1
My child, don't prevent the poor from making a living, or keep them waiting in their need.
2
Never give a hungry person any cause for resentment or anger.
3
Don't add to the troubles of someone who is already desperate. If he is in need, don't put off giving to him.
4
Don't refuse to help a beggar who is in distress. Don't turn your back on a poor person or give him any reason to curse you.
6
If he becomes so bitter that he does curse you, his Creator will hear his prayer.
7
Make yourself popular in the synagogue. Bow your head to men of authority.
8
Listen to what the poor have to say, and answer them politely.
9
Protect people from those who want to wrong them, and be firm in your judgments.
10
Be like a father to orphans, and provide widows with the help their husbands can no longer give them. Then you will be like a child of the Most High, and he will love you more than your own mother does.
11
Wisdom takes care of those who look for her; she raises them to greatness.
12
Loving her is loving life itself; rising early to look for her is pure joy.
13
Anyone who obtains Wisdom will be greatly honored. Wherever he goes, the Lord will bless him.
14
Wisdom's servants are the servants of the Holy One, and the Lord loves everyone who loves her.
15
Those who obey her will give sound judgments; those who pay attention to her have true security.
16
Put your trust in Wisdom, and you will possess her and pass her on to your descendants.
17
At first, Wisdom will lead you along difficult paths. She will make you so afraid that you will think you cannot go on. The discipline she demands will be tormenting, and she will put you to the test with her requirements until she trusts you completely.
18
Then she will come to you with no delay, reveal her secrets to you, and make you happy.