And walk with the guidance of reason!
For by me will your days be prolonged,
And the years of your life will be lengthened.
The woman Folly is clamorous,
Seductive, and knows no shame.
She sits at the door of her house,
At a prominent place in the city,
Calling to those who pass by,
Who are going right on in their way:
'Let him who is simple, turn in!'
To him who lacks insight she says:
'Stolen waters are sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant!"
But he knows not that phantoms are there,
And her guests in the bottomless pit.
316. THE REWARDS OF HEEDING THE COUNSEL OF THE WISE
My son, if you heed my words,
And store my commands in your mind,
Attentively listening to wisdom,
Applying your mind unto reason,
If you will but seek her as silver,
And search for her as for hid treasures,
You shall then understand true religion,
And gain a knowledge of God.
For wisdom shall enter your mind,
And knowledge shall be pleasant to you,
Discretion shall watch over you,
And understanding shall guard you,
To save you from doing wrong,
From men whose speech is perverting,
Who abandon the paths of right,
To walk in ways that are dark,
Who rejoice in doing wrong,
And take pleasure in evil acts.
Wisdom will deliver you from the strange woman,
From the harlot with words that entice,
Who has left the husband of her youth,
And forgotten the sacred covenant.
For her house leads down to death,
And her paths to the place of the dead.
None who go in to her return,
Or attain the paths of life.
Happy the man who finds wisdom,
And he who gains understanding.
In her right hand is long life,
In her left are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are peaceful.
She gives life to those who grasp her,
They are happy who hold her fast.
You shall then go your way securely,
And your foot shall never stumble.
When you sit you shall not be afraid,
When you lie down, your sleep shall be sweet.
317. THE NATURE OF GOD
By wisdom the Lord founded the earth,
By understanding established the heavens,
By his knowledge the depths are opened,
And the skies deposit the dew.
The rich and the poor meet together,
The Lord is the maker of them all.
The lower world lies open before him,
How much more then the hearts of men!
The eyes of the Lord are all seeing,
Keeping watch on both wicked and good.
A man thinks all he does is right,
But the Lord tests the motive.
There is no wisdom nor insight,
Nor counsel against the Lord.
"The horse is prepared for the battle,
But victory depends on the Lord.
There are many plans in a man's mind,
But the counsel of the Lord shall stand.
A man plans the way in his mind,
But the Lord directs his steps.
Many seek for the ruler's favor,
But the Lord decides each man's fate.
The Lord detests a false balance,
But a just balance is his delight.
To do what is just and right ·
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
The conduct of the wicked is abhorrent to him, i But he loves the man eager to do right.
The Lord detests the evil-minded,
But is well pleased with him who lives uprightly.
The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is a delight to him!
The Lord holds aloof. from the wicked,
But hears the prayer of the upright.
Lying lips are abhorrent to the Lord,
But they who deal honestly are his delight.
There are six things that the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are abhorrent to him:
Haughty eyes and a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A mind that devises wicked schemes,
Feet that make haste to do evil,
A false witness who breathes out lies,
And he who sows strife among brothers.
318. GOD THE PROTECTOR OF THE UPRIGHT
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But he blesses the home of him who does right. Surely he scoffs at the scoffers,
But to the humble he ever shows favor.
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry,
But he disappoints the desire of the wicked.
The Lord is a stronghold to him who lives rightly,
But he brings destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Rob not the poor because they are poor,
Nor oppress the poor at the city gate,h
For the Lord will plead their cause,
And rob those who deprive them of life.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower,
To which the righteous runs and is safe.
Every word of God is tried;
He is a shield to those who trust him.
Say not, I will be revenged for a wrong';
Wait for the Lord, he will save you.
For the Lord gives wisdom,
From his mouth come knowledge and insight;
He stores up sound wisdom for the upright,
He is a shield to those who live blamelessly,
That he may guard the course of justice,
And protect the way of his faithful ones.
319. MAN'S UNIVERSAL CHARACTERISTICS
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the face of his friend.
As in water face answers to face,
So the heart of man to man.
Man's spirit is the lamp of the Lord,
Searching all the chambers of the soul.
Every heart knows its own sorrow,
And no other shares its joy.
Even in laughter the heart may be sad,
And the end of joy may be sorrow.
Hope deferred makes the heart of man sick,
But desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
As cold water to a thirsty man,
So is good news from a far country.
Many a man proclaims his own kindness.
But a trustworthy man who can find?
Anxiety in a man's mind depresses it,
But a kind word makes it happy.
A man's spirit sustains him in sickness,
But who can raise up a broken spirit?
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