Study Desk

Do you behold a man who is hasty in his words?There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Many seek the face of a ruler,But justice for man comes from Yahweh.

There are three things which are too wonderful for me,Four which I do not understand:

For pressing milk brings forth butter,And pressing the nose brings forth blood;And pressing anger brings forth strife.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to drink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

Open your mouth for the mute,For the justice of all those passing away.

An excellent wife, who can find?For her worth is far above pearls.

She deals bountifully with him for good and not evilAll the days of her life.

She searches for wool and flaxAnd works with her hands in delight.

She makes plans for a field and buys it;From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household,For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She makes coverings for herself;Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her children rise up and bless her;As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:

Is there anything of which one might say,"See this, it is new"?Already it has been for agesWhich were before us.

There is no remembrance of earlier things;And also of the later things which will be,There will be for them no remembranceAmong those who will come later still.

I explored with my heart how to stimulate my body with wine—while my heart was guiding me wisely—and how to seize simpleminded folly, until I could see where is this good for the sons of men in what they do under heaven the few days of their lives.

I made my works great: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself;

I made for myself gardens and parks, and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

I made for myself pools of water from which to water a forest of growing trees.

Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male and female singers and the pleasures of the sons of men—many concubines.