| 1 | A great occupation was created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their departure from their mother's womb, even until the day of their burial into the mother of all: |
| 2 | their thoughts, and the fears of their heart, their imagined expectations, and the day of their end, |
| 3 | from him who sits upon a glorious throne, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes, |
| 4 | from him who wears hyacinth and bears a crown, even to him who is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, tumult, restlessness, and the fear of death, continual anger and contention. |
| 5 | And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changes his knowledge. |
| 6 | There is little or no rest, and sleep is taken from him, as if on a day of keeping watch. |
| 7 | He is disturbed by a vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in a day of warfare. In the time of his salvation, he rose up and wondered that there was no fear. |
| 8 | This is so with all flesh, from man even to cattle, but upon sinners it is seven times as great. |
| 9 | Add to this: death, bloodshed, contention, and the spear, oppression, famine, and affliction, and scourges. |
| 10 | All these things have been created because of iniquity, and it is due to iniquity that the great flood was made. |
| 11 | All things that are of the earth shall return to the earth, and all waters shall return to the sea. |
| 12 | All bribery and iniquity will be wiped away, but faith shall stand forever. |
| 13 | The substance of the unjust will dry up like a river, and will pass away with a noise like loud thunder in a rainstorm. |
| 14 | When he opens his hands, he will rejoice. So will transgressors pass away at the consummation. |
| 15 | The descendents of the impious will not produce many branches, for they may be compared to dirty roots at the edge of a rock. |
| 16 | The weeds, which grow above every water and beside the banks of the river, will be uprooted before all the grass. |
| 17 | Grace is like a paradise of blessings, and mercy continues for eternity. |
| 18 | The life of a worker, when content with what is sufficient, will become sweet, and in it you will find a treasure. |
| 19 | Sons, and the building of a city, will establish a name, but an immaculate wife will be ranked above these things. |
| 20 | Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both. |
| 21 | The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant word is above them both. |
| 22 | Your eye desires elegance and beauty, but verdant fields are above these things. |
| 23 | A friend and a companion meet one another in time, but above them both is a wife with her husband. |
| 24 | Brothers are a help in time of tribulation, but mercy will liberate, more so than they will. |
| 25 | Gold and silver provide a firm position for the feet, but well-spoken counsel is above them both. |
| 26 | Ability and strength lift up the heart, but the fear of the Lord is above these things. |
| 27 | There is no loss in the fear of the Lord, and it has no need to ask for assistance. |
| 28 | The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessings, and they have covered it above all glory. |
| 29 | Son, in your lifetime you should not be indigent, for it is better to die than to be destitute. |
| 30 | The life of him who looks to another man's table should not be thought of as a way of life. For he feeds his life with another man's food. |
| 31 | But a disciplined and well-taught man will take care of himself. |
| 32 | Scarcity will seem sweet to the mouth of the imprudent, but a fire will burn in his belly. |
