1 Happy are thosewho haven’t slipped in their speechand who haven’t been stabbedwith pain for their sins.
2 Happy are thosewhose spirit hasn’t condemned them,and who haven’t given up their hope.
3 Wealth isn’t good for a mean person.What use is moneyto a begrudging person?
4 Those who deny themselvescollect for others,and others will live luxuriouslywith their goods.
5 Those who are evil to themselves,to whom will they be good?They will never enjoy their money.
6 There are none worse than thosewho begrudge themselves,and this is the paybackfor their wickedness:
7 If they do good,they do it without being aware,and in the end they revealtheir wickedness.
8 The miserly are evil;they turn their face awayand disregard people.
9 Those who have greedy eyesare never satisfied with their share,and evil injustice withers their soul.
10 Envious people are even begrudgingwhen it comes to bread,and it’s lacking on their table.
11 My child, treat yourself wellaccording to what you have,and bring offerings to the Lordthat are worthy.
12 Remember that death won’t delay,and the decree of the gravehasn’t been shown to you.
13 Before you die, treat your friends well.According to your ability, reach out, and give to them.
14 Enjoy a good day,and don’t let your shareof a good desire pass you by.
15 Won’t you end up leaving behindto another what you have workedso hard for?Won’t the things you have toiled forend up being divided by lot?
16 Give, take, and distract yourself,because you can’t search for luxuryin the grave.
17 All flesh grows old like a garment;the ancient decree is,"You will certainly die!"
18 Like a budding leaf on a leafy tree,it sheds some and it puts forth others;so is a generation of flesh and blood;one dies, and another is born.
19 All deeds decay and cease,and those who do themwill pass away with them.
20 Happy are those who meditateon Wisdomand who reason intelligently.
21 Those who consider her waysin their heartswill also reflect on her secrets.
22 Pursue her like a hunter,and lie in wait by her paths.
23 Those who peer into her windowswill also listen at her doorways.
24 Those who lodge near her housewill also fasten a tent peg in her walls.
25 They will pitch their tent close at handand will find accommodationin a lodging place full of good things.
26 They will put their childrenunder her shelter,and will encamp under her branches.
27 She will shelter them from the heat,and they will dwell in her glory.