1 Hard work was created for every man And a heavy yoke for the sons of Adam, From the day they come forth from their mother's womb until the day they return to the mother of all.
2 The conception of things to come and the day of death Trouble their thoughts and cause fear of heart
3 From the one sitting on a glorious throne to the one humbled in earth and ashes,
4 From the one wearing purple and a crown to the one clothed in burlap, There is anger, envy, trouble, and unrest, And fear of death and fury and strife.
5 When it is time for rest on his bed, His night of sleep alters his knowledge.
6 He gets little or no rest, and afterward in his sleep, As though on a day of watch, He is troubled by the vision of his heart, Like one who escapes from the face of battle.
7 In the exact time of need he awakes And is amazed there was nothing to fear.
8 With all flesh, from man to animal, And upon sinners seven times more, there will be:
9 Death and bloodshed; strife and the sword; Distresses and famine; and ruin and affliction.
10 All these things were created for the lawless, And because of them the flood came.
11 Whatever comes from the earth returns to the earth, And whatever comes from the waters returns to the sea.
12 Every bribe and wrongdoing will be blotted out, But faithfulness shall stand forever.
13 The wealth of the unrighteous will dry up like a river And sound forth and cease like great thunder in the rain.
14 A generous man will rejoice, But transgressors will come to ruin.
15 The offspring of the ungodly shall not grow branches, For they are unclean roots on a hard rock.
16 Weeds growing by any water or riverbank Will be plucked out before any grass.
17 Grace is like a paradise in blessing, And almsgiving endures forever.
18 The life of the self-reliant and the worker will be sweet, But he who finds a treasure is better off than both.
19 Having children and building a city establish a name, But a blameless wife is accounted better than both.
20 Wine and music gladden the heart, But love of wisdom is better than both.
21 The flute and harp give sweet melody, But a pleasant tongue is better than both.
22 The eye will desire grace and beauty, But the green shoots of grain are better than both.
23 A friend and companion meet at an appointed time, But a wife meeting with her husband is better than both.
24 Brothers and help are for a time of affliction, But almsgiving rescues better than both.
25 Gold and silver will make the foot secure, But counsel is esteemed more valuable than both.
26 Wealth and strength will lift up the heart, But the fear of the Lord is better than both. There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, And with it there is no need to seek for help.
27 The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing And covers a man better than any glory.
28 My child, do not live the life of a beggar, For it is better to die than to beg.
29 When a man looks at another's table, He is living an irrational life. For he will pollute his soul with another's food. But a rational and educated man will guard him self against that.
30 Begging will be sweet in the mouth of a shameless man, But in his belly a fire will be kindled.