12
Some of them hath He blessed and exalted, and some of them He sanctified and set near Himself; but some of them hath He cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places.
13
As the clay is in the potter's hand to fashion it at his pleasure, so man is in the hand of Him that made him, to render to them as He liketh best.
14
Good is set against evil, and life against death; so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly.
15
So look upon all the works of the Most High; and there are two and two, one against another.
16
I awaked up last of all, as one that gathereth after the grape-gatherers, by the blessing of the Lord I profited, and filled my wine press like a gatherer of grapes.
17
Consider that I labored not for myself only, but for all them that seek learning.
18
Hear me, O ye great men of the people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the congregation.
19
Give not thy son and wife, thy brother and friend, power over thee while thou livest, and give not thy goods to another, lest thou repent, and thou entreat for the same again.
20
As long as thou livest and hast breath in thee, give not thyself over to any.
21
For better it is that thy children should seek from thee, than that thou shouldest stand on their courtesy.
22
In all thy works keep to thyself the preeminence; leave not a stain upon thine honor.