Aligned sentence by sentence
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— his constitution becomes coarse and turbid and the fineness and subtlety of wisdom vanishes — as it says: 'Apples of gold in settings of silver: a word aptly spoken' (Prov. 25:11).
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Do you not see that when the children of Israel were in the wilderness, the Lord nourished them with fine food — the manna — so they might learn wisdom? As it says: 'Let the people go out and gather a day's portion each day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my Torah or not' (Exod. 16:4).
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Note also that the Levites received only one thirteenth of the grain — being one tribe among thirteen — yet the tithe was assigned to them to refine their food.
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If all people followed what these people say, wisdom would cease through the cutting off of progeny by abandoning marriage; and if they occupied themselves only with the wisdom of natural science, they would abandon the wisdom of religion and Torah.
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The latter was made dear to them only to support the former — and the totality of both together is good — as it says: 'To make you know what is right and true, that you may answer truthfully those who send to you' (Prov. 22:21).
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Section XV. Chapter Twelve: Worship.
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Many people say the finest thing a servant can occupy himself with in the abode of this world is worship of his Creator alone — by fasting by day and rising at night to praise and glorify; letting go of all the world, as his Creator will suffice him for his food, medicines, and all his needs.
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And we find that worship has sublime pleasure — as it says: 'For praise is pleasant and becoming' (Ps. 147:1); and joy and happiness — as it says: 'Serve the Lord with joy' (Ps. 100:2).
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And remembrance before the Creator of all at the time of reward — as it says: 'I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him' (Mal. 3:17).
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These people too — may God show you mercy — everything they described about worship of our Creator is absolutely true; indeed all attributes cannot reach it — as it says: 'Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable' (Ps. 145:3).
But what is objectionable