# Wisdom

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> The Book of Wisdom
> [The Wisdom of Solomon]
> 
> Wis 1
> Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of
> the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek
> him.
> 
> 2
> For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth
> himself unto such as do not distrust him.
> 
> 3
> For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when
> it is tried, reproveth the unwise.
> 
> 4
> For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell
> in the body that is subject unto sin.
> 
> 5
> For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and
> remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will
> not abide when unrighteousness cometh in.
> 
> 6
> For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a
> blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a
> true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
> 
> 7
> For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which
> containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice.
> 
> 8
> Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid:
> neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him.
> 
> 9
> For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the
> ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for
> the manifestation of his wicked deeds.
> 
> 10
> For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of
> murmurings is not hid.
> 
> 11
> Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and
> refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so
> secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth
> slayeth the soul.
> 
> 12
> Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon
> yourselves destruction with the works of your hands.
> 
> 13
> For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the
> destruction of the living.
> 
> 14
> For he created all things, that they might have their being:
> and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no
> poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the
> earth:
> 
> 15
> (For righteousness is immortal:)
> 
> 16
> But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them:
> for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to
> nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to
> take part with it.
> 
> Wis 2
> For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not
> aright, Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man
> there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have
> returned from the grave.
> 
> 2
> For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter
> as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is
> as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart:
> 
> 3
> Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into
> ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air,
> 
> 4
> And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall
> have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as
> the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is
> driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the
> heat thereof.
> 
> 5
> 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.
> 
> 6
> Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are
> present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth.
> 
> 7
> Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let
> no flower of the spring pass by us:
> 
> 8
> Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be
> withered:
> 
> 9
> Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let
> us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is
> our portion, and our lot is this.
> 
> 10
> Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the
> widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged.
> 
> 11
> Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is
> feeble is found to be nothing worth.
> 
> 12
> Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is
> not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he
> upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our
> infamy the transgressings of our education.
> 
> 13
> He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth
> himself the child of the Lord.
> 
> 14
> He was made to reprove our thoughts.
> 
> 15
> He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not
> like other men's, his ways are of another fashion.
> 
> 16
> We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from
> our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just
> to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father.
> 
> 17
> Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall
> happen in the end of him.
> 
> 18
> For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and
> deliver him from the hand of his enemies.
> 
> 19
> Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we
> may know his meekness, and prove his patience.
> 
> 20
> Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own
> saying he shall be respected.
> 
> 21
> Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their
> own wickedness hath blinded them.
> 
> 22
> As for the mysteries of God, they kn ew them not: neither
> hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a
> reward for blameless souls.
> 
> 23
> For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an
> image of his own eternity.
> 
> 24
> Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the
> world: and they that do hold of his side do find it.
> 
> Wis 3
> But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and
> there shall no torment touch them.
> 
> 2
> In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their
> departure is taken for misery,
> 
> 3
> And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are
> in peace.
> 
> 4
> For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their
> hope full of immortality.
> 
> 5
> And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly
> rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for
> himself.
> 
> 6
> As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them
> as a burnt offering.
> 
> 7
> And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run
> to and fro like sparks among the stubble.
> 
> 8
> They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the
> people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
> 
> 9
> They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth:
> and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace
> and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect.
> 
> 10
> But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own
> imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken
> the Lord.
> 
> 11
> For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and
> their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works
> unprofitable:
> 
> 12
> Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:
> 
> 13
> Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren
> that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she
> shall have fruit in the visitation of souls.
> 
> 14
> And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought
> no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto
> him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance
> in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind.
> 
> 15
> For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of
> wisdom shall never fall away.
> 
> 16
> As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to
> their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be
> rooted out.
> 
> 17
> For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing
> regarded: and their last age shall be without honour.
> 
> 18
> Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort
> in the day of trial.
> 
> 19
> For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation.
> 
> Wis 4
> Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the
> memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and
> with men.
> 
> 2
> When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is
> gone, they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for
> ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards.
> 
> 3
> But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive,
> nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast
> foundation.
> 
> 4
> For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing
> not last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the
> force of winds they shall be rooted out.
> 
> 5
> The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit
> unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing.
> 
> 6
> For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of
> wickedness against their parents in their trial.
> 
> 7
> But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall
> he be in rest.
> 
> 8
> For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of
> time, nor that is measured by number of years.
> 
> 9
> But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life
> is old age.
> 
> 10
> He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among
> sinners he was translated.
> 
> 11
> Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should
> alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
> 
> 12
> For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that
> are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine
> the simple mind.
> 
> 13
> He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long
> time:
> 
> 14
> For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take
> him away from among the wicked.
> 
> 15
> This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they
> up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his
> saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen.
> 
> 16
> Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly
> which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many
> years and old age of the unrighteous.
> 
> 17
> For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not
> understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to
> what end the Lord hath set him in safety.
> 
> 18
> They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them
> to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a
> reproach among the dead for evermore.
> 
> 19
> For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that
> they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the
> foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in
> sorrow; and their memorial shall perish.
> 
> 20
> And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall
> come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to
> their face.
> 
> Wis 5
> Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before
> the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of
> his labours.
> 
> 2
> When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear,
> and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far
> beyond all that they looked for.
> 
> 3
> And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall
> say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in
> derision, and a proverb of reproach:
> 
> 4
> We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be
> without honour:
> 
> 5
> How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is
> among the saints!
> 
> 6
> Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light
> of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of
> righteousness rose not upon us.
> 
> 7
> We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and
> destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay
> no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it.
> 
> 8
> What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with
> our vaunting brought us?
> 
> 9
> All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post
> that hasted by;
> 
> 10
> And 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 pathway of the keel in the waves;
> 
> 11
> Or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no
> token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten
> with the stroke of her wings and parted with the violent noise
> and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards no
> sign where she went is to be found;
> 
> 12
> Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the
> air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man
> cannot know where it went through:
> 
> 13
> Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to
> draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were
> consumed in our own wickedness.
> 
> 14
> For the hope of the Godly is like dust that is blown away
> with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the
> storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with
> a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that
> tarrieth but a day.
> 
> 15
> But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is
> with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High.
> 
> 16
> Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a
> beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand
> shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them.
> 
> 17
> He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and
> make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies.
> 
> 18
> He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true
> judgment instead of an helmet.
> 
> 19
> He shall take holiness for an invincible shield.
> 
> 20
> His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world
> shall fight with him against the unwise.
> 
> 21
> Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from
> the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the
> mark.
> 
> 22
> And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone
> bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the
> floods shall cruelly drown them.
> 
> 23
> Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a
> storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the
> whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the
> mighty.
> 
> Wis 6
> Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be
> judges of the ends of the earth.
> 
> 2
> Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude
> of nations.
> 
> 3
> For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the
> Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels.
> 
> 4
> Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged
> aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;
> 
> 5
> Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp
> judgment shall be to them that be in high places.
> 
> 6
> For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall
> be mightily tormented.
> 
> 7
> For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person,
> neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he
> hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike.
> 
> 8
> But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty.
> 
> 9
> Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn
> wisdom, and not fall away.
> 
> 10
> For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and
> they that have learned such things shall find what to answer.
> 
> 11
> Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and
> ye shall be instructed.
> 
> 12
> 
> Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away
> seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her.
> 
> Wis 6
> She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first
> known unto them.
> 
> 14
> Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he
> shall find her sitting at his doors.
> 
> 15
> To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and
> whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care.
> 
> 16
> For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her,
> sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth
> them in every thought.
> 
> 17
> For the very true beginning of her is the desire of
> discipline; and the care of discipline is love;
> 
> 18
> And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto
> her laws is the assurance of incorruption;
> 
> 19
> And incorruption maketh us near unto God:
> 
> 20
> Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom.
> 
> 21
> If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings
> of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore.
> 
> 22
> As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell
> you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out
> from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of
> her into light, and will not pass over the truth.
> 
> 23
> Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall
> have no fellowship with wisdom.
> 
> 24
> But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world:
> and a wise king is the upholding of the people.
> 
> 25
> Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall
> do you good.
> 
> Wis 7
> I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring
> of him that was first made of the earth,
> 
> 2
> And in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time
> of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and
> the pleasure that came with sleep.
> 
> 3
> And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon
> the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I
> uttered was crying, as all others do.
> 
> 4
> I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares.
> 
> 5
> For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth.
> 
> 6
> For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going
> out.
> 
> 7
> Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called
> upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.
> 
> 8
> I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed
> riches nothing in comparison of her.
> 
> 9
> Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all
> gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be
> counted as clay before her.
> 
> 10
> I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her
> instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth
> out.
> 
> 11
> All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable
> riches in her hands.
> 
> 12
> And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them:
> and I knew not that she was the mother of them.
> 
> 13
> I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do
> not hide her riches.
> 
> 14
> For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they
> that use become the friends of God, being commended for the
> gifts that come from learning.
> 
> 15
> God hath granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as
> is meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that
> leadeth unto wisdom, and directeth the wise.
> 
> 16
> For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also,
> and knowledge of workmanship.
> 
> 17
> For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that
> are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation
> of the elements:
> 
> 18
> The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the
> alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of
> seasons:
> 
> 19
> The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:
> 
> 20
> The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild
> beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the
> diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:
> 
> 21
> And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I
> know.
> 
> 22
> For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for
> in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold,
> subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt,
> loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted,
> ready to do good,
> 
> 23
> Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all
> power, overseeing all things, and going through all
> understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits.
> 
> 24
> For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and
> goeth through all things by reason of her pureness.
> 
> 25
> For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure
> influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can
> no defiled thing fall into her.
> 
> 26
> For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the
> unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his
> goodness.
> 
> 27
> And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in
> herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering
> into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets.
> 
> 28
> For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
> 
> 29
> For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the
> order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found
> before it.
> 
> 30
> For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail
> against wisdom.
> 
> Wis 8
> 
> Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily
> doth she order all things.
> 
> Wis 8
> I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to
> make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty.
> 
> 3
> In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her
> nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her.
> 
> 4
> For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God,
> and a lover of his works.
> 
> 5
> If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is
> richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?
> 
> 6
> And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning
> workman than she?
> 
> 7
> And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for
> she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude:
> which are such things, as en can have nothing more profitable in
> their life.
> 
> 8
> If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old,
> and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the
> subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she
> foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and
> times.
> 
> 9
> Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me,
> knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a
> comfort in cares and grief.
> 
> 10
> For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and
> honour with the elders, though I be young.
> 
> 11
> I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be
> admired in the sight of great men.
> 
> 12
> When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I
> speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they
> shall lay their hands upon their mouth.
> 
> 13
> Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and
> leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after
> me.
> 
> 14
> I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be
> subject unto me.
> 
> 15
> Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of
> me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in
> war.
> 
> 16
> After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with
> her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with
> her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy.
> 
> 17
> Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered
> them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is
> immortality;
> 
> 18
> And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the
> works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of
> conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good
> report; I went about seeking how to take her to me.
> 
> 19
> For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit.
> 
> 20
> Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled.
> 
> 21
> Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise
> obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of
> wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord,
> and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,
> 
> Wis 9
> O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all
> things with thy word,
> 
> 2
> And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have
> dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,
> 
> 3
> And order the world according to equity and righteousness,
> and execute judgment with an upright heart:
> 
> 4
> Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not
> from among thy children:
> 
> 5
> For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble
> person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding
> of judgment and laws.
> 
> 6
> For 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.
> 
> 7
> Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge
> of thy sons and daughters:
> 
> 8
> Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount,
> and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of
> the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the
> beginning.
> 
> 9
> And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was
> present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable
> in thy sight, and right in thy commandments.
> 
> 10
> O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of
> thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may
> know what is pleasing unto thee.
> 
> 11
> For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall
> lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power.
> 
> 12
> So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy
> people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat.
> 
> 13
> For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who
> can think what the will of the Lord is?
> 
> 14
> For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices
> are but uncertain.
> 
> 15
> For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the
> earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many
> things.
> 
> 16
> And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth,
> and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but
> the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?
> 
> 17
> And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and
> send thy Holy Spirit from above?
> 
> 18
> For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were
> reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto
> thee, and were saved through wisdom.
> 
> Wis 10
> She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was
> created alone, and brought him out of his fall,
> 
> 2
> And gave him power to rule all things.
> 
> 3
> But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he
> perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
> 
> 4
> For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood,
> wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the
> righteous in a piece of wood of small value.
> 
> 5
> Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being
> confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him
> blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender
> compassion toward his son.
> 
> 6
> When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man,
> who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities.
> 
> 7
> Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that
> smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come
> to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an
> unbelieving soul.
> 
> 8
> For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that
> they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind
> them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in
> the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be
> hid.
> 
> 9
> Rut wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her.
> 
> 10
> When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath she guided
> him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him
> knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and
> multiplied the fruit of his labours.
> 
> 11
> In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by
> him, and made him rich.
> 
> 12
> She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from
> those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the
> victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all.
> 
> 13
> When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but
> delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,
> 
> 14
> And left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre
> of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as
> for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and
> gave him perpetual glory.
> 
> 15
> She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from
> the nation that oppressed them.
> 
> 16
> She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and
> withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;
> 
> 17
> Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided
> them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day,
> and a light of stars in the night season;
> 
> 18
> Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much
> water:
> 
> 19
> But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the
> bottom of the deep.
> 
> 20
> Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy
> holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand,
> that fought for them.
> 
> 21
> For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues
> of them that cannot speak eloquent.
> 
> Wis 11
> She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet.
> 
> 2
> They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and
> pitched tents in places where there lay no way.
> 
> 3
> They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their
> adversaries.
> 
> 4
> When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was
> given them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched
> out of the hard stone.
> 
> 5
> For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same
> they in their need were benefited.
> 
> 6
> For instead of of a perpetual running river troubled with
> foul blood,
> 
> 7
> For a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the
> infants were slain, thou gavest unto them abundance of water by
> a means which they hoped not for:
> 
> 8
> Declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their
> adversaries.
> 
> 9
> For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised, they
> knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented,
> thirsting in another manner than the just.
> 
> 10
> For these thou didst admonish and try, as a father: but the
> other, as a severe king, thou didst condemn and punish.
> 
> 11
> Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike.
> 
> 12
> For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the
> remembrance of things past.
> 
> 13
> For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be
> benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord.
> 
> 14
> For whom they respected with scorn, when he was long before
> thrown out at the casting forth of the infants, him in the end,
> when they saw what came to pass, they admired.
> 
> 15
> But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith
> being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile
> beasts, thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon
> them for vengeance;
> 
> 16
> That they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the
> same also shall he be punished.
> 
> 17
> For thy Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without
> form, wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears
> or fierce lions,
> 
> 18
> Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created,
> breathing out either a fiery vapour, or filthy scents of
> scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their
> eyes:
> 
> 19
> Whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but
> also the terrible sight utterly destroy them.
> 
> 20
> Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one
> blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad
> through the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all
> things in measure and number and weight.
> 
> 21
> For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou
> wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?
> 
> 22
> For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the
> balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down
> upon the earth.
> 
> 23
> But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things,
> and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend.
> 
> 24
> For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest
> nothing which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made
> any thing, if thou hadst hated it.
> 
> 25
> And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy
> will? or been preserved, if not called by thee?
> 
> 26
> But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover
> of souls.
> 
> Wis 12
> For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things.
> 
> 2
> Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that
> offend, and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein
> they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may
> believe on thee, O Lord.
> 
> 3
> For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers
> both those old inhabitants of thy holy land,
> 
> 4
> Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts,
> and wicked sacrifices;
> 
> 5
> And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers
> of man's flesh, and the feasts of blood,
> 
> 6
> With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew,
> and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls
> destitute of help:
> 
> 7
> That the land, which thou esteemedst above all other, might
> receive a worthy colony of God's children.
> 
> 8
> Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send
> wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and
> little.
> 
> 9
> Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand
> of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with
> cruel beasts, or with one rough word:
> 
> 10
> But executing thy judgments upon them by little and little,
> thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that
> they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred
> in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed.
> 
> 11
> For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst
> thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things
> wherein they sinned.
> 
> 12
> For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall
> withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations
> that perish, whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against
> thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?
> 
> 13
> For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to
> whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright.
> 
> 14
> Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against
> thee for any whom thou hast punished.
> 
> 15
> Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest
> all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power
> to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished.
> 
> 16
> For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because
> thou art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto
> all.
> 
> 17
> For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power,
> thou shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou
> makest their boldness manifest.
> 
> 18
> But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and
> orderest us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when
> thou wilt.
> 
> 19
> But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just
> man should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a
> good hope that thou givest repentance for sins.
> 
> 20
> For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the
> condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and
> place, whereby they might be delivered from their malice:
> 
> 21
> With how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own
> sons, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of
> good promises?
> 
> 22
> Therefore, whereas thou dost chasten us, thou scourgest our
> enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we
> judge, we should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we
> ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy.
> 
> 23
> Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and
> unrighteously, thou hast tormented them with their own
> abominations.
> 
> 24
> For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held
> them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were
> despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding.
> 
> 25
> Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of
> reason, thou didst send a judgment to mock them.
> 
> 26
> But they that would not be reformed by that correction,
> wherein he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of
> God.
> 
> 27
> For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were
> punished, that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; [now]
> being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him
> to be the true God, whom before they denied to know: and
> therefore came extreme damnation upon them.
> 
> Wis 13
> Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God,
> and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that
> is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the
> workmaster;
> 
> 2
> But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the
> circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of
> heaven, to be the gods which govern the world.
> 
> 3
> With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be
> gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the
> first author of beauty hath created them.
> 
> 4
> But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let
> them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them.
> 
> 5
> For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures
> proportionably the maker of them is seen.
> 
> 6
> But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they
> peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
> 
> 7
> For being conversant in his works they search him diligently,
> and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that
> are seen.
> 
> 8
> Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned.
> 
> 9
> For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at
> the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?
> 
> 10
> But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who
> call them gods, which are the works of men's hands, gold and
> silver, to shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone
> good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand.
> 
> 11
> Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down
> a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark
> skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made
> a vessel thereof fit for the service of man's life;
> 
> 12
> And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat,
> hath filled himself;
> 
> 13
> And taking the very refuse among those which served to no
> use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath
> carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed
> it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the
> image of a man;
> 
> 14
> Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with
> vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, and covering every
> spot therein;
> 
> 15
> And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a
> wall, and made it fast with iron:
> 
> 16
> For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that
> it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need
> of help:
> 
> 17
> Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and
> children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no
> life.
> 
> 18
> For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life
> prayeth to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseecheth that
> which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh
> of that which cannot set a foot forward:
> 
> 19
> And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his
> hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do
> any thing.
> 
> Wis 14
> Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass
> through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more
> rotten than the vessel that carrieth him.
> 
> 2
> For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built
> it by his skill.
> 
> 3
> But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast
> made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;
> 
> 4
> Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a
> man went to sea without art.
> 
> 5
> Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom
> should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a
> small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel
> are saved.
> 
> 6
> For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the
> hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel,
> and left to all ages a seed of generation.
> 
> 7
> For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh.
> 
> 8
> But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as
> he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being
> corruptible, it was called god.
> 
> 9
> For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful
> unto God.
> 
> 10
> For that which is made shall be punished together with him
> that made it.
> 
> 11
> Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be
> a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an
> abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a
> snare to the feet of the unwise.
> 
> 12
> For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual
> fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life.
> 
> 13
> For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they
> be for ever.
> 
> 14
> For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and
> therefore shall they come shortly to an end.
> 
> 15
> For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath
> made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as
> a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that
> were under him ceremonies and sacrifices.
> 
> 16
> Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was
> kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the
> commandments of kings.
> 
> 17
> Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far
> off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made
> an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that
> by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was
> absent, as if he were present.
> 
> 18
> Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set
> forward the ignorant to more superstition.
> 
> 19
> For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority,
> forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best
> fashion.
> 
> 20
> And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took
> him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured.
> 
> 21
> And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men,
> serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and
> stocks the incommunicable name.
> 
> 22
> Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the
> knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of
> ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace.
> 
> 23
> For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used
> secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;
> 
> 24
> They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled:
> but either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by
> adultery.
> 
> 25
> So that there reigned in all men without exception blood,
> manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption,
> unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,
> 
> 26
> Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns,
> defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages,
> adultery, and shameless uncleanness.
> 
> 27
> For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the
> beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil.
> 
> 28
> For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies,
> or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves.
> 
> 29
> For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life;
> though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt.
> 
> 30
> Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both
> because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols,
> and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness.
> 
> 31
> For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is
> the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence
> of the ungodly.
> 
> Wis 15
> But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in
> mercy ordering all things,
> 
> 2
> For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will
> not sin, knowing that we are counted thine.
> 
> 3
> For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy
> power is the root of immortality.
> 
> 4
> For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us,
> nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's
> fruitless labour;
> 
> 5
> The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so
> they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath.
> 
> 6
> Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they
> that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to
> have such things to trust upon.
> 
> 7
> For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel
> with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he
> maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise
> also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of
> either sort, the potter himself is the judge.
> 
> 8
> And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the
> same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth
> himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same,
> out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded.
> 
> 9
> Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much
> labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel
> goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the
> workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit
> things.
> 
> 10
> His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his
> life of less value than clay:
> 
> 11
> Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired
> into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit.
> 
> 12
> But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a
> market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way,
> though it be by evil means.
> 
> 13
> For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels
> and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others.
> 
> 14
> And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in
> subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very
> babes.
> 
> 15
> For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods:
> which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw
> breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as
> for their feet, they are slow to go.
> 
> 16
> For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit
> fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself.
> 
> 17
> For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands:
> for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth:
> whereas he lived once, but they never.
> 
> 18
> Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful:
> for being compared together, some are worse than others.
> 
> 19
> Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in
> respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and
> his blessing.
> 
> Wis 16
> Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the
> multitude of beasts tormented.
> 
> 2
> Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine
> own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste,
> even quails to stir up their appetite:
> 
> 3
> To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight
> of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must
> needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space,
> might be made partakers of a strange taste.
> 
> 4
> For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny
> should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it
> should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented.
> 
> 5
> For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these,
> and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath
> endured not for ever:
> 
> 6
> But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be
> admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in
> remembrance of the commandment of thy law.
> 
> 7
> For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the
> thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all.
> 
> 8
> And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is
> thou who deliverest from all evil:
> 
> 9
> For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed,
> neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were
> worthy to be punished by such.
> 
> 10
> But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame:
> for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them.
> 
> 11
> For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words;
> and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep
> forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy
> goodness.
> 
> 12
> For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that
> restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all
> things.
> 
> 13
> For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the
> gates of hell, and bringest up again.
> 
> 14
> A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when
> it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up
> cometh again.
> 
> 15
> But it is not possible to escape thine hand.
> 
> 16
> For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by
> the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and
> showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and
> through fire were they consumed.
> 
> 17
> For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force
> in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth
> for the righteous.
> 
> 18
> For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn
> up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves
> might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the
> judgment of God.
> 
> 19
> And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water
> above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an
> unjust land.
> 
> 20
> Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels'
> food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without
> their labour, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing
> to every taste.
> 
> 21
> For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children,
> and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to
> every man's liking.
> 
> 22
> But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they
> might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the
> rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies.
> 
> 23
> But this again did even forget his own strength, that the
> righteous might be nourished.
> 
> 24
> For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker
> increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their
> punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as
> put their trust in thee.
> 
> 25
> Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was
> obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to
> the desire of them that had need:
> 
> 26
> That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that
> it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it
> is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee.
> 
> 27
> For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed
> with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:
> 
> 28
> That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give
> thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee.
> 
> 29
> For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the
> winter's hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water.
> 
> Wis 17
> For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed:
> therefore unnurtured souls have erred.
> 
> 2
> For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation;
> they being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness,
> and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay [there] exiled
> from the eternal providence.
> 
> 3
> For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they
> were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being
> horribly astonished, and troubled with [strange] apparitions.
> 
> 4
> For neither might the corner that held them keep them from
> fear: but noises [as of waters] falling down sounded about them,
> and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances.
> 
> 5
> No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the
> bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible
> night.
> 
> 6
> Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very
> dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things
> which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not.
> 
> 7
> As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and
> their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace.
> 
> 8
> For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles
> from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be
> laughed at.
> 
> 9
> For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared
> with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,
> 
> 10
> They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which
> could of no side be avoided.
> 
> 11
> For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very
> timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth
> grievous things.
> 
> 12
> For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours
> which reason offereth.
> 
> 13
> And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the
> ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment.
> 
> 14
> But they sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed
> intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of
> inevitable hell,
> 
> 15
> Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly
> fainted, their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not
> looked for, came upon them.
> 
> 16
> So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up
> in a prison without iron bars,
> 
> 17
> For whether he were husbandman, or shepherd, or a labourer in
> the field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which
> could not be avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of
> darkness.
> 
> 18
> Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of
> birds among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water
> running violently,
> 
> 19
> Or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that
> could not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most
> savage wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow
> mountains; these things made them to swoon for fear.
> 
> 20
> For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were
> hindered in their labour:
> 
> 21
> Over them only was spread an heavy night, an image of that
> darkness which should afterward receive them: but yet were they
> unto themselves more grievous than the darkness.
> 
> Wis 18
> Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice
> they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had
> not suffered the same things, they counted them happy.
> 
> 2
> But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had
> been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon
> for that they had been enemies.
> 
> 3
> Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire,
> both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun
> to entertain them honourably.
> 
> 4
> For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned
> in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the
> uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world.
> 
> 5
> And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints,
> one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou
> tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst
> them altogether in a mighty water.
> 
> 6
> Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that
> assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they
> might afterwards be of good cheer.
> 
> 7
> So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the
> righteous, and destruction of the enemies.
> 
> 8
> For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same
> thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called.
> 
> 9
> For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice
> secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints
> should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers
> now singing out the songs of praise.
> 
> 10
> But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of
> the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for
> children that were bewailed.
> 
> 11
> The master and the servant were punished after one manner;
> and like as the king, so suffered the common person.
> 
> 12
> So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of
> death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in
> one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed.
> 
> 13
> For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the
> enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they
> acknowledged this people to be the sons of God.
> 
> 14
> For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night
> was in the midst of her swift course,
> 
> 15
> Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal
> throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of
> destruction,
> 
> 16
> And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and
> standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the
> heaven, but it stood upon the earth.
> 
> 17
> Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore,
> and terrors came upon them unlooked for.
> 
> 18
> And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the
> cause of his death.
> 
> 19
> For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest
> they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted.
> 
> 20
> Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and
> there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but
> the wrath endured not long.
> 
> 21
> For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to
> defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry,
> even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself
> against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end,
> declaring that he was thy servant.
> 
> 22
> So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor
> force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished,
> alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers.
> 
> 23
> For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon
> another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the
> way to the living.
> 
> 24
> For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four
> rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy
> Majesty upon the daidem of his head.
> 
> 25
> Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them:
> for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath.
> 
> Wis 19
> As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto
> the end: for he knew before what they would do;
> 
> 2
> How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them
> hastily away, they would repent and pursue them.
> 
> 3
> For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at
> the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and
> pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone.
> 
> 4
> For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto
> this end, and made them forget the things that had already
> happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was
> wanting to their torments:
> 
> 5
> And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they
> might find a strange death.
> 
> 6
> For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again
> anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto
> them, that thy children might be kept without hurt:
> 
> 7
> As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood
> before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without
> impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:
> 
> 8
> Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy
> hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders.
> 
> 9
> For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs,
> praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.
> 
> 10
> For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while
> they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth
> flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude
> of frogs instead of fishes.
> 
> 11
> But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when,
> being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats.
> 
> 12
> For quails came up unto them from the sea for their
> contentment.
> 
> 13
> And punishments came upon the sinners not without former
> signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly
> according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more
> hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers.
> 
> 14
> For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not
> when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had
> well deserved of them.
> 
> 15
> And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had
> of those, because they used strangers not friendly:
> 
> 16
> But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had
> received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the
> same laws with them.
> 
> 17
> Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those
> were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed
> about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage
> of his own doors.
> 
> 18
> For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of
> harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the
> tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by
> the sight of the things that have been done.
> 
> 19
> For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things,
> that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground.
> 
> 20
> The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue:
> and the water forgat his own quenching nature.
> 
> 21
> On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the
> corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither
> melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt
> to melt.
> 
> 22
> For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and
> glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst
> assist them in every time and place.
>
> — *Wisdom*