Слике страница
PDF
ePub

the beginning, I was resolved, and thought upon these things, and have left them in writing.

All the works of the Lord are good: and he will give every needful thing in due season: so that a man cannot say, this is worse than that: for, in time, they shall all be well approved.

"And, therefore, praise ye the Lord with the whole heart and mouth; and bless the name of the Lord.

Great travail is created for every man, and a heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam; from the day that they go out of their mother's womb, till the day that they return to the mother of all things. Their imagination of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear of heart: from him that și teth on a throne of glory, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes: from him that weareth purple and a crown, unto him that is clothed with a linen frock.

Wrath and envy, trouble and disquietude, fear of death, and anger and strife, and, in the time of rest upon his bed, his night-sleep, do change his knowledge. A little or nothing is his rest, and afterward he is, in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he were escaped out of a battle: when all is safe, he awaketh, and marvelleth that the fear was nothing. Such things happen un'o all flesh, both man and beast, and that is sevenfold more upon sinners. Death and blood-shed, strife and sword, calamities,

famine, tribulation, and the scourge: these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.

All things that are of the earth fhall turn to the earth again: and that which is of the waters doth return into the sea.

All bribery and injustice fhall be blotted out: but true dealing shall endure for ever.

The goods of the unjust fhall be dried up like a river, and shall vanifh with a noise, like a great thunder in rain.

While he openeth his hand, he shall rejoice: so shall transgressors come to nought.

The children of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, but are as unclean roots upon a hard rock. The weed, growing upon every water and bank of a river, shall be pulled up, before all grass.

Bountifulness is as a most fruitful garden, and mercifulness endureth for ever.

To labour, and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweet life: but he that findeth a treasure, is above them both.

Children, and the building of a city, continue a man's name: but á blameless wife is counted above them both.

Wine and musick rejoice the heart: but the love. of wisdom is above them both. The pipe and psaltry make sweet melody: but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

N

[ocr errors]

Thine eye desireth favour and beauty; but, more than both, corn while it is green.

A friend and companion never meet amiss: but above both is a wife with her husband..

Brethren and help are against time of trouble: but alms shall deliver more than them both. Gold

and silver make the foot stand sure: but counsel is esteemed above them both. Riches and strength lift up the heart: but the fear of the Lord is above them both: there is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek help. The fear of the Lord is a fruitful garden, and covereth him above all glory."

My son, lead not a beggar's life, for better it is to die than to beg. The life of him that dependeth on another man's table, is not to be counted for a life: for he polluteth himself with other men's meat: but a wise man, well-nurtured, will beware thereof. Begging is sweet in the mouth of the shameless: but in his belly there shall burn a fire.

O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that liveth at rest in his possessions; unto the man that hath nothing to vex him, and that hath prosperity in all things: yea, unto him that is yet able to receive meat!

O death, how acceptable is thy sentence unto the needy; and unto him whose ftrength faileth; that is now in the last age, and is vexed with all things; and to him that despaireth, and hath lost patience!

Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that have been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh. And why art thou against the pleasure of the most High? there is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.

The children of sinners are abominable children, and they that are conversant in the dwelling of the ungodly. The inheritance of sinners' children shall perish, and their posterity shall have a perpetual. reproach. The children will complain of an ungodly father, because they shall be reproached for.

his sake.

Wo be unto you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most High God! for, if ye increase, it shall be to your destruction. And if ye be born, ye shall be born to a curse; and if ye die, a curse shall be your portion. All that are of the earth shall turn to earth again: so the ungodly shall go from a curse to destruction.

[ocr errors]

The mourning of men is about their bodies: but the ill name of sinners shall be blotted out. Have regard to thy name: for that shall continue with thee above a thousand great treasures of gold. A good life hath but few days: but a good name endureth for ever.

My children, keep discipline in peace: for wis dom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both.

Na

A man that hideth his foolishness, is better than a man that hideth his wisdom. Therefore be shame-faced according to my word: for it is not

good to retain all shamefacedness; neither is it altogether approved in every thing. Be ashamed of whoredom before father and mother; and of a lie before a prince and a mighty man: of an offence before a judge and ruler, of iniquity before a congregation and people, of unjust dealing before thy partner and friend: and of theft, in regard of the place where thou sojournest, and, in regard of the truth of God and his covenant; and to lean with thine elbow upon the meat, and of scorning to give and take and of silence, before them that salute thee; and to look upon a harlot: and to turn away thy face from thy kinsman, or to take away a portion or a gift; or to gaze upon another man's wife: or of upbraiding speeches before friends: and, after thou hast given, upbraid not: or of iterating and speaking again that which thou hast heard; and of revealing secrets: so shalt thou be truly shamefaced, and find favour before all men.

Of these things be not thou ashamed, and accept no person to sin thereby: of the law of the most High, and his covenant, and of judgement to justify the ungodly of reckoning with thy partners and travellers, or of the gift of the heritage of friends of exactness of balance and weight, 'or of getting much or little: and of merchants in different

« ПретходнаНастави »