The Book of Wisdom

The 1st Chapter

O' set your affection upon wisdom, ye that be judges of the earth.

Have a good opinion of the Lord, and seek him in the singleness of heart.

For he will be found of them that tempt him not, and appeareth unto such as put their trust in him.

As for *froward (stubborn, contrary, obstinate, disobedient) thoughts, they separate from God, but virtue ( if it be allowed ) reformeth the unwise.

And why? Wisdom shall not enter in a froward soul, nor dwell in the body that is subdued unto sin.

For the holy spirit abhoreth fained nurture, and with draweth himself from the thoughts that are without understanding: and where wickedness hath the upper hand, he flyeth from thence.

For the spirit of wisdom is loving, gentle and gracious, and well have no pleasure in him that speaketh evil with his lips.

For God is witness of his reins, and a true searcher out of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.

For the spirit of the Lord filleth the round compass of the world, and the same that upholdeth all things, hath knowledge also of the voice.

Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things, cannot be hid, neither may he escape the judgement of reproof .

And why? Inquisition shall be made for the thoughts of the ungodly, and the report of his words shall come unto God, so that his wickedness shall be punished.

For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the noise of grudgings, shall not be hid.

Therefore beware of murmurings which is nothing worth, and refrain your tongue from sclander (scandal and slander).

For there is no word so secret, that it shall go for nought: and the mouth that speaketh lies, slayeth the soul.

O' seek not your own death in the error of your life, destroy not yourselves through the works of your own hands.

For God hath not made death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.

For he created all things, that they might have their being: yee all the people of the earth hath he made that they should have health, that there is no destruction in them, and that the kingdom of hell should not be upon the earth ( for righteousness is everlasting and immortal, but unrighteousness bringeth death ) Nevertheless, the ungodly call her unto them both with words and works, and while they think to have a friend of her, they come to naught: for the ungodly that are confederate with her and take her part are worthy of death.

The 2nd Chapter

For the ungodly talk and imagine thus among themselves ( but not right: ) The time of our life is but short and tedious, and when a man is once gone, he hath no more joy ner pleasure, neither know we any man that turneth again from death: for we are born of naught and we shall be here after as though we had never been.

For our breath is as a smoke in our nostrils, and the words as a spark to move our heart.

As for our body, it shall be very ashes that are quenched, and our soul shall vanish as the soft air.

Our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and come to nought as the mist that is driven away with the beams of the *Son, and put down with the heat thereof.

Our name shall be forgotten by little and little, and no man shall have our works in remembrance.

* exactly as found in the text, and they did spell son and sun different.. RN

For our time is a very shadow that passeth away, and after our end there is no returning, for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again.

Come on therefore, let us enjoy the pleasures that there are, and let us soon use the creature like as in youth.

We will fill ourselves with good wine and ointment, and there shall no flower of the time go by us.

We will crown ourselves with rose afore they be withered.

There shall be no fair meadow, but our lust shall go through it.

Let everyone of you be partaker of our *voluptuousness.

(sensory wantonness) Let us leave some token of our pleasure in every place, for this is our portion, else we get nothing.

Let us oppress the poor righteous, let us not spare the widow, ner old man, let us not regard the heads that are gray for age.

Let the law of unrighteousness be our authority, for the thing that is feeble is nothing worth.

Therefore let us *defraud (cheat) the righteous; And why? He is not for our profit, yee he is clean contrary to our doings.

He checketh us for offending against the law, and sclander us as transgressors of all nurture.

He maketh his boast to have the knowledge of God, yee he calleth himself Gods son.

He is the betrayer of our thoughts: It grieveth us also to look upon him, for his life is not like other mens, his ways are of another fashion.

He counteth us as but vain persons, he withdraweth himself from our ways as from filthiness: he commendeth greatly the latter end of the just, and maketh his boast that God is his father.

Let us see if his words be true, let us prove what shall come upon him: so we will know what end he shall have.

For if he be the true son of God, he will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his enemies.

Let us examine him with despiteful rebuke and tormenting, that we may know his dignity and prove his patience.

Let us condemn him with the most shameful death: for like as he hath spoken, so shall he be rewarded.

Such things do the ungodly imagine, and go astray, for their own wickedness hath blinded them.

As for the mysteries of God, they understand them not: they neither hope for the reward of righteousness, ner regard the worship that holy souls shall have.

For God created man to be undestroyed, yee after the image of his own likeness made he him.

Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world, and they that do hold his side, do as he doeth.

The 3rd Chapter

But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the pain of death shall not touch them.

In the sight of the unwise they appear to die, and their end is taken for very destruction, but they are in rest.

And though they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of immortality.

They are punished but in few things, nevertheless in many things shall they be well rewarded.

For God proved them, and findeth them mete (worthy) for himself: yee as gold in the furnace doth he try them, and receiveth them as a burnt offering, and when the time cometh they shall be looked upon.

The righteous shall shine as the sparks the sparks the run through the reed bush.

They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

They that put their trust in him, shall understand the truth, and such as be faithful, will agree unto him in love: for his chosen shall have gifts and peace.

But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, for they have despised the righteous, and forsaken the Lord.

Who so despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is unhappy, and as for the hope of such, it is but vain, their labors unfruitful, and their works unprofitable.

Their wives are *indiscreet, (*deceptive, uncaring, foolishness) and their children most ungodly.

Their creature is cursed.

Blessed is rather, the barren and undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the reward of the holy souls.

And blessed is the gelded, which with his hands hath wrought no unrighteousness, nor imagined wicked things against God.

For unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and the most acceptable portion in the temple of God.

For glorious is the fruit of good labor, and the root of wisdom shall never fade away.

As for the children of *advouters, they shall come to an end, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out.

And though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded, and their last age shall be without honor.

If they die hastily, they have no hope, neither shall they be spoken to in the day of knowledge.

For horrible is the death and end of the unrighteous.

*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or without, devout: devotion; plain hearted to God, being devoted to something or some one else. see James 2 for adultery

The 4th Chapter

O' how fair is a chaste generation with virtue? The memorial, for it is known with good men.

When it is present, men take example there at: and if it go away, yet they desire it.

It is all way crowned and holden in honor, and winneth the reward of the undefiled battle.

But the multitude of ungodly children is unprofitable, and the things that are planted with whoredom, shall take no deep root, nor lay any fast foundation.

Though they be green in the branches for a time, yet shall they be shaken with the wind for they stand not fast, and through the vehemence of the wind they shall be rooted out.

For the unperfect branches shall be broken, their fruit shall be unprofitable and sour to eat, yee *mete (worthy) for nothing.

And why? All the children that are born of the wicked, must bare record of the wickedness against their fathers and mothers, when they are asked.

But though the righteousness be over taken with death, yet shall he be in rest.

Age is an honorable thing: nevertheless it standeth not only in the length of time, ner multitude of years: But a mans wisdom is the gray hair, and an undefiled life is the old age.

He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that whereas he lived among sinners, he was translated him.

Yea suddenly was he taken away, to the intend that wickedness should not alter his understanding, and that hypocrisy should not beguile his soul.

For the crafty bewitching of lies make good things dark, the unsteadfastness also and wickedness of voluptuous desire turn aside the understanding of the simple.

Though he was soon dead, yet fulfilled he much time.

For his soul pleased God therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked.

This the people see, and understand it not: they lay not up such things in their hearts, how that the loving favor and mercy of God is upon his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.

Thus the righteous that is dead, condemneth the ungodly which are living: and youth that is soon brought to an end, the long life of the unrighteous.

For they see the end of the wise, but they understand not what God hath devised for him, and wherefore the Lord hath taken him away.

And why? they see him and despise him, therefore shall God also laugh them to scorn: So that they themselves shall die here after ( but without honor ) Yee in shame among the dead forevermore.

For without any voice shall he burst those that be puffed up, and remove them from the foundations, so that they shall be layed waste unto the highest.

They shall mourn, and their memorial shall perish.

So they being afraid shall remember their sins, and their own wickedness shall betray them.

The 5th Chapter

Then shall the righteous stand in great steadfastness against such as have dealt extremely with them, and taken away their labors.

When they see it, they shall vexed with horrible fear, and shall wonder at the hastiness of the sudden health: groaning for the very distress of the mind, and shall say within themselves, having inward sorrow, and mourning for very anguish of mind:

These are they, whom we sometime had in derision, and jested upon.

We fools thought their life was very madness, and their end to be without honour.

But lo, how they are counted among the children of God, and their portion is among the saints.

Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of understanding rose not up upon us.

We have wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction.

Tedious ways have we gone: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.

What good hath our pride done unto us? Or, what profit hath the pomp of riches brought us? All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a messenger running before: 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 path of it in the floods.

Or as a bird that flyeth through the air, and no man can see any token where she is flown, but only heareth the noise of her wings, beating the light wind, parting the air through the vehemence of her going, and flyeth on shaking her wings, where as afterward no token of her way can be found.

Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a no man can know where it went through.

Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began immediately to draw to our end, and have showed no token of virtue, but are consumed in our own wickedness.

Such words shall they that have sinned speak in hell: For the hope of the ungodly is like a dry thistle flower ( or dust ) that is blown away with the wind: like as thin scum that is scattered abroad with the storm: like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with the wind, and as the remembrance of a stranger that tarryeth for a day, and then departeth.

But the righteous shall live for evermore: their reward also is with the Lord: and their remembrance with the Highest.

Therefore shall they receive a glorious Kingdom and a beautiful crown of the Lords hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his own arm shall he cover them, and with his own arm shall he defend them.

His jealousy also shall take away the harness, and he shall weapon the creature to be avenged of the enemies.

He shall put unrighteousness as a breastplate, and take sure judgment instead of an helmet.

The invincible shield of equity shall he take, his cruel wrath shall he sharpen for a spear, and the whole compass of the world shall fight with him against the unwise.

Then shall the thunder bolts go out of the lightnings, and come out of the rainbow of the clouds to the place appointed: out of the hard and stony indignation there shall fall thick hails, and the water of the sea shall be wroth against them, and the floods shall run roughly together.

Yee a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and a storm shall scatter them abroad.

Thus the unrighteous dealing of them shall bring all the land to a wilderness, and wickedness shall over throw the dwellings of the mighty.

The 6th Chapter

Wisdom is better then strength, and a man of understanding is more worth than one that is strong.

Hear therefore ( O' ye Kings ) and understand: O' learn ye that be judges of the ends of the earth.

Give ear, ye that rule the multitudes, and delight much people.

For power is given you of the Lord, and the strength from the Highest: which shall try your works and search out your imaginations: How that ye being officers of his Kingdom, have not kept the law of righteousness, nor walked after his will.

Horribly and that right soon shall he appear unto you: for an hard judgment shall they have that bear rule.

Mercy is granted unto the simple, but they that be in authority shall be sore punished.

For God which is Lord over all, shall except no mans person, neither shall he stand in awe of any mans greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.

But the mighty shall have the sorer punishment.

Unto you therefore ( O' Kings ) do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom and not go amiss: For they that keep righteousness shall be righteously judged: and they that are learned in righteous things, shall find to make answer.

Wherefore set your lust upon my words, and love them, so shall ye come by nurture.

Wisdom is a noble thing, and never fadeth away: yee she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.

She preventeth them that desire her, that she may first show herself unto them.

Whoso awaketh unto her by times, shall have no great travail, for he shall find her sitting ready at his doors.

To think upon her, is perfect understanding: and whoso watcheth for her, shall be safe, and that soon.

For she goeth about, seeking such as are mete (worthy) for her, showeth herself cheerfully unto them in their goings, and meeteth them with all diligence.

For the unfeigned desire for reformation is her beginning: to care for nurture is love, and love is the keeping of her laws.

Now the keeping of the laws is perfection and an uncorrupt life, an uncorrupt life maketh a man familiar with God.

And so the desire of wisdom leadeth to the Kingdom everlasting.

If your delight be then in royal seats and scepters ( O' ye kings of the people ) set your lust upon wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.

O' love the light of wisdom, all ye that be rulers of the people.

As for wisdom what she is, and how she came up I will tell you, and will not hide the mysteries of God from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of the nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not keep back the truth: Neither will I do with consuming envy, for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.

But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world, and a wise king is the upholding of the people.

O' receive nurture then through my words, and it shall do you good.

The 7th Chapter

I myself also am a mortal man, like as all other, and am come of the earthly generation of him that was first made, and in my mothers womb was I fashioned to be flesh: In the time of ten months was I brought together in blood through the seed of man, and the commodious appetite of sleep.

When I was born, I received like air as other men, and fell upon the earth, ( which is my nature ) crying and weeping at first, as all other do.

I was wrapped in swaddling clothes, and brought up with great cares.

For there is no king that hath had any other beginning of birth.

All men have one entrance unto life, and one going out in like manner.

Wherefore I desired, and understanding was given me: I called, and the spirit of wisdom came in to me.

I set more by her then by kingdoms and royal seats, and counted riches nothing in comparison of her.

As for precious stone I compared it not unto her: for all gold is but gravel unto her, and silver shall be counted but clay before her sight.

I loved her above welfare and beauty, and purposed to take her for my light, for her shine can not be quenched.

All good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands.

And I was glad in them all, for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of all good things.

Now as I myself learned unfainedly, so do I make other men partakers of her, and hide her riches from know man: For she is an infinite treasure unto men, which who so use, be come partakers of the love and friendship of God, and are accepted unto him for the gifts of wisdom.

God hath granted me to talk wisely, and convenient to handle the things that he hath graciously lent me.

For it is he, that leadeth unto wisdom, and teacheth to use wisdom and right.

In his hand are we and our words: yee all our wisdom, our understanding and knowledge of all our works.

For he hath given me the true science of these things: so that I know how the world was made, and the powers of the elements: The beginning, ending and midst of the times: how the times alter, how one goeth after another, and how they are fulfilled: the course of the year: the ordinances of the stars: the natures and kinds of beasts: the furriousness of beasts: the power of the winds: the imaginations of men: the diversities of young plants: the virtues of roots, And all such things as are secret and not looked for, have I learned.

For the workmaster of all things hath taught me wisdom.

In her is the spirit of understanding, which is holy, manyfold, one only, subtle, courteous, discreet, quick, undefiled, plain, sweet, loving the thing that is good, sharp, which forbiddeth not to do well, gentile, kind, steadfast, sure, free having all virtues, circumspect in all things: receiving all spirits of understanding, being clear and sharp.

For wisdom is nimbler then all nimble things: she goeth through and attaineth to all things, because of her cleanness.

For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure clean expressing of the clearness of Almighty God.

Therefore can no undefiled thing come unto her: for she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the undefiled mirror of the majesty of God, and the image of his goodness.

And for so much as she is one, she may do all things: and being steadfast herself she reneweth all, and among the people conveyeth she herself in to the holy souls.

She maketh Gods friends and prophets: for God loveth no man, but him in whom wisdom dwelleth.

For she is more beautiful then the Sun and giveth more light then the stars, and the day is not to be compared unto her: for upon the day cometh night.

But wickedness can not overcome wisdom, and foolishness may not be with her.

8th Chapter

Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily, and lovingly doth she order all things.

I have loved her and labored for her even from my youth up, I did my diligence to marry myself with her, such love had I unto her beauty.

Who so hath the company of God, commendeth her nobility, yee the Lord of all things him self loveth her.

For she is the schoolmaster of the nurture of God, and the chooser out of his works.

If a man desired riches in this life, what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things? Thou wilt say: understanding worketh.

What is it among all things, that worketh more than wisdom? If a man love virtue and righteousness, let him labor for wisdom, for she hath great virtues.

And why? She teacheth soberness and prudence, righteousness and strength, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life.

If a man desire much knowledge, she can tell the things that are past, and discern the things for to come: she knoweth the subtleties of words, and can expound dark sentences.

She can tell of tokens and wondrous things, or ever they come to pass, and the ends of all times and ages.

So I purposed after this manner: I will take her unto my company, and commune lovingly with her: no doubt she will give me good counsel, and speak comfortably unto me in my carefulness and grief.

For her sake shall I be well and honestly taken among the common men and Lords of the counsel.

Though I be young, yet shall I have sharp understanding, so that I shall be marvelous in the sight of great men, and the faces of Princes shall wonder at me.

When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure: when I speak, they shall look upon me, and if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth.

Moreover, by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and among them that come after me.

I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subdued unto me.

Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me: among the multitude, I shall be counted good, and mighty in battle.

When I am come home, I shall find rest with her: for her company hath no bitterness, and her fellowship hath no tediousness, but mirth and joy.

Now when I considered these things by myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be joined unto wisdom is immortality, and great pleasure to have her friendship: how that in the works of her hands are infinite riches: how that, whoso keepeth company with her shall be wise: and that he which talketh with her, shall come to honor: I went about seeking, to get her unto me.

For I was a lad of ripe wit, and had a good understanding.

But when I grew to more understanding, I came to an undefiled body.

Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not keep my self chaste, except God gave it to me ( and that was appointed of wisdom also ) I slept unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said after this manner:

The 9th Chapter

O' God of my fathers, and Lord of mercies ( thou that hast made all things with thy word, and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creature which thou hast made: that he should order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with a true heart ) Give me wisdom, which is ever about thy seat: and put me not out from among thy children: For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid, am a feeble person, of a short time, and too young to the understanding of judgment and the laws.

And 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.

But thou hast chosen me to be a King unto thy people, and the judge of thy sons and daughters.

Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest: a likeness of thy holy tabernacle which thou hast prepared from the beginning, and thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works: which also was with thee, when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.

O' send her out of thy holy heavens and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and labor with me: that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight.

For she knoweth and understandeth all things: and she shall lead me soberly in my works, and preserve me in her power.

So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I govern thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my fathers seat.

For what man is he, that may know the counsel of God? Or, who can think what the will of God is? For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our forecasts are but uncertain.

And why? A mortal and corruptible body is heavy unto the soul and the earthy mansion keepeth down the understanding that museth (ponders) upon many things.

Very hardly can we discern the things that are upon earth, and great labor have we, or we can find the things that are before our eyes: Who will then seek out the ground of the things that are done in heaven? O' Lord, who can have knowledge of thy understanding and meaning, except thou give wisdom, and send thy holy ghost from above? That the ways of them which are upon the earth may be reformed: that men may learn the things that are pleasant unto thee, and be preserved through wisdom.

The 10th Chapter

Wisdom preserved the first man, whom God made a father of the world, when he was created alone, brought him out of his offense, took him out of the mould of the earth, and gave him power to rule all things.

When the unrighteous went away in his wrath from this wisdom, the brotherhead perished through the wrath of murder.

Again, when the water destroyed the whole world, wisdom preserved the righteous through a poor tree, whereof she was governor herself.

Moreover when wickedness had gotten the upper hand, so that the nations were puffed up with pride, she knew the righteous, preserved him faultless unto God, and layed up sure mercy for his children.

She preserved the righteous, when he fled from the ungodly that perished, what time as the fire fell down upon the five cities: Like as yet this day the unfruitful, waste, and smoking land giveth testimony of their wickedness: yee the unripe and untimely fruits that grow upon the trees.

And for a token of a remembrance of the unfaithful soul, there standeth a pillar of salt.

For all such as regarded not wisdom, gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good, but also left behind them unto men, a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they sinned, they could not be hid.

But as for such as take heed unto wisdom, she shall deliver them from sorrow.

When the righteous fled because of his brothers wrath, wisdom lead him the right way, showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his labors, and brought to pass the things that he went about.

In the deceitfulness of such as defrauded him, she stood by him, and made him rich.

She saved him from the enemies, and defended him from the deceivers.

She made him strong in battle and gave him victory, that he might know, how that wisdom is stronger than all things.

When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sinners.

She went down with him into the dungeon and failed him not in the bands: till she had brought him the scepter of the realm, and power against those that oppressed him.

As for them that had accused him, she declared them to be liars, and brought him to perpetual worship.

She delivered the righteous people and faultless seed, from the nations that oppressed them.

She entered into the soul of the servant of God, and stood by him in wonders and tokens against the horrible king.

She gave the righteous the reward of their labors, and lead them forth a marvelous way: on the day time she was a shadow unto them, and a light of stars in the night season.

She brought them through the reed sea, and carried them through the great water.

She drowned their enemies in the sea, and brought them out of the deep.

So the righteous took the spoils of the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O' Lord, and magnified thy victorious hand with one accord.

For wisdom openeth the mouth of the dumb, and maketh the tongues of babes to speak.

The 11th Chapter

She ordered their works in the hand of the holy prophet: They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched their tents in the waste desert.

They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries.

When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the rock, and their thirst slackened out of the hard stone.

For by the things, where through their enemies were punished, were they helped in their need.

For unto the enemies thou gavest mans blood instead of living water.

And where as they had scarceness in the rebuke when the infants were slain, thou gavest unto thine own a plenteous water unlooked for: Declaring by the thirst that was at that time, how thou wouldest bring thine own unto honor, and slay their adversaries.

For when they were tried and nurtured with fatherly mercy, they knowledged how the ungodly were judged, and punished through the wrath of God.

These hast thou exhorted as a father, and proved them: but unto the other thou hast been a boisterous (uproarious) king, layed hard to their charge, and condemned them.

Whether they were absent or present, their punishment was alike.

For their grief was double: namely, mourning, and the remembrance of things past.

But when they perceived that their punishments did them good, they thought upon the Lord, and wondered at the end.

For at the last they held much of him, of whom in the out casting they thought scorn, as of an object.

Nevertheless the righteous did not so when they were thirsty: but even like as the thoughts of the foolish were, so was also their wickedness, Where as certain men now (through error) did worship dome serpents and vain beasts, thou sendest a multitude of dumb beasts upon them for vengeance: That they might know, that look wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished.

For unto thy almighty hand, that made the world of naught, it was not unpossible, to send among them a multitude of Bears, or wood lions, or cruel beasts of strange kind, such as were unknown, or spout fire or cast out a smoking breath, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes: which might only destroy them with hurting, but also kill them with their horrible sight.

Yee without these beasts might they have been slain with one wind, being persecuted of their own works, and scattered abroad through the breath of your power.

Nevertheless thou hast ordered all things in measure, number and weight.

For thou hast ever had great strength and might, and who may withstand the power of thine arm? And why? like as the small thing that the balance weigheth so is the world before thee: yee as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon the earth.

Thou hast mercy upon all, for thou hast power of all things: and makest thee as though thou sawest not the sins of men, because they should amend.

For thou lovest all the things that are, and hatest none of them whom thou hast made: neither didest thou ordain or make anything, of evil will.

How might any things endure, if it were not thy will? Or how could anything be preserved, except it were called of thee? But thou sparest all, for all are thine, O' Lord, thou lover of souls.

The 12th Chapter

O' Lord, how gracious and sweet is thy spirit in all things? Therefore chasteneth thou them measurably that go wrong, and warnest them concerning the things wherin they offend: thou speakest unto them ( O' Lord ) and exhortest them to leave their wickedness, and to put their trust in thee.

As for those old inhabitors of the holy land, thou mightest not away with them, for they committed abominable works against thee: as witchcrafts, sorcery and Idolatry: they slew their own children without mercy: they ate up mens bowels, and devoured the blood : yee because of such abominations, misbelieves and offerings, thou showest the fathers of the desolate souls by the hands of our fathers that the land which thou lovest above all other, might be a dwelling for the children of God.

Nevertheless thou sparedest them also (as men ) and sendest the forerunners of thy host even hornets to destroy them out by little and little.

Not that thou wast unable to subdue the ungodly unto righteousness in battle or with cruel beasts, or with one rough word to destroy them together: But thy mind was to drive them out by little and little giving them time and place to amend: knowing well, that it was an unrighteous nation and wicked of nature and that their thought might never be altered.

For it was a cursed seed from the beginning, and feared no man: Yet hast thou pardoned their sins.

For who will say unto thee: why hast thou done that? Or who will stand against thy judgement? Or who will come before thy face an avenger of unrighteous men? Or who will blame thee, if the people perish, whom thou hast made? For their is none other God but thou, that carest for all things: that thou mayest declare how that thy judgement is not unright.

There dare neither king, ner tyrant in thy sight require accounts of them whom thou hast destroyed.

For so much then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously and punishest even him that hath not deserved to be punished, and takest him for a stranger and an alien in the land of thy power.

For thy power is the beginning of righteousness: and because thou art Lord of all things therefore art thou gracious unto all.

When men think thee not to be of a full strength, thou declarest thy power: and boldly deliverest thou them over that know thee not.

But thou Lord of power judgest quietly, and orderest us with great worship, for thou mayest do as thou wilt.

By such works now hast thou taught thy people, that a man should be just and loving: and hast made thy children to be of a good hope: for even when thou judgest, thou givest room to amend from sins.

For in so much as thou hast punished, and with such diligence delivered the enemies of thy servants, which were worthy to die (where though thou gavest them time and place of amendment that they might turn from their wickedness ) with how great diligence then punishest thou thine own children, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn and made covenants of good promises? So where as thou dost but chasten us, thou punishest our enemies diverse ways to the intent that when we punish we should remember thy goodness: and when we

ourselves are punished, to put our trust in thy mercy.

Wherefore where as men have lived ignorantly and unrighteously thou hast punished them sore even throw the same things that they worshiped.

For they went astray very long in the way of error, held the beasts ( which even their enemies despised ) for gods living as children of no understanding.

Therefore hast thou sent a scornful punishment among them, as among the children of ignorance.

As for such as would not be reformed by those scorns and rebukes, they felt the worthy judgement of God.

For the things that they suffered, they bare them unpatiently, being not content in them but unwilling.

And when they perished by the same things that they took for gods, they knowledged then, that there is but one true God, whom afore they would not know: therefore came the end of their damnation upon them.

The 13th Chapter

Vain are all men, which have not the knowledge of God: as were they that out of the good things which are seen, knew not him, that of himself is everlasting.

Neither took they so much regard of the works that are made, as to know, who was the craftsman of them: but some took the fire, some the wind or air, some the course of the stars, some the water, some took Sun and Moon, or the lights of heaven which rule the earth, for gods.

But though they had such pleasure in their beauty, that they thought them to have been gods: yet should they have known, how much more fairer he is that made them.

For the maker of beauty hath ordained all these things.

Or if they marveled at the power and works of them, they should have percieved thereby, that he which made these things are mightier than they.

For by the greatness and beauty of the creature, the maker thereof may plainly be known.

Not withstanding they are the less to be blamed, that sought God, and would have found him, and yet missed.

And why? for so much as they went about his works and sought after them, it is a token, that they regarded and held much of his works that are seen.

howbeit they are not wholly to be excused.

For if their knowledge and understanding was so great, that they could discern the world and its creatures, why did they not rather find out the Lord thereof?

But unhappy are they, and among the dead is their hope, that call them Gods, which are but the works of mens hands: gold, silver, and the thing that is found out by conning, the similitude of beasts, or any vain stone that hath been made by hand of old.

Or as when a carpenter cutteth down a tree out of the wood, and pareth the bark of it conningly: and so with the one part maketh a vessel to be used, and dighteth (boil) meat with the residue.

As for the other part that is left, which is profitable for nothing ( for it is a crooked piece of wood and full of knobs, he carveth it diligently through his vanity, and according to the knowledge of his conning ) he giveth it some proportion, fashioneth it after the similitude of a man, or maketh it like some beast, streak it over with red, and painteth it, and look what foul spot is in it he casteth some color upon it.

Then maketh he a convenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in the wall, and maketh it fast with iron, providing so for it, least it happen to fall: for it is well known, that it can not help itself: And why? it is but an image, and must of necessity be helped.

Then goeth he and offereth of his goods unto it, for his children and his wife: he seeketh help at it, he asketh counsel at it: he is not ashamed to speak unto it that hath no soul: for health, he maketh his petition unto him that is sick: for life, he prayeth unto him that is dead: he calleth upon him for help, that is not able to help himself: and to send him a good journey, he prayeth him that may not go.

And in all the things that he taketh in hand ( whether it be to obtain anything or to work ) he prayeth unto him that can do no manner of good.

The 14th Chapter

Again, another man purposing to sail, and beginning to take his journey through the raging sea, calleth for help unto a stock that is far weaker, than the tree that beareth him.

For as for it, covetousness of money hath found it out, and the craftsman made it with his conning.

But thy providence, O' Father, governeth all things from the beginning: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a sure path in the midst of the waves: declaring thereby, that thou hast power to help in all things, ye though a man went to sea without a ship.

Nevertheless, the works of thy wisdom should not be vain, thou hast caused an ark to be made: and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, passing over the sea in a ship, and are saved.

For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, he ( in whom the hope was left to increase the world ) went into the ship, which was governed through thy hand, and so left seed behind him unto the world.

For happy is the tree where through righteousness cometh: but cursed is the image of wood, that is made with hands, yee both it and he that made it.

He, because he made it: and it because it was called God, where as it is but a frail thing.

For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both like abominable unto God.

Even so the work and he that made it also shall be punished together.

Therefore shall there a plague come upon the images of the Heathen: for out of the creature of God they are become an abomination, a temptation unto the souls of men, and a snare for the feet of the unwise.

And why the seeking out of images is the beginning of whoredom, and the bringing up of them is the destruction of life.

For they were not from the beginning, neither shall they continue forever.

The wealthy idleness of men hath found them out upon the earth, therefore shall they come shortly to an end.

For a father mourned for his son that was taken away from him, he made an image ( in all the hast ) of his dead son: and so began to worship him as God, which was but a dead man, and ordained(ordered) his servants to offer unto him.

Thus by process of time and through long custom, this error was kept as a law, and tyrants compelled men by violence to honor images.

As for those that were so far off, that men might not worship them presently, their picture was brought from far, like the image of a King whom they would honor, to the intent that with great diligence they might worship him which was far off, as though he had been present.

Again, the singular conning of the craftsman gave the ignorant also a great occasion to worship images.

For the workman willing to do him a pleasure that set him a work, labored with all his conning to make the image of the best fashion.

And so ( through the beauty of the work ) the common people was deceived, in so much that they took him now for a God, which alittle afore was honored as a man.

And this was the error of mans life, when men ( either for to serve their own affection, or to do some pleasure unto Kings ) ascribed unto stones and stocks the name of God, which ought to be given unto no man.

Moreover, this was not enough for them that they erred in the knowledge of God: but where as they lived in the great wars of ignorance, those many and great plagues called they peace.

For either they slew their own children, and offered them, or did sacrifice in the night season, or else held unreasonable watches: so that they kept neither life ner marriage clean: but either one slew another to death maliciously or else grieved his neighbor with *advoutry.

And thus were all things mixed together: blood manslaughter, theft, dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, sedition, perjury, disquietness of good men, unthankfulness, defiling of souls, changing of birth, unsteadfastness of marriage, misorder of *advoutry and uncleanness.

And why? the honoring of abominable images is the cause, the beginning and end of all evil.

For they worship Idols, either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live ungodly, or else lightly foreswear themselves.

For in so much as their trust is in the Idols ( which have neither souls ner understanding ) though they swear falsely, yet they think it shall not hurt them.

*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not or without, devout: devotion; plain hearted to God, being devoted to something or some one else. see James 2 for adultery

Therefore cometh a great plague upon them, and that worthily: for they have an evil opinion of God, giving heed unto Idols, swearing unjustly to deceive, and despising righteousness.

For their swearing is no virtue, but a plague of them that sin, and goeth ever with the offense of the ungodly.

The 15th Chapter

But thou ( O' our God ) art sweet, long suffering and true, and in mercy orderest thou all things.

Though we sin, yet we are thine, for we know thy strength.

If we sin not, then are we sure, that thou regard us.

For to know thee, is perfect righteousness: Yee to know thy righteousness and power, is the root of immortality.

As for the thing that men have found out through their evil science, it hath not deceived us: as the painting of a picture ( an unprofitable labor ) an carved image, with diverse colors, whose sight enticeth the ignorant: so that he honoreth and loveth the picture of the dead image that hath no soul.

Nevertheless, they that love such evil things, are worthy of death: they that trust in them, they that make them, they that love them, and they that honor them.

The potter also taketh and tempereth soft earth, laboreth it, and giveth it the fashion of a vessel, whatsoever serveth for our use: and so of one piece of clay he maketh some clean vessel for service, and some contrary.

But where to every vessel serveth, that knoweth not the potter himself.

So with his vain labor he maketh a God of the same clay: this doth even he, which a little afore was made of earth himself, and within a little while after ( when he dieth ) turneth to earth again.

Notwithstanding, he careth not the more because he shall labor, ner because his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths, the silversmiths and coppersmiths, and taketh it for an honor to make vain things.

For his heart is ashes, his hope is but vain earth, and his life is more vile than clay: for so much as he knoweth not his own maker, that gave him his soul to work, and breath in him the breath of life.

They count our life but a pastime and our conversation to be but a market, and that men should ever be getting, and that by evil means.

Now he that of earth maketh frail vessels and images, knoweth himself to offend above all other.

All the enemies of thy people and that hold them in subjection, are unwise, unhappy, and exceedingly proud unto their own souls: for they judge all the Idols of the Heathen to be gods, which neither have eye sight to see, ner noses to smell, ner ears to hear, nor fingers of hands for to grope: and as for their feet, they are too slow to go.

For man made them, and he that hath but a borrowed spirit, fashioned them.

But no man can make a God like unto him: for seeing he is but mortal himself, it is but mortal that he maketh with ungodly hands.

He himself is better then they whom he worshipeth, for he lived though he was mortal, but so did never they.

Yee they worship beasts also, which are most miserable: for compare things that cannot feel unto them, and they are worse then those.

Yet is there not one of these beasts, that with his sight can behold any good thing, neither have they given praise ner thanks unto God.

The 16th Chapter

For these and such other things have they suffered worthy punishment, and through the multitude of beasts are they rooted out.

Instead of the which punishments thou hast graciously ordered on thy own people, and given them their desire that they longed for: a new and strange taste, preparing them quails to be their meat: to the intent that ( by the things which were showed and sent unto them ) they that were so greedy of meat, might be withdrawn even from the desire that was necessary.

But these within a short time were brought unto poverty, and tasted a new meat.

For it was requisite (required, essential) that ( without any excuse ) destruction should come upon those which used tyranny, and to show only unto the other, how their enemies were destroyed.

For the cruel woodiness of the beasts came upon them, they perished through the stings of the cruel serpents.

Not with standing thy wrath endured not perpetually, but they were put in fear for a little season, that they might be reformed, having a token of salvation, to remember the commandment of thy law.

For he that converted, was not healed by the thing that he saw, but by thee, O' Savior of all.

So in this thou showest thine enemies, that it is thou, which deliverest from all evil.

As for then when they were bitten with grasshoppers and flys, they died, for they were worthy to perish by such: But neither the teeth of the dragons ner the venomous worms over came thy children, for thy mercy was ever by them and helped them.

Therefore were they punished to remember thy words, but hastily were they healed again: lest they should fall into so deep forgetfulness, that they might not use thy help.

It was neither herb ner plaster that restored them to health, but thy word(O' Lord) which healeth all things.

It is thou ( O' Lord ) that hast the power of life and death: thou leadest unto deaths door, and bringest up again.

But man through wickedness slayeth his own soul, and when his spirit goeth forth, it turneth not again, neither may he call again the soul that is taken away: It is not possible to escape thy hand.

For the ungodly that wouldnt know thee, were punished by the strength of thine arm: with strange waters, hails and rains were they persecute, and through fire were they consumed.

For it was a wondrous thing that fire might do more then water which quencheth all things: but the world is the avenger of the righteous.

Some time was the fire so tame, that the beasts which were sent to punish the ungodly, burnt not: and that because they should see and know, that they were persecuted with the punishment of God.

And some time burnt the fire in the water on every side, that it might destroy the unrighteous nation of the earth.

Again, thou hast fed thy own people with Angels food, and sent them bread ready from heaven ( without their labor ) being very pleasant and well gusted(strong wind, out burst of emotion).

And to show thy riches and sweetness unto thy children, thou gavest every one their desire, so that every man might take what liked him best.

But the snow and ice abode the violence of thy fire, and melted not: that they might know, that the fire burning in the hail and rain, destroyed the fruit of the enemies: the fire also forgot his strength again, that the righteous might be nourished.

For the creature that serveth thee (which art the maker ) is fierce in punishing the unrighteous, but is easy and gentle to do good, unto such as put their trust in thee.

Therefore did all things alter at the same time, and were all obedient unto thy grace, which is the nurse of all things, according to the desire of them that had need thereof: that thy children, O' Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not nature and the growing of fruits that feedeth men, but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.

For look what might not be destroyed with the fire, as soon as it was warmed with alittle Sun beam, it melted: that all men might know, that thanks ought to be given unto thee before the Sun rise, and that thou oughtest to be worshiped before the day spring.

For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter ice, and perish as water, that is not necessary.

The 17th Chapter

Great are thy judgments ( O' Lord ) and thy counsels cannot be expressed therefore do men error, that will not be reformed with thy wisdom.

For when the unrighteous thought to have thy holy people in subjection, they were bound with bands of darkness and long night, shut under the roof, thinking to escape the everlasting wisdom.

And while they thought to be hid in the darkness of their sins, they were scattered abroad in the very midst of the dark covering of forgetfulness, put to horrible fear and wondrously vexed for the corner where they might not keep them from fear: because the sound came down and vexed them: yee many terrible and strange visions made them afraid.

No power of the fire might give them light, neither might the clear flames of the stars lighten the horrible night.

For there appeared unto them a sudden fire, very dreadful: At the which ( when they saw nothing ) they were so afraid, that they thought the thing which they saw, to be more fearful.

As for sorcery and enchantment that they used, it came to derision (contemptuous ridicule), and the proud wisdom was brought to shame.

For they that promised to drive away the fearfulness and dread from the weak souls, were sick for fear themselves, and that with scorn.

And though none of the wonders feared them, yet were they afraid at the beasts which came upon them, and at the Hissing of the serpents.

In so much that with trembling they swooned, and said they saw not the air, which no man yet may escape.

For it is a heavy thing, when a mans own conscience beareth record of his wickedness and condemneth him.

And why? a vexed and wounded conscience, taketh ever cruel things in hand, fearfulness is nothing else, but declaring that a man seeketh help and defense, to answer for himself.

And look how much less hope is within, the more the uncertainty of the matter for the which he is punished.

But they that came in the mighty night: slept the sleep that fell upon them from under and from above: sometime were they afraid through the fear of the wonders, and sometime they were so weak that they swooned withal: for an hasty and sudden fearfulness came upon them.

Afterward, if any of them had fallen, he was kept and shut in prison but with out chains.

But if any dwelt in a village, if he had been an herd(hired) or husbandman he suffered intolerable necessity: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness.

Whether it were a blasting wind, or a sweet song of the birds among the thick branches of the trees, or the vehemence of hasty running water, or the great noise of the falling down of stones, or the playing and running of beasts whom they saw not, or the mighty noise of roaring beasts, or the sound that answereth again in the high mountains: it made them swoon for very fear.

For all the earth shined with clear light, and no man was hindered in his labor.

Only upon them fell a heavy night, an image of darkness that was to come upon them.

Yee they were unto themselves the most heavy and horrible darkness.

The 18th Chapter

Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light ( and their enemies heard their voice, but they saw not the figure of them ) And because they suffered not the same things, they magnified thee: and they that were vexed afore ( because they were not hurt now ) thanked thee, and besought thee ( O' God ) that there might be a difference.

Therefore had they a burning pilar of fire to lead them in the unknown ways and thou gavest them the Sun for a free gift without any hurt.

Reason was, that they should want light and be put in prison of darkness, which kept thy children in captivity, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law of the world was for to be given.

When they thought to slay the babes of the righteous ( one being layed out, and preserved to be led unto the other ) thou broughtest out the whole multitude of the children, and destroyest these in the mighty water.

Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that they knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, might be of good cheer.

Thus thy people received the health of the righteous, but the ungodly were destroyed.

For like as thou hast hurt our enemies, so hast thou promised us whom thou callest afore.

For the righteous children of the good men offered secretly and ordered the law of righteousness unto unite: that the just should receive good and evil in like manner, singing praises unto the father of all men.

Again there was heard an unconvenient voice of the enemies, and a piteous cry for children that were bewailed.

The master and the servant were punished in like manner.

For they all together had innumerable that died one death.

Neither were the living sufficient to bury the dead, for in the twinkling of an eye, the noblest nation of them was destroyed.

As often as God helped them before, yet would it not make them believe: but in the destruction of the first born they knowledged, that it was the people of God.

For while all things were still, and when the night was in the midst of her course, thy Allmighty word ( O' Lord ) leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a rough man of war, in the midst of the land that was destroyed: and the sharp sword performed their straight commandment, standing and filling all things with death: yee it stood upon the earth and reached unto heaven.

Then the sight of the evil dreams vexed them suddenly, and fearfulness came upon them unawares.

Then lay there one here, another there, half dead and half quick, and showed the cause of his death.

For the visions that vexed them, showed them these things afore: so they were not ignorant, wherefore they perished.

The tentacion (temptation/attention) of death touched the righteous also, and among the multitude in the wilderness there was insurrection, but thy wrath endured not long.

For the faultless man went in all the haste, and took the battle upon him, brought forth the weapon of his ministration: even prayer and censors of reconciling: set himself against the wrath, and so brought the misery to an end: declaring thereby, that he was thy servant.

For he overcame not the multitude with bodily power, ner with weapons of might: but with the word he subdued him that vexed him, putting thee in remembrance of the oath and covenant made unto the fathers.

For when the dead were fallen down by heaps one upon another, he stood in the midst, pacified the wrath, and parted the way unto the living.

And why? in his long garment was all the beauty, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy majesty was written in the crown of his head.

Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was only a *tentacion (temptation/attention) worthy of wrath.

The 19th Chapter

As for the ungodly, the wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end.

For he knew before what should happen unto them: how that ( when they had consented to let them go, and had sent them out with great diligence ) they would not repent, and follow upon them.

For when they were yet mourning and making lamentation by the graves of the dead, they devised another foolishness: so that they persecuted them in their fleeing, whom they had cast out afore with prayer.

Worthy necessity also brought them unto this end, for they had clean forgotten the things that happened unto them afore.

But the thing that was wanting of their punishment, was requisite so to be fulfilled upon them with torments: that thy people might have a marvelous passage through, and that these might find a strange death.

Then was every creature fashioned again of new according to the will of their maker, obeying thy commandments that thy children might be kept without hurt, for the cloud overshadowed their tents, and the day earth appeared, where afore was water: so that in the reed sea there was a way without impediment, and the great deep became a green field: where through all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy wondrous and marvelous works.

For as the horses, so were they fed, and leapt like lambs, praising thee ( O' Lord ) which haddest delivered them.

And why? they were yet mindful of the things, that happened while they dwelt in the land: how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river crawled with a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.

But at the last they saw a new generation of birds, what time as they were deceived with lust, and desire for delicate meats.

For when they were speaking of their appetite, the quails came up unto them from the sea, and punishments came upon the sinners not without tokens which came to pass afore by the vehemence of the streams: for they suffered worthily according to their wickedness, they dealt so abominably and churlishly (rude, boorish, miserly) with strangers.

Some received no unknown guests, some brought the strangers into bondage that did them good.

Beside all these things there were some, that not only received no strangers with their wills, but persecuted those also, and did them much evil, that received them gladly.

Therefore were they punished with blindness, like as they that were covered with sudden darkness at the doors of the righteous so that every one sought the entrance of his door.

Thus the elements turned into themselves, like as when one time is changed upon an instrument of music, and yet all the residue kept their melody: which may easily be perceived, by the sight of the things that are come to pass.

The dry land was turned into watery, and the thing that afore swam in the water, went now upon the dry ground.

The fire hath power in the water (contrary to his own virtue ) and the water forgot his own kind to quench.

Again, the flames of the noisome beasts hurt not the flesh of them that went with them, neither melted they the ice, which else melted lightly.

In all things hast thou promoted the people ( O' Lord ) and brought them to honor: thou hast not despised them, but alway and in all places hast thou stand by them.

The end of the book of wisdom