Study Desk

For the transgressions of a land, many are the rulers thereof, but, under an intelligent and discerning man, stability is prolonged.

He that increaseth his substance by interest and profit, for one ready to favour the poor, doth gather it.

In the exulting of the righteous, there is great glorying, but, when the lawless arise, a man must be sought for.

To take note of faces in judgment , is not good, and, for a bit of bread, a man will transgress.

Blood-thirsty men, hate the blameless man, and, as for the upright, they seek his life.

He that dealeth tenderly with his servant from childhood, in his after life, shall have him for a son.

The words of Agur, son of Jakeh, even the oracle, - The utterance of the man, for Ithiel, for Ithiel and Ucal.

Three, things there are, too difficult for me, yea, four, which I do not understand:

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,

Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.

Open thy mouth - judge righteously, - and administer justice for the poor and the needy.

A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.

She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:

Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:

Is there a thing, of which it can be said, See here, it is, new? Already, hath it been, for ages, it is something which was before us.

Spake, I, in my heart, saying, As for me, lo! I have become great, and have gathered wisdom, beyond any one who hath been before me over Jerusalem, - and, my heart, hath seen much wisdom and knowledge:

For, in much wisdom, is much vexation, - and, he that increaseth knowledge, increaseth pain.

I sought out with my heart, to cherish with wine, my flesh, - but, my heart, was to guide with wisdom, even in laying hold of folly, until I should see which was blessedness for the sons of men, as to that which they could do, under the heavens, during the number of the days of their life.

and, nothing that mine eyes asked, withheld I from them, - I did not keep back my heart from any gladness, for, my heart, obtained gladness out of all my toil, and so, this, was my portion, out of all my toil.

Thus turned, I, to look at wisdom, and madness and folly, - for what can the man do more who cometh after the king? save that which, already, men have done.