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THE OLD TESTAMENT SEPTUAGINT GREEK / ENGLISH WISDOM OF THE SON OF SIRACH (ECCLESIASTICUS) CHAPTERS 31-40
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ΣΟΦΙΑ ΣΕΙΡΑΧ 31 ΑΓΡΥΠΝΙΑ πλούτου ἐκτήκει σάρκας, καὶ ἡ μέριμνα αὐτοῦ ἀφιστᾷ ὕπνον. 2 μέριμνα ἀγρυπνίας ἀπαιτήσει νυσταγμόν, καὶ ἀρρώστημα βαρὺ ἐκνήψει ὕπνος. 3 ἐκοπίασε πλούσιος ἐν συναγωγῇ χρημάτων καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀναπαύσει ἐμπίπλαται τῶν τρυφημάτων αὐτοῦ. 4 ἐκοπίασε πτωχὸς ἐν ἐλαττώσει βίου καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀναπαύσει ἐπιδεὴς γίνεται. 5 ὁ ἀγαπῶν χρυσίον οὐ δικαιωθήσεται, καὶ ὁ διώκων διαφθορὰν αὐτὸς πλησθήσεται. 6 πολλοὶ ἐδόθησαν εἰς πτῶμα χάριν χρυσίου, καὶ ἐγενήθη ἀπώλεια αὐτῶν κατὰ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν. 7 ξύλον προσκόμματός ἐστι τοῖς ἐνθουσιάζουσιν αὐτῷ, καὶ πᾶς ἄφρων ἁλώσεται ἐν αὐτῷ. 8 μακάριος πλούσιος, ὃς εὑρέθη ἄμωμος καὶ ὃς ὀπίσω χρυσίου οὐκ ἐπορεύθη· 9 τίς ἐστι; καὶ μακαριοῦμεν αὐτόν, ἐποίησε γὰρ θαυμάσια ἐν λαῷ αὐτοῦ. 10 τίς ἐδοκιμάσθη ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐτελειώθη; καὶ ἔσται αὐτῷ εἰς καύχησιν. τίς ἐδύνατο παραβῆναι καὶ οὐ παρέβη, καὶ ποιῆσαι κακὰ καὶ οὐκ ἐποίησε; 11 στερεωθήσεται τὰ ἀγαθὰ αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰς ἐλεημοσύνας αὐτοῦ ἐκδιηγήσεται ἐκκλησία. 12 ᾿Επὶ τραπέζης μεγάλης ἐκάθισας, μὴ ἀνοίξῃς ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς φάρυγγά σου καὶ μὴ εἴπῃς· πολλά γε τὰ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς. 13 μνήσθητι ὅτι κακὸν ὀφθαλμὸς πονηρός· πονηρότερον ὀφθαλμοῦ τί ἔκτισται; διὰ τοῦτο ἀπὸ παντὸς προσώπου δακρύει. 14 οὗ ἐὰν ἐπιβλέψῃ, μὴ ἐκτείνῃς χεῖρα καὶ μὴ συνθλίβου αὐτῷ ἐν τρυβλίῳ. 15 νόει τὰ τοῦ πλησίον ἐκ σεαυτοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ παντὶ πράγματι διανοοῦ. 16 φάγε ὡς ἄνθρωπος τὰ παρακείμενά σοι καὶ μὴ διαμασῶ, μὴ μισηθῇς. 17 παῦσαι πρῶτος χάριν παιδείας καὶ μὴ ἀπληστεύου, μήποτε προσκόψῃς· 18 καὶ εἰ ἀνὰ μέσον πλειόνων ἐκάθισας, πρότερος αὐτῶν μὴ ἐκτείνῃς τὴν χεῖρά σου. 19 ῾Ως ἱκανὸν ἀνθρώπῳ πεπαιδευμένῳ τὸ ὀλίγον, καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς κοίτης αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀσθμαίνει. 20 ὕπνος ὑγιείας ἐπὶ ἐντέρῳ μετρίῳ, ἀνέστη πρωΐ, καὶ ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ. πόνος ἀγρυπνίας καὶ χολέρας καὶ στρόφος μετὰ ἀνδρὸς ἀπλήστου. 21 καὶ εἰ ἐβιάσθης ἐν ἐδέσμασιν, ἀνάστα μεσοπωρῶν καὶ ἀναπαύσῃ. 22 ἄκουσόν μου, τέκνον, καὶ μὴ ἐξουδενώσῃς με, καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων εὑρήσεις τοὺς λόγους μου· ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου γίνου ἐντρεχής, καὶ πᾶν ἀρρώστημα οὐ μή σοι ἀπαντήσῃ. 23 λαμπρὸν ἐπ᾿ ἄρτοις εὐλογήσει χείλη, καὶ μαρτυρία τῆς καλλονῆς αὐτοῦ πιστή.
24 πονηρῷ ἐπ᾿ ἄρτῳ διαγογγύσει πόλις, καὶ ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς πονηρίας αὐτοῦ ἀκριβής. 25 ᾿Εν οἴνῳ μὴ ἀνδρίζου, πολλοὺς γὰρ ἀπώλεσεν ὁ οἶνος. 26 κάμινος δοκιμάζει στόμωμα ἐν βαφῇ, οὕτως οἶνος καρδίας ἐν μάχῃ ὑπερηφάνων. 27 ἔπισον ζωῆς οἶνος ἀνθρώπῳ, ἐὰν πίνῃς αὐτὸν μέτρῳ αὐτοῦ. τίς ζωὴ ἐλασσουμένῳ οἴνῳ; καὶ αὐτὸς ἔκτισται εἰς εὐφροσύνην ἀνθρώποις. 28 ἀγαλλίαμα καρδίας καὶ εὐφροσύνη ψυχῆς οἶνος πινόμενος ἐν καιρῷ αὐτάρκης. 29 πικρία ψυχῆς οἶνος πινόμενος πολὺς ἐν ἐρεθισμῷ καὶ ἀντιπτώματι. 30 πληθύνει μέθη θυμὸν ἄφρονος εἰς πρόσκομμα, ἐλαττῶν ἰσχὺν καὶ προσποιῶν τραύματα. 31 ἐν συμποσίῳ οἴνου μὴ ἐλέγξῃς τὸν πλησίον καὶ μὴ ἐξουδενώσῃς αὐτὸν ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ αὐτοῦ· λόγον ὀνειδισμοῦ μὴ εἴπῃς αὐτῷ, καὶ μὴ αὐτὸν θλίψῃς ἐν ἀπαιτήσει.
ΠΕΡΙ ΗΓΟΥΜΕΝΩΝ. ῾Ηγούμενόν σε κατέστησαν; μὴ ἐπαίρου· γίνου ἐν αὐτοῖς ὡς εἷς ἐξ αὐτῶν, φρόντισον αὐτῶν καὶ οὕτω κάθισον. 2 καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν χρείαν σου ποιήσας ἀνάπεσε, ἵνα εὐφρανθῇς δι᾿ αὐτοὺς καὶ εὐκοσμίας χάριν λάβῃς στέφανον. 3 λάλησον, πρεσβύτερε, πρέπει γάρ σοι, ἐν ἀκριβεῖ ἐπιστήμῃ καὶ μὴ ἐμποδίσῃς μουσικά. 4 ὅπου ἀκρόαμα, μὴ ἐκχέῃς λαλιὰν καὶ ἀκαίρως μὴ σοφίζου. 5 σφραγὶς ἄνθρακος ἐπὶ κόσμῳ χρυσῷ, σύγκριμα μουσικῶν ἐν συμποσίῳ οἴνου. 6 ἐν κατασκευάσματι χρυσῷ σφραγὶς σμαράγδου, μέλος μουσικὸν ἐφ᾿ ἡδεῖ οἴνῳ. 7 Λάλησον, νεανίσκε, εἰ χρεία σου, μόλις δὶς ἐὰν ἐπερωτηθῇς· 8 κεφαλαίωσον λόγον, ἐν ὀλίγοις πολλά· γίνου ὡς γινώσκων καὶ ἅμα σιωπῶν.
9 ἐν μέσῳ μεγιστάνων μὴ ἐξισάζου καὶ ἑτέρου λέγοντος μὴ πολλὰ ἀδολέσχει.
10 πρὸ βροντῆς κατασπεύδει ἀστραπή, καὶ πρὸ αἰσχυντηροῦ προελεύσεται χάρις. 11 ἐν ὥρᾳ ἐξεγείρου καὶ μὴ οὐράγει, ἀπότρεχε εἰς οἶκον καὶ μὴ ρᾳθύμει· 12 ἐκεῖ παῖζε καὶ ποίει τὰ ἐνθυμήματά σου καὶ μὴ ἁμάρτῃς λόγῳ ὑπερηφάνῳ. 13 καὶ ἐπὶ τούτοις εὐλόγησον τὸν ποιήσαντά σε καὶ μεθύσκοντά σε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀγαθῶν αὐτοῦ. 14 ῾Ο φοβούμενος Κύριον ἐκδέξεται παιδείαν, καὶ οἱ ὀρθρίζοντες εὑρήσουσιν εὐδοκίαν. 15 ὁ ζητῶν νόμον ἐμπλησθήσεται αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁ ὑποκρινόμενος σκανδαλισθήσεται ἐν αὐτῷ. 16 οἱ φοβούμενοι Κύριον εὑρήσουσι κρίμα καὶ δικαιώματα ὡς φῶς ἐξάψουσιν. 17 ἄνθρωπος ἁμαρτωλὸς ἐκκλίνει ἐλεγμὸν καὶ κατὰ τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ εὑρήσει σύγκριμα. 18 ᾿Ανὴρ βουλῆς οὐ μὴ παρίδῃ διανόημα, ἀλλότριος καὶ ὑπερήφανος οὐ καταπτήξει φόβον, καὶ μετὰ τὸ ποιῆσαι μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἄνευ βουλῆς. 19 ἄνευ βουλῆς μηθὲν ποιήσῃς καὶ ἐν τῷ ποιῆσαί σε μὴ μεταμελοῦ. 20 ἐν ὁδῷ ἀντιπτώματος μὴ πορεύου καὶ μὴ προσκόψῃς ἐν λιθώδεσι. 21 μὴ πιστεύσῃς ἐν ὁδῷ ἀπροσκόπῳ, 22 καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν τέκνων σου φύλαξαι. 23 ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ πίστευε τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ γὰρ τοῦτό ἐστι τήρησις ἐντολῶν. 24 ὁ πιστεύων νόμῳ προσέχει ἐντολαῖς, καὶ ὁ πεποιθὼς Κυρίῳ οὐκ ἐλαττωθήσεται.
ΤΩ φοβουμένῳ Κύριον οὐκ ἀπαντήσει κακόν, ἀλλ᾿ ἐν πειρασμῷ καὶ πάλιν ἐξελεῖται.
2 ἀνὴρ σοφὸς οὐ μισήσει νόμον, ὁ δὲ ὑποκρινόμενος ἐν αὐτῷ, ὡς ἐν καταιγίδι πλοῖον. 3 ἄνθρωπος συνετὸς ἐμπιστεύσει νόμῳ, καὶ ὁ νόμος αὐτῷ πιστὸς ὡς ἐρώτημα δήλων. 4 ἑτοίμασον λόγον καὶ οὕτως ἀκουσθήσῃ, σύνδησον παιδείαν καὶ ἀποκρίθητι. 5 τροχὸς ἁμάξης σπλάγχνα μωροῦ, καὶ ὡς ἄξων στρεφόμενος ὁ διαλογισμὸς αὐτοῦ. 6 ἵππος εἰς ὀχείαν ὡς φίλος μωκός, ὑποκάτω παντὸς ἐπικαθημένου χρεμετίζει. 7 Διατί ἡμέρα ἡμέρας ὑπερέχει, καὶ πᾶν φῶς ἡμέρας ἐνιαυτοῦ ἀφ᾿ ἡλίου; 8 ἐν γνώσει Κυρίου διεχωρίσθησαν, καὶ ἠλλοίωσε καιροὺς καὶ ἑορτάς· 9 ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀνύψωσε καὶ ἡγίασε καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἔθηκεν εἰς ἀριθμὸν ἡμερῶν.
10 καὶ ἄνθρωποι πάντες ἀπὸ ἐδάφους, καὶ ἐκ γῆς ἐκτίσθη ᾿Αδάμ. 11 ἐν πλήθει ἐπιστήμης Κύριος διεχώρισεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἠλλοίωσε τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῶν. 12 ἐξ αὐτῶν εὐλόγησε καὶ ἀνύψωσε καὶ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἡγίασε, καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν ἤγγισεν· ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν κατηράσατο καὶ ἐταπείνωσε καὶ ἀνέστρεψεν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ στάσεως αὐτῶν. 13 ὡς πηλὸς κεραμέως ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ -πᾶσαι αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν εὐδοκίαν αὐτοῦ-, οὕτως ἄνθρωποι ἐν χειρὶ τοῦ ποιήσαντος αὐτοὺς ἀποδοῦναι αὐτοῖς κατὰ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτοῦ. 14 ἀπέναντι τοῦ κακοῦ τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἀπέναντι τοῦ θανάτου ἡ ζωή· οὕτως ἀπέναντι εὐσεβοῦς ἁμαρτωλός. 15 καὶ οὕτως ἔμβλεψον εἰς πάντα τὰ ἔργα τοῦ ῾Υψίστου, δύο δύο, ἓν κατέναντι τοῦ ἑνός. 16 Κἀγὼ ἔσχατος ἠγρύπνησα ὡς καλαμώμενος ὀπίσω τρυγητῶν· 17 ἐν εὐλογίᾳ Κυρίου ἔφθασα καὶ ὡς τρυγῶν ἐπλήρωσα ληνόν. 18 κατανοήσατε ὅτι οὐκ ἐμοὶ μόνῳ ἐκοπίασα, ἀλλὰ πᾶσι τοῖς ζητοῦσι παιδείαν. 19 ἀκούσατέ μου, μεγιστάνες λαοῦ, καὶ οἱ ἡγούμενοι ἐκκλησίας, ἐνωτίσασθε· 20 υἱῷ καὶ γυναικί, ἀδελφῷ καὶ φίλῳ μὴ δῷς ἐξουσίαν ἐπὶ σὲ ἐν ζωῇ σου· καὶ μὴ δῷς ἑτέρῳ τὰ χρήματά σου, ἵνα μὴ μεταμεληθεὶς δέῃ περὶ αὐτῶν. 21 ἕως ἔτι ζῇς καὶ πνοὴ ἐν σοί, μὴ ἀλλάξῃς σεαυτὸν πάσῃ σαρκί. 22 κρείσσων γάρ ἐστι τὰ τέκνα δεηθῆναί σου ἢ σὲ ἐμβλέπειν εἰς χεῖρας υἱῶν σου. 23 ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου γίνου ὑπεράγων, μὴ δῷς μῶμον ἐν τῇ δόξῃ σου. 24 ἐν ἡμέρᾳ συντελείας ἡμερῶν ζωῆς σου καὶ ἐν καιρῷ τελευτῆς διάδος κληρονομίαν. ΠΕΡΙ ΔΟΥΛΩΝ. 25 Χορτάσματα καὶ ράβδος καὶ φορτία ὄνῳ, ἄρτος καὶ παιδεία καὶ ἔργον οἰκέτῃ. 26 ἔργασαι ἐν παιδί, καὶ εὑρήσεις ἀνάπαυσιν· ἄνες χεῖρας αὐτῷ, καὶ ζητήσει ἐλευθερίαν. 27 ζυγὸς καὶ ἱμὰς κάμψουσι τράχηλον, καὶ οἰκέτῃ κακούργῳ στρέβλαι καὶ βάσανοι. 28 ἔμβαλε αὐτὸν εἰς ἐργασίαν. ἵνα μὴ ἀργῇ, πολλὴν γὰρ κακίαν ἐδίδαξεν ἡ ἀργία. 29 εἰς ἔργα κατάστησον, καθὼς πρέπει αὐτῷ, κἂν μὴ πειθαρχῇ, βάρυνον τὰς πέδας αὐτοῦ. 30 καὶ μὴ περισσεύσῃς ἐν πάσῃ σαρκί, καὶ ἄνευ κρίσεως μὴ ποιήσῃς μηδέν. 31 εἰ ἔστι σοι οἰκέτης, ἔστω ὡς σύ, ὅτι ἐν αἵματι ἐκτήσω αὐτόν. 32 εἰ ἔστι σοι οἰκέτης, ἄγε αὐτὸν ὡς ἀδελφόν, ὅτι ὡς ἡ ψυχή σου ἐπιδεήσεις αὐτοῦ. 33 ἐὰν κακώσῃς αὐτὸν καὶ ἀπάρας ἀποδρᾷ, ἐν ποίᾳ ὁδῷ ζητήσεις αὐτόν;
ΚΕΝΑΙ ἐλπίδες καὶ ψευδεῖς ἀσυνέτῳ ἀνδρί, καὶ ἐνύπνια ἀναπτεροῦσιν ἄφρονας. 2 ὡς δρασσόμενος σκιᾶς καὶ διώκων ἄνεμον, οὕτως ὁ ἐπέχων ἐνυπνίοις. 3 τοῦτο κατὰ τούτου ὅρασις ἐνυπνίων, κατέναντι προσώπου ὁμοίωμα προσώπου. 4 ἀπὸ ἀκαθάρτου τί καθαρισθήσεται; καὶ ἀπὸ ψευδοῦς τί ἀληθεύσει; 5 μαντεῖαι καὶ οἰωνισμοὶ καὶ ἐνύπνια μάταιά ἐστι, καὶ ὡς ὠδινούσης φαντάζεται καρδία.
6 ἐὰν μὴ παρὰ ῾Υψίστου ἀποσταλῇ ἐν ἐπισκοπῇ, μὴ δῷς εἰς αὐτὰ τὴν καρδίαν σου· 7 πολλοὺς γὰρ ἐπλάνησε τὰ ἐνύπνια, καὶ ἐξέπεσον ἐλπίζοντες ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς. 8 ῎Ανευ ψεύδους συντελεσθήσεται νόμος, καὶ σοφία στόματι πιστῷ τελείωσις. 9 ἀνὴρ πεπαιδευμένος ἔγνω πολλά, καὶ ὁ πολύπειρος ἐκδιηγήσεται σύνεσιν.
10 ὃς οὐκ ἐπειράθη ὀλίγα οἶδεν, ὁ δὲ πεπλανημένος πληθυνεῖ πανουργίαν. 11 πολλὰ ἑώρακα ἐν τῇ ἀποπλανήσει μου, καὶ πλείονα τῶν λόγων μου σύνεσίς μου. 12 πλεονάκις ἕως θανάτου ἐκινδύνευσα καὶ διεσώθην τούτων χάριν. 13 πνεῦμα φοβουμένων Κύριον ζήσεται, ἡ γὰρ ἐλπὶς αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὸν σώζοντα αὐτούς. 14 ὁ φοβούμενος Κύριον οὐδὲν εὐλαβηθήσεται καὶ οὐ μὴ δειλιάσῃ, ὅτι αὐτὸς ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ. 15 φοβουμένου τὸν Κύριον μακαρία ἡ ψυχή· τίνι ἐπέχει καὶ τίς ἀντιστήριγμα αὐτοῦ; 16 οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτόν· ὑπερασπισμὸς δυναστείας καὶ στήριγμα ἰσχύος, σκέπη ἀπὸ καύσωνος καὶ σκέπη ἀπὸ μεσημβρίας, φυλακὴ ἀπὸ προσκόμματος καὶ βοήθεια ἀπὸ πτώσεως, 17 ἀνυψῶν ψυχὴν καὶ φωτίζων ὀφθαλμούς, ἴασιν διδούς, ζωὴν καὶ εὐλογίαν. 18 Θυσιάζων ἐξ ἀδίκου, προσφορὰ μεμωκημένη, καὶ οὐκ εἰς εὐδοκίαν δωρήματα ἀνόμων.
19 οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ὁ ῞Υψιστος ἐν προσφοραῖς ἀσεβῶν, οὐδὲ ἐν πλήθει θυσιῶν ἐξιλάσκεται ἁμαρτίας.
20 θύων υἱὸν ἔναντι τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ προσάγων θυσίαν ἐκ χρημάτων πενήτων.
21 ἄρτος ἐπιδεομένων ζωὴ πτωχῶν, ὁ ἀποστερῶν αὐτὴν ἄνθρωπος αἱμάτων. 22 φονεύων τὸν πλησίον ὁ ἀφαιρούμενος συμβίωσιν, καὶ ἐκχέων αἷμα ὁ ἀποστερῶν μισθὸν μισθίου. 23 εἷς οἰκοδομῶν, καὶ εἷς καθαιρῶν· τί ὠφέλησαν πλεῖον ἢ κόπους; 24 εἷς εὐχόμενος καὶ εἷς καταρώμενος· τίνος φωνῆς εἰσακούσεται ὁ δεσπότης; 25 βαπτιζόμενος ἀπὸ νεκροῦ καὶ πάλιν ἁπτόμενος αὐτοῦ, τί ὠφέλησε τῷ λουτρῷ αὐτοῦ;
26 οὕτως ἄνθρωπος νηστεύων ἐπὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτοῦ καὶ πάλιν πορευόμενος καὶ τὰ αὐτὰ ποιῶν· τῆς προσευχῆς αὐτοῦ τίς εἰσακούσεται; καὶ τί ὠφέλησεν ἐν τῷ ταπεινωθῆναι αὐτόν;
Ο ΣΥΝΤΗΡΩΝ νόμον πλεονάζει προσφοράς, θυσιάζων σωτηρίου ὁ προσέχων ἐντολαῖς.
2 ἀνταποδιδοὺς χάριν προσφέρων σεμίδαλιν, καὶ ὁ ποιῶν ἐλεημοσύνην θυσιάζων αἰνέσεως. 3 εὐδοκία Κυρίου ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ πονηρίας, καὶ ἐξιλασμὸς ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ ἀδικίας. 4 μὴ ὀφθῇς ἐν προσώπῳ Κυρίου κενός, πάντα γὰρ ταῦτα χάριν ἐντολῆς.
5 προσφορὰ δικαίου λιπαίνει θυσιαστήριον, καὶ ἡ εὐωδία αὐτῆς ἔναντι ῾Υψίστου. 6 θυσία ἀνδρὸς δικαίου δεκτή, καὶ τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτῆς οὐκ ἐπιλησθήσεται. 7 ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ δόξασον τὸν Κύριον, καὶ μὴ σμικρύνῃς ἀπαρχὴν χειρῶν σου. 8 ἐν πάσῃ δόσει ἱλάρωσον τὸ πρόσωπόν σου καὶ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἁγίασον δεκάτην. 9 δὸς ῾Υψίστῳ κατὰ τὴν δόσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν ἀγαθῷ ὀφθαλμῷ καθ᾿ εὕρεμα χειρός·
10 ὅτι Κύριος ἀνταποδιδούς ἐστι καὶ ἑπταπλάσια ἀνταποδώσει σοι. 11 Μὴ δωροκόπει, οὐ γὰρ προσδέξεται·
12 καὶ μὴ ἔπεχε θυσίᾳ ἀδίκῳ, ὅτι Κύριος κριτής ἐστι, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι παρ᾿ αὐτῷ δόξα προσώπου. 13 οὐ λήψεται πρόσωπον ἐπὶ πτωχοῦ καὶ δέησιν ἠδικημένου εἰσακούσεται· 14 οὐ μὴ ὑπερίδῃ ἱκετείαν ὀρφανοῦ καὶ χήραν, ἐὰν ἐκχέῃ λαλιάν·
15 οὐχὶ δάκρυα χήρας ἐπὶ σιαγόνα καταβαίνει καὶ ἡ καταβόησις ἐπὶ τῷ καταγαγόντι αὐτά;
16 θεραπεύων ἐν εὐδοκίᾳ δεχθήσεται, καὶ ἡ δέησις αὐτοῦ ἕως νεφελῶν συνάψει. 17 προσευχὴ ταπεινοῦ νεφέλας διῆλθε, καὶ ἕως συνεγγίσῃ, οὐ μὴ παρακληθῇ· 18 καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποστῇ, ἕως ἐπισκέψηται ὁ ῞Υψιστος. καὶ κρινεῖ δικαίως καὶ ποιήσει κρίσιν. 19 καὶ ὁ Κύριος οὐ μὴ βραδύνῃ, οὐδὲ μὴ μακροθυμήσῃ ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς, 20 ἕως ἂν συντρίψῃ ὀσφὺν ἀνελεημόνων, καὶ τοῖς ἔθνεσιν ἀνταποδώσει ἐκδίκησιν, 21 ἕως ἐξάρῃ πλῆθος ὑβριστῶν καὶ σκῆπτρα ἀδίκων συντρίψῃ· 22 ἕως ἀνταποδῷ ἀνθρώπῳ κατὰ τὰς πράξεις αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀνθρώπων κατὰ τὰ ἐνθυμήματα αὐτῶν· 23 ἕως κρίνῃ τὴν κρίσιν τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εὐφρανεῖ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ ἐλέει αὐτοῦ. 24 ὡραῖον ἔλεος ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως αὐτοῦ, ὡς νεφέλαι ὑετοῦ ἐν καιρῷ ἀβροχίας.
ΕΛΕΗΣΟΝ ἡμᾶς, δέσποτα ὁ Θεὸς πάντων, καὶ ἐπίβλεψον καὶ ἐπίβαλε τὸν φόβον σου ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη· 2 ἔπαρον τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπὶ ἔθνη ἀλλότρια, καὶ ἰδέτωσαν τὴν δυναστείαν σου. 3 ὥσπερ ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ἡγιάσθης ἐν ἡμῖν, οὕτως ἐνώπιον ἡμῶν μεγαλυνθείης ἐν αὐτοῖς· 4 καὶ ἐπιγνώτωσάν σε, καθάπερ καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐπέγνωμεν, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι Θεὸς πλὴν σοῦ, Κύριε. 5 ἐγκαίνισον σημεῖα καὶ ἀλλοίωσον θαυμάσια, δόξασον χεῖρα καὶ βραχίονα δεξιόν· 6 ἔγειρον θυμὸν καὶ ἔκχεον ὀργήν, ἔξαρον ἀντίδικον καὶ ἔκτριψον ἐχθρόν. 7 σπεῦσον καιρὸν καὶ μνήσθητι ὁρκισμοῦ, καὶ ἐκδιηγησάσθωσαν τὰ μεγαλεῖά σου. 8 ἐν ὀργῇ πυρὸς καταβρωθήτω ὁ σῳζόμενος, καὶ οἱ κακοῦντες τὸν λαόν σου εὕροισαν ἀπώλειαν. 9 σύντριψον κεφαλὰς ἀρχόντων ἐχθρῶν λεγόντων· οὐκ ἔστι πλὴν ἡμῶν. 10 συνάγαγε πάσας φυλὰς ᾿Ιακώβ, καὶ κατεκληρονόμησα αὐτοὺς καθὼς ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς. 11 ἐλέησον λαόν, Κύριε, κεκλημένον ἐπ᾿ ὀνόματί σου καὶ ᾿Ισραήλ, ὃν πρωτογόνῳ ὡμοίωσας.
12 οἰκτείρησον πόλιν ἁγιάσματός σου ῾Ιερουσαλήμ, πόλιν καταπαύματός σου. 13 πλῆσον Σιὼν ἀρεταλογίας σου, καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς δόξης σου τὸν λαόν σου. 14 δὸς μαρτύριον τοῖς ἐν ἀρχῇ κτίσματί σου καὶ ἔγειρον προφητείας τὰς ἐπ᾿ ὀνόματί σου·
15 δὸς μισθὸν τοῖς ὑπομένουσί σε, καὶ οἱ προφῆταί σου ἐμπιστευθήτωσαν. 16 εἰσάκουσον, Κύριε, δεήσεως ἱκετῶν σου, κατὰ τὴν εὐλογίαν ᾿Ααρὼν περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ σου, 17 καὶ γνώσονται πάντες οἱ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὅτι σὺ Κύριος εἶ ὁ Θεὸς τῶν αἰώνων. 18 Πᾶν βρῶμα φάγεται κοιλία, ἔστι δὲ βρῶμα βρώματος κάλλιον. 19 φάρυγξ γεύεται βρώματα θήρας, οὕτως καρδία συνετὴ λόγους ψευδεῖς. 20 καρδία στρεβλὴ δώσει λύπην, καὶ ἄνθρωπος πολύπειρος ἀνταποδώσει αὐτῷ. 21 πάντα ἄρρενα ἐπιδέξεται γυνή, ἔστι δὲ θυγάτηρ θυγατρὸς κρείσσων. 22 κάλλος γυναικὸς ἱλαρύνει πρόσωπον καὶ ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ἐπιθυμίαν ἀνθρώπου ὑπεράγει· 23 εἰ ἔστιν ἐπὶ γλώσσης αὐτῆς ἔλεος καὶ πραΰτης, οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς καθ᾿ υἱοὺς ἀνθρώπων. 24 ὁ κτώμενος γυναῖκα ἐνάρχεται κτήσεως, βοηθὸν κατ᾿ αὐτὸν καὶ στύλον ἀναπαύσεως. 25 οὗ οὐκ ἔστι φραγμός, διαρπαγήσεται κτῆμα, καὶ οὗ οὐκ ἔστι γυνή, στενάξει πλανώμενος.
26 τίς γὰρ πιστεύσει εὐζώνῳ λῃστῇ σφαλλομένῳ ἐκ πόλεως εἰς πόλιν; 27 οὕτως ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἔχοντι νοσσιὰν καὶ καταλύοντι οὗ ἐὰν ὀψίσῃ.
ΠΑΣ φίλος ἐρεῖ· ἐφιλίασα αὐτῷ κἀγώ, ἀλλ᾿ ἔστι φίλος ὀνόματι μόνον φίλος. 2 οὐχὶ λύπη ἔνι ἕως θανάτου ἑταῖρος καὶ φίλος τρεπόμενος εἰς ἔχθραν; 3 ὦ πονηρὸν ἐνθύμημα, πόθεν ἐνεκυλίσθης καλύψαι τὴν ξηρὰν ἐν δολιότητι; 4 ἑταῖρος φίλου ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ ἥδεται καὶ ἐν καιρῷ θλίψεως ἔσται ἀπέναντι·
5 ἑταῖρος φίλῳ συμπονεῖ χάριν γαστρός, ἔναντι πολέμου λήψεται ἀσπίδα.
6 μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ φίλου ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου, καὶ μὴ ἀμνημονήσῃς αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς χρήμασί σου. 7 Πᾶς σύμβουλος ἐξαίρει βουλήν, ἀλλ᾿ ἔστι συμβουλεύων εἰς ἑαυτόν. 8 ἀπὸ συμβούλου φύλαξον τὴν ψυχήν σου καὶ γνῶθι πρότερον τίς αὐτοῦ χρεία —καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸς ἑαυτῷ βουλεύσεται—, μήποτε βάλῃ ἐπὶ σοὶ κλῆρον 9 καὶ εἴπῃ σοι· καλὴ ἡ ὁδός σου, καὶ στήσεται ἐξ ἐναντίας ἰδεῖν τὸ συμβησόμενόν σοι.
10 μὴ βουλεύου μετὰ τοῦ ὑποβλεπομένου σε καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν ζηλούντων σε κρύψον βουλήν. 11 μετὰ γυναικὸς περὶ τῆς ἀντιζήλου αὐτῆς καὶ μετὰ δειλοῦ περὶ πολέμου, μετὰ ἐμπόρου περὶ μεταβολίας καὶ μετὰ ἀγοράζοντος περὶ πράσεως, μετὰ βασκάνου περὶ εὐχαριστίας καὶ μετὰ ἀνελεήμονος περὶ χρηστοηθείας, μετὰ ὀκνηροῦ περὶ παντὸς ἔργου καὶ μετὰ μισθίου ἐφεστίου περὶ συντελείας, οἰκέτῃ ἀργῷ περὶ πολλῆς ἐργασίας, μὴ ἔπεχε ἐπὶ τούτοις περὶ πάσης συμβουλίας· 12 ἀλλ᾿ ἢ μετὰ ἀνδρὸς εὐσεβοῦς ἐνδελέχιζε, ὃν ἂν ἐπιγνῷς συντηροῦντα ἐντολάς, ὃς ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ κατὰ τὴν ψυχήν σου, καὶ ἐὰν πταίσῃς, συναλγήσει σοι. 13 καὶ βουλὴν καρδίας στῆσον, οὐ γάρ ἔστι σοι πιστότερος αὐτῆς· 14 ψυχὴ γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἀπαγγέλλειν ἐνίοτε εἴωθεν ἢ ἑπτὰ σκοποὶ ἐπὶ μετεώρου καθήμενοι ἐπὶ σκοπῆς.
15 καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσι τούτοις δεήθητι ῾Υψίστου, ἵνα εὐθύνῃ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ τὴν ὁδόν σου. 16 ᾿Αρχὴ παντὸς ἔργου λόγος, καὶ πρὸ πάσης πράξεως βουλή. 17 ἴχνος ἀλλοιώσεως καρδίας τέσσαρα μέρη ἀνατέλλει, 18 ἀγαθὸν καὶ κακόν, ζωὴ καὶ θάνατος, καὶ ἡ κυριεύουσα ἐνδελεχῶς αὐτῶν γλῶσσά ἐστιν. 19 ἔστιν ἀνὴρ πανοῦργος πολλῶν παιδευτής, καὶ τῇ ἰδίᾳ ψυχῇ ἄχρηστός ἐστιν. 20 ἔστι σοφιζόμενος ἐν λόγοις μισητός, οὗτος πάσης τροφῆς καθυστερήσει· 21 οὐ γὰρ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ παρὰ Κυρίου χάρις, ὅτι πάσης σοφίας ἐστερήθη. 22 ἔστι σοφὸς τῇ ἰδίᾳ ψυχῇ, καὶ οἱ καρποὶ τῆς συνέσεως αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ στόματος πιστοί. 23 ἀνὴρ σοφὸς τὸν ἑαυτοῦ λαὸν παιδεύσει, καὶ οἱ καρποὶ τῆς συνέσεως αὐτοῦ πιστοί. 24 ἀνὴρ σοφὸς πλησθήσεται εὐλογίας, καὶ μακαριοῦσιν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ ὁρῶντες. 25 ζωὴ ἀνδρὸς ἐν ἀριθμῷ ἡμερῶν, καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ ᾿Ισραὴλ ἀναρίθμητοι. 26 ὁ σοφὸς ἐν τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ κληρονομήσει πίστιν, καὶ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ζήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. 27 Τέκνον, ἐν τῇ ζωῇ σου πείρασον τὴν ψυχήν σου καὶ ἰδὲ τί πονηρὸν αὐτῇ, καὶ μὴ δῷς αὐτῇ· 28 οὐ γὰρ πάντα πᾶσι συμφέρει, καὶ οὐ πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐν παντὶ εὐδοκεῖ. 29 μὴ ἀπληστεύου ἐν πάσῃ τρυφῇ καὶ μὴ ἐκχυθῇς ἐπὶ ἐδεσμάτων· 30 ἐν πολλοῖς γὰρ βρώμασιν ἔσται πόνος, καὶ ἡ ἀπληστία ἐγγιεῖ ἕως χολέρας. 31 δι᾿ ἀπληστίαν πολλοὶ ἐτελεύτησαν, ὁ δὲ προσέχων προσθήσει ζωήν.
ΤΙΜΑ ἰατρὸν πρὸς τὰς χρείας αὐτοῦ τιμαῖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔκτισε Κύριος·
2 παρὰ γὰρ ῾Υψίστου ἐστὶν ἴασις, καὶ παρὰ βασιλέως λήψεται δόμα. 3 ἐπιστήμη ἰατροῦ ἀνυψώσει κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔναντι μεγιστάνων θαυμασθήσεται. 4 Κύριος ἔκτισεν ἐκ γῆς φάρμακα, καὶ ἀνὴρ φρόνιμος οὐ προσοχθιεῖ αὐτοῖς. 5 οὐκ ἀπὸ ξύλου ἐγλυκάνθη ὕδωρ εἰς τὸ γνωσθῆναι τὴν ἰσχὺν αὐτοῦ; 6 καὶ αὐτὸς ἔδωκεν ἀνθρώποις ἐπιστήμην ἐνδοξάζεσθαι ἐν τοῖς θαυμασίοις αὐτοῦ· 7 ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐθεράπευσε καὶ ἦρε τὸν πόνον αὐτοῦ,
8 μυρεψὸς ἐν τούτοις ποιήσει μεῖγμα, καὶ οὐ μὴ συντελέσῃ ἔργα αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰρήνη παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ἐπὶ προσώπου τῆς γῆς. 9 Τέκνον, ἐν ἀρρωστήματί σου μὴ παράβλεπε, ἀλλ᾿ εὖξαι Κυρίῳ, καὶ αὐτὸς ἰάσεταί σε. 10 ἀπόστησον πλημμέλειαν καὶ εὔθυνον χεῖρας, καὶ ἀπὸ πάσης ἁμαρτίας καθάρισον καρδίαν. 11 δὸς εὐωδίαν καὶ μνημόσυνον σεμιδάλεως καὶ λίπανον προσφορὰν ὡς μὴ ὑπάρχων. 12 καὶ ἰατρῷ δὸς τόπον, καὶ γὰρ αὐτὸν ἔκτισε Κύριος, καὶ μὴ ἀποστήτω σου, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοῦ χρεία. 13 ἔστι καιρὸς ὅτε καὶ ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῶν εὐοδία·
14 καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ Κυρίου δεηθήσονται, ἵνα εὐοδώσῃ αὐτοῖς ἀνάπαυσιν καὶ ἴασιν χάριν ἐμβιώσεως. 15 ὁ ἁμαρτάνων ἔναντι τοῦ ποιήσαντος αὐτὸν ἐμπέσοι εἰς χεῖρας ἰατροῦ. 16 Τέκνον, ἐπὶ νεκρῷ κατάγαγε δάκρυα καὶ ὡς δεινὰ πάσχων ἔναρξαι θρήνου, κατὰ δὲ τὴν κρίσιν αὐτοῦ περίστειλον τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ὑπερίδῃς τὴν ταφὴν αὐτοῦ. 17 πίκρανον κλαυθμὸν καὶ θέρμανον κοπετὸν καὶ ποίησον τὸ πένθος κατὰ τὴν ἀξίαν αὐτοῦ ἡμέραν μίαν καὶ δύο χάριν διαβολῆς καὶ παρακλήθητι λύπης ἕνεκα· 18 ἀπὸ λύπης γὰρ ἐκβαίνει θάνατος, καὶ λύπη καρδίας κάμψει ἰσχύν. 19 ἐν ἐπαγωγῇ παραβαίνει καὶ λύπη, καὶ βίος πτωχοῦ κατὰ καρδίας. 20 μὴ δῷς εἰς λύπην τὴν καρδίαν σου, ἀπόστησον αὐτὴν μνησθεὶς τὰ ἔσχατα· 21 μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ, οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἐπάνοδος, καὶ τοῦτον οὐκ ὠφελήσεις καὶ σεαυτὸν κακώσεις. 22 μνήσθητι τὸ κρίμα αὐτοῦ, ὅτι οὕτω καὶ τὸ σόν· ἐμοὶ ἐχθὲς καὶ σοὶ σήμερον. 23 ἐν ἀναπαύσει νεκροῦ κατάπαυσον τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτοῦ καὶ παρακλήθητι ἐν αὐτῷ ἐν ἐξόδῳ πνεύματος αὐτοῦ. 24 Σοφία γραμματέως ἐν εὐκαιρίᾳ σχολῆς, καὶ ὁ ἐλασσούμενος πράξει αὐτοῦ σοφισθήσεται.
25 τί σοφισθήσεται ὁ κρατῶν ἀρότρου καὶ καυχώμενος ἐν δόρατι κέντρου, βόας ἐλαύνων καὶ ἀναστρεφόμενος ἐν ἔργοις αὐτῶν, καὶ ἡ διήγησις αὐτοῦ ἐν υἱοῖς ταύρων; 26 καρδίαν αὐτοῦ δώσει ἐκδοῦναι αὔλακας, καὶ ἡ ἀγρυπνία αὐτοῦ εἰς χορτάσματα δαμάλεων. 27 οὕτως πᾶς τέκτων καὶ ἀρχιτέκτων, ὅστις νύκτωρ ὡς ἡμέρας διάγει· οἱ γλύφοντες γλύμματα σφραγίδων, καὶ ἡ ὑπομονὴ αὐτοῦ ἀλλοιῶσαι ποικιλίαν· καρδίαν αὐτοῦ δώσει εἰς τὸ ὁμοιῶσαι ζωγραφίαν, καὶ ἡ ἀγρυπνία αὐτοῦ τελέσαι ἔργον. 28 οὕτως χαλκεὺς καθήμενος ἐγγὺς ἄκμονος καὶ καταμανθάνων ἔργα σιδήρου· ἀτμὶς πυρὸς πήξει σάρκας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν θέρμῃ καμίνου διαμαχήσεται· φωνὴ σφύρης καινιεῖ τὸ οὖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ κατέναντι ὁμοιώματος σκεύους οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ αὐτοῦ· καρδίαν αὐτοῦ δώσει εἰς συντέλειαν ἔργων, καὶ ἡ ἀγρυπνία αὐτοῦ κοσμῆσαι ἐπὶ συντελείας. 29 οὕτως κεραμεὺς καθήμενος ἐν ἔργῳ αὐτοῦ καὶ συστρέφων ἐν ποσὶν αὐτοῦ τροχόν, ὃς ἐν μερίμνῃ κεῖται διὰ παντὸς ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐναρίθμιος πᾶσα ἡ ἐργασία αὐτοῦ. 30 ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ τυπώσει πηλὸν καὶ πρὸ ποδῶν κάμψει ἰσχὺν αὐτοῦ· καρδίαν ἐπιδώσει συντελέσαι τὸ χρῖσμα, καὶ ἡ ἀγρυπνία αὐτοῦ καθαρίσαι κάμινον. 31 Πάντες οὗτοι εἰς χεῖρας αὐτῶν ἐνεπίστευσαν, καὶ ἕκαστος ἐν τῷ ἔργῳ αὐτοῦ σοφίζεται. 32 ἄνευ αὐτῶν οὐκ οἰκισθήσεται πόλις, καὶ οὐ παροικήσουσιν οὐδὲ περιπατήσουσιν, 33 ἀλλ᾿ εἰς βουλὴν λαοῦ οὐ ζητηθήσονται καὶ ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ οὐχ ὑπεραλοῦνται· ἐπὶ δίφρον δικαστοῦ οὐ καθιοῦνται καὶ διαθήκην κρίματος οὐ διανοηθήσονται, οὐδὲ μὴ ἐκφάνωσι δικαιοσύνην καὶ κρίμα, καὶ ἐν παραβολαῖς οὐχ εὑρεθήσονται, 34 ἀλλὰ κτίσμα αἰῶνος στηρίσουσι, καὶ ἡ δέησις αὐτῶν ἐν ἐργασίᾳ τέχνης.
ΠΛΗΝ τοῦ ἐπιδόντος τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ διανοουμένου ἐν νόμῳ ῾Υψίστου, σοφίαν πάντων ἀρχαίων ἐκζητήσει καὶ ἐν προφητείαις ἀσχοληθήσεται. 2 διηγήσεις ἀνδρῶν ὀνομαστῶν συντηρήσει καὶ ἐν στροφαῖς παραβολῶν συνεισελεύσεται. 3 ἀπόκρυφα παροιμιῶν ἐκζητήσει καὶ ἐν αἰνίγμασι παραβολῶν ἀναστραφήσεται. 4 ἀνὰ μέσον μεγιστάνων ὑπηρετήσει καὶ ἔναντι ἡγουμένου ὀφθήσεται· ἐν γῇ ἀλλοτρίων ἐθνῶν διελεύσεται, ἀγαθὰ γὰρ καὶ κακὰ ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἐπείρασε. 5 τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἐπιδώσει ὀρθρίσαι πρὸς Κύριον τὸν ποιήσαντα αὐτὸν καὶ ἔναντι ῾Υψίστου δεηθήσεται· καὶ ἀνοίξει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ἐν προσευχῇ καὶ περὶ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτοῦ δεηθήσεται. 6 ἐὰν Κύριος ὁ μέγας θελήσῃ, πνεύματι συνέσεως ἐμπλησθήσεται· αὐτὸς ἀνομβρήσει ρήματα σοφίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐν προσευχῇ ἐξομολογήσεται Κυρίῳ.
7 αὐτὸς κατευθυνεῖ βουλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπιστήμην καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἀποκρύφοις αὐτοῦ διανοηθήσεται· 8 αὐτὸς ἐκφανεῖ παιδείαν διδασκαλίας αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐν νόμῳ διαθήκης Κυρίου καυχήσεται. 9 αἰνέσουσι τὴν σύνεσιν αὐτοῦ πολλοί, ἕως τοῦ αἰῶνος οὐκ ἐξαλειφθήσεται· οὐκ ἀποστήσεται τὸ μνημόσυνον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ζήσεται εἰς γενεὰς γενεῶν. 10 τὴν σοφίαν αὐτοῦ διηγήσονται ἔθνη, καὶ τὸν ἔπαινον αὐτοῦ ἐξαγγελεῖ ἐκκλησία. 11 ἐὰν ἐμμείνῃ, ὄνομα καταλείψει ἢ χίλιοι, καὶ ἐὰν ἀναπαύσηται, ἐμποιήσει αὐτῷ. 12 ῎Ετι διανοηθεὶς ἐκδιηγήσομαι καὶ ὡς διχομηνία ἐπληρώθην. 13 εἰσακούσατέ μου, υἱοὶ ὅσιοι, καὶ βλαστήσατε ὡς ρόδον φυόμενον ἐπὶ ρεύματος ὑγροῦ 14 καὶ ὡς λίβανος εὐωδιάσατε ὀσμὴν καὶ ἀνθήσατε ἄνθος ὡς κρίνον, διάδοτε ὀσμὴν καὶ αἰνέσατε ᾆσμα. εὐλογήσατε Κύριον ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις, 15 δότε τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ μεγαλωσύνην καὶ ἐξομολογήσασθε ἐν αἰνέσει αὐτοῦ, ἐν ᾠδαῖς χειλέων καὶ ἐν κινύραις καὶ οὕτως ἐρεῖτε ἐν ἐξομολογήσει· 16 Τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου πάντα ὅτι καλὰ σφόδρα, καὶ πᾶν πρόσταγμα ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ ἔσται· οὐκ ἔστιν εἰπεῖν· τί τοῦτο; εἰς τί τοῦτο;
17 πάντα γὰρ ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ ζητηθήσεται. ἐν λόγῳ αὐτοῦ ἔστη ὡς θημωνία ὕδωρ, καὶ ἐν ρήματι στόματος αὐτοῦ ἀποδοχεῖα ὑδάτων. 18 ἐν προστάγματι αὐτοῦ πᾶσα ἡ εὐδοκία, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὃς ἐλαττώσει τὸ σωτήριον αὐτοῦ. 19 ἔργα πάσης σαρκὸς ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι κρυβῆναι ἀπὸ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ. 20 ἀπὸ τοῦ αἰῶνος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐπέβλεψε, καὶ οὐθέν ἐστι θαυμάσιον ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ. 21 οὐκ ἔστιν εἰπεῖν· τί τοῦτο; εἰς τί τοῦτο; πάντα γὰρ εἰς χρείας αὐτῶν ἔκτισται. 22 ἡ εὐλογία αὐτοῦ ὡς ποταμὸς ἐπεκάλυψε, καὶ ὡς κατακλυσμὸς ξηρὰν ἐμέθυσεν. 23 οὕτως ὀργὴν αὐτοῦ ἔθνη κληρονομήσει, ὡς μετέστρεψεν ὕδατα εἰς ἅλμην. 24 αἱ ὁδοὶ αὐτοῦ τοῖς ὁσίοις εὐθεῖαι, οὕτως τοῖς ἀνόμοις προσκόμματα. 25 ἀγαθὰ τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς ἔκτισται ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς, οὕτως τοῖς ἁμαρτωλοῖς κακά. 26 ἀρχὴ πάσης χρείας εἰς ζωὴν ἀνθρώπου, ὕδωρ, πῦρ, καὶ σίδηρος καὶ ἅλας καὶ σεμίδαλις πυροῦ καὶ μέλι καὶ γάλα, αἷμα σταφυλῆς καὶ ἔλαιον καὶ ἱμάτιον. 27 ταῦτα πάντα τοῖς εὐσεβέσιν εἰς ἀγαθά, οὕτως τοῖς ἁμαρτωλοῖς τραπήσεται εἰς κακά. 28 ἔστι πνεύματα, ἃ εἰς ἐκδίκησιν ἔκτισται καὶ ἐν θυμῷ αὐτοῦ ἐστερέωσαν μάστιγας αὐτῶν· ἐν καιρῷ συντελείας ἰσχὺν ἐκχεοῦσι καὶ τὸν θυμὸν τοῦ ποιήσαντος αὐτοὺς κοπάσουσι. 29 πῦρ καὶ χάλαζα καὶ λιμὸς καὶ θάνατος, πάντα ταῦτα εἰς ἐκδίκησιν ἔκτισται· 30 θηρίων ὀδόντες καὶ σκορπίοι καὶ ἔχεις καὶ ρομφαία ἐκδικοῦσα εἰς ὄλεθρον ἀσεβεῖς· 31 ἐν τῇ ἐντολῇ αὐτοῦ εὐφρανθήσονται καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς εἰς χρείας ἑτοιμασθήσονται καὶ ἐν τοῖς καιροῖς αὐτῶν οὐ παραβήσονται λόγον. 32 διὰ τοῦτο ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἐστηρίχθην καὶ διενοήθην καὶ ἐν γραφῇ ἀφῆκα·
33 τὰ ἔργα Κυρίου πάντα ἀγαθὰ καὶ πᾶσαν χρείαν ἐν ὥρᾳ αὐτῆς χορηγήσει. 34 καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν εἰπεῖν· τοῦτο τούτου πονηρότερον, πάντα γὰρ ἐν καιρῷ εὐδοκιμηθήσεται. 35 καὶ νῦν ἐν πάσῃ καρδίᾳ καὶ στόματι ὑμνήσατε καὶ εὐλογήσατε τὸ ὄνομα Κυρίου.
ΑΣΧΟΛΙΑ μεγάλη ἔκτισται παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ καὶ ζυγὸς βαρὺς ἐπὶ υἱοὺς ᾿Αδὰμ ἀφ᾿ ἡμέρας ἐξόδου ἐκ γαστρὸς μητρὸς αὐτῶν ἕως ἡμέρας ἐπιστροφῆς εἰς μητέρα πάντων· 2 τοὺς διαλογισμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ φόβον καρδίας, ἐπίνοια προσδοκίας, ἡμέρα τελευτῆς. 3 ἀπὸ καθημένου ἐπὶ θρόνου ἐν δόξῃ καὶ ἕως τεταπεινωμένου ἐν γῇ καὶ σποδῷ, 4 ἀπὸ φοροῦντος ὑάκινθον καὶ στέφανον καὶ ἕως περιβαλλομένου ὠμόλινον, 5 θυμὸς καὶ ζῆλος καὶ ταραχὴ καὶ σάλος καὶ φόβος θανάτου καὶ μηνίαμα καὶ ἔρις· καὶ ἐν καιρῷ ἀναπαύσεως ἐπὶ κοίτης ὕπνος νυκτὸς ἀλλοιοῖ γνῶσιν αὐτοῦ. 6 ὀλίγον ὡς οὐδὲν ἐν ἀναπαύσει, καὶ ἀπ᾿ ἐκείνου ἐν ὕπνοις ὡς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ σκοπιᾶς τεθορυβημένος ἐν ὁράσει καρδίας αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἐκπεφευγὼς ἀπὸ προσώπου πολέμου. 7 ἐν καιρῷ σωτηρίας αὐτοῦ ἐξηγέρθη καὶ ἀποθαυμάζων εἰς οὐδένα φόβον. 8 μετὰ πάσης σαρκὸς ἀπὸ ἀνθρώπου ἕως κτήνους, καὶ ἐπὶ ἁμαρτωλῶν ἑπταπλάσια πρὸς ταῦτα· 9 θάνατος καὶ αἷμα καὶ ἔρις καὶ ρομφαία, ἐπαγωγαί, λιμὸς καὶ σύντριμμα καὶ μάστιξ, 10 ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀνόμους ἐκτίσθη ταῦτα πάντα, καὶ δι᾿ αὐτοὺς ἐγένετο ὁ κατακλυσμός. 11 πάντα, ὅσα ἀπὸ γῆς, εἰς γῆν ἀναστρέφει, καὶ ἀπὸ ὑδάτων εἰς θάλασσαν ἀνακάμπτει.
12 Πᾶν δῶρον καὶ ἀδικία ἐξαλειφθήσεται, καὶ πίστις εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα στήσεται. 13 χρήματα ἀδίκων ὡς ποταμὸς ξηρανθήσεται καὶ ὡς βροντὴ μεγάλη ἐν ὑετῷ ἐξηχήσει.
14 ἐν τῷ ἀνοῖξαι αὐτὸν χεῖρας εὐφρανθήσεται, οὕτως οἱ παραβαίνοντες εἰς συντέλειαν ἐκλείψουσιν. 15 ἔκγονα ἀσεβῶν οὐ πληθύνει κλάδους, καὶ ρίζαι ἀκάθαρτοι ἐπ᾿ ἀκροτόμου πέτρας·
16 ἄχει ἐπὶ παντὸς ὕδατος καὶ χείλους ποταμοῦ πρὸ παντὸς χόρτου ἐκτιλήσεται. 17 χάρις ὡς παράδεισος ἐν εὐλογίαις, καὶ ἐλεημοσύνη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διαμένει. 18 Ζωὴ αὐτάρκους ἐργάτου γλυκανθήσεται, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ὁ εὑρίσκων θησαυρόν.
19 τέκνα καὶ οἰκοδομὴ πόλεως στηρίζουσιν ὄνομα, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γυνὴ ἄμωμος λογίζεται.
20 οἶνος καὶ μουσικὰ εὐφραίνουσι καρδίαν, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ἀγάπησις σοφίας. 21 αὐλὸς καὶ ψαλτήριον ἡδύνουσι μέλι, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γλῶσσα ἡδεῖα. 22 χάριν καὶ κάλλος ἐπιθυμήσει ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα χλόην σπόρου. 23 φίλος καὶ ἑταῖρος εἰς καιρὸν ἀπαντῶντες, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα γυνὴ μετὰ ἀνδρός. 24 ἀδελφοὶ καὶ βοήθεια εἰς καιρὸν θλίψεως, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα ἐλεημοσύνη ρύσεται. 25 χρυσίον καὶ ἀργύριον ἐπιστήσουσι πόδα, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα βουλὴ εὐδοκιμεῖται. 26 χρήματα καὶ ἰσχὺς ἀνυψώσουσι καρδίαν, καὶ ὑπὲρ ἀμφότερα φόβος Κυρίου· οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν φόβῳ Κυρίου ἐλάττωσις, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐπιζητῆσαι ἐν αὐτῷ βοήθειαν· 27 φόβος Κυρίου ὡς παράδεισος εὐλογίας, καὶ ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν δόξαν ἐκάλυψαν αὐτόν. 28 Τέκνον, ζωὴν ἐπαιτήσεως μὴ βιώσῃς· κρεῖσσον ἀποθανεῖν ἢ ἐπαιτεῖν. 29 ἀνὴρ βλέπων εἰς τράπεζαν ἀλλοτρίαν, οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῦ ὁ βίος ἐν λογισμῷ ζωῆς, ἀλισγήσει ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐδέσμασιν ἀλλοτρίοις· ἀνὴρ δὲ ἐπιστήμων καὶ πεπαιδευμένος φυλάξεται. 30 ἐν στόματι ἀναιδοῦς γλυκανθήσεται ἐπαίτησις, καὶ ἐν κοιλίᾳ αὐτοῦ πῦρ καήσεται.
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WISDOM OF THE SON OF SIRACH
31 Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the care thereof driveth away sleep. 2 Watching care will not let a man slumber, as a sore disease breaketh sleep, 3 The rich hath great labour in gathering riches together; and when he resteth, he is filled with his delicates. 4 The poor laboureth in his poor estate; and when he leaveth off, he is still needy. 5 He that loveth gold shall not be justified, and he that followeth corruption shall have enough thereof. 6 Many were given over to ruin because of gold, and their destruction has happened in front of them. 7 It is a stumblingblock unto them that sacrifice unto it, and every fool shall be taken therewith. 8 Blessed is the rich that is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold. 9 Who is he? and we will call him blessed: for wonderful things hath he done among his people. 10 Who hath been tried thereby, and found perfect? then let him glory. Who might offend, and hath not offended? or done evil, and hath not done it? 11 His goods shall be established, and the congregation shall declare his alms. 12 Were you seated at a great table? Do not open your throat at it. And do not say, “Indeed how many are the things on it!” 13 Remember that a wicked eye is an evil thing: and what is created more wicked than an eye? therefore it weepeth upon every occasion. 14 Stretch not thine hand whithersoever it looketh, and thrust it not with him into the dish. 15 Judge not thy neighbour by thyself: and be discreet in every point. 16 Eat as it becometh a man, those things which are set before thee; and devour not, lest thou be hated. 17 Leave off first for manners’ sake; and be not unsatiable, lest thou offend. 18 When thou sittest among many, reach not thine hand out first of all. 19 For the person of education the little is as enough, and upon his bed he does not gasp for breath. 20 A sleep of health due to a moderate bowel! He rose early and his soul with him. The pain of sleeplessness and of nausea and colic are with the gluttonous man. 21 And if thou hast been forced to eat, arise, go forth, vomit, and thou shalt have rest. 22 My son, hear me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt find as I told thee: in all thy works be quick, so shall there no sickness come unto thee.
23 Lips will bless a person munificent with respect to bread, and trustworthy is the testimony to his fine quality. 24 The city will murmur about a wicked one for bread, and accurate is the testimony to his wickedness. 25 Shew not thy valiantness in wine; for wine hath destroyed many. 26 The furnace proveth the edge by dipping: so doth wine the hearts of the proud by drunkenness. 27 Wine is as good as life to a man, if it be drunk moderately: what life is then to a man that is without wine? for it was made to make men glad. 28 Joy of heart and gladness of soul is sufficient wine drunk at the proper time. 29 But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling. 30 Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend: it diminisheth strength, and maketh wounds. 31 At a banquet of wine do not reprove thy fellow, and do not scorn him in his gladness; do not speak to him a word of reproach, and do not distress him with demanding repayment.
32 CONCERNING LEADERS. If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down. 2 And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast. 3 Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgment; and hinder not musick. 4 Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time. 5 A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold. 6 As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine. 7 Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked. 8 Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue. 9 If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words. 10 Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour. 11 Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay. 12 There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech. 13 And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things. 14 Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour. 15 He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat. 16 They that fear the Lord shall find judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light. 17 A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will. 18 A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel. 19 Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not. 20 Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones. 21 Be not confident in a plain way. 22 And beware of thine own children. 23 In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments. 24 He who has faith in the law attends to the commandments, and he who trusts in the Lord will not suffer loss.
33 There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him. 2 A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm. 3 A man of understanding trusteth in the law; and the law is faithful unto him, as an oracle. 4 Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer. 5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree. 6 A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him. 7 Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun? 8 By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished: and he altered seasons and feasts. 9 Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days. 10 And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth: 11 In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse. 12 Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places. 13 As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best.
14 Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the sinner against the godly.
15 So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another. 16 As a last one, it was I who kept vigil, as one who gleaned after the grape pickers. 17 By the blessing of the Lord I arrived first, and like one who picks grapes I filled a wine vat.
18 Consider
that I have not laboured for myself alone
19 Listen to
me, nobles of the people, and leaders of the assembly, give ear.
21 While thou
art still alive and there is breath in thee, do not exchange thyself
with any flesh. CONCERNING SERVANTS
25 Fodder and
a rod and burdens for a donkey; bread and instruction and work for a
domestic.
32 if thou
hast a domestic, treat him like a brother, because thou will need him
like your own soul.
34 The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools. 2 Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. 3 The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face. 4 Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come? 5 Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail. 6 If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them. 7 For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. 8 The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth. 9 A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom. 10 He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence. 11 When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express. 12 I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things. 13 The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them. 14 Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope. 15 Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength? 16 For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling. 17 He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing. 18 He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted. 19 The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices. 20 Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes. 21 The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood. 22 He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder. 23 When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour? 24 When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear? 25 He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? 26 So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?
35 He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering. 2 He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise. 3 To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation. 4 Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment. 5 The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat, and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High. 6 The sacrifice of a just man is acceptable. and the memorial thereof shall never be forgotten. 7 Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands. 8 In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness. 9 Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye. 10 For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much. 11 Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: 12 and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons. 13 He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed. 14 He will not despise the supplication of the fatherless; nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint. 15 Do not the tears run down the widow’s cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall? 16 He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds. 17 The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; 18 and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgment. 19 For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient toward them, 20 till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; 21 till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous; 22 Till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; 23 till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy. 24 Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.
36 Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and behold us: And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee. 2 Lift up thy hand against the strange nations, and let them see thy power. 3 As thou wast sanctified in us before them: so be thou magnified among them before us. 4 And let them know thee, as we have known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God. 5 Shew new signs, and make other strange wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm. 6 Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy. 7 Hasten the time, and remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful works. 8 Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire; and let them perish that oppress the people. 9 Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers of the heathen, that say, There is none other but we. 10 Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning. 11 O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn. 12 O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest. 13 Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory: 14 Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that have been in thy name. 15 Reward them that wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found faithful. 16 O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, 17 that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God. 18 The belly devoureth all meats, yet is one meat better than another. 19 As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison: so doth an heart of understanding false speeches. 20 A froward heart causeth heaviness: but a man of experience will recompense him. 21 A woman will receive every man, yet is one daughter better than another. 22 The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance, and a man loveth nothing better. 23 If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband like other men. 24 He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest. 25 Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning. 26 Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skippeth from city to city? 27 so who will believe a man that hath no house, and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him?
37 Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend, which is only a friend in name. 2 Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy? 3 O wicked imagination, whence camest thou in to cover the earth with deceit? 4 There is a companion, which rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend, but in the time of trouble will be against him. 5 There is a companion, which helpeth his friend for the belly, and in the face of battle he will take up a shield. 6 Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches. 7 Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there is some that counselleth for himself. 8 Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath; for he will counsel for himself; lest he cast the lot upon thee,
9 And say unto thee, Thy way is good: and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befall thee. 10 Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee. 11 Neither consult with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward in matters of war; nor with a merchant concerning exchange; nor with a buyer of selling; nor with an envious man of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man touching kindness; nor with the slothful for any work; nor with an hireling for a year of finishing work; nor with an idle servant of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel. 12 But be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord, whose, mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry. 13 And let the counsel of thine own heart stand: for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it. 14 For a man’s mind is sometime wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower. 15 And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth. 16 Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action. 17 A sign of changing of the heart four manner of things appear: 18 good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually. 19 There is one that is wise and teacheth many, and yet is unprofitable to himself. 20 There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food. 21 For grace is not given, him from the Lord, because he is deprived of all wisdom. 22 Another is wise to himself; and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth. 23 A wise man instructeth his people; and the fruits of his understanding fail not. 24 A wise man shall be filled with blessing; and all they that see him shall count him happy. 25 The days of the life of man may be numbered: but the days of Israel are innumerable. 26 A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual. 27 My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it. 28 For all things are not profitable for all men, neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing. 29 Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats: 30 For excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn into choler. 31 By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.
38 Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him. 2 For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king. 3 The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration. 4 The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them. 5 Was not the water made sweet with wood, that his strength thereof might be known? 6 And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works. 7 With such doth he heal men, and taketh away their pains. 8 Of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth, 9 My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole. 10 Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness. 11 Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being. 12 Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him. 13 There is a time when in their hands there is good success. 14 For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life. 15 He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician. 16 My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom, and neglect not his burial. 17 Weep bitterly, and make great moan, and use lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou be evil spoken of: and then comfort thyself for thy heaviness. 18 For of heaviness cometh death, and the heaviness of the heart breaketh strength. 19 In affliction also sorrow remaineth: and the life of the poor is the curse of the heart. 20 Take no heaviness to heart: drive it away, and member the last end. 21 Forget it not, for there is no turning again: thou shalt not do him good, but hurt thyself. 22 Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be so; yesterday for me, and to day for thee. 23 When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his Spirit is departed from him. 24 The wisdom of a learned man cometh by opportunity of leisure: and he that hath little business shall become wise. 25 How can he get wisdom that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose talk is of bullocks? 26 He giveth his mind to make furrows; and is diligent to give the kine fodder. 27 So every carpenter and workmaster, that laboureth night and day: and they that cut and grave seals, and are diligent to make great variety, and give themselves to counterfeit imagery, and watch to finish a work:
28 The smith also sitting by the anvil, and considering the iron work, the vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace: the noise of the hammer and the anvil is ever in his ears, and his eyes look still upon the pattern of the thing that he maketh; he setteth his mind to finish his work, and watcheth to polish it perfectly:
29 So doth the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is alway carefully set at his work, and maketh all his work by number;
30 He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet; he applieth himself to lead it over; and he is diligent to make clean the furnace: 31 All these trust to their hands: and every one is wise in his work. 32 Without these cannot a city be inhabited: and they shall not dwell where they will, nor go up and down: 33 They shall not be sought for in publick counsel, nor sit high in the congregation: they shall not sit on the judges’ seat, nor understand the sentence of judgment: they cannot declare justice and judgment; and they shall not be found where parables are spoken. 34 But they will maintain the state of the world, and all their desire is in the work of their craft.
39 But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies. 2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are, he will be there also. 3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables. 4 He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men.
5 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer. 7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. 8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. 9 Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation. 10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall declare his praise. 11 If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it. 12 Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled as the full. 13 Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field: 14 And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all his works.
15 Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:
16 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season. And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? 17 for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters. 18 At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save. 19 The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes. 20 He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him. 21 A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their uses. 22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood. 23 As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath. 24 As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked. 25 For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners. 26 The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
27 All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil. 28 There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them. 29 Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance; 30 Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction. 31 They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word. 32 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing. 33 All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season. 34 So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.
35 And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.
40 Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother’s womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things. 2 Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart; 3 From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes; 4 From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock. 5 Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge.
6 A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle. 7 When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing. 8 Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners. 9 Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge; 10 These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood. 11 All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea. 12 All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever. 13 The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain. 14 While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.
15 The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock. 16 The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass. 17 Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever. 18 To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both. 19 Children and the building of a city continue a man’s name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both. 20 Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both. 21 The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both. 22 Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green. 23 A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband. 24 Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both. 25 Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both. 26 Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help.
27 The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory. 28 My son, lead not a beggar’s life; for better it is to die than to beg. 29 The life of him that dependeth on another man’s table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men’s meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof. 30 Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
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