Jewish Texts

"Guard against the provocative woman and do not be surprised if she wishes to drag you into disgrace. She opens her mouth like a thirsty traveler to drink any water coming her way; she sits by any pole and opens her quiver to every arrow."

"A wife’s grace gladdens her husband and her prudence refreshes his body. A wife who knows how to be silent is a gift from the Lord; the well-trained wife is invaluable. A modest wife is a favor among favors; the chaste wife is priceless. Like the sun rising over the mountains of the Lord, such is the enchantment of a good wife in a well-kept house. Like the light which shines from the sacred lampstand, such is a beautiful face in a well-shaped body. Like pillars of gold on a silver base, such are beautiful legs on sturdy feet."

"All wisdom comes from the Lord and endures with him forever. The fear of the Lord is our glory and honor, it is joy and a triumphant crown. The fear of the Lord gladdens the heart; it gives joy, gaiety and long life. For the one who fears the Lord all will go well at the end of his life, and he will be blessed on the day of his death. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; he put wisdom into the hearts of his faithful ones before their birth. The fear of the Lord is the fullness of wisdom. It will fill you with its fruits. It will fill your whole house with desirable things. It will fill your houses with its riches. The fear of the Lord is the crown of wisdom. Wherever it is, peace and good health flourish; knowledge and prudence rain down. Wisdom exalts those who possess her. The fear of the Lord is the root of wisdom. Its branches are long life. The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath. Do you desire wisdom? Keep the commandments and the Lord will give her to you without measure; for fear of the Lord is wisdom and learning; what pleases him is faithfulness and gentleness. Do not put aside fear of the Lord; approach him with a sincere heart."

"Do not despise a man in his old age, because we ourselves will grow old. Do not rejoice at the death of any man, remember that we shall all die. Do not neglect the teaching of the wise, apply yourself well to their precepts. Through them you will learn how to live and how to serve the great. Do not set aside the teachings of the elders for they also learnt it from their forebears; they will open up your understanding and enable you to reply at the right moment."

"Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember that we are all deserving punishment."

"In all your actions remember your last end and you will never sin."

"Stretch out your hand to the poor and you will receive a blessing from the Lord. May your gifts benefit the living and do not forget the dead. Do not turn away from those who weep, and grieve with those who are in sorrow. Do not neglect to visit the sick because it is for such acts that you will be loved."

"Honor your father with your whole heart and do not be forgetful of the sufferings of your mother. Remember that they gave you birth. How can you repay them for what they have done for you?"

"Have you children? Educate them and teach them to obey from their childhood. Have you any daughters? Guard their virginity and do not be indulgent towards them. If you marry off your daughter you will have accomplished something of importance, but give her to an intelligent man."

"Do not separate yourself from a wise and good woman, because a gracious wife is worth more than gold."

"Remain humble, because the godless are punished with fire and worms."

"Do not join the company of sinners, remember that the wrath of God will not be delayed."

"Do not despise a man when he is downcast, for there is one who casts down and who raises up."

"Do not seek a position of responsibility lest you not be powerful enough to root out injustice and, overawed by a powerful man, you lose your integrity."

"Do no evil and evil will not take hold of you. Keep away from wrongdoing and it will leave you alone."

"Meditate on the precepts of the Lord and apply yourself unceasingly to his commandments. He will strengthen your heart and the wisdom you desire will be given to you."

"For wisdom brings her own honor, she does not reveal herself to everyone. Listen, my son, and receive my teaching, do not reject my counsel. Put her constraints on your feet and her yoke on your neck. Put your shoulder to the burden and bear her yoke; do not rebel against her chains. Come to her with all your soul and with all your strength observe her ways. Pursue her, search for her, she will make herself known to you; when you have her, do not let her go. For, in the end, you will find in her your rest and she will become your joy."

"My son, dedicate yourself to learning from your youth, and you will grow in wisdom until old age. Work at it like the worker and the sower, cultivate wisdom and wait for her excellent fruits. For in cultivating her you will have some trouble, but soon you will enjoy her fruits."

"The faithful friend is a secure refuge; whoever has found one has found a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond all price; hold him as priceless. A faithful friend is a life-saving remedy, and those who fear the Lord will find one. Whoever fears the Lord will make true friends for, as a man is, such will his friend be."

"Let your friends be many; but your counselors, one in a thousand!"

"A gentle word makes many friends, an agreeable tongue calls forth gracious replies."

"Just as the wicked man inherits confusion and shame so will the sinner accustomed to lying. Do not give yourself over to your passions; they will turn against you and, like a bull, tear you to pieces. They will devour the foliage and destroy the fruit, leaving you like a dry stump. An evil passion will destroy the one who is held in its power; it will make him the laughingstock of his enemies."

"If you know what you are saying, answer your neighbor; if not, it is better to say nothing. Your words can bring you honor and dishonor; a man’s tongue brings about his downfall."

"Do not say, “Who can stop me?” For the Lord has power to punish you. Do not say, “I have sinned and nothing has happened!” For the Lord bides his time. Do not be so sure of pardon when you are heaping sin upon sin. Do not say, “His compassion is great! He will forgive the vast number of my sins!” For with him is mercy but also anger; his fury will be poured out on sinners."

"Do not rely on your wealth. Do not say, “I am self-sufficient.” Do not let yourself be carried away by greed and violence; they would make you their slave."

"Do not be daring in your speech, but lazy and negligent in works."

"Fight for the truth till death and the Lord will fight for you."

"Do not remain silent when it is necessary to speak. Do not, through pride, hide your wisdom. It is in speech that wisdom is recognized and learning in the spoken discourse."

"Wisdom brings up her children and takes care of those who look for her. Whoever loves her loves life. Those who rise early in the morning in search of her will be filled with joy. Whoever possesses her will have glory and wherever he goes blessings will follow. Those who serve her are ministers of the Holy One; those who love her are loved of the Lord. He who listens to her will have good judgment. He who obeys her will rest in safety. Whoever trusts in her will possess her and his children after him will inherit her. For in the beginning she will lead him by rough paths, causing him to fear and be terrified; she will plague him with her discipline until she can count on him; and she will put him to the test by her demands. Then she will lead him on a level path, give him joy and reveal her secrets to him. But if he wanders from the path, she will abandon him and allow him to be lost."

"Deliver the oppressed from the hands of the oppressor. Do not be weak when you administer justice. Be like a father towards orphans and like a husband towards their mothers. Then you will be like a son of the Most High and he will love you more than your own mother."

"My son, do not deny the poor his food and do not make the man who looks at you with pleading eyes wait. Do not sadden the hungry person nor annoy anyone who is in need. Do not exasperate an angry man nor withhold alms from the beggar. Do not drive away the beggar who is weighed down with afflictions, nor turn away your face from the poor; do not snub the needy nor give anyone a reason to curse you. If someone curses you in the bitterness of his heart, the Creator will hear his prayer."

"As water extinguishes the burning flames, almsgiving obtains pardon for sins. The man who responds by doing good prepares for the future, at the moment of his downfall he will find support."

"Do not tire yourself in resolving useless questions since the knowledge you already have goes beyond human understanding. For many have been led astray by their personal theories and false pretension has undermined reason."

"Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed unto the meek. For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give him glory."

"The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favor with God."

"For the Lord established that children should respect their father; he confirmed the right of the mother over her children. Whoever honors his father atones for his sins; he who gives glory to his mother prepares a treasure for himself. Whoever honors his father will receive joy from his own children and will be heard when he prays. Whoever glorifies his father will have a long life. Whoever obeys the Lord gives comfort to his mother. He serves those who brought him to birth as he would serve the Lord. Honor your father in word and deed so that his blessing may come on you. For a father’s blessing secures the future of his children, but a mother’s curse destroys them at their roots. Do not rejoice at the humiliation of your father because his dishonor is no glory for you. For a man’s glory comes from his father’s reputation; a mother who is not respected is a disgrace to her children. My child, take care of your father in his old age, do not cause him sorrow as long as he lives. Even if he has lost his mind, have patience; do not be disrespectful to him while you are in full health. For kindness done to one’s father will never be forgotten, it will serve as reparation for your sins. In the day of adversity the Lord will remember it to your advantage; for just as ice melts in the heat, so will your sins melt away. The man who abandons his father is like a blasphemer; he who annoys his mother is cursed by the Lord."

"Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his commandments; those who love him faithfully keep his laws. Those who fear the Lord seek to please him; those who love him are filled with his law. Those who fear the Lord keep their hearts ready and humble themselves in his presence saying, “Let us fall into the hands of the Lord and not into the hands of mortals, for great as his power is his mercy.”"

"My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity. Hold fast to the Lord, do not separate yourself from him so that you may be successful to the end of your days. Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to God are tested in the crucible of humiliation. Have confidence in him and he will take care of you; follow the right path and hope in him. You who fear the Lord, wait for his mercy and do not turn away lest you fall. You who fear the Lord, trust him and you will not lose your reward. You who fear the Lord, hope for all good things; hope for eternal joy and mercy. Remember what happened to your ancestors. Who has ever trusted in the Lord and been confounded? Who has persevered in fear of the Lord and been abandoned? Who has called upon him and not been heard? For the Lord is compassion and loving-kindness; he forgives our sins and saves us in time of distress."