion.
21
This man will pay the penalty in the streets of the city,
for he will be seized when he least suspects
it:
22
So it is with a woman who leaves her husband
and presents him with an heir by another man.
23
First of all, she has disobeyed the law of the Most High,
second, she has committed an offense against
her husband,
and third, through her prostituting herself
she has committed adultery
and brought forth children by another man.
24
She herself will be brought before the assembly for judgment,
and her punishment will extend to her
children.
25
Her children will not take root,
and her branches will not bear fruit.
26
She will leave behind an accursed memory
and her disgrace will never be blotted out.
27
Those who survive her will recognize
that nothing is better than reverence of the
Lord,
and nothing sweeter than to obey the
commandments of the Lord.
28
[It is a great honor to follow God,
and to be received by him is long life.]
In
Praise of Wisdom
1
Wisdom praises herself
– and tells of her glory
in the midst of the people.
2
In the assembly of the Most High she opens her mouth,
and in the presence of his hosts she tells of
her glory.:
3
“I came forth from the mouth of the Most High,
and covered the earth like a mist.
4
I dwelt in the highest haven
and my throne was a pillar of cloud.
5
Alone I compassed the vault of heaven
and traversed the depths of the abyss.
6
Over waves of the sea, over all the earth,
and over every people and nation I have held
sway.
[I have acquired a possession.]
7
Among all these I sought a resting place,
in whose territory should I abide?
8
“Then the creator of all things gave me a command,
and my Creator chose the place for my tent.
He said, ‘Make your dwelling with Jacob,
and in Israel
receive your inheritance.’
9
Before the ages, in the beginning, he created me,
and for all the ages I shall not cease to be.
10
In the holy tent I ministered before him,
and so I was established in Zion.
11
Thus in the beloved city he gave me a resting place,
and in Jerusalem
was my domain.
12
I took root in an honored people,
in the portion of the Lord, his heritage.
13
“Thus I grew tall like a cedar in Lebanon,
like a cypress on the heights of Hermon.
14
I grew tall like a palm tree in En-gedi
[on the beaches],
and like rosebushes in Jericho,
like a fair olive tree in the field,
and like a plane tree beside water
I grew tall.
15
Like cassia and camel’s thorn I gave forth perfume,
and like choice myrrh I spread my fragrance,
like galbanum,
onycha, and stacte,
and like the odor of incense in the tent.
16 Like a terebinth
I spread out my branches,
and my branches are glorious and graceful.
17
Like a vine I bud forth delights,
and my
blossoms become glorious and abundant fruit.
18
[I am the mother of beautiful love, of fear, of knowledge,
and of holy hope, being eternal,
I am given to all my children,
to those who are named by him.]
19
“Come to me, you who desire me,
and eat your fill of my fruits.
20 For the memory of me is sweeter
than honey,
and the possession of which is sweeter than the honeycomb.
21
Those who eat of me will hunger for more,
and those who drink of me will thirst for
more.”
22
Whoever obeys me will not be put to shame,
and those who work with me will not
sin.”
Wisdom
and the Law
23 All this is the book of the covenant
of the Most High God,
the law that Moses commanded us,
as an inheritance for the congregations of
Jacob.
24
“Do not cease to be strong in the Lord,
cling to him so that he may strengthen you,
the Lord Almighty alone is God, and beside hm there is no savior.”
25
It overflows, like the Pishon, with
wisdom,
and like the Tigris
at the time of the first fruits.
26
It runs over, like the Euphrates, with
understanding
and like the Jordan
at harvest time.
27
It pours forth instruction like the Nile,
[It
makes instruction shine forth like light.]
like the Gihon at
the time of vintage,
28
The first man did not know wisdom
fully.
nor will the last one fathom her.
29
For her thoughts are ore abundant than the sea,
and her counsel deeper than the great abyss.
30
As for me: I was like a canal from a river,
like a water channel into a garden.
31
I said, “I will water my garden,
and drench my flower-beds,”
and lo, my canal became a river, and my river
a sea.
32
I will again make instruction shine forth like the dawn,
and I will make it clear from far away.
33
I will again pour out
teaching like prophecy,
and leave it to all future generations.
34
Observe that I have not labored for myself alone,
but for all who seek wisdom.
<CHAPTER 25>
People
Who Deserve Praise
1
I take pleasure in seeing three things which warm my heart,
and they are beautiful in the sight of God
and of mortals.
[In three things I was beautiful and I stood in beauty
before the Lord and mortals:]
agreement among brothers and sisters,
friendship among neighbors,
and a wife and a husband who are inseparable.
2
I hate three kinds of people who cause anger within me,
and I loathe their manner of life,
a needy man who boasts, a rich person who
lies,
and an old fool who commits adultery.
3
If you gathered no wisdom in your youth
how can you find anything in your old age?
4
How attractive sound judgment is for those who are older,
and those in advanced age to possess good
counsel!
5
How attractive is wisdom in the aged,
and understanding and counsel in the venerable!
6
Rich experience is the crown of the aged,
and their boast is the reverence of the Lord.
7
I can think of nine whom I would call blessed,
and a tenth my tongue proclaims:
a man who can rejoice in his children,
a man who lives to see the downfall of his
foes,
8
Happy the man who lives with a sensible wife,
and the one who does not plow using an ox and
donkey together.
Happy is the one who does not sin when speaking,
and the one who has not served an inferior.
9
Happy is the one who finds a friend [or, good
sense].
and the person who speaks to attentive
listeners.
10
How great is the one who finds wisdom!
None is superior to the one who reveres the
Lord.
11
Reverence of the Lord surpasses all other gifts:
to whom can we compare the one who has it?
12
[The fear of the Lord is the beginning of love for him,
and faith is the beginning of clinging to
him.]
Women
13
Any wound, but not a wound of the heart.
Any wickedness, but not the wickedness of a
woman1
14
Any suffering, but not suffering from those who hate!
Any vengeance, but not the vengeance of
enemies!
15
There is no venom
more deadly than a snake’s venom,
and no anger worse than a woman’s [or, an enemy’s] wrath.
16
I would rather live with a lion and dragon,
than to live with an malicious woman.
17
A woman’s wickedness changes her expression (or, appearance),
causing darkness her face like that of a
bear.
18
Her husband sits
among his neighbors,
and he cannot help sighing [or, and as he listens he sighs].bitterly.
19
Any iniquity is small compared to a wife’s iniquity,
may a sinner’s lot befall her!
20
A sandy ascent for the feet of the aged –
is such a garrulous wife to a quiet husband.
21
Do not be ensnared by a woman’s beauty,
and do not desire a woman for her possessions
[or, beauty].
22
There is wrath and impudence and great disgrace
when a wife supports her husband.
23
Dejected mind, gloomy face,
and wounded heart come from an evil wife.
Helpless
hands and weak knees
come from the wife
that does not make her husband happy.
24
From a woman sin had its beginning,
and because of her we all die.
25
Allow no outlet to water,
and no boldness of speech to an evil wife.
36
If she does not go as you direct
separate her from yourself.
<CHAPTER 26>
1 Happy is the husband of a good wife;
the number of his days will be doubled.
2
A loyal wife brings joy
to her husband,
and he will complete his years in peace.
3
A good wife is a great blessing;
she will be granted among the blessings of
the man who reveres God.
4
Whether rich or poor, his heart is content,
and at all times his face is cheerful.
5
Of three things my heart is frightened,
and of a fourth I am in great fear.
Slander in the city, the gathering of a mob,
and false accusation -- all these are worse then death.
6
But it is heartache and sorrow when a wife is jealous of a rival,
and a tongue-lashing makes it known to all.
7
A bad wife is a chafing yoke,
taking hold of her is like handling a
scorpion.
8
A drunken wife arouses great anger,
she cannot hide her shame.
9
The haughty state betrays an roving wife,
her eyelids give her away.
10 Keep strict watch over a
headstrong daughter,
or else,
when she finds you off guard, she will make use of it.
11
Be on guard against her impudent eye,
and do not be surprised if she is disobedient
toward you.
12
As a thirsty traveler opens his mouth
and drinks from any water near him,
so she will sit in front of every tent,
ready to engage in sexual activities.
13
A wife’s charm delights her husband,
and her skill puts flesh on his bones.
14
A silent wife is a gift from the Lord,
and nothing is so precious as her self-discipline.
15
A modest wife adds charm to charm,
and no scales can weigh the value of her
chastity.
16
Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,
so is the beauty of a good wife in her
well-ordered hme.
17
Like the shining lamp on the lamp stand,
so is a beautiful face on a stately figure.
18
Like golden pillars on silver bases,
so are shapely legs and steadfast feet.
19
[My child, keep sound the bloom of your youth,
and do not give your strength to strangers.
20
Seek a fertile field within the entire plain,
and sow it with your own seed, trusting in your fine stock.
21
Your offspring will prosper,
and having confidence in their good descent,
will grow great.
22
A prostitute is regarded
as spittle,
and a married woman as a tower of death to
her lovers.
23
A godless wife is given as a portion to a lawless man,
but a
pious wife is given to the man who reverences God.
24 A shameless woman constantly
acts disgracefully,
but a modest daughter will even be
embarrassed before her husband.
25 A headstrong wife is regarded as a
dog,
but one who has a sense of shame will revere
the Lord.
26
A wife honoring her husband will seem wise to all,
but if she dishonors him in her pride she
will be know to all as ungodly.
Happy is the husband of a good wife;
for the number of his years will be doubled.
27
A loud-voiced and garrulous wife is like a trumpet sounding the
charge,
and every person like this lives in the
anarchy of war.]
Sad
Observations
28
At two things bring grief to my heart,
and because of a third anger comes over me:
a
warrior in want through poverty,
intelligent men who are treated
contemptuously,
a man who deserts righteousness in order to sin --
the Lord will prepared him for the sword!
29
A merchant can hardly keep from wrongdoing,
nor a tradesman innocent of sin.
<CHAPTER 27>
1
Many have committed sin (or, death) for
[a trifle of] gain,
and those who seek to get rich will always
turn a blind eye.
2
As a stake
is driven firmly into a fissure between stones,
so sin is wedged in between selling and
buying.
(or, and dishonesty is squeezed
between selling and buying).
3
If a person is not steadfast in the reverence of the Lord,
his house will be quickly collapse.
Speech
Reflects True Feelings
4
When a sieve is shaken, the refuse appears,
so also a person’s faults when he speaks.
5
The kiln tests the potter’s vessels,
in the same manner a person is tested bt his conversation.
6
The fruit of the tree discloses the care the tree has received.,
In the same manner, a person’s speech
discloses
the cultivation of his mind.
7
Do not praise anyone before he speaks,
for this is the way people are tested.
Honesty
8
If you pursue justice, you will attain success.
and wear it like a glorious robe.
9
Birds roost with their own kind,
so honesty comes home to those who practice
it.
10
A lion lies in wait for prey,
and so does sin for evildoers.
Foolish Talk
11 When devout people
converse their conversation is always wiser,
but the fool contradicts himself.
12
Limit your time among stupid people,
but among thoughtful people linger on.
13
The conversation of fools is offensive (or,
disgusting),,
and their laughter is wantonly sinful.
14
The cursing and swearing make one’s hair stand on end,
and their quarrels make others plug
their ears.
15
The strife of the proud least to bloodshed,
and their abuse is grievous to hear.
Betraying
Secrets
16
Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence (or, trust),
and that person will never find a congenial
friend.
17
Love your friend and keep faith with him;
but if you betray his secrets, do not follow
after him.
18
Just as a person destroys his enemy,
so you have destroyed the friendship of your
neighbor.
19
And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
so you have let your neighbor go,
and you will be unable to reestablish that
relationship again.
20
Do not go after him, for he is too far off,
[for you are too widely separated to pursue
him.]
and he has escaped like a gazelle from a
snare.
21 For a wound maybe bandaged, and there
is reconciliation after an insult,
but
whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.
Hypocrisy
22
Whoever winks the eye plots mischief,
and those who know him will keep their
distance.
23
To your face his conversation is all sweetness,
and he admires your words,
but later he will change his tune,
and cause your own words to trip.
24
I have hated may things, but him above all,
even the Lord hates him.
25
Whoever throws a stone straight up throws it
on his own head,
and a treacherous blow opens up many wounds.
26
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it,
and whoever sets a snare will be caught in
it.
27
If a person does evil, it will recoil on him,
and he will not know where it came from.
28
Mockery and abuse issue from the arrogant,
like a lion, vengeance lies in wait for him..
29
Those who rejoice in the death of the godly will be caught in a
snare,
and pain will consume them before their
death.
Resentment
30 Anger and rage, these
also are abominations,
yet a sinner holds them in readiness.
<CHAPTER 28>
1
The vengeful will face the vengeance of the Lord,
for he keeps a strict account of
their sins.
2
Forgive your neighbor of the wrong he has done,
and when you pray your sins will be pardoned.
3
Does anyone harbor anger against another.
and expect healing (or, help)
from the Lord?
4
If a mere mortal harbors wrath,
can he then seek pardon for his own sins?
5
If a mere mortal harbors wrath,
who will make an atoning sacrifice for his
sins?
6
Remember the end of your life, and set enmity aside,
[remember corruption and death, and be true
to the commandments].
7
Remember the commandments
and do not be angry with your neighbor,
remember the covenant of the Most High, and
overlook faults.
Arguments
8
Refrain from strife, and your sins will be fewer,
for the hot-tempered kindle strife.,
9
and the sinner disrupts
friendships
and sows discord among those who are at
peace.
10
The fuel will burn in
proportion to the supply,
and in proportion to the obstinacy, so will
strife increase.
[The
greater his wrath, the longer his temper will flair.]
11
A hasty quarrel kindles a fire,
and a hasty dispute leads to bloodshed..
12
If you blow on a spark, I will glow,
and if you spit on it, it will be put out,
yet both come out of your mouth.
Vicious
Talk
13
Curse the gossips and the double-tongued,
for they destroy the peace of many.
14
Slander
has shaken many and scattered them from nation to nation.
It has destroyed strong cities and overturned
the houses of the great.
15
Slander
has driven virtuous women from their homes,
and deprived them of the fruit of their toil.
16
Those who pay heed to slander
will not find rest,
and they will settle down in peace.
17
The blow of a whip raises a welt,
but a blow of the tongue crushes the bones.
18
Many have fallen by the edge of the sword,
but not as many have been taken because of
the tongue.
19
Happy is the one who is protected from conflict,
who has not been exposed to its anger,
who has not borne its yoke, and has not been
bound with its fetters.
20 For its yoke is a yoke of iron
and its fetters are fetters of bronze,
21
its death is an infection of evil,
and the grave is preferable to it.
22
It has no power over the godly,
they will not be burned in its flame.
23
Those who forsake the Lord will fall into its power,
it will burn among them and will not be put
out.
It will be sent out against them like a lion,
Like a leopard it will mangle them.
24a
As you fence in your property with thorns-hedge,
25a
so make your door and a bolt for your mouth.
24b
[As you lock up your silver and gold,
25b
so make balances and
scales for your words.]
26
Take care not to err with your tongue,
and fall victim to one lying in wait.
<CHAPTER 29>
Loans and Repayment
1
The compassionate lend to their neighbors,
by granting a helping hand they keep the
commandments.
2
Lend to your neighbor in his time of need;
repay your neighbor when a loan falls due.
3
Keep your promise and be honest with him,
and you will find what you need on every
occasion.
4
Many regard a loan as a windfall,
and cause trouble to those who help them.
5
One kisses another’s hand
until he gets a loan,
and is deferential in speaking
of his neighbor’s money,
but at the time for repayment he finds fault
because of hard times.
6
If he must pay, his
creditor
will hardly get back half,
and will regard that as a windfall.
If he cannot pay, the borrower has robbed the other of his money,
and he has needlessly made him an enemy,
he will repay him with curses and reproaches,
and instead of honoring he will repay him
with dishonor.
7
Many refuse to lend, not because of meanness,
but from fear of being defrauded needlessly.
[many refuse to lend, therefore,
because of such meanness, for they are
afraid.]
Generosity
8
Nevertheless, be patient with someone in humble circumstances,
and do not keep him waiting for your alms.
9
Help the poor for the commandment’s sake,
and in their need do not send them away
empty-handed.
10
Lose your silver for the sake of a bother or a friend,
and do not let it rust under a stone and be
lost.
11
Lay up your treasure according to the commandments of the Most
High,
and it will benefit you more than gold.
12
Store up almsgiving in your treasury,
and it will rescue you from every disaster;
13
better than a stout shield and a sturdy spear,
it will fight for you against the enemy.
Guaranteeing
Debts
14
A good person will be surely for his neighbor,
but the one who has lost all sense of shame
will fail him.
15
Do not forget the kindness of your guarantor,
for he has given his life for you.
16
A sinner wastes the property of his guarantor,
17 and the ungrateful
person abandons his rescuer.
18 Being surety has ruined many
who were prosperous,
and has tossed them about like waves of he
sea,
it has driven the influential into exile,
and they have wandered among foreign nations.
19
The sinner comes sto grief through
surety,
his pursuit of gain involves him in lawsuits.
20
Assist your neighbor to the best of your ability,
but be careful not to fall yourself.
Home
and Hospitality
21
The necessities of life are water, bread, and clothing,
and also a house to assure privacy.
22
Better is the life of the poor under their own crude roof,
than sumptuous food in the house of others.
23 Be content with little or much,
and you will not become known as a person who
lives off others.
[you will not hear any reproach for being a
guest, or from your family.]
24
It is a miserable life to go from house to house,
as a guest you should not open your mouth,
25
you will play the host and provide drink without being thanked,
and besides this you will hear rude words
like these:
26
“Come here, stranger, prepare the table,
hand over what you have to eat.”
27 “Be off, stranger, for an
honored guest
is here,
my brother has come for a visit, and I need
the guest-room.”
28
It is hard for a sensible person to bear
scolding about lodging [or, scolding
from the household},
and the abuse of the money lender
[Give to the poor very freely from what is in your hand;
if he is naked clothe him, for thus you will
be serving God,
and he will repay you seven fold.]
<CHAPTER 30>
Concerning Children
Bringing
up Children
1
He who loves his son will whip him often,
so that he may rejoice at the way he turns
out.
2
He who disciplines his son will profit by him,
and will be proud of him among his
acquaintances.
3
He who teaches his son will make his enemies envious,
and will glory in him among his friends.
4
When the father dies he will not seem to be dead,
for he has left behind him one like himself,
5
whom in his life he looked upon with joy,
and at death he will have no regrets..
6
He has left an heir behind him an avenge against his enemies,
and one to repay the kindness of his friends.
7
Whoever spoils his son will bind up his wounds,
and will suffer heartache at every cry.
8
An unbroken horse turns out stubborn,
and an
unchecked son turns out headstrong.
9
Pamper a child, and he will terrorize you,
play with him, and he will grieve you,
10
Do not laugh with him, or you will have sorrow with him,
and in the end you will gnash your teeth.
11
Give him no freedom in his
youth,
and do not ignore his errors.
12
Break him in when he is young,
and beat his sides while he is young,
or else he will become stubborn and disobey
you,
and you will have sorrow of soul from him.
13
Discipline your son and make his yoke heavy, [take pains with
him],
so that you may not be offended by his
shamelessness.
Health
14
Better off poor, healthy, and fit
than rich and afflicted in body.
15
Health and fitness are better than any gold,
and a robust body than countless riches.
16
There is no wealth better than health of body,
and no gladness above joy of health.
17
Death is better than a life of misery,
and eternal sleep
than chronic illness
Concerning Foods
18
Great things poured out upon a mouth that was closed
are like offerings of food placed upon a
grave.
19
Of what use to an idol is a sacrifice?
It can neither taste nor smell.
[so is one punished by the Lord,]
20
he sees with his eyes and groans,
as a eunuch groans when embracing a girl.,
[so is the person who does right under
computation].
Cheerfulness
and Sadness
21
Do not give yourself over to sorrow,
and rejoicing lengthens one’s life span.
23
Indulge yourself [or, Beguile
yourself] and take comfort,
[a merry heart keeps a person alive.]
Banish sorrow far from you,
for grief has destroyed many,
and no advantage ever comes from it.
24
Jealousy and anger shorten life,
and anxiety brings on premature old age.
25
Those who are cheerful and merry at table,
will benefit from their food.
<CHAPTER 31>
Problems Caused by Money
1
Wakefulness over wealth makes a person lose weight,
and a severe illness caries off sleep.
2
Wakeful anxiety prevents slumber,
and a severe illness banishes sleep.
[Reproach causes the faithful friend to flee,
but whoever hides a secret (loves a friend)
as his own soul.]
3
The rich person toils to amass a fortune,
and when he rests he fills himself with
luxurious foods..
4
The poor person toils to make a meager living,
and if ever he rests he becomes needy.
5
One who loves gold will not be justified;
one who pursues money [for gain] will be led
astray
by it.
6
Many have come to ruin because of gold,
and their destruction has met them face to
face.
7
It is a stumbling block to those who are avid for it,
[They did not find how to deliver themselves
from evil,
nor did they save themselves in the time of
wrath.]
and every fool will be taken captive by it.
8
Happiness is the rich person who is found blameless,
and who does not go after gold.
9
Who is he, that we may praise him?
He has done wonders among his people.
10
Who has been tested by it and found perfect?
Let it be for him a ground for
boasting.
Who has had the power to transgress and did not
transgress,
and to do evil and did not do it.
11
His prosperity will be established, [because of this.]
and the assembly will proclaim his acts of
charity.
Behavior
at Dinner Parties:
12
Are you seated at the table of the great?
Do not be greedy at it,
and do not say, “What a great feast
this is..”
13
Remember that a greedy eye is a bad thing.
What
has been created more greedy than the eyes?
Therefore it sheds tears for any reason.
[God hates the man who has the evil eye,
and he has not created anything meaner that
him,
For this—by reason of everything the
eye quivers,
and makes tears on the face.]
14
Do not reach out your hand for everything you see,
and do not crowd your neighbor
at the dish.
15
Judge your neighbor’s
feelings by your own,
and in every matter be thoughtful.
16
Eat what is set before you like a well brought-up peson,
and do not chew greedily, or you will give
offense.
17
Be the fist to stop, as befits good manners,
and do not be a glutton, or you will give
offense.
18
If you are seated in a large crowd of people,
do not help yourself [or, reach out your hand] before they do.
19
How ample a little is for a well-disciplined person!
He
does no breathe heavily when in bed.
20
Healthy sleep depends on moderate eating;
he rises early, and feels fit.
The distress of sleeplessness and of nausea
and colic
are the lot of the glutton.
21
If you are overstuffed with food,
get up to vomit, and you will have relief.
22
Listen to me, my child, and do not disregard me,
and in the end you will appreciate my words.
In everything you do be moderate,
and no sickness will overtake you.
23
People bless the one who is liberal with food,
and their testimony to his generosity is trustworthy.
24
The city complains of the one
who is stingy with food,
and their testimony to his stinginess is
accurate.
25
Do not try to prove your strength by wild-drinking,
for wine has destroyed many.
26
As the furnace tests the work of the smith,
so wine tests hearts when the insolent quarrel.
27
Wine is very life to human beings if taken in moderation,
What is life to one who is deprived of wine?
It has been created to make people happy.
28
Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation,
is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul.
29 Wine drunk to excess leads to
bitterness of spirit,
quarrels and stumbling.
30
Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his own hurt,
reducing his strength and adding wounds.
31
Do not reprove your neighbor at a banquet of wine,
and do not despise him in his merrymaking;
speak no word of reproach tohim,
and do not distress him by making demands of
him.
<CHAPTER 32>
1
1f they make you the banquet master of the feast, do not exalt yourself,
be among them as one of their number.
Take
care of them first and then sit down.
2
When you have fulfilled all your duties, take your place,
so that you may be merry along with them,
and receive a wreath for your excellent leadership.
3
Speak, you who are older, for it is your right,
but with accurate knowledge, do not interrupt
the music.
4
Where there is entertainment, do not pour out talk,
do not display your cleverness at the wrong
time.
5
A ruby (or, a garnet)
seal in a setting of gold
is a concert of music at a banquet of wine.
6
as an emerald in a rich setting of gold
is the melody of music with good wine.
7
Speak, you who are young, if you are obliged to,
but no more than twice, and then only if
asked.
8
Be brief, say much in few words,
be as one who knows and can still hold his
tongue.
9
Among the great do not act as their equal,
and dl\o not babble when another is speaking.
:
10
Lightning travels ahead of the thunder,
and approval (or, esteem)
goes before one who is modest.
11
Leave in good time and do not be the last,
go home quickly and do not linger.
12
Amuse yourself there to your heart’s content,
but do not sin through arrogant speech.
13
But above all give praise to your Maker,
who fills you with his good gifts.
Interpreting
the Law
14
The one who seeks God .will
accept his discipline;
and those who rise early to seek him
will find favor.
15
The one who studies the law will find it to be a safeguard,
but the hypocrite will stumble at it.
16
Those how are in awe of the Lord will form true judgments,
and they will kindle righteous deeds like a
light.
17
The sinner will shun reproof,
and will find a decision according to his
liking
18
A sensible person will no overlook a thoughtful suggestion,
ia an arrogant
and proud person will not be deterred by fear.
19
Do nothing without deliberation,
but when you have acted, do not regret it.
20 Do not go on the path full of
obstacles,
and do not stumble at an obstacle twice.
21
Do not be overconfident on a smooth [or, unexplored]
road
22 and give good heed to
your paths.
23
Guard [or, trust]
yourself in every act,
for this is the keeping of the commandments.
24
The one who keeps the law preserves himself,
and the one who trusts the Lord will not
suffer loss.
<CHAPTER 33>
1
No evil will befall the one who reveres the Lord,
but in trials such a one will be rescued time
and again.
2
The wise will not hate the law,
but the
one who is insincere about it is like a boat in a storm.
3
A sensible person will trust in the law,
for such a one the law is as dependable as a
divine oracle.
4
Prepare what to say, and when you will be listened to,
draw upon your training (or, learning),
and give your answer.
5
The feelings of a fool is like a cart wheel,
and his thoughts like a turning axle.
6
A sarcastic friend is like a stallion
that neighs no matter who its rider is.
[A mocking friend is like a saddled horse
that loves any fool that rides on its back.],.
People
are Not Alike
7
Why is one day more important than any other,
when every day in the year it receives its
light from the sun?
8
By the Lord’s wisdom they were distinguished,
and he appointed the different seasons and
festivals.
9
Some days he exalted and hallowed,
and some he made ordinary days.
10
All human beings come from the ground,
and human beings
were created out of dust.
11
In the fullness of his great knowledge, the Lord distinguished
them,
and appointed their different ways.
12
Some he blessed and exalted, and some he made holy
and brought near to himself;
but some he cursed and humbled,
and removed others to be near to himself.
13
Like clay in the hand of a potter, to mould as he pleases,
so all are in the hand of their Maker,
to be formed into whatever he decides.
14
Good is the opposite of evil, and life the opposite of death,
so the sinner is he opposite of the godly.
15
Look at all the works of the Most High,
they come in pairs, one the opposite of the
other.
16 Now I was the last to keep
vigil’
I was like a gleaner following the grape
pickers,
17
by the blessing of the Lord I arrived first,
and like the grape pickers I filled my wine
press.
18
Consider that I have not labored for myself alone,
but for all who seek instruction.
19
Hear me, you who are great among the people,
and you leaders of the congregation, pay
heed!
Be
independent
20 As long as you live, do not
give power over yourself
to son or wife, to brother or friend,
and do
not give our property to another,
in case you change our mind and must ask for
it.
21
While you are still alive and have breath in you,
do not
let anyone take your place.
22
It is better that your children should ask from you,
than
that you should look to the hand of your children.
[That you should beg from them.]
23
Excel in all that you do;
bring no stain upon your honor.
24
At the time when you end the days of your life,
in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance.
Treatment
of Slaves
25
Fodder and a stick and burdens for a donkey;
bread, discipline and work for a slave.
26
Make your slave work, and you will find rest for yourself,
leave his hands idle, and he will seek
liberty.
27
Yoke and harness will tame the neck,
and for a wicked slave there are racks and
tortures.
28
Put him to work, in order that he may not be idle,
29 for idleness teaches much evil.
30
Have him do work that he is fit to do.
and if he does not obey, make his fetters
heavy.
Do not be overbearing toward anyone, and do nothing
unjust.
31
If you have but one slave, treat him like yourself,
because you have bought him with blood.
If you have but one salve, treat him like a brother,
for you will need him as you need your life.
[Do not be concerned about your status in life,
or because you have afflicted him
and if he leaves for a period of time, or
gets lost,
what will you give him?]
32 If you ill-treat him, and he
leaves you and runs away,
33 which way will you go to
seek him?
<CHAPTER 34>
Dreams
Mean Nothing
1
The person without understanding is vain,
and has false hopes, and dreams that give
wings to fools.
2 As one who catches at a shadow
and pursues the wind,
so is anyone who believes
the dreams.
3
What is seen in dreams is but a refection,
the likeness of a face looking at itself.
4
Truth cannot come from an illusion,
nor can what is false be true?
5
Divinations and omens and dreams are futile,
and like a woman in labor, the mind has
fantasies.
6
Unless they are sent by intervention from the Most High,
pay no attention to them.
7
Dreams have deceived many,
and those who put their hope in them have
perished.
8
Without such deceptions the law will be fulfilled,
and wisdom is complete in the mouth of the
faithful.
Travel
9
An educated [or, A well
traveled] person knows many things,
and one with much experience knows what hi is
talking about.
10
An inexperienced person knows few things,
11 but he that has traveled
acquires much cleverness.
12
I have seen many things in my travels,
and I understand more than I can express.
13
I have often been in danger of death.
but have escaped because of these
experiences.
Reverence
of the Lord
14
The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live,
15 for
their hope is in him who saves them.
16
Those who revere
the Lord are timid,
or play the coward, for he is their hope.
17
Happy is the soul that reveres the Lord:
[He knows where to look for support.]
18
He knows to whom he should
look, and where he can stay.
19
The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him,
a mighty shield and strong support,
[a shelter from scorching wind and a shade
from noonday sun,
a guard against stumbling and a help against
falling.]
20
He is elated in his soul and makes the eyes sparkle,
he gives health and life and blessing.
Offering
Sacrifices
21
If one sacrifices ill-gotten goods,
the offering is blemished. [or, the offering is
made a mockery],
22 the
gifts
of the lawless are not acceptable.
23
The Most High is not pleased with the offerings of the ungodly,
nor for a multitude of sacrifices does he
forgive sins.
24
Like one who kills a son
before his father’s eyes
is the person who offers a sacrifice from the
property of the poor.
25
The bread of the needy is the life of the poor,
whoever deprives them of it is a murderer.
26
To take away a neighbor’ living is to commit murder,
27 to
defraud an employee of wages is to shed blood.
28 When one builds and another
tears down,
what do they gain but hard work?
29
When one prays and another curses,
to whose voice with the Lord listen?
30
If one washes after touching a corpse, and touches it again,
what has been gained by washing?
31
So if one fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same
things,
who will listen to his prayer?
And what has he gained by humbling himself?
<CHAPTER 35>
1 The one who keeps the law
makes may offerings,
[or, To keep the law is worthy many offerings.]
2
one who heeds the commandments makes an offering of well-being
(or, a shared
offering)..
3
The one who returns a kindness [offers choice flour],
4 and one who
gives alms sacrifices through a thank offering.
5
To keep from wickedness is pleasing to the Lord,
and to forsake unrighteousness is an
atonement.
6
Do not appear before the Lord empty handed.
7 for
all that you offer is in fulfillment of the commandment.
8
The offering [or fat brought by the righteous] of the righteous
enriches the altar,
and its pleasing odor rises before the Most
High.
9
The sacrifice of the righteous is acceptable,
and it
will never be forgotten.
10
Be generous
when you worship the Lord,
and do not
stint the first fruits of your hands.
11
With every gift show a cheerful face,
and dedicate your tithe with gladness.
12
Give to the Most High as he has given you,
and as generously as you can afford.
13
The Lord is the one who always repays,
and he will repay you sevenfold.
14
Do not offer him a bribe, for he will not accept it.
15 and do not rely on a dishonest
sacrifice,
for the Lord is the judge and with him there
is no partiality.
God’s
Justice
16
He will not show partiality to the poor,
[He will not show you preference at the
expense of the poor.]
but he will listen to the prayer of one who is wronged..
17
He will never ignore the supplication of the orphan,
or the widow when she pours out her
complaint.
18
The tears of a widow run down her cheek,
19 as she cries out against the one who
causes them to fall.
20
The one whose service is pleasing to the Lord will be accepted,
and his
prayer will reach to the clouds.
21
The prayer of the humble pierces the clouds,
and it will not rest until it reaches its
goal,
22 and does justice for the righteous,
and executes judgment.
[giving the just their rights, and seeing
justice done.]
Indeed the Lord will not delay and like a warrior
will not be patient,
until he crushes the loins [or, breaks the bones] of the unmerciful.
23 and repays vengeance on the
nations’
until he destroys the multitude of the
insolent,
and
breaks the scepters of the unrighteous,
24
until he repays the mortals according to their deeds,
and the works of all according to their
thoughts,
25
until he judges the case of his people,
[he recompenses people according to their
deserving,
until he pleads the case of the people.]
and makes them rejoice in his mercy.
26
His mercy is as welcome in time of distress
as clouds of rain in time of drought.
[Beautiful is his favor in a time of sky,
and rain-clouds in a time of drought.]
<CHAPTER 36>
A
Prater for Israel
1
Have mercy upon us, [or, Save us], O God,
2
and put all the nations in fear of you.
3
Lift up your head against foreign nations
and let them see your glory [or, power] toward us.
and use them to show your glory to us.
4
As you have used us to show your holiness to them,
so use them to show your glory to us.
5 Then they will know
as we have known
that there is no God but you, O Lord.
6
Give new signs, and work other wonders;
7 make your hand and right arm glorious.
8
Rouse your anger
and pour out your wrath;
9 destroy
the adversary and wipe out the enemy,
10
Hasten the day, and remember the appointed time,
[remember your oath].
and let people recount your mighty deeds.
11
Let survivors be consumed in the fiery wrath,
and may those who harm your people meet
destruction.
12
Crush the heads of hostile rulers who say,
‘There is no one other than ourselves
that is important.”
13
Gather all the tribes of Jacob,
16 and give them their inheritance as
[you had done] at the beginning.
17 Have mercy, O Lord, on the people
called by your name,
on Israel,
whom you have named [or, likened to] your firstborn.
18 Have pity on the city of your
sanctuary, [or, on your holy city] with your glory.
19
Fill Zion with your
majesty,
and your temple
with your glory.
20
Bear witness to those whom you created in the beginning,
and fulfill the prophecies spoken in your
name.
21
Reward those who wait for you
and let your prophets be found trustworthy.
22
Hear, O Lord, the prayer of your servants,
according to your good will toward
your people,
and all who are on the earth will know
that you are the Lord, the God of the ages.
Choosing
a Wife
23
The stomach will take any food,
yet one food is better than another.
24
As the palate tastes the kids of game,
so an intelligent mind detects false words.
25
A perverse mind will cause grief,
but a person with experience will pay him
back.
26
A woman will accept any man as a husand
but one girl is preferable to another.
27
A woman’s beauty lights up a man’s face
and there is nothing he desires more.
28
If kindness and humility mark her speech,
her husband is more fortunate than other men.
29
He who accepts a wife gets his best possession, [or, enters upon a possession,
a helper fit for him and a pillar of support.
30
Where there is no hedge, the property will be plundered,
and where there is no wife, a man will become
a fugitive and wander.
31
For who will trust a nimble robber
that skips from city to city?
So who will trust a man that has no nest,
but lodges wherever night overtakes him?
<CHAPTER 37>
False
Friends
1
Every friend says, “I too am a good friend”;
but some friend are friends only in name.
2
Is there any sorrow like that
for death itself
when a dear friend turns into an enemy?
3
O inclination to evil, why were you formed
to cover the land with deceit [or, treachery]?
4
Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend,
but in time of trouble they are against him.
5
Some companions help a friend for their stomachs’ sake,
[or, for the
sake of a meal].
yet in battle they will carry his shield.
6
Do not forget a friend during the battle, [or,
in your heart],
and do not neglect him when you distribute
our spoils.
Caution
in Taking Advice
7
All counselors praise the counsel they give,
and
some give counsel in their own interest.
8
Be wary of a counselor and learn first what is I interest,
for he will take thought for himself.
He may cast the lot against you
9 and tell you, “Your
way is good,”
and then stand aside to see what happens to
you.
10
Do not consult the one who
regards you with suspicion,
hide your intentions from those who are
jealous of you.
11
Do not consult with a woman about her rival,
or with a coward about war,
with a merchant about business
or with a buyer about selling,
with a miser about generosity
or with the merciless about kindness,
with the idler about any work,
or with a seasonal laborer about his
completion of his work,
with a lazy servant about an excruciating task --
pay no attention to any advice they give.
12
Associate with a godly person,
whom you know to be a keeper of the
commandments,
who is like-minded with yourself,
and who will sympathize with you if your
fail.
13 Trust the council
of your own judgment,
for
no one is more faithful to you than it is.
14 Our own mind sometimes keeps us better
informed
than
seven sentinels sitting high on the
watchtower.
15
Above all pray to the Most High,
that he may direct your way in truth.
Wisdom
and Confidence
16
Discussion is the beginning of every work
and counsel precedes every undertaking.
17
The mind is the root of all conduct,
18 it sprouts four branches
[as a clue to changes of heart four kinds of
destiny appear:]
good and evil, life and death,
and it is the tongue that continually rules
them.
19
Some people may be cleaver enough to teach many,
and yet be useless to themselves.
20
A brilliant speaker may be hated,
he will be destitute of all food,
21
for the Lord has withheld the gift of grace and charm,
sine he is deprived of all wisdom.
22 If a person is wise to his
personal advantage,
the fruits of his good sense will be
praiseworthy.
[or,
trustworthy when he gives advice].
23
A wise person instructs his own people,
and the fruits of his wise sense will endure.
24
A wise person will have praise heaped upon him,
and all who see him will call him happy [or, will say he can be trusted]..
25
The days of a person’s life are numbered,
but the days of Israel
are without number.
[A wise person will receive praises,
and will be regarded as being happy.]
26
One who is wise among his people will inherit honor [or, confidence],
and his name will live forever.
Controlling
the Appetite
27
My child, test yourself while you live,
see what is bad for you and do not give in to
it.
28
Not everything is good for everyone,
and we do not all enjoy the same thing.
29
Do not be greedy for every delicacy,
and do not eat without restraint,
30
for overeating brings sickness,
and gluttony leads to nausea.
31
Many have died of
gluttony,
but the one who guards against it prolongs
his life.
<CHAPTER 38>
Sickness
and Medicine
1
Honor physicians for their services
for the Lord created them,
2 for their gift of healing
comes from the Most High,
and they are rewarded by the king.
3
The skill of physicians makes them distinguished,
and in the presence of the great they are
admired.
4
The Lord created medical remedies out of the earth,
and the sensible will not despise them.
5
Was bitter water made sweet with a tree
in order that its
power might be known?
6
The Lord gave skill to
human beings
that he [or, they] might know?
7
By them he physician heals and takes away pain,
8
the pharmacist makes a mixture from the.
God’s works will never be finished,
and from him health spreads over the entire
earth.
9
My child, when you are ill do not delay,
but pray to the Lord, and he will heal you.
10
Give up your faults and direct your hands rightly,
and cleanse your heart from all sin.
11Offer
a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of choice flour
and pour oil on your offering, as much as you
can afford.
12
Then give the physician his place, for the Lord created him;
do not let him leave you, for you need him.
13
The time may come when recovery lies in the hands of the
physicians,
14 for they too pray to the Lord
that they be granted success in their
diagnosis,
and in healing, for the sake of preserving
life.
15
He who sins against the Maker will be defiant toward the physician.
Mourning
for the Dead
16
My child, let your tears fall for the dead,
and as one in great pain begin the lament.
Lay out the body with due ceremony,
and do not neglect the burial.
17
Let your weeping be bitter and your wailing fervent;
make your mourning worthy of the departed,
for one day, or two, to avoid criticism,
then be comforted for your grief.
18
Grief may lead to death,
and a sorrowful heart saps one’s
strength.
19
When a person is taken away, sorrow is over,
but the life of the poor weighs down the
heart.
20
Do not give your heart to grief [or, quarreling]
but drive it away, and remember your own end.
21
Do not forget, there is no coming back,
you do the dead no good, and you injure
yourself.
22
Remember his fate, and yours will be like it;
yesterday it was his, and today it is yours.
23
When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest too,
and be comforted for him when his spirit has
departed.
Scholarship
and Other Occupations
24
The wisdom of the scribe depends on the opportunity of leisure,
only the one who has little business can
become wise.
25
How can one become wise who handles the plow,
and who glories in the shaft of a goad,
when driving oxen and is occupied with their
work,
and whose talk is about bulls?
26
He sets his heart on plowing furrows,
and he is careful about fodder for his
heifers.
27
So it is with every artisan and master artisan,
who labors by night as well as by day,
those who engrave the signets of seals,
each is
different in making a great variety,
they set their heart on painting a lifelike
image,
and they are careful to finish their work.
28
So it is with the smith, sitting by his anvil,
intent on his iron-work;
the breath of the fire melts his flesh,
and he struggles with the heat of the
furnace,
the sound of the hammer deafens his ears.
And his eyes are on the pattern of the
object.
He sets his heart on finishing his handiwork,
and he is careful to complete its decoration.
29
So it is with the potter sitting at his work
and turning the wheel with his feet,
he is always deeply concerned over his products,
and he produces them in quantity.
30 He molds the clay with his arms
and makes it pliable with his feet,
he sets his heart to finish the glazing,
and takes care in firing the kiln.
31
All these rely on their hands,
and all are skillful in their own work.
32
Without them no city can be inhabited,
and wherever they live, they will not go
hungry.
[Yet they are not sought out for the council of the
people,]
33 nor do they attain eminence in the
public assembly.
They do not sit in the judge’s seat,
nor do
they understand the decisions of the courts,
they
cannot expound discipline, or judgment,
and they are not found among the rulers.
34
But they maintain the fabric of the world,
and their concern
is for the exercise of their trade,
How different the one who devotes himself,
to the study of the law of the Most High!
<CHAPTER 39>
1
How different it is for one who devotes himself to ancient
wisdom,
and reflects on the law of the Most High.
2
He preserves the sayings of the famous,
and penetrates the subtleties of parables,
3
he seeks out the hidden meaning of proverbs
and is at home with the obscurities of
parables.
4
He serves among the great and appears before rulers,,
he travels in foreign lands, and learns what
is good and evil in humanity.
5
He sets his heart to rise early to seek the Lord who made him,
and to petition the Most High;
he opens his mouth in prayer, and asks pardon
for his sins.
6
If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit
of intelligence;
he will pour forth words of wisdom of his
own,
and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.
7
The Lord
will direct his counsel and knowledge,
as he meditates on his concept of mysteries.
8
He will reveal what he has learned,
and will glory in the law of the Lord’s
covenant.
9
Many will praise his intelligence, and it will never be blotted
out.
His memory will not disappear,
and his name will live through all
generations.
10
Nations will speak of his
wisdom,
and the congregation will sing his praise.
11If
he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand,
and if he goes to rest, he will be content.
A
Hymn of Praise of God
12
I have more on my mind to express,
I am full, like the full moon.
13
Listen to me, my faithful children, and blossom
like a rose [or, lily] growing by a stream of water.
14
Send out fragrance like incense,
and put forth blossoms like a lily.
Scatter the fragrance; and sing a hymn of praise,
Bless the Lord for all his works.
15
Ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise,
with songs on your lips, an with harps,
this is what you are to say in thanksgiving.
16
“All the works of the Lord are exceedingly good,
and whatever he commands will be done at the
appointed time.
17
No one can say, ‘What is this:’ or ‘Why is
that?’--
for at the appointed time all such questions
will be answered.
At his word the waters stood in a heap,
and the reservoirs of water at the word of
his mouth.
[By his word the waters formed into a heap,
and by his mouth treasures were made.]
18 What he commands, his every
purpose is fulfilled,
and none can limit his saving power.
19
The works of all are before him.
and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.
20
From the beginning to the end of time he can see everything,
and nothing is too marvelous for him.
21
No one can say, ‘What is this?’ or ‘What is
that?’—
for
everything has been creed for his own
purpose.
22 ( “His blessing covers the fry land
like a river,
and drenches it like a flood.
23
But his wrath drives out the nations.)
This is as certain as when he turned a
watered land into brine,
24
To the devout his ways are straight,
but full of pitfalls for the wicked.
25
From the beginning good things were created for the good,
but for sinners good things and bad.
26
The basic necessities of human life are water, fire, iron, salt,
wheat flour. milk, and honey,
the juice of the grape, oil and clothing.
27
All these are good for the godly,
but for sinners they turn into evils.
28
“These are winds created for vengeance,
and in their anger they can dislodge mountains,
on the day of reckoning they will exert their strength
and calm the anger of their Maker.
29
Fire and hail and famine and pestilence,
all these have been created fo vengeance,
30
the fangs of wild animals and scorpions an vipers,
and the sword that punishes the ungodly with
destruction.
31
They take delight in carrying out his bidding,
always ready for his service on earth,
and when their time comes they never disobey
his command.”
32
From the beginning I have been convinced of all this,
and have thought it out and left it in
writing.
33
All the works of the Lord are good,
and he will supply every need in its time.
34
No one can say, “This is not as good as that.”
for everything proves good in its appointed
time.
35 So now sing praise with all
your heart and voice,
and
bless the name of the Lord!”
<CHAPTER 40>
The
Misery of Human Life
1
Hard work was created for everyone;
and a heavy yoke is laid on the children of
Adam,
from the day they come forth from their
mother’s woom
until the day they return to the mother of
all the living.
2
Perplexities and fear of heart are theirs,
and anxious thought on the day of their
death.
3
From the one who sits on a splendid throne,
to the one who grovels in dust and ashes,
4
from the one who wears purple and a crown
to the one
who is clothed in burlap,
5
there is anger and envy and trouble, contention,
fear of death, fury and strife.
When one rests upon his bed,
his sleep at night confused by mysteries..
6
He gets little or no rest;
he struggles
in his sleep as he did by day.
He is troubled by night mares,
like one who has escaped from the
battlefield.
8
This occurs to all creatures, human and animal,
but to sinners seven times more,
9
come death and bloodshed
and strife and sword,
calamities and famine and rain and plague.
10
All these were create for the wicked,
and on their account the flood came.
11
All that is of earth returns to earth,
and what is from above returns above.
The
Results of Evil
12
All bribery and injustice will vanish completely;
but good faith will last forever.
13
The wealth of the wicked will dry up like a river,
and crash like a loud clap of thunder in a
storm.
[Everyone who sins or cheats will decease,
but the diligent in the word, even they, will
live.]
14
As a generous person has cause to rejoice
so lawbreakers will utterly fail.
15
The children of the ungodly put out few branches,
for they are as unhealthy roots on sheer
rock.
16
The reeds by any water or river bank
are plucked up before any grass,
17 but kindness is like a garden of blessings,
and almsgiving endures forever,
The
Joys of Human Life:
18 To be wealthy and employed makes
life sweet,
but better than either is finding a treasure.
19
Children and the building of a city establish one’s name,
but better than either is the one who finds
wisdom.
[Cattle and orchards make one prosperous,
But a blameless wife is accounted better than
either.]
20
Wine and music gladden the heart,
but the love of friends
is better than evil.
21
The flute and the harp make sweet melody.
but a pleasant voice is better than evil.
22
The eye desires to see grace and beauty,
but the green shoots of grain more than either.
23
A friend or companion is always welcome
but a sensible wife is better than either.
24 Kindred and helpers are for a
time of trouble,
but almsgiving rescues better than either.
25
Gold and silver make one sand firm,
but good advice is esteemed more than either.
26
Riches and strength build up confidence
but reverence of the Lord is better than
either.
[The reverence of the Lord causes us to lose nothing,
but will be an unending source of support.]
27
The reverence of the Lord is like a paradise or blessing,
and covers a person better than any glory.
Begging
28
My child, do not lead the life of a beggar,
it is better to die than to beg.
29
When one looks to the table of another,
one’s way of life cannot be considered
a life.
One loses self-respect with another person’s food,
but one who is intelligent and well
instructed guards against that.
30
In the mouth of the shameless begging is sweet,
but it kindles resentment within him.
<CHAPTER 41>
Death
1
O death, how bitter is the thought of you
to the one at ease with his worldly
possessions,
who is free of all cares, and is prosperous in
everything,
and is still vigorous enough to enjoy
food!
2
O death, how welcome is your sentence
to one whose activity is waning, needy and
whose strength is failing,,
having constant anxiety due to old age,
to one who is contrary, and has lost all of
his patience!
3
Do not fear death’s sentence
for you,
but remember those who went before you,
and those who will come after you.
4
This is the Lord’s decree for all of humanity.
Why then should you reject the will of the
Most High?
Whether life lasts for ten years or a hundred or a thousand,
there are no questions asked in grave.
The
Fate of the Wicked
5
The children of sinners have a sense of lostness,
for they frequent the haunts of the godless.
6 The inheritance of the children of
sinners
will perish,
and there will be a perpetual disgrace on
their offspring..
7
Children with a mean ungodly father,
will be brought up in the haunts of the ungodly,
for they suffer disgrace because of him.
8
Woe to you, the ungodly,
who have abandoned the law of the Most High
God!
9
If you have children, disgrace will be there’s;
you will beget them only for groaning.
When you die, there is lasting joy,
for when you die, a curse is your lot.
10
Whatever comes from earth returns to earth,
so the ungodly go from curse to destruction.
11
The human body is a fleeting thing for which we grieve,
but a virtuous name will never be blotted
out.
12
Consider your name, since it will outlive you
longer than a thousand hoards of gold.
13
The days of a good life are numbered [or,
limited],
but a good name lasts forever.
A
Sense of Decency
14
My children, be true to your training and be at peace,
hidden wisdom and unseen treasure –
of what value are either of them?
15
Better are those who hide their folly
than those who hide their wisdom.
16
Therefore show respect for my teaching,
for it is not good to feel shame in every
circumstance.
nor is every kind of shame necessarily
approved.
16
Be ashamed to engage in sexual immorality before your father or
mother,
and of a lie in the presence of a prince or a
ruler.
18
or commit a crime, before a judge or magistrate,
and a breach
of the law, before the congregation and all people;
of unjust dealing, before your partner or
your friend;
19 and of theft, in the place where you
live.
Be ashamed of breaking an oath of agreement,
and of leaning on your
elbow at meals;
of
surliness in receiving or giving’
20 and of silence
before those who greet you,
of ogle
at a prostitute.
21 or reject the presence of a relative,
or taking away someone’s portion or
gift,
or eyeing at another man’s wife;
22 Be
ashamed or meddling with his servant girl—
and do not lie in her bed.
Be ashamed to use abusive words, before
friends,
and do not be insulting after making a gift.
23
[Be ashamed to report what you have heard, or betray a confidence
24
Then you will show a proper sense of shame
and be popular with everyone.]
<CHAPTER 42
A
Sense of Pride
1Be
ashamed of repeating what you hear,
and of betraying secrets.
Then you will show proper shame and will win favor with everyone.
Of the following things do no be ashamed:
2
Do not be ashamed of the
law of the Most High and his covenant,
and do not sin to save face.
3
Do not be ashamed of the law of the Most High and his covenant,
and of rendering judgment to acquit the
ungodly,
3 of keeping accounts with a partner or
traveling companions,
and of
dividing the inheritance of friends,
4 of accuracy of scales and weights,
and of acquiring many or few possessions;
5 of profit from dealing with merchants,
and of frequent disciplining of children,
and of drawing blood from the back f a
worthless slave.
6
Where there is an untrustworthy wife, bolt the door,
and where there are many hands, lock things
up.
7
When you make a deposit, be sure it is counted and weighed,
and when you give or receive, put it all in
writing.
8
Do not be ashamed to correct the ignorant or foolish
or the aged who are guilty of sexual
immorality.
Then you will show your sound training
and you will experience universal approval.
Fathers
and Daughters
9
A daughter is a secret anxiety to her father,
and worry over her robs him of a
night’s sleep,
when she is young, for fear she may not
marry,
or, if married, for fear she may be disliked,
and divorced..
10
While a virgin, for fear that she may be seduced,
and become pregnant in her father’s
house;
or, having a husband, for fear she may be
unfaithful,’
or, though married, for fear she will be barren.
11
Keep strict watch over a headstrong daughter,
or she may make you a laughingstock
to your enemies,
and the talk of the town
and its population,,
and put you to shame in public gatherings
while your enemies gloat.
See that there is no lattice (or, window)
in her room,
no spot that overlooks the entrance to the house.
12
Do not let her display her beauty to any man,
or spend her gossiping with women who live in
the women’s auarters,
13
for from garments comes the moth,
and from a woman comes women’s
wickedness.
14
Better is the wickedness of a man than a woman who does good,
it is the woman who brings shame and
disgrace/
The
Glory of God in Nature
15
I will now call to mind the works of the Lord,
and will describe what I have seen.
By the word of the Lord his works are made,
and all his creatures do his will.
16
The sun illuminates everything with its light,
and the work of the Lord is full of his
glory.
17
The Lord has not empowered even his holy ones (or, angels),
to recount all his marvelous works,
which the Lord the Almighty has established
so that the universe may stand firm in his
glory.
18
He searches out the abyss and the human heart;
he understands their innermost secrets.
For the Most High knows all that may be known,
he sees from of old the things that are to
come.
19
He discloses what has been
and what will be,
and he
reveals the traces of secret things.
20
No thought escapes him, and nothing is hidden from him.
21
He has set in order the splendors of his wisdom,
he is from eternity one and the same.
Nothing can be added or taken away,
and he needs no one to be his counselor.
22
How pleasant are all his works,
and how sparkling they are to see.
23
All these things live and remain forever,
each creature is responsible to deal with its
specific need.
24
All things come in pairs, each as the other’s counterpart,
and he has made nothing incomplete.
25
Each supplements the virtues of the other.
Who could ever tire of seeing his glory?
<CHAPTER 43>
1
The pride of the higher realms is the clear vault of the sky,
how spectacular to behold is the sight of the
heavens.
2
The sun, when it appears, proclaims as it rises.
What a marvelous instrument it is, for it is
the work of the Most High.
3
At noon it parches the
land, and who can withstand is burning heat?
4
A man tending
a furnace works in burning heat,
but three times as hot is the sun scorching
the mountains.
It breathes out fiery vapors, and the glare
of its rays blind the eyes.
5
Great is the Lord who made it, at his orders it hurries on its
course.
.
6
It is the moon that marks the changing seasons,
governing the times, their everlasting sign.
[The feast days are determined by its light
as it concludes its course.]’
7
From the moon comes the sign for festal days,
a light that wanes when it completes its
course.
8
The new moon, as its name suggests, renews itself,
how marvelous it is in this change,
a beacon to the hosts on high,
shimmering in the vault of the heavens!
9
The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven,
a glittering array in the heights of the
Lord.
10
On the orders of the Holy One they are commanded
to be in their appointed places,
they never default in their watches.
11
Look at the rainbow, and praise him who made it,
it is exceedingly beautiful in its
brightness.
12
It spans heaven with its glorious arc,
the hands of the Most High have stretched it
out.
[Like a a bow that is bent by
the hands of the Most High,
it spans the horizon in is circle of glory.]
13
By his command he sends the snow storm,
and the swift lightning to carry out his
orders.
14
Therefore the storehouses are opened,
and the clouds fly out like a flock of birds.
15
In his mighty power he gives the clouds their strength,
and the hailstones that are broken into
pieces.
17a
The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth,
16 when
he appears, the mountains shake,
At his will the south wind blows,
17b so do the storm from the north and
the whirlwind.
He scatters the snow like birds flying down,
and its descent is like locusts that are
alighting.
18
The eye is dazzled by the beauty of its whiteness,
and the mind is entranced as it falls.
19
He pours frost over the earth like salt,
and icicles form like pointed thorns.
[He makes the crystals shine like sapphire.]
20
The cold north wind
blows and ice freezes on the water,
it settles on every pool of water,
and the (frozen) water
gives the impression of being a breast-plate.
21
He consumes the mountains and burns up the wilderness,
and shrivels the tender grass like fire.
22
A mist quickly heals all things,
the falling dew gives refreshment from the
heat.
23
By his declaration he stilled the deep
and planted islands in it.
24
Those who sail the sea tell of its dangers,
and we marvel at what we hear.
25 In it are strange and marvelous
creatures,
all kinds of living things, and huge sea-monsters.
26 Because of him each of his
messengers succeeds,
and by his word all things hold together.
27
We could say more but could never say enough,
let the final word be: “He is the
all.”
28
Where can we find the strength to praise him?
For he is greater than all his works.
29
Awesome is the Lord and very great,
and marvelous is his power.
30
Honor the Lord and exalt him as much as you can,
for he surpasses even that. (or, he is above all praise0.
[Summon your strength to extol him,
be constant in this, for you will always fall
short in your praise]
30
When you exalt him, summon all your strength,
and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise
him enough.
31 Who has seen him and can
describe him?
Or who can extol him as he is?
32
Many things greater than these he has hidden,
for I
have seen but few of his works.
33
For the Lord has made all things,
and to the godly he has given wisdom.
<CHAPTER 44>
Hymn in Honor of Our Ancestors
The
Glory of God in History
1
Let us now sing the praises of famous men,
our ancestors in their generations.
2
The Lord apportioned great glory to them,
his majesty from the beginning.
3
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and gain renown for themselves by their
valor,
those who gave counsel because they were
intelligent;
those who spoke in prophetic oracles.
4 those who led the people by
their counsels,
and by their knowledge of the people’s
lore,
they were wise in their words of instruction,
[wise in meditation on their writing,
giving in their watchfulness,
outstanding in their instruction,
and were looked upon with appeal.]
5
those who composed musical tunes,
or put verse in writing;
6
rich men endowed with resources, living peacefully in their homes
–
7
all these were honored in their generations,
and were the pride of their times,
8
Some of them have left behind a name;
so that others declare their praise.
9
But of others there is no memory,
they have perished as if they never existed,
they have become as if they had never been
born,
they and their children after them.
10
But these also were people of piety,
whose righteous deeds have not been
forgotten.
11
their prosperity will remain with their descendants,
and their inheritance with their
children’s children.
12
Their descendants stand by their covenants,
their children also, for their sake.
13 Their descendants will continue forever,
and their glory will never be blotted out.
14
Their bodies are buried in peace,
but their name lives on generation after
generation.
15
The assembly declares
their wisdom,
and the congregation will sing their praise.
Enoch
16
Enoch pleased the Lord and was taken up,
an example of repentance to all generations.
Noah
17
Noah was found perfect and righteous;
and in that way he made amends in the time of
God’s wrath,
[in the time of wrath he kept the race alive,]
therefore a remnant was left on the earth when
the flood came.
18
Everlasting covenants were established,
so that all flesh should live and never again
be blotted out by a flood.
Abraham
19
Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations,
and no one had been found like him in glory.
[did not trust his glory,]
20
He kept the law of the Most High,
and entered into a covenant with him,
he certified the covenant in his flesh,
and when he was tested he proved faithful.
21
Therefore the Lord assured him with an oath
that the nations would be blessed through his
offspring,
that he would make his descendents as
numerous as the dust of the earth,
and exalt his offspring like the stars,
and give them an inheritance from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth.
Isaac
and Jacob
22
To Isaac also he gave the same assurance
for the sake of his father Abraham.
The blessing of all people, and the covenant
23 he made to rest on the head of Jacob;
he acknowledged him with his blessings.
and gave him his inheritance,
he divided his portions,
and distributed them among twelve tribes.
<CHAPTER 45>
[From his people the Lord brought forth a godly man,
who found favor in the sight of all.]
Moses
`1
He was beloved by God and
people;
Moses, whose memory is blessed.
2
The Holy One made him equal In glory to the holy ones,
and made him great, [granting him power] to
the terror of his enemies.
3
By his words he performed great miracles;
the Lord glorified him in the presence of
kings.
He gave him commandment(s) for his people,
and revealed to him his glory.
4
For his faithfulness and humility he consecrated him,
choosing him out of all of humanity.
5
He allowed him to hear his voice and led him into the dark cloud,
and gave him the commandments face to face,
the law of life and knowledge,
so that he might teach Jacob the covenant,
and Israel
his decrees.
Aaron
6
He exalted Aaron, a holy man like Moses,
who was his brother, of the tribe of Levi.
7
He made an everlasting covenant with him,
and conferred on him the priesthood of the
people.
He blessed him with stateliness
and put a glorious robe on him.
8
He clothed him with appropriate signs of his position.,
and strengthened the symbols of authority,
the linen under trousers,, long robe, and the
ephod.
9
He encircled him with pomegranates,
and with many golden bells all around
to send forth a sound as he walked,
to make their ringing heard in the temple
as a reminder to the people.
10
with the sacred vestments of gold and violet
and purple, the work of an embroiderer,
with the oracle of judgment,
and the token of truth, Urim
and Thummim;
11 with twisted crimson, the
work of an artisan,
with precious stones engraved like signets,
mounted in a setting of gold, the work of a
jeweler,
for each of the tribes of Israel,
12 with a gold crown on his turban,
inscribed like a signet with
”Holy(ness) to the Lord,”
a distinction to be prized, the work of an
expert,
a delight to the eyes, richly adorned.
13
Prior to him such beautiful things did not exist.
No outsider ever wore them,
but only his sons and his descendants in
perpetuity.
14
His sacrifices will be wholly burned
twice ever day continually.
15
Moses ordained him, and anointed him with sacred oil;
for it was an everlasting covenant for him,
and his descendants as long as heaven
endures,
to minister to the Lord and serve in the
priestly office,
and bless his people in his name.
16
He chose him out of all the people of Israel,
to offer sacrifices to the Lord,
incense and pleasing odor as a memorial
sacrifice,
to make atonement for the people.
17
In his commandments the
Holy One entrusted him
with authority
and statutes and
judgments,.
to teach Jacob the testimonies
and to enlighten Israel
with his laws.
18
Outsiders conspired against him,
and envied him in the wilderness,
Dathan and Abiram and their supporters,
and the company of Korah, enflamed
with wrath and anger.
19
The Lord saw it and was not pleased,
and in the heat of his wrath they were
destroyed.
He performed wonders against them to consume
them in flaming fure,
20
He added glory to Aaron, and gave him a heritage;
by allotting the best of the first fruits to
the priesthood;
and prepared of first fruits in abundance.
21
for they were to eat the sacrifices of the Lord
which he gave to him and his descendants.
22
But in the land of the people he had no inherited territory,
and he has no portion among the people,
for the Lord himself is his portion and
inheritance.
Phinehas
23
Phinehas son of Eleazar
ranks third in renown,
for being zealous in the fear of the Lord,
and standing firm, when the people turned
away,
in the noble courage of his soul,
and he made atonement for Israel.
24
Therefore a covenant of friendship was established with him,
that he should be in charge of the sanctuary
and of his people.
that he and his descendants should have
the dignity of the priesthood forever.
David
25
Just as a covenant was established with David
son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah;
that the king’s heritage passes only
from son to son,
so the heritage of Aaron is for his
descendants alone.
26
Now bless the Lord who has crowned you with glory.
May the Lord grant you wisdom of mind,
to judge his people with justice’
so that their prosperity may not vanish,
and that their glory may endure through all
their generations.
<CHAPTER 46>
Joshua
1
Joshua son of Nun was mighty in war,
and was the successor of Moses in his
prophetic office
He became, as his name implies, a great savior of
God’s elect,
to take vengeance on the enemies that rose
against them,
so that he might give Israel
its inheritance.
2
How glorious he was when he lifted up his hands
and brandished his sword against the cities!
3
Who before him ever stood so firm?
He waged the war of the Lord.
4
It was though him that the sun stood still
and one day became as long as two.
5
He called upon the Most High, the Mighty One,
when enemies pressed him on every side,
and the great Lord answered him
with hail stones of mighty power.
6
He overwhelmed the nation in battle,
and on the pass (or, Beth Horon],
[through
which they were fleeing,]
he
destroyed his opponents;
so that the nations might know his armament,
that he was fighting in the sight of the Lord;
for he was a devoted follower of the Mighty
One.
Caleb
7
In the days of Moses
Joshua proved his loyalty,
he and Caleb son of Jephunneh
restrained the people
from sin, and stilled their wicked grumbling.
8
These two alone were spared out of six hundred thousand infantry;
to
lead the people into their inheritance;
the land flowing with milk and honey.
9
The Lord gave Caleb strength which remained with him in his old age,
so that he went up to the hill country,
and his children obtained it for an
inheritance,
10 so that all the Israelites
might see
how good it is to follow the Lord.
The
Judges
11
The judges also, with their respective names,
whose hearts rejected idolatry,
and who did not turn away from the Lord
–
may their memory be blessed!
12
May their bones send for the new life from where they lie,
and may the names of those who have been
honored
live again in their children.
Samuel
13
Samuel was beloved by his Lord,
a prophet of the Lord, he established the
monarchy
and anointed rulers over his people.
14
By the law of the Lord he dispensed
the judgment of the law to the congregation
and
the Lord watched over Jacob.
15
By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet,
and by his words he became known as a
trustworthy prophet.
16
He called upon the Lord, the Mighty One,
when his enemies pressed him on every side,
and he offered in sacrifice a suckling lamb.
17
Then the Lord thundered from heaven,
and made his voice heard with a mighty sound:
18
he subdued the leaders of the enemy,
and all the rulers of the Philistines
19 Before the time of his eternal
sleep,
Samuel bore witness before the Lord and his
anointed:
“No property, no so much as a pair of shoes,
have I taken from anyone.”
No one accused him.
20
Even after he had fallen asleep, he prophesied
and made the king’s fate (or, his death) known to him,
and lifted up his voice from the ground
in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of
the people.
<CHAPTER 47>
Nathan
1
Nathan arose to prophesy during the reign of David.
David
2
As the fat is set apart
from the offering
of well-being
so David was chosen (or, set
apart) from the Israelites.
3
He played with lions as
though they were young goats,
and with bears as though they were lambs of
the flock.
4
In his youth did he not kill a giant,
and remove the people’s disgrace,
when he whirled the stone in the sling [with
its stone,]
and struck
down the boasting Goliath?
5
He called on the Lord, the Most High,
who gave strength to his right arm,
to strike down a mighty warrior
[and proclaim the power
of his people.]
6
So they glorified him for the tens of thousands he conquered,
and praised him for the blessings bestowed by
the Lord,
when the glorious diadem was given to him.
7
He subdued his enemies on every side,
and annihilated his adversaries the
Philistines;
he crushed their power
to this day.
8
In all that he did he gave thanks to the Holy One,
the Most High, proclaiming his glory,
he sang hymns of praise with all his heart,
and he loved his Maker.
9
He appointed singers to sing before he altar,
to make
sweet melody with their voices.
[and daily they sing his praise,]
10
He gave dignity to the festivals,
and arranged their times throughout the year,
while the praised God’s holy name,
and the sanctuary resounded from early
morning.
11
The Lord pardoned
his sins, and exalted his power forever;
giving him a covenant of kingship
and a glorious throne in Israel.
Solomon
12
After him a wise son, Solomon, rose up who
because of David lived in security:
13
Solomon reigned in an age of peace,
because God made all his borders tranquil,
so that he might build a house in his name
and provide a sanctuary to stand forever.
14
How wise you were when you were young!
Like the Nile,
you overflowed with understanding.
15
Your influence spread throughout the earth,
and you filled it with proverbs having deep
meaning.
16
Your fame reached distant islands,
and you were loved for your peaceful reign.
17
Your songs, proverbs, and parables,
and the answers you gave astounded the
nations.
18
In the name of the Lord God, who is called the God of Israel,
you amassed gold like tin and stacked silver
like lead.
19
But due to your lust you brought in women to lie against your
thigh,
and through your body you were brought into
subjection.
20
You stained your honor, and defiled your family line,
so that you brought God’s wrath upon
your children,
and they were grieved
at your folly,
21
because the sovereignty was divided
and a violent dynasty arose out of Ephraim.
22
But the Lord will never cease to be merciful,
or cause any of his works to perish.
He will never blot out the descendants of his
chosen one,
or destroy the family line of him who loved
him.
So he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David a
root from his own familly.
Rehoboam and Jeroboam
23 Solomon rested with his
ancestors and a successor,
one of his sons, one of his sons, succeeded
him,
who was exceedingly foolish
and lacking in sense: Rehoboam, whose policy drove the people to revolt.
Then Jeroboam, son of Nebat led
Israel
into sin,
and started Ephraim on its sinful ways
24
Their sins increased more and more,
until they were both exiled from their land..
25
They sought out every kind
of wickedness,
until vengeance overtook them.
<CHAPTER 48>
Elijah
1
Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire,
and his words blazed like a torch.
2
He brought a famine upon the people,
and by his zeal he reduced their number.
[also disregarding their tribes.]
4 By the word of the Lord he shut
up the heavens,
and also three times brought down fire.
5
How glorious you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds!
Whose glory is equal to yours?
5
You raised a corpse from death
and the
grave, by the word of the Most High.
6
You sent kings down to destruction,
and famous men, from their sickbeds.
7 You heard rebuke a Sinai
and declaration of vengeance at Horeb.
8
You anointed kings to inflict retribution,
and prophets to succeed you.
9
You were taken up by a whirlwind of fire,
in a chariot with horses of fire.
10
At the appointed time, it is written, you are destined
to calm the wrath of God before it erupts in
fury,
to turn the hearts of parents to their
children,
and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11
Happy are those who saw you and were adorned
with your love!
(We also will surely live.)
Elisha
12
When Elijah was enveloped in the whirlwind,
Elisha was filled
with his spirit.
He performed twice as many signs,
and marvels with every utterance of his
mouth.
Never in his lifetime did he tremble before any ruler,
nor could anyone intimidate him.
13 Nothing was too hard for him,
and when he was dead, his body prophesied.
14 In his life he did wonders,
and in death his deeds were marvelous.
15 Despite
all this the people did not repent, nor
did they forsake their sins,
until they were carried off as plunder from
their land,
and were scattered over the entire earth.
Those people who remained were very few in number,
but had a ruler from the house of David.
16
Some of them did what was right, but others sinned more and more.
Hezekiah
17
Hezekiah fortified
the city, and brought water into its midst,
he tunneled the rock with iron tools, and
built cisterns for the water.
18
During his reign Sennacherib invaded the country;
sending his commander [from Lachish] and departed,
he shook his fist against Zion,
and made great boasts in his arrogance.
19
Then their hearts were shaken and their hands trembled,
and they were in anguish, like women in
labor.
20
But they called upon the Lord who is merciful,
spreading out their hands in supplication
before him.
‘the Holy One quickly heard them from heaven,
and delivered them through Isaiah.
21
The Lord struck down the camp of the Assyrians,
and his angel wiped them out.
22
Hezekiah did what was pleasing to the Lord,
and he kept firmly to the ways of his
ancestor David,
as he was commanded by the prophet Isaiah,
who was great prophet whose vision could be
trusted..
23
In Isaiah’s days the sun went backward,
and he prolonged the life of the king.
24
By his dauntless spirit he saw the future,
and comforted the mourners in Zion.
25
He revealed what was to
occur to the end of time,.
and the secret things before they happened.
<CHAPTER 49>
Josiah
1
The name
of Josiah is like fragrant
incense,
expertly blended by the skill of a perfumer,
his memory is as sweet as honey to every
palate,
and like music at a wine banquet.
2 He did what was right by
reforming the nation,
and removing the wicked, abominable
practices.
3
He kept his heart fixed on the Lord,
and a lawless age, he made godliness prevail.
Jeremiah
4
Except for David and Hezekiah and Josiah,
all of them were great sinners,
for they all abandoned the law of the Most
High,
and the royalty of Judah
came to an end.
5
They
gave heir power to others,
and their glory to a foreign nation,
6 who set fire to the chosen city,
the city of the sanctuary,
and made its streets desolate,
as Jeremiah had foretold .
7 For they had mistreated him,
who even though he had been consecrated
as a prophet in the womb,
to uproot, ruin and destroy,
and likewise to build and to plant.
Ezekiel
8
It was Ezekiel who revealed the vision of glory,
which God showed him above the chariot of the
cherubim,.
9
For God also revealed Job who held fast to all the ways of
justice. .
[The Lord remembered his enemies and sent a
storm,
but to those who kept to the right path he
brought benefits.]
The
Twelve Prophets
10 May the bones of the Twelve
Prophets
send forth new life from their graves, ,
for the comforted the people of Jacob,
and delivered confident hope to the people.
Zerubbabel and Joshua
11
How are we to to speak of the greatness
of Zerubbabel?
He was like a signet ring on the right hand,
12 and so was Joshua
the son of Jozadak;
in the
days they built the house
for they
rebuilt the temple
holy to the Lord,
which is destined to everlasting glory.
Nehemiah
13
The memory of Nehemiah also is lasting,
he raised our fallen walls for us,
and set up the bar-gates,
and rebuilt the ruined houses.
The
Patriarchs
14
Few have ever been created like Enoch,
for he was taken up from the earth.
15
Nor was anyone ever born like Joseph,
over his bones a was kept..
16
Shem and Seth and Enoch were honored,
but above every other created being was Adam.
<CHAPTER 50>
Simon
Son of Onias
1
The leader of his brothers and the pride of his people
was the high priest Simon son of Onias,
who in his life repaired the house,
in whose lifetime the temple was fortified.
2
He laid the foundation for the high double walls,
the high retaining walls for the temple
precinct,
3
In his days a water cistern was dug,
a reservoir, the circumference of which
seemed like a sea,.
4
He considered how to ward off danger for his people,
and fortified the city against siege.
5
He was gloriously surrounded by the people,
as he came out of the tabernacle sanctuary.
6
He was like a morning star
among the clouds,
or like the full moon at the festal season;
7
like the sun shining on the temple of the Most High,
like the light of a rainbow gleaming in
splendid clouds,
8
like roses on a spring day,
like lilies by a water source,,
like a green shoot in Lebanon
on a summer day;
9
like burning incense in the censer,
like a vessel of hammered gold,
studded with all kinds of precious stones;
10
like an olive tree laden with fruit,
and like a cypress towering in the clouds.
11
When he wore his glorious vestment,
and clothed himself in perfect splendor,
going up to the holy altar,
he added luster to the court of the sanctuary
glorious.
12
When he received sacrificial portions from the hands of the
priests,
as he stood by the hearth of the altar
encircled by other priests,
he was like a young cedar on Lebanon
surrounded by the trunks of palm trees.
13
All the sons of Aaron in their splendor
[stood before the entire assembly of Israel,]
holding the Lord’s offering in their
hands,
before the entire congregation of Israel.
14 After finishing the ceremonies
at the altars,
and arranging the offering for the Most High,
the Almighty,
15
he held out his hand for the cup
and poured out a libation, a drink offering, of the blood
of the grape,
pouring it at the base of the altar,
a pleasing
odor to the Most High, the king of all.
16
Then the priests, the sons of Aaron, shouted,
and blowing their trumpets of hammered metal,
they sounded a mighty fanfare
as a reminder before the Most High.
17
Then all the people quickly prostrated themselves
falling to the ground on their faces
to worship their Lord, the Almighty, God Most
High.
18
It was then that the choir
praised him with their voices
in sweet and full-toned melody.
19
The people of the Lord Most High presented
their petitions before the Merciful One,
until the worship ritual of the Lord was
ended,
and the ritual of the priests was completed.
20
Then Simon came
down and raised his hands
over the entire congregation of Israelites,
to pronounce the blessing of the Lord with
his lips,
and to
glory in his name;
21
he bowed down in worship a
second time,
to receive the blessing from the Most High.
A
Benediction
22
And now praise the God of all
who works great wonders everywhere,
who fosters our growth from birth,
and deals with us according to his mercy.
23
May he give us (or, you)
gladness of heart,
and may there be peace in our (or, your) days
in Israel, as in the past.
24
May he confirm his mercy toward us,
and may he deliver us in our
final days!
Three
Hated Nations
25
My soul detests two nations,
and the third is not even a nation.
26
Those who live in Mount Seir,
and the Philistines,
and the foolish people that live in Shechem.
The
Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach
27
I, Jesus son of Eleazar son of Sirach of
Jerusalem,
have written this book for instruction
based on
my understanding and knowledge
28
Happy are those who occupy themselves with these things,
and those
who lay them to heart will become wise.
29
For if they put them into practice, they will be equal to anything,
for the reverence (or, light)
of the Lord is their path.
<CHAPTER 51>
PRAYER OF JESUS BEN SIRACH
A
Song of Thanksgiving
1
I give you thanks, O Lord and king,
and praise you, O God my Savior,
I give thanks to your name,
2
for you have been my protector and helper,
and have rescued me from destruction
and from the trap laid by slanderous tongues,
from lips that fabricate lies.
In the face of my adversaries you have been my helper
3 and delivered me, in the greatness of
your mercy and your name,
from grinding teeth wanting to devour me,
from the hand of those seeking my life,
from the many troubles I endured,
4
from choking fire on every side,
and from the midst of fire that I did not
light,
5 from the deep recesses
of the abode of the grave (or, Hades0,
from a foul tongue and lying words –
6 the wickedness of a tongue speaking to the king.
My soul drew near to death
and my life was on the brink of death.
7
They surrounded me on every side,
and there was no one to help me,
I looked for human assistance,
and there was none.
8
Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,
and your kindness
from of old,
for you rescue those who trust in you,
and you save them from the hand of their
enemies.
9
I sent up my prayer from the earth,
and begged for rescue from death.
10
I cried out, “Lord, you are my Father.
Do not abandon me in the days of trouble,
when there is no help against the arrogant.
11
I will praise your name continually,
and will sing hymns of thanksgiving.”
My prayer was heard (or, granted,
12
For you saved me from destruction
and rescued me in time of trouble,
For this reason I thank you, praise you,
and I bless the name of the Lord.
-----o-----
The
Hebrew Adds
Give
thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for
his mercy endures forever,
Give
thanks to the God of praises;
for
his mercy endures forever,
Give
thanks to the guardian of Israel;’
for
his mercy endures for ever.
Give
thanks to him who formed all things,
for his mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the redeemer of Israel,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
thanks to him who gathers the dispersed of Israel,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
thanks to him who rebuilt his city and his sanctuary,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
thanks to him who makes a horn to sprout for the house of David,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
thanks to him who has chosen the sons of Zadok to be
priests,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give thanks to the shield
of Abraham,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
thanks to the rock of Isaac,
for
his mercy endures forever.
Give
hanks to the mighty one of Jacob,
for
his mercy endures for ever.
Give
thanks to him who has chosen Zion,
for
his mercy endues forever.
Give
thanks to the king of the kings of kings,
for
his mercy endures forever.
He
has raised up a horn for his people,
Praise
for all his loyal ones.
For
the children of Israel, the people close to him.
Praise
the Lord!
-----o-----
The
Search of Wisdom
13 While I was still young, before
I went on my travels,
I sought wisdom openly in my prayer,
14
In the forecourt of the temple asked for her,
and I will search for her until the end.
15
From the first blossom to the ripening grape,
and she was the delight of my heart,
and 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 my understanding of wisdom,
so to him who gives wisdom I will give glory.
. 18
I resolved to live according to wisdom,
and I was zealous for the good
and I will never regret it..
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 eloquence 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 for yourselves
that I have labored but little,
compared to the great serenity I now poessess.
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.