1He who lives forever created all things together.
2The Lord alone will be declared righteous.
4To no one has he given power to declare his works, and who can trace out his mighty deeds?
5Who can measure the power of his majesty? And who can fully recount his mercies?
6It is not possible to subtract or add, nor to trace out the wonderful works of the Lord.
7When a person finishes, then he is beginning; and when he stops, he will be perplexed.
8What is a human, and what is his use? What is his good, and what is his evil?
9The number of a person’s days is great if it reaches a hundred years.
10Like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand, so are a few years in a day of eternity.
11Therefore the Lord was patient with them and poured out his mercy upon them.
12He saw and knew that their end was evil; therefore he multiplied his forgiveness for them.
13A person’s mercy is for his neighbor, but the Lord’s mercy is for all flesh; reproving, training, teaching, and turning them back, like a shepherd his flock.
14He has mercy on those who accept discipline, and on those who are eager for his judgments.
15My child, do not add a flaw to your good deeds, nor painful words to any gift.
16Before you make a vow, prepare your vow; do not be like one who tests Yahweh.
17See, is not a word better than a good gift? Both are found with a gracious man.
18A fool reproaches ungraciously, and a gift from a grudging person makes the eyes fail.
19Before you speak, learn; and before sickness, take care of your health.
20Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.
21Before you fall ill, humble yourself; and when you sin, show repentance.
22Let nothing hinder you from paying a vow on time, and do not wait until death to be absolved.
23Before you pray, prepare yourself, and do not be like one who tests the Lord.
24Remember his wrath in the days of your end, and the time of vengeance when he turns his face away.
25In a time of plenty, remember the time of famine; in days of wealth, remember poverty and need.
26From morning to evening the time changes, and all things move swiftly before the Lord.
27A wise person will be cautious in everything, and in days of sin will beware of wrongdoing.
28Every intelligent person has known wisdom, and will give praise to the one who found her.
29Those skilled in words have themselves become wise and have poured forth accurate proverbs.
30Self-control. Do not follow your passions, and restrain yourself from your appetites.
31If you grant your soul its desired pleasure, it will make you a laughingstock to your enemies.
32Do not delight in a little pleasure, for its cost is double.
33Do not be a glutton and a drunkard when there is nothing in your purse.
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