18:4 He has given no one the power to proclaim his works. Who can search out his majestic deeds?
18:5 Who will measure the power of his greatness? Who will continue to recount his mercy?
18:6 It’s impossible to diminish or to increase these things, and it’s impossible to search out the wonders of the Lord.
18:7 When people finish, then they are just beginning, and when they pause, then they are puzzled.
18:8 What are human beings, and what use are they? What’s good about them, and what’s evil about them?
18:9 The length of a person’s life is as much as one hundred years.
18:10 Like a drop of water from the sea or a grain of sand, so are a few years in the span of eternity.
18:11 Therefore, the Lord was patient with them, and he poured out his mercy upon them.
18:12 He saw and knew that their end was terrible; therefore, his willingness to be reconciled increased.
18:13 Neighbors display mercy toward each other, but the mercy of the Lord is for all beings: he corrects, instructs, teaches, and turns them back, as a shepherd does his flock.
18:14 He shows mercy to those who accept discipline and to those who passionately pursue his judgments.
18:15 My child, let the good you do be without blemish, and don’t give harsh words along with your gifts.
18:16 Doesn’t dew put an end to scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.
18:17 Look! Doesn’t a word exceed a good gift? And both come from a person who is gracious.
18:18 A fool reproaches ungraciously, and a gift from a begrudging giver becomes an eyesore.
18:19 Learn before you speak, and attend to yourself before you get sick.
18:20 Examine yourself before judgment, and you will be reconciled when you are examined.
18:21 Humble yourself before you get sick, and when you commit sins show a changed heart and mind.
18:22 Don’t be prevented from repaying a solemn promise in a timely way, and don’t wait until death to be vindicated.
18:23 Prepare yourself before making a solemn promise, and don’t be like someone who tests the Lord.
18:24 Be mindful of his wrath in times of death and in times of vengeance when he turns his face away.
18:25 Remember a time of hunger in a time of plenty, a time of poverty and want in times of wealth.
18:26 From morning until evening opportune times change, and all things are fleeting in the Lord’s presence.
18:27 Wise people exercise caution in everything, and in times of sin they will take heed against error.
18:28 All intelligent people have recognized Wisdom, and they will acknowledge anyone who finds her.
18:29 Those who are intelligent with words have become wise themselves, and they have poured forth fitting proverbs.
18:30 Don’t go after your desires, and restrain yourself from your appetites.
18:31 If you cater to your desires, you will become a laughingstock to your enemies.
18:32 Don’t be glad for great luxury, and don’t be made needy by an encounter with it.
18:33 Don’t become poor by feasting with borrowed money, when you have nothing in your pocket.
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