1 My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:2 For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.3 Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;4 So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.6 In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.7 Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:8 This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.9 Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:10 So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.11 My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:12 For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.13 Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.14 For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.15 She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.17 Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.18 She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.19 The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.21 My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.22 So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.23 Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.24 When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.25 Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:26 For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.27 Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.28 Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.29 Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.30 Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.31 Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.32 For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.34 He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.35 The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.

1 [Fili mi, ne obliviscaris legis me,et prcepta mea cor tuum custodiat :2 longitudinem enim dierum, et annos vit, et pacem,apponent tibi.3 Misericordia et veritas te non deserant ;circumda eas gutturi tuo,et describe in tabulis cordis tui :4 et invenies gratiam, et disciplinam bonam,coram Deo et hominibus.5 Habe fiduciam in Domino ex toto corde tuo,et ne innitaris prudenti tu.6 In omnibus viis tuis cogita illum,et ipse diriget gressus tuos.7 Ne sis sapiens apud temetipsum ;time Deum, et recede a malo :8 sanitas quippe erit umbilico tuo,et irrigatio ossium tuorum.9 Honora Dominum de tua substantia,et de primitiis omnium frugum tuarum da ei :10 et implebuntur horrea tua saturitate,et vino torcularia tua redundabunt.]11 [Disciplinam Domini, fili mi, ne abjicias,nec deficias cum ab eo corriperis :12 quem enim diligit Dominus, corripit,et quasi pater in filio complacet sibi.13 Beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam,et qui affluit prudentia.14 Melior est acquisitio ejus negotiatione argenti,et auri primi et purissimi fructus ejus.15 Pretiosior est cunctis opibus,et omnia qu desiderantur huic non valent comparari.16 Longitudo dierum in dextera ejus,et in sinistra illius diviti et gloria.17 Vi ejus vi pulchr,et omnes semit illius pacific.18 Lignum vit est his qui apprehenderint eam,et qui tenuerit eam beatus.19 Dominus sapientia fundavit terram ;stabilivit clos prudentia.20 Sapientia illius eruperunt abyssi,et nubes rore concrescunt.]21 [Fili mi, ne effluant hc ab oculis tuis.Custodi legem atque consilium,22 et erit vita anim tu,et gratia faucibus tuis.23 Tunc ambulabis fiducialiter in via tua,et pes tuus non impinget.24 Si dormieris, non timebis ;quiesces, et suavis erit somnus tuus.25 Ne paveas repentino terrore,et irruentes tibi potentias impiorum.26 Dominus enim erit in latere tuo,et custodiet pedem tuum, ne capiaris.]27 [Noli prohibere benefacere eum qui potest :si vales, et ipse benefac.28 Ne dicas amico tuo : Vade, et revertere : cras dabo tibi :cum statim possis dare.29 Ne moliaris amico tuo malum,cum ille in te habeat fiduciam.30 Ne contendas adversus hominem frustra,cum ipse tibi nihil mali fecerit.31 Ne muleris hominem injustum,nec imiteris vias ejus :32 quia abominatio Domini est omnis illusor,et cum simplicibus sermocinatio ejus.33 Egestas a Domino in domo impii ;habitacula autem justorum benedicentur.34 Ipse deludet illusores,et mansuetis dabit gratiam.35 Gloriam sapientes possidebunt ;stultorum exaltatio ignominia.]