The mercifulmandoeshimselfgood,But the cruelmandoeshimselfharm.
"He sucksthe poisonof cobras;The viper'stongueslayshim.
He who profitsillicitlytroubleshis own house,But he who hatesbribeswill live.
He who is generouswill be blessed,For he givessomeof his foodto the poor.
Therewas a certainmanwithouta dependent,havingneithera sonnora brother,yet therewas noendto allhis labor.Indeed,his eyeswere not satisfiedwith riches[and he never asked], "And for whomam I laboringand deprivingmyselfof pleasure?"Thistoois vanityand it is a grievoustask.
The righteousmanperishes,and nomantakesit to heart;And devoutmenare takenaway,while nooneunderstands.For the righteousmanis takenawayfrom evil,
Therefore,O king,may my advicebe pleasingto you: breakawaynow from your sinsby [doing] righteousnessand from your iniquitiesby showingmercyto [the] poor,in casethere may be a prolongingof your prosperity.'
"Blessedare the merciful,for they shall receive mercy.
"Give,and it will be givento you. They will pourinto your lapa goodmeasure--pressed down,shaken together,[and] running over.For by your standardof measureit will be measured to you in return."
Not that I seekthe giftitself, but I seekfor the profitwhich increasesto your account.
For judgment[will be] mercilessto one who has shownnomercy;mercytriumphs overjudgment.
