GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:70urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:70Love righteousness , ye that be judges of the earth : think of the Lord with a good ( heart , ) and in simplicity of heart seek him . For he will be found of them that tempt him not ; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him . For froward thoughts separate from God : and his power , when it is tried , reproveth the unwise . For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter ; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin . For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit , and remove from thoughts that are without understanding , and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in . For wisdom is a loving spirit ; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words : for God is witness of his reins , and a true beholder of his heart , and a hearer of his tongue . For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world : and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice . Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid : neither shall vengeance , when it punisheth , pass by him . For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly : and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds . For the ear of jealousy heareth all things : and the noise of murmurings is not hid . Therefore beware of murmuring , which is unprofitable ; and refrain your tongue from backbiting : for there is no word so secret , that shall go for nought : and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul . Seek not death in the error of your life : and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands . For God made not death : neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living . For he created all things , that they might have their being : and the generations of the world were healthful ; and there is no poison of destruction in them , nor the kingdom of death upon the earth : ( For righteousness is immortal : ) But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them : for when they thought to have it their friend , they consumed to nought , and made a covenant with it , because they are worthy to take part with it . For the ungodly said , reasoning with themselves , but not aright , Our life is short and tedious , and in the death of a man there is no remedy : neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave . For we are born at all adventure : and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been : for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke , and a little spark in the moving of our heart : Which being extinguished , our body shall be turned into ashes , and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air , And our name shall be forgotten in time , and no man shall have our works in remembrance , and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud , and shall be dispersed as a mist , that is driven away with the beams of the sun , and overcome with the heat thereof . For our time is a very shadow that passeth away ; and after our end there is no returning : for it is fast sealed , so that no man cometh again . Come on therefore , let us enjoy the good things that are present : and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth . Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments : and let no flower of the spring pass by us : Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds , before they be withered : Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness : let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place : for this is our portion , and our lot is this . Let us oppress the poor righteous man , let us not spare the widow , nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged . Let our strength be the law of justice : for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth . Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous ; because he is not for our turn , and he is clean contrary to our doings : he upbraideth us with our offending the law , and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education . He professeth to have the knowledge of God : and he calleth himself the child of the Lord . He was made to reprove our thoughts . He is grievous unto us even to behold : for his life is not like other men's , his ways are of another fashion . We are esteemed of him as counterfeits : he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness : he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed , and maketh his boast that God is his father . Let us see if his words be true : and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him . For if the just man be the son of God , he will help him , and deliver him from the hand of his enemies . Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture , that we may know his meekness , and prove his patience . Let us condemn him with a shameful death : for by his own saying he shall be respected . Such things they did imagine , and were deceived : for their own wickedness hath blinded them . As for the mysteries of God , they kn ew them not : neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness , nor discerned a reward for blameless souls . For God created man to be immortal , and made him to be an image of his own eternity . Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world : and they that do hold of his side do find it . But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God , and there shall no torment touch them . In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die : and their departure is taken for misery , And their going from us to be utter destruction : but they are in peace . For though they be punished in the sight of men , yet is their hope full of immortality . And having been a little chastised , they shall be greatly rewarded : for God proved them , and found them worthy for himself . As gold in the furnace hath he tried them , and received them as a burnt offering . And in the time of their visitation they shall shine , and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble . They shall judge the nations , and have dominion over the people , and their Lord shall reign for ever . They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth : and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him : for grace and mercy is to his saints , and he hath care for his elect . But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations , which have neglected the righteous , and forsaken the Lord . For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture , he is miserable , and their hope is vain , their labours unfruitful , and their works unprofitable : Their wives are foolish , and their children wicked : Their offspring is cursed . Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled , which hath not known the sinful bed : she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls . And blessed is the eunuch , which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity , nor imagined wicked things against God : for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith , and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind . For glorious is the fruit of good labours : and the root of wisdom shall never fall away . As for the children of adulterers , they shall not come to their perfection , and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out . For though they live long , yet shall they be nothing regarded : and their last age shall be without honour . Or , if they die quickly , they have no hope , neither comfort in the day of trial . For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation . Better it is to have no children , and to have virtue : for the memorial thereof is immortal : because it is known with God , and with men . When it is present , men take example at it ; and when it is gone , they desire it : it weareth a crown , and triumpheth for ever , having gotten the victory , striving for undefiled rewards . But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive , nor take deep rooting from bastard slips , nor lay any fast foundation . For though they flourish in branches for a time ; yet standing not last , they shall be shaken with the wind , and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out . The imperfect branches shall be broken off , their fruit unprofitable , not ripe to eat , yea , meet for nothing . For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial . But though the righteous be prevented with death , yet shall he be in rest . For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time , nor that is measured by number of years . But wisdom is the gray hair unto men , and an unspotted life is old age . He pleased God , and was beloved of him : so that living among sinners he was translated . Yea speedily was he taken away , lest that wickedness should alter his understanding , or deceit beguile his soul . For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest ; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind . He , being made perfect in a short time , fulfilled a long time : For his soul pleased the Lord : therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked . This the people saw , and understood it not , neither laid they up this in their minds , That his grace and mercy is with his saints , and that he hath respect unto his chosen . Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living ; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous . For they shall see the end of the wise , and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him , and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety . They shall see him , and despise him ; but God shall laugh them to scorn : and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase , and a reproach among the dead for evermore . For he shall rend them , and cast them down headlong , that they shall be speechless ; and he shall shake them from the foundation ; and they shall be utterly laid waste , and be in sorrow ; and their memorial shall perish . And when they cast up the accounts of their sins , they shall come with fear : and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face . Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him , and made no account of his labours . When they see it , they shall be troubled with terrible fear , and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation , so far beyond all that they looked for . And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves , This was he , whom we had sometimes in derision , and a proverb of reproach : We fools accounted his life madness , and his end to be without honour : How is he numbered among the children of God , and his lot is among the saints ! Therefore have we erred from the way of truth , and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us , and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us . We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction : yea , we have gone through deserts , where there lay no way : but as for the way of the Lord , we have not known it . What hath pride profited us ? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us ? All those things are passed away like a shadow , and as a post that hasted by ; And as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water , which when it is gone by , the trace thereof cannot be found , neither the pathway of the keel in the waves ; Or as when a bird hath flown through the air , there is no token of her way to be found , but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings and parted with the violent noise and motion of them , is passed through , and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be found ; Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark , it parteth the air , which immediately cometh together again , so that a man cannot know where it went through : Even so we in like manner , as soon as we were born , began to draw to our end , and had no sign of virtue to shew ; but were consumed in our own wickedness . For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind ; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm ; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest , and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day . But the righteous live for evermore ; their reward also is with the Lord , and the care of them is with the most High . Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom , and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand : for with his right hand shall he cover them , and with his arm shall he protect them . He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour , and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies . He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate , and true judgment instead of an helmet . He shall take holiness for an invincible shield . His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword , and the world shall fight with him against the unwise . Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad ; and from the clouds , as from a well drawn bow , shall they fly to the mark . And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow , and the water of the sea shall rage against them , and the floods shall cruelly drown them . Yea , a mighty wind shall stand up against them , and like a storm shall blow them away : thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth , and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty . Hear therefore , O ye kings , and understand ; learn , ye that be judges of the ends of the earth . Give ear , ye that rule the people , and glory in the multitude of nations . For power is given you of the Lord , and sovereignty from the Highest , who shall try your works , and search out your counsels . Because , being ministers of his kingdom , ye have not judged aright , nor kept the law , nor walked after the counsel of God ; Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you : for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places . For mercy will soon pardon the meanest : but mighty men shall be mightily tormented . For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person , neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness : for he hath made the small and great , and careth for all alike . But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty . Unto you therefore , O kings , do I speak , that ye may learn wisdom , and not fall away . For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy : and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer . Wherefore set your affection upon my words ; desire them , and ye shall be instructed . Wisdom is glorious , and never fadeth away : yea , she is easily seen of them that love her , and found of such as seek her . She preventeth them that desire her , in making herself first known unto them . Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail : for he shall find her sitting at his doors . To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom : and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care . For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her , sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways , and meeteth them in every thought . For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline ; and the care of discipline is love ; And love is the keeping of her laws ; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption ; And incorruption maketh us near unto God : Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom . If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres , O ye kings of the people , honour wisdom , that ye may reign for evermore . As for wisdom , what she is , and how she came up , I will tell you , and will not hide mysteries from you : but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity , and bring the knowledge of her into light , and will not pass over the truth . Neither will I go with consuming envy ; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom . But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world : and a wise king is the upholding of the people . Receive therefore instruction through my words , and it shall do you good . I myself also am a mortal man , like to all , and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth , And in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months , being compacted in blood , of the seed of man , and the pleasure that came with sleep . And when I was born , I drew in the common air , and fell upon the earth , which is of like nature , and the first voice which I uttered was crying , as all others do . I was nursed in swaddling clothes , and that with cares . For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth . For all men have one entrance into life , and the like going out . Wherefore I prayed , and understanding was given me : I called upon God , and the spirit of wisdom came to me . I preferred her before sceptres and thrones , and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her . Neither compared I unto her any precious stone , because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand , and silver shall be counted as clay before her . I loved her above health and beauty , and chose to have her instead of light : for the light that cometh from her never goeth out . All good things together came to me with her , and innumerable riches in her hands . And I rejoiced in them all , because wisdom goeth before them : and I knew not that she was the mother of them . I learned diligently , and do communicate her liberally : I do not hide her riches . For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth : which they that use become the friends of God , being commended for the gifts that come from learning . God hath granted me to speak as I would , and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me : because it is he that leadeth unto wisdom , and directeth the wise . For in his hand are both we and our words ; all wisdom also , and knowledge of workmanship . For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are , namely , to know how the world was made , and the operation of the elements : The beginning , ending , and midst of the times : the alterations of the turning of the sun , and the change of seasons : The circuits of years , and the positions of stars : The natures of living creatures , and the furies of wild beasts : the violence of winds , and the reasonings of men : the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots : And all such things as are either secret or manifest , them I know . For wisdom , which is the worker of all things , taught me : for in her is an understanding spirit holy , one only , manifold , subtil , lively , clear , undefiled , plain , not subject to hurt , loving the thing that is good quick , which cannot be letted , ready to do good , Kind to man , steadfast , sure , free from care , having all power , overseeing all things , and going through all understanding , pure , and most subtil , spirits . For wisdom is more moving than any motion : she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness . For she is the breath of the power of God , and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty : therefore can no defiled thing fall into her . For she is the brightness of the everlasting light , the unspotted mirror of the power of God , and the image of his goodness . And being but one , she can do all things : and remaining in herself , she maketh all things new : and in all ages entering into holy souls , she maketh them friends of God , and prophets . For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom . For she is more beautiful than the sun , and above all the order of stars : being compared with the light , she is found before it . For after this cometh night : but vice shall not prevail against wisdom . Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily : and sweetly doth she order all things . I loved her , and sought her out from my youth , I desired to make her my spouse , and I was a lover of her beauty . In that she is conversant with God , she magnifieth her nobility : yea , the Lord of all things himself loved her . For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God , and a lover of his works . If riches be a possession to be desired in this life ; what is richer than wisdom , that worketh all things ? And if prudence work ; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she ? And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues : for she teacheth temperance and prudence , justice and fortitude : which are such things , as en can have nothing more profitable in their life . If a man desire much experience , she knoweth things of old , and conjectureth aright what is to come : she knoweth the subtilties of speeches , and can expound dark sentences : she foreseeth signs and wonders , and the events of seasons and times . Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me , knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things , and a comfort in cares and grief . For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude , and honour with the elders , though I be young . I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment , and shall be admired in the sight of great men . When I hold my tongue , they shall bide my leisure , and when I speak , they shall give good ear unto me : if I talk much , they shall lay their hands upon their mouth . Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality , and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me . I shall set the people in order , and the nations shall be subject unto me . Horrible tyrants shall be afraid , when they do but hear of me ; I shall be found good among the multitude , and valiant in war . After I am come into mine house , I will repose myself with her : for her conversation hath no bitterness ; and to live with her hath no sorrow , but mirth and joy . Now when I considered these things in myself , and pondered them in my heart , how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality ; And great pleasure it is to have her friendship ; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches ; and in the exercise of conference with her , prudence ; and in talking with her , a good report ; I went about seeking how to take her to me . For I was a witty child , and had a good spirit . Yea rather , being good , I came into a body undefiled . Nevertheless , when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her , except God gave her me ; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was ; I prayed unto the Lord , and besought him , and with my whole heart I said , O God of my fathers , and Lord of mercy , who hast made all things with thy word , And ordained man through thy wisdom , that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made , And order the world according to equity and righteousness , and execute judgment with an upright heart : Give me wisdom , that sitteth by thy throne ; and reject me not from among thy children : For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person , and of a short time , and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws . For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men , yet if thy wisdom be not with him , he shall be nothing regarded . Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people , and a judge of thy sons and daughters : Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount , and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest , a resemblance of the holy tabernacle , which thou hast prepared from the beginning . And wisdom was with thee : which knoweth thy works , and was present when thou madest the world , and knew what was acceptable in thy sight , and right in thy commandments . O send her out of thy holy heavens , and from the throne of thy glory , that being present she may labour with me , that I may know what is pleasing unto thee . For she knoweth and understandeth all things , and she shall lead me soberly in my doings , and preserve me in her power . So shall my works be acceptable , and then shall I judge thy people righteously , and be worthy to sit in my father's seat . For what man is he that can know the counsel of God ? or who can think what the will of the Lord is ? For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable , and our devices are but uncertain . For the corruptible body presseth down the soul , and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things . And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth , and with labour do we find the things that are before us : but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out ? And thy counsel who hath known , except thou give wisdom , and send thy Holy Spirit from above ? For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed , and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee , and were saved through wisdom . She preserved the first formed father of the world , that was created alone , and brought him out of his fall , And gave him power to rule all things . But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger , he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother . For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood , wisdom again preserved it , and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value . Moreover , the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded , she found out the righteous , and preserved him blameless unto God , and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son . When the ungodly perished , she delivered the righteous man , who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities . Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony , and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness : and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul . For regarding not wisdom , they gat not only this hurt , that they knew not the things which were good ; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness : so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid . Rut wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her . When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath she guided him in right paths , shewed him the kingdom of God , and gave him knowledge of holy things , made him rich in his travels , and multiplied the fruit of his labours . In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him , and made him rich . She defended him from his enemies , and kept him safe from those that lay in wait , and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory ; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all . When the righteous was sold , she forsook him not , but delivered him from sin : she went down with him into the pit , And left him not in bonds , till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom , and power against those that oppressed him : as for them that had accused him , she shewed them to be liars , and gave him perpetual glory . She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them . She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord , and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs ; Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours , guided them in a marvellous way , and was unto them for a cover by day , and a light of stars in the night season ; Brought them through the Red sea , and led them through much water : But she drowned their enemies , and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep . Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly , and praised thy holy name , O Lord , and magnified with one accord thine hand , that fought for them . For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb , and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent . She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet . They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited , and pitched tents in places where there lay no way . They stood against their enemies , and were avenged of their adversaries . When they were thirsty , they called upon thee , and water was given them out of the flinty rock , and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone . For by what things their enemies were punished , by the same they in their need were benefited . For instead of of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood , For a manifest reproof of that commandment , whereby the infants were slain , thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for : Declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their adversaries . For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised , they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented , thirsting in another manner than the just . For these thou didst admonish and try , as a father : but the other , as a severe king , thou didst condemn and punish . Whether they were absent or present , they were vexed alike . For a double grief came upon them , and a groaning for the remembrance of things past . For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited , they had some feeling of the Lord . For whom they respected with scorn , when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth of the infants , him in the end , when they saw what came to pass , they admired . But for the foolish devices of their wickedness , wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason , and vile beasts , thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance ; That they might know , that wherewithal a man sinneth , by the same also shall he be punished . For thy Almighty hand , that made the world of matter without form , wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears or fierce lions , Or unknown wild beasts , full of rage , newly created , breathing out either a fiery vapour , or filthy scents of scattered smoke , or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes : Whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once , but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them . Yea , and without these might they have fallen down with one blast , being persecuted of vengeance , and scattered abroad through the breath of thy power : but thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight . For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou wilt ; and who may withstand the power of thine arm ? For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the balance , yea , as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth . But thou hast mercy upon all ; for thou canst do all things , and winkest at the sins of men , because they should amend . For thou lovest all the things that are , and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made : for never wouldest thou have made any thing , if thou hadst hated it . And how could any thing have endured , if it had not been thy will ? or been preserved , if not called by thee ? But thou sparest all : for they are thine , O Lord , thou lover of souls . For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things . Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that offend , and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended , that leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee , O Lord . For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of thy holy land , Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts , and wicked sacrifices ; And also those merciless murderers of children , and devourers of man's flesh , and the feasts of blood , With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew , and the parents , that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help : That the land , which thou esteemedst above all other , might receive a worthy colony of God's children . Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men , and didst send wasps , forerunners of thine host , to destroy them by little and little . Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle , or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts , or with one rough word : But executing thy judgments upon them by little and little , thou gavest them place of repentance , not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation , and that their malice was bred in them , and that their cogitation would never be changed . For it was a cursed seed from the beginning ; neither didst thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned . For who shall say , What hast thou done ? or who shall withstand thy judgment ? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish , whom thou made ? or who shall come to stand against thee , to be revenged for the unrighteous men ? For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all , to whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright . Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee for any whom thou hast punished . Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself , thou orderest all things righteously : thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished . For thy power is the beginning of righteousness , and because thou art the Lord of all , it maketh thee to be gracious unto all . For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power , thou shewest thy strength , and among them that know it thou makest their boldness manifest . But thou , mastering thy power , judgest with equity , and orderest us with great favour : for thou mayest use power when thou wilt . But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man should be merciful , and hast made thy children to be of a good hope that thou givest repentance for sins . For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children , and the condemned to death , with such deliberation , giving them time and place , whereby they might be delivered from their malice : With how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons , unto whose fathers thou hast sworn , and made covenants of good promises ? Therefore , whereas thou dost chasten us , thou scourgest our enemies a thousand times more , to the intent that , when we judge , we should carefully think of thy goodness , and when we ourselves are judged , we should look for mercy . Wherefore , whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously , thou hast tormented them with their own abominations . For they went astray very far in the ways of error , and held them for gods , which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised , being deceived , as children of no understanding . Therefore unto them , as to children without the use of reason , thou didst send a judgment to mock them . But they that would not be reformed by that correction , wherein he dallied with them , shall feel a judgment worthy of God . For , look , for what things they grudged , when they were punished , that is , for them whom they thought to be gods ; [ now ] being punished in them , when they saw it , they acknowledged him to be the true God , whom before they denied to know : and therefore came extreme damnation upon them . Surely vain are all men by nature , who are ignorant of God , and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is : neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster ; But deemed either fire , or wind , or the swift air , or the circle of the stars , or the violent water , or the lights of heaven , to be the gods which govern the world . With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods ; let them know how much better the Lord of them is : for the first author of beauty hath created them . But if they were astonished at their power and virtue , let them understand by them , how much mightier he is that made them . For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen . But yet for this they are the less to be blamed : for they peradventure err , seeking God , and desirous to find him . For being conversant in his works they search him diligently , and believe their sight : because the things are beautiful that are seen . Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned . For if they were able to know so much , that they could aim at the world ; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof ? But miserable are they , and in dead things is their hope , who call them gods , which are the works of men's hands , gold and silver , to shew art in , and resemblances of beasts , or a stone good for nothing , the work of an ancient hand . Now a carpenter that felleth timber , after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose , and taken off all the bark skilfully round about , and hath wrought it handsomely , and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man's life ; And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat , hath filled himself ; And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use , being a crooked piece of wood , and full of knots , hath carved it diligently , when he had nothing else to do , and formed it by the skill of his understanding , and fashioned it to the image of a man ; Or made it like some vile beast , laying it over with vermilion , and with paint colouring it red , and covering every spot therein ; And when he had made a convenient room for it , set it in a wall , and made it fast with iron : For he provided for it that it might not fall , knowing that it was unable to help itself ; for it is an image , and hath need of help : Then maketh he prayer for his goods , for his wife and children , and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life . For health he calleth upon that which is weak : for life prayeth to that which is dead ; for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help : and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward : And for gaining and getting , and for good success of his hands , asketh ability to do of him , that is most unable to do any thing . Again , one preparing himself to sail , and about to pass through the raging waves , calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him . For verily desire of gain devised that , and the workman built it by his skill . But thy providence , O Father , governeth it : for thou hast made a way in the sea , and a safe path in the waves ; Shewing that thou canst save from all danger : yea , though a man went to sea without art . Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle , and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood , and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved . For in the old time also , when the proud giants perished , the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel , and left to all ages a seed of generation . For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh . But that which is made with hands is cursed , as well it , as he that made it : he , because he made it ; and it , because , being corruptible , it was called god . For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God . For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it . Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation : because in the creature of God they are become an abomination , and stumblingblocks to the souls of men , and a snare to the feet of the unwise . For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication , and the invention of them the corruption of life . For neither were they from the beginning , neither shall they be for ever . For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world , and therefore shall they come shortly to an end . For a father afflicted with untimely mourning , when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away , now honoured him as a god , which was then a dead man , and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices . Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law , and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings . Whom men could not honour in presence , because they dwelt far off , they took the counterfeit of his visage from far , and made an express image of a king whom they honoured , to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent , as if he were present . Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition . For he , peradventure willing to please one in authority , forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion . And so the multitude , allured by the grace of the work , took him now for a god , which a little before was but honoured . And this was an occasion to deceive the world : for men , serving either calamity or tyranny , did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name . Moreover this was not enough for them , that they erred in the knowledge of God ; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance , those so great plagues called they peace . For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices , or used secret ceremonies , or made revellings of strange rites ; They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled : but either one slew another traiterously , or grieved him by adultery . So that there reigned in all men without exception blood , manslaughter , theft , and dissimulation , corruption , unfaithfulness , tumults , perjury , Disquieting of good men , forgetfulness of good turns , defiling of souls , changing of kind , disorder in marriages , adultery , and shameless uncleanness . For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning , the cause , and the end , of all evil . For either they are mad when they be merry , or prophesy lies , or live unjustly , or else lightly forswear themselves . For insomuch as their trust is in idols , which have no life ; though they swear falsely , yet they look not to be hurt . Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished : both because they thought not well of God , giving heed unto idols , and also unjustly swore in deceit , despising holiness . For it is not the power of them by whom they swear : but it is the just vengeance of sinners , that punisheth always the offence of the ungodly . But thou , O God , art gracious and true , longsuffering , and in mercy ordering all things , For if we sin , we are thine , knowing thy power : but we will not sin , knowing that we are counted thine . For to know thee is perfect righteousness : yea , to know thy power is the root of immortality . For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us , nor an image spotted with divers colours , the painter's fruitless labour ; The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it , and so they desire the form of a dead image , that hath no breath . Both they that make them , they that desire them , and they that worship them , are lovers of evil things , and are worthy to have such things to trust upon . For the potter , tempering soft earth , fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service : yea , of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses , and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary : but what is the use of either sort , the potter himself is the judge . And employing his labours lewdly , he maketh a vain god of the same clay , even he which a little before was made of earth himself , and within a little while after returneth to the same , out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded . Notwithstanding his care is , not that he shall have much labour , nor that his life is short : but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths , and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass , and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things . His heart is ashes , his hope is more vile than earth , and his life of less value than clay : Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker , and him that inspired into him an active soul , and breathed in a living spirit . But they counted our life a pastime , and our time here a market for gain : for , say they , we must be getting every way , though it be by evil means . For this man , that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images , knoweth himself to offend above all others . And all the enemies of thy people , that hold them in subjection , are most foolish , and are more miserable than very babes . For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods : which neither have the use of eyes to see , nor noses to draw breath , nor ears to hear , nor fingers of hands to handle ; and as for their feet , they are slow to go . For man made them , and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them : but no man can make a god like unto himself . For being mortal , he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands : for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth : whereas he lived once , but they never . Yea , they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful : for being compared together , some are worse than others . Neither are they beautiful , so much as to be desired in respect of beasts : but they went without the praise of God and his blessing . Therefore by the like were they punished worthily , and by the multitude of beasts tormented . Instead of which punishment , dealing graciously with thine own people , thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste , even quails to stir up their appetite : To the end that they , desiring food , might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that , which they must needs desire ; but these , suffering penury for a short space , might be made partakers of a strange taste . For it was requisite , that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury , which they could not avoid : but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented . For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these , and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents , thy wrath endured not for ever : But they were troubled for a small season , that they might be admonished , having a sign of salvation , to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law . For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw , but by thee , that art the Saviour of all . And in this thou madest thine enemies confess , that it is thou who deliverest from all evil : For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed , neither was there found any remedy for their life : for they were worthy to be punished by such . But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame : for thy mercy was ever by them , and healed them . For they were pricked , that they should remember thy words ; and were quickly saved , that not falling into deep forgetfulness , they might be continually mindful of thy goodness . For it was neither herb , nor mollifying plaister , that restored them to health : but thy word , O Lord , which healeth all things . For thou hast power of life and death : thou leadest to the gates of hell , and bringest up again . A man indeed killeth through his malice : and the spirit , when it is gone forth , returneth not ; neither the soul received up cometh again . But it is not possible to escape thine hand . For the ungodly , that denied to know thee , were scourged by the strength of thine arm : with strange rains , hails , and showers , were they persecuted , that they could not avoid , and through fire were they consumed . For , which is most to be wondered at , the fire had more force in the water , that quencheth all things : for the world fighteth for the righteous . For sometime the flame was mitigated , that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly ; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God . And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire , that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land . Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels' food , and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour , able to content every man's delight , and agreeing to every taste . For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children , and serving to the appetite of the eater , tempered itself to every man's liking . But snow and ice endured the fire , and melted not , that they might know that fire burning in the hail , and sparkling in the rain , did destroy the fruits of the enemies . But this again did even forget his own strength , that the righteous might be nourished . For the creature that serveth thee , who art the Maker increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment , and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee . Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions , and was obedient to thy grace , that nourisheth all things , according to the desire of them that had need : That thy children , O Lord , whom thou lovest , might know , that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man : but that it is thy word , which preserveth them that put their trust in thee . For that which was not destroyed of the fire , being warmed with a little sunbeam , soon melted away : That it might be known , that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks , and at the dayspring pray unto thee . For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's hoar frost , and shall run away as unprofitable water . For great are thy judgments , and cannot be expressed : therefore unnurtured souls have erred . For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation ; they being shut up in their houses , the prisoners of darkness , and fettered with the bonds of a long night , lay [ there ] exiled from the eternal providence . For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins , they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness , being horribly astonished , and troubled with [ strange ] apparitions . For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear : but noises [ as of waters ] falling down sounded about them , and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances . No power of the fire might give them light : neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night . Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself , very dreadful : for being much terrified , they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not . As for the illusions of art magick , they were put down , and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace . For they , that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul , were sick themselves of fear , worthy to be laughed at . For though no terrible thing did fear them ; yet being scared with beasts that passed by , and hissing of serpents , They died for fear , denying that they saw the air , which could of no side be avoided . For wickedness , condemned by her own witness , is very timorous , and being pressed with conscience , always forecasteth grievous things . For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth . And the expectation from within , being less , counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment . But they sleeping the same sleep that night , which was indeed intolerable , and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable hell , Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions , and partly fainted , their heart failing them : for a sudden fear , and not looked for , came upon them . So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept , shut up in a prison without iron bars , For whether he were husbandman , or shepherd , or a labourer in the field , he was overtaken , and endured that necessity , which could not be avoided : for they were all bound with one chain of darkness . Whether it were a whistling wind , or a melodious noise of birds among the spreading branches , or a pleasing fall of water running violently , Or a terrible sound of stones cast down , or a running that could not be seen of skipping beasts , or a roaring voice of most savage wild beasts , or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains ; these things made them to swoon for fear . For the whole world shined with clear light , and none were hindered in their labour : Over them only was spread an heavy night , an image of that darkness which should afterward receive them : but yet were they unto themselves more grievous than the darkness . Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light , whose voice they hearing , and not seeing their shape , because they also had not suffered the same things , they counted them happy . But for that they did not hurt them now , of whom they had been wronged before , they thanked them , and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies . Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire , both to be a guide of the unknown journey , and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably . For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness , who had kept thy sons shut up , by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world . And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints , one child being cast forth , and saved , to reprove them , thou tookest away the multitude of their children , and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water . Of that night were our fathers certified afore , that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence , they might afterwards be of good cheer . So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous , and destruction of the enemies . For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries , by the same thou didst glorify us , whom thou hadst called . For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly , and with one consent made a holy law , that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil , the fathers now singing out the songs of praise . But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies , and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed . The master and the servant were punished after one manner ; and like as the king , so suffered the common person . So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death ; neither were the living sufficient to bury them : for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed . For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments ; upon the destruction of the firstborn , they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God . For while all things were in quiet silence , and that night was in the midst of her swift course , Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne , as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction , And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword , and standing up filled all things with death ; and it touched the heaven , but it stood upon the earth . Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore , and terrors came upon them unlooked for . And one thrown here , and another there , half dead , shewed the cause of his death . For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this , lest they should perish , and not know why they were afflicted . Yea , the tasting of death touched the righteous also , and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness : but the wrath endured not long . For then the blameless man made haste , and stood forth to defend them ; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry , even prayer , and the propitiation of incense , set himself against the wrath , and so brought the calamity to an end , declaring that he was thy servant . So he overcame the destroyer , not with strength of body , nor force of arms , but with a word subdued him that punished , alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers . For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another , standing between , he stayed the wrath , and parted the way to the living . For in the long garment was the whole world , and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven , and thy Majesty upon the daidem of his head . Unto these the destroyer gave place , and was afraid of them : for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath . As for the ungodly , wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end : for he knew before what they would do ; How that having given them leave to depart , and sent them hastily away , they would repent and pursue them . For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead , they added another foolish device , and pursued them as fugitives , whom they had intreated to be gone . For the destiny , whereof they were worthy , drew them unto this end , and made them forget the things that had already happened , that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments : And that thy people might pass a wonderful way : but they might find a strange death . For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew , serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them , that thy children might be kept without hurt : As namely , a cloud shadowing the camp ; and where water stood before , dry land appeared ; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment ; and out of the violent stream a green field : Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy hand , seeing thy marvellous strange wonders . For they went at large like horses , and leaped like lambs , praising thee , O Lord , who hadst delivered them . For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land , how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle , and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes . But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls , when , being led with their appetite , they asked delicate meats . For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment . And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders : for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness , insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers . For the Sodomites did not receive those , whom they knew not when they came : but these brought friends into bondage , that had well deserved of them . And not only so , but peradventure some respect shall be had of those , because they used strangers not friendly : But these very grievously afflicted them , whom they had received with feastings , and were already made partakers of the same laws with them . Therefore even with blindness were these stricken , as those were at the doors of the righteous man : when , being compassed about with horrible great darkness , every one sought the passage of his own doors . For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony , like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune , and yet are always sounds ; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done . For earthly things were turned into watery , and the things , that before swam in the water , now went upon the ground . The fire had power in the water , forgetting his own virtue : and the water forgat his own quenching nature . On the other side , the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things , though they walked therein ; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt . For in all things , O Lord , thou didst magnify thy people , and glorify them , neither didst thou lightly regard them : but didst assist them in every time and place . .