| 1 He who lives for ever has created the sum of things. |
| 2 The Lord alone wil be found just. |
| 3 |
| 4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works to the end, and who can fathom his magnificentdeeds? |
| 5 Who can assess his magnificent strength, and who can go further and tel al of his mercies? |
| 6 Nothing can be added to them, nothing subtracted, it is impossible to fathom the marvels of the Lord. |
| 7 When someone finishes he is only beginning, and when he stops he is as puzzled as ever. |
| 8 What is a human being, what purpose does he serve? What is good and what is bad for him? |
| 9 The length of his life: a hundred years at most. |
| 10 Like a drop of water from the sea, or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity. |
| 11 This is why the Lord is patient with them and pours out his mercy on them. |
| 12 He sees and recognises how wretched their end is, and so he makes his forgiveness the greater. |
| 13 Human compassion extends to neighbours, but the Lord's compassion extends to everyone; rebuking,correcting and teaching, bringing them back as a shepherd brings his flock. |
| 14 He has compassion on those who accept correction, and who fervently search for his judgements. |
| 15 My child, do not temper your favours with blame nor any of your gifts with words that hurt. |
| 16 Does not dew relieve the heat? In the same way a word is worth more than a gift. |
| 17 Why surely, a word is better than a good present, but a generous person is ready with both. |
| 18 A fool wil offer nothing but insult, and a grudging gift makes the eyes smart. |
| 19 Learn before you speak, take care of yourself before you fal ill. |
| 20 Examine yourself before judgement comes, and on the day of visitation you will be acquitted. |
| 21 Humble yourself before you fall il , repent as soon as the sin is committed. |
| 22 Let nothing prevent your discharging a vow in good time, and do not wait till death to set matters right. |
| 23 Prepare yourself before making a vow, and do not be like someone who tempts the Lord. |
| 24 Bear in mind the retribution of the last days, the time of vengeance when God averts his face. |
| 25 In a time of plenty remember times of famine, think of poverty and want when you are rich. |
| 26 The time slips by between dawn and dusk, everything passes quickly for the Lord. |
| 27 The wise wil be cautious in everything, in sinful times wil take care not to offend. |
| 28 Every person of sense recognises wisdom, and wil respect anyone who has found her. |
| 29 Those who understand sayings have toiled for their wisdom and have poured out accurate maxims. |
| 30 Do not be governed by your passions, restrain your desires. |
| 31 If you al ow yourself to satisfy your desires, this wil make you the laughing-stock of your enemies. |
| 32 Do not indulge in luxurious living, do not get involved in such society. |
| 33 Do not beggar yourself by banqueting on credit when there is nothing in your pocket. |