Apocrypha. ECCLESIASTICUS, XIV. eneth 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. CHAPTER XIV. 2 A good conscience maketh men happy. 5 The good to none. 13 But do thou good. 20 Men ‹ draw near to wisdom. 5 If thou have any thing, he will live with thee: yea, BLESSED is the man that hath not slip 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 forsake 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: 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 I 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 holdeth his tongue, and look, what he saith, 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 in prosperity; and the finding out of parables is a mouth, and is not pricked with the multi 2 Blessed is he whose conscience hath n ed him, and who is not fallen from his hope 3 Riches are not comely for a niggard should an envious man do with money? 4 He that gathereth by defrauding his ow ereth for others, that shall spend his goods 5 He that is evil to himself, to whom good? he shall not take pleasure in his good 6 There is none worse than he that envi and this is a recompense of his wickedness. 7 And if he doeth good, he doeth it unwi at the last he will declare his wickedness. 8 The envious man hath a wicked eye; away his face, and despiseth men. 9 A covetous man's eye is not satisfied tion; and the iniquity of the wicked drieth 10 A wicked eye envieth [his] bread, and gard at his table. 11 My son, according to thy ability do self, and give the Lord his due offering. 12 Remember that death will not be lon and that the covenant of the grave is not show 13 Do good unto thy friend before thou cording to thy ability stretch out thy hand him. 14 Defraud not thyself of the good day the part of a good desire overpass thee. 15 Shalt thou not leave thy travails un and thy labour to be divided by lot? 16 Give, and take, and sanctify thy sou is no secking of dainties in the grave. 17 All flesh waxeth old as a garment: f nant from the beginning is, Thou shalt die 18 As of the green leaves on a thick tre and some grow; so is the generation of fles one cometh to an end, and another is born. 19 Every work rotteth and consumeth av worker thereof shall go withal. 20 Blessed is the man that doth meditate in wisdom, and that reasoneth of holy thing derstanding. 21 He that considereth her ways in his also have understanding in her secrets. 22 Go after her as one that traceth, and in her ways. 23 He that prieth in at her windows shall en at her doors. 24 He that doth lodge near her house si ten a pin in her walls. 25 He shall pitch his tent nigh unto he lodge in a lodging where good things are. 26 He shall set his children under her shall lodge under her branches. 27 By her he shall be covered from heat, glory shall he dwell. ypha. CHAPTER XV. ECCLESIASTICUS, XV, XVI. lom embraceth those that fear God. 7 The wicked shall et her. 15 We may not charge God with our faults: 14 he made, and left us to ourselves. that feareth the Lord will do good; and he that ath the knowledge of the law shall obtain her. nd as a mother shall she meet him, and receive a wife married of a virgin. With the bread of understanding shall she feed nd give him the water of wisdom to drink. e shall be stayed upon her, and shall not be ; and shall rely upon her, and shall not be con 1. e shall exalt him above his neighbours, and in ist of the congregation shall she open his mouth. e shall find joy and a crown of gladness, and she use him to inherit an everlasting name. it foolish men shall not attain unto her, and sinill not see her. r she is far from pride, and men that are liars remember her. aise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner, for ot sent him of the Lord. or praise shall be uttered in wisdom, and the ll prosper it. ay not thou, It is through the Lord that I fell for thou oughtest not to do the things that he ay not thou, He hath caused me to err: for he need of the sinful man. he Lord hateth all abomination; and they that I love it not. le himself made man from the beginning, and in the hand of his counsel; ' thou wilt, to keep the commandments, and to acceptable faithfulness. e hath set fire and water before thee: stretch y hand unto whether thou wilt. efore man is life and death; and whether him all be given him. or the wisdom of the Lord is great, and he is n power, and beholdeth all things: nd his eyes are upon them that fear him, and eth every work of man. e hath commanded no man to do wickedly, neihe given any man license to sin. Apocrypha. 4 For by one that hath understanding shall the city be replenished: but the kindred of the wicked shall speedily become desolate. 5 Many such things have I seen with mine eyes, and mine ear hath heard greater things than these. 6 In the congregation of the ungodly shall a fire be kindled; and in a rebellious nation wrath is set on fire. 7 He was not pacified towards 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. 11 And if there be one stiff-necked among the people, it is a marvel if he escape unpunished: for mercy and wrath are with him; he is mighty to forgive, and to pour out displeasure. 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 ada mant. 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 trembling, 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. Apocrypha. ECCLESIASTICUS, XVII, XVIII. 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. CHAPTER XVII. 1 How God created and furnished man. 14 Avoid all sin: 19 for God seeth all things. 25 Turn to him while thon livest. THE Lord created man of the earth, and turned him into it again. 2 He gave them few days, and a short time, and power also over the things therein. 3 He endued them with strength by themselves, 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, and interpreter of the cogitations thereof.] 6 Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand. 7 Withal he filled them with the knowledge of understanding, and showed them good and evil. 8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might show them the greatness of his works. 9 He gave them to glory in his marvellous acts for that they might declare his works with understand ever, ing. 10 And the elect shall praise his holy name. 11 Besides this, he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for a heritage. 12 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and showed 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 deeds are hid from him, but all their sins are before the Lord. 21 But the Lord being gracious, and knowing his workmanship, neither left nor forsook them, but spared them. 22 The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the a eye, and give repentance to his sons and dau 23 Afterward he will rise up and reward render their recompense upon their heads. 24 But unto them that repent, he grante turn, and comforted those that failed in pati 25 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy thy prayer before his face, and offend less. 26 Turn again to the Most High, and tur iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkn light of health; and hate thou abomination 27 Who shall praise the Most High in th stead of them which live and give thanks? 28 Thanksgiving perisheth from the de one that is not: the living and sound in praise the Lord. 29 How great is the loving-kindness of t God, and his compassion unto such as turn holiness! 30 For all things cannot be in men, beca of man is not immortal. HE 30 7 E that liveth for ever created all things 2 The Lord only is righteous, and ti other but he. 3 Who governeth the world with the hand, and all things obey his will: for he of all, by his power dividing holy things s from profane. 4 To whom hath he given power to declare and who shall find out his noble acts? 5 Who shall number the strength of h and who shall also tell out his mercies? 6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord nothing be taken from them, neither may a put unto them, neither can the ground of the out. 7 When a man hath done, then he begi when he leaveth off, then he shall be doubti 8 What is man, and whereto serveth he? good, and what is his eyil? 9 The number of a man's days at the hundred years. 10 As a drop of water unto the sea, at stone in comparison of the sand; so are years to the days of eternity. 11 Therefore is God patient with them, forth his mercy upon them. 12 He saw and perceived their end to be fore he multiplied his compassion. 13 The mercy of man is towards his neig the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: b irtureth, and teacheth, and bringeth again, as a rd his flock. He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, at diligently seek after his judgments. My son, blemish not thy good deeds, neither use fortable words when thou givest any thing. Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so is a word than a gift. o, is not a word better than a gift? but both h a gracious man. A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the consumeth the eyes. Learn before thou speak, and use physic or ever sick. Before judgment examine thyself, and in the day ation thou shalt find mercy. Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the sins show repentance. et nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due id defer not until death to be justified. efore thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not hat tempteth the Lord. hink upon the wrath that shall be at the end, time of vengeance, when he shall turn away his Then thou hast enough, remember the time of and when thou art rich, think upon poverty d. rom the morning until the evening the time is , and all things are soon done before the Lord. wise man will fear in every thing, and in the inning he will beware of offence: but a fool will rve time. very man of understanding knoweth wisdom, give praise unto him that found her. hey that were of understanding in sayings, beso wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from petites. thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, make thee a laughing-stock to thine enemies. ign thee. ke not pleasure in much good cheer, neither be he expense thereof. not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrown thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt it for thine own life, and be talked on. CHAPTER XIX. nd women seduce wise men. 7 Say not all thou hearest. rove thy friend without anger. 22 There is no wisdom dness. BOURING man that is given to drunkenness 1 not be rich: and he that contemneth small all fall away by little and little. e and women will make men of understanding : and he that cleaveth to harlots will become ay: his and worms shall have him to heritage, and an shall be taken away. Apocrypha. 4 He that is hasty to give credit is light-minded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul. 5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned but he that resisteth pleasures crowneth his life. 6 He that can rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling shall have less evil. 7 Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. 8 Whether it be to a friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not. 9 For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee. 10 If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee. 11 A fool travaileth with a word, as a woman in labour of a child. 12 As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh, so is a word within a fool's belly. 13 Admonish a friend, it may be he hath not done it and if he have done it, that he do it no more. 14 Admonish thy friend, it may be he hath not said it and if he have, that he speak it not again. 15 Admonish a friend: for many times it is a slander, and believe not every tale. 16 There is one that slippeth in his speech, but not from his heart; and who is he that hath not offended with his tongue? 17 Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and not being angry, give place to the law of the Most High. 18 The fear of the Lord is the first step to be accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love. 19 The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of life: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the tree of immortality. 20 The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his omnipotency. 21 If a servant say to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; though afterward he do it, he angereth him that nourisheth him. 22 The knowledge of wickedness is not wisdom, neither at any time the counsel of sinners prudence. 23 There is a wickedness, and the same an abomination; and there is a fool wanting in wisdom. 24 He that hath small understanding, and feareth God, is better than one that hath much wisdom, and transgresseth the law of the Most High. 25 There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust; and there is one that turneth aside to make judgment appear; and there is a wise man that justifieth in judgment. 26 There is a wicked man that hangeth down his head sadly; but inwardly he is full of deceit, 27 Casting down his countenance, and making as if he heard not where he is not known, he will do thee a mischief before thou be aware. Apocrypha. ECCLESIASTICUS, XX, XXI. 3 How good is it, when thou art reproved, to show repentance! for so shalt thou escape wilful sin. 4 As is the lust of an eunuch to deflour a virgin; so is he that executeth judgment with violence. : 5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wise and another by much babbling becometh hateful. 6 Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not to answer: and some keepeth silence, knowing his time. 7 A wise man will hold his tongue till he see opportunity but a babbler and a fool will regard no time. 8 He that useth many words shall be abhorred; and he that taketh to himself authority therein shall be hated. 9 There is a sinner that hath good success in evil things; and there is a gain that turneth to loss. 10 There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompense is double. 11 There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his head from a low estate. 12 There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it seven-fold.` 13 A wise man by his words maketh himself beloved : but the graces of fools shall be poured out. 14 The gift of a fool shall do thee no good when thou hast it; neither yet of the envious for his necessity for he looketh to receive many things for one. 15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much; he openeth his mouth like a crier; to-day he lendeth, and tomorrow will he ask it again: such a one is to be hated of God and man. 16 The fool saith, I have no friends, I have no thanks for all my good deeds, and they that eat my bread speak evil of me. 17 How oft, and of how many shall he be laughed to scorn! for he knoweth not aright what it is to have; and it is all one unto him as if he had it not. 18 To slip upon a pavement is better than to slip with the tongue; so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily. 19 An unseasonable tale will always be in the mouth of the unwise. 20 A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season. 21 There is that is hindered from sinn want: and when he taketh rest, he shall not 22 There is that destroyeth his own s bashfulness, and by accepting of persons himself. 23 There is that for bashfulness prom friend, and maketh him his enemy for noth 24 A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it i in the mouth of the untaught. 25 A thief is better than a man that is to lie but they both shall have destruction 26 The disposition of a liar is dishonour shame is ever with him. 27 A wise man shall promote himself to his words and he that hath understandin great men. : 28 He that tilleth his land shall increa and he that pleaseth great men shall get iniquity. 29 Presents and gifts blind the eyes of t stop up his mouth that he cannot reprove. 30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure th what profit is in them both? 31 Better is he that hideth his folly that hideth his wisdom. up, 32 Necessary patience in seeking the L than he that leadeth his life without a guid CHAPTER XXI 2 Flee from sin as from a serpent. 4 His oppres the rich. 9 The end of the unjust shall be no difference between the fool and the wise. MY son, hast thou sinned? do so no n pardon for thy former sins. 2 Flee from sin as from the face of a ser thou comest too near it, it will bite the thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying men. 3 All iniquity is as a two-edged sword. whereof cannot be healed. 4 To terrify and do wrong will waste the house of proud men shall be made desol 5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth the ears of God, and his judgment cometh 6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the ners but he that feareth the Lord will rep heart. 7 An eloquent man is known far and man of understanding knoweth when he slip 8 He that buildeth his house with other n is like one that gathereth himself stones f of his burial. 9 The congregation of the wicked is like t together: and the end of them is a flame of stroy them. 10 The way of sinners is made plain with at the end thereof is the pit of hell. 11 He that keepeth the law of the Lord understanding thereof: and the perfection of the Lord is wisdom. |
