thou hast bought him with a price. · If thou have a servant, intreat him as a brother; for thou hast need of him as of thine own soul: if thou intreat him evil, and he run from thee, which way wilt thou go to seek him?

The hopes of a man void of understanding are vain and false; and dreams lift up fools. Whoso regardeth dreams, is like him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind. The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another, even as the likeness of a face, to a face.

Of an unclean thing, what can be cleansed? and from that thing which is false, what truth can come?

Divinations, and soothsayings, and dreams, are vain; and the heart fancieth as a woman's heart in travail. If they be not sent from the most High in thy visitation, set not thy heart upon them. For dreams have deceived many; and they have failed that put their trust in them.

The law shall be found perfect without lies: and wisdom is perfection to a faithful mouth. A man that hath travelled knoweth many things: and he that hath much experience will declare wisdom. He that hath no experience knoweth little; but he that hath travelled is full of prudence. When I travelled I saw many things, and I understand more than I can express. I was oftentimes in danger of death: 1 was delivered because of these things.

yet

He that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, his offering is ridiculous; and the gifts of unjust men are not accepted. The most High is not pleased with the offerings of the wicked; neither is he pacified for sin by the multitude of sacrifices. Whoso bringeth an offering of the goods of the poor, doeth as one that killed the son before his father's eyes. The bread of the needy is their life: he, that defraudeth him thereof, is a man of blood. He that taketh away his neighbour's living, slayeth him; and he that defraudeth the labourer of his hire, is a blood-shedder.

When one buildeth, and another pulleth down, what profit have they then but labour? When one prayeth, and another curseth, whose voice will the Lord hear?

He that washeth himself after the touching of a dead body, if he touch it again, what availeth his washing? So is it with a man that fasteth for his sins, and goeth again and doeth the same: who will hear his prayer? or what doth his humbling profit him?

In all thy gifts shew a cheerful countenance, and dedicate thy tythes with gladness. Give unto the most High according as he hath enriched thee; and as thou hast gotten, give with a cheerful eye. For the Lord recompenseth, and will give thee seven times as much. Do not think to corrupt with gifts, for such he will not receive: and trust not to unrighteous sacrifices; for the Lord is judge, and

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with him is no respect of persons. He will not accept any person against a poor man, but will hear the prayer of the oppressed.

He will not despise the supplication of the fa therless nor the widow when she poureth out her complaint. Do not the tears run down the widow's cheeks? and is not her cry against him that causeth them to fall?

He that seryeth the Lord, shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds. The prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds: and till it come nigh, he will not be comforted, and will not depart, till the most High shall behold to judge righteously, and execute judgement. For the Lord will not be slack, neither will the Mighty be patient towards them, till he have smitten in sunder the loins of the unmerciful, and repayed vengeance to the heathen; till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the scepire of the unrighteous; till he have rendered to every man according to his deeds, and to the works of men according to their devices; till he have judged the cause of his people, and made them to rejoice in his mercy.

Mercy is seasonable in the time of affliction, as clouds of rain in the time of drought.

Every friend saith, I am his friend also: but there is a friend who is only a friend in name. Is it not a grief unto death, when a companion and friend is turned to an enemy? O wicked imagina

tion, whence comest thou in to cover the earth with deceit? There is a companion who rejoiceth in the prosperity of a friend: but in the time of trouble will be against him. There is a companion) who helpeth his friend for the belly, and taketh up the buckler against the enemy.

Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.

Every counsellor extolleth counsel; but there are some that counsel for themselves. Beware of a counsellor, and know before what need he hath, (for he will counsel for himself,) lest he cast the lot upon thee: and say unto thee, thy way is good:· and afterward he stand on the other side, to see what shall befal thee.

Consult not with one that suspecteth thee: and hide thy counsel from such as envy thee. Neither consult with a woman, touching her of whom she is jealous; neither with a coward, in matters of war; nor with a merchant, concerning exchange; nor with a buyer, about selling ; nor with an envious man, of thankfulness; nor with an unmerciful man, touching kindness; nor with the slothful, for any work; nor with an hireling for a year, of finishing work; nor with an idle servant, of much business: hearken not unto these in any matter of counsel: but be continually with a godly man, whom thou knowest to keep the commandments of the Lord; whose mind is according to thy mind, and will sorrow with thee, if thou shalt miscarry.

And let the counsel of thine own heart, stand:

for there is no man more faithful unto thee than it. For a man's mind is sometimes wont to tell him more than seven watchmen, that sit above in an high tower.

And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.

Let reason go before every enterprise, and counsel before every action.

The countenance is a sign of the changing of the heart. Four manner of things appear: good and evil, life and death: but the tongue ruleth over them continually.

There is one that is wise and teacheth many; and yet is unprofitable to himself. There is one that sheweth wisdom in words, and is hated: he shall be destitute of all food: for grace is not given him from the Lord: because he is deprived of all wisdom. Another is wise to himself: and the fruits of understanding are commendable in his mouth.

A wise man instructeth his people, and the fruits of his understanding, fail not. A wise man shall be filled with blessing, and all they that see him shall count him happy. A wise man shall inherit glory among his people, and his name shall be perpetual.

My son, prove thy soul in thy life, and see what is evil for it, and give not that unto it. For all things are not profitable for all men; neither hath every soul pleasure in every thing.

Be not insatiable in any dainty thing, nor too greedy upon meats: for excess of meats bringeth