Soteachus to numberour days,That we may presentto You a heartof wisdom.
"And to manHe said,'Behold,the fearof the Lord,that is wisdom;And to departfrom evilis understanding.'"
"LORD,make me to knowmy endAnd whatis the extentof my days;Let me knowhowtransientI am.
"Behold,You have mademy days[as] handbreadths,And my lifetimeas nothingin Your sight;Surelyeverymanat his bestis a merebreath.Selah.
Howmuch betterit is to getwisdomthangold!And to getunderstandingis to be chosenabovesilver.
Inclineyour earand hearthe wordsof the wise,And applyyour mindto my knowledge;
Applyyour heartto disciplineAnd your earsto wordsof knowledge.
Buytruth,and do not sell[it], [Get] wisdomand instructionand understanding.
Acquirewisdom!Acquireunderstanding!Do not forgetnorturnawayfrom the wordsof my mouth.
"The beginningof wisdom[is]: Acquirewisdom;And with allyour acquiring,getunderstanding.
It is betterto goto a houseof mourningThanto goto a houseof feasting,Becausethat is the endof everyman,And the livingtakes[it] to heart.
Whateveryour handfindsto do,do[it] with [all] your might;for thereis noactivityor planningor knowledgeor wisdomin Sheolwhereyou are going.
"We mustworkthe worksof Him who sentMe as longas it is day;nightis comingwhenno onecanwork.
"Wouldthat they were wise,that they understoodthis,That they would discerntheir future!
