1Great occupation is made to all men, and an heavy yoke on the sons of Adam, from the day of the going out of the womb of their mother, till into the day of burying into the mother of all men, that is, into the earth.

2The thoughts of them, and the dreads of (the) heart, (the) findings of abiding, and the day of ending;

3from him that sitteth before on a glorious seat (or a throne of glory), unto a man made low into earth and ashes;

4from him that useth jacinth, (or hyacinth), [or blue silk], and beareth a crown, unto him that is covered with raw linen cloth (or a linen cloak),

5madness (or anger), envy, noise, doubting, and dread of death, wrath-fulness dwelling continually, and strife; and in the time of resting [or repast] in the bed, the sleep of night changeth his cunning (or his know-ing, or his knowledge).

6Forsooth a little is as nought in rest; beholding is of him in sleep as in the day. He is disturbed (or is troubled) in the sight of his heart, as he that escapeth [or escaped] in the day of battle.

7He rose up in the day of his health, (or his deliverance), and dread-ing not at any dread,

8with all flesh, from man unto beast, and sevenfold (more), that is, grievous punishment, shall come on sinners.

9At these things, death, blood, striving [or strife], and sword, oppressings, hunger, and sorrow, and beatings;

10all these things be made on wicked men, and the great flood was made for them.

11For why all (the) things that be of the earth, shall (re)turn into the earth; and all (the things that be of the) waters shall (re)turn into the sea.

12All gift, given for (the) destroying of rightfulness, and wickedness, done for gift, shall be done away; and faith shall stand into the world (for ever-more).

13The riches [or The substances] of unjust men shall be made dry [or dried (up)] as a flood; and shall sound as a great thunder in (the) rain.

14An unjust man shall be glad in opening his hands; so trespassers [or law-breakers] shall fail in the end.

15The sons of (the) sons of wicked [or unpious] men shall not multiply branches; and (be like) unclean roots sown on the cop (or the top) of a stone.

16Greenness beside each water; and at the brink of the flood (or bank of the river), it shall be drawn out by the root before all (the) hay.

17Grace as paradise in blessings; and mercy dwelleth into the world.

18The life of a workman sufficient to himself shall be made sweet; and thou shalt find treasure therein.

19(The) Building of a city shall con-firm a name; and a woman without wem [or undefouled] shall be reckon-ed above [or over] this, for why her steadfastness shall stand without end.

20Wine and music make glad the heart; and (or but the) love of wisdom gladdeth above [or over] ever either.

21Pipes and psaltery make sweet melody; and (or but) a sweet tongue (is) above [or over] ever either.

22An eye shall desire grace and fair-ness; and green sowings above these things [or over these green tilthes].

23A friend and [a meat]-fellow coming together in time; and (or but) a woman with a man (is) above [or over] ever either.

24Brethren into help in the time of tribulation comfort much; and (or but) mercy shall deliver more than they [or over them].

25Gold and silver, and setting of feet; and (or but) counsel well-pleas-ing is above [or over] ever either.

26Riches and virtues enhance the heart; and (or but) the dread of the Lord (is) more than this. Making less [or less(en)ing] is not in the dread of the Lord; and in that dread it is not to seek help.

27The dread of the Lord is as (a) paradise of blessing; and the blessings of God covered him above all glory.

28Son, in the time of thy life, be thou not needy, that is, in (the) time of (thy) present life, granted to thee to work well, be thou not idle; for it is better to die, then to be needy, that is, it is better to die bodily, then to be idle, by which a man dieth ghostly (or spiritually).

29A man beholding into another man’s board, his life is not in the thought of lifelode (or about liveli-hood); for he sustaineth his life with other men’s meats. Forsooth a chas-tised man and learned [or disciplined and taught], shall keep himself.

30Neediness shall be defouled [or made] in the mouth of an unprudent, or (a) slow and idle, man; and (or but) fire shall burn in his womb.