1:15 (For righteousness is immortal:)

1:16 But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for

when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and

made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it.

2:1 For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright,

Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no

remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the

grave.

2:2 For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter as

though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke,

and a little spark in the moving of our heart:

2:3 Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and

our spirit shall vanish as the soft air,

2:4 And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our

works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a

cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the

beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof.

2:5 For our time is a very shadow that passeth away; and after our end

there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh

again.

2:6 Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present:

and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth.

2:7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no

flower of the spring pass by us:

2:8 Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:

2:9 Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us

leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion,

and our lot is this.

2:10 Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow,

nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.

2:11 Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble

is found to be nothing worth.

2:12 Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not

for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us

with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the

transgressings of our education.

2:13 He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself

the child of the Lord.

2:14 He was made to reprove our thoughts.

2:15 He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like

other men’s, his ways are of another fashion.

2:16 We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our

ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be

blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father.

2:17 Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall

happen in the end of him.

2:18 For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and

deliver him from the hand of his enemies.

2:19 Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may

know his meekness, and prove his patience.

2:20 Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he

shall be respected.

2:21 Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own

wickedness hath blinded them.

2:22 As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped

they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for

blameless souls.

2:23 For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of

his own eternity.

2:24 Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world:

and they that do hold of his side do find it.

3:1 But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there

shall no torment touch them.

3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure

is taken for misery,

3:3 And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in

peace.

3:4 For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope

full of immortality.

3:5 And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded:

for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself.

3:6 As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a

burnt offering.

3:7 And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to

and fro like sparks among the stubble.

3:8 They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people,

and their Lord shall reign for ever.

3:9 They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and

such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy

is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.

3:10 But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own

imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the

Lord.

3:11 For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their

hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:

3:12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:

3:13 Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is

undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in

the visitation of souls.

3:14 And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no

iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be

given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of

the Lord more acceptable to his mind.

3:15 For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom

shall never fall away.

3:16 As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their

perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out.

3:17 For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and

their last age shall be without honour.

3:18 Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the

day of trial.

3:19 For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.

4:1 Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the

memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with

men.

4:2 When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone,

they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever, having

gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.

4:3 But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take

deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation.

4:4 For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not

last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of

winds they shall be rooted out.

4:5 The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit

unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing.

4:6 For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness

against their parents in their trial.

4:7 But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be

in rest.

4:8 For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time,

nor that is measured by number of years.

4:9 But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old

age.

4:10 He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among

sinners he was translated.

4:11 Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter

his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.

4:12 For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are

honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple

mind.

4:13 He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:

4:14 For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him

away from among the wicked.

4:15 This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up

this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and

that he hath respect unto his chosen.

4:16 Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which

are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age

of the unrighteous.

4:17 For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand

what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord

hath set him in safety.

4:18 They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to

scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a reproach among

the dead for evermore.

4:19 For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that they

shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and

they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial

shall perish.

4:20 And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come

with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face.

5:1 Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the

face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours.

5:2 When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and

shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all

that they looked for.

5:3 And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say

within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and

a proverb of reproach:

5:4 We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without

honour:

5:5 How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among

the saints!

5:6 Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of

righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness

rose not upon us.

5:7 We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea,

we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the

way of the Lord, we have not known it.

5:8 What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with our

vaunting brought us?

5:9 All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that

hasted by;

5:10 And as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when

it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway

of the keel in the waves;

5:11 Or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of

her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of

her wings and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is

passed through, and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be

found;

5:12 Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air,

which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know

where it went through:

5:13 Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw

to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were consumed in our

own wickedness.

5:14 For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with

the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as

the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth

away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day.

5:15 But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the

Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.

5:16 Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful

crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover

them, and with his arm shall he protect them.

5:17 He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make

the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.

5:18 He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment

instead of an helmet.

5:19 He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.

5:20 His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall

fight with him against the unwise.

5:21 Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the

clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark.

5:22 And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow,

and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall

cruelly drown them.

5:23 Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm

shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth,

and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty.

6:1 Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be

judges of the ends of the earth.

6:2 Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of

nations.

6:3 For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the

Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.

6:4 Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright,

nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;

6:5 Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment

shall be to them that be in high places.

6:6 For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be

mightily tormented.

6:7 For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man’s person, neither

shall he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he hath made the

small and great, and careth for all alike.

6:8 But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.

6:9 Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom,

and not fall away.

6:10 For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they

that have learned such things shall find what to answer.

6:11 Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye

shall be instructed.

6:12 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen

of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

6:13 She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known

unto them.

6:14 Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall

find her sitting at his doors.

6:15 To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso

watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.

6:16 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth

herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every

thought.

6:17 For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline;

and the care of discipline is love;

6:18 And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her

laws is the assurance of incorruption;

6:19 And incorruption maketh us near unto God:

6:20 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.

6:21 If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the

people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.

6:22 As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you,

and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the

beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light,

and will not pass over the truth.

6:23 Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have

no fellowship with wisdom.

6:24 But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a

wise king is the upholding of the people.

6:25 Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do

you good.

7:1 I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of

him that was first made of the earth,

7:2 And in my mother’s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of

ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the

pleasure that came with sleep.

7:3 And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the

earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was

crying, as all others do.

7:4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares.

7:5 For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth.

7:6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.

7:7 Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon

God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.

7:8 I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches

nothing in comparison of her.

7:9 Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in

respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay

before her.

7:10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead

of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out.

7:11 All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable

riches in her hands.

7:12 And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and

I knew not that she was the mother of them.

7:13 I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not

hide her riches.

7:14 For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they that

use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come

from learning.

7:15 God hath granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is

meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that leadeth

unto wisdom, and directeth the wise.

7:16 For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and

knowledge of workmanship.

7:17 For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are,

namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the

elements:

7:18 The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of

the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:

7:19 The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:

7:20 The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts:

the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of

plants and the virtues of roots:

7:21 And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.

7:22 For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in

her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil,

lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing

that is good, quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,

7:23 Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power,

overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and

most subtil, spirits.

7:24 For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth

through all things by reason of her pureness.

7:25 For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence

flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing

fall into her.

7:26 For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted

mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness.

7:27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in

herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy

souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets.

7:28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.

7:29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of

stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it.

7:30 For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against

wisdom.

8:1 Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth

she order all things.

8:2 I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make

her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.

8:3 In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility:

yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.

8:4 For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a

lover of his works.

8:5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is

richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?

8:6 And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman

than she?

8:7 And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she

teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such

things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.

8:8 If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and

conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of

speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and

wonders, and the events of seasons and times.

8:9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing

that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares

and grief.

8:10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and

honour with the elders, though I be young.

8:11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be

admired in the sight of great men.

8:12 When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I

speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay

their hands upon their mouth.

8:13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave

behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me.

8:14 I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject

unto me.

8:15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I

shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war.

8:16 After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her:

for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no

sorrow, but mirth and joy.

8:17 Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in

my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;

8:18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works

of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference

with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went

about seeking how to take her to me.

8:19 For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.

8:20 Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.

8:21 Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain

her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to

know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and

with my whole heart I said,

9:1 O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things

with thy word,

9:2 And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion

over the creatures which thou hast made,

9:3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and

execute judgment with an upright heart:

9:4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from

among thy children:

9:5 For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and

of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and

laws.

9:6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet

if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded.

9:7 Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy

sons and daughters:

9:8 Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and

an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy

tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.

9:9 And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present

when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight,

and right in thy commandments.

9:10 O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy

glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what

is pleasing unto thee.

9:11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead

me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.

9:12 So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people

righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.

9:13 For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can

think what the will of the Lord is?

9:14 For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are

but uncertain.

9:15 For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy

tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things.

9:16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and

with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things

that are in heaven who hath searched out?

9:17 And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send

thy Holy Spirit from above?

9:18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed,

and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were

saved through wisdom.

10:1 She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was

created alone, and brought him out of his fall,

10:2 And gave him power to rule all things.

10:3 But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he

perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.

10:4 For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom

again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece

of wood of small value.

10:5 Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded,

she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and

kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son.

10:6 When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who

fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.

10:7 Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh

is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness:

and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul.

10:8 For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they

knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the

world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein

they offended they could not so much as be hid.

10:9 But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.

10:10 When the righteous fled from his brother’s wrath she guided him

in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge

of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit

of his labours.

10:11 In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him,

and made him rich.

10:12 She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those

that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that

he might know that goodness is stronger than all.

10:13 When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered

him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,

10:14 And left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of

the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them

that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him

perpetual glory.

10:15 She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the

nation that oppressed them.

10:16 She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and

withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;

10:17 Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them

in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light

of stars in the night season;

10:18 Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much

water:

10:19 But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom

of the deep.

10:20 Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy

name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for

them.

10:21 For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of

them that cannot speak eloquent.

11:1 She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet.

11:2 They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and

pitched tents in places where there lay no way.

11:3 They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their

adversaries.

11:4 When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given

them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the

hard stone.

11:5 For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they

in their need were benefited.

11:6 For instead of a fountain of a perpetual running river troubled

with foul blood,

11:7 For a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants

were slain, thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which

they hoped not for:

11:8 Declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their

adversaries.

11:9 For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised, they knew

how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in

another manner than the just.

11:10 For these thou didst admonish and try, as a father: but the

other, as a severe king, thou didst condemn and punish.

11:11 Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike.

11:12 For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the

remembrance of things past.

11:13 For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be

benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord.

11:14 For whom they rejected with scorn, when he was long before thrown

out at the casting forth of the infants, him in the end, when they saw

what came to pass, they admired.

11:15 But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being

deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, thou

didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance;

11:16 That they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same

also shall he be punished.

11:17 For thy Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without

form, wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears or

fierce lions,

11:18 Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing

out either a fiery vapour, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or

shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes:

11:19 Whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also

the terrible sight utterly destroy them.

11:20 Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one

blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the

breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure and

number and weight.

11:21 For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou

wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?

11:22 For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the

balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the

earth.

11:23 But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and

winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend.

11:24 For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing

which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if

thou hadst hated it.

11:25 And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy

will? or been preserved, if not called by thee?

11:26 But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of

souls.

12:1 For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things.

12:2 Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that offend,

and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have

offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee, O

Lord.

12:3 For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both

those old inhabitants of thy holy land,

12:4 Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and

wicked sacrifices;

12:5 And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of

man’s flesh, and the feasts of blood,

12:6 With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and

the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help:

12:7 That the land, which thou esteemedst above all other, might

receive a worthy colony of God’s children.

12:8 Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send

wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and little.

12:9 Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of

the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts,

or with one rough word:

12:10 But executing thy judgments upon them by little and little, thou

gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a

naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that

their cogitation would never be changed.

12:11 For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst thou

for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they

sinned.

12:12 For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand

thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish,

whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged

for the unrighteous men?

12:13 For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to

whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright.

12:14 Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee

for any whom thou hast punished.

12:15 Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all

things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn

him that hath not deserved to be punished.

12:16 For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because thou

art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto all.

12:17 For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power, thou

shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou makest their

boldness manifest.

12:18 But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and orderest

us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when thou wilt.

12:19 But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man

should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope

that thou givest repentance for sins.

12:20 For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the

condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place,

whereby they might be delivered from their malice:

12:21 With how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons,

unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good

promises?

12:22 Therefore, whereas thou dost chasten us, thou scourgest our

enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we

should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we ourselves are

judged, we should look for mercy.

12:23 Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously,

thou hast tormented them with their own abominations.

12:24 For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them

for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised,

being deceived, as children of no understanding.

12:25 Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of reason,

thou didst send a judgment to mock them.

12:26 But they that would not be reformed by that correction, wherein

he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of God.

12:27 For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished,

that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; [now] being punished in

them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whom

before they denied to know: and therefore came extreme damnation upon

them.

13:1 Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and

could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is:

neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;

13:2 But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle

of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the

gods which govern the world.

13:3 With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods;

let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author

of beauty hath created them.

13:4 But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them

understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them.

13:5 For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably

the maker of them is seen.

13:6 But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they

peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.

13:7 For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and

believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen.

13:8 Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned.

13:9 For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the

world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?

13:10 But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who

call them gods, which are the works of men’s hands, gold and silver, to

shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing,

the work of an ancient hand.

13:11 Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a

tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round

about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit

for the service of man’s life;

13:12 And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath

filled himself;

13:13 And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use,

being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it

diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill

of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man;

13:14 Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion,

and with paint colouring it red, and covering every spot therein;

13:15 And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall,

and made it fast with iron:

13:16 For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it

was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help:

13:17 Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children,

and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life.

13:18 For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth

to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least

means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot

set a foot forward:

13:19 And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands,

asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do any thing.

14:1 Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through

the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the

vessel that carrieth him.

14:2 For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it

by his skill.

14:3 But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a

way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;

14:4 Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a man

went to sea without art.

14:5 Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should

be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of

wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved.

14:6 For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope

of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to

all ages a seed of generation.

14:7 For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh.

14:8 But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he

that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being

corruptible, it was called god.

14:9 For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto

God.

14:10 For that which is made shall be punished together with him that

made it.

14:11 Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a

visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an

abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to

the feet of the unwise.

14:12 For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual

fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life.

14:13 For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be

for ever.

14:14 For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and

therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

14:15 For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made

an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which

was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him

ceremonies and sacrifices.

14:16 Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept

as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of

kings.

14:17 Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far

off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an

express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this

their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were

present.

14:18 Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set

forward the ignorant to more superstition.

14:19 For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced

all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion.

14:20 And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him

now for a god, which a little before was but honoured as a man.

14:21 And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving

either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the

incommunicable name.

14:22 Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the

knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance,

those so great plagues called they peace.

14:23 For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret

ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;

14:24 They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but

either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by adultery.

14:25 So that there reigned in all men without exception blood,

manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness,

tumults, perjury,

14:26 Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of

souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless

uncleanness.

14:27 For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning,

the cause, and the end, of all evil.

14:28 For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or

live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves.

14:29 For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life;

though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.

14:30 Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both

because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also

unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness.

14:31 For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the

just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence of the

ungodly.

15:1 But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in

mercy ordering all things,

15:2 For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not

sin, knowing that we are counted thine.

15:3 For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power

is the root of immortality.

15:4 For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor

an image spotted with divers colours, the painter’s fruitless labour;

15:5 The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they

desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.

15:6 Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that

worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such

things to trust upon.

15:7 For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with

much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the

vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve

to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself

is the judge.

15:8 And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same

clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and

within a little while after returneth to the same, out when his life

which was lent him shall be demanded.

15:9 Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour,

nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and

silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and

counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things.

15:10 His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his

life of less value than clay:

15:11 Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into

him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.

15:12 But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market

for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by

evil means.

15:13 For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and

graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.

15:14 And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection,

are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes.

15:15 For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which

neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears

to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they

are slow to go.

15:16 For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned

them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.

15:17 For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for

he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas he

lived once, but they never.

15:18 Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for

being compared together, some are worse than others.

15:19 Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect

of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing.

16:1 Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the

multitude of beasts tormented.

16:2 Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own

people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails

to stir up their appetite:

16:3 To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of

the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs

desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made

partakers of a strange taste.

16:4 For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should

come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be

shewed how their enemies were tormented.

16:5 For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and

they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured

not for ever:

16:6 But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be

admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of

the commandment of thy law.

16:7 For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing

that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all.

16:8 And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who

deliverest from all evil:

16:9 For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was

there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be

punished by such.

16:10 But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for

thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them.

16:11 For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and

were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they

might be continually mindful of thy goodness.

16:12 For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored

them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.

16:13 For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates

of hell, and bringest up again.

16:14 A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it

is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh

again.

16:15 But it is not possible to escape thine hand.

16:16 For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the

strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were

they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they

consumed.

16:17 For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in

the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the

righteous.

16:18 For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up

the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see

and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God.

16:19 And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above

the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land.

16:20 Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels’ food,

and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour,

able to content every man’s delight, and agreeing to every taste.

16:21 For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and

serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man’s

liking.

16:22 But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they

might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain,

did destroy the fruits of the enemies.

16:23 But this again did even forget his own strength, that the

righteous might be nourished.

16:24 For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker increaseth

his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth

his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee.

16:25 Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was

obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the

desire of them that had need:

16:26 That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it

is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy

word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.

16:27 For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a

little sunbeam, soon melted away:

16:28 That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee

thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee.

16:29 For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s

hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.

17:1 For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed: therefore

unnurtured souls have erred.

17:2 For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they

being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered

with the bonds of a long night, lay [there] exiled from the eternal

providence.

17:3 For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they were

scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly

astonished, and troubled with [strange] apparitions.

17:4 For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear:

but noises [as of waters] falling down sounded about them, and sad

visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances.

17:5 No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the

bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night.

17:6 Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very

dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they

saw to be worse than the sight they saw not.

17:7 As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and their

vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.

17:8 For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a

sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at.

17:9 For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with

beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,

17:10 They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of

no side be avoided.

17:11 For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous,

and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things.

17:12 For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which

reason offereth.

17:13 And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the

ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment.

17:14 But they sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed

intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable

hell,

17:15 Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted,

their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came

upon them.

17:16 So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up in a

prison without iron bars,

17:17 For whether he were husbandman, or shepherd, or a labourer in the

field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be

avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness.

17:18 Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of birds

among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water running

violently,

17:19 Or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that could

not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most savage wild

beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains; these things

made them to swoon for fear.

17:20 For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were

hindered in their labour:

17:21 Over them only was spread an heavy night, an image of that

darkness which should afterward receive them: but yet were they unto

themselves more grievous than the darkness.

18:1 Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they

hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered

the same things, they counted them happy.

18:2 But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been

wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that

they had been enemies.

18:3 Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to

be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain

them honourably.

18:4 For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in

darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of

the law was to be given unto the world.

18:5 And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one

child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away

the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a

mighty water.

18:6 Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly

knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards

be of good cheer.

18:7 So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous,

and destruction of the enemies.

18:8 For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou

didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called.

18:9 For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and

with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like

partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the

songs of praise.

18:10 But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the

enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that

were bewailed.

18:11 The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and

like as the king, so suffered the common person.

18:12 So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death;

neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the

noblest offspring of them was destroyed.

18:13 For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the

enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged

this people to be the sons of God.

18:14 For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in

the midst of her swift course,

18:15 Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal

throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,

18:16 And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and

standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven,

but it stood upon the earth.

18:17 Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and

terrors came upon them unlooked for.

18:18 And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the

cause of his death.

18:19 For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they

should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.

18:20 Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there

was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath

endured not long.

18:21 For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend

them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and

the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so

brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant.

18:22 So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor

force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the

oaths and covenants made with the fathers.

18:23 For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another,

standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the

living.

18:24 For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows

of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon

the daidem.

18:25 Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for

it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.

19:1 As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the

end: for he knew before what they would do;

19:2 How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily

away, they would repent and pursue them.

19:3 For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the

graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them

as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone.

19:4 For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this

end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that

they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments:

19:5 And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they might

find a strange death.

19:6 For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again

anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that

thy children might be kept without hurt:

19:7 As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood

before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without

impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:

19:8 Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy hand,

seeing thy marvellous strange wonders.

19:9 For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs,

praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.

19:10 For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they

sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies

instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs

instead of fishes.

19:11 But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being

led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.

19:12 For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment.

19:13 And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by

the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own

wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour

toward strangers.

19:14 For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when

they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well

deserved of them.

19:15 And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of

those, because they used strangers not friendly:

19:16 But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received

with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with

them.

19:17 Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were

at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with

horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors.

19:18 For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony,

like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are

always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things

that have been done.

19:19 For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that

before swam in the water, now went upon the ground.

19:20 The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and

the water forgat his own quenching nature.

19:21 On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the

corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted

they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt.

19:22 For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and

glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist

them in every time and place.

The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)

[The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus]

_A Prologue made by an uncertain Author_

This Jesus was the son of Sirach, and grandchild to Jesus of the same

name with him: this man therefore lived in the latter times, after the

people had been led away captive, and called home again, and almost

after all the prophets. Now his grandfather Jesus, as he himself

witnesseth, was a man of great diligence and wisdom among the Hebrews,

who did not only gather the grave and short sentences of wise men, that

had been before him, but himself also uttered some of his own, full of

much understanding and wisdom. When as therefore the first Jesus died,

leaving this book almost perfected, Sirach his son receiving it after

him left it to his own son Jesus, who, having gotten it into his hands,

compiled it all orderly into one volume, and called it Wisdom,

intituling it both by his own name, his father’s name, and his

grandfather’s; alluring the hearer by the very name of Wisdom to have a

greater love to the study of this book. It containeth therefore wise

sayings, dark sentences, and parables, and certain particular ancient

godly stories of men that pleased God; also his prayer and song;

moreover, what benefits God had vouchsafed his people, and what plagues

he had heaped upon their enemies. This Jesus did imitate Solomon, and

was no less famous for wisdom and learning, both being indeed a man of

great learning, and so reputed also.

_The Prologue of the Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach._

Whereas many and great things have been delivered unto us by the law

and the prophets, and by others that have followed their steps, for the

which things Israel ought to be commended for learning and wisdom; and

whereof not only the readers must needs become skilful themselves, but

also they that desire to learn be able to profit them which are

without, both by speaking and writing: my grandfather Jesus, when he

had much given himself to the reading of the law, and the prophets, and

other books of our fathers, and had gotten therein good judgment, was

drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and

wisdom; to the intent that those which are desirous to learn, and are

addicted to these things, might profit much more in living according to

the law. Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favour and

attention, and to pardon us, wherein we may seem to come short of some

words, which we have laboured to interpret. For the same things uttered

in Hebrew, and translated into another tongue, have not the same force

in them: and not only these things, but the law itself, and the

prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when

they are spoken in their own language. For in the eight and thirtieth

year coming into Egypt, when Euergetes was king, and continuing there

some time, I found a book of no small learning: therefore I thought it

most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travail to interpret

it; using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book

to an end, and set it forth for them also, which in a strange country

are willing to learn, being prepared before in manners to live after

the law.

1:1 All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

1:2 Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the

days of eternity?

1:3 Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the

earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

1:4 Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding

of prudence from everlasting.

1:5 The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways

are everlasting commandments.

1:6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known

her wise counsels?

1:7 [Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who

hath understood her great experience?]

1:8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon

his throne.

1:9 He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out

upon all his works.

1:10 She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her

to them that love him.

1:11 The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a

crown of rejoicing.

1:12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and

gladness, and a long life.

1:13 Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and

he shall find favour in the day of his death.

1:14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created

with the faithful in the womb.

1:15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall

continue with their seed.

1:16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her

fruits.

1:17 She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners

with her increase.

1:18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and

perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it

enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

1:19 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing,

and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

1:20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof

are long life.

1:21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present,

it turneth away wrath.

1:22 A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall

be his destruction.

1:23 A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring

up unto him.

1:24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall

declare his wisdom.

1:25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but

godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

1:26 If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall

give her unto thee.

1:27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and

meekness are his delight.

1:28 Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not

unto him with a double heart.

1:29 Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what

thou speakest.

1:30 Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy

soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst

of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of

the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.

2:1 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for

temptation.

2:2 Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in

time of trouble.

2:3 Cleave unto him, and depart not away, that thou mayest be increased

at thy last end.

2:4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient

when thou art changed to a low estate.

2:5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of

adversity.

2:6 Believe in him, and he will help thee; order thy way aright, and

trust in him.

2:7 Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy; and go not aside, lest

ye fall.

2:8 Ye that fear the Lord, believe him; and your reward shall not fail.

2:9 Ye that fear the Lord, hope for good, and for everlasting joy and

mercy.

2:10 Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the

Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was

forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?

2:11 For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy, longsuffering, and

very pitiful, and forgiveth sins, and saveth in time of affliction.

2:12 Woe be to fearful hearts, and faint hands, and the sinner that

goeth two ways!

2:13 Woe unto him that is fainthearted! for he believeth not; therefore

shall he not be defended.

2:14 Woe unto you that have lost patience! and what will ye do when the

Lord shall visit you?

2:15 They that fear the Lord will not disobey his Word; and they that

love him will keep his ways.

2:16 They that fear the Lord will seek that which is well, pleasing

unto him; and they that love him shall be filled with the law.

2:17 They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and humble

their souls in his sight,

2:18 Saying, We will fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the

hands of men: for as his majesty is, so is his mercy.

3:1 Hear me your father, O children, and do thereafter, that ye may be

safe.

3:2 For the Lord hath given the father honour over the children, and

hath confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons.

3:3 Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins:

3:4 And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure.

3:5 Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children; and

when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.

3:6 He that honoureth his father shall have a long life; and he that is

obedient unto the Lord shall be a comfort to his mother.

3:7 He that feareth the Lord will honour his father, and will do

service unto his parents, as to his masters.

3:8 Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing

may come upon thee from them.

3:9 For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children;

but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations.

3:10 Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father’s

dishonour is no glory unto thee.

3:11 For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a

mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children.

3:12 My son, help thy father in his age, and grieve him not as long as

he liveth.

3:13 And if his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise

him not when thou art in thy full strength.

3:14 For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten: and

instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up.

3:15 In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered; thy sins

also shall melt away, as the ice in the fair warm weather.

3:16 He that forsaketh his father is as a blasphemer; and he that

angereth his mother is cursed: of God.

3:17 My son, go on with thy business in meekness; so shalt thou be

beloved of him that is approved.

3:18 The greater thou art, the more humble thyself, and thou shalt find

favour before the Lord.

3:19 Many are in high place, and of renown: but mysteries are revealed

unto the meek.

3:20 For the power of the Lord is great, and he is honoured of the

lowly.

3:21 Seek not out things that are too hard for thee, neither search the

things that are above thy strength.

3:22 But what is commanded thee, think thereupon with reverence, for it

is not needful for thee to see with thine eyes the things that are in

secret.

3:23 Be not curious in unnecessary matters: for more things are shewed

unto thee than men understand.

3:24 For many are deceived by their own vain opinion; and an evil

suspicion hath overthrown their judgment.

3:25 Without eyes thou shalt want light: profess not the knowledge

therefore that thou hast not.

3:26 A stubborn heart shall fare evil at the last; and he that loveth

danger shall perish therein.

3:27 An obstinate heart shall be laden with sorrows; and the wicked man

shall heap sin upon sin.

3:28 In the punishment of the proud there is no remedy; for the plant

of wickedness hath taken root in him.

3:29 The heart of the prudent will understand a parable; and an

attentive ear is the desire of a wise man.

3:30 Water will quench a flaming fire; and alms maketh an atonement for

sins.

3:31 And he that requiteth good turns is mindful of that which may come

hereafter; and when he falleth, he shall find a stay.

4:1 My son, defraud not the poor of his living, and make not the needy

eyes to wait long.

4:2 Make not an hungry soul sorrowful; neither provoke a man in his

distress.

4:3 Add not more trouble to an heart that is vexed; and defer not to

give to him that is in need.

4:4 Reject not the supplication of the afflicted; neither turn away thy

face from a poor man.

4:5 Turn not away thine eye from the needy, and give him none occasion

to curse thee:

4:6 For if he curse thee in the bitterness of his soul, his prayer

shall be heard of him that made him.

4:7 Get thyself the love of the congregation, and bow thy head to a

great man.

4:8 Let it not grieve thee to bow down thine ear to the poor, and give

him a friendly answer with meekness.

4:9 Deliver him that suffereth wrong from the hand of the oppressor;

and be not fainthearted when thou sittest in judgment.

4:10 Be as a father unto the fatherless, and instead of an husband unto

their mother: so shalt thou be as the son of the most High, and he

shall love thee more than thy mother doth.

4:11 Wisdom exalteth her children, and layeth hold of them that seek

her.

4:12 He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early

shall be filled with joy.

4:13 He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and wheresoever she

entereth, the Lord will bless.

4:14 They that serve her shall minister to the Holy One: and them that

love her the Lord doth love.

4:15 Whoso giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations: and he that

attendeth unto her shall dwell securely.

4:16 If a man commit himself unto her, he shall inherit her; and his

generation shall hold her in possession.

4:17 For at the first she will walk with him by crooked ways, and bring

fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she

may trust his soul, and try him by her laws.

4:18 Then will she return the straight way unto him, and comfort him,

and shew him her secrets.

4:19 But if he go wrong, she will forsake him, and give him over to his

own ruin.

4:20 Observe the opportunity, and beware of evil; and be not ashamed

when it concerneth thy soul.

4:21 For there is a shame that bringeth sin; and there is a shame which

is glory and grace.

4:22 Accept no person against thy soul, and let not the reverence of

any man cause thee to fall.

4:23 And refrain not to speak, when there is occasion to do good, and

hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.

4:24 For by speech wisdom shall be known: and learning by the word of

the tongue.

4:25 In no wise speak against the truth; but be abashed of the error of

thine ignorance.

4:26 Be not ashamed to confess thy sins; and force not the course of

the river.

4:27 Make not thyself an underling to a foolish man; neither accept the

person of the mighty.

4:28 Strive for the truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for

thee.

4:29 Be not hasty in thy tongue, and in thy deeds slack and remiss.

4:30 Be not as a lion in thy house, nor frantick among thy servants.

4:31 Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou

shouldest repay.

5:1 Set thy heart upon thy goods; and say not, I have enough for my

life.

5:2 Follow not thine own mind and thy strength, to walk in the ways of

thy heart:

5:3 And say not, Who shall controul me for my works? for the Lord will

surely revenge thy pride.

5:4 Say not, I have sinned, and what harm hath happened unto me? for

the Lord is longsuffering, he will in no wise let thee go.

5:5 Concerning propitiation, be not without fear to add sin unto sin:

5:6 And say not His mercy is great; he will be pacified for the

multitude of my sins: for mercy and wrath come from him, and his

indignation resteth upon sinners.

5:7 Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to

day: for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth, and in thy

security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.

5:8 Set not thine heart upon goods unjustly gotten, for they shall not

profit thee in the day of calamity.

5:9 Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so doth

the sinner that hath a double tongue.

5:10 Be stedfast in thy understanding; and let thy word be the same.

5:11 Be swift to hear; and let thy life be sincere; and with patience

give answer.

5:12 If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbour; if not, lay thy

hand upon thy mouth.

5:13 Honour and shame is in talk: and the tongue of man is his fall.

5:14 Be not called a whisperer, and lie not in wait with thy tongue:

for a foul shame is upon the thief, and an evil condemnation upon the

double tongue.

5:15 Be not ignorant of any thing in a great matter or a small.

6:1 Instead of a friend become not an enemy; for [thereby] thou shalt

inherit an ill name, shame, and reproach: even so shall a sinner that

hath a double tongue.

6:2 Extol not thyself in the counsel of thine own heart; that thy soul

be not torn in pieces as a bull [straying alone.]

6:3 Thou shalt eat up thy leaves, and lose thy fruit, and leave thyself

as a dry tree.

6:4 A wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and shall make him to

be laughed to scorn of his enemies.

6:5 Sweet language will multiply friends: and a fairspeaking tongue

will increase kind greetings.

6:6 Be in peace with many: nevertheless have but one counsellor of a

thousand.

6:7 If thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first and be not hasty to

credit him.

6:8 For some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide

in the day of thy trouble.

6:9 And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity, and strife will

discover thy reproach.

6:10 Again, some friend is a companion at the table, and will not

continue in the day of thy affliction.

6:11 But in thy prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over

thy servants.

6:12 If thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and will hide

himself from thy face.

6:13 Separate thyself from thine enemies, and take heed of thy friends.

6:14 A faithfull friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found

such an one hath found a treasure.

6:15 Nothing doth countervail a faithful friend, and his excellency is

invaluable.

6:16 A faithful friend is the medicine of life; and they that fear the

Lord shall find him.

6:17 Whoso feareth the Lord shall direct his friendship aright: for as

he is, so shall his neighbour be also.

6:18 My son, gather instruction from thy youth up: so shalt thou find

wisdom till thine old age.

6:19 Come unto her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wait for her

good fruits: for thou shalt not toil much in labouring about her, but

thou shalt eat of her fruits right soon.

6:20 She is very unpleasant to the unlearned: he that is without

understanding will not remain with her.

6:21 She will lie upon him as a mighty stone of trial; and he will cast

her from him ere it be long.

6:22 For wisdom is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto

many.

6:23 Give ear, my son, receive my advice, and refuse not my counsel,

6:24 And put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chain.

6:25 Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her

bonds.

6:26 Come unto her with thy whole heart, and keep her ways with all thy

power.

6:27 Search, and seek, and she shall be made known unto thee: and when

thou hast got hold of her, let her not go.

6:28 For at the last thou shalt find her rest, and that shall be turned

to thy joy.

6:29 Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and her

chains a robe of glory.

6:30 For there is a golden ornament upon her, and her bands are purple

lace.

6:31 Thou shalt put her on as a robe of honour, and shalt put her about

thee as a crown of joy.

6:32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply

thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.

6:33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if

thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,

6:34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is

wise.

6:35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables

of understanding escape thee.

6:36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto

him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.

6:37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate

continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and

give thee wisdom at thine own desire.

7:1 Do no evil, so shall no harm come unto thee.

7:2 Depart from the unjust, and iniquity shall turn away from thee.

7:3 My son, sow not upon the furrows of unrighteousness, and thou shalt

not reap them sevenfold.

7:4 Seek not of the Lord preeminence, neither of the king the seat of

honour.

7:5 Justify not thyself before the Lord; and boast not of thy wisdom

before the king.

7:6 Seek not to be judge, being not able to take away iniquity; lest at

any time thou fear the person of the mighty, an stumblingblock in the

way of thy uprightness.

7:7 Offend not against the multitude of a city, and then thou shalt not

cast thyself down among the people.

7:8 Bind not one sin upon another; for in one thou shalt not be

unpunished.

7:9 Say not, God will look upon the multitude of my oblations, and when

I offer to the most high God, he will accept it.

7:10 Be not fainthearted when thou makest thy prayer, and neglect not

to give alms.

7:11 Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is

one which humbleth and exalteth.

7:12 Devise not a lie against thy brother; neither do the like to thy

friend.

7:13 Use not to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not

good.

7:14 Use not many words in a multitude of elders, and make not much

babbling when thou prayest.

7:15 Hate not laborious work, neither husbandry, which the most High

hath ordained.

7:16 Number not thyself among the multitude of sinners, but remember

that wrath will not tarry long.

7:17 Humble thyself greatly: for the vengeance of the ungodly is fire

and worms.

7:18 Change not a friend for any good by no means; neither a faithful

brother for the gold of Ophir.

7:19 Forego not a wise and good woman: for her grace is above gold.

7:20 Whereas thy servant worketh truly, entreat him not evil, nor the

hireling that bestoweth himself wholly for thee.

7:21 Let thy soul love a good servant, and defraud him not of liberty.

7:22 Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy

profit, keep them with thee.

7:23 Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from

their youth.

7:24 Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and shew not

thyself cheerful toward them.

7:25 Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou have performed a weighty

matter: but give her to a man of understanding.

7:26 Hast thou a wife after thy mind? forsake her not: but give not

thyself over to a light woman.

7:27 Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows

of thy mother.

7:28 Remember that thou wast begotten of them; and how canst thou

recompense them the things that they have done for thee?

7:29 Fear the Lord with all thy soul, and reverence his priests.

7:30 Love him that made thee with all thy strength, and forsake not his

ministers.

7:31 Fear the Lord, and honor the priest; and give him his portion, as

it is commanded thee; the firstfruits, and the trespass offering, and

the gift of the shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the

firstfruits of the holy things.

7:32 And stretch thine hand unto the poor, that thy blessing may be

perfected.

7:33 A gift hath grace in the sight of every man living; and for the

dead detain it not.

7:34 Fail not to be with them that weep, and mourn with them that

mourn.

7:35 Be not slow to visit the sick: for that shall make thee to be

beloved.

7:36 Whatsoever thou takest in hand, remember the end, and thou shalt

never do amiss.

8:1 Strive not with a mighty man, lest thou fall into his hands.

8:2 Be not at variance with a rich man, lest he overweigh thee: for

gold hath destroyed many, and perverted the hearts of kings.

8:3 Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood

upon his fire.

8:4 Jest not with a rude man, lest thy ancestors be disgraced.

8:5 Reproach not a man that turneth from sin, but remember that we are

all worthy of punishment.

8:6 Dishonour not a man in his old age: for even some of us wax old.

8:7 Rejoice not over thy greatest enemy being dead, but remember that

we die all.

8:8 Despise not the discourse of the wise, but acquaint thyself with

their proverbs: for of them thou shalt learn instruction, and how to

serve great men with ease.

8:9 Miss not the discourse of the elders: for they also learned of

their fathers, and of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give

answer as need requireth.

8:10 Kindle not the coals of a sinner, lest thou be burnt with the

flame of his fire.

8:11 Rise not up [in anger] at the presence of an injurious person,

lest he lie in wait to entrap thee in thy words

8:12 Lend not unto him that is mightier than thyself; for if thou

lendest him, count it but lost.

8:13 Be not surety above thy power: for if thou be surety, take care to

pay it.

8:14 Go not to law with a judge; for they will judge for him according

to his honour.

8:15 Travel not by the way with a bold fellow, lest he become grievous

unto thee: for he will do according to his own will, and thou shalt

perish with him through his folly.

8:16 Strive not with an angry man, and go not with him into a solitary

place: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no

help, he will overthrow thee.

8:17 Consult not with a fool; for he cannot keep counsel.

8:18 Do no secret thing before a stranger; for thou knowest not what he

will bring forth.

8:19 Open not thine heart to every man, lest he requite thee with a

shrewd turn.

9:1 Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, and teach her not an

evil lesson against thyself.

9:2 Give not thy soul unto a woman to set her foot upon thy substance.

9:3 Meet not with an harlot, lest thou fall into her snares.

9:4 Use not much the company of a woman that is a singer, lest thou be

taken with her attempts.

9:5 Gaze not on a maid, that thou fall not by those things that are

precious in her.

9:6 Give not thy soul unto harlots, that thou lose not thine

inheritance.

9:7 Look not round about thee in the streets of the city, neither

wander thou in the solitary place thereof.

9:8 Turn away thine eye from a beautiful woman, and look not upon

another’s beauty; for many have been deceived by the beauty of a woman;

for herewith love is kindled as a fire.

9:9 Sit not at all with another man’s wife, nor sit down with her in

thine arms, and spend not thy money with her at the wine; lest thine

heart incline unto her, and so through thy desire thou fall into

destruction.

9:10 Forsake not an old friend; for the new is not comparable to him: a

new friend is as new wine; when it is old, thou shalt drink it with

pleasure.

9:11 Envy not the glory of a sinner: for thou knowest not what shall be

his end.

9:12 Delight not in the thing that the ungodly have pleasure in; but

remember they shall not go unpunished unto their grave.

9:13 Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill; so shalt thou

not doubt the fear of death: and if thou come unto him, make no fault,

lest he take away thy life presently: remember that thou goest in the

midst of snares, and that thou walkest upon the battlements of the

city.

9:14 As near as thou canst, guess at thy neighbour, and consult with

the wise.

9:15 Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the

law of the most High.

9:16 And let just men eat and drink with thee; and let thy glorying be

in the fear of the Lord.

9:17 For the hand of the artificer the work shall be commended: and the

wise ruler of the people for his speech.

9:18 A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is

rash in his talk shall be hated.

10:1 A wise judge will instruct his people; and the government of a

prudent man is well ordered.

10:2 As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and

what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that

dwell therein.

10:3 An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of

them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.

10:4 The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time

he will set over it one that is profitable.

10:5 In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person

of the scribe shall he lay his honour.

10:6 Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing

at all by injurious practices.

10:7 Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit

iniquity.

10:8 Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by

deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.

10:9 Why is earth and ashes proud? There is not a more wicked thing

than a covetous man: for such an one setteth his own soul to sale;

because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.

10:10 The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to day a

king to morrow shall die.

10:11 For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts,

and worms.

10:12 The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his

heart is turned away from his Maker.

10:13 For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour

out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange

calamities, and overthrew them utterly.

10:14 The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up

the meek in their stead.

10:15 The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and

planted the lowly in their place.

10:16 The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them

to the foundations of the earth.

10:17 He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made

their memorial to cease from the earth.

10:18 Pride was not made for men, nor furious anger for them that are

born of a woman.

10:19 They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him

an honourable plant: they that regard not the law are a dishonourable

seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.

10:20 Among brethren he that is chief is honorable; so are they that

fear the Lord in his eyes.

10:21 The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but

roughness and pride is the losing thereof.

10:22 Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of

the Lord.

10:23 It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding;

neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.

10:24 Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is

there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.

10:25 Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do

service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is

reformed.

10:26 Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in

the time of thy distress.

10:27 Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he

that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.

10:28 My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour

according to the dignity thereof.

10:29 Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who

will honour him that dishonoureth his own life?

10:30 The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is

honoured for his riches.

10:31 He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he

that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?

11:1 Wisdom lifteth up the head of him that is of low degree, and

maketh him to sit among great men.

11:2 Commend not a man for his beauty; neither abhor a man for his

outward appearance.

11:3 The bee is little among such as fly; but her fruit is the chief of

sweet things.

11:4 Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in

the day of honour: for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his

works among men are hidden.

11:5 Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never

thought of hath worn the crown.

11:6 Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable

delivered into other men’s hands.

11:7 Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first,

and then rebuke.

11:8 Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men

in the midst of their talk.

11:9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in

judgment with sinners.

11:10 My son, meddle not with many matters: for if thou meddle much,

thou shalt not be innocent; and if thou follow after, thou shalt not

obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing.

11:11 There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste,

and is so much the more behind.

11:12 Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help,

wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked

upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,

11:13 And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that saw it

marvelled at him.

11:14 Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches,

come of the Lord.

11:15 Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the law, are of the Lord:

love, and the way of good works, are from him.

11:16 Error and darkness had their beginning together with sinners: and

evil shall wax old with them that glory therein.

11:17 The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his favour

bringeth prosperity for ever.

11:18 There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this

is the portion of his reward:

11:19 Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually

of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and

that he must leave those things to others, and die.

11:20 Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax

old in thy work.

11:21 Marvel not at the works of sinners; but trust in the Lord, and

abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord

on the sudden to make a poor man rich.

11:22 The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and

suddenly he maketh his blessing flourish.

11:23 Say not, What profit is there of my service? and what good things

shall I have hereafter?

11:24 Again, say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what

evil can come to me hereafter?

11:25 In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction:

and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of

prosperity.

11:26 For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to

reward a man according to his ways.

11:27 The affliction of an hour maketh a man forget pleasure: and in

his end his deeds shall be discovered.

11:28 Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in

his children.

11:29 Bring not every man into thine house: for the deceitful man hath

many trains.

11:30 Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart

of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall:

11:31 For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things

worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.

11:32 Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled: and a sinful man

layeth wait for blood.

11:33 Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest

he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.

11:34 Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee,

and turn thee out of thine own.

12:1 When thou wilt do good know to whom thou doest it; so shalt thou

be thanked for thy benefits.

12:2 Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a recompence; and if

not from him, yet from the most High.

12:3 There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor

to him that giveth no alms.

12:4 Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.

12:5 Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold

back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee

thereby: for [else] thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the

good thou shalt have done unto him.

12:6 For the most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto

the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their

punishment.

12:7 Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.

12:8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be

hidden in adversity.

12:9 In the prosperity of a man enemies will be grieved: but in his

adversity even a friend will depart.

12:10 Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his

wickedness.

12:11 Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed

and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a

lookingglass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been

altogether wiped away.

12:12 Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand

up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he seek to

take thy seat, and thou at the last remember my words, and be pricked

therewith.

12:13 Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent, or any

such as come nigh wild beasts?

12:14 So one that goeth to a sinner, and is defiled with him in his

sins, who will pity?

12:15 For a while he will abide with thee, but if thou begin to fall,

he will not tarry.

12:16 An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he

imagineth how to throw thee into a pit: he will weep with his eyes, but

if he find opportunity, he will not be satisfied with blood.

12:17 If adversity come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first; and

though he pretend to help thee, yet shall he undermine thee.

12:18 He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and

change his countenance.

13:1 He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith; and he that

hath fellowship with a proud man shall be like unto him.

13:2 Burden not thyself above thy power while thou livest; and have no

fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself: for how

agree the kettle and the earthen pot together? for if the one be

smitten against the other, it shall be broken.

13:3 The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the

poor is wronged, and he must intreat also.

13:4 If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if thou have

nothing, he will forsake thee.

13:5 If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, he will make

thee bare, and will not be sorry for it.

13:6 If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and smile upon

thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and say, What

wantest thou?

13:7 And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry

twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn afterward,

when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.

13:8 Beware that thou be not deceived and brought down in thy jollity.

13:9 If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw thyself, and so much

the more will he invite thee.

13:10 Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far

off, lest thou be forgotten.

13:11 Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his

many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling

upon thee will get out thy secrets:

13:12 But cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do

thee hurt, and to put thee in prison.

13:13 Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy

overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep.

13:14 Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.

13:15 Every beast loveth his like, and every man loveth his neighbor.

13:16 All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to

his like.

13:17 What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb? so the sinner with

the godly.

13:18 What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what

peace between the rich and the poor?

13:19 As the wild ass is the lion’s prey in the wilderness: so the rich

eat up the poor.

13:20 As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.

13:21 A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a

poor man being down is thrust away by his friends.

13:22 When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh

things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped,

and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place.

13:23 When a rich man speaketh, every man holdeth his tongue, and,

look, what he saith, they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man

speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help

to overthrow him.

13:24 Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and poverty is evil in

the mouth of the ungodly.

13:25 The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for

good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.

13:26 A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in

prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of

the mind.

14:1 Blessed is the man that hath not slipped with his mouth, and is

not pricked with the multitude of sins.

14:2 Blessed is he whose conscience hath not condemned him, and who is

not fallen from his hope in the Lord.

14:3 Riches are not comely for a niggard: and what should an envious

man do with money?

14:4 He that gathereth by defrauding his own soul gathereth for others,

that shall spend his goods riotously.

14:5 He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? he shall not

take pleasure in his goods.

14:6 There is none worse than he that envieth himself; and this is a

recompence of his wickedness.

14:7 And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwillingly; and at the last he

will declare his wickedness.

14:8 The envious man hath a wicked eye; he turneth away his face, and

despiseth men.

14:9 A covetous man’s eye is not satisfied with his portion; and the

iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul.

14:10 A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and he is a niggard at his

table.

14:11 My son, according to thy ability do good to thyself, and give the

Lord his due offering.

14:12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the

covenant of the grave is not shewed unto thee.

14:13 Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy

ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.

14:14 Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a

good desire overpass thee.

14:15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto another? and thy labours

to be divided by lot?

14:16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of

dainties in the grave.

14:17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the

beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.

14:18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow;

so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and

another is born.

14:19 Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof

shall go withal.

14:20 Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and

that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.

14:21 He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have

understanding in her secrets.

14:22 Go after her as one that traceth, and lie in wait in her ways.

14:23 He that prieth in at her windows shall also hearken at her doors.

14:24 He that doth lodge near her house shall also fasten a pin in her

walls.

14:25 He shall pitch his tent nigh unto her, and shall lodge in a

lodging where good things are.

14:26 He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge

under her branches.

14:27 By her he shall be covered from heat, and in her glory shall he

dwell.

15:1 He that feareth the Lord will do good, and he that hath the

knowledge of the law shall obtain her.

15:2 And as a mother shall she meet him, and receive him as a wife

married of a virgin.

15:3 With the bread of understanding shall she feed him, and give him

the water of wisdom to drink.

15:4 He shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be moved; and shall

rely upon her, and shall not be confounded.

15:5 She shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in the midst of the

congregation shall she open his mouth.

15:6 He shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she shall cause him

to inherit an everlasting name.

15:7 But foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinners shall not

see her.

15:8 For she is far from pride, and men that are liars cannot remember

her.

15:9 Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not sent

him of the Lord.

15:10 For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper

it.

15:11 Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou

oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.

15:12 Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of

the sinful man.

15:13 The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it

not.

15:14 He himself made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand

of his counsel;

15:15 If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable

faithfulness.

15:16 He hath set fire and water before thee: stretch forth thy hand

unto whether thou wilt.

15:17 Before man is life and death; and whether him liketh shall be

given him.

15:18 For the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is mighty in power,

and beholdeth all things:

15:19 And his eyes are upon them that fear him, and he knoweth every

work of man.

15:20 He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neither hath he given

any man licence to sin.

16:1 Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight

in ungodly sons.

16:2 Though they multiply, rejoice not in them, except the fear of the

Lord be with them.

16:3 Trust not thou in their life, neither respect their multitude: for

one that is just is better than a thousand; and better it is to die

without children, than to have them that are ungodly.

16:4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished:

but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate.

16:5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath

heard greater things than these.

16:6 In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in

a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire.

16:7 He was not pacified toward the old giants, who fell away in the

strength of their foolishness.

16:8 Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them

for their pride.

16:9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in

their sins:

16:10 Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together

in the hardness of their hearts.

16:11 And if there be one stiffnecked among the people, it is marvel if

he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to

forgive, and to pour out displeasure.

16:12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also: he judgeth a

man according to his works.

16:13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoils: and the patience of

the godly shall not be frustrate.

16:14 Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find

according to his works.

16:15 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his

powerful works might be known to the world.

16:16 His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated

his light from the darkness with an adamant.

16:17 Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord: shall any

remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people:

for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures?

16:18 Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the

earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

16:19 The mountains also and foundations of the earth be shaken with

trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

16:20 No heart can think upon these things worthily: and who is able to

conceive his ways?

16:21 It is a tempest which no man can see: for the most part of his

works are hid.

16:22 Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them?

for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is in the

end.

16:23 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a

foolish man erring imagineth follies.

16:24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words

with thy heart.

16:25 I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge

exactly.

16:26 The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning:

and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof.

16:27 He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of

them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor

cease from their works.

16:28 None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his

word.

16:29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his

blessings.

16:30 With all manner of living things hath he covered the face

thereof; and they shall return into it again.

17:1 The Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again.

17:2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the

things therein.

17:3 He endued them with strength by themselves, and made them

according to his image,

17:4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over

beasts and fowls.

17:5 They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in

the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh

speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.

17:6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them

to understand.

17:7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and

shewed them good and evil.

17:8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the

greatness of his works.

17:9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they

might declare his works with understanding.

17:10 And the elect shall praise his holy name.

17:11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an

heritage.

17:12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his

judgments.

17:13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his

glorious voice.

17:14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave

every man commandment concerning his neighbour.

17:15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his

eyes.

17:16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they

make to themselves fleshy hearts for stony.

17:17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a

ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord’s portion:

17:18 Whom, being his firstborn, he nourisheth with discipline, and

giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.

17:19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes

are continually upon their ways.

17:20 None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their

sins are before the Lord

17:21 But the Lord being gracious and knowing his workmanship, neither

left nor forsook them, but spared them.

17:22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the

good deeds of man as the apple of the eye, and give repentance to his

sons and daughters.

17:23 Afterwards he will rise up and reward them, and render their

recompence upon their heads.

17:24 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted

those that failed in patience.

17:25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins, make thy prayer

before his face, and offend less.

17:26 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he

will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou

abomination vehemently.

17:27 Who shall praise the most High in the grave, instead of them

which live and give thanks?

17:28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not:

the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord.

17:29 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his

compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness!

17:30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not

immortal.

17:31 What is brighter than the sun? yet the light thereof faileth; and

flesh and blood will imagine evil.

17:32 He vieweth the power of the height of heaven; and all men are but

earth and ashes.

18:1 He that liveth for ever created all things in general.

18:2 The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he,

18:3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things

obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy

things among them from profane.

18:4 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall

find out his noble acts?

18:5 Who shall number the strength of his majesty? and who shall also

tell out his mercies?

18:6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken

from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the

ground of them be found out.

18:7 When a man hath done, then he beginneth; and when he leaveth off,

then he shall be doubtful.

18:8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? what is his good, and what is

his evil?

18:9 The number of a man’s days at the most are an hundred years.

18:10 As a drop of water unto the sea, and a gravelstone in comparison

of the sand; so are a thousand years to the days of eternity.

18:11 Therefore is God patient with them, and poureth forth his mercy

upon them.

18:12 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he

multiplied his compassion.

18:13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the

Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth and

bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock.

18:14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that

diligently seek after his judgments.

18:15 My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable

words when thou givest any thing.

18:16 Shall not the dew asswage the heat? so is a word better than a

gift.

18:17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a

gracious man.

18:18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the envious

consumeth the eyes.

18:19 Learn before thou speak, and use physick or ever thou be sick.