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14
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 stingy person;
And what should an envious man do with money?
4 He that gathers by taking from his own soul gathers for others;
And others will revel in his goods.
5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good?
And he will not rejoice in his possessions.
6 There is none more evil than he that envies 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 envies with his eye,
Turning away the face, and despising the souls of men.
9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion;
And wicked injustice dries 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 yourself,
And bring offerings to the Lord worthily.
12 Remember that death will not wait,
And that the covenant of * Gr. Hades. the grave is not showed to you.
13 Do well to your friend before you die;
And according to your ability stretch out your hand and give to him.
14 Defraud not yourself of a good day;
And don’t let the portion of a good desire pass you by.
15 Shall you not leave your labors to another?
And your toils to be divided by lot?
16 Give, and take, and deceive your soul;
For there is no seeking of luxury in † Gr. Hades. the grave.
17 All flesh waxes 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 sheds, 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 rots and falls away,
And the worker thereof shall depart with it.
20 Blessed is the man that shall ‡ Most authorities read come to an end. meditate in wisdom,
And that shall discourse by his understanding.
21 He that considers her ways in his heart
Shall also have knowledge in her secrets.
22 Go forth after her as one who tracks,
And lie in wait in her ways.
23 He that pries in at her windows
Shall also listen at her doors.
24 He that lodges close to her house
Shall also fasten a nail in her walls.
25 He shall pitch his tent near at hand to her,
And will lodge in a lodging where good things are.
26 He will set his children under her shelter,
And will rest under her branches.
27 By her he will be covered from heat,
And will lodge in her glory.

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*14:12 Gr. Hades.

†14:16 Gr. Hades.

‡14:20 Most authorities read come to an end.

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