| Chapter 4 |
1 |
Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor. --
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2 |
Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the Boor in his want. --
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3 |
Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to give to him that is in distress. --
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4 |
Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy. --
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5 |
Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back. --
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6 |
For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him. --
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7 |
Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man. --
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8 |
Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness. --
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9 |
Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul. --
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10 |
In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother. --
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11 |
And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother. --
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12 |
Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice. --
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13 |
And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness. --
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14 |
They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing. --
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15 |
They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her. --
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16 |
He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure. --
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17 |
If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance. --
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18 |
For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him. --
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19 |
She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul. --
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20 |
Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy, --
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21 |
And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice. --
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22 |
But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy. --
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23 |
Son, observe the time, and fly from evil. --
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24 |
For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth. --
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25 |
For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace. --
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26 |
Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie. --
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27 |
Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall: --
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28 |
And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty. --
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29 |
For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice. --
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30 |
In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance. --
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31 |
Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin. --
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32 |
Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river. --
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33 |
Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee. --
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34 |
Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works. --
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35 |
Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee. --
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36 |
Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give. --
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