God's works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.
18:1. He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only
shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
18:2. Who is able to declare his works?
18:3. For who shall search out his glorious acts?
18:4. And who shall show forth the power of his majesty? or who shall
be able to declare his mercy?
18:5. Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to
find out the glorious works of God.
18:6. When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth
off, he shall be at a loss.
Then shall he begin. . .God is so great and incomprehensible, that when
man has done all that he can to find out his greatness and boundless
perfections, he is still to begin: for what he has found out, is but a
mere nothing in comparison with his infinity.
18:7. What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what
is his evil?
18:8. The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years, as
a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the
sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
18:9. Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy
upon them.
18:10. He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked,
and hath known their end that it is evil.
18:11. Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath
shewn them the way of justice.
18:12. The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of
God is upon all flesh.
18:13. He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth
his flock.
18:14. He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and
that maketh haste in his judgments.
18:15. My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou
givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
18:16. Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is
better than the gift.
18:17. Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a
justified man.
18:18. A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught
consumeth the eyes.
18:19. Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou
speak.
18:20. Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine
thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
18:21. Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness
shew thy conversation.
18:22. Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid
to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for
ever.
18:23. Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that
tempteth God.
18:24. Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time
of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
18:25. Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities
of poverty in the day of riches.
18:26. From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed,
and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
18:27. A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins
will beware of sloth.
18:28. Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise
to him that findeth her.
18:29. They that were of good understanding in words, have also done
wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have
poured forth proverbs and judgments.
18:30. Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
18:31. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy
to thy enemies.
18:32. Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small:
for their concertation is continual.
18:33. Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when
thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own
life.