The Holy Bible

Part 10 out of 29




21:2. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest
near them, they will take hold of thee.

21:3. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of
men.

21:4. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for
the wound thereof.

21:5. Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very
rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the
proud shall be rooted out.

21:6. The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of
God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.

21:7. He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner:
and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.

21:8. He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise
man knoweth to slip by him.

21:9. He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that
gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.

21:10. The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the
end of them is a flame of fire.

21:11. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end
is hell, and darkness, and pains.

21:12. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.

21:13. The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.

21:14. He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.

21:15. But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no
understanding where there is bitterness.

21:16. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his
counsel continueth like a fountain of life.

21:17. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at
all shall it hold.

21:18. A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and
will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall
displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.

21:19. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the
lips of the wise, grace shall be found.

21:20. The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they
will think upon his words in their hearts.

21:21. As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the
knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.

21:22. Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles
on the right hand.

21:23. A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will
scarce laugh low to himself.

21:24. Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a
bracelet upon his right arm.

21:25. The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man
of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.

21:26. A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that
is well taught will stand without.

21:27. It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man
will be grieved with the disgrace.

21:28. The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things: but the
words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.

21:29. The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men
is in their heart.

21:30. While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.

While the ungodly, etc. . .He condemneth and curseth himself: inasmuch
as by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member
and subject.

21:31. The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by
all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and
wise man shall be honoured.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 22


Wise sayings on divers subjects.

22:1. The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak
of his disgrace.

22:2. The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that
toucheth him will shake his hands.

22:3. A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish
daughter shall be to his loss.

22:4. A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but
she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.

22:5. She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will
not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.

22:6. A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and
instruction of wisdom are never out of time.

22:7. He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd
together.

22:8. He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that
waketh a man out of a deep sleep.

22:9. He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a
fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?

22:10. Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the
fool, for his understanding faileth.

For the fool. . .In the language of the Holy Ghost, he is styled a fool,
that turns away from God to follow vanity and sin. And what is said by
the wise man against fools is meant of such fools as these.

22:11. Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest.

22:12. For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.

22:13. The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an
ungodly man all the days of their life.

22:14. Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that hath no
sense.

22:15. Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and
thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.

22:16. Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be
wearied out with his folly.

22:17. What is heavier than lead? and what other name hath he but fool?

22:18. Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man
without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.

22:19. A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building,
shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by
advised counsel.

22:20. The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be
depraved by fear.

22:21. As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost,
will not stand against the face of the wind:

22:22. So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not
resist against the violence of fear.

22:23. As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will
not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the
commandments of God.

22:24. He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that
pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.

22:25. He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he
that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.

22:26. Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for
there may be a returning. To a friend,

22:27. If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a
reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and
disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a
friend will flee away.

22:28. Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his
prosperity also thou mayst rejoice.

22:29. In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou
mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance.

22:30. As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up
before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats,
before blood.

22:31. I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide
myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear
it.

22:32. But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him.

22:33. Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my
lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 23


A prayer for grace to flee sin: cautions against profane swearing and
other vices.

23:1. O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to
their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them.

By them. . .Viz., the tongue and the lips, mentioned in the last verse
of the foregoing chapter.

23:2. Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of
wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and
that their sins may not appear:

That they spare me not in their ignorances, etc. . .That is, that the
scourges and discipline of wisdom may restrain the ignorances, that is,
the slips and offences which are usually committed by the tongue and
the lips.

23:3. Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and
my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice
over me?

23:4. O Lord, father, and God of my life, leave me not to their
devices.

23:5. Give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all
coveting.

23:6. Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts
of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and
foolish mind.

23:7. Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth, and he that
will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into
most wicked works.

23:8. A sinner is caught in his own vanity, and the proud and the evil
speakers shall fall thereby.

23:9. Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing: for in it there are
many falls.

23:10. And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle
not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them.

23:11. For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a
blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly
pure from sin.

23:12. A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a
scourge shall not depart from his house.

23:13. And if he make it void, his sin shall be upon him, and if he
dissemble it, he offendeth double:

23:14. And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his
house shall be filled with his punishment.

23:15. There is also another speech opposite to death, let it not be
found in the inheritance of Jacob.

23:16. For from the merciful all these things shall be taken away, and
they shall not wallow in sins.

23:17. Let not thy mouth be accustomed to indiscreet speech: for
therein is the word of sin.

23:18. Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest in the
midst of great men:

23:19. Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily
custom be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not
been born, and curse the day of thy nativity.

23:20. The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be
corrected all the days of his life.

23:21. Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third bringeth wrath and
destruction.

23:22. A hot soul is a burning fire, it will never be quenched, till it
devour some thing.

23:23. And a man that is wicked in the mouth of his flesh, will not
leave off till he hath kindled a fire.

23:24. To a man that is a fornicator all bread is sweet, he will not be
weary of sinning unto the end.

23:25. Every man that passeth beyond his own bed, despising his own
soul, and saying: Who seeth me?

23:26. Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man
seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins.

23:27. And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such
a man's fear driveth him from the fear of God, and the eyes of men
fearing him:

23:28. And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter
than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom
of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden
parts.

23:29. For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were
created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things.

23:30. This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he
shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be
taken.

23:31. And he shall be in disgrace with all men, because he understood
not the fear of the Lord.

23:32. So every woman also that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an
heir by another:

23:33. For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High:
and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath
fornicated in adultery, and hath gotten her children of another man.

23:34. This woman shall be brought into the assembly, and inquisition
shall be made of her children.

23:35. Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring
forth no fruit.

23:36. She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her infamy shall
not be blotted out.

23:37. And they that remain shall know, that there is nothing better
than the fear of God: and that there is nothing sweeter than to have
regard to the commandments of the Lord.

23:38. It is great glory to follow the Lord: for length of days shall
be received from him.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 24


Wisdom praiseth herself: her origin, her dwelling, her dignity, and her
fruits.

24:1. Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God,
and shall glory in the midst of her people,

24:2. And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and
shall glorify herself in the sight of his power,

24:3. And in the midst of her own people she shall be exalted, and
shall be admired in the holy assembly.

24:4. And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and
among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying:

24:5. I came out of the mouth of the most High, the firstborn before
all creatures:

24:6. I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never
faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth:

24:7. I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of a
cloud.

24:8. I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated
into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea,

24:9. And have stood in all the earth: and in every people,

24:10. And in every nation I have had the chief rule:

24:11. And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all
the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in
the inheritance of the Lord.

24:12. Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he
that made me, rested in my tabernacle,

24:13. And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy
inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect.

24:14. From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and
unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy
dwelling place I have ministered before him.

24:15. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise
I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem.

24:16. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of
my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.

24:17. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on
mount Sion.

24:18. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in
Jericho:

24:19. As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the
water in the streets, was I exalted.

24:20. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: I
yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh:

24:21. And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx,
and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the
purest balm.

24:22. I have stretched out my branches as the turpentine tree, and my
branches are of honour and grace.

24:23. As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my
flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.

24:24. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and
of holy hope.

24:25. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all
hope of life and of virtue.

24:26. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my
fruits.

24:27. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above
honey and the honeycomb.

24:28. My memory is unto everlasting generations.

24:29. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me,
shall yet thirst.

24:30. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that
work by me, shall not sin.

24:31. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.

24:32. All these things are the book of life, and the covenant of the
most High, and the knowledge of truth.

24:33. Moses commanded a law in the precepts of justices, and an
inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.

24:34. He appointed to David his servant to raise up of him a most
mighty king, and sitting on the throne of glory for ever.

A most mighty king. . .Viz., Christ, who by his gospel, like an
overflowing river, has enriched the earth with heavenly wisdom.

24:35. Who filleth up wisdom as the Phison, and as the Tigris in the
days of the new fruits.

24:36. Who maketh understanding to abound as the Euphrates, who
multiplieth it as the Jordan in the time of harvest.

24:37. Who sendeth knowledge as the light, and riseth up as Gehon in
the time of the vintage.

24:38. Who first hath perfect knowledge of her, and a weaker shall not
search her out.

Who first hath perfect knowledge of her. . .Christ was the first that
had perfect knowledge of heavenly wisdom.

24:39. For her thoughts are more vast than the sea, and her counsels
more deep than the great ocean.

24:40. I, wisdom, have poured out rivers.

24:41. I, like a brook out of a river of a mighty water; I, like a
channel of a river, and like an aqueduct, came out of paradise.

24:42. I said: I will water my garden of plants, and I will water
abundantly the fruits of my meadow.

24:43. And behold my brook became a great river, and my river came near
to a sea:

24:44. For I make doctrine to shine forth to all as the morning light,
and I will declare it afar off.

24:45. I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will
behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord.

24:46. I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and will leave it to
them that seek wisdom, and will not cease to instruct their offspring
even to the holy age.

24:47. See ye that I have not laboured myself only, but for all that
seek out the truth.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 25


Documents of wisdom on several subjects.

25:1. With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before
God and men:

25:2. The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and man and
wife that agree well together.

25:3. Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their
life:

25:4. A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man
that is a fool, and doting.

25:5. The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt
thou find them in thy old age?

25:6. O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to
know counsel!

25:7. O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and
counsel to men of honour!

25:8. Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is
their glory.

25:9. Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I
magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.

25:10. A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and
seeth the fall of his enemies.

25:11. Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not
slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy
of him.

25:12. Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth
justice to an ear that heareth.

25:13. How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is
none above him that feareth the Lord.

25:14. The fear of God hath set itself above all things:

25:15. Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God:
he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?

25:16. The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning
of faith is to be fast joined unto it.

25:17. The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of
a woman is all evil.

25:18. And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:

25:19. And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:

25:20. And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:

25:21. And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.

25:22. There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:

25:23. And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be
more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a
wicked woman.

25:24. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth
her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst
of her neighbours,

25:25. Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.

25:26. All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of
sinners fall upon her.

25:27. As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is
a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.

25:28. Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for
beauty.

25:29. A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.

25:30. A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.

25:31. A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy
countenance, and a wounded heart.

25:32. Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make
her husband happy.

25:33. From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.

25:34. Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked
woman liberty to gad abroad.

25:35. If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight
of thy enemies.

25:36. Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 26


Of good and bad women.

26:1. Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years
is double.

26:2. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and shall fulfil the
years of his life in peace.

26:3. A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion
of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.

26:4. Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be
cheerful at all times.

26:5. Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my
face hath trembled:

26:6. The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the
people:

26:7. And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.

26:8. A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.

26:9. With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which
communicateth with all.

26:10. As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked
woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a
scorpion.

26:11. A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame
shall not be hid.

26:12. The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of
her eyes and by her eyelids.

26:13. On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch:
lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.

26:14. Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she
slight thee.

26:15. She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain,
and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every
hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.

26:16. The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and
shall fat his bones.

26:17. Her discipline is the gift of God.

26:18. Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much
worth as a well instructed soul.

26:19. A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.

26:20. And no price is worthy of a continent soul.

26:21. As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of
God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.

26:22. As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty
of the face in a ripe age,

26:23. As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet
upon the soles of a steady woman.

26:24. As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the
commandments of God in the heart of a holy woman.

26:25. At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger
upon me.

26:26. A man of war fainting through poverty, and a man of sense
despised:

26:27. And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared
such an one for the sword.

26:28. Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a
merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be
justified from the sins of the lips.

From negligence. . .That is, from the neglect of the service of God:
because the eager pursuit of the mammon of this world, is apt to make
men of that calling forget the great duties of loving God above all
things, and their neighbours as themselves.--Ibid. A huckster. . .Or, a
retailer of wine. Men of that profession are both greatly exposed to
danger of sin themselves, and are too often accessary to the sins of
others.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 27


Dangers of sin from several heads: the fear of God is the best
preservative. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it.

27:1. Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be
enriched, turneth away his eye.

27:2. As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones,
so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast.

27:3. Sin shall be destroyed with the sinner.

27:4. Unless thou hold thyself diligently in the fear of the Lord, thy
house shall quickly be overthrown.

27:5. As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will
the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.

27:6. The furnace trieth the potter's vessels, and the trial of
affliction just men.

27:7. As the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word
out of the thought of the heart of man.

27:8. Praise not a man before he speaketh, for this is the trial of
men.

27:9. If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put
her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she
shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou
shalt find a strong foundation.

27:10. Birds resort unto their like: so truth will return to them that
practise her.

27:11. The lion always lieth in wait for prey: so do sins for them that
work iniquities.

27:12. A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is
changed as the moon.

27:13. In the midst of the unwise keep in the word till its time: but
be continually among men that think.

27:14. The discourse of sinners is hateful, and their laughter is at
the pleasures of sin.

27:15. The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head
stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears.

27:16. In the quarrels of the road is the shedding of blood: and their
cursing is a grievous hearing.

27:17. He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and
shall never find a friend to his mind.

27:18. Love thy neighbour, and be joined to him with fidelity.

27:19. But if thou discover his secrets, follow no more after him.

27:20. For as a man that destroyeth his friend, so is he that
destroyeth the friendship of his neighbour.

27:21. And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou
let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again.

27:22. Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled,
as a roe escaped out of the snare because his soul is wounded.

27:23. Thou canst no more bind him up. And of a curse there is
reconciliation:

And of a curse there is reconciliation. . .That is, it is easier to
obtain a reconciliation after a curse, than after disclosing a secret.

27:24. But to disclose the secrets of a friend, leaveth no hope to an
unhappy soul.

27:25. He that winketh with the eye forgeth wicked things, and no man
will cast him off:

27:26. In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will
admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy
words he will lay a stumblingblock.

27:27. I have hated many things but not like him, and the Lord will
hate him.

27:28. If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and
the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful.

27:29. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a
stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a
snare for another, shall perish in it.

27:30. A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and
he shall not know from whence it cometh to him.

27:31. Mockery and reproach are of the proud, and vengeance as a lion
shall lie in wait for him.

27:32. They shall perish in a snare that are delighted with the fall of
the just: and sorrow shall consume them before they die.

27:33. Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man
shall be subject to them.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 28


Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.

28:1. He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the
Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.

28:2. Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy
sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.

28:3. Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?

28:4. He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for
his own sins?

28:5. He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask
forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?

28:6. Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:

28:7. For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.

In his commandments. . .Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus:
Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.

28:8. Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.

28:9. Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the
ignorance of thy neighbour.

28:10. Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.

28:11. For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will
trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are
at peace.

28:12. For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a
man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches
he shall increase his anger.

28:13. A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth
blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.

28:14. If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou
spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.

28:15. The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath
troubled many that were at peace.

28:16. The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered
them from nation to nation.

28:17. It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath
overthrown the houses of great men.

28:18. It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong
nations.

28:19. The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and
deprived them of their labours.

28:20. He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall
he have a friend in whom he may repose.

28:21. The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the
tongue will break the bones.

28:22. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as
have perished by their own tongue.

28:23. Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath
not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke
thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.

28:24. For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of
brass.

28:25. The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable
to it.

28:26. Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall
possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with
its flame.

28:27. They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in
them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a
lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.

28:28. Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and
make doors and bars to thy mouth.

28:29. Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words,
and a just bridle for thy mouth:

28:30. And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the
sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be
incurable unto death.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 29


Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of
being surety.

29:1. He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is
stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments.

And he that is stronger in hand. . .That is, he that is hearty and
bountiful in lending to his neighbour in his necessity.

29:2. Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his need, and pay thou thy
neighbour again in due time.

29:3. Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt
always find that which is necessary for thee.

29:4. Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have
given trouble to them that helped them.

29:5. Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in
promises they humble their voice:

29:6. But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return
tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time:

29:7. And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay
one half, and will count it as if he had found it:

29:8. But if not, he will defraud him of his money, and he shall get
him for an enemy without cause.

29:9. And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of
honour and good turn will repay him injuries.

29:10. Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were
afraid to be defrauded without cause.

29:11. But yet towards the poor be thou more hearty, and delay not to
shew him mercy.

29:12. Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away
empty handed because of his poverty.

29:13. Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend: and hide it not
under a stone to be lost.

29:14. Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it
shall bring thee more profit than gold.

29:15. Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help
for thee against all evil.

29:16. Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear:

29:17. It shall fight for thee against thy enemy.

29:18. A good man is surety for his neighbour: and he that hath lost
shame, will leave him to himself.

29:19. Forget not the kindness of thy surety: for he hath given his
life for thee.

29:20. The sinner and the unclean fleeth from his surety.

29:21. A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he
that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him.

29:22. A man is surety for his neighbour: and when he hath lost all
shame, he shall forsake him.

29:23. Evil suretyship hath undone many of good estate, and hath tossed
them as a wave of the sea.

29:24. It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about,
and they have wandered in strange countries.

29:25. A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall
fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things,
shall fall into judgment.

29:26. Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to
thyself that thou fall not.

29:27. The chief thing for man's life is water and bread, and clothing,
and a house to cover shame.

29:28. Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than
sumptuous cheer abroad in another man's house.

29:29. Be contented with little instead of much, and thou shalt not
hear the reproach of going abroad.

29:30. It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for
where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his
mouth.

29:31. He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful,
and moreover he shall hear bitter words.

29:32. Go, stranger, and furnish the table, and give others to eat what
thou hast in thy hand.

29:33. Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want
my house, my brother being to be lodged with me.

29:34. These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the
upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 30


Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive
grief is hurtful.

30:1. He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may
rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his
neighbours.

30:2. He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall
glory in him in the midst of them of his household.

30:3. He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the
midst of his friends he shall glory in him.

30:4. His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath
left one behind him that is like himself.

30:5. While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he
was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.

30:6. For he left behind him a defender of his house against his
enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.

30:7. For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at
every cry his bowels shall be troubled.

30:8. A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself
will become headstrong.

30:9. Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with
him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.

30:10. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy
teeth be set on edge.

30:11. Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.

30:12. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he
is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a
sorrow of heart to thee.

30:13. Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour
be an offence to thee.

30:14. Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution,
than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.

30:15. Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all
gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.

30:16. There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body:
and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.

30:17. Better is death than a bitter life, and everlasting rest, than
continual sickness.

30:18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as
messes of meat set about a grave.

30:19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither
eat, nor smell:

30:20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of
his iniquity:

30:21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a
virgin, and sighing.

30:22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy
own counsel.

30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never
failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.

30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself:
gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from
thee.

30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.

30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring
old age before the time.

30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets
are prepared with diligence.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31


Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.

31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof
driveth away sleep.

31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a
grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.

31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when
he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.

31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end
he is still poor.

31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that
followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.

31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof
hath been their ruin.

31:7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to
them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.

31:8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that
hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.

31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful
things in his life.

31:10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have
glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not
transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:

31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the
church of the saints shall declare his alms.

31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy
mouth upon it.

31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.

31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.

31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep
over all the face when it shall see.

31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy
thou be put to confusion.

31:17. Be not hasty in a feast.

31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.

31:19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if
thou eatest much, thou be hated.

31:20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou
offend.

31:21. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of
all, and be not the first to ask for drink.

31:22. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in
sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.

31:23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:

31:24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep
till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.

31:25. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and
vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness
upon thy body.

31:26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt
find my words.

31:27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.

31:28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread,
and the testimony of his truth is faithful.

31:29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will
murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.

31:30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very
many.

31:31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the
hearts of the proud.

31:32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it
moderately, thou shalt be sober.

31:33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?

31:34. What taketh away life? death.

31:35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not
to make them drunk.

31:36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the
heart.

31:37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.

31:38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many
ruins.

31:39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.

31:40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool,
lessening strength and causing wounds.

31:41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him
not in his mirth.

31:42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in
demanding again.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 32


Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and
doing nothing without counsel.

32:1. Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one
of them.

32:2. Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted
thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:

32:3. That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an
ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.

32:4. Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,

32:5. To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not
music.

32:6. Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted
up out of season with thy wisdom.

32:7. A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in
gold.

32:8. As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of
music with pleasant and moderate wine.

32:9. Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to
thee.

32:10. Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.

32:11. If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.

32:12. In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence
and withal seeking.

32:13. In the company of great men take not upon thee: and when the
ancients are present, speak not much.

32:14. Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth
favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.

32:15. 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.

32:16. And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.

32:17. And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and
that replenisheth thee with all his good things.

32:18. He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they
that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.

32:19. He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that
dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.

32:20. They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall
kindle justice as a light.

32:21. A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse
according to his will.

32:22. A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and
proud man will not dread fear:

32:23. Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be
controlled by the things of his own seeking.

32:24. My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not
repent when thou hast done.

32:25. Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against
the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a
stumblingblock to thy soul.

32:26. And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy
household.

32:27. In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the
keeping of the commandments.

In faith. . .That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and
conscience.

32:28. He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he
that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 33


The fear of God is the best security. Times and men are in the hands of
God. Take care of thyself as long as thou livest, and look to thy
servants.

33:1. No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in
temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils.

33:2. A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall
not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.

33:3. A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law
is faithful to him.

33:4. He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so
having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he
shall answer.

33:5. The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are
like a rolling axletree.

33:6. A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth
under every one that sitteth upon him.

33:7. Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one
year another year, when all come of the sun?

33:8. By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun
being made, and keeping his commandment.

33:9. And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them
they celebrated festivals at an hour.

33:10. Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he
put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground,
and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.

33:11. With much knowledge the Lord hath divided them and diversified
their ways.

33:12. Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath
he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed
and brought low, and turned them from their station.

33:13. As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it:

33:14. All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the
hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his
judgment.

33:15. Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the
sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most
High. Two and two, and one against another.

33:16. And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the
grapegatherers.

33:17. In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that
gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.

33:18. See that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that
seek discipline.

33:19. Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your
ears, ye rulers of the church.

33:20. Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee
while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest thou
repent, and thou entreat for the same.

33:21. As long as thou livest, and hast breath in thee, let no man
change thee.

Change thee. . .That is, so as to have this power over thee.

33:22. For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that
thou look toward the hands of thy children.

33:23. In all thy works keep the pre-eminence.

The pre-eminence. . .That is, be master in thy own house, and part not
with thy authority.

33:24. Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end
the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy
inheritance.

33:25. Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and
correction, and work for a slave.

33:26. He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands
be idle, and he seeketh liberty.

33:27. The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labours
bow a slave.

33:28. Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work,
that he be not idle:

33:29. For idleness hath taught much evil.

33:30. Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not
obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any
one, and do no grievous thing without judgment.

33:31. If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own
soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou
hast gotten him.

33:32. If thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away:

33:33. And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and
in what way to seek him.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 34


The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of
God.

34:1. The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and
deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.

34:2. The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that
catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.

34:3. The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another:
as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.

34:4. What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come
from that which is false?

34:5. Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of
evildoers, are vanity:

34:6. And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it
be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them.

34:7. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put
their trust in them.

34:8. The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom
shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.

34:9. What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much
experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many
things, shall shew forth understanding.

34:10. He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath
been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.

34:11. He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know?
he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.

34:12. I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of
things.

34:13. Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I
have been delivered by the grace of God.

34:14. The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his
regard shall be blessed.

34:15. For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God
are upon them that love him.

34:16. He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not
be afraid: for he is his hope.

34:17. The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.

34:18. To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?

34:19. The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their
powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a
cover from the sun at noon,

34:20. A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he
raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and
life, and blessing.

34:21. The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully
gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.

34:22. The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth
and justice.

34:23. The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither
hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified
for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.

34:24. He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one
that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.

34:25. The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that
defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.

34:26. He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that
killeth his neighbour.

34:27. He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of
his hire, are brothers.

34:28. When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have
they but the labour?

34:29. When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God
hear?

34:30. He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth
him again, what doth his washing avail?

34:31. So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again,
what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 35


What sacrifices are pleasing to God.

35:1. He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.

35:2. It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and
to depart from all iniquity.

35:3. And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory
sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.

35:4. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that
doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.

35:5. To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to
depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.

35:6. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.

35:7. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of
God.

35:8. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of
sweetness in the sight of the most High.

35:9. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not
forget the memorial thereof.

35:10. Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the
firstfruits of thy hands.

35:11. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy
tithes with joy.

35:12. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee,
and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:

35:13. For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times
as much.

35:14. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.

35:15. And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge,
and there is not with him respect of person.

35:16. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he
will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.

35:17. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the
widow, when she poureth out her complaint.

35:18. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against
him that causeth them to fall?

35:19. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that
heareth will not be delighted with them.

35:20. He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer
shall approach even to the clouds.

35:21. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the
clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not
depart till the most High behold.

35:22. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and
will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them,
that he may crush their back:

35:23. And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken
away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,

35:24. Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and
according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,

35:25. Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall
delight the just with his mercy.

35:26. The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a
cloud of rain in the time of drought.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 36


A prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife.

36:1. Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the
light of thy mercies:

36:2. And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after
thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that
they may shew forth thy wonders.

36:3. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy
power.

36:4. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou
shalt be magnified among them in our presence,

36:5. That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there
is no God beside thee, O Lord.

36:6. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.

36:7. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm.

36:8. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath.

36:9. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy.

36:10. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy
wonderful works.

36:11. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and
let them perish that oppress thy people.

36:12. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say: There is
no other beside us.

36:13. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that
there no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou
shalt inherit them as from the beginning.

36:14. Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and
upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.

36:15. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou hast sanctified,
the city of thy rest.

36:16. Fill Sion with thy unspeakable words, and thy people with thy
glory.

36:17. Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the
beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke
in thy name.

36:18. Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may
be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,

36:19. According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct
us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth,
that thou art God the beholder of all ages.

36:20. The belly will devour all meat, yet one is better than another.

36:21. The palate tasteth venison and the wise heart false speeches.

36:22. A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will
resist it.

36:23. A woman will receive every man: yet one daughter is better than
another.

A woman will receive every man. . .That is, any man that her parents
propose to her to marry, though she does not like him, but marries in
obedience to her parents, who make the choice for her.

36:24. The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband,
and a man desireth nothing more.

36:25. If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and
shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.

36:26. He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a
help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.

36:27. Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and
where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.

36:28. Who will trust him that hath no rest, and that lodgeth
wheresoever the night taketh him, as a robber well appointed, that
skippeth from city to city.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 37


Of the choice of friends and counsellors.

37:1. Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a
friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to
death?

37:2. But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.

37:3. O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with
thy malice, and deceitfulness?

37:4. There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys,
but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.

37:5. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his
belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.

37:6. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in
thy riches.

37:7. Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy
counsel from them that envy thee.

37:8. Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a
counsellor for himself.

37:9. Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he
will devise to his own mind:

37:10. Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:

37:11. Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what
shall befall thee.

37:12. Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor
with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of
whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a
merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an
envious man of giving thanks,

37:13. Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of
honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work,

37:14. Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the
year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these
in any matter of counsel.

37:15. But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know
to observe the fear of God,

37:16. Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou
shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.

37:17. And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there
is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.

37:18. The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more
than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch.

37:19. But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may
direct thy way in truth.

37:20. In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady
counsel before every action.

37:21. A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner
of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is
continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a
teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.

37:22. A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.

37:23. He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be
destitute of every thing.

37:24. Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all
wisdom.

37:25. There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit
of his understanding is commendable.

37:26. A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his
understanding are faithful.

37:27. A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see
shall praise him.

37:28. The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of
Israel are innumerable.

37:29. A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name
shall live for ever.

37:30. My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it
no power:

37:31. For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind
pleaseth not every soul.

37:32. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any
meat:

37:33. For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will
turn to choler.

37:34. By surfeiting many have perished, but he that is temperate,
shall prolong life.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 38


Of physicians and medicines: what is to be done in sickness, and how we
are to mourn for the dead. Of the employments of labourers and
artificers.

38:1. Honour the physician for the need thou hast of him: for the most
High hath created him.

38:2. For all healing is from God, and he shall receive gifts of the
king.

38:3. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the
sight of great men he shall be praised.

38:4. The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise
man will not abhor them.

38:5. Was not bitter water made sweet with wood?

38:6. The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and
the most High hath given knowledge to men, that he may be honoured in
his wonders.

38:7. By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these
the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up
ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end.

38:8. For the peace of God is over all the face of the earth.

38:9. My son, in thy sickness neglect not thyself, but pray to the
Lord, and he shall heal thee.

38:10. Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy
heart from all offence.

38:11. Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a
fat offering, and then give place to the physician.

38:12. For the Lord created him: and let him not depart from thee, for
his works are necessary.

38:13. For there is a time when thou must fall into their hands:

38:14. And they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they
give for ease and remedy, for their conversation.

38:15. He that sinneth in the sight of his Maker, shall fall into the
hands of the physician.

38:16. My son, shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament as if thou
hadst suffered some great harm, and according to judgment cover his
body, and neglect not his burial.

38:17. And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a day, and
then comfort thyself in thy sadness.

38:18. And make mourning for him according to his merit for a day, or
two, for fear of detraction.

38:19. For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength,
and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.

38:20. In withdrawing aside sorrow remaineth: and the substance of the
poor is according to his heart.

38:21. Give not up thy heart to sadness, but drive it from thee: and
remember the latter end.

38:22. Forget it not: for there is no returning, and thou shalt do him
no good, and shalt hurt thyself.

38:23. Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be so: yesterday for
me, and to day for thee.

38:24. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort
him in the departing of his spirit.

38:25. The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he
that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.

A scribe. . .That is, a doctor of the law, or, a learned man.

38:26. With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plough,
and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth the oxen therewith, and is
occupied in their labours, and his whole talk is about the offspring of
bulls?

38:27. He shall give his mind to turn up furrows, and his care is to
give the kine fodder.

38:28. So every craftsman and workmaster that laboureth night and day,
he who maketh graven seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the
figure: he shall give his mind to the resemblance of the picture, and
by his watching shall finish the work.

38:29. So doth the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the iron
work. The vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with
the heat of the furnace.

38:30. The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is
upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.

38:31. He setteth his mind to finish his work, and his watching to
polish them to perfection.

38:32. So doth the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about
with his feet, who is always carefully set to his work, and maketh all
his work by number:

38:33. He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his
strength before his feet:

38:34. He shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching
to make clean the furnace.

38:35. All these trust to their hands, and every one is wise in his own
art.

38:36. Without these a city is not built.

38:37. And they shall not dwell, nor walk about therein, and they shall
not go up into the assembly.

38:38. Upon the judges' seat they shall not sit, and the ordinance of
judgment they shall not understand, neither shall they declare
discipline and judgment, and they shall not be found where parables are
spoken:

38:39. But they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their
prayer shall be in the work of their craft, applying their soul, and
searching in the law of the most High.



Ecclesiasticus Chapter 39


The exercises of the wise man. The Lord is to be glorified for his
works.

39:1. The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and
will be occupied in the prophets.

39:2. He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter withal
into the subtilties of parables.

39:3. He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be


 


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