1 He that liveth for ever Hath created all things in general.
2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,
3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane.
4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts?
5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies?
6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out.
7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubtful.
8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is his evil?
9 The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.
10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.
11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied his compassion.
13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.
14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgments.
15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou givest any thing.
16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a gift.
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a gracious man.
18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious consumeth the eyes.
19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.
20 Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy.
21 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of sins shew repentance.
22 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified.
23 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.
24 Think upon the wrath that shall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his face.
25 When thou hast enough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need.
26 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord.
27 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of sinning he will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time.
28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her.
29 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables.
30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites.
31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, she will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign thee.
32 Take not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof.
33 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on.
The Greatness of God
1 The Lord, who lives forever, created the whole universe, 2 and he alone is just. 4 He has given no one enough power to describe what he has done, and no one can investigate it completely. 5 Who can measure his majestic power? Who can tell the whole story of his merciful actions? 6 We cannot add to them; we cannot subtract from them. There is no way to comprehend the marvelous things the Lord has done. 7 When we come to the end of that story, we have not even begun; we are simply at a loss for words.
Human Beings Are Nothing
8 What are human beings? Of what use are we? The good that we do—the evil that we do—what does it all mean? 9 If we live a hundred years, we have lived an unusually long time, 10 but compared with all eternity, those years are like a drop of water in the ocean, like a single grain of sand. 11 That is why the Lord is so patient with us, why he is so free with his mercy. 12 He looks at us and knows that we are doomed to die; that is why he is so willing to forgive us. 13 We can show compassion to someone we know, but the Lord shows compassion for all humanity. He corrects us; he disciplines us; he teaches us. Like a shepherd tending sheep, he brings us back to himself. 14 He will have compassion on us if we accept his guidance and are eager for him to show us where we are wrong.
Kindness and Charity
15 My child, when you help someone, don't reprimand him at the same time. When you make a gift, don't say anything that hurts. 16 Your words count for more than what you give. Even dew gives some relief during a spell of hot weather. 17 Yes, kind words are more effective than the best of gifts, and if you are really concerned, you will give both. 18 It is stupid to be unkind and insulting. No one's eyes are going to sparkle at a gift that you resent giving.
Self-examination
19 Know what you are talking about before you speak, and give attention to your health before you get sick. 20 Examine your conscience before the Lord judges you; then when that time comes, he will forgive you. 21 Humble yourself before you are punished with sickness. When you have sinned, show repentance. 22 If you make a promise to the Lord, keep it as soon as you can. Don't wait until you are about to die to set things straight. 23 But before you make such a promise, be prepared to keep it. Don't try to test the Lord's patience. 24 Think! Do you want him to be angry with you on the day you die? When you face his judgment, do you want him to turn his back on you? 25 When you have all you want, think what it is like to be hungry, what it is to be poor. 26 Things can change in a single day; the Lord can act very quickly. 27 If you are wise, you will be careful in everything you do. When sin is all around you, be especially careful that you do not become guilty. 28 Every intelligent person can recognize wisdom and will honor anyone who shows it. 29 If you appreciate wisdom when you hear it, you will become wise yourself, and your words will be a source of wisdom for others.
Self-control
30 Don't be controlled by your lust; keep your passions in check. 31 If you allow yourself to satisfy your every desire, you will be a joke to your enemies. 32 Don't indulge in luxurious living; the expense of it will ruin you. 33 Don't make yourself a beggar by borrowing for expensive banquets when you don't have enough money of your own.