Duties towards the Poor and the Oppressed

¹ My son, deprive not the poor of his living and do not keep needy eyes waiting.

² Do not grieve the one who is hungry or anger a man in distress.

³ Do not add to the troubles of an angry heart or delay your gift to a beggar.

⁴ Do not reject an afflicted suppliant or turn your face away from a poor person.

⁵ Do not avert your eye from someone who begs or give him occasion to curse you;

⁶ for if in bitterness of soul he calls down a curse upon you, his Maker will hear his prayer.

⁷ Make yourself beloved in the congregation; bow your head low to a great man.

⁸ Incline your ear to the poor and answer him peaceably and gently.

⁹ Deliver him who is wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer; and do not be faint-hearted in judging a case.

¹⁰ Be like a father to orphans, and in the place of a husband to their mother; you will then be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than does your mother.

Rewards of Wisdom

¹¹ Wisdom exalts her sons and gives help to those who seek her.

¹² Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her early will be filled with joy.

¹³ Whoever holds her fast will inherit glory, and the Lord will bless the place she enters.

¹⁴ Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One; the Lord loves those who love her.

¹⁵ He who obeys her will judge nations, and whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure.

¹⁶ If he has faith he will inherit her; and his descendants will remain in possession of her.

¹⁷ For at first she will walk with him on tortuous paths, she will bring fear and cowardice upon him and will torment him by her discipline until she trusts his soul, and she will test him with her ordinances.

¹⁸ And again she will come straight back to him and gladden him and will reveal her secrets to him.

¹⁹ If he goes astray she will forsake him and give him over into the hand of his down fall.

²⁰ Watch for the right opportunity and beware of evil; and do not bring shame on yourself.

²¹ For there is a shame that brings sin, and there is a shame that is glory and favour.

²² Do not show partiality, to your own harm, or deference, to your downfall.

²³ Do not refrain from speaking at the crucial time.

²⁴ For wisdom is known through speech, and education through the words of the tongue.

²⁵ Never speak against the truth, but be ashamed concerning your ignorance.

²⁶ Do not be ashamed to confess your sins and do not try to force the flow of a river.

²⁷ Do not subject yourself to a foolish fellow or show partiality to a ruler.

²⁸ Fight even to death for the truth, and the Lord God will fight for you.

²⁹ Do not be reckless in your speech or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.

³⁰ Do not be like a lion in your home, acting out a role among your servants.

³¹ Let not your hand be extended to receive, but withdrawn when it is time to repay.