Blessed is the man who hath not slipped with his tongue, and hath not been pricked by the sting of remorse for sin. A wicked eye grudgeth bread, and at his table there shall be want before he dieth. Be good to thy friend, and according to thy power stretch forth thy hand and give to him. Lose not a good day, nor let the favour of good things escape thee. Art thou not leaving thy labours to another, and that which thou hast toiled for to be divided by lot? Before thy death, do good; for there is no finding of food in hell.

Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who has not fallen from his hope. Blessed is the man who meditateth on wisdom, and speaketh thereof in his mind, and pondereth her ways in his heart, and discerneth her secrets. He pursueth after her as a seeker, and lieth in wait at her entrances, and looketh out at her windows, and hearkeneth at her doors. He dwelleth near her house, and fixeth a stake in her wall, and pitchheth his tent by her side, and taketh up his abode in the house of good things. He sheltereth himself under her shadow from the heat, and in her glory he findeth rest.

Riches do not become a stingy man, and what profit are riches with a covetous man?

He that hoardeth with the loss of his own soul, he indeed hoardeth for others, and others enjoy his good things.

To whom shall he do good, who is evil to himself? Seest thou not that he enjoyeth not his own wealth?

There is none worse than he that envieth himself; for that is the recompense of his wickedness.

And if he do good, it is by inadvertence, and in the end his wickedness will appear.

There is none more wicked than he that envieth with his eye, and turneth away his face, and despiseth souls.

The eye of a covetous man is not satisfied with his portion, and the injustice of the wicked afflicteth his own soul.

My son, spend upon thyself according to thy means, and offer unto the Lord worthy oblations.

Remember that death delayeth not. Hath not the covenant of hell reached thee?

Give and take, and justify thyself.

Every body waxeth old as a garment; for from the beginning it is appointed that it shall die. For as the leaves of a thick tree,

Some fall off, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, some die, and some are born.

Every corrupt work shall pass away, and the worker thereof shall go with it.

And every chosen work shall be justified, and the worker thereof shall be honoured for its sake.

He shall place his children under her protection, and shall dwell under her branches.