(29)
[NOTE: Some of these verses appear in other Chapters also, but the following verses are completely omitted in the Masoretic Text]
A son that Keeps the Commandment shall Escape destruction; for such [such an one] one fully received it. Let no falsehood be spoken by the King from the tongue; yea, let no falsehood proceed from his tongue. A Kings' tongue is a sword, and not one of flesh; and whosoever shall be given up to [it] shall be destroyed: for if his wrath should be provoked, he destroys men with cords, and devours mens' bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not [even] fit to be eaten by the young eagles. [My] son, Reverence my Words, and Receive them, and Repent.
(30)
These things says the man to them that Trust in G-d, and I cease.
For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men. G-d has taught me Wisdom, and I Know the Knowledge of the Holy. Who has gone up to Heaven, and Come down? Who has gathered the winds in His Bosom? Who has Wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has Dominion of all the ends of the earth? what is His Name? or what is the name of His children? For all the Words of G-d are Tried in the Fire, and He Defends those who Reverence Him. Add not unto His Words, lest He Reprove thee, and thou be made a liar.
Two things I ask of Thee, take not Favor from me until I die. Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but Appoint me what is Needful and Sufficient: lest I be filled and become false and say, Who sees me? or be poor and steal, and swear [vainly] by the Name of G-d.
Deliver not a servant into the hands of his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be utterly destroyed. A wicked generation curse their father, and do not Bless their mother. A wicked generation judge themselves to be Just, but do not Cleanse their way. A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves, with their eyelids. A wicked generation have swords [for] teeth and jaw-teeth [as] knives, so as to destroy the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.
And this thing I say to you that are Wise [in order to] learn: it is not good to have respect of persons in Judgment. He that says of the ungodly, He is Righteous, shall be cursed by peoples, and hateful among the nations. But they that Reprove him shall appear more excellent, and Blessing shall come upon them; and will kiss lips that answer well. Prepare thy works for going forth, and prepare thyself for the field; and come after me, and thou shalt rebuild thy house. be not a false witness against thy citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips. Say not, As he has treated me, so will I treat himm, and I will avenge myself on him for that wherein he has injured me. A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man id like a vineyard. If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute and his stone walls are broken down. Afterwards I reflected, I looked that I might Receive Instruction. I slumber a little, and I sleep a little, and for a little while i fold my arms across [my] breast. But if thou do this, thy poverty will come speedily; and thy want like a swift courier.
The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters: and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough. The grave and the love of a woman, and the earth not filled with water; water also and fire will not say, It is enough.
The eye that laughs to scorn a father, and dishonors the old age of a mother, let the ravens of the valleys pick it out, and let the young eagles devour it. Moreover there are three things impossible for me to comprehend, and the fourth I know not: the track of a flying eagle, and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man in youth. Such is the way of an adulterous woman, who having washed herself from what she has done, says she has done nothing amiss.
By three things the earth is troubled, and the fourth it cannot bear: if a servant reign: or a fool be filled with food; or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.
And four very little things upon the earth, but these are Wiser than the Wise: the ants which are weak, and prepare food in summer; the rabbits also a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks. The locusts have no king, and march orderly at one command. And the newt which supports itself by its' hands, and is easily taken, dwells in the Fortresses of Kings.
And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along finely. A lions' whelp, stronger than beasts, which turns not away, nor fears beast; and a rooster walking boldly among the hens, and a goat leading the herd; and a King publicly speaking before a nation.
If thou abandon thyself to mirth, and stretch forth thine hand in a quarrel, thou shalt be disgraced. Milk out milk, and there shall be butter, and if thou ring nostrils there shall come out blood; so if thou extort words, there will come forth quarrels and strifes.
(31)
My words have been Spoken by G-d - the oracular answer of a King, whom his mother instructed.
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the Words of G-d. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows? Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel. Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine: lest they drink, and forget Wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly. Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain: that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more. Open thy mouth with the Word of G-d, and judge all fairly. Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and the meek.
(25)
These are the miscellaneous instructions of Solomon, which the friends of Ezekias King of Juda copied out.
The Glory of G-d conceals a matter: but the Glory of a King honours business. Heaven is high and earth is deep, and a Kings' heart is unsearchable. Beat the drossy silver, and it shall be made entirely pure. Slay the ungodly from before the King, and his throne shall prosper in Righteousness.
...
(17) (MT: 31:10-31) The Woman of Valour [1]
"Who shall find a Virtuous Woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones. The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils. For she employs all her living for her husbands' good. Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands. She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood. And she rises by night, and gives food to her household: and [appointed] tasks to her maidens. She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants a possession. She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work. And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out by night. She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle. And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
"Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed. She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for hewrself of fine linen and scarlet. And her husband becomes a distiguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land. She makes fine linnens and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety and she controls her tongue. She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days. The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness. But she opens her mouth wisely and according to Law. And [her] kindness for them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her. Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all. Charms are false, and womans' beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is Blessed, and let her Praise the Fear of the L-RD. Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates."
PEOPLE OF G-D, MESSIANIC
FOOTNOTES
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