[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. [17] For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour. [18] Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial. [19] For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.
Chapter 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. [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.
[3] But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation. [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. [5] The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing. [6] For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. [7] But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest.
[8] For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years. [9] But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age. [10] He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated. [11] Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. [12] For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind. [13] He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time: [14] For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. [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.
[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. [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. [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. [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. [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.
Chapter 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. [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. [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: [4] We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour: [5] How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints! [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. [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.
[8] What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us? [9] All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by; [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; [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; [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: [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.
[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.
[15] But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High. [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.
[17] He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies. [18] He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet. [19] He shall take holiness for an invincible shield. [20] His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
[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. [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.
[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.
Chapter 6
[1] Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. [2] Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations. [3] For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels. [4] Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God; [5] Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places. [6] For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented. [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. [8] But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
[9] Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away. [10] For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer. [11] Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed.
[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.
[13] She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them. [14] Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors. [15] To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care. [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. [17] For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love; [18] And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption; [19] And incorruption maketh us near unto God: [20] Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.
[21] If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, hono
ur wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore. [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. [23] Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom. [24] But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. [25] Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good.
Chapter 7
[1] I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth, [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. [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. [4] I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares. [5] For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth. [6] For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
[7] Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. [8] I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. [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. [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.
[11] All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands. [12] And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them.
[13] I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches. [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.
[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. [16] For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship. [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: [18] The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons: [19] The circuits of years, and the positions of stars: [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: [21] And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know.
[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, [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.
[24] For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness. [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. [26] For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness. [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.
[28] For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom. [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. [30] For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom.
Chapter 8
[1] Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things.
[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. [3] In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her. [4] For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works.
[5] If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things? [6] And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she? [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] 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.
[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. [10] For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young. [11] I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men. [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.
[13] Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me. [14] I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me. [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. [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.
[17] Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality; [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.
[19] For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit. [20] Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled. [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,
Chapter 9
[1] O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, [2] And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made, [3] And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart: [4] Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children: [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.
[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.
[7] Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters: [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] 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. [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. [11] For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power. [12] So shall my works be acceptable, and the
n shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat.
[13] For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is? [14] For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. [15] For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things. [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? [17] And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above? [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.
Chapter 10
[1] She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall, [2] And gave him power to rule all things.
[3] But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother. [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. [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.
[6] When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities. [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. [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. [9] Rut wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.
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