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He seeks out the wisdom of all the ancients, and is concerned with prophecies;
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he preserves the sayings of the famous and penetrates the subtleties of parables;
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he seeks out the hidden meanings of proverbs and is at home with the obscurities of parables.
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He serves among the great and appears before rulers; he travels in foreign lands and learns what is good and evil in the human lot.
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He sets his heart to rise early to seek the Lord who made him, and to petition the Most High; he opens his mouth in prayer and asks pardon for his sins.
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If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer.
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The Lord will direct his counsel and knowledge, as he meditates on his mysteries.
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He will show the wisdom of what he has learned, and will glory in the law of the Lord's covenant.
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Many will praise his understanding; it will never be blotted out. His memory will not disappear, and his name will live through all generations.
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Nations will speak of his wisdom, and the congregation will proclaim his praise.
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If he lives long, he will leave a name greater than a thousand, and if he goes to rest, it is enough for him.
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I have more on my mind to express; I am full like the full moon.
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Listen to me, my faithful children, and blossom like a rose growing by a stream of water.
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Send out fragrance like incense, and put forth blossoms like a lily. Scatter the fragrance, and sing a hymn of praise; bless the Lord for all his works.
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Ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with harps; this is what you shall say in thanksgiving:
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"All the works of the Lord are very good, and whatever he commands will be done at the appointed time.
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No one can say, "What is this?' or "Why is that?'— for at the appointed time all such questions will be answered. At his word the waters stood in a heap, and the reservoirs of water at the word of his mouth.
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When he commands, his every purpose is fulfilled, and none can limit his saving power.
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The works of all are before him, and nothing can be hidden from his eyes.
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From the beginning to the end of time he can see everything, and nothing is too marvelous for him.
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No one can say, "What is this?' or "Why is that?'— for everything has been created for its own purpose.
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"His blessing covers the dry land like a river, and drenches it like a flood.
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But his wrath drives out the nations, as when he turned a watered land into salt.
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To the faithful his ways are straight, but full of pitfalls for the wicked.
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From the beginning good things were created for the good, but for sinners good things and bad.
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The basic necessities of human life are water and fire and iron and salt and wheat flour and milk and honey, the blood of the grape and oil and clothing.
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All these are good for the godly, but for sinners they turn into evils.
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"There are winds created for vengeance, and in their anger they can dislodge mountains; on the day of reckoning they will pour out their strength and calm the anger of their Maker.
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Fire and hail and famine and pestilence, all these have been created for vengeance;
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the fangs of wild animals and scorpions and vipers, and the sword that punishes the ungodly with destruction.
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They take delight in doing his bidding, always ready for his service on earth; and when their time comes they never disobey his command."
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So from the beginning I have been convinced of all this and have thought it out and left it in writing:
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All the works of the Lord are good, and he will supply every need in its time.
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No one can say, "This is not as good as that," for everything proves good in its appointed time.
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So now sing praise with all your heart and voice, and bless the name of the Lord.