| 1 A great anxiety has God allotted, and a heavy yoke, to the sons of men; From the day one leaves his mother's womb to the day he returns to the mother of all the living, |
| 2 His thoughts, the fear in his heart, and his troubled forebodings till the day he dies-- |
| 3 Whether he sits on a lofty throne or grovels in dust and ashes, |
| 4 Whether he bears a splendid crown or is wrapped in the coarsest of cloaks-- |
| 5 Are of wrath and envy, trouble and dread, terror of death, fury and strife. Even when he lies on his bed to rest, his cares at night disturb his sleep. |
| 6 So short is his rest it seems like none, till in his dreams he struggles as he did by day, Terrified by what his mind's eye sees, like a fugitive being pursued; |
| 7 As he reaches safety, he wakes up astonished that there was nothing to fear. |
| 8 So it is with all flesh, with man and with beast, but for sinners seven times more. |
| 9 Plague and bloodshed, wrath and the sword, plunder and ruin, famine and death: |
| 10 For the wicked, these were created evil, and it is they who bring on destruction. |
| 11 All that is of earth returns to earth, and what is from above returns above. |
| 12 All that comes from bribes or injustice will be wiped out, but loyalty remains for ages. |
| 13 Wealth out of wickedness is like a wadi in spate: like a mighty stream with lightning and thunder, |
| 14 Which, in its rising, rolls along the stones, but suddenly, once and for all, comes to an end. |
| 15 The offshoot of violence will not flourish, for the root of the godless is on sheer rock; |
| 16 Or they are like reeds on the riverbank, withered before all other plants; |
| 17 But goodness will never be cut off, and justice endures forever. Wealth or wages can make life sweet, but better than either is finding a treasure. |
| 18 A child or a city will preserve one's name, but better than either, attaining wisdom. |
| 19 Sheepfolds and orchards bring flourishing health; but better than either, a devoted wife; |
| 20 Wine and music delight the soul, but better than either, conjugal love. |
| 21 The flute and the harp offer sweet melody, but better than either, a voice that is true. |
| 22 Charm and beauty delight the eye, but better than either, the flowers of the field. |
| 23 A friend, a neighbor, are timely guides, but better than either, a prudent wife. |
| 24 A brother, a helper, for times of stress; but better than either, charity that rescues. |
| 25 Gold and silver make one's way secure, but better than either, sound judgment. |
| 26 Wealth and vigor build up confidence, but better than either, fear of God. Fear of the LORD leaves nothing wanting; he who has it need seek no other support: |
| 27 The fear of God is a paradise of blessings; its canopy, all that is glorious. |
| 28 My son, live not the life of a beggar, better to die than to beg; |
| 29 When one has to look to another's table, his life is not really a life. His neighbor's delicacies bring revulsion of spirit to one who understands inward feelings: |
| 30 In the mouth of the shameless man begging is sweet, but within him it burns like fire. |