“He who oppresseth the poor, blasphemeth his Maker; and he who is gracious to the needy, honoureth him” (xiv. 31). “He who is gracious to the poor, lendeth to the Lord, and he will repay him his reward” (xix. 17). “Do not rob the poor because he is poor; and do not crush the poor in the gate, for the Lord will plead their cause, and will take the soul of those who rob them” (xxii. 23). “The Lord will pull down the house of the proud, and will establish the border of the widow” (xv. 25). “The rich and the poor meet; the Maker of them all is the Lord” (xxii. 2). He punishes the evil-doer and rewards the righteous:— “Do not say, I will repay evil; hope in the Lord, and he will help thee” (xx. 22). “He who closeth his ear because of the crying of the poor, he also will call and will not be answered” (xxi. 13). “He who keepeth a command, keepeth his soul; he who despiseth his ways shall die” (xix. 16). “When the Lord is pleased with the ways of man, he will cause even his enemies to make peace with him” (xvi. 7). “The Lord will not let the soul of the righteous be hungry, but the desire of the wicked will he thrust back” (x. 3). He knows the heart of man:— “There is a test for silver, and a refining pot for gold; but God trieth the hearts” (xvii. 3). He directs all events:— “Man’s heart planneth his way, but the Lord directeth his step” (xvi. 9). “The horse is prepared for the day of war, but the victory is the Lord’s” (xxi. 31). His blessing is a true blessing:— “The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and doth not increase trouble with it” (x. 22). His Will alone must be obeyed:— “There is no wisdom, and no understanding, and no counsel against the Lord” (xxi. 30). “Whoso despiseth a word will be punished, but he who feareth a commandment will be rewarded” (xiii. 13). “Without a vision the people cometh into disorder; but he who keepeth the Law, happy is he” (xxix. 18). The fear of the Lord is the basis of a virtuous and happy life:— “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (i. 7); the fountain of life (xiv. 27); the fear of the Lord adds days, but the years of the wicked will be short” (x. 27). According as we display wisdom or folly we make others and ourselves happy or unhappy:— “A wise son giveth joy to his father, and a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother” (x. 1). “The wisdom of woman buildeth her house, and folly pulleth it down by her hands” (xiv. 1). “Eat, my son, honey, for it is good, and honeycomb, which is sweet for thy palate; know that thus is wisdom for thy soul; if thou hast found it, there is a future, and thy hope will not be cut off” (xxiv. 13, 14). “The prudent seeth evil, and is hidden; the ignorant pass by, and are punished” (xxvii. 12).