in daily prayer he shall be heard. And like one who lays up treasure, so also is he who honours his mother. He who honours his father shall have joy in his children. He who honours his father shall live a longer life, and he who obeys his father gives rest to his mother. He who fears God honours his parents, and will serve those who begot him as masters. In work and word and in all patience honour your father, that a blessing may come upon you from the Lord. And after three verses: Do not glory in the dishonour of your father. And after three verses: My son, take up your father's old age, and do not grieve him in his life. And if his understanding fails, be forbearing, and do not despise him in your strength. And after four verses: How ill-famed is he who forsakes his father!
and he who provokes his mother is accursed of God. My son, perfect your works in meekness, and you shall be loved beyond the glory of men. The greater you are, humble yourself in all things, and before God you shall find grace; for great is the power of God alone, and by the humble is he honoured. Do not seek things too high for you, and do not search out things too strong for you; but the things that God has commanded you, upon these think always; and in the greater part of his works do not be over-curious. For it is not necessary for you to see the things that are hidden. And after three verses: For their suspicion has led many astray and has held their minds in vanity. A hard heart shall fare ill in the end, and he who loves danger shall perish in it.
A heart that enters upon two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be caused to stumble in them. A wicked heart shall be weighed down with sorrows, and the sinner will add to his sinning. And after two verses: A wise heart is discerned in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all eagerness. A wise and understanding heart will abstain from sins, and will have success in the works of righteousness. Water quenches a burning fire, and almsgiving withstands sins; and God, the beholder of him who returns grace, remembers it hereafter, and in the time of your fall you shall find support. My son, do not defraud the poor of alms, and do not turn away your eyes from the poor. Do not despise the hungry soul, and do not provoke the poor in his want.
Do not afflict the heart of the needy, and do not withhold a gift from him who is in distress. Do not reject the petition of one in tribulation, and do not turn away your face from the needy. From the poor do not turn away your eyes because of anger, and do not leave those who seek from you to curse you behind your back; for the prayer of him who curses you in bitterness shall be heard; and he who made him shall hear him. Make yourself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble your soul before the elder, and bow your head before the great man. Incline your ear to the poor, and pay your debt, and answer him peaceably in meekness. Deliver the one who suffers wrong from the hand of the proud, and do not bear it grudgingly in your soul. In judging, be merciful to orphans as a father, and as a husband to their mother:
and you shall be as an obedient son of the Most High, and he will have mercy on you more than a mother. Wisdom has breathed life into her sons, and receives those who seek her out, and will go before them in the way of righteousness. And whoever loves her loves life; and those who watch for her shall embrace her favour. Those who hold fast to her shall inherit life, and wherever she enters God blesses. Those who serve her shall be obedient to the Holy One, and those who love her God loves. Whoever hears her judges the nations, and whoever gazes upon her shall abide in confidence. If he trusts in her, he shall inherit her, and his creations shall be in confirmation. For she walks with him in temptation, and among the first she chooses him.
She will bring fear and dread and trial upon him, and will torment him in the tribulation of her teaching, until she tests him in his thoughts and trusts his soul. And she will strengthen him and again bring him straight to herself, and will lay bare her hidden things to him, and lays up for him knowledge and understanding of righteousness. But if he goes astray, she will forsake him and deliver him into the hands of his enemy. My son, keep the time and beware of evil. For your own soul do not be ashamed to speak the truth. For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that brings glory and grace. Do not accept a person against your own face, nor speak a lie against your own soul.
Do not respect your neighbour to his fall, nor withhold a word in the time of salvation. Do not hide your wisdom in its beauty. For by the tongue is wisdom recognized, and understanding and knowledge and doctrine in words of truth, and steadfastness in works of righteousness. Do not contradict the truth in any way, and be confounded for the lie of your want of instruction. Do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not submit yourself to any man for the sake of sin. Do not resist against the face of the mighty, nor strive against the rush of the river. Contend for your soul in righteousness, and strive even unto death for righteousness, and God will fight your enemies for you. Do not be hasty in your tongue, and slack and remiss in your works.
Do not be like a lion in your house, overthrowing your household and oppressing those subject to you. Let not your hand be stretched out to take and drawn in when it should give. Do not give heed to unjust possessions, and do not say, 'My livelihood is sufficient for me.' For it will profit nothing in the time of vengeance and darkening. Do not follow the desire of your heart, and do not say, 'How was I able?' or 'Who shall subject me for my deeds?' For God, avenging, will avenge. Do not say, 'I have sinned, and what sad thing has befallen me?' For the Most High is a patient recompenser. Concerning the propitiation of sins, be not without fear, nor add sin upon sin. And do not say, 'The mercy of God is great; he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.'
For mercy and wrath quickly draw near from him, and his wrath looks upon sinners. Do not delay to turn to the Lord, and do not put it off from day to day. For his wrath comes suddenly, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy you. Do not be anxious over unjust riches, for they will profit you nothing in the day of darkening and vengeance. Do not winnow yourself in every wind, and do not go in every way. For thus is the sinner proved, by a double tongue. Be firm in the way of God, and in the truth of your understanding and knowledge, and let the word of peace and righteousness attend you. Be meek to hear the word of God, that you may understand; and with wisdom render a true answer. If you have understanding, answer your neighbour:
but if not, let your hand be over your mouth, lest you be caught in an undisciplined word and be confounded. Honour and glory are in the discourse of the sensible man, but the tongue of the imprudent is his own overthrow. Do not be called a whisperer, and be not caught by your own tongue and confounded. For upon a thief is confusion and repentance, and the worst reproach upon the double-tongued; but for the whisperer, hatred and enmity and reproach. Justify the small and the great alike. Do not become, from a friend, an enemy to your neighbour; the evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, and so shall every envious and double-tongued sinner. Do not exalt yourself in the thought of your soul, like a bull, lest perhaps your strength be crushed through folly. And after seven verses:
Let many be at peace with you, but let your counsellor be one of a thousand. If you gain a friend, gain him in temptation, and do not readily trust yourself to him. For there is a friend according to his own season, and he will not remain in the day of tribulation; and there is a friend who turns to enmity; and there is a friend who will lay bare hatred and quarrelling and reproaches. There is also a friend who is a companion of the table, and he does not remain in the day of need. If a friend remains steadfast, he will be to you as your equal, and will deal confidently in your household affairs. If he humbles himself before you and hides himself from your face, you shall have a good and single-hearted friendship. Separate yourself from your enemies, and give heed to your friends. A faithful friend is a strong protection:
and whoever finds him finds a treasure. To a faithful friend there is no comparison, and no weight is worthy to be set against the goodness of his fidelity. A faithful friend is a medicine of life and immortality, and those who fear the Lord find him. He who fears God will likewise have good friendship, for as he himself is, so shall his friend be. My son, from your youth receive instruction, and even to grey hairs you shall find wisdom. Approach her as one who ploughs and sows, and await her good fruits; for in her cultivation you will labour but little, and you will soon eat of her produce. How exceedingly harsh is wisdom to the untaught, and the senseless man does not abide in her.
Like the strength of a stone shall the test be upon them, and they will not delay to cast her away. And after two verses: But to those to whom she is known, she abides until the sight of God. Hear, my son, and receive the counsel of understanding, and do not cast away my counsel. Put your foot into her fetters, and your neck into her collar. Bow your shoulder and carry her, and do not be irked by her bonds. With your whole soul draw near to her, and with all your strength keep her ways. Search her out, and she will be made manifest to you; and having become continent, do not forsake her; for in the last days you will find rest in her, and she will be turned for you into delight.
And her fetters shall be to you a protection of strength and bases of virtue, and her collar a robe of glory. And after four verses: My son, if you give heed to me, you shall learn; and if you apply your soul, you shall be wise; and if you incline your ear, you shall receive instruction; and if you love to hear, you shall be wise. Stand in the multitude of prudent elders, and join yourself from the heart to their wisdom, that you may be able to hear every narrative of God, and that the proverbs of praise may not escape you. And if you see a man of understanding, watch for him early, and let your foot wear away the steps of his doors. Keep your thought upon the precepts of God, and be most constant in his commandments, and he himself will give you a heart; and the desire of wisdom shall be given to you.
Do not do evil, and evil shall not lay hold of you. Depart from the unjust man, and evils shall depart from you. Do not sow evils in the furrows of injustice, and you shall not reap them sevenfold. Do not seek leadership from man, nor a chair of honour from a king. Do not justify yourself before God, for he himself is the discerner of the heart; and in the presence of the king do not wish to appear wise. Do not seek to become a judge, unless you are strong enough in virtue to break through iniquities, lest perhaps you dread the face of the mighty and lay a stumbling-block in your agility. Do not sin against the multitude of the city, nor cast yourself into the crowd; nor bind up double sins, for not even in one shall you be guiltless. Do not be faint-hearted in your soul. Do not despise to make entreaty and to give alms. Do not say:
In the multitude of my offerings God will look upon me, and when I offer to the Most High God, He will accept my gifts. Do not mock a man in the bitterness of his soul; for there is One who humbles and exalts, even God. Do not love to speak a lie against your brother, nor act so against a friend. Refuse to utter any lie at all, for the habit of it is not good. Do not be talkative in the assembly of the elders. And after twelve verses: Do not wrong a servant who works in truth, nor a hired laborer who gives his life. Let a sensible servant be beloved to you as your own soul; do not defraud him of his freedom, nor leave him destitute. And after two verses: Have you children? Instruct them. Have you cattle? Attend to them. Have you daughters?
Guard their body, and do not show them a smiling face. Give your daughter in marriage, and you will have done a great work; and give her to a sensible man. If you have a wife after your own soul, do not cast her off; but to one who is hateful do not entrust yourself with your whole heart. Honor your father, and do not forget the groanings of your mother. Remember that but for them you would not have been; and repay them as they have done for you. With your whole soul fear God, and hallow His priests. With all your strength love God who made you, and do not forsake His ministers. Honor God with your whole soul, and give honor to the priests. And after six verses: And to the poor stretch out your hand, that your blessing may be made perfect.
Grace is given in the sight of every living thing; and from the dead do not withhold kindness. Do not fail those who weep, but walk with the mourners. Let it not weary you to visit the sick, for by such deeds you shall be strengthened in love. In all your works remember your last end, and you shall never sin. Do not quarrel with a powerful man, lest perhaps you fall into his hands. Do not contend with a rich man, lest perhaps he set up a lawsuit against you; for gold has destroyed many, and it has reached even to the heart of kings and perverted them. Do not quarrel with a man given to the tongue, and do not heap wood on his fire. And after two verses: Do not despise a man who turns himself away from sin, nor reproach him:
Remember that we are all under correction. Do not despise a man in his old age, for we too are growing old. Do not rejoice over the dead, knowing that we all die, and that we do not wish to come into that joy. Do not scorn the discourse of the wise elders, but converse in their proverbs; for from them you will learn the teaching of understanding, and how to serve the great without complaint. Let not the narration of the aged pass you by, for they too learned from their parents; because from them you will learn understanding, and an answer in the time of need. And after sixteen verses: With the foolish take no counsel, for they can love only what pleases themselves. Before a stranger do no deed of counsel, for you do not know what it may bring forth. And after two verses:
Be not jealous over the wife of your bosom. And after seven verses: Do not covet a virgin, lest perhaps you be scandalized by her beauty. Do not give your soul in any way to harlots, lest you destroy yourself and your inheritance. And after two verses: Turn away your face from an adorned woman, and do not gaze upon another's beauty. And after twelve verses: Do not forsake an old friend, for a new one will not be like him. A new friend is new wine: it will grow old, and you will drink it with pleasure. Do not envy the glory and riches of a sinner, for you do not know what his overthrow will be. Let not the wrong of the unjust please you. And after two verses: Keep far from a man who has power to kill, and you will not be haunted by the fear of death.
And if you approach him, commit no fault, lest perhaps he take away your life. And after four verses: And deal with the wise and prudent. Let just men be your table-companions, and let your glory be in the fear of God. And after fifty-four verses: This offspring of men shall be honored, namely that which fears God; but this offspring of men shall be dishonored, namely that which transgresses the commandments of the Lord. In the midst of their brethren the ruler is in honor, and those who fear the Lord shall be in His eyes. The glory of the rich, of the honored, and of the poor is the fear of God. It is not right to despise a just poor man, nor to magnify a sinful rich man. Great is the judge, and mighty in honor, and there is none greater than he who fears God. To a sensible servant the free shall be subject:
A prudent and well-taught man will not murmur when he is corrected. And after five verses: My son, in meekness keep your soul, and give it honor according to its desert. And after six verses: The wisdom of the lowly lifts up his head, and makes him sit in the midst of the great. Do not praise a man for his good looks, nor despise a man for his appearance. The bee is small among winged things, yet her fruit has the beginning of sweetness. Never glory in clothing, nor exalt yourself in the day of your honor. And after six verses: Before you inquire, do not blame anyone; and when you have inquired, in the midst do not press on to speak. Do not dispute over a matter that does not trouble you; and do not take your stand in the judgment of sinners. My son, let not your deeds be in many things:
And even if you become rich, you will not be free from fault. If you pursue, you will not overtake; and you will not escape if you run ahead. And after twenty verses: Do not abide in the works of sinners; but trust in God, and remain in your place. And after thirteen verses: Before death praise no man. And after one verse: Do not bring every man into your house, for many are the snares of the deceitful. For as the bowels of the vain belch forth, and as the partridge is led into the trap, and as the roe into the snare, so also is the heart of the proud, and like a spy watching for his neighbor's fall. For turning good into evil, the schemer lies in wait, and upon the elect he will lay a blemish. From a single spark the fire is increased, and by one deceitful man blood is increased.
But a sinful man lies in wait for blood. Beware of the mischief-maker, for he devises evil things, lest perhaps he bring upon you mockery forever. Admit a stranger to yourself, and he will overthrow you in a tumult, and estrange you from your own kin. If you do good, know to whom you do it, and there will be much thanks for your kindnesses. Do good to the just, and you shall find a great reward; and if not from him, certainly from God. And it is not well with those who are constant in evils and in refusing alms; for the Most High also hates the sinner, yet has had mercy on the penitent. Be merciful and receive the sinner. Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly; withhold from giving him bread, lest by it he become mightier than you:
For you will heap double evils upon all your good deeds; since the Most High also hates sinners, and will render vengeance to the ungodly. And after four verses: Never trust your enemy, for as brass rusts, so does his malice. And even if he goes bowed down and humbled, take heed to your soul and guard yourself from him. Do not set him beside you, nor let him sit at your right hand, lest perhaps he turn about and stand in your place, lest perhaps, turning to your place, he seek out your seat; and at the last you will acknowledge my words, and be pierced by my sayings. Who will pity a charmer struck by a serpent, and all those who draw near to beasts? So is it with him who keeps company with an unjust man, and is wrapped up in his sins. For one hour he will stay with you:
but if you decline, he will not hold out. The enemy sweetens his words with his lips, but in his heart he lies in wait to plunge you into a pit. The enemy weeps with his eyes; and if he finds the time, he will not be satisfied with blood. If evils befall you, you will find him there before you. The enemy weeps with his eyes, and as if helping he undermines your feet; he shakes his head and claps his hand, and muttering many things, he changes his countenance. And after sixty-one verses: Good is the substance that has no sin in the conscience; but poverty is most wicked in the mouth of the ungodly. And after three verses: Blessed is the man who has not slipped by a word from his mouth, and has not been stung with sorrow for sin.
Happy is he who has not had sorrow of soul, and who has not fallen from his hope. For a greedy and grasping man riches are without purpose; and for an envious man, what use is gold? And after fourteen verses: My son, if you have, do good to yourself, and offer to God worthy oblations. Remember that death does not delay, and that the covenant of the grave has been shown to you: for the covenant of this world shall surely die by death. Before death do good to your friend, and according to your ability stretch out and give to the poor. And after sixteen verses: Blessed is the man who shall die in his wisdom, and who shall meditate in his righteousness, and in his mind shall ponder the watchful care of God: who considers His ways in his heart, and understands His hidden things. And after twenty-five verses:
Foolish men shall not lay hold of her, but sensible men shall meet her. Foolish men shall not see her, for she is far from pride and deceit. Lying men shall not be mindful of her, but truthful men are found in her, and shall have prosperity even to the beholding of God. Praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner, for wisdom has proceeded from God; for praise shall stand beside the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the Sovereign will give it to him. Do not say: It is far away through God; for what He hates, do not do. Do not say: He himself led me astray; for He has no need of the ungodly. God hates every abomination of error, and it shall not be lovable to those who fear Him.
God from the beginning constituted man, and left him in the hand of his own counsel. He added His commandments and precepts: if you are willing, the commandments shall preserve you, and to keep faith well pleasing forever. He set before you water and fire: to which you will, stretch out your hand. Before man are life and death, good and evil: whichever pleases him shall be given to him. For great is the wisdom of God, and He is mighty in power, beholding all things without ceasing. The eyes of God are toward those who fear Him, and He knows every work of man. He has commanded no one to act wickedly, and has given no one license to sin. For He does not desire a multitude of unfaithful and unprofitable children. And do not rejoice in ungodly children, though they be multiplied:
Do not delight in them, if the fear of God is not with them. Do not trust their life, nor look to their labors. For better is one who fears God than a thousand ungodly sons; and it is more profitable to die without children than to leave ungodly children. And after twenty-one verses: Do not say: I shall be hidden from God, and from on high who will remember me? And a little after: The covenants are not hidden through their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God. A man's almsgiving is like a signet with Him, and He will preserve the kindness of a man as the apple of the eye: and afterward He will rise up and repay them, to each upon his own head, and will turn them into the inner parts of the earth.
But to the penitent He has given the way of righteousness, and has strengthened the failing to endure, and appointed for them the lot of truth. Turn to God and forsake your sins; pray before His face, and lessen your offense. Return yourself to God and turn away from your unrighteousness, and greatly hate the abomination. And after nine verses: How great is the mercy of God, and His propitiation toward those who turn to Him! For all things cannot be found in men, since the son of man is not immortal. And after thirty verses: He has mercy on those who receive the teaching of mercy, and who make haste in His judgments. My son, in your good deeds make no complaint, and in every gift give no sadness of an evil word. Does not the dew cool the burning heat?
So also is a word better than a gift. Behold, is not a word above a good gift? But both are with a justified man. The fool will reproach harshly, and the gift of an ill-mannered man makes the eyes waste away. Before judgment prepare righteousness for yourself, and before you speak, learn. Apply the remedy before sickness, and before judgment examine yourself, and in the sight of God you shall find propitiation. Humble yourself before sickness, and in the time of infirmity show your manner of life. Let nothing hinder you from praying always, and do not delay to be justified even unto death; for the reward of God abides forever. Before prayer prepare your soul, and do not be like a man who tempts God. And after six verses:
A wise man in all things will be cautious, and in the days of sins will guard himself against slothfulness. And after five verses: Do not go after your lusts, but turn away from your own will. If you grant your soul its desire, it will make you a joy to your enemies. Do not delight in crowds, nor take pleasure in excesses. And after five verses: He who despises small things shall fall little by little. Wine and women make wise men apostatize, and shall reprove the sensible. And after four verses: He who is quick to trust is light of heart, and shall be diminished; and he who sins against his own soul shall be held in contempt besides. And after two verses: And he who hates talkativeness extinguishes malice. And after eight verses: Have you heard a word against your neighbor?
Let it die within you, trusting that it will not burst you; for at the presence of a word a fool is in labor, like the groaning of a woman giving birth to a child. As an arrow fixed in the fleshy thigh, so is a word in the mouth of a fool. Reprove a friend, lest perhaps he did not understand and say: I did it not; or if he did it, that he may not do it again. Reprove your neighbor, lest perhaps he did not say it; and if he said it, that he may not repeat it. Reprove a friend, for often an offense is committed; and do not believe every word. There is one who slips with his tongue, but not from the heart. For who is there that has not offended with his tongue? Reprove your neighbor before you threaten. And give place to the fear of the Most High; for all wisdom is the fear of God, and in it is the fearing of God. And after five verses:
Better is a man who is deficient in wisdom and lacking in sense, yet in the fear of God, than one who abounds in sense and transgresses the law of the Most High. And after sixteen verses: How much better is it to reprove than to be angry! And after twelve verses: And he who unjustly assumes power to himself shall be hated. And after eight verses: A wise man makes himself beloved by his words. And after thirteen verses: The slip of a false tongue is like one falling upon the pavement; so the fall of the wicked comes swiftly. A graceless man is like an idle tale; it shall be constantly in the mouth of the undisciplined. A parable from the mouth of a fool shall be rejected, for he does not tell it in its proper time. And after two verses: There is one who loses his soul through bashfulness, and by an imprudent person he shall lose it:
and through respect of persons he shall destroy himself. There is one who through bashfulness makes a promise to a friend, and gains him as an enemy for nothing. A lie is a foul disgrace in a man, and it shall be constantly in the mouth of the undisciplined. A thief is better than a man given constantly to lying; but both shall inherit destruction. The character of lying men is dishonor, and their shame is with them without ceasing. A wise man advances himself by his words. And after four verses: Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and like a muzzle in the mouth turn aside their reproofs. Hidden wisdom and unseen treasure — what use is there in either? Better is a man who hides his folly than one who hides his wisdom. My son, have you sinned?