1. Hebrew Bible, Deuteronomy, 4.6, 6.24-6.25, 28.47, 34.9 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 4.6. וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם וַעֲשִׂיתֶם כִּי הִוא חָכְמַתְכֶם וּבִינַתְכֶם לְעֵינֵי הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְעוּן אֵת כָּל־הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה וְאָמְרוּ רַק עַם־חָכָם וְנָבוֹן הַגּוֹי הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה׃ 6.24. וַיְצַוֵּנוּ יְהוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־כָּל־הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה לְיִרְאָה אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְטוֹב לָנוּ כָּל־הַיָּמִים לְחַיֹּתֵנוּ כְּהַיּוֹם הַזֶּה׃ 6.25. וּצְדָקָה תִּהְיֶה־לָּנוּ כִּי־נִשְׁמֹר לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־כָּל־הַמִּצְוָה הַזֹּאת לִפְנֵי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּנוּ׃ 28.47. תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא־עָבַדְתָּ אֶת־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב מֵרֹב כֹּל׃ 34.9. וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן־נוּן מָלֵא רוּחַ חָכְמָה כִּי־סָמַךְ מֹשֶׁה אֶת־יָדָיו עָלָיו וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֵלָיו בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה׃ | 4.6. Observe therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, that, when they hear all these statutes, shall say: ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 6.24. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 6.25. And it shall be righteousness unto us, if we observe to do all this commandment before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us.’ 28.47. because thou didst not serve the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; 34.9. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. |
|
2. Hebrew Bible, Esther, 1.10 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 1.10. On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Bizzetha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that ministered in the presence of Ahasuerus the king |
|
3. Hebrew Bible, Genesis, 41.33, 41.39 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 41.33. וְעַתָּה יֵרֶא פַרְעֹה אִישׁ נָבוֹן וְחָכָם וִישִׁיתֵהוּ עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם׃ 41.39. וַיֹּאמֶר פַּרְעֹה אֶל־יוֹסֵף אַחֲרֵי הוֹדִיעַ אֱלֹהִים אוֹתְךָ אֶת־כָּל־זֹאת אֵין־נָבוֹן וְחָכָם כָּמוֹךָ׃ | 41.33. Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 41.39. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph: ‘Forasmuch as God hath shown thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou. |
|
4. Hebrew Bible, Job, 28.12-28.28 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 28.12. וְהַחָכְמָה מֵאַיִן תִּמָּצֵא וְאֵי זֶה מְקוֹם בִּינָה׃ 28.13. לֹא־יָדַע אֱנוֹשׁ עֶרְכָּהּ וְלֹא תִמָּצֵא בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים׃ 28.14. תְּהוֹם אָמַר לֹא בִי־הִיא וְיָם אָמַר אֵין עִמָּדִי׃ 28.15. לֹא־יֻתַּן סְגוֹר תַּחְתֶּיהָ וְלֹא יִשָּׁקֵל כֶּסֶף מְחִירָהּ׃ 28.16. לֹא־תְסֻלֶּה בְּכֶתֶם אוֹפִיר בְּשֹׁהַם יָקָר וְסַפִּיר׃ 28.17. לֹא־יַעַרְכֶנָּה זָהָב וּזְכוֹכִית וּתְמוּרָתָהּ כְּלִי־פָז׃ 28.18. רָאמוֹת וְגָבִישׁ לֹא יִזָּכֵר וּמֶשֶׁךְ חָכְמָה מִפְּנִינִים׃ 28.19. לֹא־יַעַרְכֶנָּה פִּטְדַת־כּוּשׁ בְּכֶתֶם טָהוֹר לֹא תְסֻלֶּה׃ 28.21. וְנֶעֶלְמָה מֵעֵינֵי כָל־חָי וּמֵעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם נִסְתָּרָה׃ 28.22. אֲבַדּוֹן וָמָוֶת אָמְרוּ בְּאָזְנֵינוּ שָׁמַעְנוּ שִׁמְעָהּ׃ 28.23. אֱלֹהִים הֵבִין דַּרְכָּהּ וְהוּא יָדַע אֶת־מְקוֹמָהּ׃ 28.24. כִּי־הוּא לִקְצוֹת־הָאָרֶץ יַבִּיט תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַיִם יִרְאֶה׃ 28.25. לַעֲשׂוֹת לָרוּחַ מִשְׁקָל וּמַיִם תִּכֵּן בְּמִדָּה׃ 28.26. בַּעֲשֹׂתוֹ לַמָּטָר חֹק וְדֶרֶךְ לַחֲזִיז קֹלוֹת׃ 28.27. אָז רָאָהּ וַיְסַפְּרָהּ הֱכִינָהּ וְגַם־חֲקָרָהּ׃ 28.28. וַיֹּאמֶר לָאָדָם הֵן יִרְאַת אֲדֹנָי הִיא חָכְמָה וְסוּר מֵרָע בִּינָה׃ | 28.12. But wisdom, where shall it be found? And where is the place of understanding? 28.13. Man knoweth not the price thereof; Neither is it found in the land of the living. 28.14. The deep saith: ‘It is not in me’; And the sea saith: ‘It is not with me.’ 28.15. It cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. 28.16. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 28.17. Gold and glass cannot equal it; Neither shall the exchange thereof be vessels of fine gold. 28.18. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies. 28.19. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold. 28.20. Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding? 28.21. Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, And kept close from the fowls of the air. 28.22. Destruction and Death say: ‘We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.’ 28.23. God understandeth the way thereof, And He knoweth the place thereof. 28.24. For He looketh to the ends of the earth, And seeth under the whole heaven; 28.25. When He maketh a weight for the wind, And meteth out the waters by measure. 28.26. When He made a decree for the rain, And a way for the storm of thunders; 28.27. Then did He see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out. 28.28. And unto man He said: ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ |
|
5. Hebrew Bible, Proverbs, 1.20-1.33, 4.4-4.5, 8.1-8.17, 8.19-8.36, 9.1-9.12 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 1.21. בְּרֹאשׁ הֹמִיּוֹת תִּקְרָא בְּפִתְחֵי שְׁעָרִים בָּעִיר אֲמָרֶיהָ תֹאמֵר׃ 1.22. עַד־מָתַי פְּתָיִם תְּאֵהֲבוּ פֶתִי וְלֵצִים לָצוֹן חָמְדוּ לָהֶם וּכְסִילִים יִשְׂנְאוּ־דָעַת׃ 1.23. תָּשׁוּבוּ לְתוֹכַחְתִּי הִנֵּה אַבִּיעָה לָכֶם רוּחִי אוֹדִיעָה דְבָרַי אֶתְכֶם׃ 1.24. יַעַן קָרָאתִי וַתְּמָאֵנוּ נָטִיתִי יָדִי וְאֵין מַקְשִׁיב׃ 1.25. וַתִּפְרְעוּ כָל־עֲצָתִי וְתוֹכַחְתִּי לֹא אֲבִיתֶם׃ 1.26. גַּם־אֲנִי בְּאֵידְכֶם אֶשְׂחָק אֶלְעַג בְּבֹא פַחְדְּכֶם׃ 1.27. בְּבֹא כשאוה [כְשׁוֹאָה ] פַּחְדְּכֶם וְאֵידְכֶם כְּסוּפָה יֶאֱתֶה בְּבֹא עֲלֵיכֶם צָרָה וְצוּקָה׃ 1.28. אָז יִקְרָאֻנְנִי וְלֹא אֶעֱנֶה יְשַׁחֲרֻנְנִי וְלֹא יִמְצָאֻנְנִי׃ 1.29. תַּחַת כִּי־שָׂנְאוּ דָעַת וְיִרְאַת יְהֹוָה לֹא בָחָרוּ׃ 1.31. וְיֹאכְלוּ מִפְּרִי דַרְכָּם וּמִמֹּעֲצֹתֵיהֶם יִשְׂבָּעוּ׃ 1.32. כִּי מְשׁוּבַת פְּתָיִם תַּהַרְגֵם וְשַׁלְוַת כְּסִילִים תְּאַבְּדֵם׃ 1.33. וְשֹׁמֵעַ לִי יִשְׁכָּן־בֶּטַח וְשַׁאֲנַן מִפַּחַד רָעָה׃ 4.4. וַיֹּרֵנִי וַיֹּאמֶר לִי יִתְמָךְ־דְּבָרַי לִבֶּךָ שְׁמֹר מִצְוֺתַי וֶחְיֵה׃ 4.5. קְנֵה חָכְמָה קְנֵה בִינָה אַל־תִּשְׁכַּח וְאַל־תֵּט מֵאִמְרֵי־פִי׃ 8.1. קְחוּ־מוּסָרִי וְאַל־כָּסֶף וְדַעַת מֵחָרוּץ נִבְחָר׃ 8.1. הֲלֹא־חָכְמָה תִקְרָא וּתְבוּנָה תִּתֵּן קוֹלָהּ׃ 8.2. בְּאֹרַח־צְדָקָה אֲהַלֵּך בְּתוֹךְ נְתִיבוֹת מִשְׁפָּט׃ 8.2. בְּרֹאשׁ־מְרוֹמִים עֲלֵי־דָרֶךְ בֵּית נְתִיבוֹת נִצָּבָה׃ 8.3. לְיַד־שְׁעָרִים לְפִי־קָרֶת מְבוֹא פְתָחִים תָּרֹנָּה׃ 8.3. וָאֶהְיֶה אֶצְלוֹ אָמוֹן וָאֶהְיֶה שַׁעֲשֻׁעִים יוֹם יוֹם מְשַׂחֶקֶת לְפָנָיו בְּכָל־עֵת׃ 8.4. אֲלֵיכֶם אִישִׁים אֶקְרָא וְקוֹלִי אֶל־בְּנֵי אָדָם׃ 8.5. הָבִינוּ פְתָאיִם עָרְמָה וּכְסִילִים הָבִינוּ לֵב׃ 8.6. שִׁמְעוּ כִּי־נְגִידִים אֲדַבֵּר וּמִפְתַּח שְׂפָתַי מֵישָׁרִים׃ 8.7. כִּי־אֱמֶת יֶהְגֶּה חִכִּי וְתוֹעֲבַת שְׂפָתַי רֶשַׁע׃ 8.8. בְּצֶדֶק כָּל־אִמְרֵי־פִי אֵין בָּהֶם נִפְתָּל וְעִקֵּשׁ׃ 8.9. כֻּלָּם נְכֹחִים לַמֵּבִין וִישָׁרִים לְמֹצְאֵי דָעַת׃ 8.11. כִּי־טוֹבָה חָכְמָה מִפְּנִינִים וְכָל־חֲפָצִים לֹא יִשְׁווּ־בָהּ׃ 8.12. אֲנִי־חָכְמָה שָׁכַנְתִּי עָרְמָה וְדַעַת מְזִמּוֹת אֶמְצָא׃ 8.13. יִרְאַת יְהוָה שְׂנֹאת רָע גֵּאָה וְגָאוֹן וְדֶרֶךְ רָע וּפִי תַהְפֻּכוֹת שָׂנֵאתִי׃ 8.14. לִי־עֵצָה וְתוּשִׁיָּה אֲנִי בִינָה לִי גְבוּרָה׃ 8.15. בִּי מְלָכִים יִמְלֹכוּ וְרוֹזְנִים יְחֹקְקוּ צֶדֶק׃ 8.16. בִּי שָׂרִים יָשֹׂרוּ וּנְדִיבִים כָּל־שֹׁפְטֵי צֶדֶק׃ 8.17. אֲנִי אהביה [אֹהֲבַי] אֵהָב וּמְשַׁחֲרַי יִמְצָאֻנְנִי׃ 8.19. טוֹב פִּרְיִי מֵחָרוּץ וּמִפָּז וּתְבוּאָתִי מִכֶּסֶף נִבְחָר׃ 8.21. לְהַנְחִיל אֹהֲבַי יֵשׁ וְאֹצְרֹתֵיהֶם אֲמַלֵּא׃ 8.22. יְהוָה קָנָנִי רֵאשִׁית דַּרְכּוֹ קֶדֶם מִפְעָלָיו מֵאָז׃ 8.23. מֵעוֹלָם נִסַּכְתִּי מֵרֹאשׁ מִקַּדְמֵי־אָרֶץ׃ 8.24. בְּאֵין־תְּהֹמוֹת חוֹלָלְתִּי בְּאֵין מַעְיָנוֹת נִכְבַּדֵּי־מָיִם׃ 8.25. בְּטֶרֶם הָרִים הָטְבָּעוּ לִפְנֵי גְבָעוֹת חוֹלָלְתִּי׃ 8.26. עַד־לֹא עָשָׂה אֶרֶץ וְחוּצוֹת וְרֹאשׁ עָפְרוֹת תֵּבֵל׃ 8.27. בַּהֲכִינוֹ שָׁמַיִם שָׁם אָנִי בְּחוּקוֹ חוּג עַל־פְּנֵי תְהוֹם׃ 8.28. בְּאַמְּצוֹ שְׁחָקִים מִמָּעַל בַּעֲזוֹז עִינוֹת תְּהוֹם׃ 8.29. בְּשׂוּמוֹ לַיָּם חֻקּוֹ וּמַיִם לֹא יַעַבְרוּ־פִיו בְּחוּקוֹ מוֹסְדֵי אָרֶץ׃ 8.31. מְשַׂחֶקֶת בְּתֵבֵל אַרְצוֹ וְשַׁעֲשֻׁעַי אֶת־בְּנֵי אָדָם׃ 8.32. וְעַתָּה בָנִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִי וְאַשְׁרֵי דְּרָכַי יִשְׁמֹרוּ׃ 8.33. שִׁמְעוּ מוּסָר וַחֲכָמוּ וְאַל־תִּפְרָעוּ׃ 8.34. אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם שֹׁמֵעַ לִי לִשְׁקֹד עַל־דַּלְתֹתַי יוֹם יוֹם לִשְׁמֹר מְזוּזֹת פְּתָחָי׃ 8.35. כִּי מֹצְאִי מצאי [מָצָא] חַיִּים וַיָּפֶק רָצוֹן מֵיְהוָה׃ 8.36. וְחֹטְאִי חֹמֵס נַפְשׁוֹ כָּל־מְשַׂנְאַי אָהֲבוּ מָוֶת׃ 9.1. חָכְמוֹת בָּנְתָה בֵיתָהּ חָצְבָה עַמּוּדֶיהָ שִׁבְעָה׃ 9.1. תְּחִלַּת חָכְמָה יִרְאַת יְהוָה וְדַעַת קְדֹשִׁים בִּינָה׃ 9.2. טָבְחָה טִבְחָהּ מָסְכָה יֵינָהּ אַף עָרְכָה שֻׁלְחָנָהּ׃ 9.3. שָׁלְחָה נַעֲרֹתֶיהָ תִקְרָא עַל־גַּפֵּי מְרֹמֵי קָרֶת׃ 9.4. מִי־פֶתִי יָסֻר הֵנָּה חֲסַר־לֵב אָמְרָה לּוֹ׃ 9.5. לְכוּ לַחֲמוּ בְלַחֲמִי וּשְׁתוּ בְּיַיִן מָסָכְתִּי׃ 9.6. עִזְבוּ פְתָאיִם וִחְיוּ וְאִשְׁרוּ בְּדֶרֶךְ בִּינָה׃ 9.7. יֹסֵר לֵץ לֹקֵחַ לוֹ קָלוֹן וּמוֹכִיחַ לְרָשָׁע מוּמוֹ׃ 9.8. אַל־תּוֹכַח לֵץ פֶּן־יִשְׂנָאֶךָּ הוֹכַח לְחָכָם וְיֶאֱהָבֶךָּ׃ 9.9. תֵּן לְחָכָם וְיֶחְכַּם־עוֹד הוֹדַע לְצַדִּיק וְיוֹסֶף לֶקַח׃ 9.11. כִּי־בִי יִרְבּוּ יָמֶיךָ וְיוֹסִיפוּ לְּךָ שְׁנוֹת חַיִּים׃ 9.12. אִם־חָכַמְתָּ חָכַמְתָּ לָּךְ וְלַצְתָּ לְבַדְּךָ תִשָּׂא׃ | 1.20. Wisdom crieth aloud in the streets, she uttereth her voice in the broad places; 1.21. She calleth at the head of the noisy streets, at the entrances of the gates, in the city, she uttereth her words: 1.22. ’How long, ye thoughtless, will ye love thoughtlessness? And how long will scorners delight them in scorning, And fools hate knowledge? 1.23. Turn you at my reproof; behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 1.24. Because I have called, and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man attended 1.25. But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; 1.26. I also, in your calamity, will laugh, I will mock when your dread cometh; 1.27. When your dread cometh as a storm, and your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind; When trouble and distress come upon you. 1.28. Then will they call me, but I will not answer, they will seek me earnestly, but they shall not find me. 1.29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD; 1.30. They would none of my counsel, they despised all my reproof. 1.31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 1.32. For the waywardness of the thoughtless shall slay them, and the confidence of fools shall destroy them. 1.33. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely, and shall be quiet without fear of evil.’ 4.4. And he taught me, and said unto me: ‘Let thy heart hold fast my words, Keep my commandments, and live; 4.5. Get wisdom, get understanding; Forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth; 8.1. Doth not wisdom call, And understanding put forth her voice? 8.2. In the top of high places by the way, Where the paths meet, she standeth; 8.3. Beside the gates, at the entry of the city, At the coming in at the doors, she crieth aloud: 8.4. ’Unto you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. 8.5. O ye thoughtless, understand prudence, And, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart. 8.6. Hear, for I will speak excellent things, And the opening of my lips shall be right things. 8.7. For my mouth shall utter truth, And wickedness is an abomination to my lips. 8.8. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness, There is nothing perverse or crooked in them. 8.9. They are all plain to him that understandeth, And right to them that find knowledge. 8.10. Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold. 8.11. For wisdom is better than rubies, And all things desirable are not to be compared unto her. 8.12. I wisdom dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge of devices. 8.13. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, And the froward mouth, do I hate. 8.14. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine. 8.15. By me kings reign, And princes decree justice. 8.16. By me princes rule, And nobles, even all the judges of the earth. 8.17. I love them that love me, And those that seek me earnestly shall find me. 8.19. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my produce than choice silver. 8.20. I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice; 8.21. That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries. 8.22. The LORD made me as the beginning of His way, The first of His works of old. 8.23. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Or ever the earth was. 8.24. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; When there were no fountains abounding with water. 8.25. Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth; 8.26. While as yet He had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the beginning of the dust of the world. 8.27. When He established the heavens, I was there; When He set a circle upon the face of the deep 8.28. When He made firm the skies above, When the fountains of the deep showed their might 8.29. When He gave to the sea His decree, That the waters should not transgress His commandment, When He appointed the foundations of the earth; 8.30. Then I was by Him, as a nursling; And I was daily all delight, Playing always before Him 8.31. Playing in His habitable earth, And my delights are with the sons of men. 8.32. Now therefore, ye children, hearken unto me; For happy are they that keep my ways. 8.33. Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not. 8.34. Happy is the man that hearkeneth to me, Watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 8.35. For whoso findeth me findeth life, And obtaineth favour of the LORD. 8.36. But he that misseth me wrongeth his own soul; All they that hate me love death.’ 9.1. Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars; 9.2. She hath prepared her meat, she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. 9.3. She hath sent forth her maidens, she calleth, upon the highest places of the city: 9.4. ’Whoso is thoughtless, let him turn in hither’; as for him that lacketh understanding, she saith to him: 9.5. 'Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. 9.6. Forsake all thoughtlessness, and live; and walk in the way of understanding. 9.7. He that correcteth a scorner getteth to himself shame, and he that reproveth a wicked man, it becometh unto him a blot. 9.8. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee; reprove a wise man, and he will love thee. 9.9. Give to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. 9.10. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the All-holy is understanding. 9.11. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. 9.12. If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself; And if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.’ |
|
6. Hebrew Bible, Psalms, 15.2, 15.4, 112.1 (9th cent. BCE - 3rd cent. BCE)
| 15.2. הוֹלֵךְ תָּמִים וּפֹעֵל צֶדֶק וְדֹבֵר אֱמֶת בִּלְבָבוֹ׃ 15.4. נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינָיו נִמְאָס וְאֶת־יִרְאֵי יְהוָה יְכַבֵּד נִשְׁבַּע לְהָרַע וְלֹא יָמִר׃ 112.1. רָשָׁע יִרְאֶה וְכָעָס שִׁנָּיו יַחֲרֹק וְנָמָס תַּאֲוַת רְשָׁעִים תֹּאבֵד׃ 112.1. הַלְלוּ יָהּ אַשְׁרֵי־אִישׁ יָרֵא אֶת־יְהוָה בְּמִצְוֺתָיו חָפֵץ מְאֹד׃ | 15.2. He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, And speaketh truth in his heart; 15.4. In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honoureth them that fear the LORD; He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not; 112.1. Hallelujah. Happy is the man that feareth the LORD, That delighteth greatly in His commandments. |
|
7. Hebrew Bible, 1 Kings, 2.9, 3.12 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 2.9. וְעַתָּה אַל־תְּנַקֵּהוּ כִּי אִישׁ חָכָם אָתָּה וְיָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה־לּוֹ וְהוֹרַדְתָּ אֶת־שֵׂיבָתוֹ בְּדָם שְׁאוֹל׃ 3.12. הִנֵּה עָשִׂיתִי כִּדְבָרֶיךָ הִנֵּה נָתַתִּי לְךָ לֵב חָכָם וְנָבוֹן אֲשֶׁר כָּמוֹךָ לֹא־הָיָה לְפָנֶיךָ וְאַחֲרֶיךָ לֹא־יָקוּם כָּמוֹךָ׃ | 2.9. Now therefore hold him not guiltless, for thou art a wise man; and thou wilt know what thou oughtest to do unto him, and thou shalt bring his hoar head down to the grave with blood.’ 3.12. behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. |
|
8. Hebrew Bible, 1 Samuel, 16.18, 25.3, 25.33 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 16.18. וַיַּעַן אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה רָאִיתִי בֵּן לְיִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִי יֹדֵעַ נַגֵּן וְגִבּוֹר חַיִל וְאִישׁ מִלְחָמָה וּנְבוֹן דָּבָר וְאִישׁ תֹּאַר וַיהוָה עִמּוֹ׃ 25.3. וְשֵׁם הָאִישׁ נָבָל וְשֵׁם אִשְׁתּוֹ אֲבִגָיִל וְהָאִשָּׁה טוֹבַת־שֶׂכֶל וִיפַת תֹּאַר וְהָאִישׁ קָשֶׁה וְרַע מַעֲלָלִים וְהוּא כלבו [כָלִבִּי׃] 25.3. וְהָיָה כִּי־יַעֲשֶׂה יְהוָה לַאדֹנִי כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּר אֶת־הַטּוֹבָה עָלֶיךָ וְצִוְּךָ לְנָגִיד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל׃ 25.33. וּבָרוּךְ טַעְמֵךְ וּבְרוּכָה אָתְּ אֲשֶׁר כְּלִתִנִי הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה מִבּוֹא בְדָמִים וְהֹשֵׁעַ יָדִי לִי׃ | 16.18. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Yishay the Bet-hallaĥmite, that knows how to play, and a fine warrior, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. 25.3. Now the name of the man was Naval; and the name of his wife Avigayil: and she was a woman of good understanding, and fair of form: but the man was hardhearted and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Kalev. 25.33. and blessed be thy discretion, and blessed be thou who hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with my own hand. |
|
9. Hebrew Bible, 2 Samuel, 13.3, 14.2, 14.20, 20.16, 20.22 (8th cent. BCE - 5th cent. BCE)
| 13.3. וַיְהִי הֵמָּה בַדֶּרֶךְ וְהַשְּׁמֻעָה בָאָה אֶל־דָּוִד לֵאמֹר הִכָּה אַבְשָׁלוֹם אֶת־כָּל־בְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ וְלֹא־נוֹתַר מֵהֶם אֶחָד׃ 13.3. וּלְאַמְנוֹן רֵעַ וּשְׁמוֹ יוֹנָדָב בֶּן־שִׁמְעָה אֲחִי דָוִד וְיוֹנָדָב אִישׁ חָכָם מְאֹד׃ 14.2. לְבַעֲבוּר סַבֵּב אֶת־פְּנֵי הַדָּבָר עָשָׂה עַבְדְּךָ יוֹאָב אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַאדֹנִי חָכָם כְּחָכְמַת מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים לָדַעַת אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר בָּאָרֶץ׃ 14.2. וַיִּשְׁלַח יוֹאָב תְּקוֹעָה וַיִּקַּח מִשָּׁם אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֶיהָ הִתְאַבְּלִי־נָא וְלִבְשִׁי־נָא בִגְדֵי־אֵבֶל וְאַל־תָּסוּכִי שֶׁמֶן וְהָיִית כְּאִשָּׁה זֶה יָמִים רַבִּים מִתְאַבֶּלֶת עַל־מֵת׃ 20.16. וַתִּקְרָא אִשָּׁה חֲכָמָה מִן־הָעִיר שִׁמְעוּ שִׁמְעוּ אִמְרוּ־נָא אֶל־יוֹאָב קְרַב עַד־הֵנָּה וַאֲדַבְּרָה אֵלֶיךָ׃ 20.22. וַתָּבוֹא הָאִשָּׁה אֶל־כָּל־הָעָם בְּחָכְמָתָהּ וַיִּכְרְתוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ שֶׁבַע בֶּן־בִּכְרִי וַיַּשְׁלִכוּ אֶל־יוֹאָב וַיִּתְקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר וַיָּפֻצוּ מֵעַל־הָעִיר אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו וְיוֹאָב שָׁב יְרוּשָׁלִַם אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ׃ | 13.3. But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Yonadav, the son of Shim῾a David’s brother: and Yonadav was a very subtle man. 14.2. And Yo᾽av sent to Teqo῾a, and fetched from there a wise woman, and said to her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and do not anoint thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: 14.20. to turn this matter the other way, has thy servant Yo᾽av done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are on the earth. 20.16. Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, to Yo᾽av, Come near here; that I may speak with thee. 20.22. Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheva the son of Bikhri, and cast it out to Yo᾽av. And he blew on the shofar, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Yo᾽av returned to Yerushalayim to the king. |
|
10. Septuagint, Ecclesiasticus (Siracides), 4.11-4.19, 6.6-6.9, 6.14-6.16, 7.18, 8.2, 9.10-9.12, 9.14-9.16, 10.27, 26.13-26.18, 31.3, 38.11, 40.23 (2nd cent. BCE - 2nd cent. BCE)
| 4.11. Wisdom exalts her sons and gives help to those who seek her. 4.12. Whoever loves her loves life,and those who seek her early will be filled with joy. 4.13. Whoever holds her fast will obtain glory,and the Lord will bless the place she enters. 4.14. Those who serve her will minister to the Holy One;the Lord loves those who love her. 4.15. He who obeys her will judge the nations,and whoever gives heed to her will dwell secure. 4.16. If he has faith in her he will obtain her;and his descendants will remain in possession of her. 4.17. For at first she will walk with him on tortuous paths,she will bring fear and cowardice upon him,and will torment him by her discipline until she trusts him,and she will test him with her ordices. 4.18. Then she will come straight back to him and gladden him,and will reveal her secrets to him. 4.19. If he goes astray she will forsake him,and hand him over to his ruin. 7.18. Do not exchange a friend for money,or a real brother for the gold of Ophir. 8.2. Do not quarrel with a rich man,lest his resources outweigh yours;for gold has ruined many,and has perverted the minds of kings. 9.11. Do not envy the honors of a sinner,for you do not know what his end will be. 9.12. Do not delight in what pleases the ungodly;remember that they will not be held guiltless as long as they live. 9.14. As much as you can, aim to know your neighbors,and consult with the wise. 9.15. Let your conversation be with men of understanding,and let all your discussion be about the law of the Most High. 9.16. Let righteous men be your dinner companions,and let your glorying be in the fear of the Lord. 10.27. Better is a man who works and has an abundance of everything,than one who goes about boasting, but lacks bread. 10.27. The misery of an hour makes one forget luxury,and at the close of a mans life his deeds will be revealed. 26.13. A wifes charm delights her husband,and her skill puts fat on his bones. 26.14. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord,and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul. 26.15. A modest wife adds charm to charm,and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. 26.16. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord,so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. 26.17. Like the shining lamp on the holy lampstand,so is a beautiful face on a stately figure. 26.18. Like pillars of gold on a base of silver,so are beautiful feet with a steadfast heart. 31.3. The rich man toils as his wealth accumulates,and when he rests he fills himself with his dainties. 31.3. Drunkenness increases the anger of a fool to his injury,reducing his strength and adding wounds. 38.11. offer a sweet-smelling sacrifice, and a memorial portion of fine flour,and pour oil on your offering, as much as you can afford. 40.23. A friend or a companion never meets one amiss,but a wife with her husband is better than both. 10. A wise magistrate will educate his people,and the rule of an understanding man will be well ordered., Like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials;and like the ruler of the city, so are all its inhabitants., An undisciplined king will ruin his people,but a city will grow through the understanding of its rulers., The government of the earth is in the hands of the Lord,and over it he will raise up the right man for the time., The success of a man is in the hands of the Lord,and he confers his honor upon the person of the scribe., Do not be angry with your neighbor for any injury,and do not attempt anything by acts of insolence., Arrogance is hateful before the Lord and before men,and injustice is outrageous to both., Sovereignty passes from nation to nation on account of injustice and insolence and wealth., How can he who is dust and ashes be proud?for even in life his bowels decay., A long illness baffles the physician;the king of today will die tomorrow., For when a man is dead,he will inherit creeping things, and wild beasts, and worms., The beginning of mans pride is to depart from the Lord;his heart has forsaken his Maker., For the beginning of pride is sin,and the man who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore the Lord brought upon them extraordinary afflictions,and destroyed them utterly., The Lord has cast down the thrones of rulers,and has seated the lowly in their place., The Lord has plucked up the roots of the nations,and has planted the humble in their place., The Lord has overthrown the lands of the nations,and has destroyed them to the foundations of the earth., He has removed some of them and destroyed them,and has extinguished the memory of them from the earth., Pride was not created for men,nor fierce anger for those born of women., What race is worthy of honor? The human race. What race is worthy of honor? Those who fear the Lord. What race is unworthy of honor? The human race. What race is unworthy of honor? Those who transgress the commandments., Among brothers their leader is worthy of honor,and those who fear the Lord are worthy of honor in his eyes., The rich, and the eminent, and the poor -- their glory is the fear of the Lord., It is not right to despise an intelligent poor man,nor is it proper to honor a sinful man., The nobleman, and the judge, and the ruler will be honored,but none of them is greater than the man who fears the Lord., Free men will be at the service of a wise servant,and a man of understanding will not grumble., Do not make a display of your wisdom when you do your work,nor glorify yourself at a time when you are in want., Better is a man who works and has an abundance of everything,than one who goes about boasting, but lacks bread., My son, glorify yourself with humility,and ascribe to yourself honor according to your worth., Who will justify the man that sins against himself?And who will honor the man that dishonors his own life?, A poor man is honored for his knowledge,while a rich man is honored for his wealth., A man honored in poverty, how much more in wealth!And a man dishonored in wealth, how much more in poverty!Sir.11, The wisdom of a humble man will lift up his head,and will seat him among the great., Do not praise a man for his good looks,nor loathe a man because of his appearance., The bee is small among flying creatures,but her product is the best of sweet things., Do not boast about wearing fine clothes,nor exalt yourself in the day that you are honored;for the works of the Lord are wonderful,and his works are concealed from men., Many kings have had to sit on the ground,but one who was never thought of has worn a crown., Many rulers have been greatly disgraced,and illustrious men have been handed over to others., Do not find fault before you investigate;first consider, and then reprove., Do not answer before you have heard,nor interrupt a speaker in the midst of his words., Do not argue about a matter which does not concern you,nor sit with sinners when they judge a case., My son, do not busy yourself with many matters;if you multiply activities you will not go unpunished,and if you pursue you will not overtake,and by fleeing you will not escape., There is a man who works, and toils, and presses on,but is so much the more in want., There is another who is slow and needs help,who lacks strength and abounds in poverty;but the eyes of the Lord look upon him for his good;he lifts him out of his low estate, and raises up his head,so that many are amazed at him., Good things and bad, life and death,poverty and wealth, come from the Lord., The gift of the Lord endures for those who are godly,and what he approves will have lasting success., There is a man who is rich through his diligence and self-denial,and this is the reward allotted to him:, when he says, "I have found rest,and now I shall enjoy my goods!" he does not know how much time will pass until he leaves them to others and dies., Stand by your covet and attend to it,and grow old in your work., Do not wonder at the works of a sinner,but trust in the Lord and keep at your toil;for it is easy in the sight of the Lord to enrich a poor man quickly and suddenly., The blessing of the Lord is the reward of the godly,and quickly God causes his blessing to flourish., Do not say, "What do I need,and what prosperity could be mine in the future?", Do not say, "I have enough,and what calamity could happen to me in the future?", In the day of prosperity, adversity is forgotten,and in the day of adversity, prosperity is not remembered., For it is easy in the sight of the Lord to reward a man on the day of death according to his conduct., The misery of an hour makes one forget luxury,and at the close of a mans life his deeds will be revealed., Call no one happy before his death;a man will be known through his children., Do not bring every man into your home,for many are the wiles of the crafty., Like a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the mind of a proud man,and like a spy he observes your weakness;, for he lies in wait, turning good into evil,and to worthy actions he will attach blame., From a spark of fire come many burning coals,and a sinner lies in wait to shed blood., Beware of a scoundrel, for he devises evil,lest he give you a lasting blemish., Receive a stranger into your home and he will upset you with commotion,and will estrange you from your family. |
|
11. Septuagint, Wisdom of Solomon, 7.14 (2nd cent. BCE - 1st cent. BCE)
| 7.14. for it is an unfailing treasure for men;those who get it obtain friendship with God,commended for the gifts that come from instruction. |
|
