1  Have they appointed you as a leader? Do not be willing to be extolled. Be among them as one of them.

Sir32:Sir35:1  If thou be made the master of a feast, lift not thyself up, but be among them as one of the rest; take diligent care for them, and so sit down.

2  Have concern for them, and in this way sit down with them, and when you have explained all your concerns, sit back.

Sir32:Sir35:2  And when thou hast done all thy office, take thy place, that thou mayest be merry with them, and receive a crown for thy well ordering of the feast.

3  Then you may rejoice because of them, and you may receive a crown as an adornment of grace, and so obtain the dignity of the assembly.

4  Speak, you who are greater by birth. For it is fitting for you

Sir32:Sir35:3  Speak, thou that art the elder, for it becometh thee, but with sound judgement; and hinder not musick.

5  to speak the first word with careful knowledge. But you should not hinder the music.

Sir32:Sir35:4  Pour not out words where there is a musician, and shew not forth wisdom out of time.

6  Where no one is listening, you should not pour out words. And do not choose to be extolled improperly for your wisdom.

Sir32:Sir35:5  A concert of musick in a banquet of wine is as a signet of carbuncle set in gold.

7  A gemstone of garnet is set amid an ornament of gold, and a concert of music is set amid a banquet of wine.

Sir32:Sir35:6  As a signet of an emerald set in a work of gold, so is the melody of musick with pleasant wine.

8  Just as a signet of emerald is set amid a work of gold, so is a melody of music set amid delightful and moderate wine.

9  Listen silently, and for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

10  Young man, speak in your own case only reluctantly.

Sir32:Sir35:7  Speak, young man, if there be need of thee: and yet scarcely when thou art twice asked.

11  If you have been asked twice, let your response be concise.

Sir32:Sir35:8  Let thy speech be short, comprehending much in few words; be as one that knoweth and yet holdeth his tongue.

12  In many matters, be as if you lack knowledge, and listen silently as well as intently.

13  In the midst of great men, you should not be presumptuous. And where the elders are present, you should not speak much.

Sir32:Sir35:9  If thou be among great men, make not thyself equal with them; and when ancient men are in place, use not many words.

14  Lightning goes before a hailstorm, and grace goes before modesty. And so, for your reverence, good graces will be added to you.

Sir32:Sir35:10  Before the thunder goeth lightning; and before a shamefaced man shall go favour.

15  And at the hour for rising, you should not be lax. Later, be the first to run ahead to your house, and there withdraw, and there take your pastime.

Sir32:Sir35:11  Rise up betimes, and be not the last; but get thee home without delay.

16  And act according to your intentions, but not in sin and not in arrogant speech.

Sir32:Sir35:12  There take thy pastime, and do what thou wilt: but sin not by proud speech.

17  And for all these things, bless the Lord, who made you, and who fills you to overflowing with all his good things.

Sir32:Sir35:13  And for these things bless him that made thee, and hath replenished thee with his good things.

18  Whoever fears the Lord will accept his doctrine. And whoever watches for him diligently will find a blessing.

Sir32:Sir35:14  Whoso feareth the Lord will receive his discipline; and they that seek him early shall find favour.

19  Whoever seeks the law will be filled from the law. But whoever acts with treachery will be scandalized by treachery.

Sir32:Sir35:15  He that seeketh the law shall be filled therewith: but the hypocrite will be offended thereat.

20  Those who fear the Lord will find just judgment, and they will kindle justice like a light.

Sir32:Sir35:16  They that fear the Lord shall find judgement, and shall kindle justice as a light.

21  A sinful man will shun correction, and he will find a rationalization in accord with his own will.

Sir32:Sir35:17  A sinful man will not be reproved, but findeth an excuse according to his will.

22  A man of counsel will not reject understanding. A strange and arrogant man will not be disturbed by fear.

Sir32:Sir35:18  A man of counsel will be considerate; but a strange and proud man is not daunted with fear, even when of himself he hath done without counsel.

23  Even so, after he has acted out of fear and without counsel, he will be rebuked by his own criticism.

24  Son, you should do nothing without counsel, and then you will not regret what you have done.

Sir32:Sir35:19  Do nothing without advice; and when thou hast once done, repent not.

25  You should not go into the way of ruin, and you then will not stumble on stones. You should not commit yourself to a laborious way; otherwise, you may set up a scandal against your own soul.

20  Go not in a way wherein thou mayest fall, and stumble not among the stones.

21  Be not confident in a plain way.

26  And be cautious concerning your own sons. And be attentive to those of your own household.

Sir32:Sir35:22  And beware of thine own children.

27  In all of your works, trust your soul to faith. For this is the keeping of the commandments.

Sir32:Sir35:23  In every good work trust thy own soul; for this is the keeping of the commandments.

28  Whoever believes God attends to the commandments. And whoever trusts in him will not be diminished.

Sir32:Sir35:24  He that believeth in the Lord taketh heed to the commandment; and he that trusteth in him shall fare never the worse.

33:1  No evils will befall one who fears the Lord. Instead, God will preserve him during temptation and will free him from evils.

Sir33:Sir36:1  There shall no evil happen unto him that feareth the Lord; but in temptation even again he will deliver him.

33:2  A wise man does not hate the commandments and the justices, and so he will not be thrown about violently, like a ship in a storm.

Sir33:Sir36:2  A wise man hateth not the law; but he that is an hypocrite therein is as a ship in a storm.

33:3  A man of understanding puts his faith in the law of God, and so the law is faithful to him.

33:4  Whoever would resolve a dispute will prepare a word, and so, having prayed, he will be heard. And he will observe discipline, and then he will respond.

Sir33:Sir36:4  Prepare what to say, and so thou shalt be heard: and bind up instruction, and then make answer.

33:5  The heart of a fool is like the wheel of a cart. And his thoughts are like a turning axel.

Sir33:Sir36:5  The heart of the foolish is like a cartwheel; and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.

33:6  A friend who is a whisperer is like an untamed horse: he neighs under anyone who sits upon him.

Sir33:Sir36:6  A stallion horse is as a mocking friend, he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.

33:7  Why does day follow after day, and light follow after light, and year follow after year, in accord with the sun?

Sir33:Sir36:7  Why doth one day excel another, when as all the light of every day in the year is of the sun?

33:8  By the knowledge of the Lord, they were arranged, after the sun was made, in keeping with his command.

33:9  And so, the seasons changed, with their feast days. And according to them, they celebrated the feast days, in their hour.

Sir33:Sir36:9  Some of them hath he made high days, and hallowed them, and some of them hath he made ordinary days.

33:10  Some of them, God exalted and magnified. And some of them, he set amid the ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and from the earth, from which Adam was created.

Sir33:Sir36:10  And all men are from the ground, and Adam was created of earth

33:11  With a mulititude of disciplines, the Lord has distinguished them and diversified their ways.

Sir33:Sir36:11  In much knowledge the Lord hath divided them, and made their ways diverse. Though I was the last to wake up, yet I received their inheritance as from the beginning.

33:12  Some of them, he has blessed and exalted. And some of them he has sanctified and placed close to himself. And some of them, he has cursed and brought low, and he has turned them from their station.

Sir33:Sir36:12  Some of them hath he blessed and exalted and some of them he sanctified, and set near himself: but some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned out of their places. O Lord, have mercy upon the people that is called by thy name, and upon Israel, whom thou hast named thy firstborn.

33:13  Just as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so as to form and to shape it,

Sir33:Sir36:13  As the clay is in the potter’s hand, to fashion it at his pleasure: so man is in the hand of him that made him, to render to them as liketh him best. O be merciful unto Jerusalem, thy holy city, the place of thy rest.

33:14  so are all his ways in accord with his dispensation, and so is man in the hand of the One who made him. And he will repay him according to his judgment.

33:15  Good is against evil, and life is against death; so also is a sinner against a just man. And so should you consider all the works of the Most High: two and two, and one against another.

Sir36  Good is set against evil, and life against death: so is the godly against the sinner, and the sinner against the godly. Fill Sion with thine unspeakable oracles, and thy people with thy glory:

undefined  So look upon all the works of the most High; and there are two and two, one against another. Give testimony unto those that thou hast possessed from the beginning, and raise up prophets that have been in thy name.

33:16  And I awakened at the very end, and I was like one who gathers grapes after the grape-gatherers.

Sir33:Sir36:16  Reward them that wait for thee, and let thy prophets be found faithful.

33:17  I, too, have hoped in the blessing of God. And I have filled the winepress like one who gathers grapes.

Sir36  O Lord, hear the prayer of thy servants, according to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, that all they which dwell upon the earth may know that thou art the Lord, the eternal God.

undefined  The belly devoureth all meats, yet is one meat better than another.

33:18  Consider how I have not labored for myself alone, but for all who are seeking discipline.

Sir33:Sir36:19  As the palate tasteth divers kinds of venison: so doth an heart of understanding false speeches.

33:19  Listen to me, you great ones, with all the peoples. And incline your ears, you rulers of the Church.

Sir33:Sir36:20  A froward heart causeth heaviness: but a man of experience will recompense him.

33:20  You should not give authority over yourself to a son or wife, to a brother or friend, in your life. And you should not give your estate to another, lest perhaps you may regret it, and then you would be begging for the same.

Sir33:Sir36:21  A woman will receive every man, yet is one daughter better than another.

33:21  While you are still living and breathing, let no one among all flesh change you.

Sir33:Sir36:22  The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance, and a man loveth nothing better.

33:22  For it is better if your children petition you, than if you look toward the hands of your children.

Sir33:Sir36:23  If there be kindness, meekness, and comfort, in her tongue, then is not her husband like other men.

33:23  In all your works, be pre-eminent.

Sir33:Sir36:24  He that getteth a wife beginneth a possession, a help like unto himself, and a pillar of rest.

33:24  You should not allow a blemish upon your glory. On the day of the consummation of the days of your life, at the time of your passing, distribute your inheritance.

Sir33:Sir36:25  Where no hedge is, there the possession is spoiled: and he that hath no wife will wander up and down mourning.

33:25  Fodder and a rod and a burden are for a donkey; bread and discipline and work are for a servant.

Sir33:Sir36:26  Who will trust a thief well appointed, that skippeth from city to city? so who will believe a man that hath no house, and lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him?

33:26  He works under discipline, and he seeks rest. Allow his hands to be idle, and he seeks liberty.

Sir33:Sir30:25  If thou set thy servant to labour, thou shalt find rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seek liberty.

33:27  The yoke and the strap bend a stiff neck, and continual labors bend a servant.

Sir33:Sir30:26  A yoke and a collar do bow the neck: so are tortures and torments for an evil servant.

33:28  Torture and chains are for a malevolent servant; send him to work, so that he may not be idle.

Sir33:Sir30:27  Send him to labour, that he be not idle; for idleness teacheth much evil.

33:29  For idleness has taught much evil.

Sir33:Sir30:28  Set him to work, as is fit for him: if he be not obedient, put on more heavy fetters.

33:30  Appoint him to a task. For this is fitting for him. And if he will not be obedient, bend him with chains. But you should do no more than any flesh can bear. Truly, you should do nothing grievous without judgment.

Sir33:Sir36:29  But be not excessive toward any; and without discretion do nothing.

33:31  If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you like your own soul. Treat him like a brother. For you have obtained him by the blood of your soul.

Sir33:Sir36:30  If thou have a servant, let him be unto thee as thyself, because thou hast bought him with a price.

33:32  If you harm him unjustly, he will turn away and flee.

Sir33:Sir36:31  If thou have a servant, entreat him as a brother: for thou hast need of him, as of thine own soul: if thou entreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

33:33  And then, when he lifts himself up and departs, you will not know whom to ask, or in what way to seek him.

34:1  The hopes of a senseless man are empty and false; and dreams extol the imprudent.

Sir34:Sir31:1  The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false: and dreams lift up fools.

34:2  Like one who chases a shadow and pursues the wind, so also is one who pays attention to lying visions.

Sir34:Sir31:2  Whoso regardeth dreams is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

34:3  In the vision of dreams, one thing represents another, as when a mask is before the face of a man.

Sir34:Sir31:3  The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face to a face.

34:4  What can be cleansed by the unclean? And what truth can be spoken from a lie?

Sir34:Sir31:4  Of an unclean thing what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false what truth can come?

34:5  Erroneous divinations and false signs and the dreams of evildoers are emptiness.

Sir34:Sir31:5  Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain: and the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.

34:6  For your heart suffers from imagination, like a woman suffering in childbirth. Unless it is a visitation sent from the Most High, you should not set your heart upon it.

Sir34:Sir31:6  If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them.

34:7  For dreams have caused many to go astray, and those who have hoped in them have fallen away.

Sir34:Sir31:7  For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.

34:8  The word of the law will be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom will be made plain in the mouths of the faithful.

Sir34:Sir31:8  The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

34:9  He who has not been tested, what does he know? A man with much experience will consider many things. And whoever has learned much will explain with understanding.

Sir34:Sir31:9  A man that hath travelled knoweth many things; and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

34:10  He who has no experience knows little. And he who has done many things has made many mistakes.

Sir34:Sir31:10  He that hath no experience knoweth little: but he that hath travelled is full of prudence.

34:11  He who has not been tested, what kind of things can he know? He who has been deceived will be more cunning.

34:12  I have seen much by wandering, and the customs of many things.

Sir34:Sir31:11  When I travelled, I saw many things; and I understand more than I can express.

34:13  At times, I have even been in danger of death because of these things, but I was freed by the grace of God.

Sir34:Sir31:12  I was ofttimes in danger of death: yet I was delivered because of these things.

34:14  The spirit of those who fear God is sought, and they will be blessed by his providence.

Sir34:Sir31:13  The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live; for their hope is in him that saveth them.

34:15  For their hope is in him who saves them, and the eyes of God are on those who love him.

34:16  Those who fear the Lord will tremble at nothing, and they will not be terrified. For he is their hope.

Sir34:Sir31:14  Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear nor be afraid; for he is his hope.

34:17  The soul of him who fears the Lord is blessed.

Sir34:Sir31:15  Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord: to whom doth he look? and who is his strength?

34:18  To whom should he look, and who is his strength?

34:19  The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him. He is a powerful Protector, a Firmament of virtue, a Shelter from the heat, and a Covering from the midday sun,

Sir34:Sir31:16  For the eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him, he is their mighty protection and strong stay, a defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, a preservation from stumbling, and an help from falling.

34:20  a Guardian from offenses, and a Helper from falling, who exalts the soul and illuminates the eyes, and who gives health and life and blessing.

Sir34:Sir31:17  He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes: he giveth health, life, and blessing.

34:21  An immolation from iniquity is a stained oblation, and the derisions of the unjust are not well pleasing.

Sir34:Sir31:18  He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.

34:22  The Lord is only for those who persevere for him in the way of truth and justice.

34:23  The Most High does not approve of the gifts of the iniquitous. Neither does he have respect for the oblations of the unjust; neither will he forgive their sins because of the multitude of their sacrifices.

Sir34:Sir31:19  The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.

34:24  Whoever offers a sacrifice from the substance of the poor is like one who sacrifices the son in the sight of his father.

Sir34:Sir31:20  Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.

34:25  The bread of the indigent is the life of the poor. Whoever cheats them out of it is a man of blood.

Sir34:Sir31:21  The bread of the needy is their life: he that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.

34:26  Whoever takes away the bread of sweat is like one who kills his neighbor.

Sir34:Sir31:22  He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.

34:27  He who sheds blood, and he who cheats the hired hand out of his wages, are brothers.

34:28  When one builds and another destroys, what benefit do they have from their labor?

Sir34:Sir31:23  When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour?

34:29  When one prays and another curses, whose voice will God heed?

34:30  He who washes himself after touching the dead, and then touches him again, what was the benefit of his washing?

Sir34:Sir31:25  He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing?

34:31  Similarly, a man who fasts for his sins, and then does the same again, what was the benefit of his humbling himself? Who will heed his prayer?

Sir34:Sir31:26  So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again, and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?

35:1  Whoever observes the law multiplies oblations.

Sir35:Sir32:1  He that keepeth the law bringeth offerings enough: he that taketh heed to the commandment offereth a peace offering.

35:2  It is a salutary sacrifice to attend to the commandments and to withdraw from all iniquity.

35:3  And to depart from injustice is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices and a supplication for sins.

35:4  Whoever gives thanks, offers a gift of fine flour, and whoever acts with mercy, offers a sacrifice.

Sir35:Sir32:2  He that requiteth a good turn offereth fine flour; and he that giveth alms sacrificeth praise.

35:5  To withdraw from iniquity is well-pleasing to the Lord. And to withdraw from injustice is a supplication for sins.

Sir35:Sir32:3  To depart from wickedness is a thing pleasing to the Lord; and to forsake unrighteousness is a propitiation.

35:6  You should not appear empty before the sight of the Lord.

Sir35:Sir32:4  Thou shalt not appear empty before the Lord.

35:7  For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.

35:8  The oblation of the just fattens the altar, and is a fragrance of sweetness in the sight of the Most High.

Sir35:Sir32:6  The offering of the righteous maketh the altar fat, and the sweet savour thereof is before the most High.

35:9  The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will never forget the memorial of it.

35:10  Render glory to God with a good heart. And you should not reduce the first-fruits of your hands.

Sir35:Sir32:8  Give the Lord his honour with a good eye, and diminish not the firstfruits of thine hands.

35:11  With every gift, have a cheerful countenance, and sanctify your tithes with exultation.

Sir35:Sir32:9  In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tithes with gladness.

35:12  Give to the Most High according to his gifts to you, and act with a good eye toward the creations of your hands.

Sir35:Sir32:10  Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye.

35:13  For the Lord gives recompense, and he will repay you seven times as much.

Sir35:Sir32:11  For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much.

35:14  Do not be willing to offer corrupt gifts. For he will not accept them.

Sir35:Sir32:12  Do not think to corrupt with gifts; for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and with him is no respect of persons.

35:15  And do not be willing to consider an unjust sacrifice. For the Lord is the judge, and with him there is no favoritism toward anyone.

35:16  The Lord will not accept favoritism against the poor, but he will heed the prayer of one who has been harmed.

Sir35:Sir32:13  He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.

35:17  He will not despise the prayers of the orphan, nor of the widow, if she utters a lamenting complaint.

35:18  Do a widow’s tears not run down her cheek? And will her outcry not cause their downfall?

Sir35:Sir32:15  Do not the tears run down the widow’s cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

35:19  For from her cheek, her tears ascend even to heaven. And the Lord, the One who listens, will not take delight in them.

35:20  Whoever adores God with joy will be accepted, and his prayer will reach even to the clouds.

Sir35:Sir32:16  He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.

35:21  The prayer of one who humbles himself will pierce the clouds. And it will not be consoled until it draws near; and it will not withdraw until the Most High beholds.

Sir35:Sir32:17  The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted; and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgement.

35:22  And the Lord will not delay, and he will judge for those who are just, and he will accomplish judgment. And the Almighty will not have patience with them, so that he may crush their back.

Sir35:Sir32:18  For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient toward them, till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptre of the unrighteous;

35:23  And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, until he has taken away the multitude of the arrogant, and broken the scepters of the iniquitous,

35:24  until he has rendered to men according to their deeds, and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,

Sir35:Sir32:19  Till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy.

35:25  until he has judged the judgment of his people. And he will delight the just with his mercy.

35:26  The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of tribulation, like a rain cloud in the time of drought.

Sir35:Sir32:20  Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

36:1  O God of all, take pity on us, and look with favor on us, and show us the light of your compassion.

Sir36:Sir33:1  Have mercy upon us, O Lord God of all, and behold us

36:2  And send your fear upon the Gentiles, who have not sought you, so that they may acknowledge that there is no God except you, and so that they may declare your great deeds.

2  And send thy fear upon all the nations that seek not after thee.

36:3  Lift up your hand over unbelieving nations, so that they may see your power.

3  Lift up thy hand against the strange nations, and let them see thy power.

36:4  For just as, in their sight, you have been sanctified in us, so also, in our sight, you will be magnified in them.

4  As thou wast sanctified in us before them: so be thou magnified among them before us.

36:5  So may they know you, as we also have known you. For there is no God apart from you, O Lord.

5  And let them know thee, as we have known thee, that there is no God but only thou, O God.

36:6  Renew your signs, and work new wonders.

7  Glorify your hand and your right arm.

6  Shew new signs, and make other strange wonders: glorify thy hand and thy right arm, that they may set forth thy wondrous works.

36:7  Stir up your fury, and pour out your wrath.

8  Take away our adversary, and afflict our enemy.

7  Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath: take away the adversary, and destroy the enemy.

36:8  Hasten the time, and remember the end, so that they may declare your miracles.

8  Sake the time short, remember the covenant, and let them declare thy wonderful works.

36:9  Let those who escape be devoured by the wrath of fire. And let those who harass your people find perdition.

9  Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire; and let them perish that oppress the people.

36:10  Crush the head of the leaders of the enemies, for they say: “There is no other beside us.”

10  Smite in sunder the heads of the rulers of the heathen, that say, There is none other but we.

36:11  Gather together all the tribes of Jacob, so that they may acknowledge that there is no God except you, and so that they may declare your great deeds. And you will inherit them, as from the beginning.

11  Gather all the tribes of Jacob together, and inherit thou them, as from the beginning.

36:12  A cheerful and good heart will have a care of his meat and diet.

36:14  Take pity on your people, over whom your name has been invoked, and on Israel, whom you have treated as your firstborn.

36:15  Take pity on Jerusalem, the city of your sanctification, the city of your rest.

36:16  Fill Zion with your ineffable words, and fill your people with your glory.

36:17  Give testimony to those who have been your creations from the beginning, and lift up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in your name.

36:18  Give a reward to those who endure for you, so that your prophets may be found to be faithful. And heed the prayers of your servants,

36:19  in accord with the blessing of Aaron over your people. And direct us in the way of justice, and let all who inhabit the earth know that you are God, the Beholder of all ages.

36:20  The belly can devour any food, yet one meal is better than another.

36:21  The palate tests the meat of wild animals, and the understanding heart tests false words.

36:22  A corrupt heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it.

36:23  A woman can receive any male, yet one daughter is better than another.

36:24  The beauty of a wife cheers the face of her husband, and rises above his desire, above all the desires of man.

36:25  If she offers healing words, then she both comforts and shows mercy; and so her husband is not like other men.

36:26  He who holds to a good wife establishes a possession. She is a helper in agreement with him, and she is a pillar of rest.

36:27  Where there is no hedge, a possession will be trampled. And where there is no wife, he will mourn her absence.

36:28  Who will trust one who has no nest, and who conceals himself wherever his course may take him, like a well-equipped robber passing from city to city?