by Septuagint
[24] As his ways are plain unto the holy; so are they stumblingblocks unto the wicked. [25] For the good are good things created from the beginning: so evil things for sinners. [26] The principal things for the whole use of man’s life are water, fire, iron, and salt, flour of wheat, honey, milk, and the blood of the grape, and oil, and clothing. [27] All these things are for good to the godly: so to the sinners they are turned into evil.
[28] There be spirits that are created for vengeance, which in their fury lay on sore strokes; in the time of destruction they pour out their force, and appease the wrath of him that made them. [29] Fire, and hail, and famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance; [30] Teeth of wild beasts, and scorpions, serpents, and the sword punishing the wicked to destruction. [31] They shall rejoice in his commandment, and they shall be ready upon earth, when need is; and when their time is come, they shall not transgress his word.
[32] Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing. [33] All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season. [34] So that a man cannot say, This is worse than that: for in time they shall all be well approved. [35] And therefore praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth, and bless the name of the Lord.
Chapter 40
[1] Great travail is created for every man, and an heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mother’s womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things. [2] Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart; [3] From him that sitteth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes; [4] From him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock. [5] Wrath, and envy, trouble, and unquietness, fear of death, and anger, and strife, and in the time of rest upon his bed his night sleep, do change his knowledge. [6] A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle. [7] When all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing.
[8] Such things happen unto all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners. [9] Death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, calamities, famine, tribulation, and the scourge; [10] These things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood. [11] All things that are of the earth shall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea. [12] All bribery and injustice shall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever. [13] The goods of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall vanish with noise, like a great thunder in rain.
[14] While he openeth his hand he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought. [15] The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches: but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock. [16] The weed growing upon every water and bank of a river shall be pulled up before all grass.
[17] Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever. [18] To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure is above them both. [19] Children and the building of a city continue a man’s name: but a blameless wife is counted above them both. [20] Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love of wisdom is above them both.
[21] The pipe and the psaltery make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both. [22] Thine eye desireth favour and beauty: but more than both corn while it is green. [23] A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband. [24] Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both. [25] Gold and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both. [26] Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help. [27] The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory.
[28] My son, lead not a beggar’s life; for better it is to die than to beg. [29] The life of him that dependeth on another man’s table is not to be counted for a life; for he polluteth himself with other men’s meat: but a wise man well nurtured will beware thereof. [30] Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
Chapter 41
[1] O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions, unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat! [2] O death, acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy, and unto him whose strength faileth, that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things, and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience! [3] Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh. [4] And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.
[5] The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly. [6] The inheritance of sinners’ children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual reproach. [7] The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for his sake. [8] Woe be unto you, ungodly men, which have forsaken the law of the most high God! for if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction: [9] And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse: and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion.
[10] All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.
[11] The mourning of men is about their bodies: but an ill name of sinners shall be blotted out. [12] Have regard to thy name; for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold. [13] A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever. [14] My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both? [15] A man that hideth his foolishness is better than a man that hideth his wisdom. [16] Therefore be shamefaced according to my word: for it is not good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing.
[17] Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother: and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man; [18] Of an offence before a judge and ruler; of iniquity before a congregation and people; of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend; [19] And of theft in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat; and of scorning to give and take; [20] And of silence before them that salute thee; and to look upon an harlot; [21] And to turn away thy face from thy kinsman; or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man’s wife. [22] Or to be overbusy with his maid, and come not near her bed; or of upbraiding speeches before friends; and after thou hast given, upbraid not;
Chapter 42
[1] Or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing of secrets. So shalt thou be truly shamefaced and find favour before all men. Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin thereby: [2] Of the law of the most High, and his covenant; and of judgment to justify the ungodly; [3] Of reckoning with thy partners and travellers; or of the gift of the heritage of friends; [4] Of exactness of balance and weights; or of getting much or little; [5] And of merchants’ indifferent selling; of much correction of children; and to make the side of an evil servant to bleed.
[6] Sure keeping is good, where an evil wife is; and shut up, where many hands are. [7] Deliver all things in number and weight; and put all in writing that thou givest out, or receivest in. [8] Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the extreme aged that contendeth with those that are young: thus shalt thou be truly learned, and approved of all men living.
[9] A daughter is a wakeful care to a father; and the care f
or her taketh away sleep: when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age; and being married, lest she should be hated: [10] In her virginity, lest she should be defiled and gotten with child in her father’s house; and having an husband, lest she should misbehave herself; and when she is married, lest she should be barren. [11] Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter, lest she make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and make thee ashamed before the multitude. [12] Behold not every body’s beauty, and sit not in the midst of women. [13] For from garments cometh a moth, and from women wickedness. [14] Better is the churlishness of a man than a courteous woman, a woman, I say, which bringeth shame and reproach.
[15] I will now remember the works of the Lord, and declare the things that I have seen: In the words of the Lord are his works. [16] The sun that giveth light looketh upon all things, and the work thereof is full of the glory of the Lord.
[17] The Lord hath not given power to the saints to declare all his marvellous works, which the Almighty Lord firmly settled, that whatsoever is might be established for his glory. [18] He seeketh out the deep, and the heart, and considereth their crafty devices: for the Lord knoweth all that may be known, and he beholdeth the signs of the world. [19] He declareth the things that are past, and for to come, and revealeth the steps of hidden things. [20] No thought escapeth him, neither any word is hidden from him.
[21] He hath garnished the excellent works of his wisdom, and he is from everlasting to everlasting: unto him may nothing be added, neither can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor. [22] Oh how desirable are all his works! and that a man may see even to a spark. [23] All these things live and remain for ever for all uses, and they are all obedient. [24] All things are double one against another: and he hath made nothing imperfect. [25] One thing establisheth the good or another: and who shall be filled with beholding his glory?
Chapter 43
[1] The pride of the height, the clear firmament, the beauty of heaven, with his glorious shew; [2] The sun when it appeareth, declaring at his rising a marvellous instrument, the work of the most High: [3] At noon it parcheth the country, and who can abide the burning heat thereof? [4] A man blowing a furnace is in works of heat, but the sun burneth the mountains three times more; breathing out fiery vapours, and sending forth bright beams, it dimmeth the eyes. [5] Great is the Lord that made it; and at his commandment runneth hastily. [6] He made the moon also to serve in her season for a declaration of times, and a sign of the world. [7] From the moon is the sign of feasts, a light that decreaseth in her perfection. [8] The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her changing, being an instrument of the armies above, shining in the firmament of heaven; [9] The beauty of heaven, the glory of the stars, an ornament giving light in the highest places of the Lord. [10] At the commandment of the Holy One they will stand in their order, and never faint in their watches. [11] Look upon the rainbow, and praise him that made it; very beautiful it is in the brightness thereof. [12] It compasseth the heaven about with a glorious circle, and the hands of the most High have bended it. [13] By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment. [14] Through this the treasures are opened: and clouds fly forth as fowls. [15] By his great power he maketh the clouds firm, and the hailstones are broken small.
[16] At his sight the mountains are shaken, and at his will the south wind bloweth. [17] The noise of the thunder maketh the earth to tremble: so doth the northern storm and the whirlwind: as birds flying he scattereth the snow, and the falling down thereof is as the lighting of grasshoppers: [18] The eye marvelleth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the raining of it. [19] The hoarfrost also as salt he poureth on the earth, and being congealed, it lieth on the top of sharp stakes.
[20] When the cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into ice, it abideth upon every gathering together of water, and clotheth the water as with a breastplate. [21] It devoureth the mountains, and burneth the wilderness, and consumeth the grass as fire. [22] A present remedy of all is a mist coming speedily, a dew coming after heat refresheth.
[23] By his counsel he appeaseth the deep, and planteth islands therein. [24] They that sail on the sea tell of the danger thereof; and when we hear it with our ears, we marvel thereat. [25] For therein be strange and wondrous works, variety of all kinds of beasts and whales created. [26] By him the end of them hath prosperous success, and by his word all things consist.
[27] We may speak much, and yet come short: wherefore in sum, he is all. [28] How shall we be able to magnify him? for he is great above all his works. [29] The Lord is terrible and very great, and marvellous is his power. [30] When ye glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as ye can; for even yet will he far exceed: and when ye exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for ye can never go far enough. [31] Who hath seen him, that he might tell us? and who can magnify him as he is? [32] There are yet hid greater things than these be, for we have seen but a few of his works. [33] For the Lord hath made all things; and to the godly hath he given wisdom.
Chapter 44
[1] Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us. [2] The Lord hath wrought great glory by them through his great power from the beginning. [3] Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms, men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and declaring prophecies: [4] Leaders of the people by their counsels, and by their knowledge of learning meet for the people, wise and eloquent are their instructions: [5] Such as found out musical tunes, and recited verses in writing: [6] Rich men furnished with ability, living peaceably in their habitations: [7] All these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. [8] There be of them, that have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. [9] And some there be, which have no memorial; who are perished, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them.
[10] But these were merciful men, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. [11] With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant. [12] Their seed standeth fast, and their children for their sakes. [13] Their seed shall remain for ever, and their glory shall not be blotted out. [14] Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore. [15] The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will shew forth their praise.
[16] Enoch pleased the Lord, and was translated, being an example of repentance to all generations. [17] Noah was found perfect and righteous; in the time of wrath he was taken in exchange for the world; therefore was he left as a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came. [18] An everlasting covenant was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more by the flood.
[19] Abraham was a great father of many people: in glory was there none like unto him; [20] Who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him: he established the covenant in his flesh; and when he was proved, he was found faithful. [21] Therefore he assured him by an oath, that he would bless the nations in his seed, and that he would multiply him as the dust of the earth, and exalt his seed as the stars, and cause them to inherit from sea to sea, and from the river unto the utmost part of the land.
[22] With Isaac did he establish likewise for Abraham his father’s sake the blessing of all men, and the covenant, [23] And made it rest upon the head of Jacob. He acknowledged him in his blessing, and gave him an heritage, and divided his portions; among the twelve tribes did he part them. [24] And he brought out of him a merciful man, which found favour in the sight of all flesh, even Moses, beloved of God and men, whose memorial is blessed.
Chapter 45
[1] 2 He made him like to the glorious saints, and magnified him, so that his enemies stood in fear of him. [3] By his words he caused the wonders to cease, and he made him glorious in the sight of kings, and gave him a command
ment for his people, and shewed him part of his glory. [4] He sanctified him in his faithfulness and meekness, and chose him out of all men. [5] He made him to hear his voice, and brought him into the dark cloud, and gave him commandments before his face, even the law of life and knowledge, that he might teach Jacob his covenants, and Israel his judgments.
[6] He exalted Aaron, an holy man like unto him, even his brother, of the tribe of Levi. [7] An everlasting covenant he made with him and gave him the priesthood among the people; he beautified him with comely ornaments, and clothed him with a robe of glory. [8] He put upon him perfect glory; and strengthened him with rich garments, with breeches, with a long robe, and the ephod. [9] And he compassed him with pomegranates, and with many golden bells round about, that as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people; [10] With an holy garment, with gold, and blue silk, and purple, the work of the embroiderer, with a breastplate of judgment, and with Urim and Thummim; [11] With twisted scarlet, the work of the cunning workman, with precious stones graven like seals, and set in gold, the work of the jeweller, with a writing engraved for a memorial, after the number of the tribes of Israel. [12] He set a crown of gold upon the mitre, wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work, the desires of the eyes, goodly and beautiful.
[13] Before him there were none such, neither did ever any stranger put them on, but only his children and his children’s children perpetually. [14] Their sacrifices shall be wholly consumed every day twice continually.
