Apocrypha. E C C L E SI foul 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 it, (hail be moved when he (Hall visit. 19 The mountains also and foundations of the earth (hall be shaken with trembling, when the Lord looketh upon them. ao Is 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 fee: for the most part of his works are hid. ai Who can declare the works of his justice? or who can endure them? for his covenant is afar off, and the trial of all thin,;3 is in the end. 13 He that wanteth understanding will think upon vain things: and a foolish man erring, imagineth follies. 14 My son, hearken unto me, and learn knowledge, and mark my words with thy heart. %S I will (hew forth doctrine in weight, and declare his knowledge exactly. »6 The works of the Lord are done in judgement from the beginning: and from the time he made them he disposed the parts thereof. »7 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. 18 None of them hindereth another, and they (hall never disobey his word. 19 After this the Lord looked upon the earth, and filled it with his blessings. 30 With all manner of living things bath he covered the face thereof; and thty (hall return into it again. CHAP. XVII. I Hmv God created and furnished man. in To avoid all Jin: 19 for God feet h al! things. 'TpHE Lord created man of the earth, X. and turned him into it again. z He gave them few days, and a (liort 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 flfiii,and gave him dominion overbealts Had fowls. 5 [They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, ASTICUS Apocrypha, and in the seventh speech, an interpreter ot 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 (hewed them good and evil. 8 He set his eye upon their hearts, that he might shew them the grtatntfj 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 (hall praise his holy name. ti Beside this he gave them knowledge, and the law of life for an heritage. 11 He made an everlasting covenant with them, and shewed them his judgements. 13 Their eyes saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears beard bis glorious voice. 141T And he said unto them, Beware of all unrighteousness; and he gave every man commandment concerning hit neighbour. 15 Their ways are ever before him, and (hall not be hid from his eyes. 16 Every man from his youth is given to evil; neither could they make ti> 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 firstborn, he nourifheth with discipline, and giving him the light of his love doth not for fake him. 19 % Therefore all their works are 21 the fun before him, and bis eyes are continually upon their way*. 1a None of their unrighteous deeds are hid from him, but all their fins ajc before the Lord. 11 But the Lord being gracious, and knowing his workmanfliip, neither left, nor forsook them, but spared them. ii The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and he will keep the good deeds of man as the apple of the eye. and give repentance to his sons sed daughters. 13 Afterwards he will rife up and reward them, and render their recoapence upon their heads. 14 But unto them that repent, he granted them return, and comforted ihui'c that failed in patience. 35 Retura Apocrypha. Chap, 45 Return unto the Lord, and forsake thy sins.make tby prayer before his face, and offend left. 46 Turn again to the most High, and turn away from iniquity: for he will lead thee out of darkness into the light of health, and hate thou abomination vehemently. 47 Who shall praise the most High ill the grave instead of them which live and give thanks > »8 Thanksgiving perisheth from the dead, as from one that is not: the living and sound in heart shall praise the Lord. 49 How great is the lovingkindness of the Lord our God, and his compassion unto such as turn unto him in holiness! 30 For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal. 31 What is brighter than the fun ? yet the light thereof faileth: and flesh and blood will imagine evil. 3* He vieweththe power of the height of heaven; and all men are but earth and ashes. CHAP. XVIII. 4 GotTt <worit are lo be -wondered at: 9 man'1 life isjhort: 11 God it merciful. HE that liveth for ever created all things in general. a The Lord only is righteous, and there is none other but he, 3 Who governeth the world with the palm of his hand, and all things obey his will: for he is the King of all, by his power dividing holy things among them from profane. 4 5 To whom hath he given power to declare his works? and who shall find out his noble acts' 5 Who shall number the strength of bis majesty? and who shall also tell out his mercies? 6 As for the wondrous works of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, neither may any thing be put unto them, neither can the ground of them be found out. 7 When a man hath done, then he heginneth; and when he leaveth off, then he (hall be doubtful. 8 What is man, and whereto serveth he J what is his good, and what is his ivil? 9 f The number of a man's days at the most are an hundred years. 10 As a drop of water unto the sea, »r.d a gravelstone in comparison of the. sand; so area thousand years to the days >f eternity. si S Therefore is Cod patient with , xvaii. Apocrypha. them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. 14 He saw and perceived their end to be evil; therefore he multiplied hit compassion. 13 The mercy of man is toward his neighbour; but the mercy of the Lord is upon all flesh: he reproveth, and nurtureth, and teacheth, and bringeth again, as a shepherd his flock. 14 He hath mercy on them that receive discipline, and that diligently seek after his judgements. 15 My son, blemishnotthy good deeds, neither use uncomfortable words when thou giveft any thing. 16 Shall not the dewasswage the beat? so is a word better than a gift. 17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift r but both are with a gracious man. 18 A fool will upbraid churlishly, and a gift of the enviousconsumeth the eyes. 19 Learn before thou speak, and use phyfick or ever thou be sick. ao Before judgement examine thyself, and in the day of visitation thou shalt find mercy. 41 Humble thyself before thou be sick, and in the time of fins shew repentance. 44 Let nothing hinder thee to pay thy vow in due time, and defer not until death to be justified. «3 Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord. 44 Think upon the wrath thaf (hall be at the end, and the time of vengeance, when be shall turn away his face. 45 When thou hast enough,remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, think upon poverty and need. 46 From the morning until the evening the time is changed, and all things are soon done before the Lord. 47 A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the day of finning be will beware of offence: but a fool will not observe time. 48 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise unto him that found her. 49 They that were of understanding in sayings became also wise themselves, and poured forth exquisite parables. 30 Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites. 31 If thou givest thy soul the desires that please her, (he will make thee a laughingstock to thine enemies that malign tbee. 3* Take not pleasure in much good t G a cheer, Apoctjphal E C C L E SI cheer, neither be tied to the expence thereof. 3 3 Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt lie in wait for thine own life, and be talked on. CHAP. XIX. a Wine and women seduce •wise men. 7 Say not all thou hear est. 17 Reprove thy friend without anger. A Labouring man that is given to /\ drunkenness (liall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things shall fall by little and little. a T Wine and women will make men . of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will become im, pudent. . 3 Moths and worms shall have him to heritage, and a bold man shall be taken away. 4 He that i* hasty to give credit is lightmirided; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul. 5 Whoso taketh pleasure in wickedness shall be condemned: but he that reOsteth pleasures crowneth his life. ,6 He that c«u rule his tongue shall live without strife; and he that hateth babbling mall have less evil. ... 1 \ Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never.the worse. j 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^nd 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. la As an arrow that flicketh in a vmau's,thigh, so is a wo: d \\ ithia a fool s :bF."y. ■ 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. 1.5 Admonish a friend: formany times it is a slander, and believe not every A S TIC U S ApKtfthat give place to the law of the moftHijh. 18 The fear of the Lord is the 6rl step to be accepted [of him,] and wisdom obtaineth his love. 19 The knowledge of the commandments of the Lord is the doctrine of lift: and they that do things that please him shall receive the fruit of the treeotimmortality. »o The fear of the Lord is all wisdom; and in all wisdom is the performance of the law, and the knowledge of his onnipotertcy. . ai If a servant fay to his master, I will not do as it pleaseth thee; thoep afterward he do it, he angerethhirntw: nourilheth him. a» The kno »ledge of wickednesiiinot wisdom, neither at any time thecoiinstl of Cnner9 prudence. »3 There is a wickedness, and tbt fame an abomination; and there isafoel wanting in wisdom. 24 He that hath small understand;:):, and feareth God, is better than oneshit hath much wisdom, and transgitliita the law of the most High. %S There is an exquisite sub!i!ty,ao* the same is unjust; and there is one to:! turneth aside to make judgement jfpear; and there ia a wife man thatjuS-ritth in judgement. 16 There is a wicked man thath.wjeth down his head-sadly; but inward he is full of deceit, »7 Casting down his countenance, srmaking as if he heard not: wherehei> not known, he will do thee a miTdiit before thou he aware. a8 And if for want of power bete hindered from sinning, yet whea '= findeth opportunity, he willdot'il 39 A man may be kno»n by his low and one that hath understanding by ha countenance, when thou mtetesthui 30 A iuan'4 attire, andtxctflive Ulster, and gait, (hew what he i«. CHAP. XX. I Of silence and speaking: lov/si/""-' gam: 18 of stiffing by the «/»$«•■ y of'/'*&•' . „ THERE is a reproof tnat is » comely: again, some man holds his tongue, and he is wife. a It is much better to reprove ft8 to be angrv secretly: and he that cr"fesseth his fault sliall lie preserved M hurt. 3 How good is it, when thou art improved, to slicwrepentance! fort)"*1 ithou tscape wilful fin. 4 As is the lust of an euauebtodt Apocrypha. Chap. xxi. flower a virgin; so is he that executeth judgement with violence. 5 There is one that keepeth silence, and is found wife: 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 wife man will hold his tongue, till he fee opportunity: but a babbler and a fool will regard no time. 8 He that uscth 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 lose. 10 f There is a gift that shall not profit thee; and there is a gift whose recompence is double. •ii There is an abasement because of glory; and there is that lifteth up his bead from a low estate. i* There is that buyeth much for a little, and repayeth it sevenfold. Ij A wise man by hia 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: forhelooketh to receive many things for one. 15 He giveth little, and upbraideth much, he openeth his mouth like acrier; to day he lendeth, and to morrow will he ask. it again: such an one is to be hated of Cod and man. 16 The fool fastb, I have no friends, I have no thank 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 X To flip upon a pavement is better than to flip 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. ao A wise sentence shall be rejected when it cometh out of a fool's mouth; for he will not speak it in due season. ai There is that is hindered from (inning through want: and when he taketh rest, he (hall not be troubled. aa There is that deltroyeth his own soul through bafhfulness, and by accepting of persons overthroweth himself. 13 1 here is that for bafhfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him ais enemy for nothing. Apocrypha. 14 T A lie is a foul blot in a man, yet it is continually in the mouth of the untaught. _ 15 A thief is better than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage. 26 The disposition of a liar is dishonourable, and his shame is ever with him. 17 A wife m,->n (hall promote himself to honourwith his words: and he that hath understanding will please great men. 1% He that tilleth his land'fhall increase his heap: and he that pleaseth great men shall get pardon for iniquity. 29 Presents ;<nd gifts blind the eyes of the wife, and slop up his mouth that he cannot reprove. 30 Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is hoarded up, what profit is in them both? 31 Better is he that hideth his folly than a man that hideth his wisdom. 31 Necessary patience in seeking the Lord is better than he that leadtth his life without a guide. CHAP. xxr. 1 Flee from Jin as from a serpent. 11 The differences between the fool and the ivife. MY son, hast thou sinned f dp so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins. a 1 Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest too near it, it will bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, slaying the souls of men. 3 All iniquity is as a two edged sword, the wounds whereof cannot be healed. 4T0 terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of proud men (hall be made desolate. 5 A prayer out of a poor man's mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgement cometh speedily. 6 He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners: but he that feareth the Lord will repent from his heart. 7 An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he llippeth. 8 He that buildeth his house with other men's money is like one that'gathereth himself stones for the tomb of his burial. 9 The congregation of the wicked is like tow wrapped togetbeV: and the end of them is a flame of lire to destroy them. 10 The way of sinners is made plain with stones, but at the end thereof is the pit of hell. tG5 uHe Apocrypha. (I He that keepeth the law of the Lord getteth the understanding thereof: and the perfection of the fear of the Lord is wisdom. ii % He that is not wife will not be taught: but there is a wisdom which multiplieth bitterness. 13 The knowledge of a wife man shall abound like a flood: and his counsel is like a pure fountain of life. 14 The inner parts of a fool are like a broken vessel,and he will holdno knowledge as long as he liveth. 15 If a skilful man hear a wife word, he will commend it, and add unto it: but as soon as one of no understanding beareth it, it displeaseth him, and be calteth it behind his back. 16 The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but grace sttall be found in the lips of the wife. il They enquire at the mouth of the wise man in the congregation, and they shall ponder his words in their heart. 18 As is a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise ia as talk without sense. 19 Doctrine unto fools is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right band. so A fool lifteth up his voice with laughter; but a wise man doth scarce smile a little. 11 Learning is unto a wise man as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon bis right arm. »» A foolish man's foot is soon in his [neighbour's] house: but a man of experience is alhamed of him. »3 A fool will peep in at the door into the house: but he that is we'll nurtured will stand without. 14 It is the rudeness of a man to bearken at the door: but a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace. 15 The lips of talkers will be telling such things as pertain not unto them: but the words of such as have understanding are weighed in the balance. '16 The heart of fools is in their mouth: but the mouth of the wise is in their heart. »7 When the ungodly curseth Satan, he curseth his own foul. 48 A whisperer defileth his own soul, and is hated wheresoever he dwelleth. CHAP. XXII. daug/ittr. 10 What viill lose a friend. A SLOTHFUL man ii compared to a B'.thy stone, and every one will hiss him out to his disgrace. ECCLESIASTICUS Jpocrjfha. a A slothful man is compared to th« filth of a dunghil: every man that take* it up, will (hake hit head. 3 1 An evilnurtured son is the dishonour of his father that begat him-, and a [foolifli] daughter is born to bis lose. 4 A wise daughter shall bring: an inheritance to her husband: but she that liveth dishonestly is her father's heaviness. 5 She that it bold difhonoureth both her father and her husband, but they both shall despise her. 6 A tale out of season [is as] mufick in mourning: but stripes and correction of wisdom are never out of time. 7 Whoso teacbeth a fool is as one that glueth a potsherd together, and as he that waketh one from a found sleep. 8 He that telleth a tale to a fool speaketh to one in a slumber: when he hath told his tale, he will fay, What is the matter? 9 If children live honestly, and have wherewithal, they shall cover the baseness of their parents. j ioButchildren.beinghaughty .through disdain and want of nurture do stain the nobility of their kindred. 11 Weep for the dead, for he bath left the light: and weep for the fool, for he wanteth understanding: make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest: but the life of the fool is worse than death. 11 Seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of his life. 13 Talk not much with a fool, and go not to him that hath no understanding: beware of him lest thou have trouble, and thou shalt never be defiled with his fooleries: depart from him, and thou shalt find rest, and never be disquieted with madnels. 14 What is heavier than lead? and what is the name thereof but a fool' 15 Sand, and salt, and a mass of irre, is easier to bear, than a man without understanding. 16 As ti mber girt and bound togetbf: in a building, cannot be loosed will shaking: so the heart that is ftabliihed by advised counsel shall fear at no time. 17 A Heart settled upon a thought ot understanding is at a fair plaiftering oc the wall of a gallery. 18 Pales set on an high place wiil never stand against the wind: so a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool cannot Rand against my sear. 19 He that pricketh the ere will make |