Man in society
7   He will have sound advice and knowledge to offer,
and his thoughts will dwell on the mysteries he has studied.
8   He will disclose what he has learnt from his own education,
and will take pride in the law of the Lord's covenant.
9   Many will praise his intelligence;
it will never sink into oblivion.
The memory of him will not die
but will live on from generation to generation;
10   the nations will talk of his wisdom,
and his praises will be sung in the assembly.
11   If he lives long, he will leave a name in a thousand,
and if he goes to his rest, his reputation is secure. ^note


12   I have still more in my mind to express;
I am full like the moon at mid-month.
13   Listen to me, my devout sons, and blossom
like a rose planted by a stream.
14   Spread your fragrance like incense,
and bloom like a lily.
Scatter your fragrance; lift your voices in song,
praising the Lord for all his works.
15   Ascribe majesty to his name
and give thanks to him with praise,
with songs on your lips, and with harps;
let these be your words of thanksgiving:
16   ‘All that the Lord has made is very good;
all that he commands will happen in due time.’
17   No one should ask, ‘What is this?’ or ‘Why is that?’
At the proper time all such questions will be answered.
When he spoke the water stood up like a heap,
and his word created reservoirs for it.
18   When he commands, his purpose is fulfilled,
and no one can thwart his saving power.
19   He sees the deeds of all mankind;
there is no hiding from his gaze.
20   From the beginning to the end of time he keeps watch,
and nothing is too marvellous for him.

Man in society
21   No one should ask, ‘What is this?’ or ‘Why is that?’
Everything has been created for its own purpose.
22   His blessing is like a river in flood
which inundates the parched ground.
23   But the doom he assigns the heathen is his wrath,
as when he turned a watered plain into a salt desert.
24   For the devout his paths are straight,
but full of pitfalls for the wicked.
25   From the beginning good things were created for the good,
and evils for sinners.
26   The chief necessities of human life
are water, fire, iron, and salt,
flour, honey, and milk,
the juice of the grape, oil, and clothing.
27   All these are good for the godfearing,
but turn to evil for sinners.


28   There are winds created to be agents of retribution,
with great whips to give play to their fury;
on the day of reckoning, they exert their force
and give full vent to the anger of their Maker.
29   Fire and hail, famine and deadly disease,
all these were created for retribution;
30   beasts of prey, scorpions and vipers,
and the avenging sword that destroys the wicked.
31   They delight in carrying out his orders,
always standing ready for his service on the earth;
and when their time comes, they never disobey.


32   I have been convinced of all this from the beginning;
I have thought it over and left it in writing:
33   all the works of the Lord are good,
and he supplies every need as it occurs.
34   No one should say, ‘This is less good than that’,
for all things prove good at their proper time.
35   Come then, sing with heart and voice,
and praise the name of the Lord.

Man in society

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