XXXIV. * The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false:

And dreams lift up fools.

2  Whoso * regardeth dreams

Is like him that catcheth at a shadow,

And followeth after the wind.

3  The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another,

Even as athe likeness of a face to a face.

4  bOf an unclean thing what can be cleansed?

And from that thing which is false what truth can come?

5  Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain:

And the heart fancieth, as a woman’s heart in travail.

6  cIf they be not sent from the most High in thy dvisitation,

* Set not thy heart upon them.

7  For dreams have deceived many,

And they have failed that put their trust in them.

8  The law shall be found perfect ewithout lies:

And wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth.

9  A man that hath travelled knoweth many things;

And fhe that hath much experience will declare wisdom.

10  He that hath no experience knoweth little:

But he that hath travelled is full of gprudence.

11  When I travelled, I saw many things;

And I understand more than I can express.

12  I was ofttimes in danger of death:

Yet I was delivered because of hthese things.

13  The spirit of those that fear the Lord shall live;

For their hope is in him that saveth them.

14  Whoso feareth the Lord shall not fear

Nor be afraid; for ihe is his hope.

15  Blessed is the soul of him that feareth the Lord:

To whom doth he jlook?

And who is his strength?

16  For kthe eyes of the Lord are upon them that love him,

He is their lmighty protection and strong stay,

mA defence from heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,

A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling.

17  He raiseth up the soul, and lighteneth the eyes:

He giveth health, life, and blessing.

18  He that sacrificeth of a thing nwrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous;

And * the gifts of unjust men are not accepted.

19  oThe most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked;

pNeither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices.

20  qWhoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor

Doeth as one that killeth the son before his father’s eyes.

21  The bread of the needy is their life:

He that defraudeth him thereof is a man of blood.

22  He that taketh away his neighbour’s living slayeth him;

And rhe that defraudeth the labourer of his hire is a bloodshedder.

23  When one buildeth, and another pulleth down,

What profit have they then but labour?

24  When one prayeth, and another curseth,

Whose voice will the sLord hear?

25  tHe that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again,

What availeth his washing?

26  So is it with a man uthat fasteth for his sins,

And xgoeth again, and doeth the same:

Who will hear his prayer?

Or what doth his humbling profit him?