| Chapter 34 |
1 |
The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools. --
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2 |
The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. --
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3 |
The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man. --
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4 |
What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false? --
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5 |
Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity: --
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6 |
And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set no thy heart upon them. --
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7 |
For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them. --
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8 |
The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful. --
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9 |
What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding. --
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10 |
He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence. --
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11 |
He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety. --
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12 |
I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things. --
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13 |
Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God. --
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14 |
The spirit of those that fear God; is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. --
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15 |
For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him. --
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16 |
He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid for he is his hope. --
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17 |
The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed. --
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18 |
To whom doth he look, and who in his strength? --
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19 |
The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon, --
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20 |
A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling; he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing. --
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21 |
The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable. --
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22 |
The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice. --
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23 |
The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sine by the multitude of their sacrifices. --
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24 |
He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father. --
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25 |
The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood. --
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26 |
He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour. --
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27 |
He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire, are brothers. --
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28 |
When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour? --
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29 |
When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear? --
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30 |
He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail? --
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31 |
So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer? --
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