Great travail is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is laid upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their coming forth from their mother's womb, until the day of their burial in the earth, the mother of all.
For they have, with themselves, the thoughts of their heart and the fear, and the perplexity of expectation, and the day of their end.
From him that sitteth on a throne in glory, to him that is humbled in dust and ashes.
From him that weareth purple and a crown, to him that is clothed with coarse linen, and further, wrath and jealousy, and trouble, and anguish, and fear of death, and malice, and contention.
And at the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night doth trouble his mind.
He hath little rest, as it were nothing: and afterward, in his dreams, as in the day of watching.
He is troubled by the vision of his heart, as one that fleeth from the face of war: and when he is saved, he awaketh and wondereth at the vanishing of his fear.
This is the condition of every man, from man to beast; and for sinners, it is sevenfold more.
Death, and blood, and contention, and the sword, and calamities, and famine, and bruising, and the whip.
All these things were created for the wicked, and for their sake came the deluge.
All that is of the earth returneth to the earth: and all that is of the waters turneth to the sea.
Every bribe and injustice shall be blotted out, but faithfulness abideth for ever.
The wealth of the unrighteous shall dry up like a torrent, and make a mighty sound like thunder in the rain.
The wicked man rejoiceth when he stretcheth forth his hands; but transgressors shall perish in the end.
The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, nor unsound roots upon a hard rock.
The green herb upon every water and river bank is plucked up before every blade of grass.
Grace is like a garden of blessings, and mercy endureth for ever.
Sweet is the life of a contented labourer; but he that findeth a treasure is above them both.
A generation and the building of a city make a name to endure; but a blameless wife is counted above them both.
Wine and music rejoice the heart; but the love of wisdom is above them both.
The pipe and the psaltery make a sweet melody; but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
Brightness and beauty thine eye desireth; but the green herbs of the field are above them both.
A friend and a companion meet with agreement; but a wife with her husband is above them both.
Brethren and help for a time of trouble; but the victory of mercy is above them both.
Gold and silver make the foot stand firm; but counsel is better than both.
Riches and strength rejoice the heart; but the fear of the Lord is above them both.
There is no want in the fear of the Lord, neither shall he that possesseth it need help.
The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessings, and hath clothed itself with a glory exceeding all glory.
My son, live not the life of beggary; for death is better than begging.
The man that watcheth another man's table, his life is not accounted life, and his soul is defiled by strange food.
A prudent and well-bred man will preserve himself from this.
Beggary is meet in the mouth of the impudent, and in his belly fire burneth.