Apocrypha.

Apocrypha.

18 A man of an ill tongue is dangerous in his city; and he that is rash in his talk shall be hated.

CHAP. X.

1 The advantages of a wise ruler. 7 The inconveniences of pride, injustice, and covetousness.

A

WISE judge will instruct his people; and the government of a prudent man is well ordered.

2 As the judge of the people is himself, so are his officers; and what manner of man the ruler of the city is, such are all they that dwell therein.

3 An unwise king destroyeth his people; but through the prudence of them which are in authority the city shall be inhabited.

4 The power of the earth is in the hand of the Lord, and in due time he will set over it one that is profitable.

5 In the hand of God is the prosperity of man: and upon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.

6 Bear not hatred to thy neighbour for every wrong; and do nothing at all by inju rious practices.

7 Pride is hateful before God and man: and by both doth one commit iniquity.

8 Because of unrighteous dealings, injuries, and riches got by deceit, the kingdom is translated from one people to another.

9 Why is earth and ashes proud? there is not a more wicked thing than a covetous man for such an one setteth his own soul to sale; because while he liveth he casteth away his bowels.

10 The physician cutteth off a long disease; and he that is to-day a king, tomorrow shall die.

11 For when a man is dead, he shall inherit creeping things, beasts, and worms.

12 The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God, and his heart is turned away from his Maker.

13 For pride is the beginning of sin, and he that hath it shall pour out abomination: and therefore the Lord brought upon them strange calamities, and overthrew them utterly.

14 The Lord hath cast down the thrones of proud princes, and set up the meek in their stead.

15 The Lord hath plucked up the roots of the proud nations, and planted the lowly in their place..

16 The Lord overthrew countries of the heathen, and destroyed them to the foundations of the earth.

17 He took some of them away, and destroyed them, and hath made their memorial to cease from the earth.

19 They that fear the Lord are a sure seed, and they that love him an honourable plant they that regard not the law are a dishonourable seed; they that transgress the commandments are a deceivable seed.

20 Among brethren he that is chief is honourable; so are they that fear the Lord in his eyes.

21 The fear of the Lord goeth before the obtaining of authority: but roughness and pride is the lósing thereof.

22 Whether he be rich, noble, or poor, their glory is the fear of the Lord.

23 It is not meet to despise the poor man that hath understanding; neither is it convenient to magnify a sinful man.

24 Great men, and judges, and potentates, shall be honoured; yet is there none of them greater than he that feareth the Lord.

25 Unto the servant that is wise shall they that are free do service: and he that hath knowledge will not grudge when he is reformed.

26 Be not overwise in doing thy business; and boast not thyself in the time of thy dis

tress.

27 Better is he that laboureth and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself, and wanteth bread.

28 My son, glorify thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to the dignity thereof.

29 Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own life?

So The poor man is honoured for his skill, and the rich man is honoured for his riches.

31 He that is honoured in poverty, how much more in riches? and he that is dishonourable in riches, how much more in poverty?

CHAP. XI.

4 We may not vaunt nor set forth ourselves, 8 nor answer rashly, 10 nor meddle with many

matters.

Wow degree, and maketh him to sit among great men.

ISDOM lifteth up the head of him that

2 Commend not a man for his beauty, neither abhor a man for his outward appearance. 3 The bee is little among such as fly ; but her fruit is the chief of sweet things.

4¶ Boast not of thy clothing and raiment, and exalt not thyself in the day of honour : for the works of the Lord are wonderful, and his works among men are hidden.

5 Many kings have sat down upon the ground; and one that was never thought of hath worn the crown.

6 Many mighty men have been greatly disgraced; and the honourable delivered into other men's hands.

7 Blame not before thou hast examined the truth: understand first, and then rebuke.

8 ¶ Answer not before thou hast heard the cause: neither interrupt men in the midst of their talk.

9 Strive not in a matter that concerneth thee not; and sit not in judgment with sin

ners.

10 My son, meddle not with many matters for if thou meddle much, thou shalt not be innocent and if thou follow after, thou shalt not obtain, neither shalt thou escape by fleeing.

11 There is one that laboureth, and taketh pains, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind.

12 Again, there is another that is slow, and hath need of help, wanting ability, and full of poverty; yet the eye of the Lord looked upon him for good, and set him up from his low estate,

13 And lifted up his head from misery; so that many that, saw it marvelled at him. 14 Prosperity and adversity, life and death, poverty and riches, come of the Lord.

Аростурка.

27 The affliction of an hour maketh z man forget pleasure and in his end his deeds shall be discovered.

28 Judge none blessed before his death: for a man shall be known in his children. 29 Bring not every man into thine house : for the deceitful man hath many trains.

30 Like as a partridge taken [and kept] in a cage, so is the heart of the proud; and like as a spy, watcheth he for thy fall:

31 For he lieth in wait, and turneth good into evil, and in things worthy praise will lay blame upon thee.

32 Of a spark of fire a heap of coals is kindled; and a sinful man layeth wait for blood.

33 Take heed of a mischievous man, for he worketh wickedness; lest he bring upon thee a perpetual blot.

34 Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will disturb thee, and turn thee out of thine own.

CHAP. XII.

2 Be not liberal to the ungodly. 10 Trust net thine enemy, nor the wicked.

thou wilt do good, know to

for ever.

18 There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward:

19 Whereas he saith, I have found rest, and now will eat continually of my goods; and yet he knoweth not what time shall come upon him, and that he must leave those things to others, and die.

20 Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. 21 Marvel not at the works of sinners: || but trust in the Lord, and abide in thy labour: for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord on the sudden to make a poor man rich. 22 The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly, and suddenly he maketh his blessing to flourish.

23 Say not, what profit is there of my service? and what good things shall I have hereafter?

24 Again say not, I have enough, and possess many things, and what evil can come to me hereafter?

25 In the day of prosperity there is a forgetfulness of affliction: and in the day of affliction there is no more remembrance of prosperity.

26 For it is an easy thing unto the Lord in the day of death to reward a man according to his ways.

be thanked for thy benefits.

2 Do good to the godly man, and thou shalt find a recompense; and if not from him, yet from the Most High.

3 There can no good come to him that is always occupied in evil, nor to him that giveth no alms.

4 Give to the godly man, and help not a sinner.

5 Do well unto him that is lowly, but give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not unto him, lest he overmaster thee thereby for [else] thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him.

:

6 For the Most High hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly, and keepeth them against the mighty day of their punishment.

7 Give unto the good, and help not the sinner.

8 A friend cannot be known in prosperity: and an enemy cannot be hid in adversity. 9 In the prosperity of a man, enemies will be grieved: but in his adversity, even a friend will depart.

10 Never trust thine enemy: for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness.

11 Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as if thou hadst wiped a looking glass, and thou shalt know that his rust hath not been altogether wiped away.

12 Set him not by thee, lest, when he hath overthrown thee, he stand up in thy place; neither let him sit at thy right hand, lest he

Apocrypha.

countenance.

CHAP. XIII.

1 Keep not company with the proud, or a mightier than thyself. 15 Like will be like, &c. E that toucheth pitch shall be defiled

Htherewith, and he that hath fellowship

with a proud man shall be like unto him.

Apocrypha.

12 But cruelly he will lay up thy words, and will not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison.

13 Observe, and take good heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy overthrowing: when thou hearest these things, awake in thy sleep.

14 Love the Lord all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.

15 Every beast loveth his like, and every man loveth his neighbour.

16 All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like.

17 What fellowship hath the wolf with the lamb so the sinner with the godly.

18 What agreement is there between the hyena and a dog? and what peace between the rich and the poor?

19 As the wild ass is the lion's prey in the wilderness: so the rich eat up the poor. 20 As the proud hate humility: so doth the rich abhor the poor.

21 A rich man beginning to fall is held up of his friends: but a poor man being down is thrust also away by his friends.

22 When a rich man is fallen, he hath many helpers: he speaketh things not to be spoken, and yet men justify him: the poor man slipped, and yet they rebuked him too; he spake wisely, and could have no place.

23 When a rich man speaketh, every man

3 The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he must entreat also.

4 If thou be for his profit, he will use thee: but if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.

5 If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry for it.

6 If he have need of thee, he will deceive thee, and smile upon thee, and put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and say, What wantest thou?

7 And he will shame thee by his meats, until he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at the last he will laugh thee to scorn:

afterward, when he seeth thee, he will for:

sake thee, and shake his head at thee.

8 Beware that thou be not deceived, and brought down in thy jollity.

9 If thou be invited of a mighty man, withdraw thyself, and so much the more will he invite thee.

10 Press thou not upon him, lest thou be put back; stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten.

11 Affect not to be made equal unto him in talk, and believe not his many words: for with much communication will he tempt thee, and smiling upon thee will get out thy

secrets:

they extol it to the clouds: but if the poor man speak, they say, What fellow is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him.

24 Riches are good unto him that hath no sin, and poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.

25 The heart of a man changeth his countenance, whether it be for good or evil: and a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.

26 A cheerful countenance is a token of a heart that is in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a wearisome labour of the mind.

CHAP. XIV.

2 A good conscience maketh men happy. 20 Men are happy that draw near to wisdom. LESSED is the man that hath not slipped

B with his mouth, and is not pricked with

en tomat, zad this is a recompense of his

& The mini min kat a wicked ere; he turneth away his face, an i depaeth fem

9. A commoda man's er is not add with his portion ; and the insolity of the wicked death up his woll

19. A wicked eye crmiert. This bread, and he is a niggard at his table.

11 My wm, according to thy ability de good to thyself, and give the Lord Hidas ustering

12 Remember that death will not be long in coming, and that the covenant of the grave: is not thewed unto thee.

13 Do good unto thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability stretch out thy hand and give to him.

14 Defrand not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good desire overpaw thee.

15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails unto, another? and thy labours to be divided by lot? 16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy soul; for there is no seeking of dainties in the grave. 17 All flesh wazeth old as a garment: for the covenant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die the death.

18 As of the green leaves on a thick tree, some fall, and some grow; so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.

19 Every work rotteth and consumeth away, and the worker thereof shall go withal.

20Blessed is the man that doth meditate good things in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy things by his understanding.

21 He that considereth her ways in his heart shall also have understanding in her

4. He mal be stayed 1000 be, and tel not be moved are apos her, and whall not be confounded.

5. She shall est ein abere his neizbeen,

and in the mix of the congregation at sie open his mi

6. He shall fod y and a crown of giadpen, and ice sa case bin to intent an everlaming time.

But foolish men shall not attain sate her, and inmers shall not see ber.

8. For the is far from pride, and men that are Ears cannot remember her.

9 Praise is not scemly in the mouth of a sinner, for it was not seat him of the Lord 10 For praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the Lord will prosper it.

11 Say not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell away: for thou oughtest not to do the things that he hateth.

12 Say not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of the sinfi man 13 The Lord hateth all abomination; and they that fear God love it not.

14 He himself made man from the begin ning, and left him in the hand of his counsel;

15 If thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to perform acceptable faithful

9 Wisdom embraceth those that fear God: 7 the wwicked shall not get ber.

4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of

5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these.

Apocrypha.

Apocrypha.

wrath is set on fire.

7 He was not pacified toward the old giants who fell away in the strength of their foolishness.

8 Neither spared he the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for their pride. 9 He pitied not the people of perdition, who were taken away in their sins:

10 Nor the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their hearts.

thereof.

27 He garnished his works for ever, and in his hand are the chief of them unto all generations: they neither labour, nor are weary, nor cease from their works.

28 None of them hindereth another, and they shall never disobey his word.

29 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings.

30 With all manner of living things hath he covered the face thereof; and they shall return into it again.

CHAP. XVII.

pleasure.

12 As his mercy is great, so is his correction also he judgeth a man according to his works.

13 The sinner shall not escape with his spoils and the patience of the godly shall not be frustrate.

14 Make way for every work of mercy: for every man shall find according to his works.

15 The Lord hardened Pharaoh, that he should not know him, that his powerful works might be known to the world.

16 His mercy is manifest to every creature; and he hath separated his light from the darkness with an adamant.

:

17 Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord shall any remember me from above? I shall not be remembered among so many people for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures ?

18 Behold, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, the deep, and the earth, and all that therein is, shall be moved when he shall visit.

19 The mountains also and foundations of the earth shall be shaken with tremoling, when the Lord looketh upon them.

20 No heart can think upon these things worthily and who is able to conceive his ways?

21 It is a tempest which no man can see : for the most part of his works are hid.

22 Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all things is

in the end.

23 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring imagineth follies.

24 My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart.

25 I will shew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly.

26 The works of the Lord are done in judgment from the beginning and from the

2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein. 3 He endued them with strength by themsclves, and made them according to his image, 4 And put the fear of man upon all flesh, and gave him dominion over beasts and fowls. 5 [They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter of the cogita. tions thereof.]

6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.

7 Withal he filled them with the knowl edge of understanding, and shewed them good and evil.

8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the greatness of his works,

9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for ever, that they might declare his works with understanding.

10 And the elect shall praise his holy name. 11 Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage.

12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgments.

13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice. 14 And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning his neighbour. 15 Their ways are ever before him, and shall not be hid from his eyes.

16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make to themselves fleshly hearts for stony.

17 For in the division of the nations of the whole earth he set a ruler over every people; but Israel is the Lord's portion :

18 Whom, being his first-born, he nourisheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not forsake him.

19 Therefore all their works are as the sun before him, and his eyes are continually upon their ways.

20 None of their unrighteous decds are hid