New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.
1 Disaster never comes the way of the man who fears the Lord:
in times of trial he will be rescued again and again.
2 A wise man never hates the law,
but the man who is insincere about it is like a boat in a squall.
3 A sensible man trusts the law
and finds it as reliable as the divine oracle.
4 Prepare what you have to say, if you want a hearing;
marshal your learning and then give your answer.
5 The feelings of a fool turn like a cart-wheel,
and his thoughts spin like an axle.
6 A sarcastic friend is like a stallion
which neighs no matter who is on its back.
7 Why is one day more important than another,
when every day in the year has its light from the sun?
8 It was by the Lord's decision that they were distinguished;
he appointed the various seasons and festivals:
9 some days he made high and holy,
and others he assigned to the common run of days.
10 All men alike come from the ground;
Adam was created out of earth.
11 Yet in his great wisdom the Lord distinguished them
and made them go various ways:
12 some he blessed and lifted high,
some he hallowed and brought near to himself,
some he cursed and humbled
and removed from their place.
13 As clay is in the potter's hands,
to be moulded just as he chooses,
so are men in the hands of their Maker,
to be dealt with as he decides.
-- --
Counsels upon social behaviour
14 Good is the opposite of evil, and life of death;
yes, and the sinner is the opposite of the godly.
15 Look at all the works of the Most High:
they go in pairs, one the opposite of the other.
16 I was the last to wake up,
I was like a gleaner following the grape-pickers;
by the Lord's blessing I arrived in time
to fill my winepress as full as any of them.
17 Remember that I did not toil for myself alone,
but for all who seek learning.
18 Listen to me, you dignitaries;
leaders of the assembly, give me your attention.
19 As long as you live, give no one power over yourself—
son or wife, brother or friend.
Do not give your property to another,
in case you change your mind and want it back.
20 As long as you have life and breath,
never change places with anyone.
21 It is better for your children to ask from you
than for you to be dependent on them.
22 Whatever you are doing, keep the upper hand,
and allow no blot on your reputation.
23 Let your life run its full course,
and then, at the hour of death, distribute your estate.
24 Fodder, and stick, and burdens for the donkey;
bread, and discipline, and work for the servant!
25 Make your slave work, if you want rest for yourself;
if you leave him idle, he will be looking for his liberty.
26 The ox is tamed by yoke and harness,
the bad servant by racks and tortures.
27 Put him to work to keep him from being idle,
for idleness is a great teacher of mischief.
28 Set him to work, for that is what he is for,
and if he disobeys you, load him with fetters.
-- --
Counsels upon social behaviour
29 Do not be too exacting towards anyone
or do anything contrary to justice.
30 If you have a servant, treat him as an equal,
because you bought him with blood.
31 If you have a servant, treat him like a brother;
you will need him as much as you need yourself.
If you ill-treat him and he takes to his heels,
where will you go to look for him?
New English [1970], THE NEW ENGLISH BIBLE (OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS; CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, CAMBRIDGE) [word count] [B16000].
|
