“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,

If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;

“Therefore I have come out to meet you,
To seek your presence earnestly, and I have found you.

“I love those who love me;
And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Many will seek the favor of a generous man,
And every man is a friend to him who gives gifts.

The prudent sees the evil and hides himself,
But the naive go on, and are punished for it.

Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before obscure men.

Your eyes will see strange things
And your mind will utter perverse things.

“They struck me, but I did not become ill;
They beat me, but I did not know it.
When shall I awake?
I will seek another drink.”

If you say, “See, we did not know this,”
Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?
And does He not know it who keeps your soul?
And will He not render to man according to his work?

Or the Lord will see it and be displeased,
And turn His anger away from him.

For it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,”
Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince,
Whom your eyes have seen.

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

A prudent man sees evil and hides himself,
The naive proceed and pay the penalty.

When the grass disappears, the new growth is seen,
And the herbs of the mountains are gathered in,

Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.

The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

When the wicked increase, transgression increases;
But the righteous will see their fall.

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the Lord.