1 No evil shall come upon he who reveres 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄;
And in trials He also shall deliver him.
2 A wise man does not hate the Law;
But he who is a hypocrite in it, is like a ship in a storm.
3 A man of understanding trusts in the Law;
And the Law is trustworthy to him, as a Word.
4 Prepare what to say, and so you shall be heard;
And draw upon instruction, and then give answer.
5 The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel;
And his thoughts are like a rolling axle.
6 A mocking friend is like a stallion,
He neighs under everyone that rides him.
7 Why is one day better than another,
When all the light of every day of the year is from the sun?
8 By the knowledge of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 they were appointed;
And He turns seasons and Feasts.
9 Some of them He has made High Days, and qadosh them,
And some of them He has made regular days.
10 And all men are from the ground,
And Aḏam was created from the earth.
11 In much knowledge 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 has spread them,
And made their ways different.
12 Some of them He has baraḵ and exalted,
And some of them He qadosh, and placed near Himself;
But some of them He has cursed and brought low,
And removed from their places.
13 As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his desire;
So is man in the hand of He who made him,
To give unto them as He thinks best.
14 Good opposes evil, and life against death;
So is the righteous against the sinner,
and the wicked against the reverent.
15 So look upon all the works of the Most High;
And there are pairs of two, one against another.
16 I woke up last of all, as one that gathers after the grape gatherers;
By the beraḵah of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 I profited,
and trod my winepress like a gatherer of grapes.
17 Consider that I did not labour for myself only,
But for all those who seek learning.
18 Hear me, O you great men of the people,
And listen with your ears, you rulers of the assembly.
19 Do not give your son and wife,
your brother and friend, power over you while you live,
And do not give your goods to another;
Lest you reconsider, and you ask for its return.
20 As long as you live and have breath in you,
Do not give yourself over to any.
21 For it is better that your children should seek from you,
Than that you should stand to their sympathy.
22 Be the best in all your works;
Do not leave a blot on your esteem.
23 At the time when you shall end your days, and finish your life,
Distribute your inheritance.
24 Fodder, a rod, and burdens, are for the donkey;
And bread, discipline, and work, for a servant.
25 If you put your servant to labour, you shall find rest:
But if you let him go idle, he shall seek freedom.
26 A yoke and a collar bow the neck;
So are tortures and punishment for an evil servant.
27 Send him to work, so he is not idle;
For idleness teaches much evil.
28 Put him to work, as is fit for him;
If he is not obedient, put on heavier shackles.
29 But do not be excessive toward any;
And do naught without discretion.
30 If you have a servant, let him be to you as yourself,
Because you have bought him for a price.
31 If you have a servant, treat him as a brother;
For you have need of him, as of your own being.
If you treat him evilly, and he runs from you,
Which way shall you go to seek him?