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Chapter 1
O' set your affection upon
wisdom, ye that be judges of the earth. Have a good opinion of the
Lord, and seek him in the singleness of heart. For he will be found
of them that tempt him not, and appeareth unto such as put their
trust in him. As for *froward thoughts, they separate from God, but
virtue ( if it be allowed ) reformeth the unwise. And why? Wisdom
shall not enter in a froward soul, nor dwell in the body that is
subdued unto sin. For the holy spirit abhoreth fained nurture, and
with draweth himself from the thoughts that are without
understanding: and where wickedness hath the upper hand, he flyeth
from thence. For the spirit of wisdom is loving, gentle and
gracious, and will have no pleasure in him that speaketh evil with
his lips. For God is witness of his reins, and a true searcher out
of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue. For the spirit of the Lord
filleth the round compass of the world, and the same that upholdeth
all things, hath knowledge also of the voice.
Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things, cannot be hid,
neither may he escape the judgement of reproof. And why? Inquisition
shall be made for the thoughts of the ungodly, and the report of his
words shall come unto God, so that his wickedness shall be punished.
For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the noise of
grudgings, shall not be hid. Therefore beware of murmurings which is
nothing worth, and refrain your tongue from *sclander. For there is
no word so secret, that it shall go for nought: and the mouth that
speaketh lies, slayeth the soul.
O' seek not your own death in the error of your life, destroy
not yourselves through the works of your own hands. For God hath not
made death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the
living. For he created all things, that they might have their being:
yee all the people of the earth hath he made that they should have
health, that there is no destruction in them, and that the kingdom
of hell should not be upon the earth ( for righteousness is
everlasting and immortal, but unrighteousness bringeth death )
Nevertheless, the ungodly call her unto them both with words and
works, and while they think to have a friend of her, they come to
naught: for the ungodly that are confederate with her and take her
part are worthy of death.
*froward (stubborn, contrary,
obstinate, disobedient) *sclander (scandal and slander)
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Chapter 2
For the
ungodly talk and imagine thus among themselves ( but not right: )
The time of our life is but short and tedious, and when a man is
once gone, he hath no more joy ner pleasure, neither know we any man
that turneth again from death: for we are born of naught and we
shall be here after as though we had never been. For our breath is
as a smoke in our nostrils, and the words as a spark to move our
heart. As for our body, it shall be very ashes that are quenched,
and our soul shall vanish as the soft air. Our life shall pass away
as the trace of a cloud, and come to nought as the mist that is
driven away with the beams of the *Son, and put down with the heat
thereof. Our name shall be forgotten by little and little, and no
man shall have our works in remembrance.
For our time is a very shadow that passeth away, and after our
end there is no returning, for it is fast sealed, so that no man
cometh again. Come on therefore, let us enjoy the pleasures that
there are, and let us soon use the creature like as in youth. We
will fill ourselves with good wine and ointment, and there shall no
flower of the time go by us. We will crown ourselves with rose afore
they be withered. There shall be no fair meadow, but our lust shall
go through it. Let everyone of you be partaker of our
*voluptuousness. Let us leave some token of our pleasure in every
place, for this is our portion, else we get nothing. Let us oppress
the poor righteous, let us not spare the widow, ner old man, let us
not regard the heads that are gray for age. Let the law of
unrighteousness be our authority, for the thing that is feeble is
nothing worth. Therefore let us *defraud the righteous; And why? He
is not for our profit, yee he is clean contrary to our doings. He
checketh us for offending against the law, and sclander us as
transgressors of all nurture. He maketh his boast to have the
knowledge of God, yee he calleth himself Gods son. He is the
betrayer of our thoughts: It grieveth us also to look upon him, for
his life is not like other mens, his ways are of another fashion. He
counteth us as but vain persons, he withdraweth himself from our
ways as from filthiness: he commendeth greatly the latter end of the
just, and maketh his boast that God is his father. Let us see if his
words be true, let us prove what shall come upon him: so we will
know what end he shall have. For if he be the true son of God, he
will receive him and deliver him from the hands of his enemies. Let
us examine him with despiteful rebuke and tormenting, that we may
know his dignity and prove his patience. Let us condemn him with the
most shameful death: for like as he hath spoken, so shall he be
rewarded.
Such things do the ungodly imagine, and go astray, for their
own wickedness hath blinded them. As for the mysteries of God, they
understand them not: they neither hope for the reward of
righteousness, ner regard the worship that holy souls shall have.
For God created man to be undestroyed, yee after the image of his
own likeness made he him. Nevertheless through envy of the devil
came death into the world, and they that do hold his side, do as he
doeth.
*Son: cap S and exactly as found in the text, and they did spell
son: sonne and sun: sunne different. *voluptuousness. (sensory
wantonness) *defraud (cheat by deceiption)
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Chapter 3
But the
souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the pain of death
shall not touch them. In the sight of the unwise they appear to die,
and their end is taken for very destruction, but they are in rest.
And though they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of
immortality. They are punished but in few things, nevertheless in
many things shall they be well rewarded. For God proved them, and
findeth them *mete for himself: yee as gold in the furnace doth he
try them, and receiveth them as a burnt offering, and when the time
cometh they shall be looked upon.
The righteous shall shine as the sparks that run through the
reed bush. They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the
people, and their Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their
trust in him, shall understand the truth, and such as be faithful,
will agree unto him in love: for his chosen shall have gifts and
peace. But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own
imaginations, for they have despised the righteous, and forsaken the
Lord.
Who so despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is unhappy, and as for
the hope of such, it is but vain, their labors unfruitful, and their
works unprofitable. Their wives are *indiscreet, and their children
most ungodly. Their creature is cursed. Blessed is rather, the
barren and undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall
have fruit in the reward of the holy souls. And blessed is the
gelded, which with his hands hath wrought no unrighteousness, nor
imagined wicked things against God. For unto him shall be given the
special gift of faith, and the most acceptable portion in the temple
of God. For glorious is the fruit of good labor, and the root of
wisdom shall never fade away. As for the children of *advouters,
they shall come to an end, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall
be rooted out. And though they live long, yet shall they be nothing
regarded, and their last age shall be without honor. If they die
hastily, they have no hope, neither shall they be spoken to in the
day of knowledge. For horrible is the death and end of the
unrighteous.
*mete (worthy) *indiscreet, (*deceptive, uncaring, foolishness)
*advoutry: prefix "a" meaning not, or without, devout: devotion;
plain hearted to God, being devoted to something or some one else.
see James 2 for adultery
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Chapter 4
O' how fair
is a chaste generation with virtue? The memorial, for it is known
with good men. When it is present, men take example there at: and if
it go away, yet they desire it. It is all way crowned and holden in
honor, and winneth the reward of the undefiled battle. But the
multitude of ungodly children is unprofitable, and the things that
are planted with whoredom, shall take no deep root, nor lay any fast
foundation. Though they be green in the branches for a time, yet
shall they be shaken with the wind for they stand not fast, and
through the vehemence of the wind they shall be rooted out. For the
unperfect branches shall be broken, their fruit shall be
unprofitable and sour to eat, yee *mete for nothing. And why? All
the children that are born of the wicked, must bare record of the
wickedness against their fathers and mothers, when they are asked.
But though the righteousness be over taken with death, yet shall he
be in rest.
Age is an honorable thing: nevertheless it standeth not only
in the length of time, ner multitude of years: But a mans wisdom is
the gray hair, and an undefiled life is the old age. He pleased God,
and was beloved of him: so that whereas he lived among sinners, he
translated him. Yea suddenly was he taken away, to the intend that
wickedness should not alter his understanding, and that hypocrisy
should not beguile his soul. For the crafty bewitching of lies make
good things dark, the unsteadfastness also and wickedness of
voluptuous desire turn aside the understanding of the simple. Though
he was soon dead, yet fulfilled he much time. For his soul pleased
God therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked. This
the people see, and understand it not: they lay not up such things
in their hearts, how that the loving favor and mercy of God is upon
his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
Thus the righteous that is dead, condemneth the ungodly which
are living: and youth that is soon brought to an end, the long life
of the unrighteous. For they see the end of the wise, but they
understand not what God hath devised for him, and wherefore the Lord
hath taken him away. And why? they see him and despise him,
therefore shall God also laugh them to scorn: So that they
themselves shall die here after ( but without honor ) Yee in shame
among the dead forevermore. For without any voice shall he burst
those that be puffed up, and remove them from the foundations, so
that they shall be layed waste unto the highest. They shall mourn,
and their memorial shall perish. So they being afraid shall remember
their sins, and their own wickedness shall betray them.
*mete (worthy)
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Chapter 5
Then shall the righteous stand in great steadfastness against
such as have dealt extremely with them, and taken away their labors.
When they see it, they shall be vexed with horrible fear, and shall
wonder at the hastiness of the sudden health: groaning for the very
distress of the mind, and shall say within themselves, having inward
sorrow, and mourning for very anguish of mind:
These are they, whom we sometime had in derision, and jested
upon. We fools thought their life was very madness, and their end to
be without honour. But lo, how they are counted among the children
of God, and their portion is among the saints. Therefore have we
erred from the way of truth, the light of righteousness hath not
shined unto us, and the sun of understanding rose not up upon us. We
have wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction.
Tedious ways have we gone: but as for the way of the Lord, we have
not known it.
What good hath our pride done unto us? Or, what profit hath
the pomp of riches brought us? All those things are passed away like
a shadow, and as a messenger running before: As a ship that passeth
over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace
thereof cannot be found, neither the path of it in the floods. Or as
a bird that flyeth through the air, and no man can see any token
where she is flown, but only heareth the noise of her wings, beating
the light wind, parting the air through the vehemence of her going,
and flyeth on shaking her wings, where as afterward no token of her
way can be found. Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it
parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a
no man can know where it went through. Even so we in like manner, as
soon as we were born, began immediately to draw to our end, and have
showed no token of virtue, but are consumed in our own wickedness.
Such words shall they that have sinned speak in hell: For the
hope of the ungodly is like a dry thistle flower ( or dust ) that is
blown away with the wind: like as thin scum that is scattered abroad
with the storm: like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there
with the wind, and as the remembrance of a stranger that tarryeth
for a day, and then departeth. But the righteous shall live for
evermore: their reward also is with the Lord: and their remembrance
with the Highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious Kingdom
and a beautiful crown of the Lords hand: for with his right hand
shall he cover them, and with his own arm shall he cover them, and
with his own arm shall he defend them. His jealousy also shall take
away the harness, and he shall weapon the creature to be avenged of
the enemies. He shall put unrighteousness as a breastplate, and take
sure judgment instead of an helmet. The invincible shield of equity
shall he take, his cruel wrath shall he sharpen for a spear, and the
whole compass of the world shall fight with him against the unwise.
Then shall the thunder bolts go out of the lightnings, and
come out of the rainbow of the clouds to the place appointed: out of
the hard and stony indignation there shall fall thick hails, and the
water of the sea shall be wroth against them, and the floods shall
run roughly together. Yee a mighty wind shall stand up against them,
and a storm shall scatter them abroad. Thus the unrighteous dealing
of them shall bring all the land to a wilderness, and wickedness
shall over throw the dwellings of the mighty.
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Chapter 6
Wisdom is
better then strength, and a man of understanding is more worth than
one that is strong. Hear therefore ( O' ye Kings ) and understand:
O' learn ye that be judges of the ends of the earth. Give ear, ye
that rule the multitudes, and delight much people. For power is
given you of the Lord, and the strength from the Highest: which
shall try your works and search out your imaginations: How that ye
being officers of his Kingdom, have not kept the law of
righteousness, nor walked after his will. Horribly and that right
soon shall he appear unto you: for an hard judgment shall they have
that bear rule. Mercy is granted unto the simple, but they that be
in authority shall be sore punished. For God which is Lord over all,
shall except no mans person, neither shall he stand in awe of any
mans greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for
all alike. But the mighty shall have the sorer punishment.
Unto you therefore ( O' Kings ) do I speak, that ye may learn
wisdom and not go amiss: For they that keep righteousness shall be
righteously judged: and they that are learned in righteous things,
shall find to make answer. Wherefore set your lust upon my words,
and love them, so shall ye come by nurture. Wisdom is a noble thing,
and never fadeth away: yee she is easily seen of them that love her,
and found of such as seek her. She preventeth them that desire her,
that she may first show herself unto them. Whoso awaketh unto her by
times, shall have no great travail, for he shall find her sitting
ready at his doors. To think upon her, is perfect understanding: and
whoso watcheth for her, shall be safe, and that soon. For she goeth
about, seeking such as are *mete for her, showeth herself cheerfully
unto them in their goings, and meeteth them with all diligence. For
the unfeigned desire for reformation is her beginning: to care for
nurture is love, and love is the keeping of her laws. Now the
keeping of the laws is perfection and an uncorrupt life, an
uncorrupt life maketh a man familiar with God. And so the desire of
wisdom leadeth to the Kingdom everlasting. If your delight be then
in royal seats and scepters ( O' ye kings of the people ) set your
lust upon wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore. O' love the light
of wisdom, all ye that be rulers of the people. As for wisdom what
she is, and how she came up I will tell you, and will not hide the
mysteries of God from you: but will seek her out from the beginning
of the nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will
not keep back the truth: Neither will I do with consuming envy, for
such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom. But the multitude of the
wise is the welfare of the world, and a wise king is the upholding
of the people. O' receive nurture then through my words, and it
shall do you good.
*mete (worthy)
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Chapter 7
I myself also am a mortal man, like as all other, and am come
of the earthly generation of him that was first made, and in my
mothers womb was I fashioned to be flesh: In the time of ten months
was I brought together in blood through the seed of man, and the
commodious appetite of sleep. When I was born, I received like air
as other men, and fell upon the earth, ( which is my nature ) crying
and weeping at first, as all other do. I was wrapped in swaddling
clothes, and brought up with great cares. For there is no king that
hath had any other beginning of birth. All men have one entrance
unto life, and one going out in like manner.
Wherefore I desired, and understanding was given me: I called,
and the spirit of wisdom came in to me. I set more by her then by
kingdoms and royal seats, and counted riches nothing in comparison
of her. As for precious stone I compared it not unto her: for all
gold is but gravel unto her, and silver shall be counted but clay
before her sight. I loved her above welfare and beauty, and purposed
to take her for my light, for her shine can not be quenched. All
good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches through her
hands. And I was glad in them all, for this wisdom went before me,
and I knew not that she was the mother of all good things. Now as I
myself learned unfainedly, so do I make other men partakers of her,
and hide her riches from no man: For she is an infinite treasure
unto men, which who so use, become partakers of the love and
friendship of God, and are accepted unto him for the gifts of
wisdom.
God hath granted me to talk wisely, and convenient to handle
the things that he hath graciously lent me. For it is he, that
leadeth unto wisdom, and teacheth to use wisdom and right. In his
hand are we and our words: yee all our wisdom, our understanding and
knowledge of all our works. For he hath given me the true science of
these things: so that I know how the world was made, and the powers
of the elements: The beginning, ending and midst of the times: how
the times alter, how one goeth after another, and how they are
fulfilled: the course of the year: the ordinances of the stars: the
natures and kinds of beasts: the furriousness of beasts: the power
of the winds: the imaginations of men: the diversities of young
plants: the virtues of roots, And all such things as are secret and
not looked for, have I learned. For the workmaster of all things
hath taught me wisdom. In her is the spirit of understanding, which
is holy, manyfold, one only, subtle, courteous, discreet, quick,
undefiled, plain, sweet, loving the thing that is good, sharp, which
forbiddeth not to do well, gentile, kind, steadfast, sure, free
having all virtues, circumspect in all things: receiving all spirits
of understanding, being clear and sharp. For wisdom is nimbler then
all nimble things: she goeth through and attaineth to all things,
because of her cleanness. For she is the breath of the power of God,
and a pure clean expressing of the clearness of Almighty God.
Therefore can no undefiled thing come unto her: for she is the
brightness of the everlasting light, the undefiled mirror of the
majesty of God, and the image of his goodness. And for so much as
she is one, she may do all things: and being steadfast herself she
reneweth all, and among the people conveyeth she herself in to the
holy souls. She maketh Gods friends and prophets: for God loveth no
man, but him in whom wisdom dwelleth. For she is more beautiful then
the Sun and giveth more light then the stars, and the day is not to
be compared unto her: for upon the day cometh night. But wickedness
can not overcome wisdom, and foolishness may not be with her.
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Chapter 8
Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily, and lovingly
doth she order all things. I have loved her and labored for her even
from my youth up, I did my diligence to marry myself with her, such
love had I unto her beauty. Who so hath the company of God,
commendeth her nobility, yee the Lord of all things him self loveth
her. For she is the schoolmaster of the nurture of God, and the
chooser out of his works. If a man desired riches in this life, what
is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things? Thou wilt say:
understanding worketh. What is it among all things, that worketh
more than wisdom? If a man love virtue and righteousness, let him
labor for wisdom, for she hath great virtues. And why? She teacheth
soberness and prudence, righteousness and strength, which are such
things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life. If a
man desire much knowledge, she can tell the things that are past,
and discern the things for to come: she knoweth the subtleties of
words, and can expound dark sentences. She can tell of tokens and
wondrous things, or ever they come to pass, and the ends of all
times and ages. So I purposed after this manner: I will take her
unto my company, and commune lovingly with her: no doubt she will
give me good counsel, and speak comfortably unto me in my
carefulness and grief. For her sake shall I be well and honestly
taken among the common men and Lords of the counsel. Though I be
young, yet shall I have sharp understanding, so that I shall be
marvelous in the sight of great men, and the faces of Princes shall
wonder at me. When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure:
when I speak, they shall look upon me, and if I talk much, they
shall lay their hands upon their mouth. Moreover, by the means of
her I shall obtain immortality, and among them that come after me. I
shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subdued unto
me. Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me:
among the multitude, I shall be counted good, and mighty in battle.
When I am come home, I shall find rest with her: for her company
hath no bitterness, and her fellowship hath no tediousness, but
mirth and joy.
Now when I considered these things by myself, and pondered
them in my heart, how that to be joined unto wisdom is immortality,
and great pleasure to have her friendship: how that in the works of
her hands are infinite riches: how that, whoso keepeth company with
her shall be wise: and that he which talketh with her, shall come to
honor: I went about seeking, to get her unto me. For I was a lad of
ripe wit, and had a good understanding.
But when I grew to more understanding, I came to an undefiled
body. Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not keep my self
chaste, except God gave it to me ( and that was appointed of wisdom
also ) I slept unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole
heart I said after this manner:
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Chapter 9
O' God of
my fathers, and Lord of mercies ( thou that hast made all things
with thy word, and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should
have dominion over the creature which thou hast made: that he should
order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute
judgment with a true heart ) Give me wisdom, which is ever about thy
seat: and put me not out from among thy children: For I thy servant
and son of thine handmaid, am a feeble person, of a short time, and
too young to the understanding of judgment and the laws. And though
a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy
wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. But thou hast
chosen me to be a King unto thy people, and the judge of thy sons
and daughters.
Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount,
and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest: a likeness of thy
holy tabernacle which thou hast prepared from the beginning, and thy
wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works: which also was with thee,
when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy
sight, and right in thy commandments. O' send her out of thy holy
heavens and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me,
and labor with me: that I may know what is acceptable in thy sight.
For she knoweth and understandeth all things: and she shall lead me
soberly in my works, and preserve me in her power. So shall my works
be acceptable, and then shall I govern thy people righteously, and
be worthy to sit in my fathers seat. For what man is he, that may
know the counsel of God? Or, who can think what the will of God is?
For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our forecasts are
but uncertain. And why? A mortal and corruptible body is heavy unto
the soul and the earthy mansion keepeth down the understanding that
*museth upon many things. Very hardly can we discern the things that
are upon earth, and great labor have we, or we can find the things
that are before our eyes: Who will then seek out the ground of the
things that are done in heaven? O' Lord, who can have knowledge of
thy understanding and meaning, except thou give wisdom, and send thy
holy ghost from above? That the ways of them which are upon the
earth may be reformed: that men may learn the things that are
pleasant unto thee, and be preserved through wisdom.
*museth (ponders, amuse )
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Chapter 10
Wisdom preserved
the first man, whom God made a father of the world, when he was
created alone, brought him out of his offense, took him out of the
mould of the earth, and gave him power to rule all things. When the
unrighteous went away in his wrath from this wisdom, the brotherhead
perished through the wrath of murder. Again, when the water
destroyed the whole world, wisdom preserved the righteous through a
poor tree, whereof she was governor herself. Moreover when
wickedness had gotten the upper hand, so that the nations were
puffed up with pride, she knew the righteous, preserved him
faultless unto God, and layed up sure mercy for his children. She
preserved the righteous, when he fled from the ungodly that
perished, what time as the fire fell down upon the five cities: Like
as yet this day the unfruitful, waste, and smoking land giveth
testimony of their wickedness: yee the unripe and untimely fruits
that grow upon the trees.
And for a token of a remembrance of the unfaithful soul, there
standeth a pillar of salt. For all such as regarded not wisdom, gat
not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good,
but also left behind them unto men, a memorial of their foolishness:
so that in the things wherein they sinned, they could not be hid.
But as for such as take heed unto wisdom, she shall deliver them
from sorrow.
When the righteous fled because of his brothers wrath, wisdom
lead him the right way, showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him
knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his labors, and brought
to pass the things that he went about. In the deceitfulness of such
as defrauded him, she stood by him, and made him rich. She saved him
from the enemies, and defended him from the deceivers. She made him
strong in battle and gave him victory, that he might know, how that
wisdom is stronger than all things. When the righteous was sold, she
forsook him not, but delivered him from sinners. She went down with
him into the dungeon and failed him not in the bands: till she had
brought him the scepter of the realm, and power against those that
oppressed him. As for them that had accused him, she declared them
to be liars, and brought him to perpetual worship.
She delivered the righteous people and faultless seed, from
the nations that oppressed them. She entered into the soul of the
servant of God, and stood by him in wonders and tokens against the
horrible king. She gave the righteous the reward of their labors,
and lead them forth a marvelous way: on the day time she was a
shadow unto them, and a light of stars in the night season. She
brought them through the reed sea, and carried them through the
great water. She drowned their enemies in the sea, and brought them
out of the deep. So the righteous took the spoils of the ungodly,
and praised thy holy name, O' Lord, and magnified thy victorious
hand with one accord. For wisdom openeth the mouth of the dumb, and
maketh the tongues of babes to speak. |
Chapters 1-10 |
11-end |
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