A Sense of Pride
1 On the other hand, it is possible to sin by giving in to other people too much. Here are some things you should not be ashamed of:
2 the Law of the Most High and his covenant,
judging even godless people fairly,
3 sharing expenses with a business partner or a traveling companion,
sharing an inheritance,
4 using accurate weights and measures,
5 making a profit, whether great or small,
bargaining with a merchant,
disciplining your children often,
beating a disloyal slave until the blood flows.
6 It is wise to lock things up if you cannot trust your wife or if too many people are around. 7 Keep an accurate record of any deposits you make or of anything you give or receive. 8 Don't hesitate to correct someone who is acting foolishly or an old man who goes around with prostitutes. All of this is worthwhile advice, and if you follow it, everyone will approve of your behavior.
Fathers and Daughters
9 Although he will not let his daughter know it, a father will lie awake at night worrying about her. If she is young, he worries that she might not get married. If she is already married, he worries about her happiness. 10 If she is a virgin, he worries that she might be seduced and become pregnant while living in his house. If she is married, he worries that she might be unfaithful, or that she might not be able to have children.
11 Keep a close watch over your daughter if she is determined to have her own way. If you don't, she may make a fool of you in front of your enemies. You will be a constant joke to everyone in town, a public disgrace. Make sure that her room has no windows or any place where she can look out to the entrance of the house. 12 Don't let her show off her beauty in front of men, or spend her time talking with the women. 13 Women hurt other women just as moths damage clothing.
14 A man's wickedness is better than a woman's goodness; women bring shame and disgrace.
The Glory of God in Nature
15 Now I will remind you of the works of the Lord
and describe the things I have seen.
The words of the Lord brought his works into being,
and the whole creation obeys his commands.
16 The light of the sun shines down on everything,
and everything is filled with the Lord's glory.
17 Not even to his holy angels has the Lord given power
to describe all his mighty deeds,
even though he has given them power
to stand unharmed in his glorious presence.
18 He sees into the oceans and into the human heart,
and he knows the secrets of both.
The Most High knows everything that can be known
and understands the signs of the ages.
19 He knows all that has ever been and all that ever will be;
he uncovers the deepest of mysteries.
20 He takes notice of our every thought
and hears our every word.
21 The orderly world shows the greatness of his wisdom;
he is the same forever and ever.
Nothing can be added to him, and nothing taken away;
he needs no one to give him advice.
22 All his works are beautiful,
down to the smallest and faintest spark of light.
23 All these things go on forever,
and all of them have their purpose.
24 All things are in pairs, each the opposite of the other,
but nothing the Lord made is incomplete.
25 Everything completes the goodness of something else.
Could anyone ever see enough of this splendor?
1 Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin thereby:
2 Of the law of the most High, and his covenant; and of judgment to justify the ungodly;
3 Of reckoning with thy partners and travellers; or of the gift of the heritage of friends;
4 Of exactness of balance and weights; or of getting much or little;
5 And of merchants’ indifferent selling; of much correction of children; and to make the side of an evil servant to bleed.
6 Sure keeping is good, where an evil wife is; and shut up, where many hands are.
7 Deliver all things in number and weight; and put all in writing that thou givest out, or receivest in.
8 Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the extreme aged that contendeth with those that are young: thus shalt thou be truly learned, and approved of all men living.
9 The father waketh for the daughter, when no man knoweth; and the care for her taketh away sleep: when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age; and being married, lest she should be hated:
10 In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father’s house; and having an husband, lest she should misbehave herself; and when she is married, lest she should be barren.
11 Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter, lest she make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and make thee ashamed before the multitude.
12 Behold not every body’s beauty, and sit not in the midst of women.
13 For from garments cometh a moth, and from women wickedness.
14 Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman, a woman, I say, which bringeth shame and reproach.
15 I will now remember the works of the Lord, and declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord are his works.
16 The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things, and the work thereof is full of the glory of the Lord.
17 The Lord hath not given power to the saints to declare all his marvellous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established for his glory.
18 He seeketh out the deep, and the heart, and considereth their crafty devices: for the Lord knoweth all that may be known, and he beholdeth the signs of the world.
19 He declareth the things that are past, and for to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things.
20 No thought escapeth him, neither any word is hidden from him.
21 He hath garnished the excellent works of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting to everlasting: unto him may nothing be added, neither can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.
22 Oh how desirable are all his works! and that a man may see even to a spark.
23 All these things live and remain for ever for all uses, and they are all obedient.
24 All things are double one against another: and he hath made nothing imperfect.
25 One thing establisheth the good or another: and who shall be filled with beholding his glory?