The Deuterocanon
Old Testament - Holy Bible

 

The Book of Sirach (or Ecclesiasticus)

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30
31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40
41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50
51

Chapter 1

1	All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.
2	Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
3	Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?
4	Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
5	The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
6	To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?
7	To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?
8	There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.
9	He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
10	And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.
11	The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.
12	The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.
13	With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
14	The love of God is honourable wisdom.
15	Ana they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.
16	The fear of the Lord Is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.
17	The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.
18	Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.
19	It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.
20	To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.
21	She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.
22	The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:
23	And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.
24	Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.
25	The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are longlived.
26	In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
27	The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:
28	For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.
29	A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.
30	A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
31	In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:
32	But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.
33	Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.
34	For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,
35	Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.
36	Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.
37	Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.
38	Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,
39	And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.
40	Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.

Chapter 2

1	Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.
2	Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.
3	Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.
4	Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.
5	For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
6	Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.
7	Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him, lest ye fall.
8	Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void.
9	Ye that fear the Lord, hope in him: and mercy shall come to you for your delight.
10	Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened.
11	My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.
12	For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him?
13	For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.
14	Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways.
15	Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him.
16	Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways.
17	And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine?
18	They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way.
19	They that fear the Lord, will seek after the things that are well pleasing to him: and they that love him, shall be filled with his law.
20	They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls.
21	They that fear the Lord, keep his Commandments, and will have patience even until his visitation,
22	Saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.
23	For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him.

Chapter 3

1	The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.
2	Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.
3	For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.
4	He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sine by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.
5	And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.
6	He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
7	He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
8	He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.
9	Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,
10	That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
11	The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.
12	Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.
13	For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.
14	Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;
15	And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be for- gotten.
16	For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.
17	And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sine shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.
18	Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.
19	My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.
20	The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:
21	For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.
22	Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.
23	For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.
24	In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.
25	For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.
26	And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.
27	A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.
28	A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.
29	A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.
30	The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.
31	The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.
32	A wise heart, and which hath under- standing, will abstain from sine, and in the works of justice shall have success.
33	Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:
34	And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.

Chapter 4

1	Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.
2	Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the Boor in his want.
3	Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to give to him that is in distress.
4	Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.
5	Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.
6	For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.
7	Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.
8	Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.
9	Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.
10	In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.
11	And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.
12	Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.
13	And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.
14	They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.
15	They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.
16	He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.
17	If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.
18	For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.
19	She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.
20	Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,
21	And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.
22	But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
23	Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.
24	For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.
25	For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.
26	Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.
27	Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:
28	And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
29	For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.
30	In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.
31	Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.
32	Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.
33	Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.
34	Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.
35	Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.
36	Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.

Chapter 5

1	Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.
2	Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:
3	And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.
4	Say not: I have sinned, and whet harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.
5	Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:
6	And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.
7	For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.
8	Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.
9	For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.
10	Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.
11	Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.
12	Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.
13	Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.
14	If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.
15	Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.
16	Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.
17	For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.
18	Justify alike the small and the great.

Chapter 6

1	Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.
2	Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,
3	And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit: and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.
4	For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.
5	A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.
6	Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.
7	If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.
8	For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
9	And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.
10	And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.
11	A friend ii he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.
12	If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.
13	Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
14	A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.
15	Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.
16	A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.
17	He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.
18	My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.
19	Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:
20	For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.
21	How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.
22	She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.
23	For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.
24	Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.
25	Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:
26	Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.
27	Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.
28	Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:
29	For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.
30	Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:
31	For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.
32	Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thee shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.
33	My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.
34	If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.
35	Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.
36	And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.
37	Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given thee.

Chapter 7

1	Do no evils, and no evils shall lay hold of thee.
2	Depart from the unjust, and evils shall depart from thee.
3	My son, sow not evils in the furrows of injustice, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold.
4	Seek not of the Lord a pre-eminence, nor of the king the seat of honour.
5	Justify not thyself before God, for he knoweth the heart: and desire not to appear wise before the king.
6	Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities: lest thou fear the person of the powerful, and lay a stumblingblock for thy integrity.
7	Offend not against the multitude of a city, neither cast thyself in upon the people,
8	Nor bind sin to sin: for even in one thou shalt not be unpunished.
9	Be not fainthearted in thy mind:
10	Neglect not to pray, and to give alms.
11	Say not: God will have respect to the multitude of my gifts, and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept my offerings.
12	Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one that humbleth and exalteth, God who seeth
13	Devise not a lie against thy brother: neither do the like against thy friend.
14	Be not willing to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good.
15	Be not full of words in a multitude of ancients, and repeat not the word in thy prayer.
16	Hate not laborious works, nor husbandry ordained by the most High.
17	Number not thyself among the multitude of the disorderly.
18	Remember wrath, for it will not tarry long.
19	Humble thy spirit very much: for the vengeance on the flesh of the ungodly is fire and worms.
20	Do not transgress against thy friend deferring money, nor despise thy dear brother for the sake of gold.
21	Depart not from a wise and good wife, whom thou best gotten in the fear of the Lord: for the grace of her modesty is above gold.
22	Hurt not the servant that worketh faithfully, nor the hired man that giveth thee his life.
23	Let a wise servant be dear to thee as thy own soul, defraud him not of liberty, nor leave him needy.
24	Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy profit, keep them with thee.
25	Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their childhood.
26	Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and shew not thy countenance gay towards them.
27	Marry thy daughter well, and then shalt do a great work, and give her to a wise man.
28	If thou hast a wife according to thy soul, cast her not off: and to her that is hateful, trust not thyself. With thy whole heart,
29	Honour thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother:
30	Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee.
31	With all thy soul fear the Lord, and reverence his priests.
32	With all thy strength love him that made thee: and forsake not his ministers.
33	Honour God with all thy soul, and give honour to the priests, and purify thyself with thy arms.
34	Give them their portion, as it is commanded thee, of the firstfruits and of purifications: and for thy negligences purify thyself with a few.
35	Offer to the Lord the gift of thy shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy things:
36	And stretch out thy hand to the poor, that thy expiation and thy blessing may be perfected.
37	A gift hath grace in the sight of all the living, and restrain not grace from the dead.
38	And stretch out thy hand to the poor, that thy expiation and thy blessing may be perfected.
38	Be not wanting in comforting them that weep, and walk with them that mourn.
39	Be not slow to visit the sick: for by these things thou shalt be confirmed in love.
40	In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.

Chapter 8

1	Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.
2	Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.
3	For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.
4	Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
5	Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.
6	Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.
7	Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.
8	Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.
9	Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.
10	For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.
11	Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:
12	For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.
13	Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.
14	Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.
15	Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.
16	Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.
17	Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.
18	Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.
19	Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.
20	Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.
21	Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
22	Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.

Chapter 9

1	Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson.
2	Give not the power of thy soul to a woman, lest she enter upon thy strength, and thou be confounded.
3	Look not upon a woman that hath a mind for many: lest thou fall into her snares.
4	Use not much the company of her that is a dancer, and hearken not to her, lest thou perish by the force of her charms.
5	Gaze not upon a maiden, lest her beauty be a stumblingblock to thee.
6	Give not thy soul to harlots in any point: lest thou destroy thyself and thy inheritance.
7	Look not round about thee in the of the city, nor wander up and down in the streets thereof.
8	Turn away thy face from a woman dressed up, and gaze not about upon another's beauty.
9	For many have perished by the beauty of a woman, and hereby lust is enkindled as a fire.
10	Every woman that is a harlot, shall be trodden upon as dung in the way.
11	Many by admiring the beauty of another man's wife, have become reprobate, for her conversation burneth as fire.
12	Sit not at all with another man's wife, nor repose upon the bed with her:
13	And strive not with her over wine, lest thy heart decline towards her, and by thy blood thou fall into destruction.
14	Forsake not an old friend, for the new will not be like to him.
15	A new friend is as new wine: it shall grow old, and thou shalt drink it with pleasure.
16	Envy not the glory and riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what his ruin shall be.
17	Be not pleased with the wrong done by the unjust, knowing that even to hell the wicked shall not please.
18	Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill, so thou shalt not suspect the fear of death.
19	And if thou come to him, commit no fault, lest he take away thy life.
20	Know it to be a communication with death: for thou art going in the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of them that are grieved:
21	According to thy power beware of thy neighbor, and treat with the wise and prudent.
22	Let just men be thy guests, and let thy glory be in the fear of God.
23	And let the thought of God be in thy mind, and all thy discourse on the commandments of the Highest.
24	Works shall be praised for the hand of the artificers, and the prince of the people for the wisdom of his speech, but word of the ancients for the sense.
25	A man full of tongue is terrible in his city, and he that is rash in his word shall be hateful.

Chapter 10

1	There is not a more wicked thing than to love money: for such a one setteth even his own soul to sale: because while he liveth he hath cast away his bowels.
11	All power is of short life. A long sickness is troublesome to the physician.
12	The physician cutteth off it short sickness: so also a king is to day, and to morrow he shall die.
13	For when a man shall die, he shall inherit serpents, end beasts, and worms.
14	The beginning of the pride of man, is to fall off from God:
15	Because his heart is departed from him that made him: for pride is the beginning of all sin: be that holdeth it, shall be filled with maledictions, and it shall ruin him in the end.
16	Therefore hath the Lord disgraced the assemblies of the wicked, and hath utterly destroyed them.
17	God hath overturned the thrones of proud princes, and hath set up the meek in their stead.
18	God hath made the roots of proud nations to wither, and hath planted the humble of these nations.
19	The Lord hath overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and hath destroyed them even to the foundation.
20	He hath made some of them to wither away, and hath destroyed them, and hath made the memory of them to cease from the earth.
21	God hath abolished the memory of the proud, and hath preserved the memory of them that are humble in mind.
22	Pride was not made for men: nor wrath for the race of women.
23	That seed of men shall be honoured, which feareth God: but that seed shall be dishonoured, which transgresseth the commandments of the Lord.
24	In the midst of brethren their chief is honourable: so shall they that fear the Lord, be in his eyes.
25	The fear of God is the glory of the rich, and of the honourable, and of the poor:
26	Despise not a just man that is poor, and do not magnify a sinful man that is rich.
27	The great man, and the judge, and the mighty is in honour: and there is none greater than he that feareth God.
28	They that are free shall serve a servant that is wise: and a man that is prudent and well instructed will not murmur when he is reproved; and he that is ignorant, shall not be honoured.
29	Extol not thyself in doing thy work, and linger not in the time of distress:
30	Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself and wanteth bread.
31	My son, keep thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to its desert.
32	Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own soul?
33	The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear: and there is a man that is honoured for his wealth.
34	But he that is glorified in poverty, how much more in wealth? and he that is glorified in wealth, let him fear poverty.

Chapter 11

1	The wisdom of the humble shall exalt his head, and shall make him sit in the midst of great men.
2	Praise not a man for his beauty, neither despise a man for his look.
3	The bee is small among flying things, but her fruit hath the chiefest sweetness.
4	Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, end hidden.
5	Many tyrants have sat on the throne, and he whom no man would think on, hath worn the crown.
6	Many mighty men have been greatly brought down, and the glorious have been delivered into the hand of others.
7	Before thou inquire, blame no man: and when thou hast inquired, reprove justly.
8	Before thou hear, answer not a word: and interrupt not others in the midst of their discourse.
9	Strive not in a matter which doth not concern thee, and sit not in judgment with sinners.
10	My son, meddle not with many matters: and if thou be rich, thou shalt not be free from sin: for if thou pursue after thou shalt not overtake: and if thou run before thou shalt not escape.
11	There is an ungodly man that laboureth, and maketh haste, and is in sorrow, and is so much the more in want.
12	Again, there is an inactive man that wanteth help, is very weak in ability, and full of poverty:
13	Yet the eye of God hath looked upon him for good, and hath lifted him up from his low estate, and hath exalted his head: and many have wondered at him, and have glorified God.
14	Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from God.
15	Wisdom and discipline, and the knowledge of the law are with God. Love and the ways of good things are with him
16	Error and darkness are created with sinners: and they that glory in evil things, grow old in evil.
17	The gift of God abideth with the just, and his advancement shall have success for ever.
18	There is one that is enriched by living sparingly, and this is the portion of his reward.
19	In that he saith: I have found me rest, and now I will eat of my goods alone:
20	And he knoweth not what time shall pass, and that death approacheth, and that he must leave all to others, and shall die.
21	Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and grow old in the work of thy commandments.
22	Abide not in the works of sinners. But trust in God, and stay in thy place.
23	For it is easy in the eyes of God on a sudden to make the poor man rich.
24	The blessing of God maketh haste to reward the just, and in a swift hour his blessing beareth fruit.
25	Say not: What need I, and what good shall I have by this?
26	Say not: I am sufficient for myself: and what shall I be made worse by this?
27	In the day of good things be not unmindful of evils: and in the day of evils be not unmindful of good things:
28	For it is easy before God in the day of death to reward every one according to his ways.
29	The affliction of an hour maketh one forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the disclosing of his works.
30	Praise not any man before death, for a man is known by his children.
31	Bring not every man into thy house: for many are the snares of the deceitful.
32	For as corrupted bowels send forth stinking breath, and as the partridge is brought into the cage, and as the roe into the snare: so also is the heart of the proud, and as a spy that looketh on the fall of his neighbour.
33	For he lieth in wait and turneth good into evil, and on the elect he will lay a blot.
34	Of one spark cometh a great fire, and of one deceitful man much blood: and a sinful man lieth in wait for blood.
35	Take heed to thyself of a mischievous man, for he worketh evils: lest he bring upon thee reproach for ever.
36	Receive a stranger in, and he shall overthrow thee with a whirlwind, and shall turn thee out of thy own.

Chapter 12

1	If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds.
2	Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.
3	For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.
4	Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.
5	Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.
6	Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.
7	For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.
8	A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity.
9	In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.
10	Never trust thy enemy: for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:
11	11Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him.
12	Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat: and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.
13	Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.
14	For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it.
15	An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.
16	An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood:
17	And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first.
18	An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.
19	He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

Chapter 13

1	He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.
2	He shall take a burden upon him that hath fellowship with one more honour- able than himself. And have no fellow- ship with one that is richer than thyself.
3	What agreement shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? for if they knock one against the other, it shall be broken.
4	The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace.
5	If thou give, he will make use of thee: and if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.
6	If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee.
7	If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou?
8	And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.
9	Humble thyself to God, and wait for his hands.
10	Beware that thou be not deceived Into folly, and be humbled.
11	Be not lowly in thy wisdom, lest being humbled thou be deceived into folly.
12	If thou be invited by one that is mightier, withdraw thyself: for so he will invite thee the more.
13	Be not troublesome to him, lest thou be put back: and keep not far from him, lest thou be forgotten.
14	Affect not to speak with him as an equal: and believe not his many words: for by much talk he will sift thee, and smiling will examine thee concerning thy secrets.
15	His cruel mind will lay up thy words: and he will not spare to do thee hurt, and to cast thee into prison.
16	Take heed to thyself, and attend diligently to what thou hearest: for thou walkest in danger of thy ruin.
17	When thou hearest those things, see as it were in sleep, and thou shalt awake.
18	Love God all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.
19	Every beast loveth its like: so also every man him that is nearest to himself.
20	All flesh shall consort with the like to itself, and every man shall associate himself to his like.
21	If the wolf shall at any time have fellowship with the lamb, so the sinner with the just.
22	What fellowship hath a holy man with a dog, or what part hath the rich with the poor?
23	The wild ass is the lion's prey in the desert: so also the poor are devoured by the rich.
24	And as humility is an abomination to the proud: so also the rich man abhorreth the poor.
25	When a rich man is shaken, he is kept up by his friends: but when a poor man is fallen down, he is thrust away even by his acquaintance.
26	When a rich man hath been deceived, he hath many helpers: he hath spoken proud things, and they have justified him.
27	The poor man was deceived, and he is rebuked also: he hath spoken wisely, and could have no place.
28	The rich man spoke, and all held their peace, and what he said they extol even to the clouds.
29	The poor man spoke, and they say: Who is this? and if he stumble, they will overthrow him.
30	Riches are good to him that hath no sin in his conscience: and poverty is very wicked in the mouth of the ungodly.
31	The heart of a man changeth his countenance, either for good, or for evil.
32	The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour.

Chapter 14

1	Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin.
2	Happy is he that hath had no sadness of his mind, and who is not fallen from his hope.
3	Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard, and what should an envious man do with gold?
4	He that gathereth together by wronging his own soul, gathereth for others, and another will squander away his goods in rioting.
5	He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? and he shall not take pleasure in his goods.
6	There is none worse than he that envieth himself, and this is the reward of his wickedness:
7	And if he do good, he doth it ignorantly, and unwillingly: and at the last he discovereth his wickedness.
8	The eye of the envious is wicked: and he turneth away his face, and despiseth his own soul.
9	The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up.
10	An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table.
11	My son, if thou have any thing, do good to thyself, and offer to God worthy offerings.
12	Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die.
13	Do good to thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand give to the poor.
14	Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good gift over- pass thee.
15	Shalt thou not leave to others to divide by lot thy sorrows and labours?
16	Give and take, and justify thy soul.
17	Before thy death work justice: for in hell there is no finding food.
18	All flesh shall fade as grass, and as the leaf that springeth out on a green tree.
19	Some grow, and some fall off: so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.
20	Every work that is corruptible shall fail in the end: and the worker thereof shall go with it.
21	And every excellent work shall be justified: and the worker thereof shall be honoured therein.
22	Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God.
23	He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after her as one that traceth, and stayeth in her ways:
24	He who looketh in at her windows, and hearkeneth at her door:
25	He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent nigh unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever.
26	He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches:
27	He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory.

Chapter 15

1	He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her,
2	And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
3	With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved:
4	And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours.
5	And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory.
6	She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
7	But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit.
8	Lying men shall not be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God.
9	Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner:
10	For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it.
11	Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth.
12	Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men.
13	The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it.
14	God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel.
15	He added his commandments and precepts.
16	If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee.
17	He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt.
18	Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:
19	For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.
20	The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth all the work of man.
21	He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin:
22	For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.

Chapter 16

1	Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them.
2	Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours.
3	For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children.
4	And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children.
5	By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate.
6	Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard.
7	In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall dame out.
8	The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sine, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength:
9	And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word.
10	He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled them- selves in their sine.
11	So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished:
12	For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation:
13	According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works.
14	The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.
15	All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment.
16	Say not: I shall be hidden from God. and who shall remember me from on high?
17	In such a multitude I shall not be known: for what is my soul in such an immense creation?
18	Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight,
19	The mountains also, and the hills, end the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling.
20	And in all these things the heart is senseless: and every heart is understood by him:
21	And his ways who shall understand, and the storm, which no eye of man see?
22	For many of his works are hidden: hut the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end.
23	He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things: and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things.
24	Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart.
25	And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.
26	The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations.
27	He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works.
28	Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time.
29	Be not thou incredulous to his word.
30	After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods.
31	The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again.

Chapter 17

1	God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.
2	And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.
3	He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.
4	He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.
5	He created of him a helpmate like to himself: he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.
6	He created in them the science of the spirit, he filled their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.
7	He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:
8	That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous acts, that they might declare the glorious things of his works.
9	Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.
10	He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.
11	And their eye saw the majesty of his glory. and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.
12	And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.
13	Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.
14	Over every nation he set a ruler.
15	And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.
16	And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
17	Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.
18	The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:
19	And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.
20	But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.
21	Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:
22	Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.
23	Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.
24	And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.
25	Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.
26	Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.
27	Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.
28	How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him I
29	For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.
30	What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.
31	He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.

Chapter 18

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

 

Chapter 19

1	Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee.
11	At the hearing of a word the fool is in travail, as a woman groaning. in the bringing forth a child.
12	As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh: so is a word in the heart of a fool.
13	Reprove a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say : f did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more.
14	Reprove thy neighbour, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again.
15	Admonish thy friend: for there is often a fault committed.
16	And believe not every word. There is one, that slippeth with the tongue, but not from his heart.
17	For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him.
18	And give place to the fear of the most High: for the fear of God is all wisdom, and therein is to fear God, and the disposition of the law is in all wisdom.
19	But the learning of wickedness is not wisdom: and the device of sinners is not prudence.
20	There is a subtle wickedness, and the same is detestable: and there is a man that is foolish, wanting in wisdom.
21	Better is a man that hath less wisdom, and wanteth understanding, with the fear of God, than he that aboundeth in understanding, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
22	There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust.
23	And there is one that uttereth an exact word telling the truth. There is one that humbleth himself wickedly, and his interior is full of deceit:
24	And there is one that submitteth himself exceedingly with a great lowliness: and there is one that casteth down his countenance, and maketh as if he did not see that which is unknown:
25	And if he be hindered from sinning for want of power, if he shall find opportunity to do evil, he will do it.
26	A man is known by his look, and a wise man, when thou meetest him, is known by his countenance.
27	The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, shew what he is.
28	There is a lying rebuke in the anger of an injurious man: and there is a judgment that is not allowed to be good: and there is one that holdeth his peace, he is wise.

	Chapter 32
1	Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.
2	Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place :
3	That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.
4	Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,
5	To speak the first word with care knowledge, and hinder not music.
6	Where there is no hearing, pour out words, and be not lifted up out season with thy wisdom.
7	7A concert of music in a banquet wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.
8	As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
9	Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
10	Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.
11	If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.
12	In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.
13	In the company of great men bake not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.
14	Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
15	And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.
16	And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.
17	And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.
18	He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.
19	He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
20	They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
21	A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.
22	A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:
23	Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.
24	My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.
25	Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones; trust not thyself to a rugged may, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.
26	And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.
27	In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.
28	He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.

	Chapter 42
1	Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shah find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:
2	Of the law of the most High, and of his covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly:
3	Of the affair of companions and travellers, and of the gift of the inheritance of friends:
4	Of exactness of balance and weights, of getting much or little:
5	Of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of a wicked slave to bleed.
6	Sure keeping is good over a wicked wife.
7	Where there are many hands, shut up, and deliver all things in number, and weight: and put all in writing that thou givest out or receivest in.
8	Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged I by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.
9	The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away his sleep, when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she should be hateful:
10	In her virginity, lest she should be corrupted, and be found with child in her father's house: and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren.
11	Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at any time she make thee become a laughingstock to thy enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude.
12	Behold not everybody's beauty: and tarry not among women.
13	For from garments cometh a moth, end from a woman the iniquity of a man.
14	For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.
15	I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works.
16	The sun giving light hath looked upon all things, and full of the glory of the Lord is his work.
17	Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory?
18	He hath searched out the deep, and the heart of men: and considered their crafty devices.
19	For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world, he declareth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things.
20	No thought escapeth him, and no word can hide itself from him.
21	He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he Is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,
22	Nor can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.
23	O how desirable are all his works, and what we can know is but as a spark!
24	All these things live, and remain for ever, and for every use all things obey him.
25	All things are double, one against another, and he hath made nothing defective.
26	He hath established the good things of every one. And who shall be filled with beholding his glory?

	Chapter 43
1	The firmament on high is his beauty, the beauty of heaven with its glorious shew.
2	The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.
3	At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:
4	The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.
5	Great is the Lord that made him, and at his words he hath hastened his course.
6	And the moon in all in her season, is for a declaration of times and a sign of the world.
7	From the moon is the sign of the festival day, a light that decreaseth in her perfection.
8	The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her perfection
9	Being an instrument of the armies on high, shining gloriously in the Armament of heaven.
10	The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven; the Lord enlighteneth the world on high.
11	By the words of the holy one they shall stand in judgment, and shall never fail in their watches.
12	Look upon the rainbow, and bless him that made it: it is very beautiful in its brightness.
13	It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.
14	By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.
15	Through this are the treasures opened, and the clouds fly out like birds.
16	By his greatness he hath fixed the clouds, and the hailstones are broken.
17	At his sight shall the mountains be shaken, and at his will the south wind shall blow.
18	The noise of his thunder shall strike the earth, so doth the northern storm, and the whirlwind:
19	And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.
20	The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.
21	He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.
22	The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.
23	And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.
24	A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.
25	At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.
26	Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.
27	There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.
28	Through him is established the end of their journey, and by his word all things are regulated.
29	We shall say much, and yet shall want words: but the sum of our words is, He is all.
30	What shall we be able to do to glorify him? for the Almighty himself is above all his works.
31	31The Lord is terrible, and exceeding great, and his power is admirable.
32	Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.
33	Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can: for he is above all praise.
34	When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.
35	Who shall see him, and declare him? and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning?
36	There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.
37	But the Lord hath made all things, and to the godly he hath given wisdom.

	Chapter 44
1	Let us now praise men of renown, and our fathers in their generation.
2	The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
3	Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,
4	And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
5	Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
6	Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
7	All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
8	They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
9	And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.
10	But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:
11	Good things continue with their seed,
12	Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
13	And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
14	Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
15	Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
16	Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
17	Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.
18	Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
19	The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the hood.
20	Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.
21	In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.
22	Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,
23	And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
24	And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
25	The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
26	He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.
27	And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.

	Chapter 45
1	Moses was beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
2	He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
3	He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
4	He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
5	For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
6	And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.
7	He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi:
8	He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,
9	And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.
10	He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and as ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,
11	That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.
12	He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:
13	Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
14	And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.
15	Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning.
16	No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.
17	His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day.
18	Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil.
19	This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.
20	He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:
21	And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.
22	And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.
23	The Lord God saw and it pleased him not, and they were consumed in his wrathful indignation.
24	He wrought wonders upon them, and consumed them with a flame of fire.
25	And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.
26	He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.
27	But he shall not inherit among the people in the land, and he hath no portion among the people: for he himself is his portion and inheritance.
28	Phinees the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, by imitating him in the fear of the Lord:
29	And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people: in the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel.
30	Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary, and of his people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him and to his seed for ever.
31	And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Juda, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our heart to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting.

	Chapter 46
1	Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,
2	Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.
3	How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?
4	Who before him hath so resisted? for the Lord himself brought the enemies.
5	Was not the sun stopped in his anger, and one day made as two?
6	He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.
7	He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.
8	That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:
9	And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.
10	And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.
11	And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:
12	That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.
13	Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,
14	That their memory might be blessed, and their bones spring up out of their place,
15	And their name continue for ever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children.
16	Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.
17	By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.
18	And he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light:
19	And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.
20	And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.
21	And he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines:
22	And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no mall did accuse him.
23	And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.

	Chapter 47
1	Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David.
1	the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.
2	And as the fat taken away from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel.
3	He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.
4	Did not he kill the giant, and take away reproach from his people?
5	In lifting up his hand, with the stone in the sling he beat down the boasting of Goliath:
6	For he called upoI
7	So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:
8	For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.
9	In all his works he gave thanks to the holy one, and to the most High, with words of glory.
10	With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:
11	And he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody.
12	And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.
13	The Lord took away his sine, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.
14	After him arose up a wise son, and for his sake he cast down all the power of the enemies.
15	Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!
16	And thou wast filled as a river with wisdom, and thy soul covered the earth.
17	And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.
18	The countries wondered at thee for thy canticles, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations,
19	And at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is, God of Israel.
20	Thou didst gather gold as copper, and didst multiply silver as lead,
21	And thou didst bow thyself to women: and by thy body thou wast brought under subjection.
22	Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,
23	That thou shouldst make the kingdom to be divided, and out of Ephraim a rebellious kingdom to rule.
24	But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he out up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.
25	Wherefore he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David of the same stock.
26	And Solomon had an end with his fathers.
27	And he left behind him of his seed, the folly of the nation,
28	Even Roboam that had little wisdom, who turned away the people through his counsel:
29	And Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly.
30	They removed them far away from their land.
31	And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sine.

	Chapter 48
1	And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
2	He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.
3	By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
4	Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
5	Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.
6	Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.
7	Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.
8	Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.
9	Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
10	Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
11	Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.
12	For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
13	Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.
14	No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.
15	In his life he did great wonders, and is death he wrought miracles.
16	For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.
17	And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.
18	Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sine.
19	Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.
20	In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.
21	Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail.
22	And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.
23	He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.
24	He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.
25	For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.
26	In his days the sun went backward, and he lengthened the king's life.
27	With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.
28	He shewed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.

	Chapter 49
1	The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
2	His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
3	He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
4	And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
5	Except David, and Ezechias, and Josias, all committed sin.
6	For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
7	So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation.
8	They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
9	For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.
10	It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
11	For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
12	And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and re- deemed themselves by strong faith.
13	How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
14	In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec? who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
15	And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.
16	No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
17	Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:
18	And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
19	Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning.

	Chapter 50
1	Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
2	By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.
3	In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
4	He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.
5	He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.
6	He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.
7	And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.
8	And as the rainbow giving light in the bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.
9	As a bright Are, and frankincense burning in the fire.
10	As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
11	As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.
12	When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.
13	And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,
14	And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
15	And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high Ring,
16	He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
17	He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.
18	Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.
19	Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.
20	And the singers lifted up their voices. and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.
21	And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.
22	Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:
23	And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.
24	And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.
25	May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
26	That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
27	There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation, which I hate:
28	They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
29	Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
30	Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things: and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
31	For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.

	Chapter 51
1	They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.
11	I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.
12	How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
13	Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.
14	I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.
15	I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.
16	And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.
17	Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.
18	When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.
19	I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
20	My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.
21	I bowed down my ear a little, and received her.
22	I found much wisdom in myself, and I profited much therein.
23	To him that giveth me wisdom, will I give glory.
24	For I have determined to follow her: I have had a zeal for good, and shall not be confounded.
25	My soul hath wrestled for her, and in doing it I have been confirmed.
26	I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bewailed my ignorance of her.
27	I directed my soul to her, and in knowledge I found her.
28	I possessed my heart with her from the beginning: therefore I shall not be forsaken.
29	My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.
30	The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward: and with it I will praise him.
31	Draw near to me, ye unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the house of discipline.
32	Why are ye slow? and what do you say of these things? your souls are exceeding thirsty.
33	I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,
34	And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.
35	Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.
36	Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.
37	Let your soul rejoice in his mercy, and you shall not be confounded in his praise.
38	Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.

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