1 But it is different with the person who devotes himself to studying the Law of the Most High. He examines the wisdom of all the ancient writers and concerns himself with the prophecies. 2 He memorizes the sayings of famous men and is a skilled interpreter of parables. 3 He studies the hidden meaning of proverbs and is able to discuss the obscure points of parables. 4 Great people call on him for his services, and he is seen in the company of rulers. He travels to foreign lands in his efforts to learn about human good and evil. 5 It is his practice to get up early and pray aloud to the Lord his Creator, asking the Most High to forgive his sins. 6 Then, if the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with understanding. He will pour out a stream of wise sayings, and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. 7 He will have knowledge to share and good advice to give, as well as insight into the Lord's secrets. 8 He will demonstrate his learning in what he teaches, and his pride will be in the Lord's Law and covenant. 9 He will be widely praised for his wisdom, and it will never be lost, because people for generations to come will remember him. 10 The Gentiles will talk about his wisdom, and he will be praised aloud in the assembly. 11 If he lives to old age, he will die famous, but if he is laid to rest before he is famous, he will be content.
A Hymn in Praise of God
12 Like the moon, I am full—full of more ideas to be discussed. 13 Listen to me, you devout children of mine, and blossom like a rosebush on a stream bank. 14 Bloom like a sweet-smelling lily, and send your fragrance into the air like incense. Sing the Lord's praises, and thank him for all that he has done. 15 Proclaim his glory in grateful praise! To the music of the harp, sing this song:
16 All that the Lord has done is very good;
all that he commands is sooner or later done.
17 No one should ask why things are as they are;
these questions will be answered at the right time.
He commanded, and the water piled up high,
great walls of water arose when he spoke.
18 Whatever he commands is promptly done;
there are no limits to his power to save.
19 He sees all that every human being does;
there is no way to hide from his sight.
20 He sees the whole of time, from beginning to end,
and nothing takes him by surprise.
21 No one should ask why things are as they are;
everything in creation has its purpose.
22 His blessings overflow like the Nile,
enriching the world in a fertile flood.
23 He turns fresh water into salt water,
and he turns his anger on the nations.
24 For the devout, his ways are straight;
for the wicked, they are laid with traps.
25 From the beginning he has made good things for the good
and terrible things for sinners.
26 The basic needs of life are these:
water, fire, iron, and salt,
flour, honey, and milk,
wine, clothing, and oil.
27 All these things are good for those who are devout,
but they turn into evils for sinners.
28 There are winds that were created to bring punishment,
fierce enough to move mountains.
In times of judgment, they unleash their strength
and calm the anger of their maker.
29-30 Vicious animals, scorpions, and snakes;
the sword that destroys the wicked;
fire, hail, famine, and disease;
these have all been created as punishments.
31 They are all glad to obey the Lord's command
and are ready to serve him here on earth.
When their times of duty come,
they never disobey.
( 32 I was long convinced of this, so after thinking it over I put it in writing.)
33 Everything made by the Lord is good;
he meets every need at the proper time.
34 No one can claim that some things are worse than others,
for everything is good in its proper place.
35 Now then, sing praises with all your heart,
and praise the name of the Lord!
1 But he that giveth his mind to the law of the most High, and is occupied in the meditation thereof, will seek out the wisdom of all the ancient, and be occupied in prophecies.
2 He will keep the sayings of the renowned men: and where subtil parables are, he will be there also.
3 He will seek out the secrets of grave sentences, and be conversant in dark parables.
4 He shall serve among great men, and appear before princes: he will travel through strange countries; for he hath tried the good and the evil among men.
5 He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will pray before the most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and make supplication for his sins.
6 When the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour out wise sentences, and give thanks unto the Lord in his prayer.
7 He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
8 He shall shew forth that which he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
9 Many shall commend his understanding; and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart away, and his name shall live from generation to generation.
10 Nations shall shew forth his wisdom, and the congregation shall declare his praise.
11 If he die, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he live, he shall increase it.
12 Yet have I more to say, which I have thought upon; for I am filled as the moon at the full.
13 Hearken unto me, ye holy children, and bud forth as a rose growing by the brook of the field:
14 And give ye a sweet savour as frankincense, and flourish as a lily, send forth a smell, and sing a song of praise, bless the Lord in all his works.
15 Magnify his name, and shew forth his praise with the songs of your lips, and with harps, and in praising him ye shall say after this manner:
16 All the works of the Lord are exceeding good, and whatsoever he commandeth shall be accomplished in due season.
17 And none may say, What is this? wherefore is that? for at time convenient they shall all be sought out: at his commandment the waters stood as an heap, and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters.
18 At his commandment is done whatsoever pleaseth him; and none can hinder, when he will save.
19 The works of all flesh are before him, and nothing can be hid from his eyes.
20 He seeth from everlasting to everlasting; and there is nothing wonderful before him.
21 A man need not to say, What is this? wherefore is that? for he hath made all things for their uses.
22 His blessing covered the dry land as a river, and watered it as a flood.
23 As he hath turned the waters into saltness: so shall the heathen inherit his wrath.
24 As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked.
25 For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners.
26 The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
27 All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
28 There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them.
29 Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance;
30 Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction.
31 They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word.
32 Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.
33 All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season.
34 So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved.
35 And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.