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18:1  He who lives forever is the Creator of the entire universe;
18:2  the Lord alone is righteous. [ And there are no others beside him.
18:3  He guides the world with a turn of his hand, and all things obey his will; for he is king of all things by his power, separating the holy things among them from the profane.]
18:4  To no one has he given the power to adequately proclaim his works, and who can fathom his mighty deeds?
18:5  Who can assess his majestic power or fully recount all of his mercies?
18:6  The wonders of the Lord can be neither diminished nor increased, nor are they possible to fathom.
18:7  When a man finishes, he is still only beginning, and when he stops, he is still confused.
18:8  What is a man? What purpose does he serve? What about him is good, and what is evil?
18:9  The span of his life is great if he attains one hundred years. [But the death of each one is beyond the calculation of all.]
18:10  Like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand, such are these few years compared with eternity.
18:11  That is why the Lord is patient with men and pours out his mercy on them.
18:12  He sees and recognizes how wretched their end will be, and thus he is even more lavish with his compassion.
18:13  Man’s compassion is for his neighbor, but the compassion of the Lord extends to everyone. He rebukes, trains, and teaches them, and he brings them back into the fold as a shepherd does his flock.
18:14  He has compassion on those who accept his teaching and are diligent in obeying his precepts.
18:15  My child, do not temper your good deeds with reproach, or spoil your gifts with harsh words.
18:16  Does not dew give relief from the heat? In the same way, a word can do more than a gift.
18:17  Sometimes a word is better than an expensive gift; both are the hallmark of a gracious person.
18:18  A fool offers nothing but insult, and a gift given begrudgingly dims the expectant eyes.
18:19  Be fully informed before you speak; before you fall sick, take care of your health.
18:20  Before judgment comes, examine yourself, and at your hour of scrutiny you will find forgiveness.
18:21  Before you fall ill, humble yourself, and repent as soon as you have sinned. [Do not delay in giving up sinning, or neglect to do so until you are in distress. Do not set a time for giving up sinning; be mindful that death will not delay its coming.]
18:22  Let nothing hinder you from promptly discharging your vows; do not wait until the moment of death to fulfill them.
18:23  Before making a vow, give it careful consideration, do not imitate one who puts the Lord to the test.
18:24  Think of his wrath on the day of death, and of the moment of vengeance when he turns away his face.
18:25  Remember the time of famine in the time of plenty; think of poverty and need in the days of wealth.
18:26  Between morning and evening changes occur; all things are fleeting in the sight of the Lord.
18:27  The wise man is cautious in every respect; during sinful times he is on his guard against wrongdoing.
18:28  Every person of intelligence recognizes wisdom and praises anyone who finds her.
18:29  Those who are trained in her words must proclaim her wisdom and pour forth sound proverbs. [It is better to trust in the one Lord than to cling with a deadened heart to dead idols.]
18:30  Do not be governed by your passions, but keep your desires in check.
18:31  If you succumb to the enticements of base desires, you will become the laughingstock of your enemies.
18:32  Do not revel in luxurious living, or the expense involved may cause your impoverishment.
18:33  Do not become a beggar by feasting on credit when you have nothing in your money bag. [For you will be plotting against your own life.]