Study Desk

For I teach thee the ways of wisdom; and I cause thee to go in right paths.

For when thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not be distressed.

Take hold of my instruction; let it not go, —but keep it for thyself for thy life.

For they cannot sleep, unless they have done evil: their sleep is taken away, and they rest not.

For these live upon the bread of ungodliness, and are drunken with wine of transgression.

For they are life to those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

Keep thine heart with the utmost care; for out of these are the issues of life.

Make straight paths for thy feet, and order thy ways aright.

Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy foot from an evil way: [for God knows the ways on the right hand, but those on the left are crooked:] and he will make thy ways straight, and will guide thy steps in peace.

for honey drops from the lips of a harlot, who for a season pleases thy palate:

For the feet of folly lead those who deal with her down to the grave with death; and her steps are not established.

For she goes not upon the paths of life; but her ways are slippery, and not easily known.

Let thy loving hart and thy graceful colt company with thee, and let her be considered thine own, and be with thee at all times; for ravished with her love thou shalt be greatly increased.

For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths.

My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy.

For a man’s own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth.

My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend’s account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety.

For whereas he has no husbandry, nor any one to compel him, and is under no master,

he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays by abundant store in harvest. Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; whose labours kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: though weak in body, she is advanced by honouring wisdom.

For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul.