Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Child, do not deprive the poor of their living, and do not keep needy eyes waiting.
2| Do not grieve a hungry soul, and do not provoke a man in his distress.
3| Do not further trouble a heart already provoked, and do not delay a gift to one in need.
4| Do not refuse a suppliant in his affliction, and do not turn your face away from the poor.
5| Do not turn your eye away from one in need, and give no man occasion to curse you;
6| for if he curses you in the bitterness of his soul, the One who made him will listen to his plea.
7| Make yourself beloved in the assembly, and bow your head to a great man.
8| Incline your ear to the poor, and answer him peaceably in gentleness.
9| Rescue the wronged from the hand of the wrongdoer, and do not be fainthearted in giving judgment.
10| Become a father to orphans, and be like a husband to their mother; then you will be like a son of the Most High, and he will love you more than your own mother does.
11| Wisdom exalts her sons, and takes hold of those who seek her.
12| Whoever loves her loves life, and those who rise early to seek her will be filled with joy.
13| Whoever holds fast to her will inherit glory, and wherever he goes, the Lord will bless him.
14| Those who serve her minister to the Holy One, and the Lord loves those who love her.
15| Whoever obeys her will judge nations, and whoever gives himself to her will dwell secure.
16| If he trusts himself to her, he will inherit her, and his descendants will hold her in possession.
17| For at first she walks with him by crooked paths, bringing fear and cowardice upon him, and she puts him to the proof with her discipline, waiting until she can rely on his character, and she tries him with her ordinances;
18| then she comes back to him by a straight way and gladdens him, and reveals to him her secrets.
19| But if he goes astray, she will abandon him, and hand him over to his own downfall.
20| Watch for the right moment and guard yourself from evil, and do not be ashamed concerning your soul;
21| for there is a shame that leads to sin, and there is a shame that is glory and grace.
22| Do not show partiality against your own soul, and do not be overawed to your own downfall.
23| Do not hold back a word when it is time to speak up for safety;
24| for wisdom is made known by speech, and instruction by the word of the tongue.
25| Do not speak against the truth, and be ashamed of your own ignorance;
26| do not be ashamed to confess your sins, and do not force yourself against the current of a river.
27| Do not lay yourself down before a foolish man, and do not show favor to a man of power.
28| Strive for the truth even to death, and the Lord God will fight on your behalf.
29| Do not be rash with your tongue, and slack and slothful in your deeds.
30| Do not be like a lion in your household, and playing the tyrant among your servants.
31| Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive, and clenched shut when it is time to give back.