A stubborn heart shall fare ill at the last; and he that loveth danger shall perish therein. A stubborn heart shall be laden with troubles; and the sinner shall heap sin upon sin. The calamity of the proud is no healing; for a plant of wickedness hath taken root in him. The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and the ear of a listener is the desire of a wise man. Water will quench a flaming fire; and almsgiving will make atonement for sins. He that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which cometh afterward; and in the time of his falling he shall find a support. * * * * * =4= My son, deprive not the poor of his living, and make not the needy eyes to wait long. Make not a hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke a man in his distress. To a heart that is provoked add not more trouble; and defer not to give to him that is in need. Reject not a suppliant in his affliction; and turn not away thy face from a poor man. Turn not away thine eye from one that asketh of thee, and give none occasion to a man to curse thee: For if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, he that made him will hear his supplication. * * * * * Get thyself the love of the congregation; and to a great man bow thy head. Incline thine ear to a poor man, and answer him with peaceable words in meekness. Deliver him that is wronged from the hand of him that wrongeth him; and be not fainthearted in giving judgement. Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of a husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as a son of the Most High, and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth. * * * * * Wisdom exalteth her sons, and taketh hold of them that seek her. He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with gladness. He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and where he entereth, the Lord will bless. They that do her service shall minister to the Holy One; and them that love her the Lord doth love. He that giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations; and he that giveth heed unto her shall dwell securely. If he trust her, he shall inherit her; and his generations shall have her in possession. For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, and will bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgements: Then will she return again the straight way unto him, and will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets. If he go astray, she will forsake him, and give him over to his fall. * * * * * Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed concerning thy soul. For there is a shame that bringeth sin; and there is a shame that is glory and grace. Accept not the person of any against thy soul; and reverence no man unto thy falling.