he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins for, mercy and wrath come from him; and his indignation resteth upon sinners. Make no tarrying to turn unto the Lord, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance. Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for, they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity. Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for, so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue. Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same. Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere, and with patience give answer. If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth. Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall. Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue: for, a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue. Be not ignorant of any thing, in a great matter, or a small. Instead of a friend, become not an enemy; for, thereby thou shalt inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that hath a double tongue. Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul be not torn in pieces, as a bull straying alone. Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself, as a dry tree. A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it; and shall make him to be laughed to scorn of his enemies. Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fair-speaking tongue will increase kind greetings. Be in peace with many: nevertheless, have but one counsellor of a thousand. If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first; and be not hasty to credit him: for, some man is a friend for his own occasion; and will not abide in the day of thy trouble. And there is a friend, who, being turned to enmity and strife, will discover thy reproach. Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not continue in the day of thy affliction. But, in thy prosperity he will be as thyself; and will be bold over thy servants. If thou be brought low, he will be against thee; and will hide himself from thy face. Separate thyself from thine enemies; and take heed of thy friends. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found such a one, hath found a treasure. Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend; and his excellence is invaluable. A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the Lord shall find him. Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for, as he is, so shall his neighbour be also. My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find wisdom till thine old age. Come unto her, as one that ploweth and soweth; and wait for her good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her; but thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon. She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he, that is without understanding will not remain with her. She will lie upon him, as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast her from him ere it be long. Search and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when thou hast got hold of her, let her not go. My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent. If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise. Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise. Be willing to hear every godly discourse, and let not the parables of understanding escape thee. : And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door. Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee: depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee. My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness; and thou shalt not reap them seven fold. Bind not one sin upon another, for in one thou shalt not be unpunished. Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my oblations; and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept it. Be not faint-hearted, when thou makest thy prayer; and neglect not to give alms. Laugh no man, to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one who humbleth and exalteth. Devise not a lie against thy brother: neither do the like to thy friend. Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good. Use not many words in a multitude of elders; and make not much babbling when thou prayest. Hate not laborious work; neither husbandry; which the most high hath ordained. Number not thyself among the multitude of sinners; but remember that wrath will not tarry long. Humble thy soul greatly: for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire and worms. Change not a friend for any good, by no means: neither a faithful brother for the gold of Ophir. Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil; nor the hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee. Let thy soul love a good servant; and defraud him not of liberty. Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy profit, keep them with thee. Hast thou children? instruct them: and bow down their neck from their youth. Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body; and shew not thyself cheerful towards them. Marry thy daughter; and so shalt thou have performed a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding. Hast thou a wife after thy own mind? forsake her not: and give not thyself over to a light wo man. Honour thy father with thy whole heart; and forget not the sorrows of thy mother. Remember that thou wert begot of them; and how canst thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee? Fear the Lord with all thy soul, and reverence his priests. Love him that made thee, with all thy strength; and forsake not his ministers. Fear the Lord, and honour the priest: and give him his portion, as it is commanded thee; the first |