לָהֵן מַלְכָּא מִלְכִּי יִשְׁפַּר עֲלָךְ וַחֲטָאָךְ בְּצִדְקָה פְרֻק וַעֲוָיָתָךְ בְּמִחַן עֲנָיִן הֵן תֶּהֱוֵא אַרְכָה לִשְׁלֵוְתָךְ:
Therefore, O king, may my advice be acceptable to you: Redeem your sins by beneficence and your iniquities by generosity to the poor; then your serenity may be extended.
[JPS translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. How do "beneficence" and "generosity" pardon sin? What does one have to do with the other?
2. What is the advice given in this text? How might we follow this advice today?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)