Version 0.35.76, 26 August 2024
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1My son, do not forget my instruction,
And let your heart keep my commandments,
2For they will add length of days
And years of life
And peace to you.
3Do not let kindness and truth leave you.
Bind them around your neck;
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4And find grace and recognition of sound intellect
In the eyes of God and man.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And do not rely on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord,
And depart from evil.
8Let healing come to your sinews,
And refreshment to your bones.
9Honour the Lord with a portion of your wealth,
And with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10And your storehouses will be filled in abundance,
So that your wine vats will overflow with new wine.
11My son, do not reject the Lord's correction,
And do not be averse to his reproof,
12For the Lord reproves those he loves,
Just as a father does with a son in whom he delights.
13Happy is the man who has found wisdom,
And the man who obtains understanding,
14For its value is greater than the value of silver,
And its yield is greater than that of gold.
15It is more precious than red corals,
And none of your material desires can be compared to it.
16Length of days is in its right hand,
And in its left hand are wealth and honour.
17Its ways are pleasant ways,
And all its paths are peaceable.
18It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it,
And each of those who obtain it is content.
19The Lord founded the earth in wisdom;
He established the heavens with competence.
20By his knowledge, the oceans were split open,
And the skies now distil dew.
21My son, do not let them go out of your sight;
Guard resourcefulness and thoughtfulness,
22And your being will have life,
And your neck will have grace.
23Then you will walk in your way safely,
And your foot will not strike anything.
24When you lie down, you will not fear.
So you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of a sudden terror
Or of the destructive action of the wicked
When it comes about.
26For the Lord will be in your inward parts,
And he will keep your foot from becoming caught.
27Do not deny what is good
To those to whom it is appropriate,
When it is within your means to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbour,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give you something”,
When you have the means.
29Do not devise evil against your neighbour
Who lives safely alongside you.
30Do not contend with a man gratuitously,
If he has not caused you any harm.
31Do not be envious of a man of violence,
And do not choose any of his ways,
32For the devious man is an abomination to the Lord,
But his secret is with the upright.
33The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
But he blesses the abode of the righteous.
34Whereas he will mock the mockers,
He will give grace to the meek.
35The wise will inherit honour,
But contempt will show up fools.
Reference(s) in Chapter 3: v.4 ↔ Romans 12:17 ● v.7 ↔ Romans 12:16 ● v.11 ↔ Hebrews 12:5 ● v.12 ↔ Hebrews 12:6, Revelation 3:19 ● v.34 ↔ 1 Peter 5:5, James 4:6.
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