JOB
THE BOOK OF JOB.
JOB
1
CHAPTER I.
Job's virtue and riches. Satan, by permission from God, strippeth him
of all his substance. His patience.
1
There *was a man in the land of Hus, whose name was Job, and that man was
simple and upright, and fearing God, and avoiding evil.
2
And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3
And his possession was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and
five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a family exceedingly
great: and this man was great among all the people of the east.
4
And his sons went, and made a feast by houses, every one in his day. And sending, they called their three sisters,
to eat and drink with them.
5
And when the days of their feasting were gone about, Job sent to them, and
sanctified them: and rising up early offered holocausts for every one of
them. For he said: Lest perhaps my sons
have sinned, and have blessed God in their hearts. So did Job all days.
6
Now on a certain day, when the sons of God came to stand before the Lord, satan
also was present among them.
7
And the Lord said to him: Whence comest thou?
And he answered and said: I have gone round about the earth, and walked
through it.
8
And the Lord said to him: Hast thou considered my servant, Job, that there is
none like him in the earth, a simple and upright man, and fearing God, and
avoiding evil?
9
And satan answering, said: Doth Job fear God in vain?
10
Hast not thou made a fence for him, and his house, and all his substance round
about, blessed the works of his hands, and his possession hath increased on the
earth?
11
But stretch forth thy hand a little, and touch all that he hath, and see if he
bless thee not to thy face.
12
Then the Lord said to satan: Behold, all that he hath is in thy hand: only put
not forth thy hand upon his person. And
satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
13
Now upon a certain day, when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking
wine, in the house of their eldest brother,
14
There came a messenger to Job, and said: The oxen were ploughing, and the asses
feeding beside them,
15
And the Sabeans rushed in, and took all away, and slew the servants with the
sword; and I alone have escaped to tell thee.
16
And while he was yet speaking, another came, and said: The fire of God fell
from heaven, and striking the sheep and the servants, hath consumed them; and I
alone have escaped to tell thee.
17
And while he also was yet speaking, there came another, and said: The Chaldeans
made three troops, and have fallen upon the camels, and taken them; moreover,
they have slain the servants with the sword: and I alone have escaped to tell
thee.
18
He was yet speaking, and behold another came in, and said: Thy sons and
daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,
19
A violent wind came on a sudden from the side of the desert, and shook the four
corners of the house, and it fell upon thy children, and they are dead: and I
alone have escaped to fell thee.
20
Then Job rose up, and rent his garments, and having shaven his head, fell down
upon the ground, and worshipped,
21
And said: *Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the
Lord, so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.
22
In all these things Job sinned not by his lips, nor spoke he any foolish thing
against God.
____________________
*
1: A.M. circiter 2520, A.C. 1484.
21: Eccle. v. 14.; 1 Tim. vi. 7.
====================
JOB
2
CHAPTER II.
Satan, by God's permission, striketh Job with ulcers
from head to foot: his patience is still invincible.
1
And it came to pass, when on a certain day the sons of God came, and stood
before the Lord, and satan came amongst them, and stood in his sight,
2
That the Lord said to satan: Whence comest thou? And he answered, and said: I have gone round
about the earth, and walked through it.
3
And the Lord said to satan: Hast thou considered my servant, Job, that there is
none like him in the earth, a man simple and upright, and fearing God, and
avoiding evil, and still keeping his innocence?
But thou hast moved me against him, that I should afflict him without
cause.
4
And satan answered, and said: Skin for skin; and all that a man hath, he will
give for his life:
5
But put forth thy hand, and touch his bone and his flesh, and then thou shalt
see that he will bless thee to thy face.
6
And the Lord said to satan: Behold, he is in thy hand, but yet save his life.
7
So satan went forth from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with a very
grievous ulcer, from the sole of the foot even to the top of his head:
8
And he took a potsherd and scraped the corrupt matter, sitting on a dunghill.
9
And his wife said to him: Dost thou still continue in thy simplicity? bless God
and die.
10
And he said to her: Thou hast spoken like one of the foolish women: If we have
received good things at the hand of God, why should we not receive evil? In all these things Job did not sin with his
lips.
11
Now when Job's three friends heard all the evil that had befallen him, they
came every one from his own place, Eliphaz, the Themanite, and Baldad, the
Suhite, and Sophar, the Naamathite. For
they had made an appointment to come together and visit him, and comfort him.
12
And when they had lifted up their eyes afar off, they knew him not, and crying
out, they wept, and rending their garments, they sprinkled dust upon their
heads toward heaven.
13
And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no man
spoke to him a word: for they saw that his grief was very great.
====================
JOB
3
CHAPTER III.
Job expresseth his sense of the miseries of man's
life, by cursing the day of his birth.
1
After this, Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day,
2
And he said:
3
*Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said: A
man-child is conceived.
4
Let that day be turned into darkness, let not God regard it from above, and let
not the light shine upon it.
5
Let darkness, and the shadow of death, cover it, let a mist overspread it, and
let it be wrapped up in bitterness.
6
Let a darksome whirlwind seize upon that night, let it not be counted in the
days of the year, nor numbered in the months.
7
Let that night be solitary, and not worthy of praise.
8
Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to raise up a leviathan:
9
Let the stars be darkened with the mist thereof: let it expect light, and not
see it, nor the rising of the dawning of the day:
10
Because it shut not up the doors of the womb that bore me, nor took away evils
from my eyes.
11
Why did I not die in the womb? why did I not perish when I came out of the
belly?
12
Why received upon the knees? why suckled at the breasts?
13
For now I should have been asleep and still, and should have rest in my sleep:
14
With kings and consuls of the earth, who build themselves solitudes:
15
Or with princes, that possess gold, and fill their houses with silver:
16
Or as a hidden untimely birth, I should not be; or as they that, being
conceived, have not seen the light.
17
There the wicked cease from tumult, and there the wearied in strength are at
rest.
18
And they sometime bound together without disquiet, have not heard the voice of
the oppressor.
19
The small and great are there, and the servant is free from his master.
20
Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to them that are in
bitterness of soul?
21
That look for death, and it cometh not, as they that dig for a treasure:
22
And they rejoice exceedingly when they have found the grave?
23
To a man whose way is hidden, and God hath surrounded him with darkness?
24
Before I eat I sigh: and as overflowing waters, so is my roaring:
25
For the fear which I feared, hath come upon me: and that which I was afraid of,
hath befallen me.
26
Have I not dissembled? have I not kept silence? have I not been quiet? and
indignation is come upon me.
____________________
*
3: Jerem. xx. 14.
====================
JOB
4
CHAPTER IV.
Eliphaz charges Job with impatience, and pretends that
God never afflicts the innocent.
1
Then Eliphaz, the Themanite, answered, and said:
2
If we begin to speak to thee, perhaps thou wilt take it ill; but who can
withhold the words he hath conceived?
3
Behold thou hast taught many, and thou hast strengthened the weary hands:
4
Thy words have confirmed them that were staggering, and thou hast strengthened
the trembling knees:
5
But now the scourge is come upon thee, and thou faintest: It hath touched thee,
and thou art troubled.
6
Where is thy fear, thy fortitude, thy patience, and the perfection of thy ways?
7
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished being innocent? or when were the just
destroyed?
8
On the contrary, I have seen those who work iniquity, and sow sorrows, and reap
them,
9
Perishing by the blast of God, and consumed by the spirit of his wrath.
10
The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the lioness, and the teeth of the
whelps of lions, are broken:
11
The tiger hath perished for want of prey, and the young lions are scattered
abroad.
12
Now there was a word spoken to me in private, and my ears by stealth, as it
were, received the veins of its whisper.
13
In the horror of a vision by night, when deep sleep is wont to hold men,
14
Fear seized upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were affrighted:
15
And when a spirit passed before me, the hair of my flesh stood up.
16
There stood one whose countenance I knew not, an image before my eyes, and I
heard the voice, as it were, of a gentle wind.
17
*Shall man be justified in comparison of God, or shall a man be more pure than
his Maker?
18
*Behold, they that serve him are not steadfast, and in his angels he found
wickedness:
19
How much more shall they that dwell in houses of clay, who have an earthly
foundation, be consumed as with the moth?
20
From morning till evening they shall be cut down: and because no one
understandeth, they shall perish for ever.
21
And they that shall be left, shall be taken away from them: they shall die, and
not in wisdom.
____________________
*
17: Infra xxv. 4.
18: Infra xv. 15.
====================
JOB
5
CHAPTER V.
Eliphaz proceeds in his charge, and exhorts Job to
acknowledge his sins.
1
Call now, if there be any that will answer thee, and turn to some of the
saints.
2
Anger indeed killeth the foolish, and envy slayeth the little one.
3 I
have seen a fool with a strong root, and I cursed his beauty immediately.
4
His children shall be far from safety, and shall be destroyed in the gate, and
there shall be none to deliver them.
5
Whose harvest the hungry shall eat, and the armed man shall take him by
violence, and the thirsty shall drink up his riches.
6
Nothing upon earth is done without a cause, and sorrow doth not spring out of
the ground.
7
Man is born to labour, and the bird to fly.
8
Wherefore I will pray to the Lord, and address my speech to God:
9
Who doth great things, and unsearchable and wonderful things without number:
10
Who giveth rain upon the face of the earth, and watereth all things with
waters:
11
Who setteth up the humble on high, and comforteth with health those that mourn.
12
Who bringeth to nought the designs of the malignant, so that their hands cannot
accomplish what they had begun:
13
*Who catcheth the wise in their craftiness, and disappointeth the counsel of
the wicked:
14
They shall meet with darkness in the day, and grope at noon-day as in the
night.
15
But he shall save the needy from the sword of their mouth, and the poor from
the hand of the violent.
16
And to the needy there shall he hope, but iniquity shall draw in her mouth.
17
Blessed is the man whom God correcteth: refuse not, therefore, the chastising
of the Lord:
18
For he woundeth, and cureth: he striketh, and his hands shall heal.
19
In six troubles he shall deliver thee, and in the seventh, evil shall not touch
thee.
20
In famine he shall deliver thee from death; and in battle, from the hand of the
sword.
21
Thou shalt be hidden from the scourge of the tongue: and thou shalt not fear
calamity when it cometh.
22
In destruction and famine then shalt laugh: and thou shalt not be afraid of the
beasts of the earth.
23
But thou shalt have a covenant with the stones of the lands, and the beasts of
the earth shall be at pence with thee.
24
And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle is in peace, and visiting thy beauty,
thou shalt not sin.
25
Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be multiplied, and thy offspring like
the grass of the earth.
26
Thou shalt enter into the grave in abundance, as a heap of wheat is brought in
in its season.
27
Behold, this is even so, as we have searched out: which thou having heard,
consider it thoroughly in thy mind.
____________________
*
13: 1 Cor. iii. 19.
====================
JOB
6
CHAPTER VI.
Job maintains his innocence, and complains of his
friends.
1
But Job answered, and said:
2 O
that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer,
were weighed in a balance.
3
As the sand of the sea, this would appear heavier: therefore, my words are full
of sorrow:
4
For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit,
and the terrors of the Lord war against me.
5
Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth
before a full manger?
6
Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a
man taste that which, when tasted, bringeth death?
7
The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish, are my
meats.
8
Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look
for?
9
And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and
cut me off?
10
And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not,
nor I contradict the words of the Holy one.
11
For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end, that I should
keep patience?
12
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
13
Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are
departed from me.
14
He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
15
My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the
valleys.
16
They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
17
At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it
groweth hot, they shall be melted out of their place.
18
The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall
perish.
19
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20
They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and
are covered with shame.
21
Now you are come: and now, seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22
Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
23
Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the
mighty?
24
Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing,
instruct me.
25
Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that
can reprove me?
26
You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
27
You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
28
However, finish what you have begun: give ear, and see whether I lie.
29
Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just,
judge ye.
30
And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my
mouth.
====================
JOB
7
CHAPTER VII.
Job declares the miseries of man's life: and addresses
himself to God.
1
The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a
hireling.
2
As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his
work;
3
So I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights.
4
If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall arise? and again, I shall look
for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness.
5 My
flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust; my skin is withered and
drawn together.
6
My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are
consumed without any hope.
7
Remember that my life is but wind, and my eye shall not return to see good
things.
8
Nor shall the sight of man behold me: thy eyes are upon me, and I shall be no
more.
9
As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down to hell
shall not come up.
10
Nor shall he return my more into his house, neither shall his place know him
any more.
11
Wherefore, I will not spare my month, I will speak in the affliction of my
spirit: I will talk with the bitterness of my soul.
12
Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast inclosed me in a prison?
13
If I say: My bed shall comfort me, and I shall be relieved, speaking with
myself on my couch:
14
Thou wilt frighten me with dreams, and terrify me with visions.
15
So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death.
16
I have done with hope, I shall now live no longer: spare me, for my days are
nothing.
17
What is a man that thou shouldst magnify him? or why dost thou set thy heart
upon him?
18
Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly.
19 How
long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle?
20
I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me
opposite to thee, and am I become burdensome to myself?
21
Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my
iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in
the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.
====================
JOB
8
CHAPTER VIII.
Baldad, under pretence of defending the justice of
God, accuses Job, and exhorts him to return to God.
1
Then Baldad, the Suhite, answered, and said:
2
How long wilt thou speak these things, and how long shall the words of thy
mouth be like a strong wind?
3
Doth God pervert judgment, or doth the Almighty overthrow that which is just?
4
Although thy children have sinned against him, and he hath left them in the
hand of their iniquity:
5
Yet if thou wilt arise early to God, and wilt beseech the Almighty:
6
If thou wilt walk clean and upright, he will presently awake unto thee, and
will make the dwelling of thy justice peaceable:
7
In so much, that if thy former things were small, thy latter things would be
multiplied exceedingly.
8
For inquire of the former generation, and search diligently into the memory of
the fathers:
9
(For we are but of yesterday, and are ignorant* that our days upon earth are
but a shadow:)
10
And they shall teach thee: they shall speak to thee, and utter words out of
their hearts.
11
Can the rush be green without moisture? or a sedge-bush grow without water?
12
When it is yet in flower, and is not plucked up with the hand, it withereth
before all herbs.
13
Even so are the ways of all that forget God, and the hope of the hypocrite
shall perish:
14
His folly shall not please him, and his trust shall be like the spider's web.
15
He shall lean upon his house, and it shall not stand: he shall prop it up, and
it shall not rise:
16
He seemeth to have moisture before the sun cometh; and at his rising, his
blossom shall shoot forth.
17
His roots shall be thick upon a heap of stones, and among the stones he shall
abide.
18
If one swallow him up out of his place, he shall deny him, and shall say: I
know thee not.
19
For this is the joy of his way, that others may spring again out of the earth.
20
God will not cast away the simple, nor reach out his hand to the evil doer:
21
Until thy mouth be filled with laughter, and thy lips with rejoicing.
22
They that hate thee, shall be clothed with confusion: and the dwelling of the
wicked shall not stand.
____________________
*
9: Infra xiv. 2.; Psal. cxliii. 4
====================
JOB
9
CHAPTER IX.
Job acknowledges God's justice: although he often
afflicts the innocent.
1
And Job answered, and said:
2
Indeed I know it is so, and that man cannot be justified, compared with God.
3
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one for a thousand.
4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath resisted him, and hath
had peace?
5
Who hath removed mountains, and they whom he overthrew in his wrath, knew it
not.
6
Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not: and shutteth up the stars, as it
were, under a seal:
8
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the waves of the sea.
9
Who maketh Arcturus, and Orion, and Hyades, and the inner parts of the south.
10
Who doth things great and incomprehensible, and wonderful, of which there is no
number.
11
If he come to me, I shall not see him: if he depart, I shall not understand.
12
If he examine on a sudden, who shall answer him? or who can say: Why dost thou
so?
13
God, whose wrath no man can resist, and under whom they stoop that bear up the
world.
14
What am I then, that I should answer him, and have words with him?
15
I, who although I should have any just thing, would not answer, but would make
supplication to my judge.
16
And if he should hear me when I call, I should not believe that he had heard my
voice.
17
For he shall crush me in a whirlwind, and multiply my wounds even without
cause.
18
He alloweth not my spirit to rest, and he filleth me with bitterness.
19
If strength be demanded, he is most strong: if equity of judgment, no man dare
bear witness for me.
20
If I would justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I would shew
myself innocent, he shall prove me wicked.
21
Although I should be simple, even this my soul shall be ignorant of, and I
shall be weary of my life.
22
One thing there is that I have spoken, both the innocent and the wicked he
consumeth.
23
If he scourge, let him kill at once, and not laugh at the pains of the
innocent.
24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked, he covereth the face of the
judges thereof: and if it be not he, who is it then?
25
My days have been swifter than a post: they have fled away and have not seen
good.
26
They have passed by as ships carrying fruits, as an eagle flying to the prey.
27
If I say: I will not speak so: I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow.
28
I feared all my works, knowing that thou didst not spare the offender.
29
But if so also I am wicked, why have I laboured in vain?
30
If I be washed, as it were, with snow-waters, and my hands shall shine ever so
clean:
31
Yet thou shalt plunge me in filth, and my garments shall abhor me,
32
For I shall not answer a man that is like myself: nor one that may be heard
with me equally in judgment.
33
There is none that may be able to reprove both, and to put his hand between
both.
34
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me.
35
I will speak, and will not fear him: for I cannot answer while I am in fear.
====================
JOB
10
CHAPTER X.
Job laments his afflictions, and begs to be delivered.
1
My soul is weary of my life, I will let go my speech against myself, I will
speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I
will say to God: Do not condemn me: tell me why thou judgest me so?
3
Doth it seem good to thee that thou shouldst calumniate me, and oppress me, the
work of thy own hands, and help the counsel of the wicked?
4
Hast thou eyes of flesh: or, shalt thou see as man seeth?
5
Are thy days as the days of man, and are thy years as the times of men:
6
That thou shouldst inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin?
7
And shouldst know that I have done no wicked thing, whereas there is no man
that can deliver out of thy hand.
8
Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about, and dost thou thus
cast me down headlong on a sudden?
9
Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and thou wilt
bring me into dust again.
10
Hast thou not milked me as milk, and curdled me like cheese?
11
Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh: thou hast put me together with bones
and sinews:
12
Thou hast granted me life and mercy, and thy visitation hath preserved my
spirit.
13
Although thou conceal these things in thy heart, yet I know that thou
rememberest all things.
14
If I have sinned, and thou hast spared me for an hour: why dost thou not suffer
me to be clean from my iniquity?
15
And if I be wicked, woe unto me: and if just, I shall not lift up my head,
being filled with affliction and misery.
16
And for pride thou wilt take me as a lioness, and returning, thou tormentest me
wonderfully.
17
Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and multipliest thy wrath upon me, and
pains war against me.
18
Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb?
O that I had been consumed, that eye might not see me!
19
I should have been as if I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave.
20
Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? Suffer me, therefore, that I may lament my
sorrow a little:
21
Before I go and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the
mist of death:
22
A land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but
everlasting horror dwelleth.
====================
JOB
11
CHAPTER XI.
Sophar reproveth Job for justifying himself, and
inviteth him to repentance.
1
Then Sophar, the Naamathite, answered, and said:
2
Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be
justified?
3
Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others,
shall no man confute thee?
4
For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.
5
And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,
6
That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold,
and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy
iniquity deserveth.
7
Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the
Almighty perfectly?
8
He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and
how wilt thou know?
9
The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10
If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall
contradict him?
11
For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not
consider it?
12
A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild
ass's colt.
13
But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.
14
If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and lot not
injustice remain in thy tabernacle:
15
Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and
shalt not fear.
16
Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed
away.
17
And brightness like that of the noon-day, shall arise to thee at evening: and
when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day-star.
18
And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried
thou shalt sleep secure.
19
*Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall
entreat thy face.
20
*But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them,
and their hope the abomination of the soul.
____________________
*
19: Levit. xxvi. 6.
20: Levit. xxvi. 16.
====================
JOB
12
CHAPTER XII.
Job's reply to Sophar.
He extols God's power and wisdom.
1
When Job answered, and said:
2
Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?
3
*I also have a heart as well as you; neither am I inferior to you: for who is
ignorant of these things, which you know?
4
*He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear
him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.
5
The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.
6
*The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is
he that hath given all into their hands.
7
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air,
and they shall tell thee.
8
Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall
tell.
9
Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?
10
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of
man.
11
*Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?
12
In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.
13
With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14
*If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a man, there
is none that can open.
15
If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them
out, they shall overturn the earth.
16
With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceiver, and him that is
deceived.
17
He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.
18
He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.
19
He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.
20
He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of
the aged.
21
He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.
22
He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow
of death.
23
He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after
they were overthrown.
24
He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth
them, so that they walk in vain where there is no way.
25
They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them
stagger like them that are drunk.
____________________
*
3: Infra xx. 2.
4: Prov. xiv. 2.
6: Ps. xliii. 11. and xlviii. 7.
11: Infra xxxiv. 3.
14: Isai. xxii. 22.; Apoc. iii. 7.
====================
JOB
13
CHAPTER XIII.
Job persists in maintaining his innocence: and
reproves his friends.
1
Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I
have understood them all.
2
According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.
3
But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God:
4
Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse
opinions.
5
And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.
6
Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.
7
Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?
8
Do you accept his person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?
9
Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be
deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?
10
He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.
11
As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall
fall upon you.
12
Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to
clay.
13
Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall
suggest to me.
14
Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?
15
Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways
in his sight.
16
And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.
17
Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.
18
If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.
19
Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed, holding
my peace?
20
Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:
21
Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.
22
Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.
23
How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offences.
24
Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?
25
Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and
thou pursuest a dry straw.
26
For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of
my youth.
27
Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast
considered the steps of my feet:
28
Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
====================
JOB
14
CHAPTER XIV.
Job declares the shortness of man's days: and
professes his belief of a resurrection.
1
Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries.
2
*Who cometh forth like a flower, and is destroyed, and fleeth as a shadow, and
never continueth in the same state.
3
And dost thou think it meet to open thy eyes upon such an one, and to bring him
into judgment with thee?
4
*Who can make him clean that is conceived of unclean seed? is it not thou who
only art?
5
The days of man are short, and the number of his months is with thee: thou hast
appointed his bounds which cannot be passed.
6
Depart a little from him, that he may rest, until his wished-for day come, as
that of the hireling.
7 A
tree hath hope: if it be cut, it groweth green again, and the boughs thereof
sprout.
8
If its root be old in the earth, and its stock be dead in the dust:
9
At the scent of water, it shall spring, and bring forth leaves, as when it was
first planted.
10
But man when he shall be dead, and stripped and consumed, I pray you where is
he?
11
As if the waters should depart out of the sea, and an emptied river should be
dried up:
12
So man, when he is fallen asleep, shall not rise again; till the heavens be
broken, he shall not awake, nor rise up out of his sleep.
13
Who will grant me this, that thou mayest protect me in hell, and hide me till
thy wrath pass, and appoint me a time when thou wilt remember me?
14
Shall man that is dead, thinkest thou, live again? all the days, in which I am
now in warfare, I expect until my change come.
15
Thou shalt call me, and I will answer thee: to the work of thy hands thou shalt
reach out thy right hand.
16
*Thou indeed hast numbered my steps, but spare my sins.
17
Thou hast sealed up my offences as it were in a bag, but hast cured my
iniquity.
18
A mountain falling cometh to nought, and a rock is removed out of its place.
19
Waters wear away the stones, and with inundation the ground by little and
little is washed away: so in like manner thou shalt destroy man.
20
Thou hast strengthened him for a little while, that he may pass away for ever:
thou shalt change his face, and shalt send him away.
21
Whether his children come to honour or dishonour, he shall not understand.
22
But yet his flesh, while he shall live, shall have pain, and his soul shall
mourn over him.
____________________
*
2: Supra viii. 9.; Ps. cxliii. 4.
4: Psal. l. 4.
16: Infra xxxi. 4. and xxxiv. 21.; Prov. v. 21.
====================
JOB
15
CHAPTER XV.
Eliphaz returns to the charge against Job, and
describes the wretched state of the wicked.
1
And Eliphaz, the Themanite, answered, and said:
2
Will a wise man answer as if he were speaking in the wind, and fill his stomach
with burning heat?
3
Thou reprovest him by words, who is not equal to thee, and thou speakest that
which is not good for thee.
4
As much as is in thee, thou hast made void fear, and hast taken away prayers
from before God.
5
For thy iniquity hath taught thy mouth, and thou imitatest the tongue of
blasphemers.
6
Thy own mouth shall condemn thee, and not I: and thy own lips shall answer
thee.
7
Art thou the first man that was born, or wast thou made before the hills?
8
Hast thou heard God's counsel, and shall his wisdom be inferior to thee?
9
What knowest thou that we are ignorant of? what dost thou understand that we
know not?
10
*There are with us also aged and ancient men, much elder than thy fathers.
11
Is it a great matter that God should comfort thee? but thy wicked words hinder
this.
12
Why doth thy heart elevate thee? and why dost thou stare with thy eyes, as if
they wert thinking great things?
13
Why doth thy spirit swell against God, to utter such words out of thy mouth?
14
What is man that he should be without spot, and he that is born of a woman that
he should appear just?
15
*Behold among his saints none is unchangeable, and the heavens are not pure in
his sight.
16
How much more is man abominable, and unprofitable, who drinketh iniquity like
water?
17
I will shew thee, hear me: and I will tell thee what I have seen.
18
Wise men confess and hide not their fathers.
19
To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger hath passed among them.
20
The wicked man is proud all his days, and the number of the years of his tyranny
is uncertain.
21
The sound of dread is always in his ears: and when there is peace, he always
suspecteth treason.
22
He believeth not that he may return from darkness to light, looking round about
for the sword on every side.
23
When he moveth himself to seek bread, he knoweth that the day of darkness is
ready at his hand.
24
Tribulation shall terrify him, and distress shall surround him, as a king that
is prepared for the battle.
25
For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and hath strengthened himself
against the Almighty.
26
He hath run against him with his neck raised up, and is armed with a fat neck.
27
Fatness hath covered his face, and the fat hangeth down on his sides.
28
He hath dwelt in desolate cities, and in desert houses that are reduced into
heaps.
29
He shall not be enriched, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall
he push his root in the earth.
30
He shall not depart out of darkness: the flame shall dry up his branches, and
he shall be taken away by the breath of his own month.
31
He shall not believe, being vainly deceived by error, that he may be redeemed
with any price.
32
Before his days be full, he shall perish: and his hands shall wither away.
33
He shall be blasted as a vine when its grapes are in the first flower, and as
an olive tree that casteth its flower.
34
For the congregation of the hypocrite is barren, and fire shall devour their
tabernacles, who love to take bribes.
35
*He hath conceived sorrow, and hath brought forth iniquity, and his womb
prepareth deceits.
____________________
*
10: Eccli. xviii. 8.
15: Supra iv. 18.
35: Psal. vii. 15.; Isai. lix. 4.
====================
JOB
16
CHAPTER XVI.
Job expostulates with his friends: and appeals to the
judgment of God.
1
Then Job answered, and said:
2 I
have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.
3
Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak?
4 I
also could speak, like you: and would God your soul were for my soul.
5 I
would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.
6 I
would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.
7
But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain
will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.
8
But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing.
9
My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my
face, contradicting me.
10
He hath gathered together his fury against me; and threatening me, he hath
gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes.
11
They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me
on the cheek; they are filled with my pains.
12
God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands
of the wicked.
13
I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath
taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark.
14
He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he
hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth.
15
He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant.
16
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.
17
My face is swoln with weeping, and my eye-lids are dim.
18
These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered
pure prayers to God.
19
O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding-place in
thee.
20
For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on
high.
21
My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.
22
And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with
his companion!
23
For behold short years pass away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall
not return.
====================
JOB
17
CHAPTER XVII.
Job's hope in God: he expects rest in death.
1
My spirit shall be wasted, my days shall be shortened, and only the grave
remaineth for me.
2 I
have not sinned, and my eye abideth in bitterness.
3
Deliver me, O Lord, and set me beside thee, and let any man's hand fight
against me.
4
Thou hast set their heart far from understanding, therefore they shall not be
exalted.
5
He promiseth a prey to his companions, and the eyes of his children shall fail.
6
He hath made me, as it were, a bye-word of the people, and I am an example
before them.
7
My eye is dim through indignation, and my limbs are brought, as it were, to
nothing.
8
The just shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall be raised up
against the hypocrite.
9
And the just man shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be
stronger and stronger.
10
Wherefore, be ye all converted, and come, and I shall not find among you any
wise man.
11
My days have passed away, my thoughts are dissipated, tormenting my heart.
12
They have turned night into day, and after darkness I hope for light again.
13
If I wait, hell is my house, and I have made my bed in darkness.
14
If I have said to rottenness: Thou art my father; to worms, my mother and my
sister.
15
Where is now then my expectation, and who considereth my patience?
16
All that I have shall go down into the deepest pit: thinkest thou that there,
at least, I shall have rest?
====================
JOB
18
CHAPTER XVIII.
Baldad again reproves Job: and describes the miseries
of the wicked.
1
Then Baldad, the Suhite, answered, and said:
2
How long will ye throw out words? understand first, and so let us speak.
3
Why are we reputed as beasts, and counted vile before you?
4
Thou that destroyest thy soul in thy fury, shall the earth be forsaken for
thee, and shall rocks be removed out of their place?
5
Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished, and the flame of his fire
not shine?
6
The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and the lamp that is over him shall
be put out.
7
The step of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast
him down headlong.
8
For he hath thrust his feet into a net, and walketh in its meshes.
9
The sole of his foot shall be held in a snare, and thirst shall burn against
him.
10
A gin is hidden for him in the earth, and his trap upon the path.
11
Fears shall terrify him on every side, and shall entangle his feet.
12 Let
his strength be wasted with famine, and let hunger invade his ribs.
13
Let it devour the beauty of his skin, let the first-born, death, consume his
arms.
14
Let his confidence be rooted out of his tabernacle, and let destruction tread
upon him like a king.
15
Let the companions of him that is not, dwell in his tabernacle, let brimstone
be sprinkled in his tent.
16
Let his roots be dried up beneath, and his harvest destroyed above.
17
*Let the memory of him perish from the earth and let not his name be renowned
in the streets.
18
He shall drive him out of light into darkness, and shall remove him out of the
world.
19
His seed shall not subsist, nor his offspring among his people, nor any
remnants in his country.
20
They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, and horror shall fall
upon them that went before.
21
These then are the tabernacles of the wicked, and this the place of him that
knoweth not God.
____________________
*
17: Prov. ii. 22.
====================
JOB
19
CHAPTER XIX.
Job complains of the cruelty of his friends: he
describes his own sufferings: and his belief of a future resurrection.
1
Then Job answered , and said:
2
How long do you afflict my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
3
Behold, these ten times you confound me, and are not ashamed to oppress me.
4
For if I have been ignorant, my ignorance shall be with me.
5
But you have set yourselves up against me, and reprove me with my reproaches.
6
At least now understand, that God hath not afflicted me with an equal judgment,
and compassed me with his scourges.
7
Behold I cry, suffering violence, and no one will hear: I shall cry aloud, and
there is none to judge.
8
He hath hedged in my path round about, and I cannot pass, and in my way he hath
set darkness.
9
He hath stript me of my glory, and hath taken the crown from my head.
10
He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am lost; and he hath taken away my
hope, as from a tree that is plucked up.
11
His wrath is kindled against me, and he hath counted me as his enemy.
12
His troops have come together, and have made themselves a way by me, and have
besieged my tabernacle round about.
13
He hath put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance, like strangers, have
departed from me.
14
My kinsmen have forsaken me, and they that knew me have forgotten me.
15
They that dwelt in my house, and my maid-servants, have counted me a stranger,
and I have been like an alien in their eyes.
16
I called my servant, and he gave me no answer, I entreated him with my own
mouth.
17
My wife hath abhorred my breath, and I entreated the children of my womb.
18
Even fools despise me; and when I was gone from them, they spoke against me.
19
They that were some time my counsellors, have abhorred me: and he whom I loved
most, is turned against me.
20
The flesh being consumed, my bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but lips
are left about my teeth.
21
Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you, my friends, because the hand of
the Lord hath touched me.
22
Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh?
23
Who will grant me that my words may be written? who will grant me that they may
be marked down in a book:
24
With an iron pen, and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument
in flint-stone.
25
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the
earth.
26
And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God.
27
Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this, my
hope, is laid up in my bosom.
28
Why then do you say now: Let us persecute him, and let us find occasion of word
against him?
29
Flee then from the face of the sword, for the sword is the revenger of
iniquities: and know ye that there is judgment.
====================
JOB
20
CHAPTER XX.
Sophar declares the shortness of the prosperity of the
wicked: and their sudden downfall.
1
Then Sophar, the Naamathite, answered, and said:
2
Therefore various thoughts succeed one another in me, and my mind is hurried
away to different things.
3
The doctrine with which thou reprovest me, I will hear, and the spirit of my
understanding shall answer for me.
4
This I know from the beginning, since man was placed upon the earth,
5
That the praise of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a
moment.
6
If his pride mount up even to heaven, and his head touch the clouds:
7
In the end he shall be destroyed, like a dunghill; and they that had seen him,
shall say: Where is he?
8
As a dream that fleeth away, he shall not be found; he shall pass as a vision
of the night:
9
The eye that had seen him, shall see him no more, neither shall his place any
more behold him.
10
His children shall be oppressed with want, and his hands shall render him his
sorrow.
11
His bones shall be filled with the vices of his youth, and they shall sleep
with him in the dust.
12
For when evil shall be sweet in his mouth, he will hide it under his tongue.
13
He will spare it, and not leave it, and will hide it in his throat.
14
His bread in his belly shall be turned into the gall of asps within him.
15
The riches which he hath swallowed, he shall vomit up, and God shall draw them
out of his belly.
16
He shall suck the head of asps, and the viper's tongue shall kill him.
17
(Let him not see the streams of the river, the brooks of honey and of butter.)
18
He shall be punished for all that he did, and yet shall not be consumed:
according to the multitude of his devices so also shall he suffer.
19
Because he broke in and stript the poor: he hath violently taken away a house
which he did not build.
20
*And yet his belly was not filled: and when he hath the things he coveted, he
shall not be able to possess them.
21
There was nothing left of his meat, and therefore nothing shall continue of his
goods.
22
When he shall be filled, he shall be straitened; he shall burn, and every
sorrow shall fall upon him.
23
May his belly be filled, that God may send forth the wrath of his
indignation upon him, and rain down his war upon him.
24
He shall flee from weapons of iron, and shall fall upon a bow of brass.
25
The sword is drawn out, and cometh forth from its scabbard, and
glittereth in his bitterness: the terrible ones shall go and come upon him.
26
All darkness is hid in his secret places: a fire that is not kindled shall
devour him: he shall be afflicted when left in his tabernacle.
27
The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and the earth shall rise up against him.
28
The offspring of his house shall be exposed, he shall be pulled down in the day
of God's wrath.
29
This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the inheritance of his doings
from the Lord.
____________________
*
20: Eccle. v. 9.
====================
JOB
21
CHAPTER XXI.
Job shews that the wicked often prosper in this world,
even to the end of their life: but that their judgment is in another world.
1
Then Job answered, and said:
2
Hear, I beseech you, my words, and do penance.
3
Suffer me, and I will speak; and after, if you please, laugh at my words.
4
Is my debate against man, that I should not have just reason to be troubled?
5
Hearken to me and be astonished, and lay your finger on your mouth.
6
As for me, when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7
*Why then do the wicked live, are they advanced, and strengthened with riches?
8
Their seed continueth before them, a multitude of kinsmen, and of children's
children in their sight.
9
Their houses are secure and peaceable, and the rod of God is not upon them.
10
Their cattle have conceived, and failed not: their cow hath calved, and is not
deprived of her fruit.
11
Their little ones go out like a flock, and their children dance and play.
12
They take the timbrel, and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to hell.
14
Who have said to God: Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15
*Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what doth it profit us if
we pray to him?
16
Yet because their good things are not in their hand, may the counsel of the
wicked be far from me.
17
How often shall the lamp of the wicked be put out, and a deluge come upon them,
and he shall distribute the sorrows of his wrath?
18
They shall be as chaff before the face of the wind, and as ashes which the
whirlwind scattereth.
19
God shall lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: and when he shall
repay, then shall he know.
20
His eyes shall see his own destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the
Almighty.
21
For what is it to him what befalleth his house after him: and if the number of
his months be diminished by one half?
22
Shall any one teach God knowledge, who judgeth those that are high?
23
One man dieth strong, and hale, rich and happy.
24
His bowels are full of fat, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25
But another dieth in bitterness of soul, without any riches:
26
And yet they shall sleep together in the dust, and worms shall cover them.
27
Surely I know your thoughts, and your unjust judgments against me.
28
For you say: Where is the house of the prince? and where are the
dwelling-places of the wicked?
29
Ask any one of them that go by the way, and you shall perceive that he knoweth
these same things.
30
Because the wicked man is reserved to the day of destruction, and he shall be
brought to the day of wrath.
31
Who shall reprove his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath
done?
32
He shall be brought to the graves, and shall watch in the heap of the dead.
33
He hath been acceptable to the gravel of Cocytus, and he shall draw every man
after him, and there are innumerable before him.
34
How then do ye comfort me in vain, whereas your answer is shewn to be repugnant
to truth?
____________________
*
7: Jerem. xii. 1.; Habac. i. 13.
15: Malac. iii. 14.
====================
JOB
22
CHAPTER XXII.
Eliphaz falsely imputes many crimes to Job: but
promises him prosperity if he will repent.
1
Then Eliphaz, the Themanite, answered, and said:
2
Can man be compared with God, even though he were of perfect knowledge?
3
What doth it profit God if thou be just? or what dost thou give him if thy way
be unspotted?
4
Shall he reprove thee for fear, and come with thee into judgment:
5
And not for thy manifold wickedness, and thy infinite iniquities?
6
For thou hast taken away the pledge of thy brethren without cause, and stript
the naked of their clothing.
7
Thou hast not given water to the weary, thou hast withdrawn bread from the
hungry.
8
In the strength of thy arm thou didst possess the land, and, being the most
mighty, thou heldest it.
9
Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless thou hast
broken in pieces.
10
Therefore art thou surrounded with snares, and sudden fear troubleth thee.
11
And didst thou think that thou shouldst not see darkness, and that thou
shouldst not be covered with the violence of overflowing waters?
12
Dost not thou think that God is higher than heaven, and is elevated above the
height of the stars?
13
And thou sayst: What doth God know? and he judgeth as it were through a mist.
14
The clouds are his covert, and he doth not consider our things, and he walketh
about the poles of heaven.
15
Dost thou desire to keep the path of ages, which wicked men have trodden?
16
Who were taken away before their time, and a flood hath overthrown their
foundation:
17
Who said to God: Depart from us: and looked upon the Almighty as if he could do
nothing:
18
Whereas he had filled their houses with good things: whose way of thinking be
far from me.
19
*The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and the innocent shall laugh them to
scorn.
20
Is not their exaltation cut down, and hath not fire devoured the remnants of
them?
21
Submit thyself then to him, and be at peace: and thereby thou shalt have the
best fruits.
22
Receive the law of his mouth, and lay up his words in thy heart.
23
If thou wilt return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, and shalt put away
iniquity far from thy tabernacle.
24
He shall give for earth flint, and for flint torrents of gold.
25
And the Almighty shall be against thy enemies, and silver shall be heaped
together for thee.
26
Then shalt thou abound in delights in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face
to God.
27
Thou shalt pray to him, and he will hear thee, and thou shalt pay vows.
28
Thou shalt decree a thing, and it I shall come to thee, and light shall shine
in thy ways.
29
*For he that hath been humbled, shall be in glory: and he that shall bow down
his eyes, he shall be saved.
30
The innocent shall be saved, and he shall be saved by the cleanness of his
hands.
____________________
*
19: Psal. cvi. 42.
29: Prov. xxix. 23.
====================
JOB
23
CHAPTER XXIII.
Job wishes to be tried at God's tribunal.
1
Then Job answered, and said:
2
Now also my words are in bitterness, and the hand of my scourge is more
grievous than my mourning.
3
Who will grant me that I might know and find him, and come even to his throne?
4 I
would set judgment before him, and would fill my mouth with complaints.
5
That I might know the words that he would answer me, and understand what he
would say to me.
6 I
would not that he should contend with me with much strength, nor overwhelm me
with the weight of his greatness.
7
Let him propose equity against me, and let my judgment come to victory.
8
But if I go to the east, he appeareth not: if to the west, I shall not
understand him.
9
If to the left hand, what shall I do? I
shall not take hold on him: if I turn myself to the right hand, I shall not see
him.
10
But he knoweth my way, and has tried me as gold that passeth through the fire.
11
My foot hath followed his steps; I have kept his way, and have not declined
from it.
12
I have not departed from the commandments of his lips, and the words of his
mouth I have hid in my bosom.
13
For he is alone, and no man can turn away his thought: and whatsoever his soul
hath desired, that hath he done.
14
And when he shall have fulfilled his will in me, many other like things are
also at hand with him.
15
And therefore I am troubled at his presence, and when I consider him I am made
pensive with fear.
16
God hath softened my heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17
For I have not perished because of the darkness that hangs over me, neither
hath the mist covered my face.
====================
JOB
24
CHAPTER XXIV.
God's providence often suffers the wicked to go on a
long time in their sins: but punishes them in another life.
1
Times are not hid from the Almighty: but they that know him, know not his days.
2
Some have removed land-marks, have taken away flocks by force, and fed them.
3
They have driven away the ass of the fatherless, and have taken away the
widow's ox for a pledge.
4
They have overturned the way of the poor, and have oppressed together the meek
of the earth.
5
Others, like wild asses in the desert, go forth to their work: by watching for
a prey, they get bread for their children.
6
They reap the field that is not their own, and gather the vintage of his
vineyard whom by violence they have oppressed.
7
They send men away naked, taking away their clothes who have no covering in the
cold:
8
Who are wet with the showers of the mountains, and having no covering, embrace
the stones.
9
They have violently robbed the fatherless, and stript the poor common people.
10
From the naked, and them that go without clothing, and from the hungry, they
have taken away the ears of corn.
11
They have taken their rest at noon among the stores of them who, after having
trodden the wine-presses, suffer thirst.
12
Out of the cities they have made men to groan, and the soul of the wounded hath
cried out, and God doth not suffer it to pass unrevenged.
13
They have been rebellious to the light, they have not known his ways, neither
have they returned by his paths.
14
The murderer riseth at the very break of day, he killeth the needy, and the
poor man: but in the night he will be as a thief.
15
The eye of the adulterer observeth darkness, saying: No eye shall see me: and
he will cover his face.
16
He diggeth through houses in the dark, as in the day they had appointed for
themselves, and they have not known the light.
17
If the morning suddenly appear, it is to them the shadow of death: and they
walk in darkness as if it were in light.
18
He is light upon the face of the water: cursed be his portion on the earth; let
him not walk by the way of the vineyards.
19
Let him pass from the snow waters to excessive heat, and his sin even to hell.
20
Let mercy forget him: may worms be his sweetness: let him be remembered no
more, but be broken in pieces as an unfruitful tree.
21
For he hath fed the barren that beareth not, and to the widow he hath done no
good.
22
He hath pulled down the strong by his might: and when he standeth up, he shall
not trust to his life.
23
*God hath given him place for penance, and he abuseth it unto pride: but his
eyes are upon his ways.
24
They are lifted up for a little while and shall not stand, and shall be brought
down as all things, and shall be taken away, and as the tops of the ears of
corn they shall be broken.
25
And if it be not so, who can convince me that I have lied, and set my words
before God?
____________________
*
23: Apoc. ii. 21.
====================
JOB
25
CHAPTER XXV.
Baldad represents the justice of God, before whom no
man can be justified.
1
Then Baldad, the Suhite, answered, and said:
2
Power and terror are with him, who maketh peace in his high places.
3
Is there any numbering of his soldiers; and upon whom shall not his light
arise?
4
Can man be justified, compared with God, or he that is born of a woman appear
clean?
5
Behold even the moon doth not shine, and the stars are not pure in his sight.
6
How much less man that is rottenness, and the son of man who is a worm?
====================
JOB
26
CHAPTER XXVI.
Job declares his sentiments of the wisdom and power of
God.
1
Then Job answered, and said:
2
Whose helper art thou? is it of him that is weak? and dost thou hold up the arm
of him that has no strength?
3
To whom hast thou given counsel? perhaps to him that hath no wisdom, and thou
hast shewn thy very great prudence.
4
Whom hast thou desired to teach? was it not him that made life?
5
Behold the giants groan under the waters, and they that dwell with them.
6
Hell is naked before him, and there is no covering for destruction.
7
He stretched out the north over the empty space, and hangeth the earth upon
nothing.
8
He bindeth up the waters in his clouds, so that they break not out and fall
down together.
9
He withholdeth the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud over it.
10
He hath set bounds about the waters, till light and darkness come to an end.
11
The pillars of heaven tremble, and dread at his beck.
12
By his power the seas are suddenly gathered together, and his wisdom has struck
the proud one.
13
His spirit hath adorned the heavens, and his artful hand brought forth the
winding serpent.
14
Lo, these things are said in part of his ways: and seeing we have heard scarce
a little drop of his word; who shall be able to behold the thunder of his
greatness?
====================
JOB
27
CHAPTER XXVII.
Job persists in asserting his own innocence, and that
hypocrites will be punished in the end.
1
Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:
2
As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment, and the Almighty, who hath
brought my soul to bitterness,
3
As long as breath remaineth in me, and the Spirit of God in my nostrils,
4
My lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying.
5
God forbid that I should judge you to be just: till I die I will not depart
from my innocence.
6
My justification, which I have begun to hold, I will not forsake: for my heart
doth not reprehend me in all my life.
7
Let my enemy be as the ungodly, and my adversary as the wicked one.
8
For what is the hope of the hypocrite, if through covetousness he take by
violence, and God deliver not his soul?
9
Will God hear his cry, when distress shall come upon him?
10
Or can he delight himself in the Almighty, and call upon God at all times?
11
I will teach you by the hand of God, what the Almighty hath, and I will not
conceal it.
12
Behold you all know it, and why do you speak vain things without cause?
13
This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the inheritance of the
violent, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
14
If his sons be multiplied, they shall be for the sword, and his grandsons shall
not be filled with bread.
15
They that shall remain of him, shall be buried in death, and his widows shall
not weep.
16
If he shall heap together silver as earth, and prepare raiment as clay:
17
He shall prepare indeed, but the just man shall be clothed with it: and the
innocent shall divide the silver.
18
He hath built his house as a moth, and as a keeper he hath made a booth.
19
*The rich man when he shall sleep shall take away nothing with him: he shall
open his eyes and find nothing.
20
Poverty, like water, shall take hold on him; a tempest shall oppress him in the
night.
21
A burning wind shall take him up, and carry him away, and as a whirlwind shall
snatch him from his place.
22
And he shall cast upon him, and shall not spare: out of his hand he would
willingly flee.
23
He shall clasp his hands upon him, and shall hiss at him, beholding his place.
____________________
*
19: Psal. xlviii. 18.
====================
JOB
28
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Man's industry searcheth out many things: true wisdom
is taught by God alone.
1
Silver hath beginnings of its veins, and gold hath a place, wherein it is
melted.
2
Iron is taken out of the earth, and stone melted with heat is turned into
brass.
3
He hath set a time for darkness, and the end of all things he considereth, the
stone also that is in the dark, and the shadow of death.
4
The flood divideth from the people that are on their journey, those whom the
foot of the needy man hath forgotten, and who cannot be come at.
5
The land, out of which bread grew in its place, hath been overturned with fire.
6
The stones of it are the place of sapphires, and the clods of it are gold.
7
The bird hath not known the path, neither hath the eye of the vulture beheld
it.
8
The children of the merchants have not trodden it, neither hath the lioness
passed by it.
9
He hath stretched forth his hand to the flint, he hath overturned mountains
from the roots.
10
In the rocks he hath cut out rivers, and his eye hath seen every precious
thing.
11
The depths also of rivers he hath searched, and hidden things he hath brought
forth to light.
12
But where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding?
13
Man knoweth not the price thereof, neither is it found in the land of them that
live in delights.
14
The depth saith: It is not in me: and the sea saith: It is not with me.
15
*The finest gold shall not purchase it, neither shall silver be weighed in
exchange for it
16
It shall not be compared with the dyed colours of India, or with the most
precious stone sardonyx, or the sapphire.
17
Gold or crystal cannot equal it, neither shall any vessels of gold be changed
for it.
18
High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom
is drawn out of secret places.
19 The
topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equal to it, neither shall it be compared to the
cleanest dying.
20
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21
It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not.
22
Destruction and death have said: With our ears we have heard the fame thereof.
23
God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24
For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are
under heaven.
25
Who made a weight for the winds, and weighed the waters by measure.
26
When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms.
27
Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it.
28
And he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart
from evil, is understanding.
____________________
*
15: Wis. vii. 9.
====================
JOB
29
CHAPTER XXIX.
Job relates his former happiness, and the respect that
all men shewed him.
1
Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:
2
Who will grant me, that I might be according to the months past, according to
the days in which God kept me?
3
When his lamp shined over my head, and I walked by his light in darkness?
4
As I was in the days of my youth, when God was secretly in my tabernacle?
5
When the Almighty was with me: and my servants round about me?
6
When I washed my feet with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil?
7
When I went out to the gate of the city, and in the street they prepared me a
chair?
8
The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the old men rose up and stood.
9
The princes ceased to speak, and laid the finger on their mouth.
10
The rulers held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to their throat.
11
The ear that heard me, blessed me, and the eye that saw me, gave witness to me:
12
Because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless that
had no helper.
13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the
heart of the widow.
14
I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment as with a robe
and a diadem.
15
I was an eye to the blind, and a foot to the lame.
16
I was the father of the poor: and the cause which I knew not, I searched out
most diligently.
17
I broke the jaws of the wicked man, and out of his teeth I took away the prey.
18
And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm-tree shall multiply my days.
19
My root is opened beside the waters, and dew shall continue in my harvest.
20
My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.
21
They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their
peace at my counsel.
22
To my words they durst add nothing, and my speech dropped upon them.
23
They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter
shower.
24
If at any time I laughed on them, they believed not, and the light of my
countenance fell not on the earth.
25
If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his
army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.
====================
JOB
30
CHAPTER XXX.
Job shews the wonderful change of his temporal estate,
from welfare to great calamity.
1
But now the younger in time scorn me, whose fathers I would not have set with
the dogs of my flock:
2
The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought
unworthy of life itself.
3
Barren with want and hunger, who gnawed in the wilderness, disfigured with
calamity and misery.
4
And they eat grass, and barks of trees, and the root of junipers was their
food.
5
Who snatched up these things out of the valleys, and when they had found any of
them, they ran to them with a cry.
6
They dwelt in the desert places of torrents, and in caves of the earth, or upon
the gravel.
7
They pleased themselves among these kind of things, and counted it delightful
to be under the briars.
8
The children of foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth.
9
Now I am turned into their song, and am become their bye-word.
10
They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.
11
For he hath opened his quiver, and hath afflicted me, and hath put a bridle
into my mouth.
12
At the right hand of my rising, my calamities forthwith arose: they have
overthrown my feet, and have overwhelmed me with their paths as with waves.
13
They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have
prevailed, and there was none to help.
14
They have rushed in upon me, as when a wall is broken, and a gate opened, and
have rolled themselves down to my miseries.
15
I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my
prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.
16
And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me.
17
In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do
not sleep.
18
With the multitude of them, my garment is consumed, and they have girded me
about as with the collar of my coat.
19
I am compared to dirt, and am likened to embers and ashes.
20
I cry to thee, and thou hearest me not: I stand up, and thou dost not regard
me.
21
Thou art changed to be cruel toward me, and in the hardness of thy hand thou
art against me.
22
Thou hast lifted me up, and set me as it were upon the wind, and thou hast
mightily dashed me.
23
I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every
one that liveth.
24
But yet thou stretchest not forth thy hand to their consumption: and if they
shall fall down thou wilt save.
25
I wept heretofore for him that was afflicted, and my soul had compassion on the
poor.
26
I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and
darkness broke out.
27
My inner parts have boiled without any rest, the days of affliction have
prevented me.
28
I went mourning without indignation; I rose up, and cried in the crowd.
29
I was the brother of dragons, and companion of ostriches.
30
My skin is become black upon me, and my bones are dried up with heat.
31
My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.
====================
JOB
31
CHAPTER XXXI.
Job, to defend himself from the unjust judgments of
his friends, gives a sincere account of his own virtues.
1 I
made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.
2
For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the
Almighty from on high?
3
Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity?
4 Doth
not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?
5
If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:
6
Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity.
7
If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes,
and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:
8
Then let me sow, and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out.
9
If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my
friend's door:
10
Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.
11
For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.
12
It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that
spring.
13
If I have despised to abide judgment with my man-servant, or my maid-servant,
when they had any controversy against me:
14
For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine,
what shall I answer him?
15
Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same
form me in the womb?
16
If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the
widow wait:
17
If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:
18
(For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my
mother's womb:)
19
If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor
man that had no covering:
20
If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of
my sheep:
21
If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself
superior in the gate:
22
Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm, with its bones, be broken.
23
For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was
not able to bear.
24
If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence.
25
If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.
26
If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness:
27
And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth:
28
Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.
29
If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced
that evil had found him.
30
For I have not given my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31
If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that
we may be filled?
32
The stranger did not stay without; my door was open to the traveller.
33
If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.
34
If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen
hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the
door.
35
Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he
himself that judges would write a book;
36
That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?
37
At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.
38
If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:
39
If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul
of the tillers thereof:
40
Let thistles grow up to me, instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.
[The words of Job are ended.]
====================
JOB
32
CHAPTER XXXII.
Eliu is angry both with Job and with his friends. He boasts of himself.
1
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself.
2
And Eliu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was angry,
and was moved to indignation: now he was angry against Job, because he said he
was just before God.
3
And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable
answer, but only had condemned Job.
4
So Eliu waited while Job was speaking, because they were his elders that were
speaking.
5
But when he saw that the three were not able to answer, he was exceedingly
angry.
6
Then Eliu, the son of Barachel, the Buzite, answered, and said: I am younger in
days, and you are more ancient; therefore, hanging down my head, I was afraid
to shew you my opinion.
7
For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would
teach wisdom.
8
But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty
giveth understanding.
9
They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand
judgment.
10
Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.
11
For I have waited for your words, I have given ear to your wisdom, as long as
you were disputing in words.
12
And as long as I thought you said something, I considered: but, as I see, there
is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words.
13
Lest you should say: We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man.
14
He hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your
words.
15
They were afraid, and answered no more, and they left off speaking.
16
Therefore, because I have waited, and they have not spoken: they stood, and
answered no more:
17
I also will answer my part, and will shew my knowledge.
18
For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth
me.
19
Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new
vessels.
20
I will speak, and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer.
21
I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man.
22
For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my maker
may take me away.
====================
JOB
33
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Eliu blames Job for asserting his own innocence.
1
Hear, therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2
Behold now I have opened my mouth, let my tongue speak within my jaws.
3
My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence.
4
The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life.
5
If thou canst, answer me, and stand up against my face.
6
Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was
formed.
7
But yet let not my wonder terrify thee, and let not my eloquence be burdensome
to thee.
8
Now thou has said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words:
9 I
am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me.
10
Because he hath found complaints against me, therefore he hath counted me for
his enemy.
11
He hath put my feet in the stocks, he hath observed all my paths.
12
Now this is the thing in which thou art not justified: I will answer thee, that
God is greater than man.
13
Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words?
14
God speaketh once, and repeateth not the self-same thing the second time.
15
By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are
sleeping in their beds:
16
Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching, instructeth them in what they
are to learn.
17
That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him
from pride.
18
Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.
19
He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.
20
Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which
before he desired.
21
His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones, that were covered, shall be
made bare.
22
His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.
23
If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare
man's uprightness.
24
He shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down
to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him.
25
His flesh is consumed with punishments, let him return to the days of his
youth.
26
He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face
with joy, and he will render to man his justice.
27
He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have
offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.
28
He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and
see the light.
29
Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one.
30
That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the
light of the living.
31
Attend, Job, and hearken to me: and hold thy peace, whilst I speak.
32
But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me, speak: for I would have thee to
appear just.
33
And if thou have not, hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
====================
JOB
34
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Eliu charges Job with blasphemy: and sets forth the
power and justice of God.
1
And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
2
Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:
3
*For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.
4
Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.
5
For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment.
6
For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.
7
What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8
Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?
9
For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
10
Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from God be wickedness, and
iniquity from the Almighty.
11
For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he
will reward them.
12
For, in very deed, God will not condemn without cause, neither will the
Almighty pervert judgment.
13
What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world
which he made?
14
If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.
15
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.
16
If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of
my words.
17
Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? and how dost thou so far condemn him
that is just?
18
Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who calleth rulers ungodly:
19
*Who accepteth not the persons of princes: nor hath regarded the tyrant, when
he contended against the poor man: for all are the work of his hands.
20
They shall suddenly die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and they
shall pass, and take away the violent without hand.
21
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps.
22
There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid
who work iniquity.
23
For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God.
24
He shall break in pieces many and innumerable, and shall make others to stand
in their stead.
25
For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and
they shall be destroyed.
26
He hath struck them as being wicked, in open sight.
27
Who, as it were on purpose, have revolted from him, and would not understand
all his ways:
28
So that they caused the cry of the needy to come to him, and he heard the voice
of the poor.
29
For when he granteth peace, who is there that can condemn? When he hideth his countenance, who is there
that can behold him, whether it regard nations, or all men?
30
Who maketh a man that is a hypocrite to reign for the sins of the people?
31
Seeing then I have spoken of God, I will not hinder thee in thy turn.
32
If I have erred, teach thou me: if I have spoken iniquity, I will add no more.
33
Doth God require it of thee, because it hath displeased thee? for thou
begannest to speak, and not I: but if thou know any thing better, speak.
34
Let men of understanding speak to me, and let a wise man hearken to me.
35
But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline.
36
My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of
iniquity.
37 Because
he addeth blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time among
us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
____________________
*
3: Supra xii. 11.
19: Deut. x. 17.; 2 Par. xix. 7.; Wis. vi. 8.;
Eccli. xxxv. 16.; Acts x. 34.; Rom. ii. 11.; Gal. ii. 6.; Ephes. vi. 9.; Colos.
iii. 25.; 1 Pet. i. 17.
====================
JOB
35
CHAPTER XXXV.
Eliu declares that the good or evil done by man cannot
reach God.
1
Moreover Eliu spoke these words.
2
Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just
than God?
3
For thou saidst: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it
profit thee if I sin?
4
Therefore I will answer thy words, and thy friends with thee.
5
Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thou.
6
If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? and if thy iniquities be multiplied,
what shalt thou do against him?
7
And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of
thy hand?
8
Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the
son of man.
9
By reason of the multitude of oppressors they shall cry out: and shall wail for
the violence of the arm of tyrants.
10
And he hath not said: Where is God, who made me, who hath given songs in the
night?
11
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and instructeth us more than
the fowls of the air.
12
There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men.
13
God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes
of every one.
14
Yea, when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect
him.
15
For he doth not now bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.
16
Therefore, Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without
knowledge.
====================
JOB
36
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Eliu proceeds in setting forth the justice and power
of God.
1
Eliu also proceeded, and said:
2
Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee: for I have yet somewhat to speak in
God's behalf.
3 I
will repeat my knowledge from the beginning, and I will prove my maker just.
4
For, indeed, my words are without a lie, and perfect knowledge shall be proved to
thee.
5
God doth not cast away the mighty, whereas he himself also is mighty.
6
But he saveth not the wicked, and he giveth judgment to the poor.
7
He will not take away his eyes from the just, and he placeth kings on the
throne for ever, and they are exalted.
8
And if they shall be in chains, and be bound with the cords of poverty:
9
He shall shew them their works, and their wicked deeds, because they have been
violent.
10
He also shall open their ear, to correct them: and shall speak, that they may
return from iniquity.
11
If they shall hear and observe, they shall accomplish their days in good, and
their years in glory.
12
But if they hear not, they shall pass by the sword, and shall be consumed in
folly.
13
Dissemblers and crafty men prove the wrath of God, neither shall they cry when
they are bound.
14
Their soul shall die in a storm, and their life among the effeminate.
15
He shall deliver the poor out of his distress, and shall open his ear in
affliction.
16
Therefore he shall set thee at large out of the narrow mouth, and which hath no
foundation under it: and the rest of thy table shall be full of fatness.
17
Thy cause hath been judged as that of the wicked, cause and judgment thou shalt
recover.
18
Therefore, let not anger overcome thee, to oppress any man: neither let
multitude of gifts turn thee aside.
19
Lay down thy greatness without tribulation, and all the mighty of strength.
20
Prolong not the night, that people may come up for them.
21
Beware thou turn not aside to iniquity: for this thou hast begun to follow
after misery.
22
Behold, God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the lawgivers.
23
Who can search out his ways? or who can say to him: Thou has wrought iniquity?
24
Remember that thou knowest not his work, concerning which men have sung.
25
All men see him, every one beholdeth afar off.
26
Behold, God is great, exceeding our knowledge: the number of his years is
inestimable.
27
He lifteth up the drops of rain, and poureth out showers like floods:
28
Which flow from the clouds that cover all above.
29
If he will spread out clouds as his tent,
30
And lighten with his light from above, he shall cover also the ends of the sea.
31
For by these he judgeth people, and giveth food to many mortals.
32
In his hands he hideth the light, and commandeth it to come again.
33
He sheweth his friend concerning it, that it is his possession, and that he may
come up to it.
====================
JOB
37
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Eliu goes on in his discourse, shewing God's wisdom
and power, by his wonderful works.
1
At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
2
Hear ye attentively the terror of his voice, and the sound that cometh out of
his mouth.
3
He beholdeth under all the heavens, and his light is upon the ends of the
earth.
4
After it a noise shall roar, he shall thunder with the voice of his majesty,
and shall not be found out, when his voice shall be heard.
5
God shall thunder wonderfully with his voice, he that doth great and
unsearchable things.
6
He commandeth the snow to go down upon the earth, and the winter rain, and the
shower of his strength.
7
He sealeth up the hand of all men, that every one may know his works.
8
Then the beast shall go into his covert, and shall abide in his den.
9
Out of the inner parts shall a tempest come, and cold out of the north.
10
When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out
abundantly.
11
Corn desireth clouds, and the clouds spread their light:
12
Which go round about, whithersoever the will of him that governeth them shall
lead them, to whatsoever he shall command them upon the face of the whole
earth:
13
Whether in one tribe, or in his own land, or in what place soever of his mercy
he shall command them to be found.
14
Hearken to these things, Job: Stand, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15
Dost thou know when God commanded the rains, to shew the light of his clouds?
16
Knowest thou the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect knowledges?
17
Are not thy garments hot, when the south wind blows upon the earth?
18
Thou perhaps hast made the heavens with him, which are most strong, as if they
were of molten brass.
19
Shew us what we may say to him: for we are wrapped up in darkness.
20
Who shall tell him the things I speak? even if a man shall speak, he shall be
swallowed up.
21
But now they see not the light: the air on a sudden shall be thickened into
clouds, and the winds shall pass and drive them away.
22
Cold cometh out of the north, and to God praise with fear.
23
We cannot find him worthily: he is great in strength, and in judgment, and in
justice, and he is ineffable.
24
Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall
not dare to behold him.
====================
JOB
38
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
God interposes, and shews from the things he hath
made, that man cannot comprehend his power and wisdom.
1
Then the Lord answered Job out of a whirlwind, and said:
2
Who is this that wrappeth up sentences in unskilful words?
3
Gird up thy loins like a man: I will ask thee, and answer thou me.
4
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? tell me, if thou hast
understanding.
5
Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the
line upon it?
6
Upon what are its bases grounded? or who laid the corner-stone thereof,
7
When the morning stars praised me together, and all the sons of God made a
joyful melody?
8
Who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth as issuing out of the womb:
9
When I made a cloud the garment thereof, and wrapped it in a mist, as in
swaddling bands?
10
I set my bounds around it, and made it bars and doors;
11
And I said: Hitherto thou shalt come, and shalt go no further, and here thou
shalt break thy swelling waves.
12
Didst thou since thy birth command the morning, and shew the dawning of the day
its place?
13
And didst thou hold the extremities of the earth, shaking them, and hast thou
shaken the ungodly out of it?
14
The seal shall be restored as clay, and shall stand as a garment:
15
From the wicked their light shall be taken away, and the high arm shall be
broken.
16
Hast thou entered into the depths of the sea, and walked in the lowest parts of
the deep?
17
Have the gates of death been opened to thee, and hast thou seen the darksome
doors?
18
Hast thou considered the breadth of the earth? tell me, if thou knowest all
things?
19
Where is the way where light dwelleth? and where is the place of darkness?
20
That thou mayst bring every thing to its own bounds, and understand the paths
of the house thereof.
21
Didst thou know then that thou shouldst be born? and didst thou know the number
of thy days?
22
Hast thou entered into the storehouses of the snow, or has thou beheld the
treasures of the hail:
23
Which I have prepared for the time of the enemy, against the day of battle and
war?
24
By what way is the light spread, and heat divided upon the earth?
25
Who gave a course to violent showers, or a way for noisy thunder:
26
That it should rain on the earth without man in the wilderness, where no mortal
dwelleth:
27
That it should fill the desert and desolate land, and should bring forth
green grass?
28
Who is the father of rain? or who begot the drops of dew?
29
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the frost from heaven, who hath gendered
it?
30
The waters are hardened like a stone, and the surface of the deep is congealed.
31
Shalt thou be able to join together the shining stars, the Pleiades, or canst
thou stop the turning about of Arcturus?
32
Canst thou bring forth the day-star in its time, and make the evening-star to
rise upon the children of the earth?
33
Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason thereof
on the earth?
34
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that an abundance of waters may
cover thee?
35
Canst thou send lightnings, and will they go, and will they return and say to
thee: Here we are?
36
Who hath put wisdom in the heart of man? or who gave the cock understanding?
37
Who can declare the order of the heavens, or who can make the harmony of heaven
to sleep?
38
When was the dust poured on the earth, and the clods fastened together?
39
Wilt thou take the prey for the lioness, and satisfy the appetite of her
whelps,
40
When they couch in the dens, and lie in wait in holes?
41
*Who provideth food for the raven, when her young ones cry to God, wandering
about, because they have no meat?
____________________
*
41: Psal. cxlvi. 9.
====================
JOB
39
CHAPTER XXXIX.
The wonders of the power and providence of God in many
of his creatures.
1
Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth among the rocks, or hast
thou observed the hinds when they fawn?
2
Hast thou numbered the months of their conceiving, or knowest thou the time
when they bring forth?
3
They bow themselves to bring forth young, and they cast them, and send forth
roarings.
4
Their young are weaned, and go to feed: they go forth, and return not to them.
5
Who hath sent out the wild ass free, and who hath loosed his bonds?
6
To whom I have given a house in the wilderness, and his dwellings in the barren
land.
7
He scorneth the multitude of the city, he heareth not the cry of the driver.
8
He looketh round about the mountains of his pasture, and seeketh for every
green thing.
9
Shall the rhinoceros be willing to serve thee, or will he stay at thy crib?
10
Canst thou bind the rhinoceros with thy thong to plough; or will he break the
clods of the valleys after thee?
11
Wilt thou have confidence in his great strength, and leave thy labours to him?
12
Wilt thou trust him that he will render thee the seed, and gather it into thy
barn-floor?
13
The wing of the ostrich is like the wings of the heron, and of the hawk.
14
When she leaveth her eggs on the earth, thou perhaps wilt warm them in the
dust.
15
She forgetteth that the foot may tread upon them, or that the beasts of the
field may break them.
16
She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers, she hath
laboured in vain, no fear constraining her.
17
For God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he given her understanding.
18
When time shall be, she setteth up her wings on high: she scorneth the horse
and his rider.
19
Wilt thou give strength to the horse, or clothe his neck with neighing?
20
Wilt thou lift him up like the locusts? the glory of his nostrils is terror.
21
He breaketh up the earth with his hoof, he pranceth boldly, he goeth forward to
meet armed men.
22
He despiseth fear, he turneth not his back to the sword.
23
Above him shall the quiver rattle, the spear and shield shall glitter.
24
Chasing and raging, he swalloweth the ground, neither doth he make account when
the noise of the trumpet soundeth.
25
When he heareth the trumpet, he saith: Ha, ha: he smelleth the battle afar off,
the encouraging of the captains, and the shouting of the army.
26
Doth the hawk wax feathered by thy wisdom, spreading her wings to the south?
27
Will the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest in high places?
28
She abideth among the rocks, and dwelleth among cragged flints, and stony
hills, where there is no access.
29
From thence she looketh for the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30
Her young ones shall suck up blood: and wheresoever the carcass shall be, she
is immediately there.
31
And the Lord went on, and said to Job:
32
Shall he that contendeth with God be so easily silenced? surely he that
reproveth God ought to answer him.
33
Then Job answered the Lord, and said:
34
What can I answer, who have spoken inconsiderately? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
35
One thing I have spoken, which I wish I had not said: and another, to which I
will add no more.
====================
JOB
40
CHAPTER XL.
Of the power of God in the behemoth and the leviathan.
1
And the Lord answering Job out of the whirlwind, said:
2
Gird up thy loins like a man; I will ask thee, and do thou tell me.
3
Wilt thou make void my judgment: and condemn me, that thou mayst be justified?
4
And hast thou an arm like God, and canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
5
Clothe thyself with beauty, and set thyself up on high, and be glorious, and
put on goodly garments.
6
Scatter the proud in thy indignation, and behold every arrogant man, and humble
him.
7
Look on all that are proud, and confound them, and crush the wicked in their
place.
8
Hide them in the dust together, and plunge their faces into the pit.
9
Then I will confess that thy right hand is able to save thee.
10
Behold behemoth whom I made with thee, he eateth grass like an ox.
11
His strength is in his loins, and his force in the navel of his belly.
12
He setteth up his tail like a cedar, the sinews of his testicles are wrapped
together.
13
His bones are like pipes of brass, his gristle like plates of iron.
14
He is the beginning of the ways of God, he who made him, will apply his sword.
15
To him the mountains bring forth grass: there all the beasts of the field shall
play.
16
He sleepeth under the shadow, in the covert of the reed, and in moist places.
17
The shades cover his shadow, the willows of the brook shall compass him about.
18
Behold, he will drink up a river, and not wonder, and he trusteth that the
Jordan may run into his mouth.
19
In his eyes, as with a hook, he shall take him, and bore through his nostrils
with stakes.
20
Canst thou draw out the leviathan with a hook, or canst thou tie his tongue
with a cord?
21
Canst thou put a ring in his nose, or bore through his jaw with a buckle?
22
Will he make many supplications to thee, or speak soft words to thee?
23
Will he make a covenant with thee, and wilt thou take him to be a servant for
ever?
24
Shalt thou play with him as with a bird, or tie him up for thy handmaids?
25
Shall friends cut him in pieces, shall merchants divide him?
26
Wilt thou fill nets with his skin, and the cabins of fishes with his head?
27
Lay thy hand upon him: remember the battle, and speak no more.
28
Behold his hope shall fail him, and in the sight of all he shall be cast down.
====================
JOB
41
CHAPTER XLI.
A further description of the leviathan.
1 I
will not stir him up, like one that is cruel: for who can resist my
countenance?
2
Who hath given me before, that I should repay him? All things that are under heaven are mine.
3 I
will not spare him, nor his mighty words, and framed to make supplication.
4
Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can go into the midst of his
mouth?
5
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
6
His body is like molten shields, shut close up with scales pressing upon one
another.
7 One
is joined to another, and not so much as any air can come between them:
8
They stick one to another and they hold one another fast, and shall not be
separated.
9
His sneezing is like the shining of fire, and his eyes like the eyelids
of the morning.
10
Out of his mouth go forth lamps, like torches of lighted fire.
11
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, like that of a pot heated and boiling.
12
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame cometh forth out of his mouth.
13
In his neck strength shall dwell, and want goeth before his face.
14
The members of his flesh cleave one to another: he shall send lightnings
against him, and they shall not be carried to another place.
15
His heart shall be as hard as a stone, and as firm as a smith's anvil.
16
When he shall raise him up, the angels shall fear, and being affrighted, shall
purify themselves.
17
When a sword shall lay at him, it shall not be able to hold, nor a spear, nor a
breast-plate.
18
For he shall esteem iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
19
The archer shall not put him to flight, the stones of the sling are to him like
stubble.
20
As stubble will he esteem the hammer, and he will laugh him to scorn who
shaketh the spear.
21
The beams of the sun shall be under him, and he shall strew gold under him like
mire.
22
He shall make the deep sea to boil like a pot, and shall make it as when
ointments boil.
23
A path shall shine after him, he shall esteem the deep as growing old.
24
There is no power upon earth that can be compared with him who was made to fear
no one.
25
He beholdeth every high thing, he is king over all the children of pride.
====================
JOB
42
CHAPTER LXII.
Job submits himself.
God pronounces in his favour. Job
offers sacrifice for his friends. He is
blessed with riches and children, and dies happily.
1
Then Job answered the Lord, and said:
2 I
know that thou canst do all things, and no thought is hid from thee.
3
Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have spoken unwisely, and things
that above measure exceeded my knowledge.
4
Hear, and I will speak: I will ask thee, and do thou tell me.
5
With the hearing of the ear, I have heard thee, but now my eye seeth thee.
6
Therefore, I reprehend myself, and do penance in dust and ashes.
7
And after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, he said to Eliphaz, the
Themanite: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends,
because you have not spoken the thing that is right before me, as my servant,
Job, hath.
8
Take unto you, therefore, seven oxen, and seven rams, and go to my servant,
Job, and offer for yourselves a holocaust: and my servant, Job, shall pray for
you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not
spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath.
9
So Eliphaz, the Themanite, and Baldad, the Suhite, and Sophar, the Naamathite,
went, and did as the Lord had spoken to them, and the Lord accepted the face of
Job.
10
The Lord also was turned at the penance of Job, when he prayed for his
friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as
much as he had before.
11
And all his brethren came to him, and all his sisters, and all that knew him
before, and they eat bread with him in his house: and bemoaned him, and
comforted him upon all the evil that God had brought upon him. And every man gave him one ewe, and one
ear-ring of gold.
12
And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. And he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six
thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
13
And he had seven sons, and three daughters.
14
And he called the names of one, Dies, and the name of the second, Cassia, and
the name of the third, Cornustibii.
15
And there were not found in all the earth women so beautiful as the daughters
of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16
And Job lived after these things, a hundred and forty years, and he saw his
children, and his children's children, unto the fourth generation, and he died
an old man, and full of days.
====================
====================
PROVERBS
THE BOOK OF PROVERBS.
PROVERBS
1
CHAPTER I.
The use and end of the proverbs. An exhortation to flee the company of the
wicked: and to hearken to the voice of wisdom.
1
The parables of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel,
2
To know wisdom, and instruction:
3
To understand the words of prudence: and to receive the instruction of
doctrine, justice, and judgment, and equity:
4
To give subtilty to little ones, to the young man knowledge and understanding.
5 A
wise man shall hear and shall be wiser: and he that understandeth shall possess
governments.
6
He shall understand a parable, and the interpretation, the words of the wise,
and their mysterious sayings.
7
*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother:
9
That grace may be added to thy head, and a chain of gold to thy neck.
10
My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them.
11
If they shall say: Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us hide
snares for the innocent without cause:
12
Let us swallow him up alive like hell, and whole as one that goeth down into
the pit.
13
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoils.
14
Cast in thy lot with us, let us all have one purse.
15
My son, walk not thou with them, restrain thy foot from their paths.
16
*For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
17
But a net is spread in vain before the eyes of them that have wings.
18
And they themselves lie in wait for their own blood, and practise deceits
against their own souls.
19
So the ways of every covetous man destroy the souls of the possessors.
20
Wisdom preacheth abroad, she uttereth her voice in the streets:
21
At the head of multitudes she crieth out, in the entrance of the gates of the
city she uttereth her words, saying:
22
O children, how long will you love childishness, and fools covet those things
which are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge?
23
Turn ye at my reproof: behold I will utter my spirit to you, and will shew you
my words.
24
*Because I called, and you refused: I stretched out my hand, and there was none
that regarded.
25
You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected my reprehensions.
26
I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock when that shall come to
you which you feared.
27
When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be
at hand: when tribulation and distress shall come upon you:
28
Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the
morning, and shall not find me:
29
Because they have hated instruction, and received not the fear of the Lord,
30
Nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my reproof.
31
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and shall be filled with
their own devices.
32
The turning away of little ones shall kill them, and the prosperity of fools
shall destroy them.
33
But he that shall hear me, shall rest without terror, and shall enjoy
abundance, without fear of evils.
____________________
*
7: Ps. cx. 10.; Eccli. i. 10.[16.?]
16: Isai. lix. 7.
24: Isai. lxv. 12. and lxvi. 4.; Jerem. vii. 13.
====================
PROVERBS
2
CHAPTER II.
The advantages of wisdom: and the evils from which it
delivers.
1
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and wilt hide my commandments with thee,
2
That thy ear may hearken to wisdom: incline thy heart to know prudence.
3
For if thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy heart to prudence:
4
If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure:
5
Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and shalt find the knowledge
of God:
6
Because the Lord giveth wisdom: and out of his mouth cometh prudence and
knowledge.
7
He will keep the salvation of the righteous, and protect them that walk in
simplicity,
8
Keeping the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of saints.
9
Then shalt thou understand justice, and judgment, and equity, and every good
path.
10
If wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge please thy soul:
11
Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee,
12
That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh
perverse things:
13
Who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways:
14
Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in the most wicked things:
15
Whose ways are perverse, and their steps infamous.
16
That thou mayst be delivered from the strange women, and from the stranger, who
softeneth her words;
17
And forsaketh the guide of her youth,
18
And hath forgotten the covenant of her God: for her house inclineth unto death,
and her paths to hell.
19
None that go in unto her, shall return again, neither shall they take hold of
the paths of life.
20
That thou mayst walk in a good way: and mayst keep the paths of the just.
21
For they that are upright, shall dwell in the earth; and the simple shall
continue in it.
22
*But the wicked shall be destroyed from the earth: and they that do unjustly
shall be taken away from it.
____________________
*
22: Job xviii. 17.
====================
PROVERBS
3
CHAPTER III.
An exhortation to the practice of virtue.
1
My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments.
2
For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life, and peace.
3
Let not mercy and truth leave thee, put them about thy neck, and write them in
the tables of thy heart.
4
And thou shalt find grace, and good understanding before God and men.
5
Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own
prudence.
6
In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
7
*Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil:
8
For it shall be health to thy navel, and moistening to thy bones.
9
*Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy
fruits;
10
And thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall run over
with wine.
11
*My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do not faint when thou art
chastised by him:
12
For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a father in the son he pleaseth
himself.
13
Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and is rich in prudence:
14
The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit
than the chief and purest gold:
15
She is more precious than all riches: and all the things that are desired, are
not to be compared with her.
16
Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
17
Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable.
18
She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain
her is blessed.
19
The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by
prudence.
20
By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew.
21
My son, let not these things depart from thy eyes: keep the law and counsel:
22
And there shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy mouth.
23
Then shalt thou walk confidently in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble:
24
If thou sleep, thou shalt not fear: thou shalt rest, and thy sleep shall be
sweet.
25
Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the wicked falling upon thee.
26
For the Lord will be at thy side, and will keep thy foot that thou be not
taken.
27
Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if thou art able, do good
thyself also.
28
Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to-morrow I will give to thee:
when thou canst give at present.
29
Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath confidence in thee.
30
Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil.
31
*Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways.
32
For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is with
the simple.
33
Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the
just shall be blessed.
34
He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace.
35
The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.
____________________
*
7: Rom. xii. 16.
9: Tobias iv. 7.; Luke xiv. 13.
11: Heb. xii. 5.; Apoc. iii. 10.
31: Ps. xxxvi. 1.
====================
PROVERBS
4
CHAPTER IV.
A further exhortation to seek after wisdom.
1
Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend, that you may know
prudence.
2 I
will give you a good gift, forsake not my law.
3
For I also was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my
mother:
4
And he taught me, and said: Let thy heart receive my words, keep my
commandments, and thou shalt live.
5
Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my
mouth.
6
Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve
thee.
7
The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy possession purchase
prudence.
8
Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her,
when thou shalt embrace her.
9
She shall give to thy head increase of graces, and protect thee with a noble
crown.
10
Hear, O my son, and receive my words, that years of life may be multiplied to
thee.
11
I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee by the paths of equity:
12
Which when thou shalt have entered, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when
thou runnest, thou shalt not meet a stumbling-block.
13
Take hold on instruction, leave it not: keep it, because it is thy life.
14
Be not delighted in the paths of the wicked, neither let the way of evil men
please thee.
15
Flee from it, pass not by it: go aside, and forsake it.
16
For they sleep not, except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away
unless they have made some to fall.
17
They eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of iniquity.
18
But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forwards, and increaseth
even to perfect day.
19
The way of the wicked is darksome: they know not where they fall.
20
My son, hearken to my words, and incline thy ear to my sayings.
21
Let them not depart from thy eyes, keep them in the midst of thy heart:
22
For they are life to those that find them, and health to all flesh.
23
With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.
24
Remove from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting lips be far from thee.
25
Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thy eye-lids go before thy steps.
26
Make straight the path for thy feet, and all thy ways shall be established.
27
Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turn away thy foot from
evil. For the Lord knoweth the ways that
are on the right hand: but those are perverse which are on the left hand. But he will make thy courses straight, he
will bring forward thy ways in peace.
====================
PROVERBS
5
CHAPTER V.
An exhortation to fly unlawful lust, and the occasions
of it.
1
My son, attend to my wisdom, and incline thy ear to my prudence,
2
That thou mayst keep thoughts, and thy lips may preserve instruction. Mind not the deceit of a woman.
3
For the lips of a harlot are like a honeycomb dropping, and her throat is
smoother than oil.
4
But her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edged sword.
5
Her feet go down into death, and her steps go in as far as hell.
6
They walk not by the path of life, her steps are wandering, and unaccountable.
7
Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
8
Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the doors of her house.
9
Give not thy honour to strangers, and thy years to the cruel.
10
Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labours be in another man's
house,
11
And thou mourn at the last, when thou shalt have spent thy flesh and thy body,
and say;
12
Why have I hated instruction, and my heart consented not to reproof,
13
And have not heard the voice of them that taught me, and have not inclined my
ear to masters?
14
I have almost been in all evil, in the midst of the church and of the
congregation.
15
Drink water out of thy own cistern, and the streams of thy own well:
16
Let thy fountains be conveyed abroad, and in the streets divide thy waters.
17
Keep them to thyself alone, neither let strangers be partakers with thee.
18
Let thy vein be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of thy youth:
19
Let her be thy dearest hind, and most agreeable fawn: let her breasts inebriate
thee at all times: be thou delighted continually with her love.
20
Why art thou seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and art cherished in the
bosom of another?
21
*The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth all his steps.
22
His own iniquities catch the wicked, and he is fast bound with the ropes of his
own sins.
23
He shall die, because he hath not received instruction, and in the multitude of
his folly he shall be deceived.
____________________
*
21: Job xiv. 16. and xxxi. 4. and xxxiv. 21.
====================
PROVERBS
6
CHAPTER VI.
Documents on several heads.
1
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, thou hast engaged fast thy hand to a
stranger.
2
Thou art ensnared with the words of thy mouth, and caught with thy own words.
3
Do, therefore, my son, what I say, and deliver thyself: because thou art fallen
into the hand of thy neighbour. Run
about, make haste, stir up thy friend:
4
Give not sleep to thy eyes, neither let thy eye-lids slumber.
5
Deliver thyself as a doe from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of the
fowler.
6
Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways, and learn wisdom:
7
Which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor captain,
8
Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the
harvest.
9
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou rise out of thy sleep?
10
*Thou wilt sleep a little, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands
a little to sleep:
11
And want shall come upon thee, as a traveller, and poverty as a man armed. But if thou be diligent, thy harvest shall
come as a fountain, and want shall flee far from thee.
12
A man that is an apostate, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth,
13
He winketh with the eyes, presseth with the foot, speaketh with the finger.
14
With a wicked heart he deviseth evil, and at all times he soweth discord.
15
To such a one his destruction shall presently come, and he shall suddenly be
destroyed, and shall no longer have any remedy.
16
Six things there are, which the Lord hateth, and the seventh his soul
detesteth:
17
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
18
A heart that deviseth wicked plots, feet that are swift to run into mischief,
19
A deceitful witness that uttereth lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
20
My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy
mother.
21
Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck.
22
When thou walkest, let them go with thee: when thou sleepest, let them keep
thee, and when thou awakest, talk with them.
23
Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of
instruction are the way of life:
24
That they may keep thee from the evil woman, and from the flattering tongue of
the stranger.
25
Let not thy heart covet her beauty, be not caught with her winks:
26
For the price of a harlot is scarce one loaf: but the woman catcheth the
precious soul of a man.
27
Can a man hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn?
28
Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?
29
So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife, shall not be clean when he shall
touch her.
30
The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for he stealeth to fill his
hungry soul:
31
And if he be taken, he shall restore seven-fold, and shall give up all the
substance of his house.
32
But he that is an adulterer, for the folly of his heart shall destroy his own
soul:
33
He gathereth to himself shame and dishonour, and his reproach shall not be
blotted out:
34
Because the jealousy and rage of the husband will not spare in the day of
revenge,
35
Nor will he yield to any man's prayers, nor will he accept for satisfaction
ever so many gifts.
____________________
*
10: Infra xxiv. 33.
====================
PROVERBS
7
CHAPTER VII.
The love of wisdom is the best preservative from being
led astray by temptation.
1
My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
2
Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
3
Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.
4
Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
5
That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger
who sweeteneth her words.
6
For I look out of the window of my house through the lattice,
7
And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
8
Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her
house,
9
In the dark, when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night.
10
And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot's attire, prepared to deceive souls:
talkative and wandering,
11
Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,
12
Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.
13
And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face,
flattereth, saying:
14
I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.
15
Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found
thee.
16
I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry,
brought from Egypt.
17
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
18
Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired
embraces, till the day appear.
19
For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.
20
He took with him a bag of money: he will return home the day of the full moon.
21
She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her
lips.
22
Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb playing
the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,
23
Till the arrow pierce his liver: as if a bird should make haste to the snare,
and knoweth not that his life is in danger.
24
Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
25
Let not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with her
paths.
26
For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her.
27
Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the inner chambers of death.
====================
PROVERBS
8
CHAPTER VIII.
The preaching of wisdom. Her excellence.
1
Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice?
2
Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the
paths,
3
Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying:
4 O
ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
5 O
little ones, understand subtlety, and ye unwise, take notice.
6
Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach
right things.
7
My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.
8
All my words are just, there is nothing wicked, nor perverse in them.
9
They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.
10
Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.
11
For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be
desired cannot be compared to it.
12
I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts.
13
The fear of the Lord hateth evil; I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked
way, and a mouth with a double tongue.
14
Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.
15
By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.
16
By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.
17
I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me,
shall find me.
18
With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.
19
For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than
choice silver.
20
I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
21
That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.
22
The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing
from the beginning.
23
I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made.
24
The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the
fountains of waters as yet sprung out.
25
The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before
the hills, I was brought forth:
26
He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
27
When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and
compass, he enclosed the depths:
28
When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:
29
When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that
they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the
earth;
30
I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before
him at all times;
31
Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of
men.
32
Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: Blessed are they that keep my ways.
33
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
34
Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and
waiteth at the posts of my doors.
35
He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.
36
But he that shall sin against me shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death.
====================
PROVERBS
9
CHAPTER IX.
Wisdom invites all to her feast. Folly calls another way.
1
Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
2
She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
3
She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
4
Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me.
And to the unwise she said:
5
Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
6
Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
7
He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself; and he that rebuketh a
wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
8
Rebuke not a scorner lest he hate thee.
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9
Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to
receive it.
10
*The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy
is prudence.
11
For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to
thee.
12
If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone
shalt bear the evil.
13
A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at
all,
14
Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
15
To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
16
He that is a little one, let him turn to me.
And to the fool she said:
17
Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant.
18
And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the
depths of hell.
____________________
*
10:
Ps. cx. 10.; Supra i. 7.; Eccli. i. 16.
====================
PROVERBS
10
THE PARABLES OF SOLOMON.
CHAPTER X.
In the twenty following chapters are contained many
wise sayings and axioms, relating to wisdom and folly, virtue and vice.
1 A
wise son maketh the father glad: but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother.
2
*Treasures of wickedness shall profit nothing: but justice shall deliver from
death.
3
The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with famine, and he will
disappoint the deceitful practices of the wicked.
4
The slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand of the industrious getteth
riches.
He
that trusteth to lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds, that
fly away.
5
He that gathered in the harvest, is a wise son: but he that snorteth in the
summer, is the son of confusion.
6
The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but iniquity covereth
the mouth of the wicked.
7
The memory of the just is with praises: and the name of the wicked shall
rot.
8
The wise of heart receiveth precepts: a fool is beaten with lips.
9
He that walketh sincerely, walketh confidently: but he that perverteth his
ways, shall be manifest.
10
*He that winketh with the eye, shall cause sorrow: and the foolish in lips shall
be beaten.
11
The mouth of the just is a vein of life: and the mouth of the wicked covereth
iniquity.
12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: *and charity covereth all sins.
13
In the lips of the wise is wisdom found: and a rod on the back of him that
wanteth sense.
14
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is next to confusion.
15
The substance of a rich man is the city of his strength: the fear of the poor is
their poverty.
16
The work of the just is unto life: but the fruit of the wicked unto sin.
17
The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh
reproofs, goeth astray.
18
Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach, is foolish.
19
In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his
lips, is most wise.
20
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the heart of the wicked is
nothing worth.
21
The lips of the just teach many: but they that are ignorant, shall die in the
want of understanding.
22
The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich: neither shall affliction be joined to
them.
23
A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but wisdom is prudence to a man.
24
That which the wicked feareth, shall come upon him: to the just their desire
shall be given.
25
As a tempest that passeth, so the wicked shall be no more: but the just is as
an everlasting foundation.
26
As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to
them that sent him.
27
The fear of the Lord shall prolong days: and the years of the wicked shall be
shortened.
28
The expectation of the just is joy: but the hope of the wicked shall perish.
29
The strength of the upright is the way of the Lord: and fear to them
that work evil.
30
The just shall never be moved: but the wicked shall not dwell on the earth.
31
The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom: the tongue of the perverse
shall perish.
32
The lips of the just consider what is acceptable: and the mouth of the wicked
uttereth perverse things.
____________________
*
2: Infra xi. 4.
10: Eccli. xxvii. 25.
12: 1 Cor. xiii. 4.; 1 Pet. iv. 8.
====================
PROVERBS
11
CHAPTER XI.
1 A
deceitful balance* is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his
will.
2
Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: *but where humility is, there
also is wisdom.
3
The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the
wicked shall destroy them.
4
*Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from
death.
5
The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man
shall fall by his own wickedness.
6
The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught
in their own snares.
7
When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the
expectation of the solicitous shall perish.
8
The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for
him.
9
The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be
delivered by knowledge.
10
When it goeth well with the just, the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked
perish there, shall be praise.
11
By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the
wicked it shall be overthrown.
12
He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his
peace.
13
He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful,
concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.
14
Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where
there is much counsel.
15
He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is
aware of the snares, shall be secure.
16
A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.
17
A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even
his own kindred.
18
The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is
a faithful reward.
19
Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things death.
20
A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk
sincerely.
21
Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall
be saved.
22
A golden ring in a swine's snout, a woman fair and foolish.
23
The desire of the just is all good, the expectation of the wicked is
indignation.
24
Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not
their own, and are always in want.
25
The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be
inebriated also himself.
26
He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon
the head of them that sell.
27
Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things: but he that seeketh after evil
things, shall be oppressed by them.
28
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a
green leaf.
29
He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall
serve the wise.
30
The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls
is wise.
31
*If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner?
____________________
*
1: Infra xx. 10. 23.
2: Infra xv. 33.
4: Supra x. 2.
31: 1 Pet. iv. 18.
====================
PROVERBS
12
CHAPTER XII.
1
He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof, is
foolish.
2
He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his
own devices, doth wickedly.
3
Man shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the root of the just shall not
be moved.
4 A
diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of
confusion, is as rottenness in his bones.
5
The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the counsels of the wicked are
deceitful.
6
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the mouth of the just shall
deliver them.
7
Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house of the just shall stand
firm.
8 A
man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be
exposed to contempt.
9
*Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious
and wanteth bread.
10
The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are
cruel.
11
*He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth
idleness is very foolish.
He
that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his
strong holds.
12
The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the
just shall prosper.
13
For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil man: but the just shall
escape out of distress.
14
By the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled with good things, and
according to the works of his hands it shall be repaid him.
15 The
way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto
counsels.
16
A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that dissembleth injuries is wise.
17
He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that
lieth, is a deceitful witness.
18
There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience:
but the tongue of the wise is health.
19
The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness,
frameth a lying tongue.
20
Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil things: but joy followeth them
that take counsels of peace.
21
Whatsoever shall befall the just man. it shall not make him sad: but the wicked
shall be filled with mischief.
22
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully,
please him.
23
A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.
24
The hand of the valiant shall bear rule: but that which is slothful shall be
under tribute.
25
Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall
be made glad.
26
He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the
wicked shall deceive them.
27
The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be
precious gold.
28
In the path of justice is life: but the bye-way leadeth to death.
____________________
*
9: Eccli. x. 30.
11: Eccli. xx. 30.
====================
PROVERBS
13
CHAPTER XIII.
1 A
wise son heareth the doctrine of his father: but he that is a
scorner, heareth not when he is reproved.
2
Of the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled with good things: but the
soul of transgressors is wicked.
3
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his
speech shall meet with evils.
4
The sluggard willeth and willeth not: but the soul of them that work, shall be
made fat.
5
The just shall hate a lying word: but the wicked confoundeth, and shall be
confounded.
6
Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the
sinner.
7
One is as it were rich, when he hath nothing: and another is as it were poor,
when he hath great riches.
8
The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but he that is poor, beareth
not reprehension.
9
The light of the just giveth joy: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10
Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with
counsel, are ruled by wisdom.
11
Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little
is gathered with the hand, shall increase.
12
Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire when it cometh, is a tree of
life.
13
Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself for the time to come: but
he that feareth the commandment, shall dwell in peace.
Deceitful
souls go astray in sins: the just are merciful, and shew mercy.
14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the
ruin of death.
15
Good instruction shall give grace: in the way of scorners is a deep pit.
16
The prudent man doth all things with counsel: but he that is a fool, layeth
open his folly.
17
The messenger of the wicked shall fall into mischief: but a faithful ambassador
is health.
18
Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction: but he that yieldeth to
reproof shall be glorified.
19
The desire that is accomplished, delighteth the soul: fools hate them that flee
from evil things.
20
He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a friend of fools shall become
like to them.
21
Evil pursueth sinners: and to the just good shall be repaid.
22
The good man leaveth heirs, sons, and grandsons: and the substance of the
sinner is kept for the just.
23
Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered without
judgment.
24
*He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him, correcteth
him betimes.
25
The just eateth and filleth his soul: but the belly of the wicked is never to
be filled.
____________________
*
24: Infra xxiii. 13.
====================
PROVERBS
14
CHAPTER XIV.
1 A
wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands
that also which is built.
2
He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, *is despised by him that
goeth by an infamous way.
3
In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve
them.
4
Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there
the strength of the ox is manifest.
5 A
faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful witness uttereth a lie.
6 A
scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.
7
Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
8
The wisdom of a discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of
fools erreth.
9 A
fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.
10
The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger
shall not intermeddle.
11
The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacles of the just
shall flourish.
12
There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
13
Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the ends of
joy.
14
A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.
15
The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps.
No
good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his
dealings, and his way shall be made straight.
16
A wise man feareth, and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over, and is
confident.
17
The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.
18
The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent, shall look for knowledge.
19
The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of
the just.
20
The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the
rich are many.
21
He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the
poor, shall be blessed.
He
that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.
22
They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.
23
In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is
oftentimes want.
24
The crown of the wise, is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.
25
A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.
26
In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for
his children.
27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of
death.
28
In the multitude of people is the dignity of the king: and in the small
number of people the dishonour of the prince.
29
He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient,
exalteth his folly.
30
Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the
rottenness of the bones.
31
*He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his maker: but he that hath pity on
the poor, honoureth him.
32
The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in
his death.
33
In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the
ignorant.
34
Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.
35
A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall
feel his anger.
____________________
*
2: Job xii. 4.
31: Infra xvii. 5.
====================
PROVERBS
15
CHAPTER XV.
1 A
mild answer *breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
2
The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools
bubbleth out folly.
3
The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
4 A
peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush
the spirit.
5 A
fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs
shall become prudent.
In
abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked
shall be rooted out.
6
The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is
trouble.
7
The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be
unlike.
8
*The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are
acceptable.
9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice
is beloved by him.
10
Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth
reproof shall die.
11
Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the
children of men?
12
A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
13
*A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is
cast down.
14
The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on
foolishness.
15
All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
16
Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without
content.
17
It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with
hatred.
18
A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that
are stirred up.
19
The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns; the way of the just is without
offence.
20
A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
21
Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
22
Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are
many counsellors, they are established.
23
A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
24
The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest
hell.
25
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders
of the widow.
26
Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful,
shall be confirmed by him.
27
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes
shall live.
*By
mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one
declineth from evil.
28
The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth
with evils.
29
The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
30
The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
31
The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the
wise.
32
He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to
reproof, possesseth understanding.
33
The fear of the Lord, is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before
glory.
____________________
*
1: Infra xxv. 15.
8: Infra xxi. 27.; Eccli. xxxiv. 21.
13: Infra xvii. 22.
27: Infra xvi. 6.
====================
PROVERBS
16
CHAPTER XVI.
1
It *is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the
tongue.
2
*All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of
spirits.
3
Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
4
The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
5
Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to
hand, he is not innocent.
The
beginning of a good way, is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with
God, than to offer sacrifices.
6
*By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men
depart from evil.
7
When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to
peace.
8
Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
9
*The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
10
Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11
Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of
the bag.
12
They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established
by justice.
13
Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be
loved.
14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will
pacify it.
15
In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like
the latter rain.
16
Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is
more precious than silver.
17
The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his
way.
18
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
19
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
20
The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is
blessed.
21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall
attain to greater things.
22
Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of
fools is foolishness.
23
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his
lips.
24
*Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to
the bones.
25
There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
26
The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath
obliged him to it.
27
The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28
A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
29
An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
30
He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil
to pass.
31
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32
The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than
he that taketh cities.
33
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
____________________
*
1: Infra ver. 9.
2: Infra xx. 24. and xxi. 2.
6: Supra xv. 27.
9: Supra ver. 1.
24: Supra xv. 13.; Infra xvii. 22.
====================
PROVERBS
17
CHAPTER XVII.
1
Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
2
*A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance
among the brethren.
3
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the
hearts.
4
The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying
lips.
5
*He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his maker: and he that rejoiceth at
another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.
6
Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are
their fathers.
7
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
8
The expectation of him that expecteth is a most acceptable jewel:
whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
9
He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it
again, separateth friends.
10
A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
11
An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against
him.
12
It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his
own folly.
13
*He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
14
The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he
suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.
15
*He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are
abominable before God.
16
What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom?
He
that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn,
shall fall into evils.
17
He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
18
A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
19
He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door,
seeketh ruin.
20
He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his
tongue, shall fall into evil.
21
A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a
fool.
22
*A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
23
The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of
judgment.
24
*Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the
ends of the earth.
25
A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore
him.
26
It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who
judgeth right.
27
*He that setteth bounds to his words, is knowing and wise: and the man of
understanding is of a precious spirit.
28
Even a fool, if he will hold his peace shall be counted wise: and if he close
his lips, a man of understanding.
____________________
*
2: Eccli. x. 28.
5: Supra xiv. 31.
13: Rom. xii. 17.; 1 Thess. v. 15.; 1 Pet. iii.
9.
15: Isai. v. 23.
22: Supra xv. 13. and xvi. 24.
24: Eccle. ii. 14. and viii. 1.
27: James i. 19.
====================
PROVERBS
18
CHAPTER XVIII.
1
He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever
be subject to reproach.
2 A
fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which
are in his heart.
3
The wicked man, when he is come into the depth of sins, contemneth: but
ignominy and reproach follow him.
4
*Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of
wisdom as an overflowing stream.
5
It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of
judgment.
6
The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
7
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
8
The words of the double-tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach
even to the inner parts of the bowels.
Fear
casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
9
He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his
own works.
10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and
shall be exalted.
11
The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall
compassing him about.
12
*Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified,
it is humbled.
13
*He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy
of confusion.
14
The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily
angered, who can bear?
15
A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh
instruction.
16
A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.
17
The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18
The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
19
A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are
like the bars of cities.
20
Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring
of his lips shall fill him.
21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the
fruits thereof.
22
He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a
pleasure from the Lord.
He
that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth
an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
23
The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
24
A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
____________________
*
4: Infra xx. 5.
12: Supra xi. 2.; Eccli. x. 15.
13: Eccli. xi. 8.
====================
PROVERBS
19
CHAPTER XIX.
1
Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is
perverse in his lips and unwise.
2
*Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is
hasty with his feet shall stumble.
3
The folly of a man supplanteth his steps: and he fretteth in his mind against
God.
4
Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.
5
*A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not
escape.
6
Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that
giveth gifts.
7
The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed
far from him.
He
that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.
8
But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth
prudence, shall find good things.
9 A
false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.
10
Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over
princes.
11
The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
12
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his
cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.
13
A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof
continually dropping through.
14
House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the
Lord.
15
Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16
He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that neglecteth
his own way, shall die.
17
He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
18
Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.
19
He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away, he
shall add another thing.
20
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter
end.
21
There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall
stand firm.
22
A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.
23
The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in fulness without being
visited with evil.
24
*The slothful hideth his hand under his arm-pit, and will not so much as bring
it to his mouth.
25
*The wicked man being scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a
wise man, he will understand discipline.
26
He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and
unhappy.
27
Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of
knowledge.
28
An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth
iniquity.
29
Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of
fools.
____________________
*
2: Infra xxi. 16.
5: Dan. xiii. 61.
24: Infra xxvi. 15.
25: Infra xxi. 11.
====================
PROVERBS
20
CHAPTER XX.
1
Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted
therewith, shall not be wise.
2
As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh
him, sinneth against his own soul.
3
It is an honour for a man, to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are
meddling with reproaches.
4
Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in
the summer, and it shall not be given him.
5
*Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it
out.
6
Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
7
The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed
children.
8
The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with
his look.
9
*Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
10
*Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
11
By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
13
Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with
bread.
14
It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then
he will boast.
15
There is gold and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a
precious vessel.
16
*Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge
from him for strangers.
17
The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled
with gravel.
18
Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by
governments.
19
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth
wide his lips.
20
*He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst
of darkness.
21
The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a
blessing.
22
*Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.
23
*Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not
good.
24
*The steps of man are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can
understand his own way?
25
It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
26
A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden
things of the bowels.
28
Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
29
The joy of young men, is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey
hairs.
30
The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward
parts of the belly.
____________________
*
5: Supra xviii. 4.
9: 3 Kings viii. 46.; 2 Par. vi. 36.; Eccle.
vii. 21.; 1 John i. 8.
10: Supra xi. 1.; Infra ver. 23.
16: Infra xxvii. 13.
20: Exod. xxi. 17.; Levit. xx. 9.; Matt. xv. 4.
22: Rom. xii. 17.; 1 Thess. v. 15.; 1 Pet. iii.
9.
23: Supra ver. 10.
24: Supra xvi. 2.
====================
PROVERBS
21
CHAPTER XXI.
1
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the
Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.
2
*Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is
sin.
5
The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every
sluggard is always in want.
6
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall
stumble upon the snares of death.
7
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do
judgment.
8
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is
right.
9
*It is better to sit in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling women,
and in a common house.
10
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11
*When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he
follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw
the wicked from evil.
13
He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself,
and shall not be heard.
14
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom, the greatest wrath.
15
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company
of the giants.
17
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat
things, shall not be rich.
18
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19
*It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate
woman.
20
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the
foolish man shall spend it.
21
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the
strength of the confidence thereof.
23
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will
not cease.
27
*The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of
wickedness.
28
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous,
correcteth his way.
30
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
____________________
*
2: Supra xvi. 2. and xx. 24.
9: Infra xxv. 24.
11: Supra xix. 25.
19:
Supra ver. 9.; Eccli. xxv. 23.
27: Supra xv. 8.; Eccli. xxxiv. 21.
====================
PROVERBS
22
CHAPTER XXII.
1 A
good name *is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and
gold.
2
The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
3
The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and
suffered loss.
4
The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
5
Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his
own soul, departeth far from them.
6
It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old, he will
not depart from it.
7
The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
8
He that soweth iniquity shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he
shall be consumed.
9
*He that is inclined to mercy, shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given
to the poor.
He
that maketh presents, shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away
the souls of the receivers.
10
Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and
reproaches shall cease.
11
He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the
king for his friend.
12
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are
overthrown.
13
The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst
of the streets.
14
The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with,
shall fall into it.
15
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall
drive it away.
16
He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to
one that is richer, and shall be in need.
17
Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my
doctrine:
18
Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall
flow in thy lips:
19
That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this
day.
20
Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and
knowledge:
21
That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of
these to them that sent thee.
22
Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in
the gate:
23
Because the Lord will judge his cause, and will afflict them that have
afflicted his soul.
24
Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
25
Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
26
Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves
sureties for debts:
27
For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there that he should
take the covering from thy bed?
28
Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
29
Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall
not be before those that are obscure.
____________________
*
1: Eccle. vii. 2.
9: Eccli. xxxi. 28.
====================
PROVERBS
23
CHAPTER XXIII.
1
When thou shalt sit to eat with a prince, consider diligently what is set
before thy face:
2
And put a knife to thy throat, if it be so that thou have thy soul in thy own
power.
3
Be not desirous of his meats, in which is the bread of deceit.
4
Labour not to be rich: but set bounds to thy prudence.
5
Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall
make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.
6
Eat not with an envious man, and desire not his meats:
7
Because, like a soothsayer, and diviner, he thinketh that which he knoweth
not. Eat and drink, will he say to thee:
and his mind is not with thee.
8
The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit up: and shalt lose thy
beautiful words.
9
Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of
thy speech.
10
Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not into the field of the
fatherless:
11
For their near kinsman is strong: and he will judge their cause against thee.
12
Let thy heart apply itself to instruction: and thy ears to words of knowledge.
13
*Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he
shall not die.
14
Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
15
My son, if thy mind be wise, my heart shall rejoice with thee:
16
And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall speak what is right.
17
*Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the
day long:
18
Because thou shalt have hope in the latter end, and thy expectation shall not
be taken away.
19
Hear thou, my son, and be wise: and guide thy mind in the way.
20
Be not in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in their revellings, who contribute
flesh to eat:
21
Because they that give themselves to drinking, and that club together, shall be
consumed: and drowsiness shall be clothed with rags.
22
Hearken to thy father, that beget thee: and despise not thy mother when she is
old.
23
Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
24
The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that hath begotten a wise son,
shall have joy in him.
25
Let thy father and thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore thee.
26
My son, give me thy heart: and let thy eyes keep my ways.
27
For a harlot is a deep ditch: and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
28
She lieth in wait in the way as a robber, and him whom she shall see unwary,
she will kill.
29
Who hath wo? whose father hath wo? who hath contentions? who falls into pits?
who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30
Surely they that pass their time in wine, and study to drink off their cups.
31
Look not upon the wine when it is yellow, when the colour thereof shineth in
the glass: it goeth in pleasantly,
32
But in the end, it will bite like a snake, and will spread abroad poison like a
basilisk.
33
Thy eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.
34 And
thou shalt be as one sleeping in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot fast
asleep when the stern is lost.
35
And thou shalt say: They have beaten me, but I was not sensible of pain: they
drew me, and I felt not: when shall I awake and find wine again?
____________________
*
13: Supra xiii. 24.; Eccli. xxx. 1.
17: Infra xxiv. 1.
====================
PROVERBS
24
CHAPTER XXIV.
1
Seek *not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them:
2
Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits.
3
By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened.
4
By instruction the store-rooms shall be filled with all precious and most
beautiful wealth.
5 A
wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant.
6
Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there
are many counsels.
7
Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he shall not open his mouth.
8
He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool.
9
The thought of a fool is sin: and the detracter is the abomination of men.
10
If thou lose hope, being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be
diminished.
11
*Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death, forbear
not to deliver.
12
If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he
understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall
render to a man according to his works.
13
*Eat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy
throat.
14
So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast
found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish.
15
Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil
his rest.
16
For a just man shall fall seven times, and shall rise again: but the wicked
shall fall down into evil.
17
When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart
rejoice:
18
Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
19
Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly.
20
For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall
be put out.
21
My son, fear the Lord, and the king: and have nothing to do with detractors.
22
For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both?
23
These things also to the wise: *It is not good to have respect to persons in
judgment.
24
They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people,
and the tribes shall abhor them.
25
They that rebuke him shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them.
26
He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.
27
Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou
mayst build thy house.
28
Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man
with thy lips.
29
*Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one
according to his work.
30
I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish
man:
31
And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face
thereof, and the stone wall was broken down.
32
Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received
instruction.
33
Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold
thy hands a little to rest:
34
And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man.
____________________
*
11: Ps. lxxxi. 4.
13: Infra xxv. 16. and 27.
23: Lev. xix. 15.; Deut. i. 17. and xvi. 19.;
Eccli. xlii. 1.
29: Supra xx. 22.
====================
PROVERBS
25
CHAPTER XXV.
1
These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda,
copied out.
2
It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search
out the speech.
3
The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4
Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
5
Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be
established with justice.
6
Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
7
For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou
shouldst be humbled before the prince.
8
The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest
afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy
friend.
9
Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
10
Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee.
Grace
and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under
reproach.
11
To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
12
As an ear-ring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise,
and the obedient ear.
13
*As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him
that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
14 As
clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and
doth not fulfil his promises.
15
By patience a prince shall be appeased, *and a soft tongue shall break
hardness.
16
Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted
therewith thou vomit it up.
17
Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate
thee.
18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart
and a sword and a sharp arrow.
19
To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth,
and weary foot,
20
And one that looseth his garment in cold weather.
As
vinegar upon
nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by
the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
21
*If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to
drink:
22
For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
23
The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting
tongue.
24
*It is better to sit m a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman,
and in a common house.
25 As
cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings from a far
country.
26
A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the
foot and a corrupted spring.
27
As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, *so he that is a searcher of
majesty shall be overwhelmed by glory.
28
As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that
cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
____________________
*
13: Infra xxvi. 6.
15: Supra xv. 1.
21: Rom. xii. 20.
24: Supra xxi. 9.
27: Eccli. iii. 22.
====================
PROVERBS
26
CHAPTER XXVI.
1
As snow in summer and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
2
As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse
uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
3 A
whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, *and a rod for the back of fools.
4
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
5
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
6
*He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh
iniquity.
7
As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of
fools.
8
As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth
honour to a fool.
9
As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the
mouth of fools.
10
Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth
anger.
11
*As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
12
Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a
fool than of him.
13
The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
14
As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
15
*The slothful hideth his hand under his arm-pit, and it grieveth him to turn it
to his mouth.
16
The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
17
As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger,
and meddleth with another man's quarrel.
18
As he is guilty that shooteth arrows and lances unto death:
19
So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith:
I did it in jest.
20
When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the tale-bearer is taken
away, contentions shall cease.
21
As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, *so an angry man stirreth up
strife.
22
The words of a tale-bearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the
innermost parts of the belly.
23
Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthen vessel adorned
with silver dross.
24
An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
25
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in
his heart.
26
He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the
public assembly.
27
He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it
shall return to him.
28
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
____________________
*
3: Supra xxiii. 13.
6: Supra xxv. 13.
11: 2 Pet. ii. 22.
15: Supra xix. 24.
21: Supra xv. 18.
====================
PROVERBS
27
CHAPTER XXVII.
1
Boast not for to-morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring
forth.
2
Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and not thy own
lips.
3
*A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of a fool is heavier than
them both.
4
Anger hath no mercy: nor fury, when it breaketh forth: and who can bear the
violence of one provoked?
5
Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
6
Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.
7
*A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb: and a soul that is hungry
shall take even bitter for sweet.
8
As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that leaveth his place.
9
Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good counsels of a friend are
sweet to the soul.
10
Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not: and go not into thy brother's
house in the day of thy affliction.
Better
is a neighbour that is near, than a brother afar off.
11
Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that thou mayst give an answer
to him that reproacheth.
12
The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little ones passing on have
suffered losses.
13
*Take away his garment that hath been surety for a stranger: and take from him
a pledge for strangers.
14
He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the night, shall be
like to him that curseth.
15
*Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.
16
He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call
in the oil of his right hand.
17
Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
18
He that keepeth the fig-tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the
keeper of his master, shall be glorified.
19
As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so the hearts of
men are laid open to the wise.
20
Hell and destruction are never filled: *so the eyes of men are never satisfied.
21
*As silver is tried in the fining-pot, and gold in the furnace: so a man is
tried by the mouth of him that praiseth.
The
heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after
knowledge.
22
Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as when a pestle striketh upon
sodden barley, his folly would not be taken from him.
23
Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider thy own flocks:
24
For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown shall be given to generation
and generation.
25
The meadows are open, and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is
gathered out of the mountains.
26
*Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price of the field.
27
Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food, and for the necessities of
thy house, and for maintenance for thy handmaids.
____________________
*
3: Eccli. xxii. 18.
7: Job vi. 7.
13: Supra xx. 16.
15: Supra xix. 13.
20: Eccli. xiv. 9.
21: Supra xvii. 3.
26: 1 Tim. ix. 8.
====================
PROVERBS
28
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1
The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion,
shall be without dread.
2
For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the
wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of
the prince shall be prolonged.
3 A
poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a
famine.
4
They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are
incensed against him.
5
Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice
of all things.
6
*Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked
ways.
7
He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth
his father.
8
He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that
will be bountiful to the poor.
9
He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be as
abomination.
10
He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction:
and the upright shall possess his goods.
11
The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall
search him out.
12
In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are
ruined.
13
He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and
forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
14
Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind,
shall fall into evil.
15 As
a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the
poor people.
16
A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth
covetousness, shall prolong his days.
17
A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit,
no man will stay him.
18
He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways,
shall fall at once.
19
*He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth
idleness, shall be filled with poverty.
20
A faithful man shall be much praised: *but he that maketh haste to be rich,
shall not be innocent.
21
He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even
for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
22
A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that
poverty shall come upon him.
23
He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that
by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
24
He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This
is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
25
He that boasteth, and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that
trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
26
He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he
shall be saved.
27
He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his intreaty,
shall suffer indigence.
28
When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just
shall be multiplied.
____________________
*
6: Supra xix. 1.
19: Supra xii. 11.; Eccli. xx. 30.
20: Supra xiii. 11. and xx. 21. and Infra v.
22.[ver. 22.?]
====================
PROVERBS
29
CHAPTER XXIX.
1
The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him, shall suddenly
be destroyed: and health shall not follow him.
2
When just men increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked shall bear
rule, the people shall mourn.
3 A
man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth harlots,
shall squander away his substance.
4 A
just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
5 A
man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words,
spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 A
snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the just shall praise
and rejoice.
7
The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is void of
knowledge.
8
Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn away wrath.
9
If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry, or laugh, he shall find
no rest.
10
Blood-thirsty men hate the upright: but just men seek his soul.
11
A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth, and keepeth it till
afterwards.
12
A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all his servants wicked.
13
*The poor man and the creditor have met one another: the Lord is the
enlightener of them both.
14
The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for
ever.
15
*The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to his own will,
bringeth his mother to shame.
16
When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but the just shall
see their downfall.
17
Instruct thy son and he shall refresh thee, and shall give delight to thy soul.
18
When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that
keepeth the law, is blessed.
19
A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou
sayest, and will not answer.
20
Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his
amendment.
21
He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood, afterwards shall
find him stubborn.
22
A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily stirred up to wrath,
shall be more prone to sin.
23
*Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.
24
He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting
him to his oath, and discovereth not.
25
He that feareth man shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be
set on high.
26
Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one cometh forth
from the Lord.
27
The just abhor the wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are in the right
way.
The
son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction.
____________________
*
13: Supra xxii. 2.
15: Supra xxiii. 13. and Infra v. 17.[ver. 17.?]
23: Job xxii. 29.
====================
PROVERBS
30
CHAPTER XXX.
1
The words of Gatherer, the son of Vomiter.
The vision which the man spoke, with whom God is, and who being
strengthened by God, abiding with him, said:
2 I
am the most foolish of men, and the wisdom of men is not with me.
3 I
have not learned wisdom, and have not known the science of saints.
4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath held the wind in his
hands? who hath bound up the waters together as in a garment? who hath raised
up all the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his
son, if thou knowest?
5
*Every word of God is fire-tried: he is a buckler to them that hope in him.
6
*Add not any thing to his words, lest thou be reproved, and found a liar:
7
Two things I have asked of thee, deny them not to me before I die.
8
Remove far from me vanity, and lying words.
Give me neither beggary, nor riches: give me only the necessaries of
life:
9
Lest perhaps being filled, I should be tempted to deny, and say: Who is the Lord?
or being compelled by poverty, I should steal, and forswear the name of my God.
10
Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou fall.
11 There
is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12
A generation, that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from
their filthiness.
13
A generation, whose eyes are lofty, and their eye-lids lifted up on high.
14
A generation that for teeth hath swords, and grindeth with their jaw-teeth, to
devour the needy from off the earth, and the poor from among men.
15
The horse-leech hath two daughters that say: Bring, bring.
There
are three things that never are satisfied, and the fourth never saith: It is
enough.
16
Hell and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not satisfied with
water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
17
The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour of his mother
in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles
eat it.
18
Three things are hard to me, and the fourth I am utterly ignorant of.
19
The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a
ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man in youth.
20
Such also is the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth and wipeth her mouth,
and saith: I have done no evil.
21
By three things the earth is disturbed, and the fourth it cannot bear:
22
By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when he is filled with meat:
23
By an odious woman when she is married: and by a bond-woman when she is heir to
her mistress.
24
There are four very little things of the earth, and they are wiser than the
wise:
25
The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves food in the harvest:
26
The rabbit, a weak people, which maketh its bed in the rock:
27
The locust hath no king, yet they all go out by their bands:
28
The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth in kings' houses.
29
There are three things, which go well, and the fourth that walketh happily:
30
A lion, the strongest of beasts, who hath no fear of any thing he meeteth:
31
A cock girded about the loins: and a ram: and a king, whom none can resist.
32
There is that hath appeared a fool after he was lifted up on high: for if he
had understood, he would have laid his hand upon his mouth.
33
And he that strongly squeezeth the paps to bring out milk, straineth out
butter: and he that violently bloweth his nose, bringeth out blood: and he that
provoketh wrath, bringeth forth strife.
____________________
*
5: Ps. xi. 7.
6: Deut. iv. 2. and xii. 32.
====================
PROVERBS
31
CHAPTER XXXI.
1
The words of king Lamuel. The vision
wherewith his mother instructed him.
2
What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my
vows?
3
Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
4
Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret
where drunkenness reigneth:
5
And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children
of the poor.
6
Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in
mind:
7
Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
8
Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
9
Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and
poor.
10
Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price
of her.
11
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12
She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
13
She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
14
She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
15
And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and
victuals to her maidens.
16
She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she
hath planted a vineyard.
17
She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
18
She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put
out in the night.
19
She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of
the spindle.
20
She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
21
She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are
clothed with double garments.
22
She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her
covering.
23
Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of
the land.
24
She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
25
Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
26
She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27
She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread
idle.
28
Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
29
Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she
shall be praised.
31
Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
====================
====================
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This blog is for serious exhortation to faith in this time of the Great Apostasy.