Chapter 1

1
ALL wisdom comes from YAHUAH, and is with him forever.
2
‘Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?
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‘Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?
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‘Wisdom has been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
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‘The Word of EL ELYON is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.
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‘To whom has the root of wisdom been revealed? or who has known her wise counsels?
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‘Unto whom has the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who has understood her great experience?
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‘There is one wise and greatly to be feared, YAHUAH sitting upon his throne.
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‘He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.
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‘She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he has given her to them that love him.
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‘The fear of YAHUAH is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.
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‘The fear of YAHUAH makes a merry heart, and gives joy, and gladness, and a long life.
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‘Whoso fears YAHUAH, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.
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‘To fear YAHUAH is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.
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‘She has built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.
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‘To fear YAHUAH is fulness of wisdom, and fills men with her fruits.
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‘She fills all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.
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‘The fear of YAHUAH is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of ELOHIYM: and it enlarges their rejoicing that love him.
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Wisdom rains down skill and knowledge of understanding, and exalts them to honour that hold her fast.
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‘The root of wisdom is to fear YAHUAH, and the branches thereof are long life.
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‘The fear of YAHUAH drives away sins: and where it is present, it turns away wrath.
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‘A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.
23
‘A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.
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‘He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.25
‘The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but the fear of ELOHIYM is abominable to a sinner.
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‘If you desire wisdom, guard the commandments, and YAHUAH shall give her unto you.
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For the fear of YAHUAH is wisdom and instruction: and belief and meekness are his delight.
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‘Distrust not the fear of YAHUAH when you are poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.
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‘Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what you speak.
30
‘Exalt not yourself, lest you fall, and bring dishonour upon your soul, and so ELOHIYM discover your secrets, and cast you down in the midst of the assembly, because you came not in truth to the fear of YAHUAH, but your heart is full of deceit.

Chapter 2

1
MY son, if you come to serve YAHUAH, prepare your soul for temptation.
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‘Set your heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of trouble.
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‘Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that you may be increased at your last end.
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‘Whatsoever is brought upon you take cheerfully, and be patient when you are changed to a low estate.
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‘For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity.
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‘Believe in him, and he will help you; order your way aright, and trust in him.
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‘Ye that fear YAHUAH, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest ye fall.
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‘Ye that fear YAHUAH, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.
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‘Ye that fear YAHUAH, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and mercy.
10
‘Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in YAHUAH, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?
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‘For YAHUAH is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and very pitiful, and forgives sins, and saves in time of affliction.
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‘Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that goes two ways!
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‘Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believes not; therefore shall he not be defended.
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‘Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when YAHUAH shall visit you?
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‘They that fear YAHUAH will not disobey his word; and they that love him will guard his ways.
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‘They that fear YAHUAH will seek that which is well, pleasing unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the Torah.
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‘They that fear YAHUAH will prepare their hearts, and humble their souls in his sight,
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‘Saying, We will fall into the hands of YAHUAH, and not into the hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.

Chapter 3

1
HEAR me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be safe.
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‘For YAHUAH has given the father honour over the children, and has confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.
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‘Whoso honours his father makes an atonement for his sins:
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‘And he that honours his mother is as one that lays up treasure.
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‘Whoso honours his father shall have joy of his own children; and when he makes his prayer, he shall be heard.
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‘He that honours his father shall have a long life; and he that is obedient unto YAHUAH shall be a comfort to his mother.
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‘He that fears YAHUAH will honour his father, and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters.
8
‘Honour your father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon you from them.
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‘For the blessing of the father establishes the houses of children; but the curse of the mother roots out foundations.
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‘Glory not in the dishonour of your father; for your father’s dishonour is no glory unto you.
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‘For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.
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‘My son, help your father in his age, and grieve him not as long as he lives.
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‘And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when you are in your full strength.
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‘For the relieving of your father shall not be forgotten: and instead of sins it shall be added to build you up.
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‘In the day of your affliction it shall be remembered; your sins also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.
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‘He that forsakes his father is as a blasphemer; and he that angers his mother is cursed of ELOHIYM.
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‘My son, go on with your business in meekness; so shall you be beloved of him that is approved.
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‘The greater you are, the more humble yourself, and you shall find favour before YAHUAH.
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‘Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek.
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‘For the power of YAHUAH is great, and he is honoured of the lowly.
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‘Seek not out things that are too hard for you, neither search the things that are above your strength.
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‘But what is commanded you, think thereupon with reverence, for it is not needful for you to see with your eyes the things that are in secret.
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‘Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are showed unto you than men understand.
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‘For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil suspicion has overthrown their judgment.
25
‘Without eyes you shall want light: profess not the knowledge therefore that you have not.
26
‘A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loves danger shall perish therein.
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‘An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man shall heap sin upon sin.
28
‘In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant of wickedness has taken root in him.
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‘The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.
30
‘Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms makes an atonement for sins.
31
‘And he that requites good turns is mindful of that which may come hereafter; and when he falls, he shall find a stay. 

Chapter 4

1
MY son, defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long.
2
‘Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke a man in his distress.
3
‘Add not more trouble to a heart that is vexed; and defer not to give to him that is in need.
4
‘Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither turn away your face from a poor man.
5
‘Turn not away your eye from the needy, and give him none occasion to curse you:
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‘For if he curse you in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer shall be heard of him that made him.
7
‘Get yourself the love of the assembly, and bow your head to a great man.
8
‘Let it not grieve you to bow down your ear to the poor, and give him a friendly answer with meekness.
9
‘Deliver him that suffers wrong from the hand of the oppressor; and be not fainthearted when you sit in judgment.
10
‘Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of a man unto their mother: so shall you be as the son of EL ELYON, and he shall love you more than your mother does.
11
‘Wisdom exalts her children, and lays hold of them that seek her.
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‘He that loves her loves life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with joy.
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‘He that holds her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she enters, YAHUAH will bless.
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‘They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that love her YAHUAH loves.
15
‘Whoso gives ear unto her shall judge the nations: and he that attends unto her shall dwell securely.
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‘If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit her; and his generation shall hold her in possession.
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‘For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her Torah.
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‘Then will she return the straight way unto him, and comfort him, and show him her secrets.
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‘But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his own ruin.
20
‘Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed when it concerns your soul.
21
‘For there is a shame that brings sin; and there is a shame which is glory and grace.
22
‘Accept no person against your soul, and let not the reverence of any man cause you to fall.
23
‘And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and hide not your wisdom in her beauty.
24
‘For by speech wisdom shall be known: and learning by the word of the tongue.
25
‘In no wise speak against the Truth; but be abashed of the error of your ignorance.
26
‘Be not ashamed to confess your sins; and force not the course of the river.
27
‘Make not yourself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the person of the mighty.
28
‘Strive for the Truth unto death, and YAHUAH shall fight for you.
29
‘Be not hasty in your tongue, and in your deeds slack and remiss.
30
‘Be not as a lion in your house, nor frantic among your servants.
31
‘Let not your hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when you should repay.

Chapter 5

1
SET your heart upon your goods; and say not, I have enough for my life.
2
‘Follow not your own mind and your strength, to walk in the ways of your heart:
3
‘And say not, Who shall control me for my works? for YAHUAH will surely revenge your pride.
4
‘Say not, I have sinned, and what harm has happened unto me? for YAHUAH is longsuffering, he will in no wise let you go.
5
‘Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:
6
‘And say not his mercy is great; he will be pacified for the multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his indignation rests upon sinners.
7
‘Make no tarrying to turn to YAHUAH, and put not off from day to day: for suddenly shall the wrath of YAHUAH come forth, and in your security you shall be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.
8
‘Set not your heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not profit you in the day of calamity.
9
‘Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so does the sinner that has a double tongue.
10
‘Be stedfast in your understanding; and let your word be the same.
11
‘Be swift to hear; and let your life be sincere; and with patience give answer.
12
‘If you have understanding, answer your neighbour; if not, lay your hand upon your mouth.
13
‘Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.
14
‘Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with your tongue: for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the double tongue.
15
‘Be not ignorant of anything in a great matter or a small.