of the trouble.  He who ought to be the source of healing is one of those who cause sicknesses.  The transgressor diminisheth the truth.  He who filleth well the right measure acteth rightly, provided that he giveth neither too little nor too much.  If an offering be brought unto thee, do thou share it with thy brother (or neighbour), for that which is given in charity is free from after-thought (?).  The man who is dissatisfied induceth separation, and the man who hath been condemned bringeth on schisms, even before one can know what is in his mind.  When thou hast arrived at a decision delay not in declaring it.  Who keepeth within him that which he can eject?...  When a boat cometh into port it is unloaded, and the freight thereof is landed everywhere on the quay.  It is [well] known that thou hast been educated, and trained, and experienced, but behold, it is not that thou mayest rob [the people].  Nevertheless thou dost [rob them] just as other people do, and those who are found about thee are thieves (?).  Thou who shouldst be the most upright man of all the people art the greatest transgressor in the whole country. [Thou art] the wicked gardener who watereth his plot of ground with evil deeds in order to make his plot to tell lies, so that he may flood the town (or estate) with evil deeds (or calamities).”

This peasant came the seventh time in order to lay his complaint [before Rensi], and said, “O my lord steward, thou art the steering pole of the whole land, and the land saileth according to thy command.  Thou art the second (or counterpart) of Thoth, who judgeth impartially.  My lord, permit thou a man to appeal to thee in respect of his cause which is righteous.  Let not thy heart fight against it, for it is unseemly for thee to do so; [if thou doest this] thou of the broad face wilt become evil-hearted.  Curse not the thing that hath not yet taken place, and rejoice not over that which hath not yet come to pass.  The tolerant judge rejoiceth in showing kindness, and he withholdeth all action concerning a decision that hath been given, when he knoweth not what plan was in the heart.  In the case of the judge who breaketh the Law, and overthroweth uprightness, the poor man cannot live [before him], for the judge plundereth him, and the truth saluteth him not.  But my body is full, and my heart is overloaded, and the expression thereof cometh forth from my body by reason of the condition of the same. [When] there is a breach in the dam the water poureth out through it:  even so is my mouth opened and it uttereth speech.  I have now emptied myself, I have poured out what I had to pour out, I have unburdened my body, I have finished washing my linen.  What I had to say before thee is said, my misery hath been fully set out before thee; now what hast thou to say in excuse (or apology)?  Thy lazy cowardice hath been the cause of thy sin, thine avarice hath rendered thee stupid, and thy gluttony hath been thine enemy.  Thinkest thou that thou wilt never find another peasant