1 Hard work was createdfor every person,and a heavy yoke lies uponhuman beings,from the day when they leavetheir mother’s wombuntil the day when they returnto the mother of all.
2 Anxious expectation—the day of death—fills their inner musingsand plants fear in their hearts.
3 From the person who sitsupon a glorious thronedown to the person brought lowin dust and ashes,
4 from the person who wears purpleand a crowndown to the person dressedin rough linen—
5 there exists anger, envy, confusion, unrest, fear of death,fury, and conflict.Even when they rest in bed,nighttime dreams disturb their mind.
6 They get little or no rest;they even toil in their dreams,just as they do in the day,being troubled by images in their mind,as one who escapes from war.
7 They wake up at the mostdesperate momentand are astonishedthat they were afraid for nothing.
8 To all flesh, both human and animal,but to sinners seven times more so,
9 come death, blood, strife, sword,catastrophes, famine, ruin,and disease.
10 All these things were createdfor the lawless,and because of such peoplethe flood happened.
11 Everything that’s from earth;returns to the earth;everything that’s from waterreturns to the sea.
12 All bribery and injusticewill be wiped out,but good faith will last forever.
13 The money of the unjustwill dry up like a river,and it will crash like loud thunderin a rainstorm.
14 Generous people will rejoice,but those who sin will ultimately fail.
15 The offspring of the ungodlywon’t produce many branches,and they are polluted rootson sheer rock.
16 A reed by any water or riverbankwill be pulled up before any grass.
17 Kindness is like an orchard of blessings,and an act of charity will last forever.
18 Life will be sweet for the self-reliantand the hardworking,but better than bothis the person who finds a treasure.
19 Children and building a cityestablish one’s name,but better than bothis a wife who is considered blameless.
20 Wine and music make the heart glad,but better than bothis the love of wisdom.
21 A flute and a harp make sweet melodies,but better than both is a pleasant voice.
22 The eye will desire grace and beauty,but better than bothare the first shoots of a crop.
23 A friend and a companion encountereach other at an opportune moment,but better than bothis a woman with her husband.
24 Relatives and helpin a time of distress are good,but acts of charitywill rescue one better than both.
25 Gold and silver make one stand firm,but more highly esteemed than bothis good advice.
26 Money and strength will lift upone’s heart,but fearing the Lord is better than both.If you fear the Lord,you’ll lack nothing;if you have it,there’s no reason to look for help.
27 Fear of the Lordis like an orchard of blessing,and it covers a personmore fully than any glory.
28 My child, don’t live the life of a beggar;it’s better to die than to beg.
29 When people lookto another person’s table,their way of lifecannot be considered a life.They pollute themselvesby eating someone else’s food,but a person who is intelligentand educated will guardagainst that.
30 In the mouth of the shameless,begging is sweet,but a fire will burn inside of them.