Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| Blessed is the man who has not slipped with his mouth, and has not been pierced by the pain of sin.
2| Blessed is he whose soul has not condemned him, and who has not fallen from his hope.
3| Wealth is not fitting for a stingy man, and what use is money to a grudging man?
4| The one who hoards at the expense of his own soul hoards for others, and others will revel in his goods.
5| Someone unkind to himself cannot possibly be kind to anyone else; he will never enjoy his own wealth.
6| There is no one more evil than the one who grudges himself, and this is the payback of his own wickedness.
7| Even if he does good, he does it forgetfully, and in the end he reveals his wickedness.
8| Evil is the man with the grudging eye, turning away his face and despising the souls of others.
9| The eye of the greedy man is never satisfied with his portion, and evil injustice dries up the soul.
10| An evil eye begrudges bread, and there is want at his own table.
11| Child, treat yourself well according to what you have, and bring offerings to the Lord as is fitting.
12| Remember that death will not delay, and the covenant of Hades has not been shown to you.
13| Before you die, do good to a friend, and reach out and give to him according to your strength.
14| Do not deprive yourself of a good day, and do not let a portion of good desire pass you by.
15| Will you not leave your labors to another, and your toils to be divided by lot?
16| Give, and take, and indulge your soul, for there is no seeking of luxury in Hades.
17| All flesh grows old like a garment, for the covenant from of old is: 'You shall die the death.'
18| Like leaves flourishing on a densely branched tree, some falling away while others sprout, that is how mortal humanity comes and goes: one perishes while another is brought into being.
19| Every work that rots decays, and the one who made it goes with it.
20| Blessed is the man who will meditate on wisdom, and who will reason with his own understanding,
21| who ponders her ways in his heart, and considers her hidden things,
22| go out after her like a tracker, and lie in wait at her entrances,
23| the one who peers through her windows, and listens at her doorways,
24| who lodges close to her house, and fastens his tent-peg into her walls,
25| he will pitch his tent beside her hands, and will lodge in a lodging-place of good things,
26| he will set his children in her shelter, and will dwell beneath her branches,
27| he will be sheltered by her from the heat, and will lodge in her glory.