[1] Blessed is the man that has not slipped with his mouth, And is not pricked with sorrow for sins.
[2] Blessed is he whose soul does not condemn him, And who is not fallen from his hope.
[3] Riches are not comely for a niggard; And what should an envious man do with money?
[4] He that gathersby taking from his own soul gathers for others; And others shall revel in his goods.
[5] He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? And he shall not rejoice in his possessions.
[6] There is none more evil than he that envieth himself; And this is a recompense of his wickedness.
[7] Even if he does good, he does it in forgetfulness; And at the last he shows forth his wickedness.
[8] Evil is he that envieth with his eye, Turning away the face, and despising the soulsof men.
[9] A covetous man's eye is not satisfied with his portion; And wicked injustice drieth up his soul.
[10] An evil eye is grudging of bread, And he is miserly at his table
[11] My son, according as you have, do well to thyself, And bring offerings to the Lord worthily.
[12] Remember that death will not wait, And that the covenant of the grave is not showed to you.
[13] Do well to your friend before you die; And according to your ability stretch outyour hand and give to him.
[14] Defraud notthyself of a good day; And let not the portion of a good desire pass you by.
[15] Shalt you not leave your labours to another? And your toils to be divided by lot?
[16] Give, and take, and decieve your soul; For there is no seeking of luxury in the grave.
[17] All flesh waxeth old as a garment; For the covenant from the beginning is, You shall die the death.
[18] As of the leaves flourishing on a thick tree, Some it sheddeth, and some it makes to grow; So also of the generations of flesh and blood, One comes to an end, and another is born.
[19] Every work rotteth and falls away, And the worker thereof shall depart with it.
[20] Blessed is the man that shall meditate in wisdom, And that shall discourse by his understanding.
[21] He That considereth her ways in his heart Shall also have knowledge in her secrets.
[22] Go forth after her as one that tracketh, And lie in wait in her ways.
[23] He that prieth in at her windows Shall also hearken at her doors.
[24] He that lodgeth close to her house Shall also fasten a nail in her walls.
[25] He shall pitch his tent near at hand to her, And shall lodge in a lodging where good things are.
[26] He shall set his children under her shelter, And shall rest under her branches.
[27] By her he shall be covered from heat, And shall lodge in her glory.