Anonymous (Septuagint) · a new plain-English translation from the original language
1| The one who fears the Lord will do this, and the one who holds fast to the law will lay hold of her;
2| and she will meet him like a mother, and receive him like a wife of his youth;
3| she will feed him with the bread of understanding, and pour out for him wisdom's own water to drink;
4| he will lean upon her and not be shaken, and he will rely on her and not be put to shame;
5| she will exalt him above his neighbors, and open his mouth in the midst of the assembly;
6| gladness and a crown of rejoicing and an everlasting name he will inherit.
7| Foolish men will never lay hold of her, and sinful men will never see her;
8| she is far from arrogance, and lying men will never remember her.
9| Praise does not belong on a sinner's lips, since it was never sent to him by the Lord;
10| for praise will be spoken in wisdom, and the Lord will make it prosper.
11| Do not say, "It was because of the Lord that I fell away"; for what he hates, you must not do.
12| Do not say, "It was he who led me astray"; for he has no need of a sinful man.
13| Every abomination the Lord hates, and it is not loved by those who fear him.
14| It was he who formed humanity at the outset, and placed each person under the control of his own choice.
15| If you choose, you will keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of good will.
16| He has set before you fire and water; stretch out your hand to whichever you wish.
17| Before man are life and death, and whichever he chooses will be given to him.
18| For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees all things;
19| and his eyes are on those who fear him, and he himself knows every deed of man;
20| he has not commanded anyone to be ungodly, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.