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14:1  If a person never says anything carelessly, he is to be congratulated; he doesn't need to feel guilty.
14:2  If a person has a clear conscience and never gives up hope, he is certainly to be congratulated!
14:3  It isn't right for someone who is selfish to be rich. What use is money to a stingy person?
14:4  If you deny yourself in order to accumulate wealth, you are only accumulating it for someone else. Others will use your riches to live in luxury.
14:5  How can you be generous with others if you are stingy with yourself, if you are not willing to enjoy your own wealth?
14:6  No one is worse off than someone who is stingy with himself; it is a sin that brings its own punishment.
14:7  When such a person does something good, it is only by accident; his selfishness will sooner or later be evident.
14:8  A selfish person is evil; he turns his back on people's needs
14:9  and is never satisfied with what he has. Greed will shrivel up a person's soul.
14:10  Some people are too stingy to put bread on their own table.
14:11  My child, treat yourself as well as you can, and bring worthy offerings to the Lord.
14:12  Remember that death is coming for you some day, and you haven't been told when that will be.
14:13  Before that day comes, be kind to your friends; be as generous as you can.
14:14  Don't deny yourself a single day's happiness. If there is something you want to do and it is lawful, go ahead!
14:15  Some day all that you have worked for will be divided up and given to others.
14:16  So be generous; but also be willing to receive from others. Enjoy yourself, for you will not find any pleasures in the world of the dead.
14:17  The human body wears out like a piece of clothing. The ancient law decrees that we must die.
14:18  Human beings are like leaves on a spreading tree. New growth takes the place of the fallen leaves; while some of us die, others are being born.
14:19  Everything made by human hands will decay and perish, along with the person who made it.
14:20  It is a happy person who is concerned with Wisdom and who uses good sense.
14:21  Anyone who studies the ways of Wisdom will also learn her secrets.
14:22  Go after Wisdom like a hunter looking for game.
14:23  Look into her windows and listen at her doors.
14:24  Camp as close to her house as you can get,
14:25  and you will have a fine place to live.
14:26  Build your home there, safe beneath her protecting branches, and shaded from the heat.
14:27  Build your home there, safe beneath her protecting branches, and shaded from the heat.