Wis 1:11 Keep yourselves, therefore, from murmuring, which profiteth nothing, and refrain your tongue from detraction, for an obscure speech shall not go for nought: and the mouth that belieth, killeth the soul. Wis 1:12 Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands. Wis 1:13 For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living. Wis 1:14 For he created all things that they might be: and he made the nations of the earth for health: and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor kingdom of hell upon the earth. Wis 1:15 For justice is perpetual and immortal. Wis 1:16 But the wicked with works and words have called it to them: and esteeming it a friend, have fallen away and have made a covenant with it: because they are worthy to be of the part thereof. Wis 2:1 For they have said, reasoning with themselves, but not right: The time of our life is short and tedious, and in the end of a man there is no remedy, and no man hath been known to have returned from hell: Wis 2:2 For we are born of nothing, and after this we shall be as if we had not been: for the breath in our nostrils is smoke: and speech a spark to move our heart, Wis 2:3 Which being put out, our body shall be ashes, and our spirit shall be poured abroad as soft air, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, which is driven away by the beams of the sun, and overpowered with the heat thereof: Wis 2:4 And our name in time shall be forgotten, and no man shall have any remembrance of our works. Wis 2:5 For our time is as the passing of a shadow, and there is no going back of our end: for it is fast sealed, and no man returneth: Wis 2:6 Come, therefore, and let us enjoy the good things that are present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth. Wis 2:7 Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments: and let not the flower of the time pass by us. Wis 2:8 Let us crown ourselves with roses, before they be withered: let no meadow escape our riot. Wis 2:9 Let none of us go without his part in luxury: let us every where leave tokens of joy: for this is our portion, and this our lot. Wis 2:10 Let us oppress the poor just man, and not spare the widow, nor honour the ancient grey hairs of the aged. Wis 2:11 But let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.
Wis 2:12 Let us, therefore, lie in wait for the just, because he is not for our turn, and he is contrary to our doings, and upbraideth us with transgressions of the law, and divulgeth against us the sins of our way of life. Wis 2:13 He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the son of God. Wis 2:14 He is become a censurer of our thoughts. Wis 2:15 He is grievous unto us, even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, and his ways are very different. Wis 2:16 We are esteemed by him as triflers, and he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness, and he preferreth the latter end of the just, and glorieth that he hath God for his father. Wis 2:17 Let us see then if his words be true, and let us prove what shall happen to him, and we shall know what his end shall be. Wis 2:18 For if he be the true son of God, he will defend him, and will deliver him from the hands of his enemies. Wis 2:19 Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness, and try his patience. Wis 2:20 Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words. Wis 2:21 These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them.
Wis 2:22 And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls. Wis 2:23 For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him. Wis 2:24 But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world: Wis 2:25 And they follow him that are of his side. Wis 3:1 But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. Wis 3:2 In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: Wis 3:3 And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. Wis 3:4 And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. Wis 3:5 Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself. Wis 3:6 As gold in the furnace, he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust, he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. Wis 3:7 The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds. Wis 3:8 They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
Wis 3:9 They that trust in him shall understand the truth: and they that are faithful in love, shall rest in him: for grace and peace are to his elect. Wis 3:10 But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord. Wis 3:11 For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labours without fruit, and their works unprofitable. Wis 3:12 Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked. Wis 3:13 Their offspring is cursed, for happy is the barren: and the undefiled, that hath not known bed in sin, she shall have fruit in the visitation of holy souls. Wis 3:14 And the eunuch, that hath not wrought iniquity with his hands, nor thought wicked things against God for the precious gift of faith shall be given to him, and a most acceptable lot in the temple of God. Wis 3:15 For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth. Wis 3:16 But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out. Wis 3:17 And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour. Wis 3:18 And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.
Wis 3:19 For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race. Wis 4:1 How beautiful is the chaste generation with glory: for the memory thereof is immortal: because it is known both with God and with men. Wis 4:2 When it is present, they imitate it: and they desire it, when it hath withdrawn itself, and it triumpheth crowned for ever, winning the reward of undefiled conflicts. Wis 4:3 But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation. Wis 4:4 And if they flourish in branches for a time, yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out. Wis 4:5 For the branches not being perfect, shall be broken, and their fruits shall be unprofitable, and sour to eat, and fit for nothing. Wis 4:6 For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial. Wis 4:7 But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. Wis 4:8 For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs. Wis 4:9 And a spotless life is old age. Wis 4:10 He pleased God, and was beloved, and living among sinners, he was translated.
Wis 4:11 He was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. Wis 4:12 For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind. Wis 4:13 Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time. Wis 4:14 For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities: but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts: Wis 4:15 That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen. Wis 4:16 But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust. Wis 4:17 For they shall see the end of the wise man, and it shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety. Wis 4:18 They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.
Wis 4:19 And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste: they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. Wis 4:20 They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them. Wis 5:1 Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours. Wis 5:2 These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation, Wis 5:3 Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had sometime in derision, and for a parable of reproach. Wis 5:4 We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. Wis 5:5 Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints. Wis 5:6 Therefore we have erred from the way of truth, and the light of justice hath not shined unto us, and the sun of understanding hath not risen upon us.
Wis 5:7 We wearied ourselves in the way of iniquity and destruction, and have walked through hard ways, but the way of the Lord we have not known. Wis 5:8 What hath pride profited us? or what advantage hath the boasting of riches brought us? Wis 5:9 All those things are passed away like a shadow, and like a post that runneth on, Wis 5:10 And as a ship, that passeth through the waves: whereof when it is gone by, the trace cannot be found. nor the path of its keel in the waters: Wis 5:11 Or as when a bird flieth through the air, of the passage of which no mark can be found, but only the sound of the wings beating the light air, and parting it by the force of her flight: she moved her wings, and hath flown through, and there is no mark found afterwards of her way: Wis 5:12 Or as when an arrow is shot at a mark, the divided air quickly cometh together again, so that the passage thereof is not known: Wis 5:13 So we also being born, forthwith ceased to be: and have been able to shew no mark of virtue: but are consumed in our wickedness. Wis 5:14 Such things as these the sinners said in hell: Wis 5:15 For the hope of the wicked is as dust, which is blown away with the wind, and as a thin froth which is dispersed by the storm: and a smoke that is scattered abroad by the wind: and as the remembrance of a guest of one day that passeth by. Wis 5:16 But the just shall live for evermore: and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Wis 5:17 Therefore shall they receive a kingdom of glory, and a crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord: for with his right hand he will cover them, and with his holy arm he will defend them. Wis 5:18 And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies. Wis 5:19 He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet: Wis 5:20 He will take equity for an invincible shield: Wis 5:21 And he will sharpen his severe wrath for a spear, and the whole world shall fight with him against the unwise. Wis 5:22 Then shafts of lightning shall go directly from the clouds, as from a bow well bent, they shall be shot out, and shall fly to the mark. Wis 5:23 And thick hail shall be cast upon them from the stone casting wrath: the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the rivers shall run together in a terrible manner.
Wis 5:24 A mighty wind shall stand up against them, and as a whirlwind shall divide them: and their iniquity shall bring all the earth to a desert, and wickedness shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty. Wis 6:1 Wisdom is better than strength: and a wise man is better than a strong man. Wis 6:2 Hear, therefore, ye kings, and understand, learn ye that are judges of the ends of the earth. Wis 6:3 Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations: Wis 6:4 For power is given you by the Lord, and strength by the most High, who will examine your works: and search out your thoughts: Wis 6:5 Because being ministers of his kingdom, you have not judged rightly, nor kept the law of justice, nor walked according to the will of God. Wis 6:6 Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule. Wis 6:7 For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented. Wis 6:8 For God will not except any man's person, neither will he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he made the little and the great, and he hath equally care of all. Wis 6:9 But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
Wis 6:10 To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it. Wis 6:11 For they that have kept just things justly, shall be justified: and they that have learned these things, shall find what to answer. Wis 6:12 Covet ye, therefore, my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction. Wis 6:13 Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away, and is easily seen by them that love her, and is found by them that seek her. Wis 6:14 She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them. Wis 6:15 He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door. Wis 6:16 To think, therefore, upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure. Wis 6:17 For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, and she sheweth herself to them cheerfully in the ways, and meeteth them with all providence. Wis 6:18 For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline. Wis 6:19 And the care of discipline is love: and love is the keeping of her laws: and the keeping of her laws is the firm foundation of incorruption: Wis 6:20 And incorruption bringeth near to God.
Wis 6:21 Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom. Wis 6:22 If then your delight be in thrones, and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, love wisdom, that you may reign for ever. Wis 6:23 Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples. Wis 6:24 Now what wisdom is, and what was her origin, I will declare: and I will not hide from you the mysteries of God, but will seek her out from the beginning of her birth, and bring the knowledge of her to light, and will not pass over the truth: Wis 6:25 Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom. Wis 6:26 Now the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the whole world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people. Wis 6:27 Receive, therefore, instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you. Wis 7:1 I myself am a mortal man, like all others, and of the race of him, that was first made of the earth, and in the womb of my mother I was fashioned to be flesh. Wis 7:2 In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
Wis 7:3 And being born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, that is made alike, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do. Wis 7:4 I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares. Wis 7:5 For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth. Wis 7:6 For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out. Wis 7:7 Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me: Wis 7:8 And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her. Wis 7:9 Neither did I compare unto her any precious stone: for all gold, in comparison of her, is as a little sand; and silver, in respect to her, shall be counted as clay. Wis 7:10 I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out. Wis 7:11 Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands, Wis 7:12 And I rejoiced in all these: for this wisdom went before me, and I knew not that she was the mother of them all. Wis 7:13 Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
Wis 7:14 For she is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline. Wis 7:15 And God hath given to me to speak as I would, and to conceive thoughts worthy of those things that are given me: because he is the guide of wisdom, and the director of the wise: Wis 7:16 For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works. Wis 7:17 For he hath given me the true knowledge of the things that are: to know the disposition of the whole world, and the virtues of the elements, Wis 7:18 The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons, Wis 7:19 The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars, Wis 7:20 The natures of living creatures, and rage of wild beasts, the force of winds, and reasonings of men, the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots, Wis 7:21 And all such things as are hid, and not foreseen, I have learned: for wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me. Wis 7:22 For in her is the spirit of understanding; holy, one, manifold, subtile, eloquent, active, undefiled, sure, sweet, loving that which is good, quick, which nothing hindereth, beneficent, Wis 7:23 Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile: Wis 7:24 For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity. Wis 7:25 For she is a vapour of the power of God, and a certain pure emmanation of the glory of the Almighty God: and therefore no defiled thing cometh into her. Wis 7:26 For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness. Wis 7:27 And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself the same, she reneweth all things, and through nations conveyeth herself into holy souls, she maketh the friends of God and prophets. Wis 7:28 For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom. Wis 7:29 For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of the stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it. Wis 7:30 For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom. Wis 8:1 She reacheth, therefore, from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly. Wis 8:2 Her have I loved, and have sought her out from my youth, and have desired to take for my spouse, and I became a lover of her beauty.
Wis 8:3 She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: yea, and the Lord of all things hath loved her. Wis 8:4 For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of God and is the chooser of his works. Wis 8:5 And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, which maketh all things? Wis 8:6 And if sense do work: who is a more artful worker than she of those things that are? Wis 8:7 And if a man love justice: her labours have great virtues: for she teacheth temperance, and prudence, and justice, and fortitude, which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in life. Wis 8:8 And if a man desire much knowledge: she knoweth things past, and judgeth of things to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and the solutions of arguments: she knoweth signs and wonders before they be done, and the events of times and ages. Wis 8:9 I purposed, therefore, to take her to me to live with me: knowing that she will communicate to me of her good things, and will be a comfort in my cares and grief. Wis 8:10 For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young: Wis 8:11 And I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of the mighty, and the faces of princes shall wonder at me. Wis 8:12 They shall wait for me when I hold my peace, and they shall look upon me when I speak; and if I talk much, they shall lay their hands on their mouth. Wis 8:13 Moreover, by the means of her I shall have immortality: and shall leave behind me an everlasting memory to them that come after me. Wis 8:14 I shall set the people in order: and nations shall be subject to me. Wis 8:15 Terrible kings hearing, shall be afraid of me: among the multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war. Wis 8:16 When I go into my house, I shall repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness, but joy and gladness. Wis 8:17 Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality, Wis 8:18 And that there is great delight in her friendship, and inexhaustible riches in the works of her hands, and in the exercise of conference with her, wisdom, and glory in the communication of her words: I went about seeking, that I might take her to myself.
Wis 8:19 And I was a witty child, and had received a good soul. Wis 8:20 And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled. Wis 8:21 And as I knew that I could not otherwise be continent, except God gave it, and this also was a point of wisdom, to know whose gift it was, I went to the Lord, and besought him, and said with my whole heart: Wis 9:1 God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, Wis 9:2 And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee, Wis 9:3 That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart: Wis 9:4 Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me not off from among thy children: Wis 9:5 For I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid, a weak man, and of short time, and falling short of the understanding of judgment and laws. Wis 9:6 For if one be perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded. Wis 9:7 Thou hast chosen me to be king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters: Wis 9:8 And hast commanded me to build a temple on thy holy mount, and an altar in the city of thy dwelling place, a resemblance of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning: Wis 9:9 And thy wisdom with thee, which knoweth thy works, which then also was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was agreeable to thy eyes, and what was right in thy commandments. Wis 9:10 Send her out of thy holy heaven, and from the throne of thy majesty, that she may be with me, and may labour with me, that I may know what is acceptable with thee: Wis 9:11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power. Wis 9:12 So shall my works be acceptable, and I shall govern thy people justly, and shall be worthy of the throne of my father. Wis 9:13 For who among men is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of God is? Wis 9:14 For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain. Wis 9:15 For the corruptible body is a load upon the soul, and the earthly habitation presseth down the mind that museth upon many things.
Wis 9:16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth: and with labour do we find the things that are before us. But the things that are in heaven, who shall search out? Wis 9:17 And who shall know thy thought, except thou give wisdom, and send thy holy Spirit from above: Wis 9:18 And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please thee? Wis 9:19 For by wisdom they were healed, whosoever have pleased thee, O Lord, from the beginning. Wis 10:1 She preserved him, that was first formed by God, the father of the world, when he was created alone, Wis 10:2 And she brought him out of his sin, and gave him power to govern all things. Wis 10:3 But when the unjust went away from her in his anger, he perished by the fury wherewith he murdered his brother. Wis 10:4 For whose cause, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom healed it again, directing the course of the just by contemptible wood. Wis 10:5 Moreover, when the nations had conspired together to consent to wickedness, she knew the just, and preserved him without blame to God, and kept him strong against the compassion for his son.
Wis 10:6 She delivered the just man, who fled from the wicked that were perishing, when the fire came down upon Pentapolis: Wis 10:7 Whose land, for a testimony of their wickedness, is desolate, and smoketh to this day, and the trees bear fruits that ripen not, and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an incredulous soul. Wis 10:8 For regarding not wisdom, they did not only slip in this, that they were ignorant of good things; but they left also unto men a memorial of their folly, so that in the things in which they sinned, they could not so much as lie hid. Wis 10:9 But wisdom hath delivered from sorrow them that attend upon her. Wis 10:10 She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother's wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours. Wis 10:11 In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable. Wis 10:12 She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all. Wis 10:13 She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit.
Wis 10:14 And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory. Wis 10:15 She delivered the just people, and blameless seed, from the nations that oppressed them. Wis 10:16 She entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs. Wis 10:17 And she rendered to the just the wages of their labours, and conducted them in a wonderful way: and she was to them for a covert by day, and for the light of stars by night: Wis 10:18 And she brought them through the Red Sea, and carried them over through a great water. Wis 10:19 But their enemies she drowned in the sea, and from the depth of hell she brought them out. Therefore the just took the spoils of the wicked. Wis 10:20 And they sung to thy holy name, O Lord, and they praised with one accord thy victorious hand. Wis 10:21 For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent. Wis 11:1 She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet. Wis 11:2 They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents. Wis 11:3 They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.
Wis 11:4 They were thirsty, and they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the high rock, and a refreshment of their thirst out of the hard stone. Wis 11:5 For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith, and rejoiced: Wis 11:6 By the same things they in their need were benefited. Wis 11:7 For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust. Wis 11:8 And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for: Wis 11:9 Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries. Wis 11:10 For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath, and tormented. Wis 11:11 For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn. Wis 11:12 For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike. Wis 11:13 For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
Wis 11:14 For when they heard that by their punishments the others were benefited, they remembered the Lord, wondering at the end of what was come to pass. Wis 11:15 For whom they scorned before, when he was thrown out at the time of his being wickedly exposed to perish, him they admired in the end, when they saw the event: their thirsting being unlike to that of the just. Wis 11:16 But for the foolish devices of their iniquity, because some being deceived worshipped dumb serpents and worthless beasts, thou didst send upon them a multitude of dumb beasts for vengeance: Wis 11:17 That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented. Wis 11:18 For thy almighty hand, which made the world of matter without form, was not unable to send upon them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions, Wis 11:19 Or unknown beasts of a new kind, full of rage; either breathing out a fiery vapour, or sending forth a stinking smoke, or shooting horrible sparks out of their eyes: Wis 11:20 Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.
Wis 11:21 Yea, and without these, they might have been slain with one blast, persecuted by their own deeds, and scattered by the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure, and number, and weight. Wis 11:22 For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm? Wis 11:23 For the whole world before thee is as the least grain of the balance, and as a drop of the morning dew, that falleth down upon tho earth. Wis 11:24 But thou hast mercy upon all, because thou canst do all things, and overlookest the sins of men for the sake of repentance. Wis 11:25 For thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made: for thou didst not appoint, or make any thing hating it. Wis 11:26 And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee? Wis 11:27 But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls. Wis 12:1 O how good and sweet is thy Spirit, O Lord, in all things!
Wis 12:2 And therefore thou chastisest them that err, by little and little: and admonishest them, and speakest to them, concerning the things wherein they offend: that leaving their wickedness, they may believe in thee, O Lord. Wis 12:3 For those ancient inhabitants of thy holy land, whom thou didst abhor, Wis 12:4 Because they did works hateful to thee by their sorceries, and wicked sacrifices, Wis 12:5 And those merciless murderers of their own children, and eaters of men's bowels, and devourers of blood from the midst of thy consecration, Wis 12:6 And those parents sacrificing with their own hands helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our parents, Wis 12:7 That the land which of all is most dear to thee, might receive a worthy colony of the children of God. Wis 12:8 Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little. Wis 12:9 Not that thou wast unable to bring the wicked under the just by war, or by cruel beasts, or with one rough word to destroy them at once: Wis 12:10 But executing thy judgments by degrees, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a wicked generation, and their malice natural, and that their thought could never be changed. Wis 12:11 For it was a cursed seed from the beginning: neither didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins. Wis 12:12 For who shall say to thee: What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall come before thee to be a revenger of wicked men? or who shall accuse thee, if the nations perish, which thou hast made? Wis 12:13 For there is no other God but thou, who hast care of all, that thou shouldst shew that thou dost not give judgment unjustly. Wis 12:14 Neither shall king, nor tyrant, in thy sight inquire about them whom thou hast destroyed. Wis 12:15 For so much then, as thou art just, thou orderest all things justly: thinking it not agreeable to the power, to condemn him who deserveth not to be punished. Wis 12:16 For thy power is the beginning of justice: and because thou art Lord of all, thou makest thyself gracious to all.
Wis 12:17 For thou shewest thy power, when men will not believe thee to be absolute in power, and thou convincest the boldness of them that know thee not. Wis 12:18 But thou being master of power, judgest with tranquillity, and with great favour disposest of us: for thy power is at hand when thou wilt. Wis 12:19 But thou hast taught thy people by such works, that they must be just and humane, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope: because in judging, thou givest place for repentance for sins. Wis 12:20 For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy servants, and that deserved to die, with so great deliberation, giving them time and place whereby they might be changed from their wickedness: Wis 12:21 With what circumspection hast thou judged thy own children, to whose parents thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises? Wis 12:22 Therefore whereas thou chastisest us, thou scourgest our enemies very many ways, to the end that when we judge we may think on thy goodness: and when we are judged, we may hope for thy mercy. Wis 12:23 Wherefore thou hast also greatly tormented them, who, in their life, have lived foolishly and unjustly, by the same things which they worshipped.
Wis 12:24 For they went astray for a long time in the ways of error, holding those things for gods which are the most worthless among beasts, living after the manner of children without understanding. Wis 12:25 Therefore thou hast sent a judgment upon them, as senseless children, to mock them. Wis 12:26 But they that were not amended by mockeries and reprehensions, experienced the worthy judgment of God. Wis 12:27 For seeing, with indignation, that they suffered by those very things which they took for gods, when they were destroyed by the same, they acknowledged him the true God, whom in time past they denied that they knew: for which cause the end also of their condemnation came upon them. Wis 13:1 But all men are vain, in whom there is not the knowledge of God: and who by these good things that are seen, could not understand him that is, neither by attending to the works have acknowledged who was the workman: Wis 13:2 But have imagined either the fire, or the wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the great water, or the sun and moon, to be the gods that rule the world. Wis 13:3 With whose beauty, if they, being delighted, took them to be gods: let them know how much the Lord of them is more beautiful than they: for the first author of beauty made all those things.