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Dreams Mean Nothing

34 The senseless have vain and false hopes,
    and dreams give wings to fools.
As one who catches at a shadow and pursues the wind,
    so is anyone who pays attention to dreams.(A)
What is seen in dreams is but a reflection,
    the likeness of a face looking at itself.(B)
From an unclean thing, what can be clean?
    And from something false, what can be true?(C)
Divinations and omens and dreams are unreal,
    and like a woman in labor the mind has fantasies.(D)
Unless they are sent by intervention from the Most High,
    pay no attention to them.(E)
For dreams have deceived many,
    and those who put their hope in them have perished.
Without such deceptions the law will be fulfilled,
    and wisdom is complete in a trustworthy mouth.

Experience as a Teacher

People who have traveled[a] know many things,
    and those with much experience know what they are talking about.(F)
10 The inexperienced know few things,
11     but those who have traveled acquire much cleverness.(G)
12 I have seen many things in my travels,
    and I understand more than I can express.
13 I have often been in danger of death
    but have escaped because of these experiences.(H)

Fear the Lord

14 The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live,(I)
15     for their hope is in him who saves them.
16 Those who fear the Lord will not be timid
    or play the coward, for he is their hope.(J)
17 Happy are souls that fear the Lord!
18     To whom do they look? And who is their support?
19 The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him,
    a mighty shield and strong support,
a shelter from scorching heat and a shade from noonday sun,
    a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.(K)
20 He lifts up the soul and makes the eyes sparkle;
    he gives health and life and blessing.(L)

Offering Sacrifices

21 If one sacrifices ill-gotten goods, the offering is blemished;[b](M)
22     the gifts[c] of the lawless are not acceptable.
23 The Most High is not pleased with the offerings of the ungodly,
    nor for a multitude of sacrifices does he forgive sins.(N)
24 Like one who kills a son before his father’s eyes
    is the person who offers a sacrifice from the property of the poor.(O)
25 The bread of the needy is the life of the poor;
    whoever deprives them of it is a murderer.
26 To take away a neighbor’s living is to commit murder;(P)
27     to deprive an employee of wages is to shed blood.(Q)

28 When one builds and another tears down,
    what do they gain but hard work?
29 When one prays and another curses,
    to whose voice will the Lord listen?
30 If one washes after touching a corpse and touches it again,
    what has been gained by washing?(R)
31 So if one fasts for his sins
    and goes again and does the same things,
who will listen to his prayer?
    And what has he gained by humbling himself?(S)

Footnotes

  1. 34.9 Other ancient authorities read are educated
  2. 34.21 Other ancient authorities read is made in mockery
  3. 34.22 Other ancient authorities read mockeries