Title: The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Old Testament — Part 2
Release date: January 1, 1999 [eBook #1610]
Most recently updated: August 20, 2012
Language: English
Original publication: Catholic Software, 1999
Produced by Dennis McCarthy and Tad Book
Translated from the Latin Vulgate
Diligently Compared with the Hebrew, Greek, and Other Editions in Divers Languages
THE OLD TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Douay
A.D. 1609 & 1610
and
THE NEW TESTAMENT
First Published by the English College at Rheims
A.D. 1582
With Annotations
The Whole Revised and Diligently Compared with the Latin Vulgate by Bishop Richard Challoner A.D. 1749-1752
Without the assistance of many individuals and groups, this text of the Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible would not be available for the Project Gutenberg collection. Our most grateful and sincere thanks goes to those at 'Catholic Software' who have provided the electronic plain texts of the 73 books of the Bible. 'Catholic Software' also produces a Douay Bible program on CD-ROM that features a fully searchable Douay- Rheims Bible, footnotes, Latin text and dictionary, topical index, maps, Biblical art gallery, and other features. For more information of this and many other products contact:
Catholic Software Box 1914 Murray, KY 42071 (502) 753-8198 http://www.catholicity.com/market/CSoftware/ waubrey@aol.com
Additional production assistance has been provided by volunteers from the Atlanta Council of the Knights of Columbus. Tad Book compiled and reformatted the texts to Project Gutenberg standards. Dennis McCarthy assisted Mr. Book and transcribed selections from the first editions included as appendices.
This three volume e-text set comes from multiple editions of Challoner's revised Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible. The division of the Old Testaments into two parts follows the two tome format of the 1609/1610 printing of the Old Testament. In 1568 English exiles, many from Oxford, established the English College of Douay (Douai/Doway), Flanders, under William (later Cardinal) Allen. In October, 1578, Gregory Martin began the work of preparing an English translation of the Bible for Catholic readers, the first such translation into Modern English. Assisting were William Allen, Richard Bristow, Thomas Worthington, and William Reynolds who revised, criticized, and corrected Dr. Martin's work. The college published the New Testament at Rheims (Reims/Rhemes), France, in 1582 through John Fogny with a preface and explanatory notes, authored chiefly by Bristol, Allen, and Worthington. Later the Old Testament was published at Douay in two parts (1609 and 1610) by Laurence Kellam through the efforts of Dr. Worthington, then superior of the seminary. The translation had been prepared before the appearance of the New Testament, but the publication was delayed due to financial difficulties. The religious and scholarly adherence to the Latin Vulgate text led to the less elegant and idiomatic words and phrases often found in the translation. In some instances where no English word conveyed the full meaning of the Latin, a Latin word was Anglicized and its meaning defined in a glossary. Although ridiculed by critics, many of these words later found common usage in the English language. Spellings of proper names and the numbering of the Psalms are adopted from the Latin Vulgate.
In 1749 Dr. Richard Challoner began a major revision of the Douay and Rheims texts, the spellings and phrasing of which had become increasingly archaic in the almost two centuries since the translations were first produced. He modernized the diction and introduced a more fluid style, while faithfully maintaining the accuracy of Dr. Martin's texts. This revision became the 'de facto' standard text for English speaking Catholics until the twentieth century. It is still highly regarded by many for its style, although it is now rarely used for liturgical purposes. The notes included in this electronic edition are generally attributed to Bishop Challoner.
The 1610 printing of the second tome of the Old Testament includes an appendix containing the non-canonical books 'Prayer of Manasses,' 'Third Booke of Esdras,' and 'Fourth Booke of Esdras.' While not part of Challoner's revision, the 1610 texts are placed in the appendices of Vol. II of this e-text set. Also included are the original texts of two short books, 'The Prophecie of Abdias' (Vol. II) and 'The Catholike Epistle of Iude the Apostle' (Vol. III), to give the reader a sense of the language of the first editions in comparison to the Challoner revision. Further background on the Douay-Rheims version may be found in a selection from the preface to the 1582 edition and the original glossary included in the appendices of Vol. III.
The Second Part of the Old Testament
Appendices
The Prayer of Manasses
The Third Booke of Esdras
The Fourth Booke of Esdras
The Prophecie of Abdias
The psalms are called by the Hebrews TEHILLIM, that is, Hymns of Praise. The author, of a great part of them at least, was king David: but many are of opinion that some of them were made by Asaph, and others whose names are prefixed in the titles.
Psalms Chapter 1
Beatus vir.
The happiness of the just and the evil state of the wicked.
1:1. Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence:
1:2. But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.
1:3. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.
1:4. Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.
1:5. Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: nor sinners in the council of the just.
1:6. For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.
Psalms Chapter 2
Quare fremuerunt.
The vain efforts of persecutors against Christ and his church.
2:1. Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things?
2:2. The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.
2:3. Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us.
2:4. He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them.
2:5. Then shall he speak to them in his anger, and trouble them in his rage.
2:6. But I am appointed king by him over Sion, his holy mountain, preaching his commandment.
2:7. The Lord hath said to me: Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
2:8. Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
2:9. Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, and shalt break them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
2:10. And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth.
2:11. Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling.
2:12. Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, and you perish from the just way.
2:13. When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him.
Psalms Chapter 3
Domine, quid multiplicati.
The prophet's danger and delivery from his son Absalom: mystically, the passion and resurrection of Christ.
3:1. The psalm of David when he fled from the face of his son Absalom.
3:2. Many say to my soul: There is no salvation for him in his God.
3:4. But thou, O Lord, art my protector, my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
3:5. I have cried to the Lord with my voice: and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
3:6. I have slept and have taken my rest: and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.
3:7. I will not fear thousands of the people surrounding me: arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.
3:8. For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
3:9. Salvation is of the Lord: and thy blessing is upon thy people.
Psalms Chapter 4
Cum invocarem.
The prophet teacheth us to flee to God in tribulation, with confidence in him.
4:1. Unto the end, in verses. A psalm for David.
Unto the end. . .Or, as St. Jerome renders it, victori, to him that overcometh: which some understand of the chief musician; to whom they suppose the psalms, which bear that title, were given to be sung: we rather understand the psalms thus inscribed to refer to Christ, who is the end of the law, and the great conqueror of death and hell, and to the New Testament.—Ibid. In verses, in carminibus. . .In the Hebrew, it is neghinoth, supposed by some to be a musical instrument, with which this psalm was to be sung.—Ibid. For David, or to David. . .That is, inspired to David himself, or to be sung.
4:2. When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me. Have mercy on me: and hear my prayer.
4:3. O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4:4. Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
4:5. Be ye angry, and sin not: the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
4:6. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: many say, Who sheweth us good things?
4:7. The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: thou hast given gladness in my heart.
4:8. By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, they rest:
4:9. In peace in the self same I will sleep, and I will rest:
4:10. For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.
Psalms Chapter 5
Verba mea auribul.
A prayer to God against the iniquities of men.
5:1. Unto the end, for her that obtaineth the inheritance. A psalm for David.
For her that obtaineth the inheritance. . .That is, for the church of
Christ.
5:2. Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry.
5:3. Hearken to the voice of my prayer, O my King and my God.
5:4. For to thee will I pray: O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.
5:5. In the morning I will stand before thee, and I will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.
5:6. Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.
5:7. Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie. The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor.
5:8. But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy, I will come into thy house; I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear.
5:9. Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight.
5:10. For there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is vain.
5:11. Their throat is an open sepulchre: they dealt deceitfully with their tongues: judge them, O God. Let them fall from their devices: according to the multitude of their wickednesses cast them out: for they have provoked thee, O Lord.
5:12. But let all them be glad that hope in thee: they shall rejoice for ever, and thou shalt dwell in them. And all they that love thy name shall glory in thee.
5:13. For thou wilt bless the just. O Lord, thou hast crowned us, as with a shield of thy good will.
Psalms Chapter 6
Domine, ne in furore.
A prayer of a penitent sinner, under the scourge of God. The first penitential psalm.
6:1. Unto the end, in verses, a psalm for David, for the octave.
For the octave. . .That is, to be sung on an instrument of eight strings. St. Augustine understands it mystically, of the last resurrection, and the world to come; which is, as it were, the octave, or eighth day, after the seven days of this mortal life: and for this octave, sinners must dispose themselves, like David, by bewailing their sins, whilst they are here upon earth.
6:2. O Lord, rebuke me not in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath.
6:3. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
6:4. And my soul is troubled exceedingly: but thou, O Lord, how long?
6:5. Turn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: O save me for thy mercy's sake.
6:6. For there is no one in death, that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?
6:7. I have laboured in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will water my couch with my tears.
6:8. My eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my enemies.
6:9. Depart from em, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping.
6:10. The Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.
6:11. Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily.
Psalms Chapter 7
Domine, Deus meus.
David, trusting in the justice of his cause, prayeth for God's help against his enemies.
7:1. The psalm of David, which he sung to the Lord, for the words of Chusi, the son of Jemini.
7:2. O Lord, my God, in thee have I put my trust; same me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me.
7:3. Lest at any time he seize upon my soul like a lion, while there is no one to redeem me, nor to save.
7:4. O Lord, my God, if I have done this thing, if there be iniquity in my hands:
7:5. If I have rendered to them that repaid me evils, let me deservedly fall empty before my enemies.
7:6. Let the enemy pursue my soul, and take it, and tread down my life, on the earth, and bring down my glory to the dust.
7:7. Rise up, O Lord, in thy anger: and be thou exalted in the borders of my enemies. And arise, O Lord, my God, in the precept which thou hast commanded:
7:8. And a congregation of people shall surround thee. And for their sakes return thou on high.
7:9. The Lord judgeth the people. Judge me, O Lord, according to my justice, and according to my innocence in me.
7:10. The wickedness of sinners shall be brought to nought; and thou shalt direct the just: the searcher of hearts and reins is God. Just
7:11. Is my help from the Lord; who saveth the upright of heart.
7:12. God is a just judge, strong and patient: is he angry every day?
7:13. Except you will be converted, he will brandish his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.
7:14. And in it he hath prepared to instruments of death, he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn.
For them that burn. . .That is, against the persecutors of his saints.
7:15. Behold he hath been in labour with injustice: he hath conceived sorrow, and brought forth iniquity.
7:16. He hath opened a pit and dug it: and he is fallen into the hole he made.
7:17. His sorrow shall be turned on his own head: and his iniquity shall come down upon his crown.
7:18. I will give glory to the Lord according to his justice: and will sing to the name of the Lord the most high.
Psalms Chapter 8
Domine, Dominus noster.
God is wonderful in his works; especially in mankind, singularly exalted by the incarnation of Christ.
8:1. Unto the end, for the presses: a psalm for David.
The presses. . .In Hebrew, Gittith, supposed to be a musical instrument.
8:2. O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth! For thy magnificence is elevated above the heavens.
8:3. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.
8:4. For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
8:5. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
8:6. Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour:
8:7. And hast set him over the works of thy hands.
8:8. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen: moreover, the beasts also of the fields.
8:9. The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, that pass through the paths of the sea.
8:10. O Lord, our Lord, how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!
Psalms Chapter 9
Confitebor tibi, Domine. The church praiseth God for his protection against her enemies.
9:1. Unto the end, for the hidden things of the Son. A psalm for David.
The hidden things of the Son. . .The humility and sufferings of Christ, the Son of God; and of good Christians, who are his sons by adoption; are called hidden things, with regard to the children of this world, who know not the value and merit of them.
9:2. I will give praise to thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: I will relate all thy wonders.
9:3. I will be glad, and rejoice in thee: I will sing to thy name, O thou most high.
9:4. When my enemy shall be turned back: they shall be weakened, and perish before thy face.
9:5. For thou hast maintained my judgment and my cause: thou hast sat on the throne, who judgest justice.
9:6. Thou hast rebuked the Gentiles, and the wicked one hath perished; thou hast blotted out their name for ever and ever.
9:7. The swords of the enemy have failed unto the end: and their cities thou hast destroyed. Their memory hath perished with a noise:
9:8. But the Lord remaineth for ever. He hath prepared his throne in judgment:
9:9. And he shall judge the world in equity, he shall judge the people in justice.
9:10. And the Lord is become a refuge for the poor: a helper in due time in tribulation.
9:11. And let them trust in thee who know thy name: for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee, O Lord.
9:12. Sing ye to the Lord, who dwelleth in Sion: declare his ways among the Gentiles:
9:13. For requiring their blood, he hath remembered them: he hath not forgotten the cry of the poor.
9:14. Have mercy on me, O Lord: see my humiliation which I suffer from my enemies.
9:15. Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death, that I may declare all thy praises in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
9:16. I will rejoice in thy salvation: the Gentiles have stuck fast in the destruction which they prepared. Their foot hath been taken in the very snare which they hid.
9:17. The Lord shall be known when he executeth judgments: the sinner hath been caught in the works of his own hands.
9:18. The wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God.
9:19. For the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end: the patience of the poor shall not perish for ever.
9:20. Arise, O Lord, let not man be strengthened: let the Gentiles be judged in thy sight.
9:21. Appoint, O Lord, a lawgiver over them: that the Gentiles may know themselves to be but men.
Here the late Hebrew doctors divide this psalm into two, making ver. 22 the beginning of Psalm 10. And again they join Psalms 146 and 147 into one, in order that the whole number of psalms should not exceed 150. And in this manner the psalms are numbered in the Protestant Bible.
Psalm 10 according to the Hebrews.
9a:1. Why, O Lord, hast thou retired afar off? why dost thou slight us in our wants, in the time of trouble?
9a:2. Whilst the wicked man is proud, the poor is set on fire: they are caught in the counsels which they devise.
9a:3. For the sinner is praised in the desires of his soul: and the unjust man is blessed.
9a:4. The sinner hath provoked the Lord, according to the multitude of his wrath, he will not seek him:
9a:5. God is not before his eyes: his ways are filthy at all times. Thy judgments are removed form his sight: he shall rule over all his enemies.
9a:6. For he hath said in his heart: I shall not be moved from generation to generation, and shall be without evil.
9a:7. His mouth is full of cursing, and of bitterness, and of deceit: under his tongue are labour and sorrow.
9a:8. He sitteth in ambush with the rich, in private places, that he may kill the innocent.
9a:9. His eyes are upon the poor man: he lieth in wait, in secret, like a lion in his den. He lieth in ambush, that he may catch the poor man: so catch the poor, whilst he draweth him to him.
9a:10. In his net he will bring him down, he will crouch and fall, when he shall have power over the poor.
9a:11. For he hath said in his heart: God hath forgotten, he hath turned away his face, not to see to the end.
9a:12. Arise, O Lord God, let thy hand be exalted: forget not the poor.
9a:13. Wherefore hath the wicked provoked God? for he hath said in his heart: He will not require it.
9a:14. Thou seest it, for thou considerest labour and sorrow: that thou mayst deliver them into thy hands. To thee is the poor man left: thou wilt be a helper to the orphan.
9a:15. Break thou the arm of the sinner and of the malignant: his sin shall be sought, and shall not be found.
9a:16. The Lord shall reign to eternity, yea, for ever and ever: ye Gentiles shall perish from his land.
9a:17. The Lord hath heard the desire of the poor: thy ear hath heard the preparation of their heart.
9a:18. To judge for the fatherless and for the humble, that man may no more presume to magnify himself upon earth.
Psalms Chapter 10
In Domino confido.
The just man's confidence in God in the midst of persecutions.
10:1. Unto the end. A psalm to David.
10:2. In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow.
10:3. For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow: they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.
10:4. For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: but what has the just man done?
10:5. The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord's throne is in heaven. His eyes look on the poor man: his eyelids examine the sons of men.
10:6. The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.
10:7. He shall rain snares upon sinners: fire and brimstone, and storms of winds, shall be the portion of their cup.
10:8. For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: his countenance hath beheld righteousness.
Psalms Chapter 11
Salvum me fac.
The prophet calls for God's help against the wicked.
11:1. Unto the end: for the octave, a psalm for David.
11:2. Save me, O Lord, for there is now no saint: truths are decayed from among the children of men.
11:3. They have spoken vain things, every one to his neighbour: with deceitful lips, and with a double heart have they spoken.
11:4. May the Lord destroy all deceitful lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.
11:5. Who have said: We will magnify our tongue: our lips are our own: who is Lord over us?
11:6. By reason of the misery of the needy, and the groans of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord. I will set him in safety: I will deal confidently in his regard.
11:7. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried by the fire, purged from the earth, refined seven times.
11:8. Thou, O Lord, wilt preserve us: and keep us from this generation for ever.
11:9. The wicked walk round about: according to thy highness, thou hast multiplied the children of men.
Psalms Chapter 12
Usquequo, Domine.
A prayer in tribulation.
12:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David. How long, O Lord, wilt thou forget me unto the end? how long dost thou turn away thy face from me?
12:2. How long shall I take counsels in my soul, sorrow in my heart all the day?
12:3. How long shall my enemy be exalted over Me?
12:4. Consider, and hear me, O Lord, my God. Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death:
12:5. Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. They that trouble me, will rejoice when I am moved:
12:6. But I have trusted in thy mercy. My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation: I will sing to the Lord, who giveth me good things: yea, I will sing to the name of the Lord, the most high.
Psalms Chapter 13
Dixit insipiens.
The general corruption of man before our redemption by Christ.
13:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David. The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupt, and are become abominable in their ways: there is none that doth good, no not one.
13:2. The Lord hath looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be any that understand and seek God.
13:3. They are all gone aside, they are become unprofitable together: there is none that doth good: no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they acted deceitfully: the poison of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and unhappiness in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes.
13:4. Shall not all they know that work iniquity, who devour my people as they eat bread?
13:5. They have not called upon the Lord: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear.
13:6. For the Lord is in the just generation: you have confounded the counsel of the poor man; but the Lord is his hope.
13:7. Who shall give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when the Lord shall have turned away the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms Chapter 14
Domine, quis habitabit.
What kind of men shall dwell in the heavenly Sion.
14:1. A psalm for David. Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? or who shall rest in thy holy hill?
14:2. He that walketh without blemish, and worketh justice:
14:3. He that speaketh truth in his heart, who hath not used deceit in his tongue: Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.
14:4. In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not;
14:5. He that hath not put out his money to usury, nortaken bribes against the innocent: He that doth these things, shall not be moved for ever.
Psalms Chapter 15
Conserva me, Domine.
Christ's future victory and triumph over the world and death.
15:1. The inscription of a title to David himself. Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee.
The inscription of a title. . .That is, of a pillar or monument, staylographia: which is as much as to say, that this psalm is most worthy to be engraved on an everlasting monument.
15:2. I have said to the Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods.
15:3. To the saints, who are in his land, he hath made wonderful all my desires in them.
15:4. Their infirmities were multiplied: afterwards they made haste. I will not gather together their meetings for bloodofferings: nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.
15:5. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.
15:6. The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: for my inheritance is goodly to me.
15:7. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover, my reins also have corrected me even till night.
15:8. I set the Lord always in my sight: for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.
15:9. Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: moreover, my flesh also shall rest in hope.
15:10. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.
15:11. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: at thy right hand are delights even to the end.
Psalms Chapter 16
Exaudi, Domine, justitiam.
A just man's prayer in tribulation against the malice of his enemy.
16:1. The prayer of David. Hear, O Lord, my justice: attend to my supplication. Give ear unto my prayer, which proceedeth not from deceitful lips.
16:2. Let my judgment come forth from thy countenance: let thy eyes behold the things that are equitable.
16:3. Thou hast proved my heart, and visited it by night, thou hast tried me by fire: and iniquity hath not been found in me.
16:4. That my mouth may not speak the works of men: for the sake of the words of thy lips, I have kept hard ways.
16:5. Perfect thou my goings in thy paths: that my footsteps be not moved.
16:6. I have cried to thee, for thou, O God, hast heard me: O incline thy ear unto me, and hear my words.
16:7. Shew forth thy wonderful mercies; thou who savest them that trust in thee.
16:8. From them that resist thy right hand keep me, as the apple of thy eye. Protect me under the shadow of thy wings.
16:9. From the face of the wicked who have afflicted me. My enemies have surrounded my soul:
16:10. They have shut up their fat: their mouth hath spoken proudly.
Their fat. . .That is, their bowels of compassion: for they have none for me.
16:11. They have cast me forth, and now they have surrounded me: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth.
16:12. They have taken me, as a lion prepared for the prey; and as a young lion dwelling in secret places.
16:13. Arise, O Lord, disappoint him and supplant him; deliver my soul from the wicked one; thy sword
16:14. From the enemies of thy hand. O Lord, divide them from the few of the earth in their life: their belly is filled from thy hidden stores. They are full of children: and they have left to their little ones the rest of their substance.
Divide them from the few, etc. . .That is, cut them off from the earth, and the few trifling things thereof; which they are so proud of, or divide them from the few; that is, from thy elect, who are but few; that they may no longer have it in their power to oppress them. It is not meant by way of a curse or imprecation; but, as many other the like passages in the psalms, by way of a prediction, or prophecy of what should come upon them, in punishment of their wickedness. Ibid. Thy hidden stores. . .Thy secret treasures, out of which thou furnishest those earthly goods, which, with a bountiful hand thou hast distributed both to the good and the bad.
16:15. But as for me, I will appear before thy sight in justice: I shall be satisfied when thy glory shall appear.
Psalms Chapter 17
Diligam te, Domine.
David's thanks to God for his delivery from all his enemies.
17:1. Unto the end, for David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this canticle, in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: and he said:
17:2. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength:
17:3. The Lord is my firmament, my refuge, and my deliverer. My God is my helper, and in him will I put my trust. My protector, and the horn of my salvation, and my support.
17:4. Praising, I will call upon the Lord: and I shall be saved from my enemies.
17:5. The sorrows of death surrounded me: and the torrents of iniquity troubled me.
17:6. The sorrows of hell encompassed me: and the snares of death prevented me.
17:7. In my affliction I called upon the Lord, and I cried to my God: And he heard my voice from his holy temple: and my cry before him came into his ears.
17:8. The earth shook and trembled: the foundations of the mountains were troubled and were moved, because he was angry with them.
17:9. There went up a smoke in his wrath: and a fire flamed from his face: coals were kindled by it.
17:10. He bowed the heavens, and came down, and darkness was under his feet.
17:11. And he ascended upon the cherubim, and he flew; he flew upon the wings of the winds.
17:12. And he made darkness his covert, his pavilion round about him: dark waters in the clouds of the air.
17:13. At the brightness that was before him the clouds passed, hail and coals of fire.
17:14. And the Lord thundered from heaven, and the Highest gave his voice: hail and coals of fire.
17:15. And he sent forth his arrows, and he scattered them: he multiplied lightnings, and troubled them.
17:16. Then the fountains of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were discovered: At thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the spirit of thy wrath.
17:17. He sent from on high, and took me: and received me out of many waters.
17:18. He delivered me from my strongest enemies, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
17:19. They prevented me in the day of my affliction: and the Lord became my protector.
17:20. And he brought me forth into a large place: he saved me, because he was well pleased with me.
17:21. And the Lord will reward me according to my justice; and will repay me according to the cleanness of my hands:
17:22. Because I have kept the ways of the Lord; and have not done wickedly against my God.
17:23. For all his judgments are in my sight: and his justices I have not put away from me.
17:24. And I shall be spotless with him: and shall keep myself from my iniquity.
17:25. And the Lord will reward me according to my justice: and according to the cleanness of my hands before his eyes.
17:26. With the holy thou wilt be holy; and with the innocent man thou wilt be innocent:
17:27. And withe the elect thou wilt be elect: and with the perverse thou wilt be perverted.
17:28. For thou wilt save the humble people; but wilt bring down the eyes of the proud.
17:29. For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: O my God, enlighten my darkness.
17:30. For by thee I shall be delivered from temptation; and through my God I shall go over a wall.
17:31. As for my God, his way is undefiled: the words of the Lord are fire-tried: he is the protector of all that trust in him.
17:32. For who is God but the Lord? or who is God but our God?
17:33. God, who hath girt me with strength; and made my way blameless.
17:34. Who hath made my feet like the feet of harts: and who setteth me upon high places.
17:35. Who teacheth my hands to war: and thou hast made my arms like a brazen bow.
17:36. And thou hast given me the protection of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath held me up: And thy discipline hath corrected me unto the end: and thy discipline, the same shall teach me.
17:37. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; and my feet are not weakened.
17:38. I will pursue after my enemies, and overtake them: and I will not turn again till they are consumed.
17:39. I will break them, and they shall not be able to stand: they shall fall under my feet.
17:40. And thou hast girded me with strength unto battle; and hast subdued under me them that rose up against me.
17:41. And thou hast made my enemies furn their back upon me, and hast destroyed them that hated me.
17:42. They cried, but there was none to save them, to the Lord: but he heard them not.
17:43. And I shall beat them as small as the dust before the wind; I shall bring them to nought, like the dirt in the streets.
17:44. Thou wilt deliver me from the contradictions of the people; thou wilt make me head of the Gentiles.
17:45. A people which I knew not, hath served me: at the hearing of the ear they have obeyed me.
17:46. The children that are strangers have lied to me, strange children have faded away, and have halted from their paths.
17:47. The Lord liveth, and blessed by my God, and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
17:48. O God, who avengest me, and subduest the people under me, my deliverer from my enraged enemies.
17:49. And thou wilt lift me up above them that rise up against me: from the unjust man thou wilt deliver me.
17:50. Therefore will I give glory to thee, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing a psalm to thy name.
17:51. Giving great deliverance to his king, and shewing mercy to David, his anointed: and to his seed for ever.
Psalms Chapter 18
Coeli enarrant.
The works of God shew forth his glory: his law is greatly to be esteemed and loved.
18:1. Unto the end. A Psalm for David.
18:2. The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.
18:3. Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.
18:4. There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.
18:5. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.
18:6. He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom coming out of his bridechamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:
18:7. His going out is from the end of heaven, And his circuit even to the end thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
18:8. The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
18:9. The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.
18:10. The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
18:11. More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
18:12. For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.
18:13. Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord:
18:14. And from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed form the greatest sin.
18:15. And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight. O Lord, my helper and my Redeemer.
Psalms Chapter 19
Exaudiat te Dominus.
A prayer for the king.
19:1. Unto the end. A psalm for David.
19:2. May the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation: may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee.
19:3. May he send thee help from the sanctuary: and defend thee out of Sion.
19:4. May he be mindful of all thy sacrifices: and may thy whole burntoffering be made fat.
19:5. May he give thee according to thy own heart; and confirm all thy counsels.
19:6. We will rejoice in thy salvation; and in the name of our God we shall be exalted.
19:7. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions: now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed. He will hear him from his holy heaven: the salvation of his right hand is in powers.
The salvation of his right hand is in powers. . .That is, in strength.
His right hand is strong and mighty to save them that trust in him.
19:8. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will call upon the name of the Lord, our God.
19:9. They are bound, and have fallen: but we are risen, and are set upright. O Lord, save the king: and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee.
Psalms Chapter 20
Domine, in virtute.
Praise to God for Christ's exaltation after his passion.
20:1. Unto the end. A psalm for David.
20:2. In thy strength, O Lord, the king shall joy; and in thy salvation he shall rejoice exceedingly.
20:3. Thou hast given him his heart's desire: and hast not withholden from him the will of his lips.
20:4. For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.
20:5. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever.
20:6. His glory is great in thy salvation: glory and great beauty shalt thou lay upon him.
20:7. For thou shalt give him to be a blessing for ever and ever: thou shalt make him joyful in gladness with thy countenance.
20:8. For the king hopeth in the Lord: and through the mercy of the most High he shall not be moved.
20:9. Let thy hand be found by all thy enemies: let thy right hand find out all them that hate thee.
20:10. Thou shalt make them as an oven of fire, in the time of thy anger: the Lord shall trouble them in his wrath, and fire shall devour them.
20:11. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth: and their seed from among the children of men.
20:12. For they have intended evils against thee: they have devised counsels which they have not been able to establish.
20:13. For thou shalt make them turn their back: in thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face.
In thy remnants thou shalt prepare their face. . .Or thou shalt set thy remnants against their faces. That is, thou shalt make them see what punishments remain for them hereafter from thy justice. Instead of remnants, St. Jerome renders it funes, that is, cords or strings, viz., of the bow of divine justice, from which God directs his arrows against the faces of his enemies.
20:14. Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thy own strength: we will sing and praise thy power.
Psalms Chapter 21
Deus Deus meus.
Christ's passion: and the conversion of the Gentiles.
21:1. Unto the end, for the morning protection, a psalm for David.
21:2. O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
The words of my sins. . .That is, the sins of the world, which I have taken upon myself, cry out against me, and are the cause of all my sufferings.
21:3. O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
21:4. But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel.
21:5. In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.
21:6. They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
21:7. But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
21:8. All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.
21:9. He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.
21:10. For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother.
21:11. I was cast upon thee from the womb. From my mother's womb thou art my God,
21:12. Depart not from me. For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me.
21:13. Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me.
21:14.They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring.
21:15. I am poured out like water; and all my bones are scattered. My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.
21:16. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
21:17. For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. They have dug my hands and feet.
21:18. They have numbered all my bones. And they have looked and stared upon me.
21:19. They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
21:20. But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; look towards my defence.
21:21. Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog.
21:22. Save me from the lion's mouth; and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
21:23. I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of the church will I praise thee.
21:24. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.
21:25. Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. Neither hath he turned away his face form me: and when I cried to him he heard me.
21:26. With thee is my praise in a great church: I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.
21:27. The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
21:28. All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord: And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight.
21:29. For the kingdom is the Lord's; and he shall have dominion over the nations.
21:30. All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.
21:31. And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him.
21:32. There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.
Psalms Chapter 22
Dominus regit me.
God's spiritual benefits to faithful souls.
22:1. A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
Ruleth me. . .In Hebrew, Is my shepherd, viz., to feed, guide, and govern me.
22:2. He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
22:3. He hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name's sake.
22:4. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
22:5. Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebreateth me, how goodly is it!
22:6. And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
Psalms Chapter 23
Domini est terra.
Who are they that shall ascend to heaven: Christ's triumphant ascension thither.
23:1. On the first day of the week, a psalm for David. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof: the world, and all they that dwell therein.
23:2. For he hath founded it upon the seas; and hath prepared it upon the rivers.
23:3. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: or who shall stand in his holy place?
23:4. The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.
23:5. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.
23:6. This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.
23:7. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
23:8. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.
23:9. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in.
23:10. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.
Psalms Chapter 24
Ad te, Domine, levavi.
A prayer for grace, mercy, and protection against our enemies.
24:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David. To thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.
24:2. In thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed.
24:3. Neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded.
24:4. Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths.
24:5. Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God my Saviour; and on thee have I waited all the day long.
24:6. Remember, O Lord, thy bowels of compassion; and thy mercies that are from the beginning of the world.
24:7. The sins of my youth and my ignorances do not remember. According to thy mercy remember thou me: for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
24:8. The Lord is sweet and righteous: therefore he will give a law to sinners in the way.
24:9. He will guide the mild in judgment: he will teach the meek his ways.
24:10. All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth, to them that seek after his covenant and his testimonies.
24:11. For thy name's sake, O Lord, thou wilt pardon my sin: for it is great.
24:12. Who is the man that feareth the Lord? He hath appointed him a law in the way he hath chosen.
24:13. His soul shall dwell in good things: and his seed shall inherit the land.
24:14. The Lord is a firmament to them that fear him: and his covenant shall be made manifest to them.
24:15. My eyes are ever towards the Lord: for he shall pluck my feet out of the snare.
24:16. Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me; for I am alone and poor.
24:17. The troubles of my heart are multiplied: deliver me from my necessities.
24:18. See my abjection and my labour; and forgive me all my sins.
24:19. Consider my enemies for they are multiplied, and have hated me with an unjust hatred.
24:20. Deep thou my soul, and deliver me: I shall not be ashamed, for I have hoped in thee.
24:21. The innocent and the upright have adhered to me: because I have waited on thee.
24:22. Deliver Israel, O God, from all his tribulations.
Psalms Chapter 25
Judica me, Domine.
David's prayer to God in his distress, to be delivered, that he may come to worship him in his tabernacle.
25:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David. Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in my innocence: and I have put my trust in the Lord, and shall not be weakened.
25:2. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; burn my reins and my heart.
25:3. For thy mercy is before my eyes; and I am well pleased with thy truth.
25:4. I have not sat with the council of vanity: neither will I go in with the doers of unjust things.
25:5. I have hated the assembly of the malignant; and with the wicked I will not sit.
25:6. I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass thy altar, O Lord:
25:7. That I may hear the voice of thy praise: and tell of all thy wondrous works.
25:8. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth.
25:9. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with bloody men:
25:10. In whose hands are iniquities: their right hand is filled with gifts.
25:11. But as for me, I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me.
25:12. My foot hath stood in the direct way: in the churches I will bless thee, O Lord.
Psalms Chapter 26
Dominus illuminatio.
David's faith and hope in God.
26:1. The psalm of David before he was anointed. The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the protector of my life: of whom shall I be afraid?
26:2. Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh. My enemies that trouble me, have themselves been weakened, and have fallen.
26:3. If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident.
26:4. One thing I have asked of the Lord, this will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple.
26:5. For he hath hidden me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils, he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle.
26:6. He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies. I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord.
26:7. Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me and hear me.
26:8. My heart hath said to thee: My face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek.
26:9. Turn not away thy face from me; decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. Be thou my helper, forsake me not; do not thou despise me, O God my Saviour.
26:10. For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up.
26:11. Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way, and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies.
26:12. Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me; for unjust witnesses have risen up against me; and iniquity hath lied to itself.
26:13. I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.
26:14. Expect the Lord, do manfully, and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 27
Ad te, Domine, clamabo.
David's prayer that his enemies may not prevail over him.
27:1. A psalm for David himself. Unto thee will I cry, O Lord: O my God, be not thou silent to me: lest if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
27:2. Hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication, when I pray to thee; when I lift up my hands to thy holy temple.
27:3. Draw me not away together with the wicked; and with the workers of iniquity destroy me not: Who speak peace with their neighbour, but evils are in their hearts.
27:4. Give them according to their works, and according to the wickedness of their inventions. According to the works of their hands give thou to them: render to them their reward.
27:5. Because they have not understood the works of the Lord, and the operations of his hands: thou shalt destroy them, and shalt not build them up.
27:6. Blessed be the Lord, for he hath heard the voice of my supplication.
27:7. The Lord is my helper and my protector: in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped. And my flesh hath flourished again, and with my will I will give praise to him.
27:8. The Lord is the strength of his people, and the protector of the salvation of his anointed.
27:9. Save, O Lord, thy people, and bless thy inheritance: and rule them and exalt them for ever.
Psalms Chapter 28
Afferte Domino.
An invitation to glorify God, with a commemoration of his mighty works.
28:1. A psalm for David, at the finishing of the tabernacle. Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God: bring to the Lord the offspring of rams.
28:2. Bring to the Lord glory and honour: bring to the Lord glory to his name: adore ye the Lord in his holy court.
28:3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of majesty hath thundered, The Lord is upon many waters.
28:4. The voice of the Lord is in power; the voice of the Lord in magnificence.
28:5. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars: yea, the Lord shall break the cedars of Libanus.
28:6. And shall reduce them to pieces, as a calf of Libanus, and as the beloved son of unicorns.
Shall reduce them to pieces, etc. . .In Hebrew, shall make them to skip like a calf. The psalmist here describes the effects of thunder (which he calls the voice of the Lord) which sometimes breaks down the tallest and strongest trees; and makes their broken branches skip, etc. All this is to be understood mystically of the powerful voice of God's word in his church; which has broken the pride of the great ones of this world, and brought many of them meekly and joyfully to submit their necks to the sweet yoke of Christ.
28:7. The voice of the Lord divideth the flame of fire:
28:8. The voice of the Lord shaketh the desert: and the Lord shall shake the desert of Cades.
28:9. The voice of the Lord prepareth the stags: and he will discover the thick woods: and in his temple all shall speak his glory.
28:10. The Lord maketh the flood to dwell: and the Lord shall sit king for ever. The Lord will give strength to his people: the Lord will bless his people with peace.
Psalms Chapter 29
Exaltabo te, Domine.
David praiseth God for his deliverance, and his merciful dealings with him.
29:1. A psalm of a canticle, at the dedication of David's house.
29:2. I will extol thee, O Lord, for thou hast upheld me: and hast not made my enemies to rejoice over me.
29:3. O Lord my God, I have cried to thee, and thou hast healed me.
29:4. Thou hast brought forth, O Lord, my soul from hell: thou hast saved me from them that go down into the pit.
29:5. Sing to the Lord, O ye his saints: and give praise to the memory of his holiness.
29:6. For wrath is in his indignation; and life in his good will. In the evening weeping shall have place, and in the morning gladness.
29:7. And in my abundance I said: I shall never be moved.
29:8. O Lord, in thy favour, thou gavest strength to my beauty. Thou turnedst away thy face from me, and I became troubled.
29:9. To thee, O Lord, will I cry: and I will make supplication to my God.
29:10. What profit is there in my blood, whilst I go down to corruption? Shall dust confess to thee, or declare thy truth?
29:11. The Lord hath heard, and hath had mercy on me: the Lord became my helper.
29:12. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into joy: thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with gladness:
29:13. To the end that my glory may sing to thee, and I may not regret: O Lord my God, I will give praise to thee for ever.
Psalms Chapter 30
In te, Domine, speravi.
A prayer of a just man under affliction.
30:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David, in an ecstasy.
30:2. In thee, O Lord, have I hoped, let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy justice.
30:3. Bow down thy ear to me: make haste to deliver me. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a house of refuge, to save me.
30:4. For thou art my strength and my refuge; and for thy name's sake thou wilt lead me, and nourish me.
30:5. Thou wilt bring me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me: for thou art my protector.
30:6. Into thy hands I commend my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth.
30:7. Thou hast hated them that regard vanities, to no purpose. But I have hoped in the Lord:
30:8. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy. For thou hast regarded my humility, thou hast saved my soul out of distresses.
30:9. And thou hast not shut me up in the hands of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a spacious place.
30:10. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am afflicted: my eye is troubled with wrath, my soul, and my belly:
30:11. For my life is wasted with grief: and my years in sighs. My strength is weakened through poverty and my bones are disturbed.
30:12. I am become a reproach among all my enemies, and very much to my neighbours; and a fear to my acquaintance. They that saw me without fled from me.
30:13. I am forgotten as one dead from the heart. I am become as a vessel that is destroyed.
30:14. For I have heard the blame of many that dwell round about. While they assembled together against me, they consulted to take away my life.
30:15. But I have put my trust in thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my God.
30:16. My lots are in thy hands. Deliver me out of the hands of my enemies; and from them that persecute me.
30:17. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; save me in thy mercy.
30:18. Let me not be confounded, O Lord, for I have called upon thee. Let the wicked be ashamed, and be brought down to hell.
30:19. Let deceitful lips be made dumb. Which speak iniquity against the just, with pride and abuse.
30:20. O how great is the multitude of thy sweetness, O Lord, which thou hast hidden for them that fear thee! Which thou hast wrought for them that hope in thee, in the sight of the sons of men.
30:21. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy face, from the disturbance of men. Thou shalt protect them in thy tabernacle from the contradiction of tongues.
30:22. Blessed be the Lord, for he hath shewn his wonderful mercy to me in a fortified city.
30:23. But I said in the excess of my mind: I am cast away from before thy eyes. Therefore thou hast heard the voice of my prayer, when I cried to thee.
30:24. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord will require truth, and will repay them abundantly that act proudly.
30:25. Do ye manfully, and let your heart be strengthened, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 31
Beati quorum.
The second penitential psalm.
31:1. To David himself, understanding. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
31:2. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
31:3. Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long.
Because I was silent, etc. . .That is, whilst I kept silence, by concealing, or refusing to confess my sins, thy hand was heavy upon me, etc.
31:4. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.
I am turned, etc. . .That is, I turn and roll about in my bed to seek for ease in my pain whilst the thorn of thy justice pierces my flesh, and sticks fast in me. Or, I am turned: that is, I am converted to thee, my God, by being brought to a better understanding by thy chastisements. In the Hebrew it is, my moisture is turned into the droughts of the summer.
31:5. I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against my self my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
31:6. For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.
31:7. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
31:8. I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee.
31:9. Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.
31:10. Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
31:11. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.
Psalms Chapter 32
Exultate, justi.
An exhortation to praise God, and to trust in him.
32:1. A psalm for David. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye just: praise becometh the upright.
32:2. Give praise to the Lord on the harp; sing to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings.
32:3. Sing to him a new canticle, sing well unto him with a loud noise.
32:4. For the word of the Lord is right, and all his works are done with faithfulness.
32:5. He loveth mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
32:6. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established; and all the power of them by the spirit of his mouth:
32:7. Gathering together the waters of the sea, as in a vessel; laying up the depths in storehouses.
32:8. Let all the earth fear the Lord, and let all the inhabitants of the world be in awe of him.
32:9. For he spoke and they were made: he commanded and they were created.
32:10. The Lord bringeth to nought the counsels of nations; and he rejecteth the devices of people, and casteth away the counsels of princes.
32:11. But the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever: the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
32:12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: the people whom he hath chosen for his inheritance.
32:13. The Lord hath looked from heaven: he hath beheld all the sons of men.
32:14. From his habitation which he hath prepared, he hath looked upon all that dwell on the earth.
32:15. He who hath made the hearts of every one of them: who understandeth all their works.
32:16. The king is not saved by a great army: nor shall the giant be saved by his own great strength.
32:17. Vain is the horse for safety: neither shall he be saved by the abundance of his strength.
32:18. Behold the eyes of the Lord are on them that fear him: and on them that hope in his mercy.
32:19. To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine.
32:20. Our soul waiteth for the Lord: for he is our helper and protector.
32:21. For in him our heart shall rejoice: and in his holy name we have trusted.
32:22. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as we have hooped in thee.
Psalms Chapter 33
Benedicam Dominum.
An exhortation to the praise, and service of God.
33:1. For David, when he changed his countenance before Achimelech, who dismissed him, and he went his way. [1 Kings 21.]
33:2. I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth.
33:3. In the Lord shall my soul be praised: let the meek hear and rejoice.
33:4. O magnify the Lord with me; and let us extol his name together.
33:5. I sought the Lord, and he heard me; and he delivered me from all my troubles.
33:6. Come ye to him and be enlightened: and your faces shall not be confounded.
33:7. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him: and saved him out of all his troubles.
33:8. The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them.
33:9. O taste, and see that the Lord is sweet: blessed is the man that hopeth in him.
33:10. Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
33:11. The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good.
33:12. Come, children, hearken to me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
33:13. Who is the man that desireth life: who liveth to see good days?
33:14. Keep thy tongue form evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
33:15. Turn away from evil and do good: seek after peace and pursue it.
33:16. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just: and his ears unto their prayers.
33:17. But the countenance of the Lord is against them that do evil things: to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
33:18. The just cried, and the Lord heard them: and delivered them out of all their troubles.
33:19. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.
33:20. Many are the afflictions of the just; but out of them all will the Lord deliver them.
33:21. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.
33:22. The death of the wicked is very evil: and they that hate the just shall be guilty.
33:23. The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall offend.
Psalms Chapter 34
Judica, Domine, nocentes me.
David, in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors: prophetically foreshewing the punishments that shall fall upon them.
34:1. For David himself. Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: overthrow them that fight against me.
34:2. Take hold of arms and shield: and rise up to help me.
34:3. Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: say to my soul: I am thy salvation.
34:4. Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me.
34:5. Let them become as dust before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord straiten them.
34:6. Let their way become dark and slippery; and let the angel of the Lord pursue them.
34:7. For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: without cause they have upbraided my soul.
34:8. Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: and into that very snare let them fall.
34:9. But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; and shall be delighted in his salvation.
34:10. All my bones shall say: Lord, who is like to thee? Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; the needy and the poor from them that strip him.
34:11. Unjust witnesses rising up have asked me things I knew not.
34:12. They repaid me evil for good: to the depriving me of my soul.
34:13. But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, I was clothed with haircloth. I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.
34:14. As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.
34:15. But they rejoiced against me, and came together: scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.
34:16. They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
34:17. Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions.
34:18. I will give thanks to thee in a great church; I will praise thee in a strong people.
34:19. Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: who have hated me without cause, and wink with the eyes.
34:20. For they spoke indeed peaceably to me; and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile.
34:21. And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.
34:22. Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not thou silent: O Lord, depart not from me.
34:23. Arise, and be attentive to my judgment: to my cause, my God, and my Lord.
34:24. Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, and let them not rejoice over me.
34:25. Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to our mind: neither let them say: We have swallowed him up.
34:26. Let them blush: and be ashamed together, who rejoice at my evils. Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, who speak great things against me.
34:27. Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justice, and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant.
34:28. And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, thy praise all the day long.
Psalms Chapter 35
Dixit injustus.
The malice of sinners, and the goodness of God.
35:1. Unto the end, for the servant of God, David himself.
35:2. The unjust hath said within himself, that he would sin: there is no fear of God before his eyes.
35:3. For in his sight he hath done deceitfully, that his iniquity may be found unto hatred.
Unto hatred. . .That is, hateful to God.
35:4. The words of his mouth are iniquity and guile: he would not understand that he might do well.
35:5. He hath devised iniquity on his bed, he hath set himself on every way that is not good: but evil he hath not hated.
35:6. O Lord, thy mercy is in heaven, and thy truth reacheth even to the clouds.
35:7. Thy justice is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are a great deep. Men and beasts thou wilt preserve, O Lord:
35:8. O how hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God! But the children of men shall put their trust under the covert of thy wings.
35:9. They shall be inebriated with the plenty of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the torrent of thy pleasure.
35:10. For with thee is the fountain of life; and in thy light we shall see light.
35:11. Extend thy mercy to them that know thee, and thy justice to them that are right in heart.
35:12. Let not the foot of pride come to me, and let not the hand of the sinner move me.
35:13. There the workers of iniquity are fallen, they are cast out, and could not stand.
Psalms Chapter 36
Noli aemulari.
An exhortation to despise this world; and the short prosperity of the wicked; and to trust in Providence.
36:1. Be not emulous of evildoers; nor envy them that work iniquity.
36:2. For they shall shortly wither away as grass, and as the green herbs shall quickly fall.
36:3. Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.
36:4. Delight in the Lord, and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.
36:5. Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, and he will do it.
36:6. And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.
36:7. Be subject to the Lord and pray to him. Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; the man who doth unjust things.
36:8. Cease from anger, and leave rage; have no emulation to do evil.
36:9. For evildoers shall be cut off: but they that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the land.
36:10. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it.
36:11. But the meek shall inherit the land, and shall delight in abundance of peace.
36:12. The sinner shall watch the just man: and shall gnash upon him with his teeth.
36:13. But the Lord shall laugh at him: for he foreseeth that his day shall come.
36:14. The wicked have drawn out the sword: they have bent their bow. To cast down the poor and needy, to kill the upright of heart.
36:15. Let their sword enter into their own hearts, and let their bow be broken.
36:16. Better is a little to the just, than the great riches of the wicked.
36:17. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; but the Lord strengtheneth the just.
36:18. The Lord knoweth the days of the undefiled; and their inheritance shall be for ever.
36:19. They shall not be confounded in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be filled:
36:20. Because the wicked shall perish. And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke.
36:21. The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.
36:22. For such as bless him shall inherit the land: but such as curse him shall perish.
36:23. With the Lord shall the steps of a man be directed, and he shall like well his way.
36:24. When he shall fall he shall not be bruised, for the Lord putteth his hand under him.
36:25. I have been young and now am old; and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.
36:26. He sheweth mercy, and lendeth all the day long; and his seed shall be in blessing.
36:27. Decline from evil and do good, and dwell for ever and ever.
36:28. For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: they shall be preserved for ever. The unjust shall be punished, and the seed of the wicked shall perish.
36:29. But the just shall inherit the land, and shall dwell therein for evermore.
36:30. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: and his tongue shall speak judgment.
36:31. The law of his God is in his heart, and his steps shall not be supplanted.
36:32. The wicked watcheth the just man, and seeketh to put him to death,
36:33. But the Lord will not leave him in his hands; nor condemn him when he shall be judged.
36:34. Expect the Lord and keep his way: and he will exalt thee to inherit the land: when the sinners shall perish thou shalt see.
36:35. I have seen the wicked highly exalted, and lifted up like the cedars of Libanus.
36:36. And I passed by, and lo, he was not: and I sought him and his place was not found.
36:37. Keep innocence, and behold justice: for there are remnants for the peaceable man.
36:38. But the unjust shall be destroyed together: the remnants of the wicked shall perish.
36:39. But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, and he is their protector in the time of trouble.
36:40. And the Lord will help them and deliver them: and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them because they have hoped in him.
Psalms Chapter 37
Domine, ne in furore.
A prayer of a penitent for the remission of his sins. The third penitential psalm.
37:1. A psalm for David, for a remembrance of the sabbath.
For a remembrance. . .Viz., of our miseries and sins: and to be sung on the sabbath day.
37:2. Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; nor chastise me in thy wrath.
37:3. For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me.
37:4. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
37:5. For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.
37:6. My sores are putrified and corrupted, because of my foolishness.
37:7. I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long.
37:8. For my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my flesh.
37:9. I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart.
37:10. Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
37:11. My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.
37:12. My friends and my neighbours have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off:
37:13. And they that sought my soul used violence. And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long.
37:14. But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
37:15. And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
37:16. For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
37:17. For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
37:18. For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.
37:19. For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin.
37:20. But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
37:21. They that render evil for good, have detracted me, because I followed goodness.
37:22. For sake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me.
37:23. Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation.
Psalms Chapter 38
Dixi custodiam.
A just man's peace and patience in his sufferings; considering the vanity of the world, and the providence of God.
38:1. Unto the end, for Idithun himself, a canticle of David.
38:2. I said: I will take heed to my ways: that I sin not with my tongue. I have set a guard to my mouth, when the sinner stood against me.
38:3. I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: and my sorrow was renewed.
38:4. My heart grew hot within me: and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
38:5. I spoke with my tongue: O Lord, make me know my end. And what is the number of my days: that I may know what is wanting to me.
38:6. Behold thou hast made my days measurable. and my substance is as nothing before thee. And indeed all things are vanity: every man living.
38:7. Surely man passeth as an image: yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up: and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.
38:8. And now what is my hope? is it not the Lord? and my substance is with thee.
38:9. Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.
38:10. I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it.
38:11. Remove thy scourges from me. The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes:
38:12. Thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: surely in vain is any man disquieted.
38:13. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: give ear to my tears. Be no silent: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner as all my fathers were.
38:14. O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, and be no more.
Psalms Chapter 39
Expectans expectavi.
Christ's coming, and redeeming mankind.
39:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.
39:2. With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me.
39:3. And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the mire of dregs. And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps.
39:4. And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. Many shall see, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord.
39:5. Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord; and who hath not had regard to vanities, and lying follies.
39:6. Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. I have declared and I have spoken they are multiplied above number.
39:7. Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire; but thou hast pierced ears for me. Burnt offering and sin offering thou didst not require:
39:8. Then said I, Behold I come. In the head of the book it is written of me
39:9. That I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart.
39:10. I have declared thy justice in a great church, lo, I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it.
39:11. I have not hid thy justice within my heart: I have declared thy truth and thy salvation. I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from a great council.
39:12. Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me.
39:13. For evils without number have surrounded me; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me.
My iniquities. . .That is, the sins of all mankind, which I have taken upon me.
39:14. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me. look down, O Lord, to help me.
39:15. Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me.
39:16. Let them immediately bear their confusion, that say to me: 'T is well, t' is well.
'T is well. . .The Hebrew here is an interjection of insult and derision, like the Vah. Matt. 27.49.
39:17. Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
39:18. But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack.
Psalms Chapter 40
Beatus qui intelligit.
The happiness of him that shall believe in Christ; notwithstanding the humility and poverty in which he shall come: the malice of his enemies, especially of the traitor Judas.
40:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David himself.
40:2. Blessed is he that understandeth concerning the needy and the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the evil day.
40:3. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon the earth: and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.
40:4. The Lord help him on his bed of sorrow: thou hast turned all his couch in his sickness.
40:5. I said: O Lord, be thou merciful to me: heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.
40:6. My enemies have spoken evils against me: when shall he die and his name perish?
40:7. And if he came in to see me, he spoke vain things: his heart gathered together iniquity to itself. He went out and spoke to the same purpose.
40:8. All my enemies whispered together against me: they devised evils to me.
40:9. They determined against me an unjust word: shall he that sleepeth rise again no more?
40:10. For even the man of my peace, in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, hath greatly supplanted me.
40:11. But thou, O Lord, have mercy on me, and raise my up again: and I will requite them.
40:12. By this I know, that thou hast had a good will for me: because my enemy shall not rejoice over me.
40:13. But thou hast upheld me by reason of my innocence: and hast established me in thy sight for ever.
40:14. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel from eternity to eternity. So be it. So be it.
Psalms Chapter 41
Quemadmodum desiderat.
The fervent desire of the just after God: hope in afflictions.
41:1. Unto the end, understanding for the sons of Core.
41:2. As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after thee, O God.
41:3. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?
41:4. My tears have been my bread day and night, whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?
41:5. These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me: for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God: With the voice of joy and praise; the noise of one feasting.
41:6. Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance,
41:7. And my God. My soul is troubled within my self: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill.
41:8. Deep calleth on deep, at the noise of thy flood-gates. All thy heights and thy billows have passed over me.
41:9. In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; and a canticle to him in the night. With me is prayer to the God of my life.
41:10. I will say to God: Thou art my support. Why hast thou forgotten me? and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?
41:11. Whilst my bones are broken, my enemies who trouble me have reproached me; Whilst they say to me day by day: Where is thy God?
41:12. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me? Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
Psalms Chapter 42
Judica me, Deus.
The prophet aspireth after the temple and altar of God.
42:1. A psalm for David. Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.
42:2. For thou art God my strength: why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?
42:3. Sent forth thy light and thy truth: they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.
42:4. And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth.
42:5. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?
42:6. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: the salvation of my countenance, and my God.
Psalms Chapter 43
Deus auribus nostris.
The church commemorates former favours, and present afflictions; under which she prays for succour.
43:1. Unto the end, for the sons of Core, to give understanding.
43:2. We have heard, O God, with our ears: our fathers have declared to us, The work thou hast wrought in their days, and in the days of old.
43:3. Thy hand destroyed the Gentiles, and thou plantedst them: thou didst afflict the people and cast them out.
43:4. For they got not the possession of the land by their own sword: neither did their own arm save them. But thy right hand and thy arm, and the light of thy countenance: because thou wast pleased with them.
43:5. Thou art thyself my king and my God, who commandest the saving of Jacob.
43:6. Through thee we will push down our enemies with the horn: and through thy name we will despise them that rise up against us.
43:7. For I will not trust in my bow: neither shall my sword save me.
43:8. But thou hast saved us from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us.
43:9. In God shall we glory all the day long: and in thy name we will give praise for ever.
43:10. But now thou hast cast us off, and put us to shame: and thou , O God, wilt not go out with our armies.
43:11. Thou hast made us turn our back to our enemies: and they that hated us plundered for themselves.
43:12. Thou hast given us up like sheep to be eaten: thou hast scattered us among the nations.
43:13. Thou hast sold thy people for no price: and there was no reckoning in the exchange of them.
43:14. Thou hast made us a reproach to our neighbours, a scoff and derision to them that are round about us.
43:15. Thou hast made us a byword among the Gentiles: a shaking of the head among the people.
43:16. All the day long my shame is before me: and the confusion of my face hath covered me,
43:17. At the voice of him that reproacheth and detracteth me: at the face of the enemy and persecutor.
43:18. All these things have come upon us, yet we have not forgotten thee: and we have not done wickedly in thy covenant.
43:19. And our heart hath not turned back: neither hast thou turned aside our steps from thy way.
43:20. For thou hast humbled us in the place of affliction: and the shadow of death hath covered us.
43:21. If we have forgotten the name of our God, and if we have spread forth our hands to a strange god:
43:22. Shall not God search out these things: for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Because for thy sake we are killed all the day long: we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
43:23. Arise, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, and cast us not off to the end.
43:24. Why turnest thou thy face away? and forgettest our want and our trouble?
43:25. For our soul is humbled down to the dust: our belly cleaveth to the earth.
43:26. Arise, O Lord, help us and redeem us for thy name's sake.
Psalms Chapter 44
Eructavit cor meum.
The excellence of Christ's kingdom, and the endowments of his church.
44:1. Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the sons of Core, for understanding. A canticle for the Beloved.
For them that shall be changed. . .i.e., for souls happily changed, by being converted to God.—Ibid. The Beloved. . .Viz., Our Lord Jesus Christ.
44:2. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the king: My tongue is the pen of a scrivener that writeth swiftly.
44:3. Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
44:4. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O thou most mighty.
44:5. With thy comeliness and thy beauty set out, proceed prosperously, and reign. Because of truth and meekness and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.
44:6. Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall, into the hearts of the king's enemies.
44:7. Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.
44:8. Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
44:9. Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses: out of which
44:10. The daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety.
44:11. Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: and forget thy people and thy father's house.
44:12. And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.
44:13. And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.
44:14. All the glory of the king's daughter is within in golden borders,
44:15. Clothed round about with varieties. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: her neighbours shall be brought to thee.
44:16. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: they shall be brought into the temple of the king.
44:17. Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.
44:18. They shall remember thy name throughout all generations. Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
Psalms Chapter 45
Deus noster refugium.
The church in persecution trusteth in the protection of God.
45:1. Unto the end, for the sons of Core, for the hidden.
45:2. Our God is our refuge and strength: a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.
45:3. Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.
45:4. Their waters roared and were troubled: the mountains were troubled with his strength.
45:5. The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.
45:6. God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: God will help it in the morning early.
45:7. Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: he uttered his voice, the earth trembled.
45:8. The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.
45:9. Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth,
45:10. Making wars to cease even to the end of the earth. He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: and the shield he shall burn in the fire.
45:11. Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
45:12. The Lord of armies is with us: the God of Jacob is our protector.
Psalms Chapter 46
Omnes gentes, plaudite.
The Gentiles are invited to praise God for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ.
46:1. Unto the end, for the sons of Core.
46:2. O clap your hands, all ye nations: shout unto God with the voice of joy,
46:3. For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.
46:4. He hath subdued the people under us; and the nations under our feet.
46:5. He hath chosen for us his inheritance, the beauty of Jacob which he hath love.
46:6. God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.
46:7. Sing praises to our God, sing ye: sing praises to our king, sing ye.
46:8. For God is the king of all the earth: sing ye wisely.
46:9. God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.
46:10. The princes of the people are gathered together, with the God of Abraham: for the strong gods of the earth are exceedingly exalted.
Psalms Chapter 47
Magnus Dominus.
God is greatly to be praised for the establishment of his church.
47:1. A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week.
47:2. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
47:3. With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.
47:4. In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.
47:5. For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.
47:6. So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:
47:7. Trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.
47:8. With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.
47:9. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.
47:10. We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
47:11. According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.
47:12. Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.
47:13. Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell lye in her towers.
47:14. Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.
47:15. For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.
Psalms Chapter 48
Audite haec, omnes gentes.
The folly of worldlings, who live on in sin, without thinking of death or hell.
48:1. Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core.
48:2. Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.
48:3. All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: both rich and poor together.
48:4. My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding.
48:5. I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my proposition on the psaltery.
48:6. Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.
The iniquity of my heel. . .That is, the iniquity of my steps or ways: or the iniquity of my pride, with which as with the heel, I have spurned and kicked at my neighbours: or the iniquity of my heel, that is, the iniquity in which I shall be found in death. The meaning of this verse is, Why should I now indulge those passions and sinful affections, or commit now those sins, which will cause me so much fear and anguish in the evil day; when the sorrows of death shall compass me, and the perils of hell shall find me?
48:7. They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches,
They that trust, etc. . .As much as to say, let them fear that trust in their strength or riches: for they have great reason to fear: seeing no brother or other man, how much a friend soever, can by any price or labour rescue them from death.
48:8. No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom,
48:9. Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever,
And shall labour for ever, etc. . .This seems to be a continuation of the foregoing sentence: as much as to say no man can by any price or ransom prolong his life, that so he may still continue to labour here, and live to the end of the world. Others understand it of the eternal sorrows, and dying life of hell, which is the dreadful consequence of dying in sin.
48:10. And shall still live unto the end.
48:11. He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: the senseless and the fool shall perish together: And they shall leave their riches to strangers:
He shall not see destruction, etc. . .Or, shall he not see destruction? As much as to say, however thoughtless he may be of his death, he must not expect to escape; when even the wise and the good are not exempt from dying.
48:12. And their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever. Their dwelling places to all generations: they have called their lands by their names.
They have called, etc. . .That is, they have left their names on their graves, which alone remain of their lands.
48:13. And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them.
48:14. This way of theirs is a stumblingblock to them: and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth.
They shall delight in their mouth. . .Notwithstanding the wretched way in which they walk, they shall applaud themselves with their mouths, and glory in their doings.
48:15. They are laid in hell like sheep: death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their help shall decay in hell from their glory.
In the morning. . .That is, in the resurrection to a new life; when the just shall judge and condemn the wicked. Ibid. From their glory. . .That is, when their short-lived glory in this world shall be past, and be no more.
48:16. But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me.
48:17. Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rick, and when the glory of his house shall be increased.
48:18. For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; nor shall his glory descend with him.
48:19. For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.
48:20. He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: and he shall never see light.
48:21. Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.
Psalms Chapter 49
Deus deorum.
The coming of Christ: who prefers virtue and inward purity before the blood of victims.
49:1. A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:
49:2. Out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty.
49:3. God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him.
49:4. He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people.
49:5. Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.
49:6. And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.
49:7. Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God.
49:8. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.
49:9. I will not take calves out of thy house: nor he goats out of thy flocks.
49:10. For all the beasts of the woods are mine: the cattle on the hills, and the oxen.
49:11. I know all the fowls of the air: and with me is the beauty of the field.
49:12. If I should be hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
49:13. Shall I eat the flesh of bullocks? or shall I drink the blood of goats?
49:14. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise: and pay thy vows to the most High.
49:15. And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
49:16. But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth?
49:17. Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee.
49:18. If thou didst see a thief thou didst run with him: and with adulterers thou hast been a partaker.
49:19. Thy mouth hath abounded with evil, and thy tongue framed deceits.
49:20. Sitting thou didst speak against thy brother, and didst lay a scandal against thy mother's son:
49:21. These things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.
49:22. Understand these things, you that forget God; lest he snatch you away, and there be none to deliver you.
49:23. The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.
Psalms Chapter 50
Miserere.
The repentance and confession of David after his sin. The fourth penitential psalm.
50:1. Unto the end, a psalm of David,
50:2. When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had sinned with Bethsabee. [2 Kings 12.]
50:3. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
50:4. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
50:5. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
50:6. To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
50:7. For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
50:8. For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
50:9. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
50:10. To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
50:11. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
50:12. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
50:13. Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
50:14. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
50:15. I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
50:16. Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
50:17. O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
50:18. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
50:19. A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
50:20. Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
50:21. Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
Psalms Chapter 51
Quid gloriaris.
David condemneth the wickedness of Doeg, and foretelleth his destruction.
51:1. Unto the end, understanding for David,
51:2. When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech.
51:3. Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?
51:4. All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.
51:5. Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.
51:6. Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.
51:7. Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living.
51:8. The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:
51:9. Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.
51:10. But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
51:11. I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.
Psalms Chapter 52
Dixit insipiens.
The general corruption of man before the coming of Christ.
52:1. Unto the end, for Maeleth, understandings to David. The fool said in his heart: There is no God.
Maeleth. . .Or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians, for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum.
52:2. They are corrupted, and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that doth good.
52:3. God looked down from heaven on the children of men: to see if there were any that did understand, or did seek God.
52:4. All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there is none that doth good, no not one.
52:5. Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they eat bread?
52:6. They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them.
God hath scattered the bones, etc. . .That is, God has brought to nothing the strength of all those that seek to please men, to the prejudice of their duty to their Maker.
52:7. Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms Chapter 53
Deus, in nomine tuo.
A prayer for help in distress.
53:1. Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.
53:2. When the en of Ziph had come and said to Saul: Is not David hidden with us? [1 Kings 23.19]
53:3. Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength.
53:4. O God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth.
53:5. For strangers have risen up against me; and the mighty have sought after my soul: and they have not set God before their eyes.
53:6. For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul.
53:7. Turn back the evils upon my enemies; and cut them off in thy truth.
53:8. I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, O God, to thy name: because it is good:
53:9. For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.
Psalms Chapter 54
Exaudi, Deus.
A prayer of a just man under persecution from the wicked. It agrees to
Christ persecuted by the Jews, and betrayed by Judas.
54:1. Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.
54:2. Hear, O God, my prayer, and despise not my supplication:
54:3. Be attentive to me and hear me. I am grieved in my exercise; and am troubled,
54:4. At the voice of the enemy, and at the tribulation of the sinner. For they have cast iniquities upon me: and in wrath they were troublesome to me.
54:5. My heart is troubled within me: and the fear of death is fallen upon me.
54:6. Fear and trembling are come upon me: and darkness hath covered me.
54:7. And I said: Who will give me wings like a dove, and I will fly and be at rest?
54:8. Lo, I have gone far off flying away; and I abode in the wilderness.
54:9. I waited for him that hath saved me from pusillanimity of spirit, and a storm.
54:10. Cast down, O Lord, and divide their tongues; for I have seen iniquity and contradiction in the city.
54:11. Day and night shall iniquity surround it upon its walls: and in the midst thereof are labour,
54:12. And injustice. And usury and deceit have not departed from its streets.
54:13. For if my enemy had reviled me, I would verily have borne with it. And if he that hated me had spoken great things against me, I would perhaps have hidden my self from him.
54:14. But thou a man of one mind, my guide, and my familiar,
54:15. Who didst take sweetmeats together with me: in the house of God we walked with consent.
54:16. Let death come upon them, and let them go down alive into hell. For there is wickedness in their dwellings: in the midst of them.
Let death, etc. . .This, and such like imprecations which occur in the psalms, are delivered prophetically; that is, by way of foretelling the punishments which shall fall upon the wicked from divine justice, and approving the righteous ways of God: but not by way of ill will, or uncharitable curses, which the law of God disallows.
54:17. But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me.
54:18. Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and he shall hear my voice.
54:19. He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me: for among many they were with me.
Among many, etc. . .That is, they that drew near to attack me were many in company all combined to fight against me.
54:20. God shall hear, and the Eternal shall humble them. For there is no change with them, and they have not feared God:
54:21. He hath stretched forth his hand to repay. They have defiled his covenant,
54:22. They are divided by the wrath of his countenance, and his heart hath drawn near. His words are smoother than oil, and the same are darts.
They are divided, etc. . .Dispersed, scattered, and brought to nothing, by the wrath of God; who looks with indignation on their wicked and deceitful ways.
54:23. Cast thy care upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall not suffer the just to waver for ever.
54:24. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee, O Lord.
Psalms Chapter 55
Miserere mei, Deus.
A prayer of David in danger and distress.
55:1. Unto the end, for a people that is removed at a distance form the sanctuary: for David, for an inscription of a title (or pillar) when the Philistines held him in Geth.
55:2. Have mercy on me, O God, for man hath trodden me under foot; all the day long he hath afflicted me fighting against me.
55:3. My enemies have trodden on me all the day long; for they are many that make war against me.
55:4. From the height of the day I shall fear: but I will trust in thee.
The height of the day. . .That is, even at noonday, when the sun is the highest, I am still in danger.
55:5. In God I will praise my words, in God I have put my trust: I will not fear what flesh can do against me.
My words. . .The words or promises God has made in my favour.
55:6. All the day long they detested my words: all their thoughts were against me unto evil.
55:7. They will dwell and hide themselves: they will watch my heel. As they have waited for my soul,
55:8. For nothing shalt thou save them: in thy anger thou shalt break the people in pieces. O God,
For nothing shalt thou save them. . .That is, since they lie in wait to ruin my soul, thou shalt for no consideration favour or assist them, but execute thy justice upon them.
55:9. I have declared to thee my life: thou hast set me tears in thy sight, As also in thy promise.
55:10. Then shall my enemies be turned back. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, behold I know thou art my God.
55:11. In God will I praise the word, in the Lord will I praise his speech. In God have I hoped, I will not fear what man can do to me.
55:12. In me, O God, are vows to thee, which I will pay, praises to thee:
55:13. Because thou hast delivered my soul from death, my feet from falling: that I may please in the sight of God, in the light of the living.
Psalms Chapter 56
Miserere mei, Deus. The prophet prays in his affliction, and praises
God for his delivery.
56:1. Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title, when he fled from Saul into the cave. [1 Kings 24.]
Destroy not. . .Suffer me not to be destroyed.
56:2. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me: for my soul trusteth in thee. And in the shadow of thy wings will I hope, until iniquity pass away.
56:3. I will cry to God the most high; to God who hath done good to me.
56:4. He hath sent from heaven and delivered me: he hath made them a reproach that trod upon me. God hath sent his mercy and his truth,
56:5. And he hath delivered my soul from the midst of the young lions. I slept troubled. The sons of men, whose teeth are weapons and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
56:6. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory above all the earth.
56:7. They prepared a snare for my feet; and they bowed down my soul. They dug a pit before my face, and they are fallen into it.
56:8. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and rehearse a psalm.
56:9. Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise early.
56:10. I will give praise to thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing a psalm to thee among the nations.
56:11. For thy mercy is magnified even to the heavens: and thy truth unto the clouds.
56:12. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth.
Psalms Chapter 57
Si vere utique.
David reproveth the wicked, and foretelleth their punishment.
57:1. Unto the end, destroy not, for David, for an inscription of a title.
57:2. If in very deed ye speak justice: judge right things, ye sons of men.
57:3. For in your heart you work iniquity: your hands forge injustice in the earth.
57:4. The wicked are alienated from the womb; they have gone astray from the womb: they have spoken false things.
57:5. Their madness is according to the likeness of a serpent: like the deaf asp that stoppeth her ears:
57:6. Which will not hear the voice of the charmers; nor of the wizard that charmeth wisely.
57:7. God shall break in pieces their teeth in their mouth: the Lord shall break the grinders of the lions.
57:8. They shall come to nothing, like water running down; he hath bent his bow till they be weakened.
57:9. Like wax that melteth they shall be taken away: fire hath fallen on them, and they shall not see the sun.
57:10. Before your thorns could know the brier; he swalloweth them up, as alive, in his wrath.
Before your thorns, etc. . .That is, before your thorns grow up, so as to become strong briers, they shall be overtaken and consumed by divine justice, swallowing them up, as it were, alive in his wrath.
57:11. The just shall rejoice when he shall see the revenge: he shall wash his hands in the blood of the sinner.
Shall wash his hands, etc. . .Shall applaud the justice of God, and take occasion from the consideration of the punishment of the wicked to wash and cleanse his hands from sin.
57:12. And man shall say: If indeed there be fruit to the just: there is indeed a God that judgeth them on the earth.
Psalms Chapter 58
Eripe me.
A prayer to be delivered from the wicked, with confidence in God's help and protection. It agrees to Christ and his enemies the Jews.
58:1. Unto the end, destroy not, for David for an inscription of a title, when Saul sent and watched his house to kill him. [1 Kings 19.]
58:2. Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; and defend me from them that rise up against me.
58:3. Deliver me from them that work iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
58:4. For behold they have caught my soul: the mighty have rushed in upon me:
58:5. Neither is it my iniquity, nor my sin, O Lord: without iniquity have I run, and directed my steps.
58:6. Rise up thou to meet me, and behold: even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel. Attend to visit all the nations: have no mercy on all them that work iniquity.
58:7. They shall return at evening, and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city.
58:8. Behold they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips: for who, say they, hath heard us?
58:9. But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing.
58:10. I will keep my strength to thee: for thou art my protector:
58:11. My God, his mercy shall prevent me.
58:12. God shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. Scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord, my protector:
58:13. For the sin of their mouth, and the word of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride. And for their cursing and lying they shall be talked of,
58:14. When they are consumed: when they are consumed by thy wrath, and they shall be no more. And they shall know that God will rule Jacob, and all the ends of the earth.
58:15. They shall return at evening and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city.
58:16. They shall be scattered abroad to eat, and shall murmur if they be not filled.
58:17. But I will sing thy strength: and will extol thy mercy in the morning. For thou art become my support, and my refuge, in the day of my trouble.
58:18. Unto thee, O my helper, will I sing, for thou art God my defence: my God my mercy.
Psalms Chapter 59
Deus, repulisti nos.
After many afflictions, the church of Christ shall prevail.
59:1. Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, for the inscription of a title, to David himself, for doctrine,
59:2. When he set fire to Mesopotamia of Syria and Sobal: and Joab returned and slew of Edom, in the vale of the saltpits, twelve thousand men.
59:3. O God, thou hast cast us off, and hast destroyed us; thou hast been angry, and hast had mercy on us.
59:4. Thou hast moved the earth, and hast troubled it: heal thou the breaches thereof, for it has been moved.
59:5. Thou hast shewn thy people hard things; thou hast made us drink the wine of sorrow.
59:6. Thou hast given a warning to them that fear thee: that they may flee from before the bow: That thy beloved may be delivered.
59:7. Save me with thy right hand, and hear me.
59:8. God hath spoken in his holy place: I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem; and will mete out the vale of tabernacles.
59:9. Galaad is mine, and Manasses is mine: and Ephraim is the strength of my head. Juda is my king:
59:10. Moab is the pot of my hope. Into Edom will I stretch out my shoe: to me the foreigners are made subject.
The pot of my hope. . .Or my watering pot. That is, a vessel for meaner uses, by being reduced to serve me, even in the meanest employments.—Ibid. Foreigners. . .So the Philistines are called, who had no kindred with the Israelites; whereas the Edomites, Moabites, etc., were originally of the same family.
59:11. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
59:12. Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go out with our armies?
59:13. Give us help from trouble: for vain is the salvation of man.
59:14. Through God we shall do mightily: and he shall bring to nothing them that afflict us.
Psalms Chapter 60
Exaudi, Deus.
A prayer for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, which shall have no end.
60:1. Unto the end, in hymns, for David.
60:2. Hear, O God, my supplication: be attentive to my prayer.
60:3. To thee have I cried from the ends of the earth: when my heart was in anguish, thou hast exalted me on a rock. Thou hast conducted me;
60:4. For thou hast been my hope; a tower of strength against the face of the enemy.
60:5. In thy tabernacle I shall dwell for ever: I shall be protected under the covert of thy wings.
60:6. For thou, my God, hast heard my prayer: thou hast given an inheritance to them that fear thy name.
60:7. Thou wilt add days to the days of the king: his years even to generation and generation.
60:8. He abideth for ever in the sight of God: his mercy and truth who shall search?
60:9. So will I sing a psalm to thy name for ever and ever: that I may pay my vows from day to day.
Psalms Chapter 61
Nonne Deo.
The prophet encourageth himself and all others to trust in God, and serve him.
61:1. Unto the end, for Idithun, a psalm of David.
61:2. Shall not my soul be subject to God? for from him is my salvation.
61:3. For he is my God and my saviour: he is my protector, I shall be moved no more.
61:4. How long do you rush in upon a man? you all kill, as if you were thrusting down a leaning wall, and a tottering fence.
61:5. But they have thought to cast away my price; I ran in thirst: they blessed with their mouth, but cursed with their heart.
61:6. But be thou, O my soul, subject to God: for from him is my patience.
61:7. For he is my God and my saviour: he is my helper, I shall not be moved.
61:8. In God is my salvation and my glory: he is the God of my help, and my hope is in God.
61:9. Trust in him, all ye congregation of people: pour out your hearts before him. God is our helper for ever.
61:10. But vain are the sons of men, the sons of men are liars in the balances: that by vanity they may together deceive.
Are liars in the balances, etc. . .They are so vain and light, that if they are put into the scales, they will be found to be of no weight; and to be mere lies, deceit, and vanity. Or, They are liars in their balances, by weighing things by false weights, and preferring the temporal before the eternal.
61:11. Trust not in iniquity, and cover not robberies: if riches abound, set not your heart upon them.
61:12. God hath spoken once, these two things have I heard, that power belongeth to God,
61:13. And mercy to thee, O Lord; for thou wilt render to every man according to his works.
Psalms Chapter 62
Deus Deus meus, ad te.
The prophet aspireth after God.
62:1. A psalm of David while he was in the desert of Edom.
62:2. O God, my God, to thee do I watch at break of day. For thee my soul hath thirsted; for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
62:3. In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
62:4. For thy mercy is better than lives: thee my lips will praise.
62:5. Thus will I bless thee all my life long: and in thy name I will lift up my hands.
62:6. Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
62:7. If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning:
62:8. Because thou hast been my helper. And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings:
62:9. My soul hath stuck close to thee: thy right hand hath received me.
62:10. But they have fought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth:
62:11. They shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.
62:12. But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.
Psalms Chapter 63
Exaudi Deus orationem.
A prayer in affliction, with confidence in God that he will bring to nought the machinations of persecutors.
63:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David.
63:2. Hear O God, my prayer, when I make supplication to thee: deliver my soul from the fear of the enemy.
63:3. Thou hast protected me from the assembly of the malignant; from the multitude of the workers of iniquity.
63:4. For they have whetted their tongues like a sword; they have bent their bow a bitter thing,
63:5. To shoot in secret the undefiled.
63:6. They will shoot at him on a sudden, and will not fear: they are resolute in wickedness. They have talked of hiding snares; they have said: Who shall see them?
63:7. They have searched after iniquities: they have failed in their search. Man shall come to a deep heart:
A deep heart. . .That is, crafty, subtle, deep projects and designs; which nevertheless shall not succeed; for God shall be exalted in bringing them to nought by his wisdom and power.
63:8. And God shall be exalted. The arrows of children are their wounds:
The arrows of children are their wounds. . .That is, the wounds, stripes, or blows, they seek to inflict upon the just, are but like the weak efforts of children's arrows, which can do no execution: and their tongues, that is, their speeches against them come to nothing.
63:9. And their tongues against them are made weak. All that saw them were troubled;
63:10. And every man was afraid. And they declared the works of God, and understood his doings.
63:11. The just shall rejoice in the Lord, and shall hope in him: and all the upright in heart shall be praised.
Psalms Chapter 64
Te decet.
God is to be praised in his church, to which all nations shall be called.
64:1. To the end, a psalm of David. The canticle of Jeremias and Ezechiel to the people of the captivity, when they began to go out.
Of the captivity. . .That is, the people of the captivity of Babylon. This is not in the Hebrew, but is found in the ancient translation of the Septuagint.
64:2. A hymn, O God, becometh thee in Sion: and a vow shall be paid to thee in Jerusalem.
64:3. O hear my prayer: all flesh shall come to thee.
64:4. The words of the wicked have prevailed over us: and thou wilt pardon our transgressions.
64:5. Blessed is he whom thou hast chosen and taken to thee: he shall dwell in thy courts. We shall be filled with the good things of thy house; holy is thy temple,
64:6. Wonderful in justice. Hear us, O God our saviour, who art the hope of all the ends of the earth, and in the sea afar off.
64:7. Thou who preparest the mountains by thy strength, being girded with power:
64:8. Who troublest the depth of the sea, the noise of its waves. The Gentiles shall be troubled,
64:9. And they that dwell in the uttermost borders shall be afraid at thy signs: thou shalt make the outgoings of the morning and of the evening to be joyful.
64:10. Thou hast visited the earth, and hast plentifully watered it; thou hast many ways enriched it. The river of God is filled with water, thou hast prepared their food: for so is its preparation.
64:11. Fill up plentifully the streams thereof, multiply its fruits; it shall spring up and rejoice in its showers.
64:12. Thou shalt bless the crown of the year of thy goodness: and thy fields shall be filled with plenty.
64:13. The beautiful places of the wilderness shall grow fat: and the hills shall be girded about with joy,
64:14. The rams of the flock are clothed, and the vales shall abound with corn: they shall shout, yea they shall sing a hymn.
Psalms Chapter 65
Jubilate Deo.
An invitation to praise God.
65:1. Unto the end, a canticle of a psalm of the resurrection. Shout with joy to God, all the earth,
65:2. Sing ye a psalm to his name; give glory to his praise.
65:3. Say unto God, How terrible are thy works, O Lord! in the multitude of thy strength thy enemies shall lie to thee.
65:4. Let all the earth adore thee, and sing to thee: let it sing a psalm to thy name.
65:5. Come and see the works of God; who is terrible in his counsels over the sons of men.
65:6. Who turneth the sea into dry land, in the river they shall pass on foot: there shall we rejoice in him.
65:7. Who by his power ruleth for ever: his eyes behold the nations; let not them that provoke him be exalted in themselves.
65:8. O bless our God, ye Gentiles: and make the voice of his praise to be heard.
65:9. Who hath set my soul to live: and hath not suffered my feet to be moved:
65:10. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us by fire, as silver is tried.
65:11. Thou hast brought us into a net, thou hast laid afflictions on our back:
65:12. Thou hast set men over our heads. We have passed through fire and water, and thou hast brought us out into a refreshment.
65:13. I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
65:14. Which my lips have uttered, And my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
65:15. I will offer up to thee holocausts full of marrow, with burnt offerings of rams: I will offer to thee bullocks with goats.
65:16. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what great things he hath done for my soul.
65:17. I cried to him with my mouth: and I extolled him with my tongue.
65:18. If I have looked at iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
65:19. Therefore hath God heard me, and hath attended to the voice of my supplication.
65:20. Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Psalms Chapter 66
Deus misereatur.
A prayer for the propagation of the church.
66:1. Unto the end, in hymns, a psalm of a canticle for David.
66:2. May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countenance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us.
66:3. That we may know thy way upon earth: thy salvation in all nations.
66:4. Let people confess to thee, O God: let all people give praise to thee.
66:5. Let the nations be glad and rejoice: for thou judgest the people with justice, and directest the nations upon earth.
66:6. Let the people, O God, confess to thee: let all the people give praise to thee:
66:7. The earth hath yielded her fruit. May God, our God bless us,
66:8. May God bless us: and all the ends of the earth fear him.
Psalms Chapter 67
Exurgat Deus.
The glorious establishment of the church of the New Testament, prefigured by the benefits bestowed on the people of Israel.
67:1. Unto the end, a psalm of a canticle for David himself.
67:2. Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered: and let them that hate him flee from before his face.
67:3. As smoke vanisheth, so let them vanish away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
67:4. And let the just feast, and rejoice before God: and be delighted with gladness.
67:5. Sing ye to God, sing a psalm to his name, make a way for him who ascendeth upon the west: the Lord is his name. Rejoice ye before him: but the wicked shall be troubled at his presence,
Who ascendeth upon the west. . .Super occasum. St. Gregory understands it of Christ, who after his going down, like the sun, in the west, by his passion and death, ascended more glorious, and carried all before him. St. Jerome renders it, who ascendeth, or cometh up, through the deserts.
67:6. Who is the father of orphans, and the judge of widows. God in his holy place:
67:7. God who maketh men of one manner to dwell in a house: Who bringeth out them that were bound in strength; in like manner them that provoke, that dwell in sepulchres.
Of one manner. . .That is, agreeing in faith, unanimous in love, and following the same manner of discipline. It is verified in the servants of God, living together in his house, which is the church. 1 Tim. 3.15.—Ibid. Them that were bound, etc. . .The power and mercy of God appears in his bringing out of their captivity those that were strongly bound in their sins: and in restoring to his grace those whose behaviour had been most provoking; and who by their evil habits were not only dead, but buried in their sepulchres.
67:8. O God, when thou didst go forth in the sight of thy people, when thou didst pass through the desert:
67:9. The earth was moved, and the heavens dropped at the presence of the God of Sina, at the presence of the God of Israel.
67:10. Thou shalt set aside for thy inheritance a free rain, O God: and it was weakened, but thou hast made it perfect.
A free rain. . .the manna, which rained plentifully from heaven, in favour of God's inheritance, that is, of his people Israel: which was weakened indeed under a variety of afflictions, but was made perfect by God; that is, was still supported by divine providence, and brought on to the promised land. It agrees particularly to the church of Christ his true inheritance, which is plentifully watered with the free rain of heavenly grace; and through many infirmities, that is, crosses and tribulations, is made perfect, and fitted for eternal glory.
67:11. In it shall thy animals dwell; in thy sweetness, O God, thou hast provided for the poor.
In it, etc. . .That is, in this church, which is thy fold and thy inheritance, shall thy animals, thy sheep, dwell: where thou hast plentifully provided for them.
67:12. The Lord shall give the word to them that preach good tidings with great power.
To them that preach good tidings. . .Evangelizantibus. That is, to the preachers of the gospel; who receiving the word from the Lord, shall with great power and efficacy preach throughout the world the glad tidings of a Saviour, and of eternal salvation through him.
67:13. The king of powers is of the beloved, of the beloved; and the beauty of the house shall divide spoils.
The king of powers. . .That is, the mighty King, the Lord of hosts, is of the beloved, of the beloved; that is, is on the side of Christ, his most beloved son: and his beautiful house, viz., the church, in which God dwells forever, shall by her spiritual conquests divide the spoils of many nations. The Hebrew (as it now stands pointed) is thus rendered, The kings of armies have fled, they have fled, and she that dwells at home (or the beauty of the house) shall divide the spoils.
67:14. If you sleep among the midst of lots, you shall be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and the hinder parts of her back with the paleness of gold.
If you sleep among the midst of lots (intermedios cleros, etc.). . .Viz., in such dangers and persecutions, as if your enemies were casting lots for your goods and persons: or in the midst of the lots, (intermedios terminos, as St. Jerome renders it,) that is, upon the very bounds or borders of the dominions of your enemies: you shall be secure nevertheless under the divine protection; and shall be enabled to fly away, like a dove, with glittering wings and feathers shining like the palest and most precious gold; that is, with great increase of virtue, and glowing with the fervour of charity.
67:15. When he that is in heaven appointeth kings over her, they shall be whited with snow in Selmon.
Kings over her. . .That is, pastors and rulers over his church, viz., the apostles and their successors. Then by their ministry shall men be made whiter than the snow which lies on the top of the high mountain Selmon.
67:16. The mountain of God is a fat mountain. A curdled mountain, a fat mountain.
The mountain of God. . .The church, which, Isa. 2.2, is called The mountain of the house of the Lord upon the top of mountains. It is here called a fat and a curdled mountain; that is to say, most fruitful, and enriched by the spiritual gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost.
67:17. Why suspect, ye curdled mountains? A mountain in which God is well pleased to dwell: for there the Lord shall dwell unto the end.
Why suspect, ye curdled mountains?. . .Why do you suppose or imagine there may be any other such curdled mountains? You are mistaken: the mountain thus favoured by God is but one; and this same he has chosen for his dwelling for ever.
67:18. The chariot of God is attended by ten thousands; thousands of them that rejoice: the Lord is among them in Sina, in the holy place.
The chariot of God. . .Descending to give his law on mount Sina: as also of Jesus Christ his Son, ascending into heaven, to send from thence the Holy Ghost, to publish his new law, is attended with ten thousands, that is, with an innumerable multitude of joyful angels.
67:19. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts in men. Yea for those also that do not believe, the dwelling of the Lord God.
Led captivity captive. . .Carrying away with thee to heaven those who before had been the captives of Satan; and receiving from God the Father gifts to be distributed to men; even to those who were before unbelievers.
67:20. Blessed be the Lord day by day: the God of our salvation will make our journey prosperous to us.
67:21. Our God is the God of salvation: and of the Lord, of the Lord are the issues from death.
The issues from death. . .The Lord alone is master of the issues, by which we may escape from death.
67:22. But God shall break the heads of his enemies: the hairy crown of them that walk on in their sins.
67:23. The Lord said: I will turn them from Basan, I will turn them into the depth of the sea:
I will turn them from Basan, etc. . .I will cast out my enemies from their rich possessions, signified by Basan, a fruitful country; and I will drive them into the depth of the sea: and make such a slaughter of them, that the feet of my servants may be dyed in their blood, etc.
67:24. That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thy enemies; the tongue of thy dogs be red with the same.
67:25. They have seen thy goings, O God, the goings of my God: of my king who is in his sanctuary.
Thy goings. . .Thy ways, thy proceedings, by which thou didst formerly take possession of the promised land in favour of thy people; and shalt afterwards of the whole world, which thou shalt subdue to thy Son.
67:26. Princes went before joined with singers, in the midst of young damsels playing on timbrels.
Princes. . .The apostles, the first converters of nations; attended by numbers of perfect souls, singing the divine praises, and virgins consecrated to God.
67:27. In the churches bless ye God the Lord, from the fountains of Israel.
From the fountains of Israel. . .From whom both Christ and his apostles sprung. By Benjamin, the holy fathers on this place understand St. Paul, who was of that tribe, named here a youth, because he was the last called to the apostleship. By the princes of Juda, Zabulon, and Nephthali, we may understand the other apostles, who were of the tribe of Juda; or of the tribes of Zabulon, and Nephthali, where our Lord began to preach, Matt. 4.13, etc.
67:28. There is Benjamin a youth, in ecstasy of mind. The princes of Juda are their leaders: the princes of Zabulon, the princes of Nephthali.
67:29. Command thy strength, O God confirm, O God, what thou hast wrought in us.
Command thy strength. . .Give orders that thy strength may be always with us.
67:30. From thy temple in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to thee.
67:31. Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds, the congregation of bulls with the kine of the people; who seek to exclude them who are tried with silver. Scatter thou the nations that delight in wars:
Rebuke the wild beasts of the reeds. . .or the wild beasts, which lie hid in the reeds. That is, the devils, who hide themselves in order to surprise their prey. Or by wild beasts, are here understood persecutors, who, for all their attempts against the Church, are but as weak reeds, which cannot prevail against them who are supported by the strength of the Almighty. The same are also called the congregation of bulls (from their rage against the Church) who assemble together all their kine, that is, the people their subjects, to exclude if they can, from Christ and his inheritance, his constant confessors, who are like silver tried by fire.
67:32. Ambassadors shall come out of Egypt: Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God.
Ambassadors shall come, etc. . .It is a prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles, and by name of the Egyptians and Ethiopians.
67:33. Sing to God, ye kingdoms of the earth: sing ye to the Lord: Sing ye to God,
67:34. Who mounteth above the heaven of heavens, to the east. Behold he will give to his voice the voice of power:
To the east. . .From mount Olivet, which is on the east side of Jerusalem.—Ibid. The voice of power. . .That is, he will make his voice to be a powerful voice: by calling from death to life, such as were dead in mortal sin: as at the last day he will by the power of his voice call all the dead from their graves.
67:35. Give ye glory to God for Israel, his magnificence, and his power is in the clouds.
67:36. God is wonderful in his saints: the God of Israel is he who will give power and strength to his people. Blessed be God.
Psalms Chapter 68
Salvum me fac, Deus.
Christ in his passion declareth the greatness of his sufferings, and the malice of his persecutors the Jews; and foretelleth their reprobation.
68:1. Unto the end, for them that shall be changed; for David.
For them that shall be changed. . .A psalm for Christian converts, to remember the passion of Christ.
68:2. Save me, O God: for the waters are come in even unto my soul.
The waters. . .Of afflictions and sorrows. My soul is sorrowful even unto death. Matt. 26.38.
68:3. I stick fast in the mire of the deep and there is no sure standing. I am come into the depth of the sea, and a tempest hath overwhelmed me.
68:4. I have laboured with crying; my jaws are become hoarse, my eyes have failed, whilst I hope in my God.
68:5. They are multiplied above the hairs of my head, who hate me without cause. My enemies are grown strong who have wrongfully persecuted me: then did I pay that which I took not away.
I pay that which I took not away. . .Christ in his passion made restitution of what he had not taken away, by suffering the punishment due to our sins, and so repairing the injury we had done to God.
68:6. O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my offences are not hidden from thee:
My foolishness and my offences. . .which my enemies impute to me: or the follies and sins of men, which I have taken upon myself.
68:7. Let not them be ashamed for me, who look for thee, O Lord, the Lord of hosts. Let them not be confounded on my account, who seek thee, O God of Israel.
68:8. Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.
68:9. I am become a stranger to my brethren, and an alien to the sons of my mother.
68:10. For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up: and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
68:11. And I covered my soul in fasting: and it was made a reproach to me.
68:12. And I made haircloth my garment: and I became a byword to them.
68:13. They that sat in the gate spoke against me: and they that drank wine made me their song.
68:14. But as for me, my prayer is to thee, O Lord; for the time of thy good pleasure, O God. In the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.
68:15. Draw me out of the mire, that I may not stick fast: deliver me from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
68:16. Let not the tempest of water drown me, nor the deep water swallow me up: and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.
68:17. Hear me, O Lord, for thy mercy is kind; look upon me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
68:18. And turn not away thy face from thy servant: for I am in trouble, hear me speedily.
68:19. Attend to my soul, and deliver it: save me because of my enemies.
68:20. Thou knowest my reproach, and my confusion, and my shame.
68:21. In thy sight are all they that afflict me; my heart hath expected reproach and misery. And I looked for one that would grieve together with me, but there was none: and for one that would comfort me, and I found none.
68:22. And they gave me gall for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
68:23. Let their table become as a snare before them, and a recompense, and a stumblingblock.
Let their table, etc. . .What here follows in the style of an imprecation, is a prophecy of the wretched state to which the Jews should be reduced in punishment of their wilful obstinacy.
68:24. Let their eyes be darkened that they see not; and their back bend thou down always.
68:25. Pour out thy indignation upon them: and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
68:26. Let their habitation be made desolate: and let there be none to dwell in their tabernacles.
68:27. Because they have persecuted him whom thou hast smitten; and they have added to the grief of my wounds.
68:28. Add thou iniquity upon their iniquity: and let them not come into thy justice.
68:29. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; and with the just let them not be written.
68:30. But I am poor and sorrowful: thy salvation, O God, hath set me up.
68:31. I will praise the name of God with a canticle: and I will magnify him with praise.
68:32. And it shall please God better than a young calf, that bringeth forth horns and hoofs.
68:33. Let the poor see and rejoice: seek ye God, and your soul shall live.
68:34. For the Lord hath heard the poor: and hath not despised his prisoners.
68:35. Let the heavens and the earth praise him; the sea, and every thing that creepeth therein.
68:36. For God will save Sion, and the cities of Juda shall be built up. And they shall dwell there, and acquire it by inheritance.
Sion. . .The catholic church. The cities of Juda, etc., her places of worship, which shall be established throughout the world. And there, viz., in this church of Christ, shall his servants dwell, etc.
68:37. And the seed of his servants shall possess it; and they that love his name shall dwell therein.
Psalms Chapter 69
Deus in adjutorium.
A prayer in persecution.
69:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David, to bring to remembrance that the Lord saved him.
69:2. O God, come to my assistance; O Lord, make haste to help me.
69:3. Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek my soul:
69:4. Let them be turned backward, and blush for shame that desire evils to me: Let them be presently turned away blushing for shame that say to me: 'Tis well, 'tis well.
'T is well, 't is well. . .Euge, euge. St. Jerome renders it, vah, vah! which is the voice of one insulting and deriding. Some understand it as a detestation of deceitful flatterers.
69:5. Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; and let such as love thy salvation say always: The Lord be magnified.
69:6. But I am needy and poor; O God, help me. Thou art my helper and my deliverer: O lord, make no delay.
Psalms Chapter 70
In te, Domine.
A prayer for perseverance.
70:1. A psalm for David. Of the sons of Jonadab, and the former captives. In thee, O Lord, I have hoped, let me never be put to confusion:
Of the sons of Jonadab. . .The Rechabites, of whom see Jer. 35. By this addition of the seventy-two interpreters, we gather that this psalm was usually sung in the synagogue, in the person of the Rechabites, and of those who were first carried away into captivity.
70:2. Deliver me in thy justice, and rescue me. Incline thy ear unto me, and save me.
70:3. Be thou unto me a God, a protector, and a place of strength: that thou mayst make me safe. For thou art my firmament and my refuge.
70:4. Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the sinner, and out of the hand of the transgressor of the law and of the unjust.
70:5. For thou art my patience, O Lord: my hope, O Lord, from my youth.
70:6. By thee have I been confirmed from the womb: from my mother's womb thou art my protector. Of thee I shall continually sing:
70:7. I am become unto many as a wonder, but thou art a strong helper.
70:8. Let my mouth be filled with praise, that I may sing thy glory; thy greatness all the day long.
70:9. Cast me not off in the time of old age: when my strength shall fail, do not thou forsake me.
70:10. For my enemies have spoken against me; and they that watched my soul have consulted together,
70:11. Saying: God hath forsaken him: pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.
70:12. O God, be not thou far from me: O my God, make haste to my help.
70:13. Let them be confounded and come to nothing that detract my soul; let them be covered with confusion and blame that seek my hurt.
70:14. But I will always hope; and will add to all thy praise.
70:15. My mouth shall shew forth thy justice; thy salvation all the day long. Because I have not known learning,
Learning. . .As much as to say, I build not upon human learning, but only on the power and justice of God.
70:16. I will enter into the powers of the Lord: O Lord, I will be mindful of thy justice alone.
70:17. Thou hast taught me, O God, from my youth: and till now I will declare thy wonderful works.
70:18. And unto old age and grey hairs: O God, forsake me not, Until I shew forth thy arm to all the generation that is to come: Thy power,
70:19. And thy justice, O God, even to the highest great things thou hast done: O God, who is like to thee?
70:20. How great troubles hast thou shewn me, many and grievous: and turning thou hast brought me to life, and hast brought me back again from the depths of the earth:
70:21. Thou hast multiplied thy magnificence; and turning to me thou hast comforted me.
70:22. For I will also confess to thee thy truth with the instruments of psaltery: O God, I will sing to thee with the harp, thou holy one of Israel.
70:23. My lips shall greatly rejoice, when I shall sing to thee; and my soul which thou hast redeemed.
70:24. Yea and my tongue shall meditate on thy justice all the day; when they shall be confounded and put to shame that seek evils to me.
Psalms Chapter 71
Deus, judicium tuum.
A prophecy of the coming of Christ, and of his kingdom: prefigured by
Solomon and his happy reign.
71:1. A psalm on Solomon.
71:2. Give to the king thy judgment, O God, and to the king's son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.
71:3. Let the mountains receive peace for the people: and the hills justice.
71:4. He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: and he shall humble the oppressor.
71:5. And he shall continue with the sun and before the moon, throughout all generations.
71:6. He shall come down like rain upon the fleece; and as showers falling gently upon the earth.
71:7. In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken away.
71:8. And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
71:9. Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: and his enemies shall lick the ground.
71:10. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:
71:11. And all kings of the earth shall adore him: all nations shall serve him.
71:12. For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.
71:13. He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.
71:14. He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: and their names shall be honourable in his sight.
71:15. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: they shall bless him all the day.
71:16. And there shall be a firmament on the earth on the tops of mountains, above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.
A firmament on the earth, etc. . .This may be understood of the church of Christ, ever firm and visible: and of the flourishing condition of its congregation.
71:17. Let his name be blessed for evermore: his name continueth before the sun. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: all nations shall magnify him.
71:18. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.
71:19. And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.
71:20. The praises of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Are ended. . .By this it appears that this psalm, though placed here, was in order of time the last of those which David composed.
Psalms Chapter 72
Quam bonus Israel Deus.
The temptation of the weak, upon seeing the prosperity of the wicked, is overcome by the consideration of the justice of God, who will quickly render to every one according to his works.
72:1. A psalm for Asaph. How good is God to Israel, to them that are of a right heart!
72:2. But my feet were almost moved; my steps had well nigh slipped.
72:3. Because I had a zeal on occasion of the wicked, seeing the prosperity of sinners.
72:4. For there is no regard to their death, nor is there strength in their stripes.
72:5. They are not in the labour of men: neither shall they be scourged like other men.
72:6. Therefore pride hath held them fast: they are covered with their iniquity and their wickedness.
72:7. Their iniquity hath come forth, as it were from fatness: they have passed into the affection of the heart.
Fatness. . .Abundance and temporal prosperity, which hath encouraged them in their iniquity: and made them give themselves up to their irregular affections.
72:8. They have thought and spoken wickedness: they have spoken iniquity on high.
72:9. They have set their mouth against heaven: and their tongue hath passed through the earth.
72:10. Therefore will my people return here and full days shall be found in them.
Return here. . .or hither. The weak among the servants of God, will be apt often to return to this thought, and will be shocked when they consider the full days, that is, the long and prosperous life of the wicked; and will be tempted to make the reflections against providence which are set down in the following verses.
72:11. And they said: How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?
72:12. Behold these are sinners; and yet, abounding in the world they have obtained riches.
72:13. And I said: Then have I in vain justified my heart, and washed my hands among the innocent.
72:14. And I have been scourged all the day; and my chastisement hath been in the mornings.
72:15. If I said: I will speak thus; behold I should condemn the generation of thy children.
If I said, etc. . .That is, if I should indulge such thoughts as these.
72:16. I studied that I might know this thing, it is a labour in my sight:
72:17. Until I go into the sanctuary of God, and understand concerning their last ends.
72:18. But indeed for deceits thou hast put it to them: when they were lifted up thou hast cast them down.
Thou hast put it to them. . .In punishment of their deceits, or for deceiving them, thou hast brought evils upon them in their last end, which, in their prosperity they never apprehended.
72:19. How are they brought to desolation? they have suddenly ceased to be: they have perished by reason of their iniquity.
72:20. As the dream of them that awake, O Lord; so in thy city thou shalt bring their image to nothing.
72:21. For my heart hath been inflamed, and my reins have been changed:
72:22. And I am brought to nothing, and I knew not.
72:23. I am become as a beast before thee: and I am always with thee.
72:24. Thou hast held me by my right hand; and by thy will thou hast conducted me, and with thy glory thou hast received me.
72:25. For what have I in heaven? and besides thee what do I desire upon earth?
72:26. For thee my flesh and my heart hath fainted away: thou art the God of my heart, and the God that is my portion for ever.
72:27. For behold they that go far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that are disloyal to thee.
72:28. But it is good for me to adhere to my God, to put my hope in the Lord God: That I may declare all thy praises, in the gates of the daughter of Sion.
Psalms Chapter 73
Ut quid, Deus.
A prayer of the church under grievous persecutions.
73:1. Understanding for Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off unto the end: why is thy wrath enkindled against the sheep of thy pasture?
73:2. Remember thy congregation, which thou hast possessed from the beginning. The sceptre of thy inheritance which thou hast redeemed: mount Sion in which thou hast dwelt.
73:3. Lift up thy hands against their pride unto the end; see what things the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.
73:4. And they that hate thee have made their boasts, in the midst of thy solemnity. They have set up their ensigns for signs,
Their ensigns, etc. . .They have fixed their colours for signs and trophies, both on the gates, and on the highest top of the temple: and they knew not, that is, they regarded not the sanctity of the place. This psalm manifestly foretells the time of the Machabees, and the profanation of the temple by Antiochus.
73:5. And they knew not both in the going out and on the highest top. As with axes in a wood of trees,
73:6. They have cut down at once the gates thereof, with axe and hatchet they have brought it down.
73:7. They have set fire to thy sanctuary: they have defiled the dwelling place of thy name on the earth.
73:8. They said in their heart, the whole kindred of them together: Let us abolish all the festival days of God from the land.
73:9. Our signs we have not seen, there is now no prophet: and he will know us no more.
73:10. How long, O God, shall the enemy reproach: is the adversary to provoke thy name for ever?
73:11. Why dost thou turn away thy hand: and thy right hand out of the midst of thy bosom for ever?
73:12. But God is our king before ages: he hath wrought salvation in the midst of the earth.
73:13. Thou by thy strength didst make the sea firm: thou didst crush the heads of the dragons in the waters.
The sea firm. . .By making the waters of the Red Sea stand like firm walls, whilst Israel passed through: and destroying the Egyptians called here dragons from their cruelty, in the same waters, with their king: casting up their bodies on the shore to be stripped by the Ethiopians inhabiting in those days the coast of Arabia.
73:14. Thou hast broken the heads of the dragon: thou hast given him to be meat for the people of the Ethiopians.
73:15. Thou hast broken up the fountains and the torrents: thou hast dried up the Ethan rivers.
Ethan rivers. . .That is, rivers which run with strong streams. This was verified in Jordan, Jos. 3, and in Arnon, Num. 21.14.
73:16. Thine is the day, and thine is the night: thou hast made the morning light and the sun.
73:17. Thou hast made all the borders of the earth: the summer and the spring were formed by thee.
73:18. Remember this, the enemy hath reproached the Lord: and a foolish people hath provoked thy name.
73:19. Deliver not up to beasts the souls that confess to thee: and forget not to the end the souls of thy poor.
73:20. Have regard to thy covenant: for they that are the obscure of the earth have been filled with dwellings of iniquity.
The obscure of the earth. . .Mean and ignoble wretches have been filled, that is, enriched, with houses of iniquity, that is, with our estates and possessions, which they have unjustly acquired.
73:21. Let not the humble be turned away with confusion: the poor and needy shall praise thy name.
73:22. Arise, O God, judge thy own cause: remember thy reproaches with which the foolish man hath reproached thee all the day.
73:23. Forget not the voices of thy enemies: the pride of them that hate thee ascendeth continually.
Psalms Chapter 74
Confitebimur tibi.
There is a just judgment to come: therefore let the wicked take care.
74:1. Unto the end, corrupt not, a psalm of a canticle for Asaph.
Corrupt not. . .It is believed to have been the beginning of some ode or hymn, to the tune of which this psalm was to be sung. St. Augustine and other fathers take it to be an admonition of the spirit of God, not to faint or fail in our hope: but to persevere with constancy in good: because God will not fail in his due time to render to every man according to his works.
74:2. We will praise thee, O God: we will praise, and we will call upon thy name. We will relate thy wondrous works:
74:3. When I shall take a time, I will judge justices.
When I shall take a time. . .In proper times: particularly at the last day, when the earth shall melt away at the presence of the great Judge: the same who originally laid the foundations of it, and as it were established its pillars.
74:4. The earth is melted, and all that dwell therein: I have established the pillars thereof.
74:5. I said to the wicked: Do not act wickedly: and to the sinners: Lift not up the horn.
74:6. Lift not up your horn on high: speak not iniquity against God.
74:7. For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert hills:
74:8. For God is the judge. One he putteth down, and another he lifteth up:
74:9. For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup of strong wine full of mixture. And he hath poured it out from this to that: but the dregs thereof are not emptied: all the sinners of the earth shall drink.
74:10. But I will declare for ever: I will sing to the God of Jacob.
74:11. And I will break all the horns of sinners: but the horns of the just shall be exalted.
Psalms Chapter 75
Notus in Judaea.
God is known in his church: and exerts his power in protecting it. It alludes to the slaughter of the Assyrians, in the days of king Ezechias.
75:1. Unto the end, in praises, a psalm for Asaph: a canticle to the Assyrians.
75:2. In Judea God is known: his name is great in Israel.
75:3. And his place is in peace: and his abode in Sion:
75:4. There hath he broken the powers of bows, the shield, the sword, and the battle.
75:5. Thou enlightenest wonderfully from the everlasting hills.
75:6. All the foolish of heart were troubled. They have slept their sleep; and all the men of riches have found nothing in their hands.
75:7. At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, they have all slumbered that mounted on horseback.
75:8. Thou art terrible, and who shall resist thee? from that time thy wrath.
From that time, etc. . .From the time that thy wrath shall break out.
75:9. Thou hast caused judgment to be heard from heaven: the earth trembled and was still,
75:10. When God arose in judgment, to save all the meek of the earth.
75:11. For the thought of man shall give praise to thee: and the remainders of the thought shall keep holiday to thee.
75:12. Vow ye, and pay to the Lord your God: all you that are round about him bring presents. To him that is terrible,
75:13. Even to him who taketh away the spirit of princes: to the terrible with the kings of the earth.
Psalms Chapter 76
Voce mea.
The faithful have recourse to God in trouble of mind, with confidence in his mercy and power.
76:1. Unto the end, for Idithun, a psalm of Asaph.
76:2. I cried to the Lord with my voice; to God with my voice, and he gave ear to me.
76:3. In the days of my trouble I sought God, with my hands lifted up to him in the night, and I was not deceived. My soul refused to be comforted:
76:4. I remembered God, and was delighted, and was exercised, and my spirit swooned away.
76:5. My eyes prevented the watches: I was troubled, and I spoke not.
76:6. I thought upon the days of old: and I had in my mind the eternal years.
76:7. And I meditated in the night with my own heart: and I was exercised and I swept my spirit.
76:8. Will God then cast off for ever? or will he never be more favourable again?
76:9. Or will he cut off his mercy for ever, from generation to generation?
76:10. Or will God forget to shew mercy? or will he in his anger shut up his mercies?
76:11. And I said, Now have I begun: this is the change of the right hand of the most High.
76:12. I remembered the works of the Lord: for I will be mindful of thy wonders from the beginning.
76:13. And I will meditate on all thy works: and will be employed in thy inventions.
76:14. Thy way, O God, is in the holy place: who is the great God like our God?
76:15. Thou art the God that dost wonders. Thou hast made thy power known among the nations:
76:16. With thy arm thou hast redeemed thy people the children of Jacob and of Joseph.
76:17. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: and they were afraid, and the depths were troubled.
76:18. Great was the noise of the waters: the clouds sent out a sound. For thy arrows pass:
76:19. The voice of thy thunder in a wheel. Thy lightnings enlightened the world: the earth shook and trembled.
76:20. Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in many waters: and thy footsteps shall not be known.
76:21. Thou hast conducted thy people like sheep, by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Psalms Chapter 77
Attendite.
God's great benefits to the people of Israel, notwithstanding their ingratitude.
77:1. Understanding for Asaph. Attend, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
77:2. I will open my mouth in parables: I will utter propositions from the beginning.
Propositions. . .Deep and mysterious sayings. By this it appears that the historical facts of ancient times, commemorated in this psalm, were deep and mysterious: as being figures of great truths appertaining to the time of the New Testament.
77:3. How great things have we heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
77:4. They have not been hidden from their children, in another generation. Declaring the praises of the Lord, and his powers, and his wonders which he hath done.
77:5. And he set up a testimony in Jacob: and made a law in Israel. How great things he commanded our fathers, that they should make the same known to their children:
77:6. That another generation might know them. The children that should be born and should rise up, and declare them to their children.
77:7. That they may put their hope in God and may not forget the works of God: and may seek his commandments.
77:8. That they may not become like their fathers, a perverse and exasperating generation. A generation that set not their heart aright: and whose spirit was not faithful to God.
77:9. The sons of Ephraim who bend and shoot with the bow: they have turned back in the day of battle.
77:10. They kept not the covenant of God: and in his law they would not walk.
77:11. And they forgot his benefits, and his wonders that he had shewn them.
77:12. Wonderful things did he do in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Tanis.
77:13. He divided the sea and brought them through: and he made the waters to stand as in a vessel.
77:14. And he conducted them with a cloud by day: and all the night with a light of fire.
77:15. He struck the rock in the wilderness: and gave them to drink, as out of the great deep.
77:16. He brought forth water out of the rock: and made streams run down as rivers.
77:17. And they added yet more sin against him: they provoked the most High to wrath in the place without water.
77:18. And they tempted God in their hearts, by asking meat for their desires.
77:19. And they spoke ill of God: they said: Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?
77:20. Because he struck the rock, and the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed. Can he also give bread, or provide a table for his people?
77:21. Therefore the Lord heard, and was angry: and a fire was kindled against Jacob, and wrath came up against Israel.
77:22. Because they believed not in God: and trusted not in his salvation.
77:23. And he had commanded the clouds from above, and had opened the doors of heaven.
77:24. And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them the bread of heaven.
77:25. Man ate the bread of angels: he sent them provisions in abundance.
77:26. He removed the south wind from heaven: and by his power brought in the southwest wind.
77:27. And he rained upon them flesh as dust: and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea.
77:28. And they fell in the midst of their camp, round about their pavilions.
77:29. So they did eat, and were filled exceedingly, and he gave them their desire:
77:30. they were not defrauded of that which they craved. As yet their meat was in their mouth:
77:31. And the wrath of God came upon them. And he slew the fat ones amongst them, and brought down the chosen men of Israel.
77:32. In all these things they sinned still: and they behaved not for his wondrous works.
77:33. And their days were consumed in vanity, and their years in haste.
77:34. When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned, and came to him early in the morning.
77:35. And they remembered that God was their helper: and the most high God their redeemer.
77:36. And they loved him with their mouth: and with their tongue they lied unto him:
77:37. But their heart was not right with him: nor were they counted faithful in his covenant.
77:38. But he is merciful, and will forgive their sins: and will not destroy them. And many a time did he turn away his anger: and did not kindle all his wrath.
77:39. And he remembered that they are flesh: a wind that goeth and returneth not.
77:40. How often did they provoke him in the desert: and move him to wrath in the place without water?
77:41. And they turned back and tempted God: and grieved the holy one of Israel.
77:42. They remembered not his hand, in the day that he redeemed them from the hand of him that afflicted them:
77:43. How he wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Tanis.
77:44. And he turned their rivers into blood, and their showers that they might not drink.
77:45. He sent amongst them divers sorts of flies, which devoured them: and frogs which destroyed them.
77:46. And he gave up their fruits to the blast, and their labours to the locust.
77:47. And he destroyed their vineyards with hail, and their mulberry trees with hoarfrost.
77:48. And he gave up their cattle to the hail, and their stock to the fire.
77:49. And he sent upon them the wrath of his indignation: indignation and wrath and trouble, which he sent by evil angels.
77:50. He made a way for a path to his anger: he spared not their souls from death, and their cattle he shut up in death.
77:51. And he killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt: the firstfruits of all their labour in the tabernacles of Cham.
77:52. And he took away his own people as sheep: and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
77:53. And he brought them out in hope and they feared not: and the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
77:54. And he brought them into the mountain of his sanctuary: the mountain which his right hand had purchased. And he cast out the Gentiles before them: and by lot divided to them their land by a line of distribution.
77:55. And he made the tribes of Israel to dwell in their tabernacles.
77:56. Yet they tempted, and provoked the most high God: and they kept not his testimonies.
77:57. And they turned away, and kept not the covenant: even like their fathers they were turned aside as a crooked bow.
77:58. They provoked him to anger on their hills: and moved him to jealousy with their graven things.
77:59. God heard, and despised them, and he reduced Israel exceedingly as it were to nothing.
77:60. And he put away the tabernacle of Silo, his tabernacle where he dwelt among men.
77:61. And he delivered their strength into captivity: and their beauty into the hands of the enemy.
77:62. And he shut up his people under the sword: and he despised his inheritance.
77:63. Fire consumed their young men: and their maidens were not lamented.
77:64. Their priests fell by the sword: and their widows did not mourn.
77:65. And the Lord was awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that hath been surfeited with wine.
77:66. And he smote his enemies on the hinder parts: he put them to an everlasting reproach.
77:67. And he rejected the tabernacle of Joseph: and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
77:68. But he chose the tribe of Juda, mount Sion which he loved.
77:69. And he built his sanctuary as of unicorns, in the land which he founded for ever.
As of unicorns. . .That is, firm and strong like the horn of the unicorn. This is one of the chiefest of the propositions of this psalm, foreshewing the firm establishment of the one, true, and everlasting sanctuary of God, in his church.
77:70. And he chose his servant David, and took him from the flocks of sheep: he brought him from following the ewes great with young,
77:71. To feed Jacob his servant and Israel his inheritance.
77:72. And he fed them in the innocence of his heart: and conducted them by the skilfulness of his hands.
Psalms Chapter 78
Deus, venerunt gentes.
The church in time of persecution prayeth for relief. It seems to belong to the time of the Machabees.
78:1. A psalm for Asaph. O God, the heathens are come into thy inheritance, they have defiled thy holy temple: they have made Jerusalem as a place to keep fruit.
78:2. They have given the dead bodies of thy servants to be meat for the fowls of the air: the flesh of thy saints for the beasts of the earth.
78:3. They have poured out their blood as water, round about Jerusalem and there was none to bury them.
78:4. We are become a reproach to our neighbours: a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.
78:5. How long, O Lord, wilt thou be angry for ever: shall thy zeal be kindled like a fire?
78:6. Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that have not known thee: and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.
78:7. Because they have devoured Jacob; and have laid waste his place.
78:8. Remember not our former iniquities: let thy mercies speedily prevent us, for we are become exceeding poor.
78:9. Help us, O God, our saviour: and for the glory of thy name, O Lord, deliver us: and forgive us our sins for thy name's sake:
78:10. Lest they should say among the Gentiles: Where is their God? And let him be made known among the nations before our eyes, By the revenging the blood of thy servants, which hath been shed:
78:11. Let the sighing of the prisoners come in before thee. According to the greatness of thy arm, take possession of the children of them that have been put to death.
78:12. And render to our neighbours sevenfold in their bosom: the reproach wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.
78:13. But we thy people, and the sheep of thy pasture, will give thanks to thee for ever. We will shew forth thy praise, unto generation and generation.
Psalms Chapter 79
Qui regis Israel.
A prayer for the church in tribulation, commemorating God's former favours.
79:1. Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.
79:2. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth
79:3. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us.
79:4. Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.
79:5. O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant?
79:6. How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure?
79:7. Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.
79:8. O God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.
79:9. Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.
79:10. Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.
79:11. The shadow of it covered the hills: and the branches thereof the cedars of God.
79:12. It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river.
79:13. Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?
79:14. The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.
79:15. Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:
79:16. And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
79:17. Things set on fire and dug down shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Things set on fire, etc. . .So this vineyard of thine, almost consumed already, must perish, if thou continue thy rebukes.
79:18. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
The man of thy right hand. . .Christ.
79:19. And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.
79:20. O Lord God of hosts, convert us and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.
Psalms Chapter 80
Exultate Deo.
An invitation to a solemn praising of God.
80:1. Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for Asaph himself.
For the winepresses, etc. . .Torcularibus. It either signifies a musical instrument, or that this psalm was to be sung at the feast of the tabernacles after the gathering in of the vintage.
80:2. Rejoice to God our helper: sing aloud to the God of Jacob.
80:3. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel: the pleasant psaltery with the harp.
80:4. Blow up the trumpet on the new moon, on the noted day of your solemnity.
80:5. For it is a commandment in Israel, and a judgment to the God of Jacob.
80:6. He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt: he heard a tongue which he knew not.
80:7. He removed his back from the burdens: his hands had served in baskets.
80:8. Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee: I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.
In the secret place of tempest. . .Heb., Of thunder. When thou soughtest to hide thyself from the tempest: or, when I came down to mount Sina, hidden from thy eyes in a storm of thunder.
80:9. Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,
80:10. there shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.
80:11. For I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
80:12. But my people heard not my voice: and Israel hearkened not to me.
80:13. So I let them go according to the desires of their heart: they shall walk in their own inventions.
80:14. If my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways:
80:15. I should soon have humbled their enemies, and laid my hand on them that troubled them.
80:16. The enemies of the Lord have lied to him: and their time shall be for ever.
Their time shall be forever. . .Impenitent sinners shall suffer for ever.
80:17. And he fed them with the fat of wheat, and filled them with honey out of the rock.
Psalms Chapter 81
Deus stetit.
An exhortation to judges and men in power.
81:1. A psalm for Asaph. God hath stood in the congregation of gods: and being in the midst of them he judgeth gods.
81:2. How long will you judge unjustly: and accept the persons of the wicked?
81:3. Judge for the needy and fatherless: do justice to the humble and the poor.
81:4. Rescue the poor; and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner.
81:5. They have not known nor understood: they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be moved.
81:6. I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High.
81:7. But you like men shall die: and shall fall like one of the princes.
81:8. Arise, O God, judge thou the earth: for thou shalt inherit among all the nations.
Psalms Chapter 82
Deus, quis similis.
A prayer against the enemies of God's church.
82:1. A canticle of a psalm for Asaph.
82:2. O God, who shall be like to thee? hold not thy peace, neither be thou still, O God.
82:3. For lo, thy enemies have made a noise: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
82:4. They have taken a malicious counsel against thy people, and have consulted against thy saints.
82:5. They have said: Come and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation: and let the name of Israel be remembered no more.
82:6. For they have contrived with one consent: they have made a covenant together against thee,
82:7. The tabernacle of the Edomites, and the Ishmahelites: Moab, and the Agarens,
82:8. Gebal, and Ammon and Amalec: the Philistines, with the inhabitants of Tyre.
82:9. Yea, and the Assyrian also is joined with them: they are come to the aid of the sons of Lot.
82:10. Do to them as thou didst to Madian and to Sisara: as to Jabin at the brook of Cisson.
82:11. Who perished at Endor: and became as dung for the earth.
82:12. Make their princes like Oreb, and Zeb, and Zebee, and Salmana. All their princes,
82:13. Who have said: Let us possess the sanctuary of God for an inheritance.
82:14. O my God, make them like a wheel; and as stubble before the wind.
82:15. As fire which burneth the wood: and as a flame burning mountains:
82:16. So shalt thou pursue them with thy tempest: and shalt trouble them in thy wrath.
82:17. Fill their faces with shame; and they shall seek thy name, O Lord.
82:18. Let them be ashamed and troubled for ever and ever: and let them be confounded and perish.
82:19. And let them know that the Lord is thy name: thou alone art the most High over all the earth.
Psalms Chapter 83
Quam dilecta.
The soul aspireth after heaven; rejoicing in the mean time, in being in the communion of God's church upon earth.
83:1. Unto the end, for the winepresses, a psalm for the sons of Core.
83:2. How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
83:3. my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord. My heart and my flesh have rejoiced in the living God.
83:4. For the sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones: Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.
83:5. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: they shall praise thee for ever and ever.
83:6. Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps,
In his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, etc. . .Ascensiones in corde suo disposuit. As by steps men ascended to the temple of God situated on a hill; so the good Christian ascends towards the eternal temple by certain steps of virtue disposed or ordered within the heart: and this whilst he lives as yet in the body, in this vale of tears, the place which man hath set: that is, which he hath brought himself to: being cast out of paradise for his sin.
83:7. In the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.
83:8. For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
83:9. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob.
83:10. Behold, O God our protector: and look on the face of thy Christ.
83:11. For better is one day in thy courts above thousands. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
83:12. For God loveth mercy and truth: the Lord will give grace and glory.
83:13. He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Psalms Chapter 84
Benedixisti, Domine.
The coming of Christ, to bring peace and salvation to man.
84:1. Unto the end, for the sons of Core, a psalm.
84:2. Lord, thou hast blessed thy land: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
84:3. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people: thou hast covered all their sins.
84:4. Thou hast mitigated all thy anger: thou hast turned away from the wrath of thy indignation.
84:5. Convert us, O God our saviour: and turn off thy anger from us.
84:6. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever: or wilt thou extend thy wrath from generation to generation?
84:7. Thou wilt turn, O God, and bring us to life: and thy people shall rejoice in thee.
84:8. Shew us, O Lord, thy mercy; and grant us thy salvation.
84:9. I will hear what the Lord God will speak in me: for he will speak peace unto his people: And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted to the heart.
84:10. Surely his salvation is near to them that fear him : that glory may dwell in our land.
84:11. Mercy and truth have met each other: justice and peace have kissed.
84:12. Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven.
84:13. For the Lord will give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit.
84:14. Justice shall walk before him: and ,shall set his steps in the way.
Psalms Chapter 85
Inclina, Domine.
A prayer for God's grace to assist us to the end.
85:1. A prayer for David himself. Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me: for I am needy and poor.
85:2. Preserve my soul, for I am holy: save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.
I am holy. . .I am by my office and profession dedicated to thy service.
85:3. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day.
85:4. Give joy to the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.
85:5. For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild: and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee.
85:6. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer: and attend to the voice of my petition.
85:7. I have called upon thee in the day of my trouble: because thou hast heard me.
85:8. There is none among the gods like unto thee, O Lord: and there is none according to thy works.
85:9. All the nations thou hast made shall come and adore before thee, O Lord: and they shall glorify thy name.
85:10. For thou art great and dost wonderful things: thou art God alone.
85:11. Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: let my heart rejoice that it may fear thy name.
85:12. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify thy name for ever:
85:13. For thy mercy is great towards me: and thou hast delivered my soul out of the lower hell.
85:14. O God, the wicked are risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty have sought my soul: and they have not set thee before their eyes.
85:15. And thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and merciful, patient, and of much mercy, and true.
85:16. O look upon me, and have mercy on me: give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid.
85:17. Shew me a token for good: that they who hate me may see, and be confounded, because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and hast comforted me.
Psalms Chapter 86
Fundamenta ejus.
The glory of the church of Christ.
86:1. For the sons of Core, a psalm of a canticle. The foundations thereof are the holy mountains:
The holy mountains. . .The apostles and prophets. Eph. 2.20.
86:2. The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.
86:3. Glorious things are said of thee, O city of God.
86:4. I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon knowing me. Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, these were there.
Rahab. . .Egypt, etc. To this Sion, which is the church of God, many shall resort from all nations.
86:5. Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? and the Highest himself hath founded her.
Shall not Sion say, etc. . .The meaning is, that Sion, viz., the church, shall not only be able to commemorate this or that particular person of renown born in her, but also to glory in great multitudes of people and princes of her communion; who have been foretold in the writings of the prophets, and registered in the writings of the apostles.
86:6. The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, of them that have been in her.
86:7. The dwelling in thee is as it were of all rejoicing.
Psalms Chapter 87
Domine, Deus salutis.
A prayer of one under grievous affliction: it agrees to Christ in his passion, and alludes to his death and burial.
87:1. A canticle of a psalm for the sons of Core: unto the end, for Maheleth, to answer understanding of Eman the Ezrahite.
Maheleth. . .A musical instrument, or chorus of musicians, to answer one another.—Ibid. Understanding. . .Or a psalm of instruction, composed by Eman the Ezrahite, or by David, in his name.
87:2. O Lord, the God of my salvation: I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee.
87:3. Let my prayer come in before thee: incline thy ear to my petition.
87:4. For my soul is filled with evils: and my life hath drawn nigh to hell.
87:5. I am counted among them that go down to the pit: I am become as a man without help,
87:6. Free among the dead. Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.
87:7. They have laid me in the lower pit: in the dark places, and in the shadow of death.
87:8. Thy wrath is strong over me: and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me.
87:9. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: they have set me an abomination to themselves. I was delivered up, and came not forth:
87:10. My eyes languished through poverty. All the day I cried to thee, O Lord: I stretched out my hands to thee.
87:11. Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee?
87:12. Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy: and thy truth in destruction?
87:13. Shall thy wonders be known in the dark; and thy justice in the land of forgetfulness?
87:14. But I, O Lord, have cried to thee: and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee.
87:15. Lord, why castest thou off my prayer: why turnest thou away thy face from me?
87:16. I am poor, and in labours from my youth: and being exalted have been humbled and troubled.
87:17. Thy wrath hath come upon me: and thy terrors have troubled me.
87:18. They have come round about me like water all the day: they have compassed me about together.
87:19. Friend and neighbour thou hast put far from me: and my acquaintance, because of misery.
Psalms Chapter 88
Misericordias Domini.
The perpetuity of the church of Christ, in consequence of the promise of God: which, notwithstanding, God permits her to suffer sometimes most grievous afflictions.
88:1. Of understanding, for Ethan the Ezrahite.
88:2. The mercies of the Lord I will sing for ever. I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth to generation and generation.
88:3. For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: thy truth shall be prepared in them.
88:4. I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant:
88:5. Thy seed will I settle for ever. And I will build up thy throne unto generation and generation.
88:6. The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints.
88:7. For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?
88:8. God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: great and terrible above all them that are about him.
88:9. O Lord God of hosts, who is like to thee? thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
88:10. Thou rulest the power of the sea: and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.
88:11. Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thy enemies.
88:12. Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth: the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded:
88:13. The north and the sea thou hast created. Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name:
88:14. Thy arm is with might. Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted:
88:15. Justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face:
88:16. Blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation. They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance:
88:17. And in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, and in thy justice they shall be exalted.
88:18. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.
88:19. For our protection is of the Lord, and of our king the holy one of Israel.
88:20. Then thou spokest in a vision to thy saints, and saidst: I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.
88:21. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him.
88:22. For my hand shall help him: and my arm shall strengthen him.
88:23. The enemy shall have no advantage over him: nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.
88:24. And I will cut down his enemies before his face; and them that hate him I will put to flight.
88:25. And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
88:26. And I will set his hand in the sea; and his right hand in the rivers.
88:27. He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation.
88:28. And I will make him my firstborn, high above the kings of the earth.
88:29. I will keep my mercy for him for ever: and my covenant faithful to him.
88:30. And I will make his seed to endure for evermore: and his throne as the days of heaven.
88:31. And if his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments:
88:32. If they profane my justices: and keep not my commandments:
88:33. I will visit their iniquities with a rod and their sins with stripes.
88:34. But my mercy I will not take away from him: nor will I suffer my truth to fail.
88:35. Neither will I profane my covenant: and the words that proceed from my mouth I will not make void.
88:36. Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David:
88:37. His seed shall endure for ever.
88:38. And his throne as the sun before me: and as the moon perfect for ever, and a faithful witness in heaven.
88:39. But thou hast rejected and despised: thou hast been angry with my anointed.
88:40. Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the earth.
Overthrown the covenant, etc. . .All this seems to relate to the time of the captivity of Babylon, in which, for the sins of the people and their princes, God seemed to have set aside for a while the covenant he made with David.
88:41. Thou hast broken down all his hedges: thou hast made his strength fear.
88:42. All that pass by the way have robbed him: he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
88:43. Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him: thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
88:44. Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; and hast not assisted him in battle.
88:45. Thou hast made his purification to cease: and thou hast cast his throne down to the ground.
88:46. Thou hast shortened the days of his time: thou hast covered him with confusion.
88:47. How long, O Lord, turnest thou away unto the end? shall thy anger burn like fire?
88:48. Remember what my substance is: for hast thou made all the children of men in vain?
88:49. Who is the man that shall live, and not see death: that shall deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
88:50. Lord, where are thy ancient mercies, according to what thou didst swear to David in thy truth?
88:51. Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants (which I have held in my bosom) of many nations:
88:52. Wherewith thy enemies have reproached, O Lord; wherewith they have reproached the change of thy anointed.
88:53. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. So be it. So be it.
Psalms Chapter 89
Domine, refugium.
A prayer for the mercy of God: recounting the shortness and miseries of the days of man.
89:1. A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation.
89:2. Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed; from eternity and to eternity thou art God.
89:3. Turn not man away to be brought low: and thou hast said: Be converted, O ye sons of men.
Turn not man away, etc. . .Suffer him not quite to perish from thee, since thou art pleased to call upon him to be converted to thee.
89:4. For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night,
89:5. Things that are counted nothing, shall their years be.
89:6. In the morning man shall grow up like grass; in the morning he shall flourish and pass away: in the evening he shall fall, grow dry, and wither.
89:7. For in thy wrath we have fainted away: and are troubled in thy indignation.
89:8. Thou hast set our iniquities before thy eyes: our life in the light of thy countenance.
89:9. For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away. Our years shall be considered as a spider:
As a spider. . .As frail and weak as a spider's web; and miserable withal, whilst like a spider we spend our bowels in weaving webs to catch flies.
89:10. The days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong they be fourscore years: and what is more of them is labour and sorrow. For mildness is come upon us: and we shall be corrected.
Mildness is come upon us, etc. . .God's mildness corrects us; inasmuch as he deals kindly with us, in shortening the days of this miserable life; and so weaning our affections from all its transitory enjoyments, and teaching us true wisdom.
89:11. Who knoweth the power of thy anger, and for thy fear
89:12. Can number thy wrath? So make thy right hand known: and men learned in heart, in wisdom.
89:13. Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants.
89:14. We are filled in the morning with thy mercy: and we have rejoiced, and are delighted all our days.
89:15. We have rejoiced for the days in which thou hast humbled us: for the years in which we have seen evils.
89:16. Look upon thy servants and upon their works: and direct their children.
89:17. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us: and direct thou the works of our hands over us; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.
Psalms Chapter 90
Qui habitat.
The just is secure under the protection of God.
90:1. The praise of a canticle for David. He that dwelleth in the aid of the most High, shall abide under the protection of the God of Jacob.
90:2. He shall say to the Lord: Thou art my protector, and my refuge: my God, in him will I trust.
90:3. For he hath delivered me from the snare of the hunters: and from the sharp word.
90:4. He will overshadow thee with his shoulders: and under his wings thou shalt trust.
90:5. His truth shall compass thee with a shield: thou shalt not be afraid of the terror of the night.
90:6. Of the arrow that flieth in the day, of the business that walketh about in the dark: of invasion, or of the noonday devil.
90:7. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
90:8. But thou shalt consider with thy eyes: and shalt see the reward of the wicked.
90:9. Because thou, O Lord, art my hope: thou hast made the most High thy refuge.
90:10. There shall no evil come to thee: nor shall the scourge come near thy dwelling.
90:11. For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.
90:12. In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
90:13. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk: and thou shalt trample under foot the lion and the dragon.
90:14. Because he hoped in me I will deliver him: I will protect him because he hath known my name.
90:15. He shall cry to me, and I will hear him: I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him.
90:16. I will fill him with length of days; and I will shew him my salvation.
Psalms Chapter 91
Bonum est confiteri.
God is to be praised for his wondrous works.
91:1. A psalm of a canticle on the sabbath day.
91:2. It is good to give praise to the Lord: and to sing to thy name, O most High.
91:3. To shew forth thy mercy in the morning, and thy truth in the night:
91:4. Upon an instrument of ten strings, upon the psaltery: with a canticle upon the harp.
91:5. For thou hast given me, O Lord, a delight in thy doings: and in the works of thy hands I shall rejoice.
91:6. O Lord, how great are thy works! thy thoughts are exceeding deep.
91:7. The senseless man shall not know: nor will the fool understand these things.
91:8. When the wicked shall spring up as grass: and all the workers of iniquity shall appear: That they may perish for ever and ever:
91:9. But thou, O Lord, art most high for evermore.
91:10. For behold thy enemies, O lord, for behold thy enemies shall perish: and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.
91:11. But my horn shall be exalted like that of the unicorn: and my old age in plentiful mercy.
91:12. My eye also hath looked down upon my enemies: and my ear shall hear of the downfall of the malignant that rise up against me.
91:13. The just shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow up like the cedar of Libanus.
91:14. They that are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
91:15. They shall still increase in a fruitful old age: and shall be well treated,
91:16. That they may shew, That the Lord our God is righteous, and there is no iniquity in him.
Psalms Chapter 92
Dominus regnavit.
The glory and stability of the kingdom; that is, of the church of
Christ.
Praise in the way of a canticle, for David himself, on the day before the sabbath, when the earth was founded.
92:1. The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself. For he hath established the world which shall not be moved.
92:2. My throne is prepared from of old: thou art from everlasting.
92:3. The floods have lifted up, O Lord: the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods have lifted up their waves,
92:4. With the noise of many waters. Wonderful are the surges of the sea: wonderful is the Lord on high.
92:5. Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
Psalms Chapter 93
Deus ultionum.
God shall judge and punish the oppressors of his people.
A psalm for David himself on the fourth day of the week.
93:1. The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge hath acted freely.
93:2. Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud.
93:3. How long shall sinners, O Lord: how long shall sinners glory?
93:4. Shall they utter, and speak iniquity: shall all speak who work injustice?
93:5. Thy people, O Lord, they have brought low: and they have afflicted thy inheritance.
93:6. They have slain the widow and the stranger: and they have murdered the fatherless.
93:7. And they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand.
93:8. Understand, ye senseless among the people: and, you fools, be wise at last.
93:9. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider?
93:10. He that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke: he that teacheth man knowledge?
93:11. The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain.
93:12. Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord: and shalt teach him out of thy law.
93:13. That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days: till a pit be dug for the wicked.
Rest from the evil days. . .That thou mayst mitigate the sorrows, to which he is exposed, during the short and evil days of his mortality.
93:14. For the Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his own inheritance.
93:15. Until justice be turned into judgment: and they that are near it are all the upright in heart.
Until justice be turned into judgment, etc. . .By being put in execution; which will be agreeable to all the upright in heart.
93:16. Who shall rise up for me against the evildoers? or who shall stand with me against the workers of iniquity?
93:17. Unless the Lord had been my helper, my soul had almost dwelt in hell.
93:18. If I said: My foot is moved: thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me.
93:19. According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy comforts have given joy to my soul.
93:20. Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, who framest labour in commandment?
Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, etc. . .That is, wilt thou, O God, who art always just, admit of the seat of iniquity: that is, of injustice, or unjust judges, to have any partnership with thee? Thou who framest, or makest, labour in commandment, that is, thou who obligest us to labour with all diligence to keep thy commandments.
93:21. They will hunt after the soul of the just, and will condemn innocent blood.
93:22. But the Lord is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope.
93:23. And he will render them their iniquity : and in their malice he will destroy them: the Lord our God will destroy them.
Psalms Chapter 94
Venite exultemus.
An invitation to adore and serve God, and to hear his voice.
Praise of a canticle for David himself.
94:1. Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour.
94:2. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
94:3. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.
94:4. For in his hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are his.
94:5. For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.
94:6. Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us.
94:7. For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
94:8. To day if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts:
94:9. As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
94:10. Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart.
94:11. And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Psalms Chapter 95
Cantate Domino.
An exhortation to praise God for the coming of Christ and his kingdom.
95:1. A canticle for David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: sing to the Lord, all the earth.
When the house was built, etc. . .Alluding to that time, and then ordered to be sung: but principally relating to the building of the church of Christ, after our redemption from the captivity of Satan.
95:2. Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: shew forth his salvation from day to day.
95:3. Declare his glory among the Gentiles: his wonders among all people.
95:4. For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
95:5. For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.
95:6. Praise and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.
95:7. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour:
95:8. Bring to the Lord glory unto his name. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts:
95:9. Adore ye the Lord in his holy court. Let all the earth be moved at his presence.
95:10. Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: he will judge the people with justice.
95:11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof:
95:12. The fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful. Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice
95:13. before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with his truth.
Psalms Chapter 96
Dominus regnavit.
All are invited to rejoice at the glorious coming and reign of Christ.
96:1. For the same David, when his land was restored again to him. The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: let many islands be glad.
96:2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.
Clouds and darkness. . .The coming of Christ in the clouds with great terror and majesty to judge the world, is here prophesied.
96:3. A fire shall go before him, and shall burn his enemies round about.
96:4. His lightnings have shone forth to the world: the earth saw and trembled.
96:5. The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.
96:6. The heavens declared his justice: and all people saw his glory.
96:7. Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore him, all you his angels:
96:8. Sion heard, and was glad. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, because of thy judgments, O Lord.
96:9. For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.
96:10. You that love the Lord, hate evil: the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.
96:11. Light is risen to the just, and joy to the right of heart.
96:12. Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalms Chapter 97
Cantate Domino.
All are again invited to praise the Lord, for the victories of Christ.
97:1. A psalm for David himself. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: because he hath done wonderful things. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, and his arm is holy.
97:2. The Lord hath made known his salvation: he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.
97:3. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
97:4. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; make melody, rejoice and sing.
97:5. Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm:
97:6. With long trumpets, and sound of cornet. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king:
97:7. Let the sea be moved and the fullness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.
97:8. The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together
97:9. At the presence of the Lord: because he cometh to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with justice, and the people with equity.
Psalms Chapter 98
Dominus regnavit.
The reign of the Lord in Sion: that is, of Christ in his church.
98:1. A psalm for David himself. The Lord hath reigned, let the people be angry: he that sitteth on the cherubims: let the earth be moved.
Let the people be angry. . .Though many enemies rage, and the whole earth be stirred up to oppose the reign of Christ, he shall still prevail.
98:2. The lord is great in Sion, and high above all people.
98:3. Let them give praise to thy great name: for it is terrible and holy:
98:4. And the king's honour loveth judgment. Thou hast prepared directions: thou hast done judgment and justice in Jacob.
Loveth judgment. . .Requireth discretion.—Ibid. Directions. . .Most right and just laws to direct men.
98:5. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore his footstool, for it is holy.
Adore his footstool. . .The ark of the covenant was called, in the Old Testament, God's footstool: over which he was understood to sit, on his propitiatory, or mercy seat, as on a throne, between the wings of the cherubims, in the sanctuary: to which the children of Israel paid a great veneration. But as this psalm evidently relates to Christ, and the New Testament, where the ark has no place, the holy fathers understand this text, of the worship paid by the church to the body and blood of Christ in the sacred mysteries: inasmuch as the humanity of Christ is, as it were, the footstool of the divinity. So St. Ambrose, L. 3. De Spiritu Sancto, c. 12. And St. Augustine upon this psalm.
98:6. Moses and Aaron among his priests: and Samuel among them that call upon his name. They called upon the Lord, and he heard them:
Moses and Aaron among his priests. . .By this it is evident, that Moses also was a priest, and indeed the chief priest, inasmuch as he consecrated Aaron, and offered sacrifice for him. Lev. 8. So that his pre-eminence over Aaron makes nothing for lay church headship.
98:7. He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud. They kept his testimonies, and the commandment which he gave them.
98:8. Thou didst hear them, O Lord our God: thou wast a merciful God to them, and taking vengeance on all their inventions.
All their inventions. . .that is, all the enterprises of their enemies against them, as in the case of Core, Dathan, and Abiron.
98:9. Exalt ye the Lord our God, and adore at his holy mountain: for the Lord our God is holy.
Psalms Chapter 99
Jubilate Deo.
All are invited to rejoice in God the creator of all.
99:1. A psalm of praise.
99:2. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: serve ye the Lord with gladness. Come in before his presence with exceeding great joy.
99:3. Know ye that the Lord he is God: he made us, and not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
99:4. Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him. Praise ye his name:
99:5. For the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, and his truth to generation and generation.
Psalms Chapter 100
Misericordiam et judicium.
The prophet exhorteth all by his example, to follow mercy and justice.
100:1. A psalm for David himself. Mercy and judgment I will sing to thee, O Lord: I will sing,
100:2. And I will understand in the unspotted way, when thou shalt come to me. I walked in the innocence of my heart, in the midst of my house.
I will understand, etc. . .That is, I will apply my mind, I will do my endeavour, to know and to follow the perfect way of thy commandments: not trusting to my own strength, but relying on thy coming to me by thy grace.
100:3. I will not set before my eyes any unjust thing: I hated the workers of iniquities.
100:4. The perverse heart did not cleave to me: and the malignant, that turned aside from me, I would not know.
100:5. The man that in private detracted his neighbour, him did I persecute. With him that had a proud eye, and an unsatiable heart, I would not eat.
100:6. My eyes were upon the faithful of the earth, to sit with me: the man that walked in the perfect way, he served me.
100:7. He that worketh pride shall not dwell in the midst of my house: he that speaketh unjust things did not prosper before my eyes.
100:8. In the morning I put to death all the wicked of the land: that I might cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 101
Domine, exaudi.
A prayer for one in affliction: the fifth penitential psalm.
101:1. The prayer of the poor man, when he was anxious, and poured out his supplication before the Lord.
101:2. Hear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to thee.
101:3. Turn not away thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me speedily.
101:4. For my days are vanished like smoke, and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
101:5. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered: because I forgot to eat my bread.
101:6. Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
101:7. I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night raven in the house.
A pelican, etc. . .I am become through grief, like birds that affect solitude and darkness.
101:8. I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the housetop.
101:9. All the day long my enemies reproached me: and they that praised me did swear against me.
101:10. For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
101:11. Because of thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up thou hast thrown me down.
101:12. My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.
101:13. But thou, O Lord, endurest for ever: and thy memorial to all generations.
101:14. Thou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come.
101:15. For the stones thereof have pleased thy servants: and they shall have pity on the earth thereof.
101:16. All the Gentiles shall fear thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.
101:17. For the Lord hath built up Sion: and he shall be seen in his glory.
101:18. He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and he hath not despised their petition.
101:19. Let these things be written unto another generation: and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord:
101:20. Because he hath looked forth from his high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth.
101:21. That he might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that he might release the children of the slain:
101:22. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion: and his praise in Jerusalem;
101:23. When the people assemble together, and kings, to serve the Lord.
101:24. He answered him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of my days.
He answered him in the way of his strength. . .That is, the people, mentioned in the foregoing verse, or the penitent, in whose person this psalm is delivered, answered the Lord in the way of his strength: that is, according to the best of his power and strength: or when he was in the flower of his age and strength: inquiring after the fewness of his days: to know if he should live long enough to see the happy restoration of Sion, etc.
101:25. Call me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are unto generation and generation.
101:26. In the beginning, O Lord, thou foundedst the earth: and the heavens are the works of thy hands.
101:27. They shall perish but thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like a garment: And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed.
101:28. But thou art always the selfsame, and thy years shall not fail.
101:29. The children of thy servants shall continue and their seed shall be directed for ever.
Psalms Chapter 102
Benedic, anima.
Thanksgiving to God for his mercies.
102:1. For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: and let all that is within me bless his holy name.
102:2. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget all he hath done for thee.
102:3. Who forgiveth all thy iniquities: who healeth all thy diseases.
102:4. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with mercy and compassion.
102:5. Who satisfieth thy desire with good things: thy youth shall be renewed like the eagle's.
102:6. The Lord doth mercies, and judgment for all that suffer wrong.
102:7. He hath made his ways known to Moses: his wills to the children of Israel.
102:8. The Lord is compassionate and merciful: longsuffering and plenteous in mercy.
102:9. He will not always be angry: nor will he threaten for ever.
102:10. He hath not dealt with us according to our sins: nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
102:11. For according to the height of the heaven above the earth: he hath strengthened his mercy towards them that fear him.
102:12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our iniquities from us.
102:13. As a father hath compassion on his children, so hath the Lord compassion on them that fear him:
102:14. For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:
102:15. Man's days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
102:16. For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.
102:17. But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children's children,
102:18. To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.
102:19. The lord hath prepared his throne in heaven: and his kingdom shall rule over all.
102:20. Bless the Lord, all ye his angels: you that are mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders.
102:21. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts: you ministers of his that do his will.
102:22. Bless the Lord, all his works: in every place of his dominion, O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 103
Benedic, anima.
God is to be praised for his mighty works, and wonderful providence.
103:1. For David himself. Bless the Lord, O my soul: O Lord my God, thou art exceedingly great. Thou hast put on praise and beauty:
103:2. And art clothed with light as with a garment. Who stretchest out the heaven like a pavilion:
103:3. Who coverest the higher rooms thereof with water. Who makest the clouds thy chariot: who walkest upon the wings of the winds.
103:4. Who makest thy angels spirits: and thy ministers a burning fire.
103:5. Who hast founded the earth upon its own bases: it shall not be moved for ever and ever.
103:6. The deep like a garment is its clothing: above the mountains shall the waters stand.
103:7. At thy rebuke they shall flee: at the voice of thy thunder they shall fear.
103:8. The mountains ascend, and the plains descend into the place which thou hast founded for them.
103:9. Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass over; neither shall they return to cover the earth.
103:10. Thou sendest forth springs in the vales: between the midst of the hills the waters shall pass.
103:11. All the beasts of the field shall drink: the wild asses shall expect in their thirst.
103:12. Over them the birds of the air shall dwell: from the midst of the rocks they shall give forth their voices.
103:13. Thou waterest the hills from thy upper rooms: the earth shall be filled with the fruit of thy works:
103:14. Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:
103:15. And that wine may cheer the heart of man. That he may make the face cheerful with oil: and that bread may strengthen man's heart.
103:16. The trees of the field shall be filled, and the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted:
103:17. There the sparrows shall make their nests. The highest of them is the house of the heron.
103:18. The high hills are a refuge for the harts, the rock for the irchins.
103:19. He hath made the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
103:20. Thou hast appointed darkness, and it is night: in it shall all the beasts of the woods go about:
103:21. The young lions roaring after their prey, and seeking their meat from God.
103:22. The sun ariseth, and they are gathered together: and they shall lie down in their dens.
103:23. Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour until the evening.
103:24. How great are thy works, O Lord ? thou hast made all things in wisdom: the earth is filled with thy riches.
103:25. So is this great sea, which stretcheth wide its arms: there are creeping things without number: Creatures little and great.
103:26. There the ships shall go. This sea dragon which thou hast formed to play therein.
103:27. All expect of thee that thou give them food in season.
103:28. What thou givest to them they shall gather up: when thou openest thy hand, they shall all be filled with good.
103:29. But if thou turnest away thy face, they shall be troubled: thou shalt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and shall return to their dust.
103:30. Thou shalt send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
103:31. May the glory of the Lord endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
103:32. He looketh upon the earth, and maketh it tremble: he troubleth the mountains, and they smoke.
103:33. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
103:34. Let my speech be acceptable to him: but I will take delight in the Lord.
103:35. Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the unjust, so that they be no more: O my soul, bless thou the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 104
Confitemini Domino.
A thanksgiving to God for his benefits to his people Israel.
Alleluia.
104:1. Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles.
104:2. Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.
104:3. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.
104:4. Seek ye the lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.
104:5. Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.
104:6. O ye seed of Abraham his servant; ye sons of Jacob his chosen.
104:7. He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
104:8. He hath remembered his covenant for ever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
104:9. Which he made to Abraham; and his oath to Isaac:
104:10. And he appointed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting testament:
104:11. Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, the lot of your inheritance.
104:12. When they were but a small number: yea very few, and sojourners therein:
104:13. And they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.
104:14. He suffered no man to hurt them: and he reproved kings for their sakes.
104:15. Touch ye not my anointed: and do no evil to my prophets.
104:16. And he called a famine upon the land: and he broke in pieces all the support of bread.
104:17. He sent a man before them: Joseph, who was sold for a slave.
104:18. They humbled his feet in fetters: the iron pierced his soul,
104:19. Until his word came. The word of the Lord inflamed him.
104:20. The king sent, and he released him: the ruler of the people, and he set him at liberty.
104:21. He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possession.
104:22. That he might instruct his princes as himself, and teach his ancients wisdom.
104:23. And Israel went into Egypt: and Jacob was a sojourner in the land of Cham.
104:24. And he increased his people exceedingly: and strengthened them over their enemies.
104:25. He turned their heart to hate his people: and to deal deceitfully with his servants.
He turned their heart, etc. . .Not that God (who is never the author of sin) moved the Egyptians to hate and persecute his people; but that the Egyptians took occasion of hating and envying them, from the sight of the benefits which God bestowed upon them.
104:26. He sent Moses his servant: Aaron the man whom he had chosen.
104:27. He gave them power to shew them signs, and his wonders in the land of Cham.
104:28. He sent darkness, and made it obscure: and grieved not his words.
Grieved not his words. . .That is, he was not wanting to fulfil his words: or he did not grieve Moses and Aaron, the carriers of his words: or he did not grieve his words, that is, his sons, the children of Israel, who enjoyed light whilst the Egyptians were oppressed with darkness.
104:29. He turned their waters into blood, and destroyed their fish.
104:30. Their land brought forth frogs, in the inner chambers of their kings.
104:31. He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies and sciniphs in all their coasts.
Sciniphs. . .See the annotation, Ex.8.16.
104:32. He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land.
104:33. And he destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees: and he broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.
104:34. He spoke, and the locust came, and the bruchus, of which there was no number.
Bruchus. . .An insect of the locust kind.
104:35. And they devoured all the grass in their land, and consumed all the fruit of their ground.
104:36. And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.
104:37. And he brought them out with silver and gold: and there was not among their tribes one that was feeble.
104:38. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them lay upon them.
104:39. He spread a cloud for their protection, and fire to give them light in the night.
104:40. They asked, and the quail came: and he filled them with the bread of heaven.
104:41. He opened the rock, and waters flowed: rivers ran down in the dry land.
104:42. Because he remembered his holy word, which he had spoken to his servant Abraham.
104:43. And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.
104:44. And he gave them the lands of the Gentiles: and they possessed the labours of the people:
104:45. That they might observe his justifications, and seek after his law.
His justifications. . .That is, his commandments; which here, and in many other places of the scripture, are called justifications, because the keeping of them makes man just. The Protestants render it by the word statutes, in favour of their doctrine, which does not allow good works to justify.
Psalms Chapter 105
Confitemini Domino.
A confession of the manifold sins and ingratitudes of the Israelites.
Alleluia.
105:1. Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
105:2. Who shall declare the powers of the Lord? who shall set forth all his praises?
105:3. Blessed are they that keep judgment, and do justice at all times.
105:4. Remember us, O Lord, in the favour of thy people: visit us with thy salvation.
105:5. That we may see the good of thy chosen, that we may rejoice in the joy of thy nation: that thou mayst be praised with thy inheritance.
105:6. We have sinned with our fathers: we have acted unjustly, we have wrought iniquity.
105:7. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt: they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies: And they provoked to wrath going up to the sea, even the Red Sea.
105:8. And he saved them for his own name's sake: that he might make his power known.
105:9. And he rebuked the Red Sea and it was dried up: and he led them through the depths, as in a wilderness.
105:10. And he saved them from the hand of them that hated them: and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
105:11. And the water covered them that afflicted them: there was not one of them left.
105:12. And they believed his words: and they sang his praises.
105:13. They had quickly done, they forgot his works: and they waited not for his counsel.
105:14. And they coveted their desire in the desert: and they tempted God in the place without water.
105:15. And he gave them their request: and sent fulness into their souls.
105:16. And they provoked Moses in the camp, Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
105:17. The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan: and covered the congregation of Abiron.
105:18. And a fire was kindled in their congregation: the flame burned the wicked.
105:19. They made also a calf in Horeb: and they adored the graven thing.
105:20. And they changed their glory into the likeness of a calf that eateth grass.
105:21. They forgot God, who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt,
105:22. Wondrous works in the land of Cham: terrible things in the Red Sea.
105:23. And he said that he would destroy them: had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach: To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
105:24. And they set at nought the desirable land. They believed not his word,
105:25. And they murmured in their tents: they hearkened not to the voice of the Lord.
105:26. And he lifted up his hand over them: to overthrow them in the desert;
105:27. And to cast down their seed among the nations, and to scatter them in the countries.
105:28. They also were initiated to Beelphegor: and ate the sacrifices of the dead.
Initiated. . .That is, they dedicated, or consecrated themselves to the idol of the Moabites and Madianites, called Beelphegor, or Baal-Peor. Num. 25.3.—Ibid. The dead. . .Viz., idols without life.
105:29. And they provoked him with their inventions: and destruction was multiplied among them.
105:30. Then Phinees stood up, and pacified him: and the slaughter ceased.
105:31. And it was reputed to him unto justice, to generation and generation for evermore.
105:32. They provoked him also at the waters of contradiction: and Moses was afflicted for their sakes:
105:33. Because they exasperated his spirit. And he distinguished with his lips.
He distinguished with his lips. . .Moses, by occasion of the people's rebellion and incredulity, was guilty of distinguishing with his lips; when, instead of speaking to the rock, as God had commanded, he said to the people, with a certain hesitation in his faith, Hear ye, rebellious and incredulous: Can we from this rock bring out water for you? Num. 20.10.
105:34. They did not destroy the nations of which the Lord spoke unto them.
105:35. And they were mingled among the heathens, and learned their works:
105:36. And served their idols, and it became a stumblingblock to them.
105:37. And they sacrificed their sons, and their daughters to devils.
105:38. And they shed innocent blood: the blood of their sons and of their daughters which they sacrificed to the idols of Chanaan. And the land was polluted with blood,
105:39. And was defiled with their works: and they went aside after their own inventions.
105:40. And the Lord was exceedingly angry with his people: and he abhorred his inheritance.
105:41. And he delivered them into the hands of the nations: and they that hated them had dominion over them.
105:42. And their enemies afflicted them: and they were humbled under their hands:
105:43. Many times did he deliver them. But they provoked him with their counsel: and they were brought low by their iniquities.
105:44. And he saw when they were in tribulation: and he heard their prayer.
105:45. And he was mindful of his covenant: and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
105:46. And he gave them unto mercies, in the sight of all those that had made them captives.
105:47. Save us, O Lord, our God: and gather us from among the nations: That we may give thanks to thy holy name, and may glory in thy praise.
105:48. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say: So be it, so be it.
Psalms Chapter 106
Confitemini Domino.
All are invited to give thanks to God for his perpetual providence over men.
Alleluia.
106:1. Give glory to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
106:2. Let them say so that have been redeemed by the Lord, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy: and gathered out of the countries.
106:3. From the rising and from the setting of the sun, from the north and from the sea.
106:4. They wandered in a wilderness, in a place without water: they found not the way of a city for their habitation.
106:5. They were hungry and thirsty: their soul fainted in them.
106:6. And they cried to the Lord in their tribulation: and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:7. And he led them into the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
106:8. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:9. For he hath satisfied the empty soul, and hath filled the hungry soul with good things.
106:10. Such as sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: bound in want and in iron.
106:11. Because they had exasperated the words of God: and provoked the counsel of the most High:
106:12. And their heart was humbled with labours: they were weakened, and there was none to help them.
106:13. Then they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:14. And he brought them out of darkness, and the shadow of death; and broke their bonds in sunder.
106:15. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:16. Because he hath broken gates of brass, and burst iron bars.
106:17. He took them out of the way of their iniquity: for they were brought low for their injustices.
106:18. Their soul abhorred all manner of meat: and they drew nigh even to the gates of death.
106:19. And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he delivered them out of their distresses.
106:20. He sent his word, and healed them: and delivered them from their destructions.
106:21. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him: and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:22. And let them sacrifice the sacrifice of praise: and declare his works with joy.
106:23. They that go down to the sea in ships, doing business in the great waters:
106:24. These have seen the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
106:25. He said the word, and there arose a storm of wind: and the waves thereof were lifted up.
106:26. They mount up to the heavens, and they go down to the depths: their soul pined away with evils.
106:27. They were troubled, and reeled like a drunken man; and all their wisdom was swallowed up.
106:28. And they cried to the Lord in their affliction: and he brought them out of their distresses.
106:29. And he turned the storm into a breeze: and its waves were still.
106:30. And they rejoiced because they were still: and he brought them to the haven which they wished for.
106:31. Let the mercies of the Lord give glory to him, and his wonderful works to the children of men.
106:32. And let them exalt him in the church of the people: and praise him in the chair of the ancients.
106:33. He hath turned rivers into a wilderness: and the sources of waters into dry ground:
106:34. A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.
106:35. He hath turned a wilderness into pools of waters, and a dry land into water springs.
106:36. And hath placed there the hungry; and they made a city for their habitation.
106:37. Anti they sowed fields, and planted vineyards: and they yielded fruit of birth.
106:38. And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: and their cattle he suffered not to decrease.
106:39. Then they were brought to be few: and they were afflicted through the trouble of evils and sorrow.
106:40. Contempt was poured forth upon their princes: and he caused them to wander where there was no passing, and out of the way.
106:41. And he helped the poor out of poverty: and made him families like a flock of sheep.
106:42. The just shall see, and shall rejoice, and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.
106:43. Who is wise, and will keep these things; and will understand the mercies of the Lord?
Psalms Chapter 107
Paratum cor meum.
The prophet praiseth God for benefits received.
107:1. A canticle of a psalm for David himself.
107:2. My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing, and will give praise, with my glory.
107:3. Arise, my glory; arise, psaltery and harp: I will arise in the morning early.
107:4. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing unto thee among the nations.
107:5. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth even unto the clouds.
107:6. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, and thy glory over all the earth:
107:7. That thy beloved may be delivered. Save with thy right hand and hear me.
107:8. God hath spoken in his holiness. I will rejoice, and I will divide Sichem and I will mete out the vale of tabernacles.
107:9. Galaad is mine: and Manasses is mine and Ephraim the protection of my head. Juda is my king:
107:10. Moab the pot of my hope. Over Edom I will stretch out my shoe: the aliens are become my friends.
107:11. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
107:12. Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off ? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our armies?
107:13. O grant us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
107:14. Through God we shall do mightily: and he will bring our enemies to nothing.
Psalms Chapter 108
Deus, laudem meam.
David in the person of Christ, prayeth against his persecutors; more especially the traitor Judas: foretelling and approving his just punishment for his obstinacy in sin and final impenitence.
108:1. Unto the end, a psalm for David.
108:2. O God, be not thou silent in my praise: for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful man is opened against me.
108:3. They have spoken against me with deceitful tongues; and they have compassed me about with words of hatred; and have fought against me without cause.
108:4. Instead of making me a return of love, they detracted me: but I gave myself to prayer.
108:5. And they repaid me evil for good: and hatred for my love.
108:6. Set thou the sinner over him: and may the devil stand at his right hand.
Set thou the sinner over him, etc. . .Give to the devil, that arch-sinner, power over him: let him enter into him, and possess him. The imprecations, contained in the thirty verses of this psalm, are opposed to the thirty pieces of silver for which Judas betrayed our Lord; and are to be taken as prophetic denunciations of the evils that should befall the traitor and his accomplices the Jews; and not properly as curses.
108:7. When he is judged, may he go out condemned; and may his prayer be turned to sin.
108:8. May his days be few: and his bishopric let another take.
108:9. May his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
108:10. Let his children be carried about vagabonds, and beg; and let them be cast out of their dwellings.
108:11. May the usurer search all his substance: and let strangers plunder his labours.
108:12. May there be none to help him: nor none to pity his fatherless offspring.
108:13. May his posterity be cut off; in one generation may his name be blotted out.
108:14. May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered in the sight of the Lord: and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
108:15. May they be before the Lord continually, and let the memory of them perish from the earth:
108:16. because he remembered not to shew mercy,
108:17. But persecuted the poor man and the beggar; and the broken in heart, to put him to death.
108:18. And he loved cursing, and it shall come unto him: and he would not have blessing, and it shall be far from him. And he put on cursing, like a garment: and it went in like water into his entrails, and like oil in his bones.
108:19. May it be unto him like a garment which covereth him; and like a girdle with which he is girded continually.
108:20. This is the work of them who detract me before the Lord; and who speak evils against my soul.
108:21. But thou, O Lord, do with me for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is sweet. Do thou deliver me,
108:22. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is troubled within me.
108:23. I am taken away like the shadow when it declineth: and I am shaken off as locusts.
108:24. My knees are weakened through fasting: and my flesh is changed for oil.
For oil. . .Propter oleum. The meaning is, my flesh is changed, being perfectly emaciated and dried up, as having lost all its oil or fatness.
108:25. And I am become a reproach to them: they saw me and they shaked their heads.
108:26. Help me, O Lord my God; save me; according to thy mercy.
108:27. And let them know that this is thy hand: and that thou, O Lord, hast done it.
108:28. They will curse and thou wilt bless: let them that rise up against me be confounded: but thy servant shall rejoice.
108:29. Let them that detract me be clothed with shame: and let them be covered with their confusion as with a double cloak.
108:30. I will give great thanks to the Lord with my mouth: and in the midst of many I will praise him.
108:31. Because he hath stood at the right hand of the poor, to save my soul from persecutors.
Psalms Chapter 109
Dixit Dominus.
Christ's exaltation and everlasting priesthood.
109:1. A psalm for David. The Lord said to my Lord: Sit thou at my right hand: Until I make thy enemies thy footstool.
109:2. The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
109:3. With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot thee.
109:4. The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.
109:5. The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
109:6. He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of many.
109:7. He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall he lift up the head.
Psalms Chapter 110
Confitebor tibi, Domine.
God is to be praised for his graces, and benefits to his church.
Alleluia.
110:1. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; in the council of the just, and in the congregation.
110:2. Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all his wills.
110:3. His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
110:4. He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord:
110:5. He hath given food to them that fear him. He will be mindful for ever of his covenant:
110:6. He will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
110:7. That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
110:8. All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, made in truth and equity.
110:9. He hath sent redemption to his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name:
110:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding to all that do it: his praise continueth for ever and ever.
Psalms Chapter 111
Beatus vir.
The good man is happy.
Alleluia, of the returning of Aggeus and Zacharias.
Of the returning, etc. . .This is in the Greek and Latin, but not in the Hebrew. It signifies that this psalm was proper to be sung at the time of the return of the people from their captivity; to inculcate to them, how happy they might be, if they would be constant in the service of God.
111:1. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.
111:2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
111:3. Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.
111:4. To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: he is merciful, and compassionate and just.
111:5. Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment:
111:6. Because he shall not be moved for ever.
111:7. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing. His heart is ready to hope in the Lord:
111:8. His heart is strengthened, he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.
111:9. He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: his horn shall be exalted in glory.
111:10. The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalms Chapter 112
Laudate, pueri.
God is to be praised for his regard to the poor and humble.
Alleluia.
112:1. Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.
112:2. Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
112:3. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
112:4. The Lord is high above all nations; and his glory above the heavens.
112:5. Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high:
112:6. and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
112:7. Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:
112:8. That he may place him with princes, with the princes of his people.
112:9. Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, the joyful mother of children.
Psalms Chapter 113
In exitu Israel.
God hath shewn his power in delivering his people: idols are vain. The
Hebrews divide this into two psalms.
Alleluia.
113:1. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people:
113:2. Judea was made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.
113:3. The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back.
113:4. The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills like the lambs of the flock.
113:5. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back?
113:6. Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams, and ye hills, like lambs of the flock?
113:7. At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob:
113:8. Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters.
113:1. Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to thy name give glory.
113:2. For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake: lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?
113:3. But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would.
113:4. The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men.
113:5. They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not.
113:6. They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.
113:7. They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat.
113:8. Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.
113:9. The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.
113:10. The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.
113:11. They that fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.
113:12. The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us. He hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron.
113:13. He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great.
113:14. May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children.
113:15. Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
113:16. The heaven of heaven is the Lord's: but the earth he has given to the children of men.
113:17. The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to hell.
113:18. But we that live bless the Lord: from this time now and for ever.
Psalms Chapter 114
Dilexi.
The prayer of a just man in affliction, with a lively confidence in
God.
Alleluia.
114:1. I have loved, because the Lord will hear the voice of my prayer.
114:2. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me: and in my days I will call upon him.
114:3. The sorrows of death have compassed me: and the perils of hell have found me. I met with trouble and sorrow:
114:4. And I called upon the name of the Lord. O Lord, deliver my soul.
114:5. The Lord is merciful and just, and our God sheweth mercy.
114:6. The Lord is the keeper of little ones: I was humbled, and he delivered me.
114:7. Turn, O my soul, into thy rest: for the Lord hath been bountiful to thee.
114:8. For he hath delivered my soul from death: my eyes from tears, my feet from falling.
114:9. I will please the Lord in the land of the living.
Psalms Chapter 115
Credidi.
This in the Hebrew is joined with the foregoing psalm, and continues to express the faith and gratitude of the psalmist.
Alleluia.
115:10. I have believed, therefore have I spoken; but I have been humbled exceedingly.
115:11. I said in my excess: Every man is a liar.
115:12. What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things that he hath rendered to me?
115:13. I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
115:14. I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people:
115:15. Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
115:16. O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds:
115:17. I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.
115:18. I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people:
115:19. In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
Psalms Chapter 116
Laudate Dominum.
All nations are called upon to praise God for his mercy and truth.
Alleluia.
116:1. O Praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
116:2. For his mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord remaineth for ever.
Psalms Chapter 117
Confitemini Domino.
The psalmist praiseth God for his delivery from evils: putteth his whole trust in him; and foretelleth the coming of Christ.
Alleluia.
117:1. Give praise to the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
117:2. Let Israel now say, that he is good: that his mercy endureth for ever.
117:3. Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
117:4. Let them that fear the Lord now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
117:5. In my trouble I called upon the Lord: and the Lord heard me, and enlarged me.
117:6. The Lord is my helper: I will not fear what man can do unto me.
117:7. The Lord is my helper: and I will look over my enemies.
117:8. It is good to confide in the Lord, rather than to have confidence in man.
117:9. It is good to trust in the Lord, rather than to trust in princes.
117:10. All nations compassed me about; and, in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them.
117:11. Surrounding me they compassed me about: and in the name of the Lord I have been revenged on them.
117:12. They surrounded me like bees, and they burned like fire among thorns: and in the name of the Lord I was revenged on them.
117:13. Being pushed I was overturned that I might fall: but the Lord supported me.
117:14. The Lord is my strength and my praise: and he is become my salvation.
117:15. The voice of rejoicing and of salvation is in the tabernacles of the just.
117:16. The right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength: the right hand of the Lord hath exalted me: the right hand of the Lord hath wrought strength.
117:17. I shall not die, but live: and shall declare the works of the Lord.
117:18. The Lord chastising hath chastised me: but he hath not delivered me over to death.
117:19. Open ye to me the gates of justice: I will go in to them, and give praise to the Lord.
117:20. This is the gate of the Lord, the just shall enter into it.
117:21. I will give glory to thee because thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation.
117:22. The stone which the builders rejected; the same is become the head of the corner.
117:23. This is the Lord's doing , and it is wonderful in our eyes.
117:24. This is the day which the Lord hath made: let us be glad and rejoice therein.
117:25. O Lord, save me: O Lord, give good success.
117:26. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord. We have blessed you out of the house of the Lord.
117:27. The Lord is God, and he hath shone upon us. Appoint a solemn day, with shady boughs, even to the horn of the altar.
117:28. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, and I will exalt thee. I will praise thee, because thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
117:29. O praise ye the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms Chapter 118
Beati immaculati.
Of the excellence of virtue consisting in the love and observance of the commandments of God.
Alleluia.
Aleph. . .The first eight verses of this psalm in the original begin with Aleph, which is the name of the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The second eight verses begin with Beth, the name of the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet; and so to the end of the whole alphabet, in all twenty-two letters, each letter having eight verses. This order is variously expounded by the holy fathers; which shews the difficulty of understanding the holy scriptures, and consequently with what humility, and submission to the Church they are to be read.
118:1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
118:2. Blessed are they that search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.
His testimonies. . .The commandments of God are called his testimonies, because they testify his holy will unto us. Note here, that in almost every verse of this psalm (which in number are 176) the word and law of God, and the love and observance of it, is perpetually inculcated, under a variety of denominations, all signifying the same thing.
118:3. For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.
118:4. Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.
118:5. O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.
118:6. Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments.
118:7. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.
118:8. I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.
118:9. By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.
118:10. With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.
118:11. Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.
118:12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.
118:13. With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.
118:14. I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.
118:15. I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.
118:16. I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.
118:17. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.
118:18. Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.
118:19. I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
118:20. My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times.
118:21. Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments.
118:22. Remove from me reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies.
118:23. For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.
118:24. For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel.
118:25. My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word.
118:26. I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications.
118:27. Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.
118:28. My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words.
118:29. Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me.
118:30. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.
118:31. I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame.
118:32. I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart.
118:33. Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it.
118:34. Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.
118:35. Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.
118:36. Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness.
118:37. Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way.
118:38. Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.
118:39. Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful.
118:40. Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice.
118:41. Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word.
118:42. So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words.
118:43. And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words, I have hoped exceedingly.
118:44. So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever.
118:45. And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments.
118:46. And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed.
118:47. I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved.
118:48. And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications.
118:49. Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope.
118:50. This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me.
118:51. The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law.
118:52. I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted.
118:53. A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
118:54. Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage.
118:55. In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law.
118:56. This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications.
118:57. O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep thy law.
118:58. I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word.
118:59. I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
118:60. I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments.
118:61. The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
118:62. I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification.
118:63. I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments.
118:64. The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications.
118:65. Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word.
118:66. Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments.
118:67. Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.
118:68. Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.
118:69. The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart.
118:70. Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law.
118:71. It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.
118:72. The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver.
118:73. Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.
118:74. They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad : because I have greatly hoped in thy words.
118:75. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.
118:76. O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
118:77. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation.
118:78. Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments.
118:79. Let them that fear thee turn to me: and they that know thy testimonies.
118:80. Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.
118:81. My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped.
118:82. My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me?
118:83. For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications.
118:84. How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
118:85. The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law.
118:86. All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.
118:87. They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments.
118:88. Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
118:89. For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.
118:90. Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth.
118:91. By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee.
118:92. Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.
118:93. Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life.
118:94. I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications.
118:95. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies.
118:96. I have seen an end of all perfection: thy commandment is exceeding broad.
118:97. O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.
118:98. Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me.
118:99. I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.
118:100. I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.
118:101. I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.
118:102. I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.
118:103. How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth.
118:104. By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity.
118:105. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.
118:106. I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.
118:107. I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word.
118:108. The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments.
118:109. My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.
118:110. Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts.
118:111. I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are the joy of my heart.
118:112. I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward.
118:113. I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law.
118:114. Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped.
118:115. Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God.
118:116. Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation.
118:117. Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications.
118:118. Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.
118:119. I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.
118:120. Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.
118:121. I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.
118:122. Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.
118:123. My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice.
118:124. Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications.
118:125. I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.
118:126. It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law.
118:127. Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz.
118:128. Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways.
118:129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them.
118:130. The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones.
118:131. I opened my mouth, and panted: because I longed for thy commandments.
118:132. Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me according to the judgment of them that love thy name.
118:133. Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
118:134. Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments.
118:135. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications.
118:136. My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law.
118:137. Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right.
118:138. Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly.
118:139. My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words.
118:140. Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it.
118:141. I am very young and despised; but I forget not thy justifications.
118:142. Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth.
118:143. Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation.
118:144. Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.
118:145. I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications.
118:146. I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments.
118:147. I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped.
118:148. My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words.
118:149. Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy judgment.
118:150. They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from thy law.
118:151. Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth.
118:152. I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever.
118:153. See my humiliation and deliver me for I have not forgotten thy law.
118:154. Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake.
118:155. Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications.
118:156. Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment.
118:157. Many are they that persecute me and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies.
118:158. I beheld the transgressors, and pined away; because they kept not thy word.
118:159. Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy.
118:160. The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.
118:161. Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
118:162. I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil.
118:163. I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law.
118:164. Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice.
118:165. Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling. block.
118:166. I looked for thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments.
118:167. My soul hath kept thy testimonies and hath loved them exceedingly.
118:168. I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight.
118:169. Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word.
118:170. Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word.
118:171. My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.
118:172. My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice.
118:173. Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
118:174. I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation.
118:175. My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me.
118:176. I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.
Psalms Chapter 119
Ad Dominum.
A prayer in tribulation.
A gradual canticle.
A gradual canticle. . .The following psalms, in number fifteen, are called gradual psalms, or canticles, from the word gradus, signifying steps, ascensions, or degrees: either because they were appointed to be sung on the fifteen steps, by which the people ascended to the temple: or, that in the singing of them the voice was to be raised by certain steps or ascensions: or, that they were to be sung by the people returning from their captivity and ascending to Jerusalem, which was seated amongst mountains. The holy fathers, in a mystical sense, understand these steps, or ascensions, of the degrees by which Christians spiritually ascend to virtue and perfection; and to the true temple of God in the heavenly Jerusalem.
119:1. In my trouble I cried to the Lord: and he heard me.
119:2. O Lord, deliver my soul from wicked lips, and a deceitful tongue.
119:3. What shall be given to thee, or what shall be added to thee, to a deceitful tongue?
119:4. The sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals that lay waste.
119:5. Woe is me, that my sojourning is prolonged! I have dwelt with the inhabitants of Cedar:
119:6. My soul hath been long a sojourner.
119:7. With them that hated peace I was peaceable: when I spoke to them they fought against me without cause.
Psalms Chapter 120
Levavi oculos.
God is the keeper of his servants.
A gradual canticle.
120:1. I have lifted up my eyes to the mountains, from whence help shall come to me.
120:2. My help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
120:3. May he not suffer thy foot to be moved: neither let him slumber that keepeth thee.
120:4. Behold he shall neither slumber nor sleep, that keepeth Israel.
120:5. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy protection upon thy right hand.
120:6. The sun shall not burn thee by day: nor the moon by night.
120:7. The Lord keepeth thee from all evil: may the Lord keep thy soul.
120:8. May the Lord keep thy coming in and thy going out; from henceforth now and for ever.
Psalms Chapter 121
Laetatus sum in his.
The desire and hope of the just for the coming of the kingdom of God, and the peace of his church.
121:1. A gradual canticle.
I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: We shall go into the house of the Lord.
121:2. Our feet were standing in thy courts, O Jerusalem.
121:3. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, which is compact together.
121:4. For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.
121:5. Because their seats have sat in judgment, seats upon the house of David.
121:6. Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: and abundance for them that love thee.
121:7. Let peace be in thy strength: and abundance in thy towers.
121:8. For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, I spoke peace of thee.
121:9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I have sought good things for thee.
Psalms Chapter 122
Ad te levavi.
A prayer in affliction, with confidence in God.
A gradual canticle.
122:1. To thee have I lifted up my eyes, who dwellest in heaven.
122:2. Behold as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters, As the eyes of the handmaid are on the hands of her mistress: so are our eyes unto the Lord our God, until he have mercy on us.
122:3. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: for we are greatly filled with contempt.
122:4. For our soul is greatly filled: we are a reproach to the rich, and contempt to the proud.
Psalms Chapter 123
Nisi quia Domini.
The church giveth glory to God for her deliverance, from the hands of her enemies.
123:1. A gradual canticle. If it had not been that the Lord was with us, let Israel now say:
123:2. If it had not been that the Lord was with us, When men rose up against us,
123:3. Perhaps they had swallowed us up alive. When their fury was enkindled against us,
123:4. Perhaps the waters had swallowed us up.
123:5. Our soul hath passed through a torrent: perhaps our soul had passed through a water insupportable.
123:6. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us to be a prey to their teeth.
123:7. Our soul hath been delivered as a sparrow out of the snare of the fowlers. The snare is broken, and we are delivered.
123:8. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Psalms Chapter 124
Qui confidunt.
The just are always under God's protection.
124:1. A gradual canticle. They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved for ever that dwelleth
124:2. In Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and for ever.
124:3. For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity.
124:4. Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.
124:5. But such as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of iniquity: peace upon Israel.
Psalms Chapter 125
In convertendo.
The people of God rejoice at their delivery from captivity.
125:1. A gradual canticle. When the Lord brought back the captivity of Sion, we became like men comforted.
125:2. Then was our mouth filled with gladness; and our tongue with joy. Then shall they say among the Gentiles: The Lord hath done great things for them.
125:3. The Lord hath done great things for us: we are become joyful.
125:4. Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as a stream in the south.
125:5. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
125:6. Going they went and wept, casting their seeds.
125:7. But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves.
Psalms Chapter 126
Nisi Dominus.
Nothing can be done without God's grace and blessing.
126:1. A gradual canticle of Solomon. Unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.
126:2. It is vain for you to rise before light, rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow. When he shall give sleep to his beloved,
It is vain for you to rise before light. . .That is, your early rising, your labour and worldly solicitude, will be vain, that is, will avail you nothing, without the light, grace, and blessing of God.
126:3. Behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.
126:4. As arrows in the hand of the mighty, so the children of them that have been shaken.
126:5. Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.
Psalms Chapter 127
Beati omnes.
The fear of God is the way to happiness.
127:1. A gradual canticle. Blessed are all they that fear the Lord: that walk in his ways.
127:2. For thou shalt eat the labours of thy hands: blessed art thou, and it shall be well with thee.
127:3. Thy wife as a fruitful vine, on the sides of thy house. Thy children as olive plants, round about thy table.
127:4. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
127:5. May the Lord bless thee out of Sion: and mayst thou see the good things of Jerusalem all the days of thy life.
127:6. And mayst thou see thy children's children, peace upon Israel.
Psalms Chapter 128
Saepe expugnaverunt.
The church of God is invincible : her persecutors come to nothing.
128:1. A gradual canticle. Often have they fought against me from my youth, let Israel now say.
128:2. Often have they fought against me from my youth: but they could not prevail over me.
128:3. The wicked have wrought upon my back: they have lengthened their iniquity.
128:4. The Lord who is just will cut the necks of sinners:
128:5. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion.
128:6. Let them be as grass upon the tops of houses: which withereth before it be plucked up:
128:7. Who with the mower filleth not his hand: nor he that gathereth sheaves his bosom.
128:8. And they that passed by have not said: The blessing of the Lord be upon you: we have blessed you in the name of the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 129
De profundis.
A prayer of a sinner, trusting in the mercies of God. The sixth penitential psalm.
129:1. A gradual canticle. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord:
129:2. Lord, hear my voice. Let thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.
129:3. If thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand it.
129:4. For with thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of thy law, I have waited for thee, O Lord. My soul hath relied on his word:
129:5. my soul hath hoped in the Lord.
129:6. From the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.
129:7. Because with the Lord there is mercy: and with him plentiful redemption.
129:8. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
Psalms Chapter 130
Domine, none est.
The prophet's humility.
130:1. A gradual canticle of David. Lord, my heart is not exalted: nor are my eyes lofty. Neither have I walked in great matters, nor in wonderful things above me.
130:2. If I was not humbly minded, but exalted my soul: As a child that is weaned is towards his mother, so reward in my soul.
130:3. Let Israel hope in the Lord, from henceforth now and for ever.
Psalms Chapter 131
Memento, Domine.
A prayer for the fulfilling of the promise made to David.
131:1. A gradual canticle. O Lord, remember David, and all his meekness.
131:2. How he swore to the Lord, he vowed a vow to the God of Jacob:
131:3. If I shall enter into the tabernacle of my house: if I shall go up into the bed wherein I lie:
131:4. If I shall give sleep to my eyes, or slumber to my eyelids,
131:5. Or rest to my temples: until I find out a place for the Lord, a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
131:6. Behold we have heard of it in Ephrata: we have found it in the fields of the wood.
We have heard of it in Ephrata. . .When I was young, and lived in Bethlehem, otherwise called Ephrata, I heard of God's tabernacle and ark, and had a devout desire of seeking it; and accordingly I found it at Cariathiarim, the city of the woods: where it was till it was removed to Jerusalem. See 1 Par. 13.
131:7. We will go into his tabernacle: we will adore in the place where his feet stood.
131:8. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting place: thou and the ark, which thou hast sanctified.
131:9. Let thy priests be clothed with justice: and let thy saints rejoice.
131:10. For thy servant David's sake, turn not away the face of thy anointed.
131:11. The Lord hath sworn truth to David, and he will not make it void: of the fruit of thy womb I will set upon thy throne.
131:12. If thy children will keep my covenant, and these my testimonies which I shall teach them: Their children also for evermore shall sit upon thy throne.
131:13. For the Lord hath chosen Sion: he hath chosen it for his dwelling.
131:14. This is my rest for ever and ever: here will I dwell, for I have chosen it.
131:15. Blessing I will bless her widow: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
131:16. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall rejoice with exceeding great joy.
131:17. There will I bring forth a horn to David: I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
131:18. His enemies I will clothe with confusion: but upon him shall my sanctification flourish.
Psalms Chapter 132
Ecce quam bonum.
The happiness of brotherly love and concord.
132:1. A gradual canticle of David. Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity:
132:2. Like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, Which ran down to the skirt of his garment:
132:3. As the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon mount Sion. For there the Lord hath commanded blessing, and life for evermore.
Psalms Chapter 133
Ecce nunc benedicite.
An exhortation to praise God continually.
133:1. A gradual canticle. Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
133:2. In the nights lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord.
133:3. May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth.
Psalms Chapter 134
Laudate nomen.
An exhortation to praise God: the vanity of idols.
134:1. Alleluia. Praise ye the name of the Lord: O you his servants, praise the Lord:
134:2. You that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.
134:3. Praise ye the Lord, for the Lord is good: sing ye to his name, for it is sweet.
134:4. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself: Israel for his own possession.
134:5. For I have known that the Lord is great, and our God is above all gods.
134:6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased he hath done, in heaven, in earth, in the sea, and in all the deeps.
134:7. He bringeth up clouds from the end of the earth: he hath made lightnings for the rain. He bringeth forth winds out of his stores:
134:8. He slew the firstborn of Egypt from man even unto beast.
134:9. He sent forth signs and wonders in the midst of thee, O Egypt: upon Pharao, and upon all his servants.
134:10. He smote many nations, and slew mighty kings:
134:11. Sehon king of the Amorrhites, and Og king of Basan, and all the kingdoms of Chanaan.
134:12. And gave their land for an inheritance, for an inheritance to his people Israel.
134:13. Thy name, O Lord, is for ever: thy memorial, O Lord, unto all generations.
134:14. For the Lord will judge his people, and will be entreated in favour of his servants.
134:15. The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of men's hands.
134:16. They have a mouth, but they speak not: they have eyes, but they see not.
134:17. They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.
134:18. Let them that make them be like to them: and every one that trusteth in them.
134:19. Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: bless the Lord, O house of Aaron.
134:20. Bless the Lord, O house of Levi: you that fear the Lord, bless the Lord.
134:21. Blessed be the Lord out of Sion, who dwelleth in Jerusalem.
Psalms Chapter 135
Confitemini Domino.
God is to be praised for his wonderful works.
135:1. Alleluia. Praise the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Praise the Lord. . .By this invitation to praise the Lord, thrice repeated, we profess the Blessed Trinity, One God in three distinct Persons, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
135:2. Praise ye the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:3. Praise ye the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:4. Who alone doth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:5. Who made the heavens in understanding: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:6. Who established the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:7. Who made the great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:8. The sun to rule the day: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:9. The moon and the stars to rule the night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:10. Who smote Egypt with their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:11. Who brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:12. With a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:13. Who divided the Red Sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:14. And brought out Israel through the midst thereof: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:15. And overthrew Pharao and his host in the Red Sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:16. Who led his people through the desert: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:17. Who smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:18. And slew strong kings: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:19. Sehon king of the Amorrhites: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:20. And Og king of Basan: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:21. And he gave their land for an inheritance: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:22. For an inheritance to his servant Israel: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:23. For he was mindful of us in our affliction: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:24. And he redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:25. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:26. Give glory to the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
135:27. Give glory to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psalms Chapter 136
Super flumina.
The lamentation of the people of God in their captivity in Babylon.
A psalm of David, for Jeremias.
For Jeremias. . .For the time of Jeremias, and the captivity of Babylon.
136:1. Upon the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept: when we remembered Sion:
136:2. On the willows in the midst thereof we hung up our instruments.
136:3. For there they that led us into captivity required of us the words of songs. And they that carried us away, said: Sing ye to us a hymn of the songs of Sion.
136:4. How shall we sing the song of the Lord in a strange land?
136:5. If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand be forgotten.
136:6. Let my tongue cleave to my jaws, if I do not remember thee: If I make not Jerusalem the beginning of my joy.
136:7. Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom, in the day of Jerusalem: Who say: Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.
136:8. O daughter of Babylon, miserable: blessed shall he be who shall repay thee thy payment which thou hast paid us.
136:9. Blessed be he that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock.
Dash thy little ones, etc. . .In the spiritual sense, we dash the little ones of Babylon against the rock, when we mortify our passions, and stifle the first motions of them, by a speedy recourse to the rock which is Christ.
Psalms Chapter 137
Confitebor tibi.
Thanksgiving to God for his benefits.
137:1. For David himself. I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:
137:2. I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.
137:3. In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shalt multiply strength in my soul.
137:4. May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.
137:5. And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
137:6. For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.
137:7. If I shall walk in the midst of tribulation, thou wilt quicken me: and thou hast stretched forth thy hand against the wrath of my enemies: and thy right hand hath saved me.
137:8. The Lord will repay for me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: O despise not the works of thy hands.
Psalms Chapter 138
Domine, probasti.
God's special providence over his servants.
138:1. Unto the end, a psalm of David. Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:
138:2. Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.
138:3. Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out.
138:4. And thou hast foreseen all my ways: for there is no speech in my tongue.
There is no speech, etc. . .Viz., unknown to thee: or when there is no speech in my tongue; yet my whole interior and my most secret thoughts are known to thee.
138:5. Behold, O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me.
138:6. Thy knowledge is become wonderful to me: it is high, and I cannot reach to it.
138:7. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy face?
138:8. If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I descend into hell, thou art present.
138:9. If I take my wings early in the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea:
138:10. Even there also shall thy hand lead me: and thy right hand shall hold me.
138:11. And I said: Perhaps darkness shall cover me: and night shall be my light in my pleasures.
138:12. But darkness shall not be dark to thee, and night shall be light all the day: the darkness thereof, and the light thereof are alike to thee.
138:13. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother's womb.
138:14. I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.
138:15. My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret: and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.
138:16. Thy eyes did see my imperfect being, and in thy book all shall be written: days shall be formed, and no one in them.
138:17. But to me thy friends, O God, are made exceedingly honourable: their principality is exceedingly strengthened.
138:18. I will number them, and they shall be multiplied above the sand, I rose up and am still with thee.
138:19. If thou wilt kill the wicked, O God: ye men of blood, depart from me:
138:20. Because you say in thought: They shall receive thy cities in vain.
Because you say in thought, etc. . .Depart from me, you wicked, who plot against the servants of God, and think to cast them out of the cities of their habitation; as if they have received them in vain, and to no purpose.
138:21. Have I not hated them, O Lord, that hated thee: and pined away because of thy enemies?
138:22. I have hated them with a perfect hatred: and they are become enemies to me.
I have hated them. . .Not with an hatred of malice, but a zeal for the observance of God's commandments; which he saw were despised by the wicked, who are to be considered enemies to God.
138:23. Prove me, O God, and know my heart: examine me, and know my paths.
138:24. And see if there be in me the way of iniquity: and lead me in the eternal way.
Psalms Chapter 139
Eripe me, Domine.
A prayer to be delivered from the wicked.
139:1. Unto the end, a psalm of David.
139:2. Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man.
139:3. Who have devised iniquities in their hearts: all the day long they designed battles.
139:4. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips.
139:5. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked: and from unjust men deliver me. Who have proposed to supplant my steps:
139:6. The proud have hidden a net for me. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumblingblock by the wayside.
139:7. I said to the Lord: Thou art my God: hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication.
139:8. O Lord, Lord, the strength of my salvation: thou hast overshadowed my head in the day of battle.
139:9. Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me; do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph.
139:10. The head of them compassing me about: the labour of their lips shall overwhelm them.
139:11. Burning coals shall fall upon them; thou wilt cast them down into the fire: in miseries they shall not be able to stand.
139:12. A man full of tongue shall not be established in the earth: evil shall catch the unjust man unto destruction.
139:13. I know that the Lord will do justice to the needy, and will revenge the poor.
139:14. But as for the just, they shall give glory to thy name: and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance.
Psalms Chapter 140
Domine, clamavi.
A prayer against sinful words, and deceitful flatterers.
A psalm of David.
140:1. I have cried to thee, O Lord, hear me: hearken to my voice, when I cry to thee.
140:2. Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight; the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.
140:3. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.
140:4. Incline not my heart to evil words; to make excuses in sins. With men that work iniquity: and I will not communicate with the choicest of them.
140:5. The just man shall correct me in mercy, and shall reprove me: but let not the oil of the sinner fatten my head. For my prayer shall still be against the things with which they are well pleased:
Let not the oil of the sinner, etc. . .That is, the flattery, or deceitful praise.—Ibid. For my prayer, etc. . .So far from coveting their praises, who are never well pleased but with things that are evil; I shall continually pray to be preserved from such things as they are delighted with.
140:6. Their judges falling upon the rock have been swallowed up. They shall hear my words, for they have prevailed:
Their judges, etc. . .Their rulers, or chiefs, quickly vanish and perish, like ships dashed against the rocks, and swallowed up by the waves. Let them then hear my words, for they are powerful and will prevail; or, as it is in the Hebrew, for they are sweet.
140:7. As when the thickness of the earth is broken up upon the ground: Our bones are scattered by the side of hell.
140:8. But to thee, O Lord, Lord, are my eyes: in thee have I put my trust, take not away my soul.
140:9. Keep me from the snare, which they have laid for me, and from the stumblingblocks of them that work iniquity.
140:10. The wicked shall fall in his net: I am alone until I pass.
I am alone, etc. . .Singularly protected by the Almighty, until I pass all their nets and snares.
Psalms Chapter 141
Voce mea.
A prayer of David in extremity of danger.
141:1. Of understanding for David, A prayer when he was in the cave. [1 Kings 24.]
141:2. I cried to the Lord with my voice: with my voice I made supplication to the Lord.
141:3. In his sight I pour out my prayer, and before him I declare my trouble:
141:4. When my spirit failed me, then thou knewest my paths. In this way wherein I walked, they have hidden a snare for me.
141:5. I looked on my right hand, and beheld, and there was no one that would know me. Flight hath failed me: and there is no one that hath regard to my soul.
141:6. I cried to thee, O Lord: I said: Thou art my hope, my portion in the land of the living.
141:7. Attend to my supplication: for I am brought very low. Deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
141:8. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the just wait for me, until thou reward me.
Psalms Chapter 142
Domine, exaudi.
The psalmist in tribulation calleth upon God for his delivery. The seventh penitential psalm.
142:1. A psalm of David, when his son Absalom pursued him. [2 Kings 17.] Hear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice.
142:2. And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified.
142:3. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the earth. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been dead of old:
142:4. And my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is troubled.
142:5. I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works: I meditated upon the works of thy hands.
142:6. I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee.
142:7. Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
142:8. Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning; for in thee have I hoped. Make the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee.
142:9. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled:
142:10. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land:
142:11. for thy name's sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. Thou wilt bring my soul out of trouble:
142:12. And in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.
Psalms Chapter 143
Benedictus Dominus.
The prophet praiseth God, and prayeth to be delivered from his enemies.
No worldly happiness is to be compared with that of serving God.
A psalm of David against Goliath.
143:1. Blessed be the Lord my God, who teacheth my hands to fight, and my fingers to war.
143:2. My mercy, and my refuge: my support, and my deliverer: My protector, and I have hoped in him: who subdueth my people under me.
143:3. Lord, what is man, that thou art made known to him? or the son of man, that thou makest account of him?
143:4. Man is like to vanity: his days pass away like a shadow.
143:5. Lord, bow down thy heavens and descend: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
143:6. Send forth lightning, and thou shalt scatter them: shoot out thy arrows, and thou shalt trouble them.
143:7. Put forth thy hand from on high, take me out, and deliver me from many waters: from the hand of strange children:
143:8. Whose mouth hath spoken vanity: and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity.
143:9. To thee, O God, I will sing a new canticle: on the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings I will sing praises to thee.
143:10. Who givest salvation to kings: who hast redeemed thy servant David from the malicious sword:
143:11. Deliver me, And rescue me out of the hand of strange children; whose mouth hath spoken vanity: and their right hand is the right hand of iniquity:
143:12. Whose sons are as new plants in their youth: Their daughters decked out, adorned round about after the similitude of a temple:
143:13. Their storehouses full, flowing out of this into that. Their sheep fruitful in young, abounding in their goings forth:
143:14. Their oxen fat. There is no breach of wall, nor passage, nor crying out in their streets.
143:15. They have called the people happy, that hath these things: but happy is that people whose God is the Lord.
Psalms Chapter 144
Exaltabo te, Deus.
A psalm of praise, to the infinite majesty of God.
144:1. Praise, for David himself. I will extol thee, O God my king: and I will bless thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:2. Every day will I bless thee: and I will praise thy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.
144:3. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: and of his greatness there is no end.
144:4. Generation and generation shall praise thy works: and they shall declare thy power.
144:5. They shall speak of the magnificence of the glory of thy holiness: and shall tell thy wondrous works.
144:6. And they shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and shall declare thy greatness.
144:7. They shall publish the memory of the abundance of thy sweetness: and shall rejoice in thy justice.
144:8. The Lord is gracious and merciful: patient and plenteous in mercy.
144:9. The Lord is sweet to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
144:10. Let all thy works, O lord, praise thee: and let thy saints bless thee.
144:11. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom: and shall tell of thy power:
144:12. To make thy might known to the sons of men: and the glory of the magnificence of thy kingdom.
144:13. Thy kingdom is a kingdom of all ages: and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words: and holy in all his works.
144:14. The Lord lifteth up all that fall: and setteth up all that are cast down.
144:15. The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: and thou givest them meat in due season.
144:16. Thou openest thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature.
144:17. The Lord is just in all his ways: and holy in all his works.
144:18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: to all that call upon him in truth.
144:19. He will do the will of them that fear him: and he will hear their prayer, and save them.
144:20. The Lord keepeth all them that love him; but all the wicked he will destroy.
144:21. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name forever; yea, for ever and ever.
Psalms Chapter 145
Lauda, anima.
We are not to trust in men, but in God alone.
145:1. Alleluia, of Aggeus and Zacharias.
145:2. Praise the Lord, O my soul, in my life I will praise the Lord: I will sing to my God as long as I shall be. Put not your trust in princes:
145:3. In the children of men, in whom there is no salvation.
145:4. His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish.
145:5. Blessed is he who hath the God of Jacob for his helper, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
145:6. Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.
145:7. Who keepeth truth for ever: who executeth judgment for them that suffer wrong: who giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth them that are fettered:
145:8. The Lord enlighteneth the blind. The Lord lifteth up them that are cast down: the Lord loveth the just.
145:9. The Lord keepeth the strangers, he will support the fatherless and the widow: and the ways of sinners he will destroy.
145:10. The Lord shall reign for ever: thy God, O Sion, unto generation and generation.
Psalms Chapter 146
Laudate Dominum.
An exhortation to praise God for his benefits.
146:1. Alleluia. Praise ye the Lord, because psalm is good: to our God be joyful and comely praise.
146:2. The Lord buildeth up Jerusalem: he will gather together the dispersed of Israel.
146:3. Who healeth the broken of heart, and bindeth up their bruises.
146:4. Who telleth the number of the stars: and calleth them all by their names.
146:5. Great is our Lord, and great is his power: and of his wisdom there is no number.
146:6. The Lord lifteth up the meek, and bringeth the wicked down even to the ground.
146:7. Sing ye to the Lord with praise: sing to our God upon the harp.
146:8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth. Who maketh grass to grow on the mountains, and herbs for the service of men.
146:9. Who giveth to beasts their food: and to the young ravens that call upon him.
146:10. He shall not delight in the strength of the horse: nor take pleasure in the legs of a man.
146:11. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him: and in them that hope in his mercy.
Psalms Chapter 147
Lauda, Jerusalem.
The church is called upon to praise God for his peculiar graces and favours to his people. In the Hebrew, this psalm is joined to the foregoing.
Alleluia.
147:12. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.
147:13. Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee.
147:14. Who hath placed peace in thy borders: and filleth thee with the fat of corn.
147:15. Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: his word runneth swiftly.
147:16. Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes.
147:17. He sendeth his crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of his cold?
He sendeth his crystal. . .That is, his ice. Some understand it of hail, which is, as it were, ice, divided into particles or morsels.
147:18. He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
147:19. Who declareth his word to Jacob: his justices and his judgments to Israel.
147:20. He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia.
Psalms Chapter 148
Laudate Dominum de caelis.
All creatures are invited to praise their Creator.
Alleluia.
148:1. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise ye him in the high places.
148:2. Praise ye him, all his angels, praise ye him, all his hosts.
148:3. Praise ye him, O sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars and light.
148:4. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: and let all the waters that are above the heavens
148:5. Praise the name of the Lord. For he spoke, and they were made: he commanded, and they were created.
148:6. He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
148:7. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all ye deeps:
148:8. Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds, which fulfil his word:
148:9. Mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars:
148:10. Beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls:
148:11. Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth:
148:12. Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord:
148:13. For his name alone is exalted.
148:14. The praise of him is above heaven and earth: and he hath exalted the horn of his people. A hymn to all his saints to the children of Israel, a people approaching to him. Alleluia.
Psalms Chapter 149
Cantate Domino.
The church is particularly bound to praise God.
Alleluia.
149:1. Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: let his praise be in the church of the saints.
149:2. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: and let the children of Sion be joyful in their king.
149:3. Let them praise his name in choir: let them sing to him with the timbrel and the psaltery.
149:4. For the Lord is well pleased with his people: and he will exalt the meek unto salvation.
149:5. The saints shall rejoice in glory: they shall be joyful in their beds.
149:6. The high praises of God shall be in their mouth: and two-edged swords in their hands:
149:7. To execute vengeance upon the nations, chastisements among the people:
149:8. To bind their kings with fetters, and their nobles with manacles of iron.
149:9. To execute upon them the judgment that is written: this glory is to all his saints. Alleluia.
Psalms Chapter 150
Laudate Dominum in sanctis.
An exhortation to praise God with all sorts of instruments.
Alleluia.
150:1. Praise ye the Lord in his holy places: praise ye him in the firmament of his power.
150:2. Praise ye him for his mighty acts: praise ye him according to the multitude of his greatness.
150:3. Praise him with the sound of trumpet: praise him with psaltery and harp.
150:4. Praise him with timbrel and choir: praise him with strings and organs.
150:5. Praise him on high sounding cymbals: praise him on cymbals of joy: let every spirit praise the Lord. Alleluia.
This Book is so called, because it consists of wise and weighty sentences: regulating the morals of men: and directing them to wisdom and virtue. And these sentences are also called PARABLES, because great truths are often couched in them under certain figures and similitudes.
Proverbs Chapter 1
The use and end of the proverbs. An exhortation to flee the company of the wicked: and to hearken to the voice of wisdom.
1:1. The parables of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel,
1:2. To know wisdom, and instruction:
1:3. To understand the words of prudence: and to receive the instruction of doctrine, justice, and judgment, and equity:
1:4. To give subtilty to little ones, to the young man knowledge and understanding.
1:5. A wise man shall hear, and shall be wiser: and he that understandeth shall possess governments.
1:6. He shall understand a parable and the interpretation, the words of the wise, and their mysterious sayings.
1:7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Fools despise wisdom and instruction.
1:8. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
1:9. That grace may be added to thy head, and a chain of gold to thy neck.
1:10. My son, if sinners shall entice thee, consent not to them.
1:11. If they shall say: Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood, let us hide snares for the innocent without cause:
1:12. Let us swallow him up alive like hell, and whole as one that goeth down into the pit.
1:13. We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoils.
1:14. Cast in thy lot with us, let us all have one purse.
1:15. My son, walk not thou with them, restrain thy foot from their paths.
1:16. For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
1:17. But a net is spread in vain before the eyes of them that have wings.
1:18. And they themselves lie in wait for their own blood, and practise deceits against their own souls.
1:19. So the ways of every covetous man destroy the souls of the possessors.
1:20. Wisdom preacheth abroad, she uttereth her voice in the streets:
1:21. At the head of multitudes she crieth out, in the entrance of the gates of the city she uttereth her words, saying:
1:22. O children, how long will you love childishness, and fools covet those things which are hurtful to themselves, and the unwise hate knowledge?
1:23. Turn ye at my reproof: behold I will utter my spirit to you, and will shew you my words.
1:24. Because I called, and you refused: I stretched out my hand, and there was none that regarded.
1:25. You have despised all my counsel, and have neglected my reprehensions.
1:26. I also will laugh in your destruction, and will mock when that shall come to you which you feared.
1:27. When sudden calamity shall fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be at hand: when tribulation and distress shall come upon you:
1:28. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not hear: they shall rise in the morning, and shall not find me:
1:29. Because they have hated instruction, and received not the fear of the Lord,
1:30. Nor consented to my counsel, but despised all my reproof.
1:31. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and shall be filled with their own devices.
1:32. The turning away of little ones shall kill them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
1:33. But he that shall hear me, shall rest without terror, and shall enjoy abundance, without fear of evils.
Proverbs Chapter 2
The advantages of wisdom: and the evils from which it delivers.
2:1. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and wilt hide my commandments with thee,
2:2. That thy ear may hearken to wisdom: incline thy heart to know prudence.
2:3. For if thou shalt call for wisdom, and incline thy heart to prudence:
2:4. If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure:
2:5. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and shalt find the knowledge of God:
2:6. Because the Lord giveth wisdom: and out of his mouth cometh prudence and knowledge.
2:7. He wilt keep the salvation of the righteous, and protect them that walk in simplicity,
2:8. Keeping the paths of justice, and guarding the ways of saints.
2:9. Then shalt thou understand justice, and judgment, and equity, and every good path.
2:10. If wisdom shall enter into thy heart, and knowledge please thy soul:
2:11. Counsel shall keep thee, and prudence shall preserve thee,
2:12. That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh perverse things:
2:13. Who leave the right way, and walk by dark ways:
2:14. Who are glad when they have done evil, and rejoice in the most wicked things:
2:15. Whose ways are perverse, and their steps infamous.
2:16. That thou mayst be delivered from the strange woman, and from the stranger, who softeneth her words;
2:17. And forsaketh the guide of her youth,
2:18. And hath forgotten the covenant of her God: for her house inclineth unto death, and her paths to hell.
2:19. None that go in unto her, shall return again, neither shall they take hold of the paths of life.
2:20. That thou mayst walk in a good way: and mayst keep the paths of the just.
2:21. For they that are upright, shall dwell in the earth; and the simple shall continue in it.
2:22. But the wicked shall be destroyed from the earth: and they that do unjustly, shall be taken away from it.
Proverbs Chapter 3
An exhortation to the practice of virtue.
3:1. My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments.
3:2. For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life, and peace.
3:3. Let not mercy aud truth leave thee, put them about thy neck, and write them in the tables of thy heart.
3:4. And thou shalt find grace, and good understanding before God and men.
3:5. Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.
3:6. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.
3:7. Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil:
3:8. For it shall be health to thy navel, and moistening to thy bones.
3:9. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy fruits;
3:10. And thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall run over with wine.
3:11. My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do not faint when thou art chastised by him:
3:12. For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a father in the son he pleaseth himself.
3:13. Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and is rich in prudence:
3:14. The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chief and purest gold:
3:15. She is more precious than all riches: and all the things that are desired, are not to be compared to her.
3:16. Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
3:17. Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable.
3:18. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed.
3:19. The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence.
3:20. By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew.
3:21. My son, let not these things depart from thy eyes: keep the law and counsel:
3:22. And there shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy mouth.
3:23. Then shalt thou walk confidently in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble:
3:24. If thou sleep, thou shalt not fear: thou shalt rest, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
3:25. Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the wicked falling upon thee.
3:26. For the Lord will be at thy side, and will keep thy foot that thou be not taken.
3:27. Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also.
3:28. Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to morrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at present.
3:29. Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath confidence in thee.
3:30. Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil.
3:31. Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways.
3:32. For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is with the simple.
3:33. Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed.
3:34. He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace.
3:35. The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.
Proverbs Chapter 4
A further exhortation to seek after wisdom.
4:1. Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend, that you may know prudence.
4:2. I will give you a good gift, forsake not my law.
4:3. For I also was my father's son, tender, and as an only son in the sight of my mother:
4:4. And he taught me, and said: Let thy heart receive my words, keep my commandments, and thou shalt live.
4:5. Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
4:6. Forsake her not, and she shall keep thee: love her, and she shall preserve thee.
4:7. The beginning of wisdom, get wisdom, and with all thy possession purchase prudence.
4:8. Take hold on her, and she shall exalt thee: thou shalt be glorified by her, when thou shalt embrace her.
4:9. She shall give to thy head increase of graces, and protect thee with a noble crown.
4:10. Hear, O my son, and receive my words, that years of life may be multiplied to thee.
4:11. I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee by the paths of equity:
4:12. Which when thou shalt have entered, thy steps shall not be straitened, and when thou runnest, thou shalt not meet a stumblingblock.
4:13. Take hold on instruction, leave it not: keep it, because it is thy life.
4:14. Be not delighted in the paths of the wicked, neither let the way of evil men please thee.
4:15. Flee from it, pass not by it: go aside, and forsake it.
4:16. For they sleep not, except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to fall.
4:17. They eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of iniquity.
4:18. But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forwards, and increaseth even to perfect day.
4:19. The way of the wicked is darksome: they know not where they fall.
4:20. My son, hearken to my words, and incline thy ear to my sayings.
4:21. Let them not depart from thy eyes, keep them in the midst of thy heart:
4:22. For they are life to those that find them, and health to all flesh.
4:23. With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.
4:24. Remove from thee a froward mouth, and let detracting lips be far from thee.
4:25. Let thy eyes look straight on, and let thy eyelids go before thy steps.
4:26. Make straight the path for thy feet, and all thy ways shall be established.
4:27. Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turn away thy foot from evil. For the Lord knoweth the ways that are on the right hand: but those are perverse which are on the left hand. But he will make thy courses straight, he will bring forward thy ways in peace.
Proverbs Chapter 5
An exhortation to fly unlawful lust, and the occasions of it.
5:1. My son, attend to my wisdom, and incline thy ear to my prudence,
5:2. That thou mayst keep thoughts, and thy lips may preserve instruction. Mind not the deceit of a woman.
5:3. For the lips of a harlot are like a honeycomb dropping, and her throat is smoother than oil.
5:4. But her end is bitter as wormwood, and sharp as a two-edged sword.
5:5. Her feet go down into death, and her steps go in as far as hell.
5:6. They walk not by the path of life, her steps are wandering, and unaccountable.
5:7. Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
5:8. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the doors of her house.
5:9. Give not thy honour to strangers, and thy years to the cruel.
5:10. Lest strangers be filled with thy strength, and thy labours be in another man's house,
5:11. And thou mourn at the last, when thou shalt have spent thy flesh and thy body, and say;
5:12. Why have I hated instruction, and my heart consented not to reproof,
5:13. And have not heard the voice of them that taught me, and have not inclined my ear to masters?
5:14. I have almost been in all evil, in the midst of the church and of the congregation.
5:15. Drink water out of thy own cistern, and the streams of thy own well:
5:16. Let thy fountains be conveyed abroad, and in the streets divide thy waters.
5:17. Keep them to thyself alone, neither let strangers be partakers with thee.
5:18. Let thy vein be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of thy youth:
5:19. Let her be thy dearest hind, and most agreeable fawn: let her breasts inebriate thee at all times: be thou delighted continually with her love.
5:20. Why art thou seduced, my son, by a strange woman, and art cherished in the bosom of another?
5:21. The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth all his steps.
5:22. His own iniquities catch the wicked, and he is fast bound with the ropes of his own sins.
5:23. He shall die, because he hath not received instruction, and in the multitude of his folly he shall be deceived.
Proverbs Chapter 6
Documents on several heads.
6:1. My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, thou hast engaged fast thy hand to a stranger,
6:2. Thou art ensnared with the words of thy mouth, and caught with thy own words.
6:3. Do, therefore, my son, what I say, and deliver thyself: because thou art fallen into the hand of thy neighbour. Run about, make haste, stir up thy friend:
6:4. Give not sleep to thy eyes, neither let thy eyelids slumber.
6:5. Deliver thyself as a doe from the hand, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
6:6. Go to the ant, O sluggard, and consider her ways, and learn wisdom:
6:7. Which, although she hath no guide, nor master, nor captain,
6:8. Provideth her meat for herself in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
6:9. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
6:10. Thou wilt sleep a little, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to sleep:
6:11. And want shall come upon thee, as a traveller, and poverty as a man armed. But if thou be diligent, thy harvest shall come as a fountain, and want shall flee far from thee.
6:12. A man that is an apostate, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth,
6:13. He winketh with the eyes, presseth with the foot, speaketh with the finger.
6:14. With a wicked heart he deviseth evil, and at all times he soweth discord.
6:15. To such a one his destruction shall presently come, and he shall suddenly be destroyed, and shall no longer have any remedy.
6:16. Six things there are, which the Lord hateth, and the seventh his soul detesteth:
6:17. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,
6:18. A heart that deviseth wicked plots, feet that are swift to run into mischief,
6:19. A deceitful witness that uttereth lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
6:20. My son, keep the commandments of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
6:21. Bind them in thy heart continually, and put them about thy neck.
6:22. When thou walkest, let them go with thee: when thou sleepest, let them keep thee, and when thou awakest, talk with them.
6:23. Because the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light, and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
6:24. That they may keep thee from the evil woman, and from the flattering tongue of the stranger.
6:25. Let not thy heart covet her beauty, be not caught with her winks:
6:26. For the price of a harlot is scarce one loaf: but the woman catcheth the precious soul of a man.
6:27. Can a man hide fire in his bosom, and his garments not burn?
6:28. Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?
6:29. So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife, shall not be clean when he shall touch her.
6:30. The fault is not so great when a man hath stolen: for he stealeth to fill his hungry soul:
The fault is not so great, etc. . .The sin of theft is not so great, as to be compared with adultery: especially when a person pressed with hunger (which is the case here spoken of) steals to satisfy nature. Moreover the damage done by theft may much more easily be repaired, than the wrong done by adultery. But this does not hinder, but that theft also is a mortal sin, forbidden by one of the ten commandments.
6:31. And if he be taken, he shall restore sevenfold, and shall give up all the substance of his house.
6:32. But he that is an adulterer, for the folly of his heart shall destroy his own soul:
6:33. He gathereth to himself shame and dishonour, and his reproach shall not be blotted out:
6:34. Because the jealousy and rage of the husband will not spare in the day of revenge,
6:35. Nor will he yield to any man's prayers, nor will he accept for satisfaction ever so many gifts.
Proverbs Chapter 7
The love of wisdom is the best preservative from being led astray by temptation.
7:1. My son, keep my words, and lay up my precepts with thee. Son,
7:2. Keep my commandments, and thou shalt live: and my law as the apple of thy eye:
7:3. Bind it upon thy fingers, write it upon the tables of thy heart.
7:4. Say to wisdom: Thou art my sister: and call prudence thy friend,
7:5. That she may keep thee from the woman that is not thine, and from the stranger who sweeteneth her words.
7:6. For I looked out of the window of my house through the lattice,
7:7. And I see little ones, I behold a foolish young man,
7:8. Who passeth through the street by the corner, and goeth nigh the way of her house,
7:9. In the dark when it grows late, in the darkness and obscurity of the night.
7:10. And behold a woman meeteth him in harlot's attire, prepared to deceive souls: talkative and wandering,
7:11. Not bearing to be quiet, not able to abide still at home,
7:12. Now abroad, now in the streets, now lying in wait near the corners.
7:13. And catching the young man, she kisseth him, and with an impudent face, flattereth, saying:
7:14. I vowed victims for prosperity, this day I have paid my vows.
7:15. Therefore I am come out to meet thee, desirous to see thee, and I have found thee.
7:16. I have woven my bed with cords, I have covered it with painted tapestry, brought from Egypt.
7:17. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
7:18. Come, let us be inebriated with the breasts, and let us enjoy the desired embraces, till the day appear.
7:19. For my husband is not at home, he is gone a very long journey.
7:20. He took with him a bag of money: he will return home the day of the full moon.
7:21. She entangled him with many words, and drew him away with the flattery of her lips.
7:22. Immediately he followeth her as an ox led to be a victim, and as a lamb playing the wanton, and not knowing that he is drawn like a fool to bonds,
7:23. Till the arrow pierce his liver: as if a bird should make haste to the snare, and knoweth not that his life is in danger.
7:24. Now, therefore, my son, hear me, and attend to the words of my mouth.
7:25. Let not thy mind be drawn away in her ways: neither be thou deceived with her paths.
7:26. For she hath cast down many wounded, and the strongest have been slain by her.
7:27. Her house is the way to hell, reaching even to the inner chambers of death.
Proverbs Chapter 8
The preaching of wisdom. Her excellence.
8:1. Doth not wisdom cry aloud, and prudence put forth her voice?
8:2. Standing in the top of the highest places by the way, in the midst of the paths,
8:3. Beside the gates of the city, in the very doors she speaketh, saying:
8:4. O ye men, to you I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.
8:5. O little ones understand subtlety, and ye unwise, take notice.
8:6. Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.
8:7. My mouth shall meditate truth, and my lips shall hate wickedness.
8:8. All my words are just, there is nothing wicked, nor perverse in them.
8:9. They are right to them that understand, and just to them that find knowledge.
8:10. Receive my instruction, and not money: choose knowledge rather than gold.
8:11. For wisdom is better than all the most precious things: and whatsoever may be desired cannot be compared to it.
8:12. I, wisdom, dwell in counsel, and am present in learned thoughts.
8:13. The fear of the Lord hateth evil; I hate arrogance, and pride, and every wicked way, and a mouth with a double tongue.
8:14. Counsel and equity is mine, prudence is mine, strength is mine.
8:15. By me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.
8:16. By me princes rule, and the mighty decree justice.
8:17. I love them that love me: and they that in the morning early watch for me, shall find me.
8:18. With me are riches and glory, glorious riches and justice.
8:19. For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.
8:20. I walk in the way of justice, in the midst of the paths of judgment,
8:21. That I may enrich them that love me, and may fill their treasures.
8:22. The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his ways, before he made any thing from the beginning.
8:23. I was set up from eternity, and of old, before the earth was made.
8:24. The depths were not as yet, and I was already conceived, neither had the fountains of waters as yet sprung out.
8:25. The mountains, with their huge bulk, had not as yet been established: before the hills, I was brought forth:
8:26. He had not yet made the earth, nor the rivers, nor the poles of the world.
8:27. When he prepared the heavens, I was present: when with a certain law, and compass, he enclosed the depths:
8:28. When he established the sky above, and poised the fountains of waters:
8:29. When he compassed the sea with its bounds, and set a law to the waters that they should not pass their limits: when he balanced the foundations of the earth;
8:30. I was with him forming all things: and was delighted every day, playing before him at all times;
8:31. Playing in the world: and my delights were to be with the children of men.
8:32. Now, therefore, ye children, hear me: blessed are they that keep my ways.
8:33. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
8:34. Blessed is the man that heareth me, and that watcheth daily at my gates, and waiteth at the posts of my doors.
8:35. He that shall find me, shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord.
8:36. But he that shall sin against me shall hurt his own soul. All that hate me love death.
Proverbs Chapter 9
Wisdom invites all to her feast. Folly calls another way.
9:1. Wisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewn her out seven pillars.
9:2. She hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table.
9:3. She hath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:
9:4. Whosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:
9:5. Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.
9:6. Forsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence.
9:7. He that teacheth a scorner, doth an injury to himself; and he that rebuketh a wicked man, getteth himself a blot.
9:8. Rebuke not a scorner, lest he hate thee. Rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
9:9. Give an occasion to a wise man, and wisdom shall be added to him. Teach a just man, and he shall make haste to receive it.
9:10. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is prudence.
9:11. For by me shall thy days be multiplied, and years of life shall be added to thee.
9:12. If thou be wise, thou shalt be so to thyself: and if a scorner, thou alone shalt bear the evil.
9:13. A foolish woman and clamorous, and full of allurements, and knowing nothing at all,
9:14. Sat at the door of her house, upon a seat, in a high place of the city,
9:15. To call them that pass by the way, and go on their journey:
9:16. He that is a little one, let him turn to me. And to the fool she said:
9:17. Stolen waters are sweeter, and hidden bread is more pleasant.
9:18. And he did not know that giants are there, and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Proverbs Chapter 10
In the twenty following chapters are contained many wise sayings and axioms, relating to wisdom and folly, virtue and vice.
10:1. A wise son maketh the father glad: but a foolish son is the sorrow of his mother.
10:2. Treasures of wickedness shall profit nothing: but justice shall deliver from death.
10:3. The Lord will not afflict the soul of the just with famine, and he will disappoint the deceitful practices of the wicked.
10:4. The slothful hand hath wrought poverty: but the hand of the industrious getteth riches. He that trusteth to lies feedeth the winds: and the same runneth after birds, that fly away.
10:5. He that gathereth in the harvest, is a wise son: but he that snorteth in the summer, is the son of confusion.
10:6. The blessing of the Lord is upon the head of the just: but iniquity covereth the mouth of the wicked.
10:7. The memory of the just is with praises: and the name of the wicked shall rot.
10:8. The wise of heart receiveth precepts: a fool is beaten with lips.
10:9. He that walketh sincerely, walketh confidently: but he that perverteth his ways, shall be manifest.
10:10. He that winketh with the eye, shall cause sorrow: and the foolish in lips shall be beaten.
10:11. The mouth of the just is a vein of life: and the mouth of the wicked covereth iniquity.
10:12. Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all sins.
10:13. In the lips of the wise is wisdom found: and a rod on the back of him that wanteth sense.
10:14. Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the fool is next to confusion.
10:15. The substance of a rich man is the city of his strength: the fear of the poor is their poverty.
10:16. The work of the just is unto life: but the fruit of the wicked unto sin.
10:17. The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs, goeth astray.
10:18. Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach, is foolish.
10:19. In the multitude of words there shall not want sin: but he that refraineth his lips, is most wise.
10:20. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the heart of the wicked is nothing worth.
10:21. The lips of the just teach many: but they that are ignorant, shall die in the want of understanding.
10:22. The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich: neither shall affliction be joined to them.
10:23. A fool worketh mischief as it were for sport: but wisdom is prudence to a man.
10:24. That which the wicked feareth, shall come upon him: to the just their desire shall be given.
10:25. As a tempest that passeth, so the wicked shall be no more: but the just is as an everlasting foundation.
10:26. As vinegar to the teeth, and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that sent him.
10:27. The fear of the Lord shall prolong days: and the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
10:28. The expectation of the just is joy: but the hope of the wicked shall perish.
10:29. The strength of the upright is the way of the Lord: and fear to them that work evil.
10:30. The just shall never be moved: but the wicked shall not dwell on the earth.
10:31. The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom: the tongue of the perverse shall perish.
10:32. The lips of the just consider what is acceptable: and the mouth of the wicked uttereth perverse things.
Proverbs Chapter 11
11:1. A deceitful balance is an abomination before the Lord: and a just weight is his will.
11:2. Where pride is, there also shall be reproach: but where humility is, there also is wisdom.
11:3. The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.
11:4. Riches shall not profit in the day of revenge: but justice shall deliver from death.
11:5. The justice of the upright shall make his way prosperous: and the wicked man shall fall by his own wickedness.
11:6. The justice of the righteous shall deliver them: and the unjust shall be caught in their own snares.
11:7. When the wicked man is dead, there shall be no hope any more: and the expectation of the solicitous shall perish.
11:8. The just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him.
11:9. The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.
11:10. When it goeth well with the just, the city shall rejoice: and when the wicked perish, there shall be praise.
11:11. By the blessing of the just the city shall be exalted: and by the mouth of the wicked it shall be overthrown.
11:12. He that despiseth his friend, is mean of heart: but the wise man will hold his peace.
11:13. He that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend.
11:14. Where there is no governor, the people shall fall: but there is safety where there is much counsel.
11:15. He shall be afflicted with evil, that is surety for a stranger: but he that is aware of snares, shall be secure.
11:16. A gracious woman shall find glory: and the strong shall have riches.
11:17. A merciful man doth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel casteth off even his own kindred.
11:18. The wicked maketh an unsteady work: but to him that soweth justice, there is a faithful reward.
11:19. Clemency prepareth life: and the pursuing of evil things, death.
11:20. A perverse heart is abominable to the Lord: and his will is in them that walk sincerely.
11:21. Hand in hand the evil man shall not be innocent: but the seed of the just shall be saved.
11:22. A golden ring in a swine's snout, a woman fair and foolish.
11:23. The desire of the just is all good, the expectation of the wicked is indignation.
11:24. Some distribute their own goods, and grow richer: others take away what is not their own, and are always in want.
11:25. The soul that blesseth, shall be made fat: and he that inebriateth, shall be inebriated also himself.
11:26. He that hideth up corn, shall be cursed among the people: but a blessing upon the head of them that sell.
11:27. Well doth he rise early who seeketh good things; but he that seeketh after evil things, shall be oppressed by them.
11:28. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the just shall spring up as a green leaf.
11:29. He that troubleth his own house, shall inherit the winds: and the fool shall serve the wise.
11:30. The fruit of the just man is a tree of life: and he that gaineth souls is wise.
11:31. If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.
Proverbs Chapter 12
12:1. He that loveth correction, loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof, is foolish.
12:2. He that is good, shall draw grace from the Lord: but he that trusteth in his own devices, doth wickedly.
12:3. Man shall not be strengthened by wickedness: and the root of the just shall not be moved.
12:4. A diligent woman is a crown to her husband: and she that doth things worthy of confusion, is as rottenness in his bones.
12:5. The thoughts of the just are judgments: and the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
12:6. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the mouth of the just shall deliver them.
12:7. Turn the wicked, and they shall not be: but the house of the just shall stand firm.
12:8. A man shall be known by his learning: but he that is vain and foolish, shall be exposed to contempt.
12:9. Better is the poor man that provideth for himself, than he that is glorious and wanteth bread.
12:10. The just regardeth the lives of his beasts: but the bowels of the wicked are cruel.
12:11. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that pursueth idleness is very foolish.
12:12. He that is delighted in passing his time over wine, leaveth a reproach in his strong holds.
12:12. The desire of the wicked is the fortification of evil men: but the root of the just shall prosper.
12:13. For the sins of the lips ruin draweth nigh to the evil man: but the just shall escape out of distress.
12:14. By the fruit of his own mouth shall a man be filled with good things, and according to the works of his hands it shall be repaid him.
12:15. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsels.
12:16. A fool immediately sheweth his anger: but he that dissembleth injuries is wise.
12:17. He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.
12:18. There is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health.
12:19. The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.
12:20. Deceit is in the heart of them that think evil things: but joy followeth them that take counsels of peace.
12:21. Whatsoever shall befall the just man, shall not make him sad: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
12:22. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully, please him.
12:23. A cautious man concealeth knowledge: and the heart of fools publisheth folly.
12:24. The hand of the valiant shall bear rule: but that which is slothful shall be under tribute.
12:25. Grief in the heart of a man shall bring him low, but with a good word he shall be made glad.
12:26. He that neglecteth a loss for the sake of a friend, is just: but the way of the wicked shall deceive them.
12:27. The deceitful man shall not find gain: but the substance of a just man shall be precious gold.
12:28. In the path of justice is life: but the bye-way leadeth to death.
Proverbs Chapter 13
13:1. A wise son heareth the doctrine of his father: but he that is a scorner, heareth not when he is reproved.
13:2. Of the fruit of his own month shall a man be filled with good things: but the soul of transgressors is wicked.
13:3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.
13:4. The sluggard willeth, and willeth not: but the soul of them that work, shall be made fat.
13:5. The just shall hate a lying word: but the wicked confoundeth, and shall be confounded.
13:6. Justice keepeth the way of the innocent: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
13:7. One is as it were rich, when he hath nothing and another is as it were poor, when he hath great riches.
13:8. The ransom of a man's life are his riches: but he that is poor, beareth not reprehension.
13:9. The light of the just giveth joy: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
13:10. Among the proud there are always contentions: but they that do all things with counsel, are ruled by wisdom.
13:11. Substance got in haste shall be diminished: but that which by little and little is gathered with the hand, shall increase.
13:12. Hope that is deferred afflicteth the soul: desire when it cometh, is a tree of life.
13:13. Whosoever speaketh ill of any thing, bindeth himself for the time to come: but he that feareth the commandment, shall dwell in peace. Deceitful souls go astray in sins: the just are merciful, and shew mercy.
13:14. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, that he may decline from the ruin of death.
13:15. Good instruction shall give grace: in the way of scorners is a deep pit.
13:16. The prudent man doth all things with counsel: but he that is a fool, layeth open his folly.
13:17. The messenger of the wicked shall fall into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
13:18. Poverty and shame to him that refuseth instruction: but he that yieldeth to reproof shall be glorified.
13:19. The desire that is accomplished, delighteth the soul: fools hate them that flee from evil things.
13:20. He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a friend of fools shall become like to them.
13:21. Evil pursueth sinners: and to the just good shall be repaid.
13:22. The good man leaveth heirs, sons, and grandsons: and the substance of the sinner is kept for the just.
13:23. Much food is in the tillage of fathers: but for others it is gathered without judgment.
13:24. He that spareth the rod, hateth his son: but he that loveth him, correcteth him betimes.
13:25. The just eateth and filleth his soul: but the belly of the wicked is never to be filled.
Proverbs Chapter 14
14:1. A wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will pull down with her hands that also which is built.
14:2. He that walketh in the right way, and feareth God, is despised by him that goeth by an infamous way.
14:3. In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride: but the lips of the wise preserve them.
14:4. Where there are no oxen, the crib is empty: but where there is much corn, there the strength of the ox is manifest.
14:5. A faithful witness will not lie: but a deceitful witness uttereth a lie.
14:6. A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: the learning of the wise is easy.
14:7. Go against a foolish man, and he knoweth not the lips of prudence.
14:8. The wisdom of a discreet man is to understand his way: and the imprudence of fools erreth.
14:9. A fool will laugh at sin, but among the just grace shall abide.
14:10. The heart that knoweth the bitterness of his own soul, in his joy the stranger shall not intermeddle.
14:11. The house of the wicked shall be destroyed: but the tabernacles of the just shall flourish.
14:12. There is a way which seemeth just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
14:13. Laughter shall be mingled with sorrow, and mourning taketh hold of the ends of joy.
14:14. A fool shall be filled with his own ways, and the good man shall be above him.
14:15. The innocent believeth every word: the discreet man considereth his steps. No good shall come to the deceitful son: but the wise servant shall prosper in his dealings, and his way shall be made straight.
14:16. A wise man feareth, and declineth from evil: the fool leapeth over, and is confident.
14:17. The impatient man shall work folly: and the crafty man is hateful.
14:18. The childish shall possess folly, and the prudent shall look for knowledge.
14:19. The evil shall fall down before the good: and the wicked before the gates of the just.
14:20. The poor man shall be hateful even to his own neighbour: but the friends of the rich are many.
14:21. He that despiseth his neighbour, sinneth: but he that sheweth mercy to the poor, shall be blessed. He that believeth in the Lord, loveth mercy.
14:22. They err that work evil: but mercy and truth prepare good things.
14:23. In much work there shall be abundance: but where there are many words, there is oftentimes want.
14:24. The crown of the wise, is their riches: the folly of fools, imprudence.
14:25. A faithful witness delivereth souls: and the double dealer uttereth lies.
14:26. In the fear of the Lord is confidence of strength, and there shall be hope for his children.
14:27. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of death.
14:28. In the multitude of people is the dignity of the king: and in the small number of the people the dishonour of the prince.
14:29. He that is patient, is governed with much wisdom: but he that is impatient, exalteth his folly.
14:30. Soundness of heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
14:31. He that oppresseth the poor, upbraideth his maker: but he that hath pity on the poor, honoureth him.
14:32. The wicked man shall be driven out in his wickedness: but the just hath hope in his death.
14:33. In the heart of the prudent resteth wisdom, and it shall instruct all the ignorant.
14:34. Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable.
14:35. A wise servant is acceptable to the king: he that is good for nothing shall feel his anger.
Proverbs Chapter 15
15:1. A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury.
15:2. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly.
15:3. The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.
15:4. A peaceable tongue is a tree of life: but that which is immoderate, shall crush the spirit.
15:5. A fool laugheth at the instruction of his father: but he that regardeth reproofs shall become prudent. In abundant justice there is the greatest strength: but the devices of the wicked shall be rooted out.
15:6. The house of the just is very much strength: and in the fruits of the wicked is trouble.
15:7. The lips of the wise shall disperse knowledge: the heart of fools shall be unlike.
15:8. The victims of the wicked are abominable to the Lord: the vows of the just are acceptable.
15:9. The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: he that followeth justice is beloved by him.
15:10. Instruction is grievous to him that forsaketh the way of life: he that hateth reproof shall die.
15:11. Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?
15:12. A corrupt man loveth not one that reproveth him: nor will he go to the wise.
15:13. A glad heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by grief of mind the spirit is cast down.
15:14. The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
15:15. All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.
15:16. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasures without content.
15:17. It is better to be invited to herbs with love, than to a fatted calf with hatred.
15:18. A passionate man stirreth up strifes: he that is patient appeaseth those that are stirred up.
15:19. The way of the slothful is as a hedge of thorns: the way of the just is without offence.
15:20. A wise son maketh a father joyful: but the foolish man despiseth his mother.
15:21. Folly is joy to the fool: and the wise man maketh straight his steps.
15:22. Designs are brought to nothing where there is no counsel: but where there are many counsellors, they are established.
15:23. A man rejoiceth in the sentence of his mouth: and a word in due time is best.
15:24. The path of life is above for the wise, that he may decline from the lowest hell.
15:25. The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: and will strengthen the borders of the widow.
15:26. Evil thoughts are an abomination to the Lord: and pure words most beautiful shall be confirmed by him.
15:27. He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house: but he that hateth bribes shall live. By mercy and faith sins are purged away: and by the fear of the Lord every one declineth from evil.
15:28. The mind of the just studieth obedience: the mouth of the wicked overfloweth with evils.
15:29. The Lord is far from the wicked: and he will hear the prayers of the just.
15:30. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the soul: a good name maketh the bones fat.
15:31. The ear that heareth the reproofs of life, shall abide in the midst of the wise.
15:32. He that rejecteth instruction, despiseth his own soul: but he that yieldeth to reproof, possesseth understanding.
15:33. The fear of the Lord is the lesson of wisdom: and humility goeth before glory.
Proverbs Chapter 16
16:1. It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
It is the part of man, etc. . .That is, a man should prepare in his heart and soul what he is to say: but after all, it must be the Lord that must govern his tongue, to speak to the purpose. Not that we can think any thing of good without God's grace; but that after we have (with God's grace) thought and prepared within our souls what we would speak, if God does not govern our tongue, we shall not succeed in what we speak.
16:2. All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
16:3. Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
16:4. The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
16:5. Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
16:6. By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
16:7. When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
16:8. Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
16:9. The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
16:10. Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
16:11. Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
16:12. They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
16:13. Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
16:14. The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
16:15. In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16:16. Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
16:17. The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
16:18. Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
16:19. It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
16:20. The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
16:21. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.
16:22. Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
16:23. The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
16:24. Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
16:25. There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
16:26. The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
16:27. The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
16:28. A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
16:29. An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
16:30. He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.
16:31. Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
16:32. The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.
16:33. Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
Proverbs Chapter 17
17:1. Better is a dry morsel with joy, than a house full of victims with strife.
17:2. A wise servant shall rule over foolish sons, and shall divide the inheritance among the brethren.
17:3. As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
17:4. The evil man obeyeth an unjust tongue: and the deceitful hearkeneth to lying lips.
17:5. He that despiseth the poor, reproacheth his maker: and he that rejoiceth at another man's ruin, shall not be unpunished.
17:6. Children's children are the crown of old men: and the glory of children are their fathers.
17:7. Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.
17:8. The expectation of him that expecteth is a most acceptable jewel: whithersoever he turneth himself, he understandeth wisely.
17:9. He that concealeth a transgression, seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.
17:10. A reproof availeth more with a wise man, than a hundred stripes with a fool.
17:11. An evil man always seeketh quarrels: but a cruel angel shall be sent against him.
17:12. It is better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps, than a fool trusting in his own folly.
17:13. He that rendereth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
17:14. The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: and before he suffereth reproach, he forsaketh judgment.
17:15. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, both are abominable before God.
17:16. What doth it avail a fool to have riches, seeing he cannot buy wisdom? He that maketh his house high, seeketh a downfall: and he that refuseth to learn, shall fall into evils.
17:17. He that is a friend loveth at all times: and a brother is proved in distress.
17:18. A foolish man will clap hands, when he is surety for his friend.
17:19. He that studieth discords, loveth quarrels: and he that exalteth his door, seeketh ruin.
17:20. He that is of a perverse heart, shall not find good: and he that perverteth his tongue, shall fall into evil.
17:21. A fool is born to his own disgrace: and even his father shall not rejoice in a fool.
17:22. A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones.
17:23. The wicked man taketh gifts out of the bosom, that he may pervert the paths of judgment.
17:24. Wisdom shineth in the face of the wise: the eyes of fools are in the ends of the earth.
17:25. A foolish son is the anger of the father: and the sorrow of the mother that bore him.
17:26. It is no good thing to do hurt to the just: nor to strike the prince, who judgeth right.
17:27. He that setteth bounds to his words, is knowing and wise: and the man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
17:28. Even a fool, if he will hold his peace, shall be counted wise: and if he close his lips, a man of understanding.
Proverbs Chapter 18
18:1. He that hath a mind to depart from a friend, seeketh occasions: he shall ever be subject to reproach.
18:2. A fool receiveth not the words of prudence: unless thou say those things which are in his heart.
18:3. The wicked man, when he is come into the depths of sins, contemneth: but ignominy and reproach follow him.
18:4. Words from the mouth of a man are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
18:5. It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to decline from the truth of judgment.
18:6. The lips of a fool intermeddle with strife: and his mouth provoketh quarrels.
18:7. The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.
18:8. The words of the double tongued are as if they were harmless: and they reach even to the inner parts of the bowels. Fear casteth down the slothful: and the souls of the effeminate shall be hungry.
18:9. He that is loose and slack in his work, is the brother of him that wasteth his own works.
18:10. The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the just runneth to it, and shall be exalted.
18:11. The substance of the rich man is the city of his strength, and as a strong wall compassing him about.
18:12. Before destruction, the heart of a man is exalted: and before he be glorified, it is humbled.
18:13. He that answereth before he heareth, sheweth himself to be a fool, and worthy of confusion.
18:14. The spirit of a man upholdeth his infirmity: but a spirit that is easily angered, who can bear?
18:15. A wise heart shall acquire knowledge: and the ear of the wise seeketh instruction.
18:16. A man's gift enlargeth his way, and maketh him room before princes.
18:17. The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him.
18:18. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty.
18:19. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.
18:20. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him.
18:21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.
18:22. He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked.
18:23. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly.
18:24. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother.
Proverbs Chapter 19
19:1. Better is the poor man, that walketh in his simplicity, than a rich man that is perverse in his lips and unwise.
19:2. Where there is no knowledge of the soul, there is no good: and he that is hasty with his feet shall stumble.
19:3. The folly of a man supplanteth his steps: and he fretteth in his mind against God.
19:4. Riches make many friends: but from the poor man, even they whom he had, depart.
19:5. A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall not escape.
19:6. Many honour the person of him that is mighty, and are friends of him that giveth gifts.
19:7. The brethren of the poor man hate him: moreover also his friends have departed far from him. He that followeth after words only, shall have nothing.
19:8. But he that possesseth a mind, loveth his own soul, and he that keepeth prudence, shall find good things.
19:9. A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.
19:10. Delicacies are not seemly for a fool: nor for a servant to have rule over princes.
19:11. The learning of a man is known by patience: and his glory is to pass over wrongs.
19:12. As the roaring of a lion, so also is the anger of a king: and his cheerfulness as the dew upon the grass.
19:13. A foolish son is the grief of his father: and a wrangling wife is like a roof continually dropping through.
19:14. House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.
19:15. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep, and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
19:16. He that keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own soul: but he that neglecteth his own way, shall die.
19:17. He that hath mercy on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and he will repay him.
19:18. Chastise thy son, despair not: but to the killing of him set not thy soul.
19:19. He that is impatient, shall suffer damage: and when he shall take away, he shall add another thing.
19:20. Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayst be wise in thy latter end.
19:21. There are many thoughts in the heart of a man: but the will of the Lord shall stand firm.
19:22. A needy man is merciful: and better is the poor than the lying man.
19:23. The fear of the Lord is unto life: and he shall abide in the fulness without being visited with evil.
19:24. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth.
19:25. The wicked man being scourged, the fool shall be wiser: but if thou rebuke a wise man, he will understand discipline.
19:26. He that afflicteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is infamous and unhappy.
19:27. Cease not, O my son, to hear instruction, and be not ignorant of the words of knowledge.
19:28. An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.
19:29. Judgments are prepared for scorners: and striking hammers for the bodies of fools.
Proverbs Chapter 20
20:1. Wine is a luxurious thing, and drunkenness riotous: whosoever is delighted therewith, shall not be wise.
20:2. As the roaring of a lion, so also is the dread of a king: he that provoketh him, sinneth against his own soul.
20:3. It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels: but all fools are meddling with reproaches.
20:4. Because of the cold the sluggard would not plough: he shall beg therefore in the summer, and it shall not be given him.
20:5. Counsel in the heart of a man is like deep water: but a wise man will draw it out.
20:6. Many men are called merciful: but who shall find a faithful man?
20:7. The just that walketh in his simplicity, shall leave behind him blessed children.
20:8. The king, that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look.
20:9. Who can say: My heart is clean, I am pure from sin?
20:10. Diverse weights and diverse measures, both are abominable before God.
20:11. By his inclinations a child is known, if his works be clean and right.
20:12. The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made them both.
20:13. Love not sleep, lest poverty oppress thee: open thy eyes, and be filled with bread.
20:14. It is naught, it is naught, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.
20:15. There is gold and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.
20:16. Take away the garment of him that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge from him for strangers.
20:17. The bread of lying is sweet to a man: but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
20:18. Designs are strengthened by counsels: and wars are to be managed by governments.
20:19. Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.
20:20. He that curseth his father, and mother, his lamp shall be put out in the midst of darkness.
20:21. The inheritance gotten hastily in the beginning, in the end shall be without a blessing.
20:22. Say not: I will return evil: wait for the Lord, and he will deliver thee.
20:23. Diverse weights are an abomination before the Lord: a deceitful balance is not good.
20:24. The steps of men are guided by the Lord: but who is the man that can understand his own way?
20:25. It is ruin to a man to devour holy ones, and after vows to retract.
20:26. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth over them the wheel.
20:27. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, which searcheth all the hidden things of the bowels.
20:28. Mercy and truth preserve the king, and his throne is strengthened by clemency.
20:29. The joy of young men is their strength: and the dignity of old men, their grey hairs.
20:30. The blueness of a wound shall wipe away evils: and stripes in the more inward parts of the belly.
Proverbs Chapter 21
21:1. As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.
21:2. Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
21:3. To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
21:4. Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
21:5. The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
21:6. He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
21:7. The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
21:8. The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
21:9. It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
21:10. The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
21:11. When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
21:12. The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
21:13. He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard.
21:14. A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom, the greatest wrath.
21:15. It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
21:16. A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
21:17. He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
21:18. The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
21:19. It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
21:20. There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21:21. He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
21:22. The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
21:23. He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
21:24. The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
21:25. Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
21:26. He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
21:27. The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
21:28. A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
21:29. The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
21:30. There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
21:31. The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
Proverbs Chapter 22
22:1. A good name is better than great riches: and good favour is above silver and gold.
22:2. The rich and poor have met one another: the Lord is the maker of them both.
22:3. The prudent man saw the evil, and hid himself: the simple passed on, and suffered loss.
22:4. The fruit of humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and glory and life.
22:5. Arms and swords are in the way of the perverse: but he that keepeth his own soul, departeth far from them.
22:6. It is a proverb: A young man according to his way, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.
22:7. The rich ruleth over the poor: and the borrower is servant to him that lendeth.
22:8. He that soweth iniquity, shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed.
22:9. He that is inclined to mercy, shall be blessed: for of his bread he hath given to the poor. He that maketh presents, shall purchase victory and honour: but he carrieth away the souls of the receivers.
22:10. Cast out the scoffer, and contention shall go out with him, and quarrels and reproaches shall cease.
22:11. He that loveth cleanness of heart, for the grace of his lips shall have the king for his friend.
22:12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
22:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the midst of the streets.
22:14. The mouth of a strange woman is a deep pit: he whom the Lord is angry with, shall fall into it.
22:15. Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, and the rod of correction shall drive it away.
22:16. He that oppresseth the poor, to increase his own riches, shall himself give to one that is richer, and shall be in need.
22:17. Incline thy ear, and hear the words of the wise: and apply thy heart to my doctrine:
22:18. Which shall be beautiful for thee, if thou keep it in thy bowels, and it shall flow in thy lips:
22:19. That thy trust may be in the Lord, wherefore I have also shewn it to thee this day.
22:20. Behold I have described it to thee three manner of ways, in thoughts and knowledge:
22:21. That I might shew thee the certainty, and the words of truth, to answer out of these to them that sent thee.
22:22. Do no violence to the poor, because he is poor: and do not oppress the needy in the gate:
22:23. Because the Lord will judge his cause: and will afflict them that have afflicted his soul.
22:24. Be not a friend to an angry man, and do not walk with a furious man:
22:25. Lest perhaps thou learn his ways, and take scandal to thy soul.
22:26. Be not with them that fasten down their hands, and that offer themselves sureties for debts:
22:27. For if thou have not wherewith to restore, what cause is there that he should take the covering from thy bed?
22:28. Pass not beyond the ancient bounds which thy fathers have set.
22:29. Hast thou seen a man swift in his work? he shall stand before kings, and shall not be before those that are obscure.
Proverbs Chapter 23
23:1. When thou shalt sit to eat with a prince, consider diligently what is set before thy face:
23:2. And put a knife to thy throat, if it be so that thou have thy soul in thy own power.
23:3. Be not desirous of his meats, in which is the bread of deceit.
23:4. Labour not to be rich: but set bounds to thy prudence.
23:5. Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.
23:6. Eat not with an envious man, and desire not his meats:
23:7. Because, like a soothsayer, and diviner, he thinketh that which he knoweth not. Eat and drink, will he say to thee: and his mind is not with thee.
23:8. The meats which thou hadst eaten, thou shalt vomit up: and shalt loose thy beautiful words.
23:9. Speak not in the ears of fools: because they will despise the instruction of thy speech.
23:10. Touch not the bounds of little ones: and enter not into the field of the fatherless:
23:11. For their near kinsman is strong: and he will judge their cause against thee.
23:12. Let thy heart apply itself to instruction and thy ears to words of knowledge.
23:13. Withhold not correction from a child: for if thou strike him with the rod, he shall not die.
23:14. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and deliver his soul from hell.
23:15. My son, if thy mind be wise, my heart shall rejoice with thee:
23:16. And my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips shall speak what is right.
23:17. Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long:
23:18. Because thou shalt have hope in the latter end, and thy expectation shall not be taken away.
23:19. Hear thou, my son, and be wise: and guide thy mind in the way.
23:20. Be not in the feasts of great drinkers, nor in their revellings, who contribute flesh to eat:
23:21. Because they that give themselves to drinking, and that club together, shall be consumed: and drowsiness shall be clothed with rags.
23:22. Hearken to thy father, that begot thee: and despise not thy mother when she is old.
23:23. Buy truth, and do not sell wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
23:24. The father of the just rejoiceth greatly: he that hath begotten a wise son, shall have joy in him.
23:25. Let thy father and thy mother be joyful, and let her rejoice that bore thee.
23:26. My son, give me thy heart: and let thy eyes keep my ways.
23:27. For a harlot is a deep ditch: and a strange woman is a narrow pit.
23:28. She lieth in wait in the way as a robber, and him whom she shall see unwary, she will kill.
23:29. Who hath woe? whose father hath woe? who hath contentions? who falls into pits? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
23:30. Surely they that pass their time in wine, and study to drink off their cups.
23:31. Look not upon the wine when it is yellow, when the colour thereof shineth in the glass: it goeth in pleasantly,
23:32. But in the end, it will bite like a snake, and will spread abroad poison like a basilisk.
23:33. Thy eyes shall behold strange women, and thy heart shall utter perverse things.
23:34. And thou shalt be as one sleeping in the midst of the sea, and as a pilot fast asleep when the stern is lost.
23:35. And thou shalt say: They have beaten me, but I was not sensible of pain: they drew me, and I felt not: when shall I awake and find wine again?
Proverbs Chapter 24
24:1. Seek not to be like evil men, neither desire to be with them:
24:2. Because their mind studieth robberies, and their lips speak deceits.
24:3. By wisdom the house shall be built, and by prudence it shall be strengthened.
24:4. By instruction the storerooms shall be filled with all precious and most beautiful wealth.
24:5. A wise man is strong: and a knowing man, stout and valiant.
24:6. Because war is managed by due ordering: and there shall be safety where there are many counsels.
24:7. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he shall not open his mouth.
24:8. He that deviseth to do evils, shall be called a fool.
24:9. The thought of a fool is sin: and the detractor is the abomination of men.
24:10. If thou lose hope, being weary in the day of distress, thy strength shall be diminished.
24:11. Deliver them that are led to death: and those that are drawn to death, forbear not to deliver.
24:12. If thou say: I have not strength enough: he that seeth into the heart, he understandeth, and nothing deceiveth the keeper of thy soul, and he shall render to a man according to his works.
24:13. Eat honey, my son, because it is good, and the honeycomb most sweet to thy throat.
24:14. So also is the doctrine of wisdom to thy soul: which when thou hast found, thou shalt have hope in the end, and thy hope shall not perish.
24:15. Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.
24:16. For a just man shall fall seven times, and shall rise again: but the wicked shall fall down into evil.
24:17. When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice:
24:18. Lest the Lord see, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
24:19. Contend not with the wicked, nor seek to be like the ungodly.
24:20. For evil men have no hope of things to come, and the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
24:21. My son, fear the Lord, and the king: and have nothing to do with detractors.
24:22. For their destruction shall rise suddenly: and who knoweth the ruin of both?
24:23. These things also to the wise: It is not good to have respect to persons in judgment.
24:24. They that say to the wicked man: Thou art just: shall be cursed by the people, and the tribes shall abhor them.
24:25. They that rebuke him shall be praised: and a blessing shall come upon them.
24:26. He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.
24:27. Prepare thy work without, and diligently till thy ground: that afterward thou mayst build thy house.
24:28. Be not witness without cause against thy neighbour: and deceive not any man with thy lips.
24:29. Say not: I will do to him as he hath done to me: I will render to every one according to his work.
24:30. I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man:
24:31. And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down.
24:32. Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by the example I received instruction.
24:33. Thou wilt sleep a little, said I, thou wilt slumber a little, thou wilt fold thy hands a little to rest.
24:34. And poverty shall come to thee as a runner, and beggary as an armed man.
Proverbs Chapter 25
25:1. These are also parables of Solomon, which the men of Ezechias, king of Juda, copied out.
25:2. It is the glory of God to conceal the word, and the glory of kings to search out the speech.
25:3. The heaven above and the earth beneath, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.
25:4. Take away the rust from silver, and there shall come forth a most pure vessel:
25:5. Take away wickedness from the face of the king, and his throne shall be established with justice.
25:6. Appear not glorious before the king, and stand not in the place of great men.
25:7. For it is better that it should be said to thee: Come up hither; than that thou shouldst be humbled before the prince.
25:8. The things which thy eyes have seen, utter not hastily in a quarrel: lest afterward thou mayst not be able to make amends, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.
25:9. Treat thy cause with thy friend, and discover not the secret to a stranger:
25:10. Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.
25:11. To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.
25:12. As an earring of gold and a bright pearl, so is he that reproveth the wise, and the obedient ear.
25:13. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to him that sent him, for he refresheth his soul.
25:14. As clouds, and wind, when no rain followeth, so is the man that boasteth, and doth not fulfil his promises.
25:15. By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.
25:16. Thou hast found honey, eat what is sufficient for thee, lest being glutted therewith thou vomit it up.
25:17. Withdraw thy foot from the house of thy neighbour, lest having his fill he hate thee.
25:18. A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.
25:19. To trust in an unfaithful man in the time of trouble, is like a rotten tooth, and weary foot,
25:20. And one that looseth his garment in cold weather. As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to a very evil heart. As a moth doth by a garment, and a worm by the wood: so the sadness of a man consumeth the heart.
25:21. If thy enemy be hungry, give him to eat: if he thirst, give him water to drink:
25:22. For thou shalt heap hot coals upon his head, and the Lord will reward thee.
25:23. The north wind driveth away rain, as doth a sad countenance a backbiting tongue.
25:24. It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop: than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.
25:25. As cold water to a thirsty soul, so are good tidings from a far country.
25:26. A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot and a corrupted spring.
25:27. As it is not good for a man to eat much honey, so he that is a searcher of majesty shall be overwhelmed by glory.
Majesty. . .Viz., of God. For to search into that incomprehensible Majesty, and to pretend to sound the depths of the wisdom of God, is exposing our weak understanding to be blinded with an excess of light and glory, which it cannot comprehend.
25:28. As a city that lieth open and is not compassed with walls, so is a man that cannot refrain his own spirit in speaking.
Proverbs Chapter 26
26:1. As snow in summer, and rain in harvest, so glory is not seemly for a fool.
26:2. As a bird flying to other places, and a sparrow going here or there: so a curse uttered without cause shall come upon a man.
As a bird, etc. . .The meaning is, that a curse uttered without cause shall do no harm to the person that is cursed, but will return upon him that curseth, as whithersoever a bird flies, it returns to its own nest.
26:3. A whip for a horse, and a snaffle for an ass, and a rod for the back of fools.
26:4. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be made like him.
Answer not a fool, etc. . .Viz., so as to imitate him but only so as to reprove his folly.
26:5. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he imagine himself to be wise.
26:6. He that sendeth words by a foolish messenger, is lame of feet and drinketh iniquity.
26:7. As a lame man hath fair legs in vain: so a parable is unseemly in the mouth of fools.
26:8. As he that casteth a stone into the heap of Mercury: so is he that giveth honour to a fool.
26:9. As if a thorn should grow in the hand of a drunkard: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
26:10. Judgment determineth causes: and he that putteth a fool to silence, appeaseth anger.
26:11. As a dog that returneth to his vomit, so is the fool that repeateth his folly.
26:12. Hast thou seen a man wise in his own conceit? there shall be more hope of a fool than of him.
26:13. The slothful man saith: There is a lion in the way, and a lioness in the roads.
26:14. As the door turneth upon its hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed.
26:15. The slothful hideth his hand under his armpit, and it grieveth him to turn it to his mouth.
26:16. The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit, than seven men that speak sentences.
26:17. As he that taketh a dog by the ears, so is he that passeth by in anger, and meddleth with another man's quarrel.
26:18. As he is guilty that shooteth arrows, and lances unto death.
26:19. So is the man that hurteth his friend deceitfully: and when he is taken, saith: I did it in jest.
26:20. When the wood faileth, the fire shall go out: and when the talebearer is taken away, contentions shall cease.
26:21. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire, so an angry man stirreth up strife.
26:22. The words of a talebearer are as it were simple, but they reach to the innermost parts of the belly.
26:23. Swelling lips joined with a corrupt heart, are like an earthern vessel adorned with silver dross.
26:24. An enemy is known by his lips, when in his heart he entertaineth deceit.
26:25. When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
26:26. He that covereth hatred deceitfully, his malice shall be laid open in the public assembly.
26:27. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that rolleth a stone, it shall return to him.
26:28. A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
Proverbs Chapter 27
27:1. Boast not for to morrow, for thou knowest not what the day to come may bring forth.
27:2. Let another praise thee, and not thy own mouth: a stranger, and not thy own lips.
27:3. A stone is heavy, and sand weighty: but the anger of a fool is heavier than them both.
27:4. Anger hath no mercy: nor fury, when it breaketh forth: and who can bear the violence of one provoked?
27:5. Open rebuke is better than hidden love.
27:6. Better are the wounds of a friend, than the deceitful kisses of an enemy.
27:7. A soul that is full shall tread upon the honeycomb: and a soul that is hungry shall take even bitter for sweet.
27:8. As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that leaveth his place.
27:9. Ointment and perfumes rejoice the heart: and the good counsels of a friend are sweet to the soul.
27:10. Thy own friend, and thy father's friend, forsake not: and go not into thy brother's house in the day of thy affliction. Better is a neighbour that is near than a brother afar off.
27:11. Study wisdom, my son, and make my heart joyful, that thou mayst give an answer to him that reproacheth.
27:12. The prudent man seeing evil hideth himself: little ones passing on have suffered losses.
27:13. Take away his garment that hath been surety for a stranger: and take from him a pledge for strangers.
27:14. He that blesseth his neighbour with a loud voice, rising in the night, shall be like to him that curseth.
27:15. Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.
27:16. He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call the oil of his right hand.
27:17. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
27:18. He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.
27:19. As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.
27:20. Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are never satisfied.
27:21. As silver is tried in the fining-pot, and gold in the furnace: so a man is tried by the mouth of him that praiseth. The heart of the wicked seeketh after evils, but the righteous heart seeketh after knowledge.
27:22. Though thou shouldst bray a fool in the mortar, as when a pestle striketh upon sodden barley, his folly would not be taken from him.
27:23. Be diligent to know the countenance of thy cattle, and consider thy own flocks:
27:24. For thou shalt not always have power: but a crown shall be given to generation and generation.
27:25. The meadows are open, and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains.
27:26. Lambs are for thy clothing: and kids for the price of the field.
27:27. Let the milk of the goats be enough for thy food, and for the necessities of thy house, and for maintenance for thy handmaids.
Proverbs Chapter 28
28:1. The wicked man fleeth, when no man pursueth: but the just, bold as a lion, shall be without dread.
28:2. For the sins of the land many are the princes thereof: and for the wisdom of a man, and the knowledge of those things that are said, the life of the prince shall be prolonged.
28:3. A poor man that oppresseth the poor, is like a violent shower, which bringeth a famine.
28:4. They that forsake the law, praise the wicked man: they that keep it, are incensed against him.
28:5. Evil men think not on judgment: but they that seek after the Lord, take notice of all things.
28:6. Better is the poor man walking in his simplicity, than the rich in crooked ways.
28:7. He that keepeth the law, is a wise son: but he that feedeth gluttons, shameth his father.
28:8. He that heapeth together riches by usury and loan, gathereth them for him that will be bountiful to the poor.
28:9. He that turneth away his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination.
28:10. He that deceiveth the just in a wicked way, shall fall in his own destruction: and the upright shall possess his goods.
28:11. The rich man seemeth to himself wise: but the poor man that is prudent shall search him out.
28:12. In the joy of the just there is great glory: when the wicked reign, men are ruined.
28:13. He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.
28:14. Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind shall fall into evil.
28:15. As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.
28:16. A prince void of prudence shall oppress many by calumny: but he that hateth covetousness, shall prolong his days.
28:17. A man that doth violence to the blood of a person, if he flee even to the pit, no man will stay him.
28:18. He that walketh uprightly, shall be saved: he that is perverse in his ways, shall fall at once.
28:19. He that tilleth his ground, shall be filled with bread: but he that followeth idleness, shall be filled with poverty.
28:20. A faithful man shall be much praised: but he that maketh haste to be rich, shall not be innocent.
28:21. He that hath respect to a person in judgment, doth not well: such a man even for a morsel of bread forsaketh the truth.
28:22. A man that maketh haste to be rich, and envieth others, is ignorant that poverty shall come upon him.
28:23. He that rebuketh a man, shall afterward find favour with him, more than he that by a flattering tongue deceiveth him.
28:24. He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, This is no sin, is the partner of a murderer.
28:26. He that boasteth and puffeth up himself, stirreth up quarrels: but he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be healed.
28:26. He that trusteth in his own heart, is a fool: but he that walketh wisely, he shall be saved.
28:27. He that giveth to the poor shall not want: he that despiseth his entreaty, shall suffer indigence.
28:28. When the wicked rise up, men shall hide themselves: when they perish, the just shall be multiplied.
Proverbs Chapter 29
29:1. The man that with a stiff neck despiseth him that reproveth him, shall suddenly be destroyed: and health shall not follow him.
29:2. When just men increase, the people shall rejoice: when the wicked shall bear rule, the people shall mourn.
29:3. A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth harlots, shall squander away his substance.
29:4. A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
29:5. A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
29:6. A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the just shall praise and rejoice.
29:7. The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is void of knowledge.
29:8. Corrupt men bring a city to ruin: but wise men turn away wrath.
29:9. If a wise man contend with a fool, whether he be angry, or laugh, he shall find no rest.
29:10. Bloodthirsty men hate the upright: but just men seek his soul.
29:11. A fool uttereth all his mind: a wise man deferreth, and keepeth it till afterwards.
29:12. A prince that gladly heareth lying words, hath all his servants wicked.
29:13. The poor man and the creditor have met one another: the Lord is the enlightener of them both.
29:14. The king that judgeth the poor in truth, his throne shall be established for ever.
29:15. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but the child that is left to his own will, bringeth his mother to shame.
29:16. When the wicked are multiplied, crimes shall be multiplied: but the just shall see their downfall.
29:17. Instruct thy son and he shall refresh thee, and shall give delight to thy soul.
29:18. When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that keepeth the law, is blessed.
29:19. A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.
29:20. Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his amendment.
29:21. He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood, afterwards shall find him stubborn.
29:22. A passionate man provoketh quarrels: and he that is easily stirred up to wrath, shall be more prone to sin.
29:23. Humiliation followeth the proud: and glory shall uphold the humble of spirit.
29:24. He that is partaker with a thief, hateth his own soul: he heareth one putting him to his oath, and discovereth not.
29:25. He that feareth man shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.
29:26. Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one cometh forth from the Lord.
29:27. The just abhor a wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are in the right way. The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction.
Proverbs Chapter 30
The wise man thinketh humbly of himself. His prayer and sentiments upon certain virtues and vices.
30:1. The words of Gatherer the son of Vomiter. The vision which the man spoke, with whom God is, and who being strengthened by God, abiding with him, said:
Gatherer, etc. . .Or, as it is in the Latin, Congregans the son of Vomens. The Latin interpreter has given us in this place the signification of the Hebrew names, instead of the names themselves, which are in the Hebrew, Agur the son of Jakeh. But whether this Agur be the same person as Solomon, as many think, or a different person, whose doctrine was adopted by Solomon, and inserted among his parables or proverbs, is uncertain.
30:2. I am the most foolish of men, and the wisdom of men is not with me.
30:3. I have not learned wisdom, and have not known the science of saints.
30:4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? who hath held the wind in his hands? who hath bound up the waters together as in a garment? who hath raised up all the borders of the earth? what is his name, and what is the name of his son, if thou knowest?
30:5. Every word of God is fire tried: he is a buckler to them that hope in him.
Is fire tried. . .That is, most pure, like gold purified by fire.
30:6. Add not any thing to his words, lest thou be reproved and found a liar:
30:7. Two things I have asked of thee, deny them not to me before I die.
30:8. Remove far from me vanity, and lying words. Give me neither beggary, nor riches: give me only the necessaries of life:
30:9. Lest perhaps being filled, I should be tempted to deny, and say: Who is the Lord? or being compelled by poverty, I should steal, and forswear the name of my God.
30:10. Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou fall.
30:11. There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
30:12. A generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
30:13. A generation, whose eyes are lofty, and their eyelids lifted up on high.
30:14. A generation that for teeth hath swords, and grindeth with their jaw teeth, to devour the needy from off the earth, and the poor from among men.
30:15. The horseleech hath two daughters that say: Bring, bring. There are three things that never are satisfied, and the fourth never saith: It is enough.
The horseleech. . .Concupiscence, which hath two daughters that are never satisfied, viz., lust and avarice.
30:16. Hell and the mouth of the womb, and the earth which is not satisfied with water: and the fire never saith: It is enough.
30:17. The eye that mocketh at his father, and that despiseth the labour of his mother in bearing him, let the ravens of the brooks pick it out, and the young eagles eat it.
30:18. Three things are hard to me, and the fourth I am utterly ignorant of.
30:19. The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man in youth.
30:20. Such also is the way of an adulterous woman, who eateth and wipeth her mouth, and saith: I have done no evil.
30:21. By three things the earth is disturbed, and the fourth it cannot bear.
30:22. By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when be is filled with meat:
30:23. By an odious woman when she is married: and by a bondwoman when she is heir to her mistress.
30:24. There are four very little things of the earth, and they are wiser than the wise.
30:25. The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves food in the harvest:
30:26. The rabbit, a weak people, which maketh its bed in the rock:
30:27. The locust hath no king, yet they all go out by their bands:
30:28. The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth in kings' houses.
The stellio. . .A kind of house lizard marked with spots like stars, from whence it has its name.
30:19. There are three things, which go well, and the fourth that walketh happily:
30:30. A lion, the strongest of beasts, who hath no fear of any thing he meeteth:
30:31. A cock girded about the loins: and a ram: and a king, whom none can resist.
30:32. There is that hath appeared a fool after he was lifted up on high: for if he had understood, he would have laid his hand upon his mouth.
30:33. And he that strongly squeezeth the paps to bring out milk, straineth out butter: and he that violently bloweth his nose, bringeth out blood: and he that provoketh wrath, bringeth forth strife.
Proverbs Chapter 31
An exhortation to chastity, temperance, and works of mercy; with the praise of a wise woman.
31:1. The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
Lamuel. . .This name signifies God with him, and is supposed to have been one of the names of Solomon.
31:2. What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
31:3. Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
31:4. Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
31:5. And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
31:6. Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
31:7. Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
31:8. Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
31:9. Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
31:10. Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
31:11. The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
31:12. She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
31:13. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
31:14. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
31:15. And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
31:16. She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
31:17. She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
31:18. She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
31:19. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
31:20. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
31:21. She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
31:22. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.
31:23. Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
31:24. She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
The Chanaanite. . .The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant.
31:25. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
31:26. She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
31:27. She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
31:28. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
31:29. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
31:30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31:31. Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
This Book is called Ecclesiastes, or The Preacher, (in Hebrew, Coheleth,) because in it, Solomon, as an excellent preacher, setteth forth the vanity of the things of this world: to withdraw the hearts and affections of men from such empty toys.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 1
The vanity of all temporal things.
1:1. The words of Ecclesiastes, the son of David, king of Jerusalem.
1:2. Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes: vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.
1:3. What hath a man more of all his labour, that he taketh under the sun?
1:4. One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth standeth for ever.
1:5. The sun riseth, and goeth down, and returneth to his place: and there rising again,
1:6. Maketh his round by the south, and turneth again to the north: the spirit goeth forward surveying all places round about, and returneth to his circuits.
1:7. All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea doth not overflow: unto the place from whence the rivers come, they return, to flow again.
1:8. All things are hard: man cannot explain them by word. The eye is not filled with seeing, neither is the ear filled with hearing.
1:9. What is it that hath been? the same thing that shall be. What is it that hath been done? the same that shall be done.
1:10. Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: Behold this is new: for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us.
1:11. There is no remembrance of former things: nor indeed of those things which hereafter are to come, shall there be any remembrance with them that shall be in the latter end.
1:12. I Ecclesiastes was king over Israel in Jerusalem,
1:13. And I proposed in my mind to seek and search out wisely concerning all things that are done under the sun. This painful occupation hath God given to the children of men, to be exercised therein.
1:14. I have seen all things that are done under the sun, and behold all is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
1:15. The perverse are hard to be corrected, and the number of fools is infinite.
1:16. I have spoken in my heart, saying: Behold I am become great, and have gone beyond all in wisdom, that were before me in Jerusalem: and my mind hath contemplated many things wisely, and I have learned.
1:17. And I have given my heart to know prudence, and learning, and errors, and folly: and I have perceived that in these also there was labour, and vexation of spirit,
1:18. Because in much wisdom there is much indignation: and he that addeth knowledge, addeth also labour.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 2
The vanity of pleasures, riches, and worldly labours.
2:1. I said in my heart: I will go, and abound with delights, and enjoy good things. And I saw that this also was vanity.
2:2. Laughter I counted error: and to mirth I said: Why art thou vainly deceived?
2:3. I thought in my heart, to withdraw my flesh from wine, that I might turn my mind to wisdom, and might avoid folly, till I might see what was profitable for the children of men: and what they ought to do under the sun, all the days of their life.
2:4. I made me great works, I built me houses, and planted vineyards,
2:5. I made gardens, and orchards, and set them with trees of all kinds,
2:6. And I made me ponds of water, to water therewith the wood of the young trees,
2:7. I got me menservants, and maidservants, and had a great family: and herds of oxen, and great flocks of sheep, above all that were before me in Jerusalem:
2:8. I heaped together for myself silver and gold, and the wealth of kings, and provinces: I made me singing men, and singing women, and the delights of the sons of men, cups and vessels to serve to pour out wine:
2:9. And I surpassed in riches all that were before me in Jerusalem: my wisdom also remained with me.
2:10. And whatsoever my eyes desired, I refused them not: and I withheld not my heart from enjoying every pleasure, and delighting itself in the things which I had prepared: and esteemed this my portion, to make use of my own labour.
2:11. And when I turned myself to all the works which my hands had wrought, and to the labours wherein I had laboured in vain, I saw in all things vanity, and vexation of mind, and that nothing was lasting under the sun.
2:12. I passed further to behold wisdom, and errors and folly, (What is man, said I that he can follow the King his maker?)
2:13. And I saw that wisdom excelled folly, as much as light differeth from darkness.
2:14. The eyes of a wise man are in his head: the fool walketh in darkness: and I learned that they were to die both alike.
2:15. And I said in my heart: If the death of the fool and mine shall be one, what doth it avail me, that I have applied myself more to the study of wisdom? And speaking with my own mind, I perceived that this also was vanity.
2:16. For there shall be no remembrance of the wise no more than of the fool forever, and the times to come shall cover all things together with oblivion: the learned dieth in like manner as the unlearned.
2:17. And therefore I was weary of my life, when I saw that all things under the sun are evil, and all vanity and vexation of spirit.
2:18. Again I hated all my application wherewith I had earnestly laboured under the sun, being like to have an heir after me,
2:19. Whom I know not whether he will be a wise man or a fool, and he shall have rule over all my labours with which I have laboured and been solicitous: and is there anything so vain?
2:20. Wherefore I left off and my heart renounced labouring anymore under the sun.
2:21. For when a man laboureth in wisdom, and knowledge, and carefulness, he leaveth what he hath gotten to an idle man: so this also is vanity, and a great evil.
2:22. For what profit shall a man have of all his labour, and vexation of spirit, with which he hath been tormented under the sun?
2:23. All his days are full of sorrows and miseries, even in the night he doth not rest in mind: and is not this vanity?
2:24. Is it not better to eat and drink, and to shew his soul good things of his labours? and this is from the hand of God.
2:25. Who shall so feast and abound with delights as I?
2:26. God hath given to a man that is good in his sight, wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he hath given vexation, and superfluous care, to heap up and to gather together, and to give it to him that hath pleased God: but this also is vanity, and a fruitless solicitude of the mind.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3
All human things are liable to perpetual changes. We are to rest on
God's providence, and cast away fruitless cares.
3:1. All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.
3:2. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.
3:3. A time to kill, and a time to heal. A time to destroy, and a time to build.
3:4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
3:5. A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather. A time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
3:6. A time to get, and a time to lose. A time to keep, and a time to cast away.
3:7. A time to rend, and a time to sew. A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.
3:8. A time of love, and a time of hatred. A time of war, and a time of peace.
3:9. What hath man more of his labour?
3:10. I have seen the trouble, which God hath given the sons of men to be exercised in it.
3:11. He hath made all things good in their time, and hath delivered the world to their consideration, so that man cannot find out the work which God hath made from the beginning to the end.
3:12. And I have known that there was no better thing than to rejoice, and to do well in this life.
3:13. For every man that eateth and drinketh, and seeth good of his labour, this is the gift of God.
3:14. I have learned that all the works which God hath made, continue for ever: we cannot add any thing, nor take away from those things which God hath made that he may be feared.
3:15. That which hath been made, the same continueth: the things that shall be, have already been: and God restoreth that which is past.
3:16. I saw under the sun in the place of judgment wickedness, and in the place of justice iniquity.
3:17. And I said in my heart: God shall judge both the just and the wicked, and then shall be the time of every thing.
3:18. I said in my heart concerning the sons of men, that God would prove them, and shew them to be like beasts.
3:19. Therefore the death of man, and of beasts is one, and the condition of them both is equal: as man dieth, so they also die: all things breathe alike, and man hath nothing more than beast: all things are subject to vanity.
Man hath nothing more, etc. . .Viz., as to the life of the body.
3:20. And all things go to one place: of earth they were made, and into earth they return together.
3:21. Who knoweth if the spirit of the children of Adam ascend upward, and if the spirit of the beasts descend downward?
Who knoweth, etc. . .Viz., experimentally: since no one in this life can see a spirit. But as to the spirit of the beasts, which is merely animal, and become extinct by the death of the beast, who can tell the manner it acts so as to give life and motion, and by death to descend downward, that is, to be no more?
3:22. And I have found that nothing is better than for a man to rejoice in his work, and that this is his portion. For who shall bring him to know the things that shall be after him?
Ecclesiastes Chapter 4
Other instances of human miseries.
4:1. I turned myself to other things, and I saw the oppressions that are done under the sun, and the tears of the innocent, and they had no comforter; and they were not able to resist their violence, being destitute of help from any.
4:2. And I praised the dead rather than the living:
4:3. And I judged him happier than them both, that is not yet born, nor hath seen the evils that are done under the sun.
4:4. Again I considered all the labours of men, and I remarked that their industries are exposed to the envy of their neighbour: so in this also there is vanity, and fruitless care.
4:5. The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh, saying:
4:6. Better is a handful with rest, than both hands full with labour, and vexation of mind.
4:7. Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:
4:8. There is but one, and he hath not a second, no child, no brother, and yet he ceaseth not to labour, neither are his eyes satisfied with riches, neither doth he reflect, saying: For whom do I labour, and defraud my soul of good things? in this also is vanity, and a grievous vexation.
4:9. It is better therefore that two should be together, than one: for they have the advantage of their society:
4:10. If one fall he shall be supported by the other: woe to him that is alone, for when he falleth, he hath none to lift him up.
4:11. And if two lie together, they shall warm one another: how shall one alone be warmed?
4:12. And if a man prevail against one, two shall withstand him: a threefold cord is not easily broken.
4:13. Better is a child that is poor and wise, than a king that is old and foolish, who knoweth not to foresee for hereafter.
4:14. Because out of prison and chains sometimes a man cometh forth to a kingdom: and another born king is consumed with poverty.
4:15. I saw all men living, that walk under the sun with the second young man, who shall rise up in his place.
4:16. The number of the people, of all that were before him is infinite: and they that shall come afterwards, shall not rejoice in him: but this also is vanity, and vexation of spirit.
4:17. Keep thy foot, when thou goest into the house of God, and draw nigh to hear. For much better is obedience, than the victims of fools, who know not what evil they do.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 5
Caution in words. Vows are to be paid. Riches are often pernicious: the moderate use of them is the gift of God.
5:1. Speak not any thing rashly, and let not thy heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
5:2. Dreams follow many cares: and in many words shall be found folly.
5:3. If thou hast vowed any thing to God, defer not to pay it: for an unfaithful and foolish promise displeaseth him: but whatsoever thou hast vowed, pay it.
5:4. And it is much better not to vow, than after a vow not to perform the things promised.
5:5. Give not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin: and say not before the angel: There is no providence: lest God be angry at thy words, and destroy all the works of thy hands.
5:6. Where there are many dreams, there are many vanities, and words without number: but do thou fear God.
5:7. If thou shalt see the oppressions of the poor, and violent judgments, and justice perverted in the province, wonder not at this matter: for he that is high hath another higher, and there are others still higher than these:
5:8. Moreover there is the king that reigneth over all the land subject to him.
5:9. A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loveth riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity.
5:10. Where there are great riches, there are also many to eat them. And what doth it profit the owner, but that he seeth the riches with his eyes?
5:11. Sleep is sweet to a labouring man, whether he eat little or much: but the fulness of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.
5:12. There is also another grievous evil, which I have seen under the sun: riches kept to the hurt of the owner.
5:13. For they are lost with very great affliction: he hath begotten a son, who shall be in extremity of want.
5:14. As he came forth naked from his mother's womb, so shall he return, and shall take nothing away with him of his labour.
5:15. A most deplorable evil: as he came, so shall he return. What then doth it profit him that he hath laboured for the wind?
5:16. All the days of his life he eateth in darkness, and in many cares, and in misery, and sorrow.
5:17. This therefore hath seemed good to me, that a man should eat and drink, and enjoy the fruit of his labour, wherewith he hath laboured under the sun, all the days of his life, which God hath given him: and this is his portion.
5:18. And every man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to enjoy his portion, and to rejoice of his labour: this is the gift of God.
5:19. For he shall not much remember the days of his life, because God entertaineth his heart with delight.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 6
The misery of the covetous man.
6:1. There is also another evil, which I have seen under the sun, and that frequent among men:
6:2. A man to whom God hath given riches, and substance, and honour, and his soul wanteth nothing of all that he desireth: yet God doth not give him power to eat thereof, but a stranger shall eat it up. This is vanity and a great misery.
6:3. If a man beget a hundred children, and live many years, and attain to a great age, and his soul make no use of the goods of his substance, and he be without burial: of this man I pronounce, that the untimely born is better than he.
6:4. For he came in vain, and goeth to darkness, and his name shall be wholly forgotten.
6:5. He hath not seen the sun, nor known the distance of good and evil:
6:6. Although he lived two thousand years, and hath not enjoyed good things: do not all make haste to one place?
6:7. All the labour of man is for his mouth, but his soul shall not be filled.
6:8. What hath the wise man more than the fool? and what the poor man, but to go thither, where there is life?
6:9. Better it is to see what thou mayst desire, than to desire that which thou canst not know. But this also is vanity, and presumption of spirit.
6:10. He that shall be, his name is already called: and it is known, that he is a man, and cannot contend in judgment with him that is stronger than himself.
6:11. There are many words that have much vanity in disputing.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 7
Prescriptions against worldly vanities: mortification, patience, and seeking wisdom.
7:1. What needeth a man to seek things that are above him, whereas he knoweth not what is profitable for him in his life, in all the days of his pilgrimage, and the time that passeth like a shadow? Or who can tell him what shall be after him under the sun?
7:2. A good name is better than precious ointments: and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
7:3. It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to the house of feasting: for in that we are put in mind of the end of all, and the living thinketh what is to come.
7:4. Anger is better than laughter: because by the sadness of the countenance the mind of the offender is corrected.
Anger. . .That is, correction, or just wrath and zeal against evil.
7:5. The heart of the wise is where there is mourning, and the heart of fools where there is mirth.
7:6. It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.
7:7. For as the crackling of thorns burning under a pot, so is the laughter of a fool: now this also is vanity.
7:8. Oppression troubleth the wise, and shall destroy the strength of his heart.
7:9. Better is the end of a speech than the beginning. Better is the patient man than the presumptuous.
7:10. Be not quickly angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of a fool.
7:11. Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.
7:12. Wisdom with riches is more profitable, and bringeth more advantage to them that see the sun.
7:13. For as wisdom is a defence, so money is a defence: but learning and wisdom excel in this, that they give life to him that possesseth them.
7:14. Consider the works of God, that no man can correct whom he hath despised.
7:15. In the good day enjoy good things, and beware beforehand of the evil day: for God hath made both the one and the other, that man may not find against him any just complaint.
7:16. These things also I saw in the days of my vanity: A just man perisheth in his justice, and a wicked man liveth a long time in his wickedness.
7:17. Be not over just: and be not more wise than is necessary, lest thou become stupid.
Over just. . .Viz., By an excessive rigour in censuring the ways of God in bearing with the wicked.
7:18. Be not overmuch wicked: and be not foolish, lest thou die before thy time.
Be not overmuch wicked. . .That is, lest by the greatness of your sin you leave no room for mercy.
7:19. It is good that thou shouldst hold up the just, yea and from him withdraw not thy hand: for he that feareth God, neglecteth nothing.
7:20. Wisdom hath strengthened the wise more than ten princes of the city.
7:21. For there is no just man upon earth, that doth good, and sinneth not.
7:22. But do not apply thy heart to all words that are spoken: lest perhaps thou hear thy servant reviling thee.
7:23. For thy conscience knoweth that thou also hast often spoken evil of others.
7:24. I have tried all things in wisdom. I have said: I will be wise: and it departed farther from me,
7:25. Much more than it was: it is a great depth, who shall find it out?
7:26. I have surveyed all things with my mind, to know, and consider, and seek out wisdom and reason: and to know the wickedness of the fool, and the error of the imprudent:
7:27. And I have found a woman more bitter than death, who is the hunter's snare, and her heart is a net, and her hands are bands. He that pleaseth God shall escape from her: but he that is a sinner, shall be caught by her.
7:28. Lo this have I found, said Ecclesiastes, weighing one thing after another, that I might find out the account,
7:29. Which yet my soul seeketh, and I have not found it. One man among a thousand I have found, a woman among them all I have not found.
7:30. Only this I have found, that God made man right, and he hath entangled himself with an infinity of questions. Who is as the wise man? and who hath known the resolution of the word?
Of the word. . .That is, of this obscure and difficult matter.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 8
True wisdom is to observe God's commandments. The ways of God are unsearchable.
8:1. The wisdom of a man shineth in his countenance, and the most mighty will change his face.
8:2. I observe the mouth of the king, and the commandments of the oath of God.
8:3. Be not hasty to depart from his face, and do not continue in an evil work: for he will do all that pleaseth him:
8:4. And his word is full of power: neither can any man say to him: Why dost thou so?
8:5. He that keepeth the commandment, shall find no evil. The heart of a wiser man understandeth time and answer.
8:6. There is a time and opportunity for every business, and great affliction for man:
8:7. Because he is ignorant of things past, and things to come he cannot know by any messenger.
8:8. It is not in man's power to stop the spirit, neither hath he power in the day of death, neither is he suffered to rest when war is at hand, neither shall wickedness save the wicked.
8:9. All these things I have considered, and applied my heart to all the works that are done under the sun. Sometimes one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
8:10. I saw the wicked buried: who also when they were yet living were in the holy place, and were praised in the city as men of just works: but this also is vanity.
8:11. For because sentence is not speedily pronounced against the evil, the children of men commit evils without any fear.
8:12. But though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and by patience be borne withal, I know from thence that it shall be well with them that fear God, who dread his face.
8:13. But let it not be well with the wicked, neither let his days be prolonged, but as a shadow let them pass away that fear not the face of the Lord.
8:14. There is also another vanity, which is done upon the earth. There are just men to whom evils happen, as though they had done the works of the wicked: and there are wicked men, who are as secure as though they had the deeds of the just: but this also I judge most vain.
8:15. Therefore I commended mirth, because there was no good for a man under the sun, but to eat, and drink, and be merry, and that he should take nothing else with him of his labour in the days of his life, which God hath given him under the sun.
No good for a man, etc. . .Some commentators think the wise man here speaks in the person of the libertine: representing the objections of these men against divine providence, and the inferences they draw from thence, which he takes care afterwards to refute. But it may also be said, that his meaning is to commend the moderate use of the goods of this world, preferably to the cares and solicitudes of worldlings, their attachment to vanity and curiosity, and presumptuously diving into the unsearchable ways of divine providence.
8:16. And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to understand the distraction that is upon earth: for there are some that day and night take no sleep with their eyes.
8:17. And I understood that man can find no reason of all those works of God that are done under the sun: and the more he shall labour to seek, so much the less shall he find: yea, though the wise man shall say, that he knoweth it, he shall not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 9
Man knows not certainty that he is in God's grace. After death no more work or merit.
9:1. All these things have I considered in my heart, that I might carefully understand them: there are just men and wise men, and their works are in the hand of God: and yet man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love, or hatred:
9:2. But all things are kept uncertain for the time to come, because all things equally happen to the just and to the wicked, to the good and to the evil, to the clean and to the unclean, to him that offereth victims, and to him that despiseth sacrifices. As the good is, so also is the sinner: as the perjured, so he also that sweareth truth.
9:3. This is a very great evil among all things that are done under the sun, that the same things happen to all men: whereby also the hearts of the children of men are filled with evil, and with contempt while they live, and afterwards they shall be brought down to hell.
9:4. There is no man that liveth always, or that hopeth for this: a living dog is better than a dead lion.
9:5. For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing more, neither have they a reward any more: for the memory of them is forgotten.
Know nothing more. . .Viz., as to the transactions of this world, in which they have now no part, unless it be revealed to them; neither have they any knowledge or power now of doing any thing to secure their eternal state, (if they have not taken care of it in their lifetime:) nor can they now procure themselves any good, as the living always may do, by the grace of God.
9:6. Their love also, and their hatred, and their envy are all perished, neither have they any part in this world, and in the work that is done under the sun.
9:7. Go then, and eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with gladness: because thy works please God.
9:8. At all times let thy garments be white, and let not oil depart from thy head.
9:9. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest, all the days of thy unsteady life, which are given to thee under the sun, all the time of thy vanity: for this is thy portion in life, and in thy labour wherewith thou labourest under the sun.
9:10. Whatsoever thy hand is able to do, do it earnestly: for neither work, nor reason, nor wisdom, nor knowledge shall be in hell, whither thou art hastening.
9:11. I turned me to another thing, and I saw that under the sun, the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the learned, nor favour to the skilful: but time and chance in all.
9:12. Man knoweth not his own end: but as fishes are taken with the hook, and as birds are caught with the snare, so men are taken in the evil time, when it shall suddenly come upon them.
9:13. This wisdom also I have seen under the sun, and it seemed to me to be very great:
9:14. A little city, and few men in it: there came against it a great king, and invested it, and built bulwarks round about it, and the siege was perfect.
9:15. Now there was found in it a man poor and wise, and he delivered the city by his wisdom, and no man afterward remembered that poor man.
9:16. And I said that wisdom is better than strength: how then is the wisdom of the poor man slighted, and his words not heard?
9:17. The words of the wise are heard in silence, more than the cry of a prince among fools.
9:18. Better is wisdom, than weapons of war: and he that shall offend in one, shall lose many good things.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 10
Observations on wisdom and folly, ambition and detraction.
10:1. Dying flies spoil the sweetness of the ointment. Wisdom and glory is more precious than a small and shortlived folly.
10:2. The heart of a wise man is in his right hand, and the heart of a fool is in his left hand.
10:3. Yea, and the fool when he walketh in the way, whereas he himself is a fool, esteemeth all men fools.
10:4. If the spirit of him that hath power, ascend upon thee, leave not thy place: because care will make the greatest sins to cease.
10:5. There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were by an error proceeding from the face of the prince:
10:6. A fool set in high dignity, and the rich sitting beneath.
10:7. I have seen servants upon horses: and princes walking on the ground as servants.
10:8. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.
10:9. He that removeth stones, shall be hurt by them: and he that cutteth trees, shall be wounded by them.
10:10. If the iron be blunt, and be not as before, but be made blunt, with much labour it shall be sharpened: and after industry shall follow wisdom.
10:11. If a serpent bite in silence, he is nothing better that backbiteth secretly.
10:12. The words of the mouth of a wise man are grace: but the lips of a fool shall throw him down headlong.
10:13. The beginning of his words is folly, and the end of his talk is a mischievous error.
10:14. A fool multiplieth words. A man cannot tell what hath been before him: and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
10:15. The labour of fools shall afflict them that know not how to go to the city.
10:16. Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and when the princes eat in the morning.
10:17. Blessed is the land, whose king is noble, and whose princes eat in due season for refreshment, and not for riotousness.
10:18. By slothfulness a building shall be brought down, and through the weakness of hands, the house shall drop through.
10:19. For laughter they make bread, and wine that the living may feast: and all things obey money.
10:20. Detract not the king, no not in thy thought; and speak not evil of the rich man in thy private chamber: because even the birds of the air will carry thy voice, and he that hath wings will tell what thou hast said.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 11
Exhortation to works of mercy, while we have time, to diligence in good, and to the remembrance of death and judgment.
11:1. Cast thy bread upon the running waters: for after a long time thou shalt find it again.
11:2. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight: for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth.
11:3. If the clouds be full, they will pour out rain upon the earth. If the tree fall to the south, or to the north, in what place soever it shall fall, there shall it be.
If the tree fall, etc. . .The state of the soul is unchangeable when once she comes to heaven or hell: and a soul that departs this life in the state of grace, shall never fall from grace: as on the other side, a soul that dies out of the state of grace, shall never come to it. But this does not exclude a place of temporal punishments for such souls as die in the state of grace: yet not so as to be entirely pure: and therefore they shall be saved, indeed, yet so as by fire. 1 Cor. 3.13, 14, 15.
11:4. He that observeth the wind, shall not sow: and he that considereth the clouds, shall never reap.
11:5. As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones are joined together in the womb of her that is with child: so thou knowest not the works of God, who is the maker of all.
11:6. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening let not thy hand cease: for thou knowest not which may rather spring up, this or that: and if both together, it shall be the better.
11:7. The light is sweet, and it is delightful for the eyes to see the sun.
11:8. If a man live many years, and have rejoiced in them all, he must remember the darksome time, and the many days: which when they shall come, the things past shall be accused of vanity.
11:9. Rejoice therefore, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart be in that which is good in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thy eyes: and know that for all these God will bring thee into judgment.
11:10. Remove anger from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh. For youth and pleasure are vain.
Ecclesiastes Chapter 12
The Creator is to be remembered in the days of our youth: all worldly things are vain: we should fear God and keep his commandments.
12:1. Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the time of affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which thou shalt say: They please me not:
12:2. Before the sun, and the light, and the moon, and the stars be darkened, and the clouds return after the rain:
Before the sun, etc. . .That is, before old age: the effects of which upon all the senses and faculties are described in the following verses, under a variety of figures.
12:3. When the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall stagger, and the grinders shall be idle in a small number, and they that look through the holes shall be darkened:
12:4. And they shall shut the doors in the street, when the grinder's voice shall be low, and they shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall grow deaf.
12:5. And they shall fear high things, and they shall be afraid in the way, the almond tree shall flourish, the locust shall be made fat, and the caper tree shall be destroyed: because man shall go into the house of his eternity, and the mourners shall go round about in the street.
12:6. Before the silver cord be broken, and the golden fillet shrink back, and the pitcher be crushed at the fountain, and the wheel be broken upon the cistern,
12:7. And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God, who gave it.
12:8. Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, and all things are vanity.
12:9. And whereas Ecclesiastes was very wise, he taught the people, and declared the things that he had done: and seeking out, he set forth many parables.
12:10. He sought profitable words, and wrote words most right, and full of truth.
12:11. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails deeply fastened in, which by the counsel of masters are given from one shepherd.
12:12. More than these, my son, require not. Of making many books there is no end: and much study is an affliction of the flesh.
12:13. Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is all man:
All man. . .The whole business and duty of man.
12:14. And all things that are done, God will bring into judgment for every error, whether it be good or evil.
Error. . .Or, hidden and secret thing.
This Book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the most excellent of all canticles: because it is full of high mysteries, relating to the happy union of Christ and his spouse: which is here begun by love; and is to be eternal in heaven. The spouse of Christ is the church: more especially as to the happiest part of it, viz., perfect souls, every one of which is his beloved, but, above all others, the immaculate and ever blessed virgin mother.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 1
The spouse aspires to an union with Christ, their mutual love for one another.
1:1. Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine,
Let him kiss me. . .The church, the spouse of Christ, prays that he may love and have peace with her, which the spouse prefers to every thing delicious: and therefore expresses (ver. 2) that young maidens, that is the souls of the faithful, have loved thee.
1:2. Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee.
1:3. Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.
Draw me. . .That is, with thy grace: otherwise I should not be able to come to thee. This metaphor shews that we cannot of ourselves come to Christ our Lord, unless he draws us by his grace, which is laid up in his storerooms: that is, in the mysteries of Faith, which God in his goodness and love for mankind hath revealed, first by his servant Moses in the Old Law in figure only, and afterwards in reality by his only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
1:4. I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
I am black but beautiful. . .That is, the church of Christ founded in humility appearing outwardly afflicted, and as it were black and contemptible; but inwardly, that is, in its doctrine and morality, fair and beautiful.
1:5. Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me the keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.
1:6. Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy companions.
1:7. If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, and follow after the steps of the flocks, and feed thy kids beside the tents of the shepherds.
If thou know not thyself, etc. . .Christ encourages his spouse to follow and watch her flock: and though she know not entirely the power at hand to assist her, he tells her, ver. 8, my company of horsemen, that is, his angels, are always watching and protecting her. And in the following verses he reminds her of the virtues and gifts with which he has endowed her.
1:8. To my company of horsemen, in Pharao's chariots, have I likened thee, O my love.
1:9. Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.
1:10. We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver.
1:11. While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof.
1:12. A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, he shall abide between my breasts.
1:13. A cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of Engaddi.
1:14. Behold thou are fair, O my love, behold thou are fair, thy eyes are as those of doves.
1:15. Behold thou art fair, my beloved, and comely. Our bed is flourishing.
1:16. The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress trees.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 2
Christ caresses his spouse: he invites her to him.
2:1. I am the flower of the field, and the lily of the valleys.
I am the flower of the field. . .Christ professes himself the flower of mankind, yea, the Lord of all creatures: and, ver. 2, declares the excellence of his spouse, the true church above all other societies, which are to be considered as thorns.
2:2. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
2:3. As the apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow, whom I desired: and his fruit was sweet to my palate.
2:4. He brought me into the cellar of wine, he set in order charity in me.
2:5. Stay me up with flowers, compass me about with apples: because I languish with love.
2:6. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.
2:7. I adjure you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and the harts of the field, that you stir not up, nor make the beloved to awake, till she please.
2:8. The voice of my beloved, behold he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the hills.
The voice of my beloved: that is, the preaching of the gospel surmounting difficulties figuratively here expressed by mountains and little hills.
2:9. My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart. Behold he standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking through the lattices.
2:10. Behold my beloved speaketh to me: Arise, make haste, my love, my dove, my beautiful one, and come.
2:11. For winter is now past, the rain is over and gone.
2:12. The flowers have appeared in our land, the time of pruning is come: the voice of the turtle is heard in our land:
2:13. The fig tree hath put forth her green figs: the vines in flower yield their sweet smell. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come:
2:14. My dove in the clefts of the rock, in the hollow places of the wall, shew me thy face, let thy voice sound in my ears: for thy voice is sweet, and thy face comely.
2:15. Catch us the little foxes that destroy the vines: for our vineyard hath flourished.
Catch us the little foxes. . .Christ commands his pastors to catch false teachers, by holding forth their fallacy and erroneous doctrine, which like foxes would bite and destroy the vines.
2:16. My beloved to me, and I to him who feedeth among the lilies,
2:17. Till the day break, and the shadows retire. Return: be like, my beloved, to a roe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 3
The spouse seeks Christ. The glory of his humanity.
3:1. In my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and found him not.
In my bed by night, etc. . .The Gentiles as in the dark, and seeking in heathen delusion what they could not find, the true God, until Christ revealed his doctrine to them by his watchmen, (ver. 3,) that is, by the apostles, and teachers by whom they were converted to the true faith; and holding that faith firmly, the spouse (the Catholic Church) declares, ver. 4, That she will not let him go, till she bring him into her mother's house, etc., that is, till at last, the Jews also shall find him.
3:2. I will rise, and will go about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and I found him not.
3:3. The watchmen who keep the city, found me: Have you seen him, whom my soul loveth?
3:4. When I had a little passed by them, I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him: and I will not let him go, till I bring him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that bore me.
3:5. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and the harts of the fields, that you stir not up, nor awake my beloved, till she please.
3:6. Who is she that goeth up by the desert, as a pillar of smoke of aromatical spices, of myrrh, and frankincense, and of all the powders of the perfumer?
3:7. Behold threescore valiant ones of the most valiant of Israel, surrounded the bed of Solomon?
3:8. All holding swords, and most expert in war: every man's sword upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.
3:9. King Solomon hath made him a litter of the wood of Libanus:
3:10. The pillars thereof he made of silver, the seat of gold, the going up of purple: the midst he covered with charity for the daughters of Jerusalem.
3:11. Go forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see king Solomon in the diadem, wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of the joy of his heart.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 4
Christ sets forth the graces of his spouse: and declares his love for her.
4:1. How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up from mount Galaad.
How beautiful art thou. . .Christ again praises the beauties of his church, which through the whole of this chapter are exemplified by a variety of metaphors, setting forth her purity, her simplicity, and her stability.
4:2. Thy teeth as flocks of sheep, that are shorn, which come up from the washing, all with twins, and there is none barren among them.
4:3. Thy lips are as a scarlet lace: and thy speech sweet. Thy cheeks are as a piece of a pomegranate, besides that which lieth hid within.
4:4. Thy neck, is as the tower of David, which is built with bulwarks: a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armour of valiant men.
4:5. Thy two breasts like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
Thy two breasts, etc. . .Mystically to be understood: the love of God and the love of our neighbour, which are so united as twins which feed among the lilies: that is, the love of God and our neighbour, feeds on the divine mysteries and the holy sacraments, left by Christ to his spouse to feed and nourish her children.
4:6. Till the day break, and the shadows retire, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
4:7. Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee.
4:8. Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come: thou shalt be crowned from the top of Amana, from the top of Sanir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.
4:9. Thou hast wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded my heart with one of thy eyes, and with one hair of thy neck.
4:10. How beautiful are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse! thy breasts are more beautiful than wine, and the sweet smell of thy ointments above all aromatical spices.
4:11. Thy lips, my spouse, are as a dropping honeycomb, honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments, as the smell of frankincense.
4:12. My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up.
My sister, etc., a garden enclosed. . .Figuratively the church is enclosed, containing only the faithful. A fountain sealed up. . .That none can drink of its waters, that is, the graces and spiritual benefits of the holy sacraments, but those who are within its walls.
4:13. Thy plants are a paradise of pomegranates with the fruits of the orchard. Cypress with spikenard.
4:14. Spikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Libanus, myrrh and aloes with all the chief perfumes.
4:15. The fountain of gardens: the well of living waters, which run with a strong stream from Libanus.
4:16. Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 5
Christ calls his spouse: she languishes with love: and describes him by his graces.
5:1. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat the fruit of his apple trees. I am come into my garden, O my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my myrrh, with my aromatical spices: I have eaten the honeycomb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends, and drink, and be inebriated, my dearly beloved.
Let my beloved come into his garden, etc. . .Garden, mystically the church of Christ, abounding with fruit, that is, the good works of the elect.
5:2. I sleep, and my heart watcheth: the voice of my beloved knocking: Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is full of dew, and my locks of the drops of the nights.
5:3. I have put off my garment, how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet, how shall I defile them?
5:4. My beloved put his hand through the key hole, and my bowels were moved at his touch.
My beloved put his hand through the key hole, etc. . .The spouse of Christ, his church, at times as it were penned up by its persecutors, and in fears, expecting the divine assistance, here signified by his hand: and ver. 6, but he had turned aside and was gone, that is, Christ permitting a further trial of suffering: and again, ver. 7, the keepers, etc., signifying the violent and cruel persecutors of the church taking her veil, despoiling the church of its places of worship and ornaments for the divine service.
5:5. I arose up to open to my beloved: my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers were full of the choicest myrrh.
5:6. I opened the bolt of my door to my beloved: but he had turned aside, and was gone. My soul melted when he spoke: I sought him, and found him not: I called, and he did not answer me.
5:7. The keepers that go about the city found me: they struck me: and wounded me: the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
5:8. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him that I languish with love.
5:9. What manner of one is thy beloved of the beloved, O thou most beautiful among women? what manner of one is thy beloved of the beloved, that thou hast so adjured us?
5:10. My beloved is white and ruddy, chosen out of thousands.
My beloved, etc. . .In this and the following verses, the church mystically describes Christ to those who know him not, that is, to infidels in order to convert them to the true faith.
5:11. His head is as the finest gold: his locks as branches of palm trees, black as a raven.
5:12. His eyes as doves upon brooks of waters, which are washed with milk, and sit beside the plentiful streams.
5:13. His cheeks are as beds of aromatical spices set by the perfumers. His lips are as lilies dropping choice myrrh.
5:14. His hands are turned and as of gold, full of hyacinths. His belly as of ivory, set with sapphires.
5:15. His legs as pillars of marble, that are set upon bases of gold. His form as of Libanus, excellent as the cedars.
5:16. His throat most sweet, and he is all lovely: such is my beloved, and he is my friend, O ye daughters of Jerusalem.
5:17. Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou most beautiful among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside, and we will seek him with thee?
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 6
The spouse of Christ is but one: she is fair and terrible.
6:1. My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the bed of aromatical spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
My beloved is gone down into his garden. . .Christ, pleased with the good works of his holy and devout servants labouring in his garden, is always present with them: but the words is gone down, are to be understood, that after trying his Church by permitting persecution, he comes to her assistance and she rejoices at his coming.
6:2. I to my beloved, and my beloved to me, who feedeth among the lilies.
6:3. Thou art beautiful, O my love, sweet and comely as Jerusalem terrible as an army set in array.
6:4. Turn away thy eyes from me, for they have made me flee away. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from Galaad.
6:5. Thy teeth as a flock of sheep, which come up from the washing, all with twins, and there is none barren among them.
6:6. Thy cheeks are as the bark of a pomegranate, beside what is hidden within thee.
6:7. There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and young maidens without number.
6:8. One is my dove, my perfect one is but one, she is the only one of her mother, the chosen of her that bore her. The daughters saw her, and declared her most blessed: the queens and concubines, and they praised her.
One is my dove, etc. . .That is, my church is one, and she only is perfect and blessed.
6:9. Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array?
Who is she, etc. . .Here is a beautiful metaphor describing the church from the beginning. As, the morning rising, signifying the church before the written law; fair as the moon, shewing her under the light of the gospel: and terrible as an army, the power of Christ's church against its enemies.
6:10. I went down into the garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valleys, and to look if the vineyard had flourished, and the pomegranates budded.
6:11. I knew not: my soul troubled me for the chariots of Aminadab.
6:12. Return, return, O Sulamitess: return, return that we may behold thee.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 7
A further description of the graces of the church the spouse of Christ.
7:1. What shalt thou see in the Sulamitess but the companies of camps? How beautiful are thy steps in shoes, O prince's daughter! The joints of thy thighs are like jewels, that are made by the hand of a skilful workman.
How beautiful are thy steps, etc. . .By these metaphors are signified the power and mission of the church in propagating the true faith.
7:2. Thy navel is like a round bowl never wanting cups. Thy belly is like a heap of wheat, set about with lilies.
7:3. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
7:4. Thy neck as a tower of ivory. Thy eyes like the fishpools in Hesebon, which are in the gate of the daughter of the multitude. Thy nose is as the tower of Libanus, that looketh toward Damascus.
7:5. Thy head is like Carmel: and the hairs of thy head as the purple of the king bound in the channels.
Thy head is like Carmel. . .Christ, the invisible head of his church, is here signified.
7:6. How beautiful art thou, and how comely, my dearest, in delights!
7:7. Thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
7:8. I said: I will go up into the palm tree, and will take hold of the fruit thereof: and thy breasts shall be as the clusters of the vine: and the odour of thy mouth like apples.
7:9. Thy throat like the best wine, worthy for my beloved to drink, and for his lips and his teeth to ruminate.
7:10. I to my beloved, and his turning is towards me.
7:11. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field, let us abide in the villages.
7:12. Let us get up early to the vineyards, let us see if the vineyard flourish, if the flowers be ready to bring forth fruits, if the pomegranates flourish: there will I give thee my breasts.
7:13. The mandrakes give a smell. In our gates are all fruits: the new and the old, my beloved, I have kept for thee.
Canticle of Canticles Chapter 8
The love of the church to Christ: his love to her.
8:1. Who shall give thee to me for my brother, sucking the breasts of my mother, that I may find thee without, and kiss thee, and now no man may despise me?
8:2. I will take hold of thee, and bring thee into my mother's house: there thou shalt teach me, and I will give thee a cup of spiced wine and new wine of my pomegranates.
8:3. His left hand under my head, and his right hand shall embrace me.
His left hand, etc. . .Words of the church to Christ. His left hand, signifying the Old Testament, and his right hand, the New.
8:4. I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you stir not up, nor awake my love till she please.
8:5. Who is this that cometh up from the desert, flowing with delights, leaning upon her beloved? Under the apple tree I raised thee up: there thy mother was corrupted, there she was defloured that bore thee.
Who is this, etc. . .The angels with admiration behold the Gentiles converted to the faith: coming up from the desert, that is, coming from heathenism and false worship: flowing with delights, that is, abounding with good works which are pleasing to God: leaning on her beloved, on the promise of Christ to his Church, that the gates of hell should not prevail against it; and supported by his grace conferred by the sacraments. Under the apple tree I raised thee up; that is, that Christ redeemed the Gentiles at the foot of the cross, where the synagogue of the Jews (the mother church) was corrupted by their denying him, and crucifying him.
8:6. Put me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy as hard as hell, the lamps thereof are fire and flames.
8:7. Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it: if a man should give all the substance of his house for love, he shall despise it as nothing.
8:8. Our sister is little, and hath no breasts. What shall we do to our sister in the day when she is to be spoken to?
Our sister is little, etc. . .Mystically signifies the Jews, who are to be spoken to: that is, converted towards the end of the world: and then shall become a wall, that is, a part of the building, the church of Christ.
8:9. If she be a wall: let us build upon it bulwarks of silver: if she be a door, let us join it together with boards of cedar.
8:10. I am a wall: and my breasts are as a tower since I am become in his presence as one finding peace.
8:11. The peaceable had a vineyard, in that which hath people: he let out the same to keepers, every man bringeth for the fruit thereof a thousand pieces of silver.
8:12. My vineyard is before me. A thousand are for thee, the peaceable, and two hundred for them that keep the fruit thereof.
8:13. Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the friends hearken: make me hear thy voice.
8:14. Flee away, O my beloved, and be like to the roe, and to the young hart upon the mountains of aromatical spices.
This Book is so called, because it treats of the excellence of WISDOM, the means to obtain it, and the happy fruits it produces. It is written in the person of Solomon, and contains his sentiments. But it is uncertain who was the writer. It abounds with instructions and exhortations to kings and all magistrates to minister justice in the commonwealth, teaching all kinds of virtues under the general names of justice and wisdom. It contains also many prophecies of Christ's coming, passion, resurrection, and other Christian mysteries. The whole may be divided into three parts. In the first six chapters, the author admonishes all superiors to love and exercise justice and wisdom. In the next three, he teacheth that wisdom proceedeth only from God, and is procured by prayer and a good life. In the other ten chapters, he sheweth the excellent effects and utility of wisdom and justice.
Wisdom Chapter 1
An exhortation to seek God sincerely, who cannot be deceived, and desireth not our death.
1:1. Love justice, you that are the judges of the earth. Think of the Lord in goodness, and seek him in simplicity of heart:
1:2. For he is found by them that tempt him not: and he sheweth himself to them that have faith in him.
1:3. For perverse thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise:
1:4. For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, nor dwell in a body subject to sins.
1:5. For the Holy Spirit of discipline will flee from the deceitful, and will withdraw himself from thoughts that are without understanding, and he shall not abide when iniquity cometh in.
1:6. For the spirit of wisdom is benevolent, and will not acquit the evil speaker from his lips: for God is witness of his reins, and he is a true searcher of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue.
1:7. For the Spirit of the Lord hath filled the whole world: and that which containeth all things, hath knowledge of the voice.
1:8. Therefore he that speaketh unjust things, cannot be hid, neither shall the chastising judgment pass him by.
1:9. For inquisition shall be made into the thoughts of the ungodly, and the hearing of his words shall come to God, to the chastising of his iniquities.
1:10. For the ear of jealousy heareth all things, and the tumult of murmuring shall not be hid.
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.
1:12. Seek not death in the error of your life, neither procure ye destruction by the works of your hands.
1:13. For God made not death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living.
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.
1:15. For justice is perpetual and immortal.
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.
Wisdom Chapter 2
The vain reasonings of the wicked: their persecuting the just, especially the Son of God.
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:
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,
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:
2:4. And our name in time shall be forgotten, and no man shall have any remembrance of our works.
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:
2:6. Come, therefore, and let us enjoy the good things that are present, and let us speedily use the creatures as in youth.
2:7. Let us fill ourselves with costly wine, and ointments: and let not the flower of the time pass by us.
2:8. Let us crown ourselves with roses, before they be withered: let no meadow escape our riot.
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.
2:10. Let us oppress the poor just man, and not spare the widow, nor honour the ancient grey hairs of the aged.
2:11. But let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth.
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.
2:13. He boasteth that he hath the knowledge of God, and calleth himself the son of God.
2:14. He is become a censurer of our thoughts.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2:19. Let us examine him by outrages and tortures, that we may know his meekness, and try his patience.
2:20. Let us condemn him to a most shameful death: for there shall be respect had unto him by his words.
2:21. These things they thought, and were deceived: for their own malice blinded them.
2:22. And they knew not the secrets of God, nor hoped for the wages of justice, nor esteemed the honour of holy souls.
2:23. For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him.
2:24. But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world:
2:25. And they follow him that are of his side.
Wisdom Chapter 3
The happiness of the just: and the unhappiness of the wicked.
3:1. But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them.
3:2. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery:
3:3. And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace.
3:4. And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality.
3:5. Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.
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.
3:7. The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds.
3:8. They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.
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.
3:10. But the wicked shall be punished according to their own devices: who have neglected the just, and have revolted from the Lord.
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.
3:12. Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked.
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.
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.
3:15. For the fruit of good labours is glorious, and the root of wisdom never faileth.
3:16. But the children of adulterers shall not come to perfection, and the seed of the unlawful bed shall be rooted out.
3:17. And if they live long, they shall be nothing regarded, and their last old age shall be without honour.
3:18. And if they die quickly, they shall have no hope, nor speech of comfort in the day of trial.
3:19. For dreadful are the ends of a wicked race.
Wisdom Chapter 4
The difference between the chaste and the adulterous generations: and between the death of the just and the wicked.
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.
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.
4:3. But the multiplied brood of the wicked shall not thrive, and bastard slips shall not take deep root, nor any fast foundation.
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.
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.
4:6. For the children that are born of unlawful beds, are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial.
4:7. But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest.
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.
4:9. And a spotless life is old age.
4:10. He pleased God, and was beloved, and living among sinners, he was translated.
4:11. He was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul.
4:12. For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind.
4:13. Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time.
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:
4:15. That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.
4:16. But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust.
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.
4:18. They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn.
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.
4:20. They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them.
Wisdom Chapter 5
The fruitless repentance of the wicked in another world: the reward of the just.
5:1. Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours.
5:2. These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation,
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.
5:4. We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour.
5:5. Behold, how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.
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.
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.
5:8. What hath pride profited us? or what advantage hath the boasting of riches brought us?
5:9. All those things are passed away like a shadow, and like a post that runneth on,
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:
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:
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:
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.
5:14. Such things as these the sinners said in hell:
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.
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.
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.
5:18. And his zeal will take armour, and he will arm the creature for the revenge of his enemies.
5:19. He will put on justice as a breastplate, and will take true judgment instead of a helmet:
5:20. He will take equity for an invincible shield:
5:21. And he will sharpen his severe wrath for a spear, and the whole world shall fight with him against the unwise.
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.
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.
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.
Wisdom Chapter 6
An address to princes to seek after wisdom: she is easily found by those that seek her.
6:1. Wisdom is better than strength: and a wise man is better than a strong man.
6:2. Hear, therefore, ye kings, and understand, learn ye that are judges of the ends of the earth.
6:3. Give ear, you that rule the people, and that please yourselves in multitudes of nations:
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:
6:6. 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.
6:6. Horribly and speedily will he appear to you: for a most severe judgment shall be for them that bear rule.
6:7. For to him that is little, mercy is granted: but the mighty shall be mightily tormented.
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.
6:9. But a greater punishment is ready for the more mighty.
6:10. To you, therefore, O kings, are these my words, that you may learn wisdom, and not fall from it.
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.
6:12. Covet ye, therefore, my words, and love them, and you shall have instruction.
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.
6:14. She preventeth them that covet her, so that she first sheweth herself unto them.
6:15. He that awaketh early to seek her, shall not labour: for he shall find her sitting at his door.
6:16. To think, therefore, upon her, is perfect understanding: and he that watcheth for her, shall quickly be secure.
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.
6:18. For the beginning of her is the most true desire of discipline.
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:
6:20. And incorruption bringeth near to God.
6:21. Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to the everlasting kingdom.
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.
6:23. Love the light of wisdom, all ye that bear rule over peoples.
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:
6:25. Neither will I go with consuming envy: for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdom.
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.
6:27. Receive, therefore, instruction by my words, and it shall be profitable to you.
Wisdom Chapter 7
The excellence of wisdom: how she is to be found.
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.
7:2. In the time of ten months I was compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure of sleep concurring.
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.
7:4. I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and with great cares.
7:5. For none of the kings had any other beginning of birth.
7:6. For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out.
7:7. Wherefore I wished, and understanding was given me: and I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came upon me:
7:8. And I preferred her before kingdoms and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her.
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.
7:10. I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for her light cannot be put out.
7:11. Now all good things came to me together with her, and innumerable riches through her hands,
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.
7:13. Which I have learned without guile, and communicate without envy, and her riches I hide not.
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.
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:
7:16. For in his hand are both we, and our words, and all wisdom, and the knowledge and skill of works.
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,
7:18. The beginning, and ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of their courses, and the changes of seasons,
7:19. The revolutions of the year, and the dispositions of the stars,
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,
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.
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,
7:23. Gentle, kind, steadfast, assured, secure, having all power, overseeing all things, and containing all spirits: intelligible, pure, subtile:
7:24. For wisdom is more active than all active things; and reacheth everywhere, by reason of her purity.
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.
7:26. For she is the brightness of eternal light, and the unspotted mirror of God's majesty, and the image of his goodness.
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.
7:28. For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom.
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.
7:30. For after this cometh night, but no evil can overcome wisdom.
Wisdom Chapter 8
Further praises of wisdom: and her fruits.
8:1. She reacheth, therefore, from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly.
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.
8:3. She glorifieth her nobility by being conversant with God: yea, and the Lord of all things hath loved her.
8:4. For it is she that teacheth the knowledge of God and is the chooser of his works.
8:5. And if riches be desired in life, what is richer than wisdom, which maketh all things?
8:6. And if sense do work: who is a more artful worker than she of those things that are?
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.
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.
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.
8:10. For her sake I shall have glory among the multitude, and honour with the ancients, though I be young:
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.
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.
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.
8:14. I shall set the people in order: and nations shall be subject to me.
8:15. Terrible kings hearing, shall be afraid of me: among the multitude I shall be found good, and valiant in war.
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.
8:17. Thinking these things with myself, and pondering them in my heart, that to be allied to wisdom is immortality,
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.
8:19. And I was a witty child, and had received a good soul.
8:20. And whereas I was more good, I came to a body undefiled.
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:
Wisdom Chapter 9
Solomon's prayer for wisdom.
9:1. God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,
9:2. And by thy wisdom hast appointed man, that he should have dominion over the creature that was made by thee,
9:3. That he should order the world according to equity and justice, and execute justice with an upright heart:
9:4. Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne, and cast me not off from among thy children:
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.
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.
9:7. Thou hast chosen me to be king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:
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:
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.
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:
9:11. For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and shall lead me soberly in my works, and shall preserve me by her power.
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.
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?
9:14. For the thoughts of mortal men are fearful, and our counsels uncertain.
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.
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?
9:17. And who shall know thy thought, except thou give wisdom, and send thy holy Spirit from above:
9:18. And so the ways of them that are upon earth may be corrected, and men may learn the things that please thee?
9:19. For by wisdom they were healed, whosoever have pleased thee, O Lord, from the beginning.
Wisdom Chapter 10
What wisdom did for Adam, Noe, Abraham, Lot, Jacob, Joseph, and the people of Israel.
10:1. She preserved him, that was first formed by God, the father of the world, when he was created alone,
10:2. And she brought him out of his sin, and gave him power to govern all things.
10:3. But when the unjust went away from her in his anger, he perished by the fury wherewith he murdered his brother.
The unjust. . .Cain.
10:4. For whose cause, when water destroyed the earth, wisdom healed it again, directing the course of the just by contemptible wood.
For whose cause. . .Viz., for the wickedness of the race of Cain.—Ibid.
The just. . .Noe.
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.
She knew the just. . .She found out and approved Abraham. Ibid. And kept him strong, etc. . .Gave him strength to stand firm against the efforts of his natural tenderness, when he was ordered to sacrifice his son.
10:6. She delivered the just man, who fled from the wicked that were perishing, when the fire came down upon Pentapolis:
The just man. . .Lot.—Ibid. Pentapolis. . .The land of the five cities,
Sodom, Gomorrha, etc.
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.
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.
10:9. But wisdom hath delivered from sorrow them that attend upon her.
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.
The just. . .Jacob.
10:11. In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable.
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.
Conflict. . .Viz., with the angel.
10:13. She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit.
The just when he was sold. . .Viz., Joseph.
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.
10:15. She delivered the just people, and blameless seed, from the nations that oppressed them.
10:16. She entered into the soul of the servant of God and stood against dreadful kings in wonders and signs.
The servant of God. . .Viz., Moses.
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:
10:18. And she brought them through the Red Sea, and carried them over through a great water.
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.
10:20. And they sung to thy holy name, O Lord, and they praised with one accord thy victorious hand.
10:21. For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of infants eloquent.
Wisdom Chapter 11
Other benefits of wisdom to the people of God.
11:1. She prospered their works in the hands of the holy prophet.
The holy prophet. . .Moses.
11:2. They went through wildernesses that were not inhabited, and in desert places they pitched their tents.
11:3. They stood against their enemies, and revenged themselves of their adversaries.
Their enemies. . .The Amalecites.
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.
11:5. For by what things their enemies were punished, when their drink failed them, while the children of Israel abounded therewith, and rejoiced:
By what things, etc. . .The meaning is, that God, who wrought a miracle to punish the Egyptians by thirst, when he turned all their waters into blood, (at which time the Israelites, who were exempt from those plagues, had plenty of water,) wrought another miracle in favour of his own people in their thirst, by giving them water out of the rock.
11:6. By the same things they in their need were benefited.
11:7. For instead of a fountain of an ever running river, thou gavest human blood to the unjust.
11:8. And whilst they were diminished for a manifest reproof of their murdering the infants, thou gavest to thine abundant water unlooked for:
11:9. Shewing by the thirst that was then, how thou didst exalt thine, and didst kill their adversaries.
11:10. For when they were tried, and chastised with mercy, they knew how the wicked were judged with wrath, and tormented.
11:11. For thou didst admonish and try them as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst examine and condemn.
11:12. For whether absent or present, they were tormented alike.
11:13. For a double affliction came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past.
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.
By their punishments, etc. . .That is, that the Israelites had been benefited and miraculously favoured in the same kind, in which they had been punished.
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.
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:
Dumb beasts. . .Viz., frogs, sciniphs, flies, and locusts.
11:17. That they might know that by what things a man sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.
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,
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:
11:20. Whereof not only the hurt might be able to destroy them, but also the very sight might kill them through fear.
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.
11:22. For great power always belonged to thee alone: and who shall resist the strength of thy arm?
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.
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.
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.
11:26. And how could any thing endure, if thou wouldst not? or be preserved, if not called by thee?
11:27. But thou sparest all: because they are thine, O Lord, who lovest souls.
Wisdom Chapter 12
God's wisdom and mercy in his proceedings with the Chanaanites.
12:1. O how good and sweet is thy Spirit, O Lord, in all things!
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.
12:3. For those ancient inhabitants of thy holy land, whom thou didst abhor,
12:4. Because they did works hateful to thee by their sorceries, and wicked sacrifices,
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,
From the midst of thy consecration. . .Literally, sacrament. That is, the land sacred to thee, in which thy temple was to be established, and man's redemption to be wrought.
12:6. And those parents sacrificing with their own hands helpless souls, it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our parents,
12:7. That the land which of all is most dear to thee, might receive a worthy colony of the children of God.
12:8. Yet even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps forerunners of thy host, to destroy them by little and little.
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:
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.
12:11. For it was a cursed seed from the beginning: neither didst thou for fear of any one give pardon to their sins.
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 ?
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.
12:14. Neither shall king, nor tyrant, in thy sight inquire about them whom thou hast destroyed.
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.
12:16. For thy power is the beginning of justice: and because thou art Lord of all, thou makest thyself gracious to all.
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.
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.
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.
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:
12:21. With what circumspection hast thou judged thy own children, to whose parents thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises?
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.
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.
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.
12:25. Therefore thou hast sent a judgment upon them, as senseless children, to mock them.
12:26. But they that were not amended by mockeries and reprehensions, experienced the worthy judgment of God.
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.
Wisdom Chapter 13
Idolaters are inexcusable: and those most of all that worship for gods the works of the hands of men.
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:
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.
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.
13:4. Or if they admired their power, and their effects, let them understand by them, that he that made them, is mightier than they:
13:5. For by the greatness of the beauty, and of the creature, the creator of them may be seen, so as to be known thereby.
13:6. But yet as to these they are less to be blamed. For they perhaps err, seeking God, and desirous to find him.
13:7. For being conversant among his works, they search: and they are persuaded that the things are good which are seen.
13:8. But then again they are not to be pardoned.
13:9. For if they were able to know so much as to make a judgment of the world: how did they not more easily find out the Lord thereof?
13:10. But unhappy are they, and their hope is among the dead, who have called gods the works of the hand of men, gold and silver, the inventions of art, and the resemblances of beasts, or an unprofitable stone the work of an ancient hand.
13:11. Or if an artist, a carpenter, hath cut down a tree proper for his use in the wood, and skilfully taken off all the bark thereof, and with his art, diligently formeth a vessel profitable for the common uses of life,
13:12. And useth the chips of his work to dress his meat:
13:13. And taking what was left thereof, which is good for nothing, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, carveth it diligently when he hath nothing else to do, and by the skill of his art fashioneth it, and maketh it like the image of a man:
13:14. Or the resemblance of some beast, laying it over with vermilion, and painting it red, and covering every spot that is in it:
13:15. And maketh a convenient dwelling place for it, and setting it in a wall, and fastening it with iron,
13:16. Providing for it, lest it should fall, knowing that it is unable to help itself: for it is an image, and hath need of help.
13:17. And then maketh prayer to it, enquiring concerning his substance, and his children, or his marriage. And he is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life:
13:18. And for health he maketh supplication to the weak, and for life prayeth to that which is dead, and for help calleth upon that which is unprofitable:
13:19. And for a good journey he petitioneth him that cannot walk: and for getting, and for working, and for the event of all things he asketh him that is unable to do any thing.
Wisdom Chapter 14
The beginning of worshipping idols: and the effects thereof.
14:1. Again, another designing to sail, and beginning to make his voyage through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more frail than the wood that carrieth him.
14:2. For this the desire of gain devised, and the workman built it by his skill.
14:3. But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way even in the sea, and a most sure path among the waves,
14:4. Shewing that thou art able to save out of all things, yea, though a man went to sea without art.
14:5. But that the works of thy wisdom might not be idle: therefore men also trust their lives even to a little wood, and passing over the sea by ship, are saved.
14:6. And from the beginning also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world fleeing to a vessel, which was governed by thy hand, left to the world seed of generation.
14:7. For blessed is the wood, by which justice cometh
14:8. But the idol that is made by hands, is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he because he made it; and it because being frail it is called a god.
14:9. But to God the wicked and his wickedness are hateful alike.
14:10. For that which is made, together with him that made it, shall suffer torments.
14:11. Therefore there shall be no respect had even to the idols of the Gentiles: because the creatures of God are turned to an abomination, and a temptation to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise.
14:12. For the beginning of fornication is the devising of idols: and the invention of them is the corruption of life.
14:13. For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever.
14:14. For by the vanity of men they came into the world: and therefore they shall be found to come shortly to an end.
14:15. For a father being afflicted with bitter grief, made to himself the image of his son, who was quickly taken away: and him who then had died as a man, he began now to worship as a god, and appointed him rites and sacrifices among his servants.
14:16. Then, in process of time, wicked custom prevailing, this error was kept as a law, and statues were worshipped by the commandment of tyrants.
14:17. And those whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they brought their resemblance from afar, and made an express image of the king, whom they had a mind to honour: that by this their diligence, they might honour as present, him that was absent.
14:18. And to the worshipping of these, the singular diligence also of the artificer helped to set forward the ignorant.
14:19. For he being willing to please him that employed him, laboured with all his art to make the resemblance in the best manner.
14:20. And the multitude of men, carried away by the beauty of the work, took him now for a god, that little before was but honoured as a man.
14:21. And this was the occasion of deceiving human life: for men serving either their affection, or their kings, gave the incommunicable name to stones and wood.
14:22. And it was not enough for them to err about the knowledge of God, but whereas they lived in a great war of ignorance, they call so many and so great evils peace.
14:23. For either they sacrifice their own children, or use hidden sacrifices, or keep watches full of madness,
14:24. So that now they neither keep life, nor marriage undefiled, but one killeth another through envy, or grieveth him by adultery:
14:25. And all things are mingled together, blood, murder, theft, and dissimulation, corruption and unfaithfulness, tumults and perjury, disquieting of the good,
14:26. Forgetfulness of God, defiling of souls, changing of nature, disorder in marriage, and the irregularity of adultery and uncleanness.
14:27. For the worship of abominable idols is the cause, and the beginning and end of all evil.
14:28. For either they are mad when they are merry: or they prophesy lies, or they live unjustly, or easily forswear themselves.
14:29. For whilst they trust in idols, which are without life, though they swear amiss, they look not to be hurt.
14:30. But for both these things they shall be justly punished, because they have thought not well of God, giving heed to idols, and have sworn unjustly, in guile despising justice.
14:31. For it is not the power of them, by whom they swear, but the just vengeance of sinners always punisheth the transgression of the unjust.
Wisdom Chapter 15
The servants of God praise him who hath delivered them from idolatry; condemning both the makers and the worshippers of idols.
15:1. But thou, our God, art gracious and true, patient, and ordering all things in mercy.
15:2. For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy greatness: and if we sin not, we know that we are counted with thee.
15:3. For to know thee is perfect justice: and to know thy justice, and thy power, is the root of immortality.
15:4. For the invention of mischievous men hath not deceived us, nor the shadow of a picture, a fruitless labour, a graven figure with divers colours,
15:5. The sight whereof enticeth the fool to lust after it, and he loveth the lifeless figure of a dead image.
15:6. The lovers of evil things deserve to have no better things to trust in, both they that make them, and they that love them, and they that worship them.
15:7. The potter also tempering soft earth, with labour fashioneth every vessel for our service, and of the same clay he maketh both vessels that are for clean uses, and likewise such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of these vessels, the potter is the judge.
15:8. And of the same clay by a vain labour he maketh a god: he who a little before was made of earth himself, and a little after returneth to the same out of which he was taken, when his life, which was lent him, shall be called for again.
15:9. But his care is, not that he shall labour, nor that his life is short, but he striveth with the goldsmiths and silversmiths: and he endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it a glory to make vain things.
15:10. For his heart is ashes, and his hope vain earth and his life more base than clay:
15:11. Forasmuch as he knew not his maker, and him that inspired into him the soul that worketh, and that breathed into him a living spirit.
15:12. Yea, and they have counted our life a pastime and the business of life to be gain, and that we must be getting every way, even out of evil.
15:13. For that man knoweth that he offendeth above all others, who of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels, and graven gods.
15:14. But all the enemies of thy people that hold them in subjection, are foolish, and unhappy, and proud beyond measure:
15:15. For they have esteemed all the idols of the heathens for 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 walk.
15:16. For man made them: and he that borroweth his own breath, fashioned them. For no man can make a god like to himself.
15:17. For being mortal himself, he formeth a dead thing with his wicked hands. For he is better than they whom he worshippeth, because he indeed hath lived, though he were mortal, but they never.
15:18. Moreover, they worship also the vilest creatures: but things without sense, compared to these, are worse than they.
15:19. Yea, neither by sight can any man see good of these beasts. But they have fled from the praise of God, and from his blessing.
Wisdom Chapter 16
God's different dealings with the Egyptians and with his own people.
16:1. For these things, and by the like things to these, they were worthily punished, and were destroyed by a multitude of beasts.
16:2. Instead of which punishment, dealing well with thy people, thou gavest them their desire of delicious food, of a new taste, preparing for them quails for their meat:
16:3. To the end, that they indeed desiring food, by means of those things that were shewn and sent among them, might loath even that which was necessary to satisfy their desire. But these, after suffering want for a short time, tasted a new meat.
They indeed desiring food, etc. . .He means the Egyptians; who were restrained even from that food which was necessary, by the frogs and the flies that were sent amongst them, and spoiled all their meats.—Ibid. But these. . .Viz., the Israelites.
16:4. For it was requisite that inevitable destruction should come upon them that exercised tyranny: but to these it should only be shewn how their enemies were destroyed.
16:5. For when the fierce rage of beasts came upon these, they were destroyed by the bitings of crooked serpents.
16:6. But thy wrath endured not for ever, but they were troubled for a short time for their correction, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law.
Sign of salvation. . .The brazen serpent, an emblem of Christ our
Saviour.
16:7. For he that turned to it, was not healed by that which he saw, but by thee, the Saviour of all.
16:8. And in this thou didst shew to our enemies, that thou art he who deliverest from all evil.
16:9. For the bitings of locusts, and of flies, killed them, and there was found no remedy for their life: because they were worthy to be destroyed by such things.
16:10. But not even the teeth of venomous serpents overcame thy children: for thy mercy came and healed them.
16:11. For they were examined for the remembrance of thy words, and were quickly healed, lest falling into deep forgetfulness, they might not be able to use thy help.
16:12. For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaster, that healed them, but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things.
16:13. For it is thou, O Lord, that hast power of life and death, and leadest down to the gates of death, and bringest back again:
16:14. A man indeed killeth through malice, and when the spirit is gone forth, it shall not return, neither shall he call back the soul that is received:
16:15. But it is impossible to escape thy hand:
16:16. For the wicked that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thy arm, being persecuted by strange waters, and hail, and rain, and consumed by fire.
16:17. And which was wonderful, in water, which extinguisheth all things, the fire had more force: for the world fighteth for the just.
The fire had more force. . .Viz., when the fire and hail mingled together laid waste the land of Egypt. Ex. 9.
16:18. For at one time the fire was mitigated, that the beasts which were sent against the wicked might not be burnt, but that they might see, and perceive that they were persecuted by the judgment of God.
16:19. And at another time the fire, above its own power, burnt in the midst of water, to destroy the fruits of a wicked land.
16:20. Instead of which things, thou didst feed thy people with the food of angels, and gavest them bread from heaven, prepared without labour; having in it all that is delicious, and the sweetness of every taste.
16:21. For thy sustenance shewed thy sweetness to thy children, and serving every man's will, it was turned to what every man liked.
16:22. But snow and ice endured the force of fire, and melted not: that they might know that the fire, burning in the hail, and flashing in the rain, destroyed the fruits of the enemies.
16:23. But this same again, that the just might be nourished, did even forget its own strength.
16:24. For the creature serving thee, the Creator, is made fierce against the unjust for their punishment: and abateth its strength for the benefit of them that trust in thee.
16:25. Therefore even then it was transformed into all things, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all, according to the will of them that desired it of thee:
16:26. That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovedst, might know that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth men, but thy word preserveth them that believe in thee.
16:27. For that which could not be destroyed by fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, presently melted away:
16:28. That it might be known to all, that we ought to prevent the sun to bless thee, and adore thee at the dawning of the light.
16:29. For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's ice, and shall run off as unprofitable water.
Wisdom Chapter 17
The Egyptian darkness.
17:1. For thy judgments, O Lord, are great, and thy words cannot be expressed: therefore undisciplined souls have erred.
17:2. For while the wicked thought to be able to have dominion over the holy nation, they themselves being fettered with the bonds of darkness, and a long night, shut up in their houses, lay there exiled from the eternal providence.
17:3. And while they thought to lie hid in their obscure sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfullness, being horribly afraid, and troubled with exceeding great astonishment.
17:4. For neither did the den that held them, keep them from fear: for noises coming down troubled them, and sad visions appearing to them, affrighted them.
17:5. And no power of fire could give them light, neither could the bright flames of the stars enlighten that horrible night.
17:6. But there appeared to them a sudden fire, very dreadful: and being struck with the fear of that face, which was not seen, they thought the things which they saw to be worse:
17:7. And the delusions of their magic art were put down, and their boasting of wisdom was reproachfully rebuked.
17:8. For they who promised to drive away fears and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of a fear worthy to be laughed at.
17:9. For though no terrible thing disturbed them: yet being scared with the passing by of beasts, and hissing of serpents, they died for fear and denying that they saw the air, which could by no means be avoided.
17:10. For whereas wickedness is fearful, it beareth witness of its condemnation: for a troubled conscience always forecasteth grievous things.
17:11. For fear is nothing else but a yielding up of the succours from thought.
17:12. And while there is less expectation from within, the greater doth it count the ignorance of that cause which bringeth the torment.
17:13. But they that during that night, in which nothing could be done, and which came upon them from the lowest and deepest hell, slept the same sleep,
17:14. Were sometimes molested with the fear of monsters, sometimes fainted away, their soul failing them: for a sudden and unlooked for fear was come upon them.
17:15. Moreover, if any of them had fallen down, he was kept shut up in prison without irons.
17:16. For if any one were a husbandman, or a shepherd, or a labourer in the field, and was suddenly overtaken, he endured a necessity from which he could not fly.
17:17. For they were all bound together with one chain of darkness. Whether it were a whistling wind, or the melodious voice of birds, among the spreading branches of trees, or a fall of water running down with violence,
17:18. Or the mighty noise of stones tumbling down, or the running that could not be seen of beasts playing together, or the roaring voice of wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the highest mountains: these things made them to swoon for fear.
17:19. For the whole world was enlightened, with a clear light, and none were hindered in their labours.
17:20. But over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of that darkness which was to come upon them. But they were to themselves more grievous than the darkness.
Wisdom Chapter 18
The slaughter of the firstborn in Egypt: the efficacy of Aaron's intercession, in the sedition on occasion of Core.
18:1. But thy saints had a very great light, and they heard their voice indeed, but did not see their shape. And because they also did not suffer the same things, they glorified thee:
18:2. And they that before had been wronged, gave thanks, because they were not hurt now: and asked this gift, that there might be a difference.
18:3. Therefore they received a burning pillar of fire for a guide of the way which they knew not, and thou gavest them a harmless sun of a good entertainment.
A harmless sun. . .A light that should not hurt or molest them; but that should be an agreeable guest to them.
18:4. The others indeed were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who kept thy children shut up, by whom the pure light of the law was to be given to the world.
18:5. And whereas they thought to kill the babes of the just: one child being cast forth, and saved to reprove them, thou tookest away a multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water.
One child. . .Viz., Moses.
18:6. For that night was known before by our fathers, that assuredly knowing what oaths they had trusted to, they might be of better courage.
18:7. So thy people received the salvation of the just, and destruction of the unjust.
18:8. For as thou didst punish the adversaries so thou didst also encourage and glorify us.
18:9. For the just children of good men were offering sacrifice secretly, and they unanimously ordered a law of justice: that the just should receive both good and evil alike, singing now the praises of the fathers.
Of good men. . .Viz., of the patriarchs. Their children, the Israelites, offered in private the sacrifice of the paschal lamb; and were regulating what they were to do in their journey, when that last and most dreadful plague was coming upon their enemies.
18:10. But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable mourning was heard for the children that were bewailed.
18:11. And the servant suffered the same punishment as the master, and a common man suffered in like manner as the king.
18:12. So all alike 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.
The noblest offspring. . .That is, the firstborn.
18:13. For whereas they would not believe any thing before by reason of the enchantments, then first upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged the people to be of God.
18:14. For while all things were in quiet silence, and the night was in the midst of her course,
18:15. Thy Almighty word leaped down from heaven from thy royal throne, as a fierce conqueror into the midst of the land of destruction,
18:16. With a sharp sword carrying thy unfeigned commandment, and he stood and filled all things with death, and standing on the earth, reached even to heaven.
18:17. Then suddenly visions of evil dreams troubled them, and fears unlooked for came upon them.
18:18. And one thrown here, another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death.
18:19. For the visions that troubled them foreshewed these things, lest they should perish, and not know why they suffered these evils.
18:20. But the just also were afterwards touched by an assault of death, and there was a disturbance of the multitude in the wilderness: but thy wrath did not long continue;
18:21. For a blameless man made haste to pry for the people, bringing forth the shield of his ministry, prayer, and by incense making supplication, withstood the wrath, and put an end to the calamity, shewing that he was thy servant.
18:22. And he overcame the disturbance, not by strength of body nor with force of arms, but with a word he subdued him that punished them, alleging the oath and covenant made with the fathers.
18:23. For when they were now fallen down dead by heaps one upon another, he stood between and stayed the assault, and cut off the way to the living.
18:24. For in the priestly robe which he wore, was the whole world: and in the four rows of the stones, the glory of the fathers was graven, and thy majesty was written upon the diadem of his head.
18:26. And to these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for the proof only of wrath was enough.
Wisdom Chapter 19
Why God shewed no mercy to the Egyptians. His favour to the Israelites. All creatures obey God's orders for the service of the good, and the punishment of the wicked.
19:1. But as to the wicked, even to the end there came upon them wrath without mercy. For he knew before also what they would do:
19:2. For when they had given them leave to depart and had sent them away with great care, they repented and pursued after them.
19:3. For whilst they were yet mourning, and lamenting at the graves of the dead, they took up another foolish device: and pursued them as fugitives whom they had pressed to be gone:
19:4. For a necessity, of which they were worthy, brought them to this end: and they lost the remembrance of those things which had happened, that their punishment might fill up what was wanting to their torments:
19:5. And that thy people might wonderfully pass through, but they might find a new death.
19:6. For every creature, according to its kind was fashioned again as from the beginning, obeying thy commandments, that thy children might be kept without hurt.
19:7. For a cloud overshadowed their camps and where water was before, dry land appeared, and in the Red Sea a way without hindrance, and out of the great deep a springing field:
19:8. Through which all the nation passed which was protected with thy hand, seeing thy miracles and wonders.
19:9. For they fed on their food like horses, and they skipped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them.
19:10. For they were yet mindful of those things which had been done in the time of their sojourning, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes.
19:11. And at length they saw a new generation of birds, when being led by their appetite, they asked for delicate meats.
19:12. For to satisfy their desire, the quail came up to them from the sea: and punishments came upon the sinners, not without foregoing signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness.
19:13. For they exercised a more detestable inhospitality than any: others indeed received not strangers unknown to them, but these brought their guests into bondage that had deserved well of them.
19:14. And not only so, but in another respect also they were worse: for the others against their will received the strangers.
19:15. But these grievously afflicted them whom they had received with joy, and who lived under the same laws.
19:16. But they were struck with blindness: as those others were at the doors of the just man, when they were covered with sudden darkness, and every one sought the passage of his own door.
19:17. For while the elements are changed in themselves, as in an instrument the sound of the quality is changed, yet all keep their sound: which may clearly be perceived by the very sight.
Elements are changed, etc. . .The meaning is, that whatever changes God wrought in the elements by miracles in favour of his people, they still kept their harmony by obeying his will.
19:18. For the things of the land were turned into things of the water: and the things that before swam in the water passed upon the land.
19:19. The fire had power in water above its own virtue, and the water forgot its quenching nature.
19:20. On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of corruptible animals walking therein, neither did they melt that good food, which was apt to melt as ice. For in all things thou didst magnify thy people, O Lord, and didst honour them, and didst not despise them, but didst assist them at all times, and in every place.
That good food. . .The manna.
This Book is so called from a Greek word that signifies a preacher: because, like an excellent preacher, it gives admirable lessons of all virtues. The author was Jesus the son of Sirach of Jerusalem, who flourished about two hundred years before Christ. As it was written after the time of Esdras, it is not in the Jewish canon; but is received as canonical and divine by the Catholic Church, instructed by apostolical tradition, and directed by the spirit of God. It was first written in the Hebrew, but afterwards translated into Greek, by another Jesus, the grandson of the author, whose prologue to this book is the following:
The knowledge of many and great things hath been shewn us by the law, and the prophets, and others that have followed them: for which things Israel is to be commended for doctrine and wisdom, because not only they that speak must needs be skilful, but strangers also, both speaking and writing, may by their means become most learned. My grandfather Jesus, after he had much given himself to a diligent reading of the law, and the prophets, and other books, that were delivered to us from our fathers, had a mind also to write something himself, pertaining to doctrine and wisdom; that such as are desirous to learn, and are made knowing in these things, may be more and more attentive in mind, and be strengthened to live according to the law. I entreat you therefore to come with benevolence, and to read with attention, and to pardon us for those things wherein we may seem, while we follow the image of wisdom, to come short in the composition of words; for the Hebrew words have not the same force in them when translated into another tongue. And not only these, but the law also itself, and the prophets, and the rest of the books, have no small difference, when they are spoken in their own language. For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt, when Ptolemy Evergetes was king, and continuing there a long time, I found there books left, of no small nor contemptible learning. Therefore I thought it good, and necessary for me to bestow some diligence and labour to interpret this book; and with much watching and study in some space of time, I brought the book to an end, and set it forth for the service of them that are willing to apply their mind, and to learn how they ought to conduct themselves, who purpose to lead their life according to the law of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 1
All wisdom is from God, and is given to them that fear and love God.
1:1. All wisdom is from the Lord God, and hath been always with him, and is before all time.
1:2. Who hath numbered the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of the world? Who hath measured the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the depth of the abyss?
1:3. Who hath searched out the wisdom of God that goeth before all things?
1:4. Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
1:5. The word of God on high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
1:6. To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed, and who hath known her wise counsels?
1:7. To whom hath the discipline of wisdom been revealed and made manifest? and who hath understood the multiplicity of her steps?
1:8. There is one most high Creator Almighty, and a powerful king, and greatly to be feared, who sitteth upon his throne, and is the God of dominion.
1:9. He created her in the Holy Ghost, and saw her, and numbered her, and measured her.
1:10. And he poured her out upon all his works, and upon all flesh according to his gift, and hath given her to them that love him.
1:11. The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of joy.
1:12. The fear of the Lord shall delight the heart, and shall give joy, and gladness, and length of days.
1:13. With him that feareth the Lord, it shall go well in the latter end, and in the day of his death he shall be blessed.
1:14. The love of God is honourable wisdom.
1:15. And they to whom she shall shew herself love her by the sight, and by the knowledge of her great works.
1:16. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and was created with the faithful in the womb, it walketh with chosen women, and is known with the just and faithful.
1:17. The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.
1:18. Religiousness shall keep and justify the heart, it shall give joy and gladness.
1:19. It shall go well with him that feareth the Lord, and in the days of his end he shall be blessed.
1:20. To fear God is the fulness of wisdom, and fulness is from the fruits thereof.
1:21. She shall fill all her house with her increase, and the storehouses with her treasures.
1:22. The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, filling up peace and the fruit of salvation:
1:23. And it hath seen, and numbered her: but both are the gifts of God.
1:24. Wisdom shall distribute knowledge, and understanding of prudence: and exalteth the glory of them that hold her.
1:25. The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord: and the branches thereof are long-lived.
1:26. In the treasures of wisdom is understanding, and religiousness of knowledge: but to sinners wisdom is an abomination.
1:27. The fear of the Lord driveth out sin:
1:28. For he that is without fear, cannot be justified: for the wrath of his high spirits is his ruin.
1:29. A patient man shall bear for a time, and afterwards joy shall be restored to him.
1:30. A good understanding will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.
1:31. In the treasures of wisdom is the signification of discipline:
1:32. But the worship of God is an abomination to a sinner.
1:33. Son, if thou desire wisdom, keep justice, and God will give her to thee.
1:34. For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and discipline: and that which is agreeable to him,
1:35. Is faith, and meekness: and he will fill up his treasures.
1:36. Be not incredulous to the fear of the Lord: and come not to him with a double heart.
1:37. Be not a hypocrite in the sight of men, and let not thy lips be a stumblingblock to thee.
1:38. Watch over them, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul,
1:39. And God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation.
1:40. Because thou camest to the Lord wickedly, and thy heart is full of guile and deceit.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 2
God's servants must look for temptations: and must arm themselves with patience and confidence in God.
2:1. Son, when thou comest to the service of God, stand in justice and in fear, and prepare thy soul for temptation.
2:2. Humble thy heart, and endure: incline thy ear, and receive the words of understanding: and make not haste in the time of clouds.
2:3. Wait on God with patience: join thyself to God, and endure, that thy life may be increased in the latter end.
2:4. Take all that shall be brought upon thee: and in thy sorrow endure, and in thy humiliation keep patience.
2:5. For gold and silver are tried in the fire, but acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.
2:6. Believe God, and he will recover thee: and direct thy way, and trust in him. Keep his fear, and grow old therein.
2:7. Ye that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy: and go not aside from him lest ye fall.
2:8. Ye that fear the Lord, believe him: and your reward shall not be made void.
2:9. Ye that fear the Lord hope in him, and mercy shall come to you for your delight.
2:10. Ye that fear the Lord, love him, and your hearts shall be enlightened.
2:11. My children behold the generations of men: and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded.
2:12. For who hath continued in his commandment, and hath been forsaken? or who hath called upon him, and he despised him?
2:13. For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.
2:14. Woe to them that are of a double heart and to wicked lips, and to the hands that do evil, and to the sinner that goeth on the earth two ways.
2:15. Woe to them that are fainthearted, who believe not God: and therefore they shall not be protected by him.
2:16. Woe to them that have lost patience, and that have forsaken the right ways, and have gone aside into crooked ways.
2:17. And what will they do, when the Lord shall begin to examine?
2:18. They that fear the Lord, will not be incredulous to his word: and they that love him, will keep his way.
2:19. They that fear the Lord, will seek after the things that are well pleasing to him: and they that love him, shall be filled with his law.
2:20. They that fear the Lord, will prepare their hearts, and in his sight will sanctify their souls,
2:21. They that fear the Lord, keep his commandments, and will have patience even until his visitation,
2:22. Saying: If we do not penance, we shall fall into the hands of the Lord, and not into the hands of men.
2:23. For according to his greatness, so also is his mercy with him.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 3
Lessons concerning the honour of parents, and humility, and avoiding curiosity.
3:1. The sons of wisdom are the church of the just: and their generation, obedience and love.
3:2. Children, hear the judgment of your father, and so do that you may be saved.
3:3. For God hath made the father honourable to the children: and seeking the judgment of the mothers, hath confirmed it upon the children.
3:4. He that loveth God, shall obtain pardon for his sins by prayer, and shall refrain himself from them, and shall be heard in the prayer of days.
3:5. And he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up a treasure.
3:6. He that honoureth his father shall have joy in his own children, and in the day of his prayer he shall be heard.
3:7. He that honoureth his father shall enjoy a long life: and he that obeyeth the father, shall be a comfort to his mother.
3:8. He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his parents, and will serve them as his masters that brought him into the world.
3:9. Honour thy father, in work and word, and all patience,
3:10. That a blessing may come upon thee from him, and his blessing may remain in the latter end.
3:11. The father's blessing establisheth the houses of the children: but the mother's curse rooteth up the foundation.
3:12. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father: for his shame is no glory to thee.
3:13. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father, and a father without honour is the disgrace of the son.
3:14. Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life;
3:15. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten.
3:16. For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother.
3:17. And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.
3:18. Of what an evil fame is he that forsaketh his father: and he is cursed of God that angereth his mother.
3:19. My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.
3:20. The greater thou art, the more humble thyself in all things, and thou shalt find grace before God:
3:21. For great is the power of God alone, and he is honoured by the humble.
3:22. Seek not the things that are too high for thee, and search not into things above thy ability: but the things that God hath commanded thee, think on them always, and in many of his works be not curious.
3:23. For it is not necessary for thee to see with thy eyes those things that are hid.
3:24. In unnecessary matters be not over curious, and in many of his works thou shalt not be inquisitive.
3:25. For many things are shewn to thee above the understanding of men.
3:26. And the suspicion of them hath deceived many, and hath detained their minds in vanity.
3:27. A hard heart shall fear evil at the last: and he that loveth danger shall perish in it.
3:28. A heart that goeth two ways shall not have success, and the perverse of heart shall be scandalized therein.
3:29. A wicked heart shall be laden with sorrows, and the sinner will add sin to sin.
3:30. The congregation of the proud shall not be healed: for the plant of wickedness shall take root in them, and it shall not be perceived.
3:31. The heart of the wise is understood in wisdom, and a good ear will hear wisdom with all desire.
3:32. A wise heart, and which hath understanding, will abstain from sins, and in the works of justice shall have success.
3:33. Water quencheth a flaming fire, and alms resisteth sins:
3:34. And God provideth for him that sheweth favour: he remembereth him afterwards, and in the time of his fall he shall find a sure stay.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 4
An exhortation to works of mercy, and to the love of wisdom.
4:1. Son, defraud not the poor of alms, and turn not away thy eyes from the poor.
4:2. Despise not the hungry soul: and provoke not the poor in his want.
4:3. Afflict not the heart of the needy, and defer not to gibe to him that is in distress.
4:4. Reject not the petition of the afflicted: and turn not away thy face from the needy.
4:5. Turn not away thy eyes from the poor for fear of anger: and leave not to them that ask of thee to curse thee behind thy back.
4:6. For the prayer of him that curseth thee in the bitterness of his soul, shall be heard, for he that made him will hear him.
4:7. Make thyself affable to the congregation of the poor, and humble thy soul to the ancient, and bow thy head to a great man.
4:8. Bow down thy ear cheerfully to the poor, and pay what thou owest, and answer him peaceable words with mildness.
4:9. Deliver him that suffereth wrong out of the hand of the proud: and be not fainthearted in thy soul.
4:10. In judging be merciful to the fatherless as a father, and as a husband to their mother.
4:11. And thou shalt be as the obedient son of the most High, and he will have mercy on thee more than a mother.
4:12. Wisdom inspireth life into her children, and protecteth them that seek after her, and will go before them in the way of justice.
4:13. And he that loveth her, loveth life: and they that watch for her, shall embrace her sweetness.
4:14. They that hold her fast, shall inherit life: and whithersoever she entereth, God will give a blessing.
4:15. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and God loveth them that love her.
4:16. He that hearkeneth to her, shall judge nations: and he that looketh upon her, shall remain secure.
4:17. If he trust to her, he shall inherit her, and his generation shall be in assurance.
4:18. For she walketh with him in temptation, and at the first she chooseth him.
In temptation, etc. . .The meaning is, that before wisdom will choose any for her favourite, she will try them by leading them through contradictions, afflictions, and temptations, the usual noviceship of the children of God.
4:19. She will bring upon him fear and dread and trial: and she will scourge him with the affliction of her discipline, till she try him by her laws, and trust his soul.
4:20. Then she will strengthen him, and make a straight way to him, and give him joy,
4:21. And will disclose her secrets to him, and will heap upon him treasures of knowledge and understanding of justice.
4:22. But if he go astray, she will forsake him, and deliver him into the hands of his enemy.
4:23. Son, observe the time, and fly from evil.
4:24. For thy soul be not ashamed to say the truth.
4:25. For there is a shame that bringeth sin, and there is a shame that bringeth glory and grace.
4:26. Accept no person against thy own person, nor against thy soul a lie.
4:27. Reverence not thy neighbour in his fall:
4:28. And refrain not to speak in the time of salvation. Hide not thy wisdom in her beauty.
4:29. For by the tongue wisdom is discerned: and understanding, and knowledge, and learning by the word of the wise, and steadfastness in the works of justice.
4:30. In nowise speak against the truth, but be ashamed of the lie of thy ignorance.
4:31. Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, but submit not thyself to every man for sin.
4:32. Resist not against the face of the mighty, and do not strive against the stream of the river.
4:33. Strive for justice for thy soul, and even unto death fight for justice, and God will overthrow thy enemies for thee.
4:34. Be not hasty in thy tongue: and slack and remiss in thy works.
4:35. Be not as a lion in thy house, terrifying them of thy household, and oppressing them that are under thee.
4:36. Let not thy hand be stretched out to receive, and shut when thou shouldst give.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 5
We must not presume of our wealth or strength: nor of the mercy of God, to go on in sin: we must be steadfast in virtue and truth.
5:1. Set not thy heart upon unjust possessions, and say not: I have enough to live on: for it shall be of no service in the time of vengeance and darkness.
5:2. Follow not in thy strength the desires of thy heart:
5:3. And say not: How mighty am I? and who shall bring me under for my deeds? for God will surely take revenge.
5:4. Say not: I have sinned, and what harm hath befallen me? for the most High is a patient rewarder.
5:5. Be not without fear about sin forgiven, and add not sin upon sin:
5:6. And say not: The mercy of the Lord is great, he will have mercy on the multitude of my sins.
5:7. For mercy and wrath quickly come from him, and his wrath looketh upon sinners.
5:8. Delay not to be converted to the Lord, and defer it not from day to day.
5:9. For his wrath shall come on a sudden, and in the time of vengeance he will destroy thee.
5:10. Be not anxious for goods unjustly gotten: for they shall not profit thee in the day of calamity and revenge.
5:11. Winnow not with every wind, and go not into every way: for so is every sinner proved by a double tongue.
5:12. Be steadfast in the way of the Lord, and in the truth of thy judgment, and in knowledge, and let the word of peace and justice keep with thee.
5:13. Be meek to hear the word, that thou mayst understand: and return a true answer with wisdom.
5:14. If thou have understanding, answer thy neighbour: but if not, let thy hand be upon thy mouth, lest thou be surprised in an unskilful word, and be confounded.
5:15. Honour and glory is in the word of the wise, but the tongue of the fool is his ruin.
5:16. Be not called a whisperer, and be not taken in thy tongue, and confounded.
5:17. For confusion and repentance is upon a thief, and an evil mark of disgrace upon the double tongued, but to the whisperer hatred, and enmity, and reproach.
5:18. Justify alike the small and the great.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 6
Of true and false friends: and of the of the fruits of wisdom.
6:1. Instead of a friend become not an enemy to thy neighbour: for an evil man shall inherit reproach and shame, so shall every sinner that is envious and double tongued.
6:2. Extol not thyself in the thoughts of thy soul like a bull: lest thy strength be quashed by folly,
6:3. And it eat up thy leaves, and destroy thy fruit, and thou be left as a dry tree in the wilderness.
6:4. For a wicked soul shall destroy him that hath it, and maketh him to be a joy to his enemies, and shall lead him into the lot of the wicked.
6:5. A sweet word multiplieth friends, and appeaseth enemies, and a gracious tongue in a good man aboundeth.
6:6. Be in peace with many, but let one of a thousand be thy counsellor.
6:7. If thou wouldst get a friend, try him before thou takest him, and do not credit him easily.
6:8. For there is a friend for his own occasion, and he will not abide in the day of thy trouble.
6:9. And there is a friend that turneth to enmity; and there is a friend that will disclose hatred and strife and reproaches.
6:10. And there is a friend a companion at the table, and he will not abide in the day of distress.
6:11. A friend if he continue steadfast, shall be to thee as thyself, and shall act with confidence among them of thy household.
6:12. If he humble himself before thee, and hide himself from thy face, thou shalt have unanimous friendship for good.
6:13. Separate thyself from thy enemies, and take heed of thy friends.
6:14. A faithful friend is a strong defence: and he that hath found him, hath found a treasure.
6:15. Nothing can be compared to a faithful friend, and no weight of gold and silver is able to countervail the goodness of his fidelity.
6:16. A faithful friend is the medicine of life and immortality: and they that fear the Lord, shall find him.
6:17. He that feareth God, shall likewise have good friendship: because according to him shall his friend be.
6:18. My son, from thy youth up receive instruction, and even to thy grey hairs thou shalt find wisdom.
6:19. Come to her as one that plougheth, and soweth, and wait for her good fruits:
6:20. For in working about her thou shalt labour a little, and shalt quickly eat of her fruits.
6:21. How very unpleasant is wisdom to the unlearned, and the unwise will not continue with her.
6:22. She shall be to them as a mighty stone of trial, and they will cast her from them before it be long.
6:23. For the wisdom of doctrine is according to her name, and she is not manifest unto many, but with them to whom she is known, she continueth even to the sight of God.
6:24. Give ear, my son, and take wise counsel, and cast not away my advice.
6:25. Put thy feet into her fetters, and thy neck into her chains:
6:26. Bow down thy shoulder, and bear her, and be not grieved with her bands.
6:27. Come to her with all thy mind, and keep her ways with all thy power.
6:28. Search for her, and she shall be made known to thee, and when thou hast gotten her, let her not go:
6:29. For in the latter end thou shalt find rest in her, and she shall be turned to thy joy.
6:30. Then shall her fetters be a strong defence for thee, and a firm foundation, and her chain a robe of glory:
6:31. For in her is the beauty of life, and her bands are a healthful binding.
6:32. Thou shalt put her on as a robe of glory, and thou shalt set her upon thee as a crown of joy.
6:33. My son, if thou wilt attend to me, thou shalt learn: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be wise.
6:34. If thou wilt incline thy ear, thou shalt receive instruction: and if thou love to hear, thou shalt be wise.
6:35. Stand in the multitude of ancients that are wise, and join thyself from thy heart to their wisdom, that thou mayst hear every discourse of God, and the sayings of praise may not escape thee.
6:36. And if thou see a man of understanding, go to him early in the morning, and let thy foot wear the steps of his doors.
6:37. Let thy thoughts be upon the precepts of God, and meditate continually on his commandments: and he will give thee a heart, and the desire of wisdom shall be given to thee.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 7
Religious and moral duties.
7:1. Do no evils, and no evils shall lay hold of thee.
7:2. Depart from the unjust, and evils shall depart from thee.
7:3. My son, sow not evils in the furrows of injustice, and thou shalt not reap them sevenfold.
7:4. Seek not of the Lord a preeminence, nor of the king the seat of honour.
7:5. Justify not thyself before God, for he knoweth the heart: and desire not to appear wise before the king.
7:6. Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities: lest thou fear the person of the powerful, and lay a stumblingblock for thy integrity.
7:7. Offend not against the multitude of a city, neither cast thyself in upon the people,
7:8. Nor bind sin to sin: for even in one thou shalt not be unpunished.
7:9. Be not fainthearted in thy mind:
7:10. Neglect not to pray, and to give alms.
7:11. Say not: God will have respect to the multitude of my gifts, and when I offer to the most high God, he will accept my offerings.
7:12. Laugh no man to scorn in the bitterness of his soul: for there is one that humbleth and exalteth, God who seeth all.
7:13. Devise not a lie against thy brother: neither do the like against thy friend.
7:14. Be not willing to make any manner of lie: for the custom thereof is not good.
7:15. Be not full of words in a multitude of ancients, and repeat not the word in thy prayer.
Repeat not, etc. . .Make not much babbling by repetition of words: but aim more at fervour of heart.
7:16. Hate not laborious works, nor husbandry ordained by the most High.
7:17. Number not thyself among the multitude of the disorderly.
7:18. Remember wrath, for it will not tarry long.
7:19. Humble thy spirit very much: for the vengeance on the flesh of the ungodly is fire and worms.
7:20. Do not transgress against thy friend deferring money, nor despise thy dear brother for the sake of gold.
7:21. Depart not from a wise and good wife, whom thou hast gotten in the fear of the Lord: for the grace of her modesty is above gold.
7:22. Hurt not the servant that worketh faithfully, nor the hired man that giveth thee his life.
7:23. Let a wise servant be dear to thee as thy own soul, defraud him not of liberty, nor leave him needy.
7:24. Hast thou cattle? have an eye to them: and if they be for thy profit, keep them with thee.
7:25. Hast thou children? instruct them, and bow down their neck from their childhood.
7:26. Hast thou daughters? have a care of their body, and shew not thy countenance gay towards them.
7:27. Marry thy daughter well, and thou shalt do a great work, and give her to a wise man.
7:28. If thou hast a wife according to thy soul, cast her not off: and to her that is hateful, trust not thyself. With thy whole heart,
7:29. Honour thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother:
7:30. Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee.
7:31. With all thy soul fear the Lord, and reverence his priests.
7:32. With all thy strength love him that made thee: and forsake not his ministers.
7:33. Honour God with all thy soul and give honour to the priests, and purify thyself with thy arms.
Thy arms. . .That is, with all thy power: or else by arms (brachiis) are here signified the right shoulders of the victims, which by the law fell to the priests. See ver. 35.
7:34. Give them their portion, as it is commanded thee, of the firstfruits and of purifications: and for thy negligences purify thyself with a few.
7:35. Offer to the Lord the gift of thy shoulders, and the sacrifice of sanctification, and the firstfruits of the holy things:
7:36. And stretch out thy hand to the poor, that thy expiation and thy blessing may be perfected.
7:37. A gift hath grace in the sight of all the living, and restrain not grace from the dead.
And restrain not grace from the dead. . .That is, withhold not from them the benefit of alms, prayers, and sacrifices. Such was the doctrine and practice of the church of God even in the time of the Old Testament. And the same has always been continued from the days of the apostles in the church of the New Testament.
7:38. Be not wanting in comforting them that weep, and walk with them that mourn.
7:39. Be not slow to visit the sick: for by these things thou shalt be confirmed in love.
7:40. In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 8
Other lessons of wisdom and virtue.
8:1. Strive not with a powerful man, lest thou fall into his hands.
8:2. Contend not with a rich man, lest he bring an action against thee.
8:3. For gold and silver hath destroyed many, and hath reached even to the heart of kings, and perverted them.
8:4. Strive not with a man that is full of tongue, and heap not wood upon his fire.
8:5. Communicate not with an ignorant man, lest he speak ill of thy family.
8:6. Despise not a man that turneth away from sin, nor reproach him therewith: remember that we are all worthy of reproof.
8:7. Despise not a man in his old age; for we also shall become old.
8:8. Rejoice not at the death of thy enemy; knowing that we all die, and are not willing that others should rejoice at our death.
8:9. Despise not the discourse of them that are ancient and wise, but acquaint thyself with their proverbs.
8:10. For of them thou shalt learn wisdom, and instruction of understanding, and to serve great men without blame.
8:11. Let not the discourse of the ancients escape thee, for they have learned of their fathers:
8:12. For of them thou shalt learn understanding, and to give an answer in time of need.
8:13. Kindle not the coals of sinners by rebuking them, lest thou be burnt with the flame of the fire of their sins.
8:14. Stand not against the face of an injurious person, lest he sit as a spy to entrap thee in thy words.
8:15. Lend not to a man that is mightier than thyself: and if thou lendest, count it as lost.
8:16. Be not surety above thy power: and if thou be surety, think as if thou wert to pay it.
8:17. Judge not against a judge: for he judgeth according to that which is just.
8:18. Go not on the way with a bold man, lest he burden thee with his evils: for he goeth according to his own will, and thou shalt perish together with his folly.
8:19. Quarrel not with a passionate man, and go not into the desert with a bold man: for blood is as nothing in his sight, and where there is no help he will overthrow thee.
8:20. Advise not with fools, for they cannot love but such things as please them.
8:21. Before a stranger do no matter of counsel: for thou knowest not what he will bring forth.
8:22. Open not thy heart to every man: lest he repay thee with an evil turn, and speak reproachfully to thee.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 9
Cautions with regard to women, and dangerous conversations.
9:1. Be not jealous over the wife of thy bosom, lest she shew in thy regard the malice of a wicked lesson.
9:2. Give not the power of thy soul to a woman, lest she enter upon thy strength, and thou be confounded.
9:3. Look not upon a woman that hath a mind for many: lest thou fall into her snares.
9:4. Use not much the company of her that is a dancer, and hearken not to her, lest thou perish by the force of her charms.
9:5. Gaze not upon a maiden, lest her beauty be a stumblingblock to thee.
9:6. Give not thy soul to harlots in any point: lest thou destroy thyself and thy inheritance.
9:7. Look not round about thee in the ways of the city, nor wander up and down in the streets thereof.
9:8. Turn away thy face from a woman dressed up, and gaze not about upon another's beauty.
9:9. For many have perished by the beauty of a woman, and hereby lust is enkindled as a fire.
9:10. Every woman that is a harlot, shall be trodden upon as dung in the way.
9:11. Many by admiring the beauty of another man's wife, have become reprobate, for her conversation burneth as fire.
9:12. Sit not at all with another man's wife, nor repose upon the bed with her:
9:13. And strive not with her over wine, lest thy heart decline towards her and by thy blood thou fall into destruction.
9:14. Forsake not an old friend, for the new will not be like to him.
9:15. A new friend is as new wine: it shall grow old, and thou shalt drink it with pleasure.
9:16. Envy not the glory and riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what his ruin shall be.
9:17. Be not pleased with the wrong done by the unjust, knowing that even to hell the wicked shall not please.
9:18. Keep thee far from the man that hath power to kill, so thou shalt not suspect the fear of death.
9:19. And if thou come to him, commit no fault, lest he take away thy life.
9:20. Know it to be a communication with death: for thou art going in the midst of snares, and walking upon the arms of them that are grieved.
9:21. According to thy power beware of thy neighbour, and treat with the wise and prudent.
9:22. Let just men be thy guests, and let thy glory be in the fear of God.
9:23. And let the thought of God be in thy mind, and all thy discourse on the commandments of the Highest.
9:24. Works shall be praised for the hand of the artificers, and the prince of the people for the wisdom of his speech, but the word of the ancients for the sense.
9:25. A man full of tongue is terrible in his city, and he that is rash in his word shall be hateful.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 10
The virtues and vices of men in power: the great evil of pride.
10:1. A wise judge shall judge his people, and the government of a prudent man shall be steady.
Judge his people. . .In the Greek it is, instruct his people.
10:2. As the judge of the people is himself, so also are his ministers: and what manner of man the ruler of a city is, such also are they that dwell therein.
10:3. An unwise king shall be the ruin of his people: and cities shall be inhabited through the prudence of the rulers.
10:4. The power of the earth is in the hand of God, and in his time he will raise up a profitable ruler over it.
10:5. The prosperity of man is in the hand of God, and upon the person of the scribe he shall lay his honour.
The scribe. . .That is, the man that is wise and learned in the law.
10:6. Remember not any injury done thee by thy neighbour, and do thou nothing by deeds of injury.
10:7. Pride is hateful before God and men: and all iniquity of nations is execrable.
10:8. A kingdom is translated from one people to another, because of injustices, and wrongs, and injuries, and divers deceits.
10:9. But nothing is more wicked than the covetous man. Why is earth, and ashes proud?
10:10. There is not a more wicked thing than to love money: for such a one setteth even his own soul to sale: because while he liveth he hath cast away his bowels.
10:11. All power is of short life. A long sickness is troublesome to the physician.
10:12. The physician cutteth off a short sickness: so also a king is to day, and to morrow he shall die.
10:13. For when a man shall die, he shall inherit serpents, and beasts, and worms.
10:14. The beginning of the pride of man, is to fall off from God:
10:15. Because his heart is departed from him that made him: for pride is the beginning of all sin: he that holdeth it, shall be filled with maledictions, and it shall ruin him in the end.
10:16. Therefore hath the Lord disgraced the assemblies of the wicked, and hath utterly destroyed them.
10:17. God hath overturned the thrones of proud princes, and hath set up the meek in their stead.
10:18. God hath made the roots of proud nations to wither, and hath planted the humble of these nations.
10:19. The Lord hath overthrown the lands of the Gentiles, and hath destroyed them even to the foundation.
10:20. He hath made some of them to wither away, and hath destroyed them, and hath made the memory of them to cease from the earth.
10:21. God hath abolished the memory of the proud, and hath preserved the memory of them that are humble in mind.
10:22. Pride was not made for men: nor wrath for the race of women.
10:23. That seed of men shall be honoured, which feareth God: but that seed shall be dishonoured, which transgresseth the commandments of the Lord.
10:24. In the midst of brethren their chief is honourable: so shall they that fear the Lord, be in his eyes.
10:25. The fear of God is the glory of the rich, and of the honourable, and of the poor.
10:26. Despise not a just man that is poor, and do not magnify a sinful man that is rich.
10:27. The great man, and the judge, and the mighty is in honour: and there is none greater than he that feareth God.
10:28. They that are free shall serve a servant that is wise: and a man that is prudent and well instructed will not murmur when he is reproved; and he that is ignorant, shall not be honoured.
10:29. Extol not thyself in doing thy work, and linger not in the time of distress;
10:30. Better is he that laboureth, and aboundeth in all things, than he that boasteth himself and wanteth bread.
10:31. My son, keep thy soul in meekness, and give it honour according to its desert.
10:32. Who will justify him that sinneth against his own soul? and who will honour him that dishonoureth his own soul?
10:33. The poor man is glorified by his discipline and fear, and there is a man that is honoured for his wealth.
10:34. But he that is glorified in poverty, how much more in wealth? and he that is glorified in wealth, let him fear poverty.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 11
Lessons of humility and moderation in all things.
11:1. The wisdom of the humble shall exalt his head, and shall make him sit in the midst of great men.
11:2. Praise not a man for his beauty, neither despise a man for his look.
11:3. The bee is small among flying things but her fruit hath the chiefest sweetness.
11:4. Glory not in apparel at any time, and be not exalted in the day of thy honour: for the works of the Highest only are wonderful, and his works are glorious, and secret, and hidden.
11:5. Many tyrants have sat on the throne, and he whom no man would think on, hath worn the crown.
11:6. Many mighty men have been greatly brought down, and the glorious have been delivered into the hand of others.
11:7. Before thou inquire, blame no man: and when thou hast inquired, reprove justly.
11:8. Before thou hear, answer not a word: and interrupt not others in the midst of their discourse.
11:9. Strive not in a matter which doth not concern thee, and sit not in judgment with sinners.
11:10. My son, meddle not with many matters: and if thou be rich, thou shalt not be free from sin: for if thou pursue after thou shalt not overtake; and if thou run before thou shalt not escape.
11:11. There is an ungodly man that laboureth, and maketh haste, and is in sorrow, and is so much the more in want.
11:12. Again, there is an inactive man that wanteth help, is very weak in ability, and full of poverty:
11:13. Yet the eye of God hath looked upon him for good, and hath lifted him up from his low estate, and hath exalted his head: and many have wondered at him, and have glorified God.
11:14. Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from God.
11:15. Wisdom and discipline, and the knowledge of the law are with God. Love and the ways of good things are with him.
11:16. Error and darkness are created with sinners: and they that glory in evil things, grow old in evil.
11:17. The gift of God abideth with the just, and his advancement shall have success for ever.
11:18. There is one that is enriched by living sparingly, and this is the portion of his reward.
11:19. In that he saith: I have found me rest, and now I will eat of my goods alone:
11:20. And he knoweth not what time shall pass, and that death approacheth, and that he must leave all to others, and shall die.
11:21. Be steadfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and grow old in the work of thy commandments.
11:22. Abide not in the works of sinners. But trust in God, and stay in thy place,
11:23. For it is easy in the eyes of God on a sudden to make the poor man rich.
11:24. The blessing of God maketh haste to reward the just, and in a swift hour his blessing beareth fruit.
11:25. Say not: What need I, and what good shall I have by this?
11:26. Say not: I am sufficient for myself: and what shall I be made worse by this?
11:27. In the day of good things be not unmindful of evils: and in the day of evils be not unmindful of good things:
11:28. For it is easy before God in the day of death to reward every one according to his ways.
11:29. The affliction of an hour maketh one forget great delights, and in the end of a man is the disclosing of his works.
11:30. Praise not any man before death, for a man is known by his children.
11:31. Bring not every man into thy house: for many are the snares of the deceitful.
11:32. For as corrupted bowels send forth stinking breath, and as the partridge is brought into the cage, and as the roe into the snare: so also is the heart of the proud, and as a spy that looketh on the fall of his neighbour.
11:33. For he lieth in wait and turneth good into evil, and on the elect he will lay a blot.
11:34. Of one spark cometh a great fire, and of one deceitful man much blood: and a sinful man lieth in wait for blood.
11:35. Take heed to thyself of a mischievous man, for he worketh evils: lest he bring upon thee reproach for ever.
11:36. Receive a stranger in, and he shall overthrow thee with a whirlwind, and shall turn thee out of thy own.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 12
We are to be liberal to the just: and not to trust the wicked.
12:1. If thou do good, know to whom thou dost it, and there shall be much thanks for thy good deeds.
12:2. Do good to the just, and thou shalt find great recompense: and if not of him, assuredly of the Lord.
12:3. For there is no good for him that is always occupied in evil, and that giveth no alms: for the Highest hateth sinners, and hath mercy on the penitent.
12:4. Give to the merciful and uphold not the sinner: God will repay vengeance to the ungodly and to sinners, and keep them against the day of vengeance.
12:5. Give to the good, and receive not a sinner.
12:6. Do good to the humble, and give not to the ungodly: hold back thy bread, and give it not to him, lest thereby he overmaster thee.
12:7. For thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done to him: for the Highest also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance to the ungodly.
12:8. A friend shall not be known in prosperity, and an enemy shall not be hidden in adversity.
12:9. In the prosperity of a man, his enemies are grieved: and a friend is known in his adversity.
12:10. Never trust thy enemy for as a brass pot his wickedness rusteth:
12:11. Though he humble himself and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him.
12:12. Set him not by thee, neither let him sit on thy right hand, lest he turn into thy place, and seek to take thy seat and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings.
12:13. Who will pity an enchanter struck by a serpent, or any that come near wild beasts? so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and is involved in his sins.
12:14. For an hour he will abide with thee: but if thou begin to decline, he will not endure it.
12:15. An enemy speaketh sweetly with his lips, but in his heart he lieth in wait, to throw thee into a pit.
12:16. An enemy weepeth with his eyes: but if he find an opportunity he will not be satisfied with blood:
12:17. And if evils come upon thee, thou shalt find him there first.
12:18. An enemy hath tears in his eyes, and while he pretendeth to help thee, will undermine thy feet.
12:19. He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 13
Cautions in the choice of company.
13:1. He that toucheth pitch, shall be defiled with it: and he that hath fellowship with the proud, shall put on pride.
13:2. He shall take a burden upon him that hath fellowship with one more honourable than himself. And have no fellowship with one that is richer than thyself.
13:3. What agreement shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? for if they knock one against the other, it shall be broken.
13:4. The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace.
13:5. If thou give, he will make use of thee: and if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.
13:6. If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee.
13:7. If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou?
13:8. And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.
13:9. Humble thyself to God, and wait for his hands.
13:10. Beware that thou be not deceived into folly, and be humbled.
13:11. Be not lowly in thy wisdom, lest being humbled thou be deceived into folly.
13:12. If thou be invited by one that is mightier, withdraw thyself: for so he will invite thee the more.
13:13. Be not troublesome to him, lest thou be put back: and keep not far from him, lest thou be forgotten.
13:14. Affect not to speak with him as an equal, and believe not his many words: for by much talk he will sift thee, and smiling will examine thee concerning thy secrets.
13:15. His cruel mind will lay up thy words: and he will not spare to do thee hurt, and to cast thee into prison.
13:16. Take heed to thyself, and attend diligently to what thou hearest: for thou walkest in danger of thy ruin.
13:17. When thou hearest those things, see as it were in sleep, and thou shalt awake.
13:18. Love God all thy life, and call upon him for thy salvation.
13:19. Every beast loveth its like: so also every man him that is nearest to himself.
13:20. All flesh shall consort with the like to itself, and every man shall associate himself to his like.
13:21. If the wolf shall at any time have fellowship with the lamb, so the sinner with the just.
13:22. What fellowship hath a holy man with a dog, or what part hath the rich with the poor?
13:23. The wild ass is the lion's prey in the desert: so also the poor are devoured by the rich.
13:24. And as humility is an abomination to the proud: so also the rich man abhorreth the poor.
13:25. When a rich man is shaken, he is kept up by his friends: but when a poor man is fallen down, he is thrust away even by his acquaintance.
13:26. When a rich man hath been deceived, he hath many helpers: he hath spoken proud things, and they have justified him.
13:27. The poor man was deceived, and he is rebuked also: he hath spoken wisely, and could have no place.
13:28. The rich man spoke, and all held their peace, and what he said they extol even to the clouds.
13:29. The poor man spoke, and they say: Who is this? and if he stumble, they will overthrow him.
13:30. Riches are good to him that hath no sin in his conscience: and poverty is very wicked in the mouth of the ungodly.
13:31. The heart of a man changeth his countenance, either for good, or for evil.
13:32. The token of a good heart, and a good countenance thou shalt hardly find, and with labour.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 14
The evil of avarice: works of mercy are recommended, and the love of wisdom.
14:1. Blessed is the man that hath not slipped by a word out of his mouth, and is not pricked with the remorse of sin.
14:2. Happy is he that hath had no sadness of his mind, and who is not fallen from his hope.
14:3. Riches are not comely for a covetous man and a niggard, and what should an envious man do with gold?
14:4. He that gathereth together by wronging his own soul, gathereth for others, and another will squander away his goods in rioting.
14:5. He that is evil to himself, to whom will he be good? and he shall not take pleasure in his goods.
14:6. There is none worse than he that envieth himself, and this is the reward of his wickedness:
14:7. And if he do good, he doth it ignorantly, and unwillingly: and at the last he discovereth his wickedness.
14:8. The eye of the envious is wicked: and he turneth away his face, and despiseth his own soul.
14:9. The eye of the covetous man is insatiable in his portion of iniquity: he will not be satisfied till he consume his own soul, drying it up.
14:10. An evil eye is towards evil things: and he shall not have his fill of bread, but shall be needy and pensive at his own table.
14:11. My son, if thou have any thing, do good to thyself, and offer to God worthy offerings.
14:12. Remember that death is not slow, and that the covenant of hell hath been shewn to thee: for the covenant of this world shall surely die.
Covenant of hell. . .The decree by which all are to go down to the regions of death.
14:13. Do good to thy friend before thou die, and according to thy ability, stretching out thy hand give to the poor.
14:14. Defraud not thyself of the good day, and let not the part of a good gift overpass thee.
14:15. Shalt thou not leave to others to divide by lot thy sorrows and labours?
14:16. Give and take, and justify thy soul.
14:17. Before thy death work justice: for in hell there is no finding food.
14:18. All flesh shall fade as grass, and as the leaf that springeth out on a green tree.
14:19. Some grow, and some fall off: so is the generation of flesh and blood, one cometh to an end, and another is born.
14:20. Every work that is corruptible shall fail in the end: and the worker thereof shall go with it.
14:21. And every excellent work shall be justified: and the worker thereof shall be honoured therein.
14:22. Blessed is the man that shall continue in wisdom, and that shall meditate in his justice, and in his mind shall think of the all seeing eye of God.
14:23. He that considereth her ways in his heart, and hath understanding in her secrets, who goeth after her as one that traceth, and stayeth in her ways.
14:24. He who looketh in at her windows, and hearkeneth at her door.
14:25. He that lodgeth near her house, and fastening a pin in her walls shall set up his tent high unto her, where good things shall rest in his lodging for ever.
14:26. He shall set his children under her shelter, and shall lodge under her branches:
14:27. He shall be protected under her covering from the heat, and shall rest in her glory.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 15
Wisdom embraceth them that fear God. God is not the author of sin.
15:1. He that feareth God, will do good: and he that possesseth justice, shall lay hold on her,
15:2. And she will meet him as an honourable mother, and will receive him as a wife married of a virgin.
15:3. With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved.
15:4. And she shall hold him fast, and he shall not be confounded: and she shall exalt him among his neighbours.
15:5. And in the midst of the church she shall open his mouth, and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, and shall clothe him with a robe of glory.
15:6. She shall heap upon him a treasure of joy and gladness, and shall cause him to inherit an everlasting name.
15:7. But foolish men shall not obtain her, and wise men shall meet her, foolish men shall not see her: for she is far from pride and deceit.
15:8. Lying men shall be mindful of her: but men that speak truth shall be found with her, and shall advance, even till they come to the sight of God.
15:9. Praise is not seemly in the mouth of a sinner:
15:10. For wisdom came forth from God: for praise shall be with the wisdom of God, and shall abound in a faithful mouth, and the sovereign Lord will give praise unto it.
15:11. Say not: It is through God, that she is not with me: for do not thou the things that he hateth.
15:12. Say not: He hath caused me to err: for he hath no need of wicked men.
15:13. The Lord hateth all abomination of error, and they that fear him shall not love it.
15:14. God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hand of his own counsel.
15:15. He added his commandments and precepts.
15:16. If thou wilt keep the commandments and perform acceptable fidelity for ever, they shall preserve thee.
15:17. He hath set water and fire before thee: stretch forth thy hand to which thou wilt.
15:18. Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him:
15:19. For the wisdom of God is great, and he is strong in power, seeing all men without ceasing.
15:20. The eyes of the Lord are towards them that fear him, and he knoweth al the work of man.
15:21. He hath commanded no man to do wickedly, and he hath given no man license to sin;
15:22. For he desireth not a multitude of faithless and unprofitable children.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 16
It is better to have none than many wicked children. Of the justice and mercy of God. His ways are unsearchable.
16:1. Rejoice not in ungodly children, if they be multiplied: neither be delighted in them, if the fear of God be not with them.
16:2. Trust not to their life, and respect not their labours.
16:3. For better is one that feareth God, than a thousand ungodly children.
16:4. And it is better to die without children, than to leave ungodly children.
16:5. By one that is wise a country shall be inhabited, the tribe of the ungodly shall become desolate.
16:6. Many such things hath my eyes seen, and greater things than these my ear hath heard.
16:7. In the congregation of sinners a fire shall be kindled, and in an unbelieving nation wrath shall flame out.
16:8. The ancient giants did not obtain pardon for their sins, who were destroyed trusting to their own strength:
16:9. And he spared not the place where Lot sojourned, but abhorred them for the pride of their word.
16:10. He had not pity on them, destroying the whole nation that extolled themselves in their sins.
16:11. So did he with the six hundred thousand footmen, who were gathered together in the hardness of their heart: and if one had been stiffnecked, it is a wonder if he had escaped unpunished:
Six hundred thousand footmen, etc. . .Viz., the children of Israel, whom he sentenced to die in the wilderness. Num. 14.
16:12. For mercy and wrath are with him. He is mighty to forgive, and to pour out indignation:
16:13. According as his mercy is, so his correction judgeth a man according to his works.
16:14. The sinner shall not escape in his rapines, and the patience of him that sheweth mercy shall not be put off.
16:15. All mercy shall make a place for every man according to the merit of his works, and according to the wisdom of his sojournment.
16:16. Say not: I shall be hidden from God, and who shall remember me from on high?
16:17. In such a multitude I shall not be known: for what is my soul in such an immense creation?
16:18. Behold the heaven, and the heavens of heavens, the deep, and all the earth, and the things that are in them, shall be moved in his sight,
16:19. The mountains also, and the hills, and the foundations of the earth: when God shall look upon them, they shall be shaken with trembling.
16:20. And in all these things the heart is senseless: and every heart is understood by him.
16:21. And his ways who shall understand, and the storm, which no eye of man shall see?
16:22. For many of his works are hidden, but the works of his justice who shall declare? or who shall endure? for the testament is far from some, and the examination of all is in the end.
16:23. He that wanteth understanding thinketh vain things, and the foolish, and erring man, thinketh foolish things.
16:24. Hearken to me, my son, and learn the discipline of understanding, and attend to my words in thy heart.
16:25. And I will shew forth good doctrine in equity, and will seek to declare wisdom: and attend to my words in thy heart, whilst with equity of spirit I tell thee the virtues that God hath put upon his works from the beginning, and I shew forth in truth his knowledge.
16:26. The works of God are done in judgment from the beginning, and from the making of them he distinguished their parts, and their beginnings in their generations.
16:27. He beautified their works for ever, they have neither hungered, nor laboured, and they have not ceased from their works.
16:28. Nor shall any of them straiten his neighbour at any time.
16:29. Be not thou incredulous to his word.
16:30. After this God looked upon the earth, and filled it with his goods.
16:31. The soul of every living thing hath shewn forth before the face thereof, and into it they return again.
Shewn forth. . .Viz., the glory and power of God upon the earth.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 17
The creation and favour of God to man. An exhortation to turn to God.
17:1. God created man of the earth, and made him after his own image.
17:2. And he turned him into it again, and clothed him with strength according to himself.
17:3. He gave him the number of his days and time, and gave him power over all things that are upon the earth.
17:4. He put the fear of him upon all flesh, and he had dominion over beasts and fowls.
17:5. He created of him a helpmate like to himself, he gave them counsel, and a tongue, and eyes, and ears, and a heart to devise: and he filled them with the knowledge of understanding.
17:6. He created in them the science of the spirit, he fired their heart with wisdom, and shewed them both good and evil.
17:7. He set his eye upon their hearts to shew them the greatness of his works:
17:8. That they might praise the name which he hath sanctified: and glory in his wondrous act that they might declare the glorious things of his works.
17:9. Moreover he gave them instructions, and the law of life for an inheritance.
17:10. He made an everlasting covenant with them, and he shewed them his justice and judgments.
17:11. And their eye saw the majesty of his glory, and their ears heard his glorious voice, and he said to them: Beware of all iniquity.
Their eye saw, etc. . .Viz., when he gave the law on mount Sinai.
17:12. And he gave to every one of them commandment concerning his neighbour.
17:13. Their ways are always before him, they are not hidden from his eyes.
17:14. Over every nation he set a ruler.
17:15. And Israel was made the manifest portion of God.
17:16. And all their works are as the sun in the sight of God: and his eyes are continually upon their ways.
17:17. Their covenants were not hid by their iniquity, and all their iniquities are in the sight of God.
17:18. The alms of a man is as a signet with him, and shall preserve the grace of a man as the apple of the eye:
17:19. And afterward he shall rise up, and shall render them their reward, to every one upon their own head, and shall turn them down into the bowels of the earth.
17:20. But to the penitent he hath given the way of justice, and he hath strengthened them that were fainting in patience, and hath appointed to them the lot of truth.
17:21. Turn to the Lord, and forsake thy sins:
17:22. Make thy prayer before the face of the Lord, and offend less.
Offend less. . .Minue offendicula. That is, remove sins and the occasions of sins.
17:23. Return to the Lord, and turn away from thy injustice, and greatly hate abomination.
17:24. And know the justices and judgments of God, and stand firm in the lot set before thee, and in prayer to the most high God.
17:25. Go to the side of the holy age, with them that live and give praise to God.
Go to the side, etc. . .Fly from the side of Satan and sin, and join with the holy ones, that follow God and godliness.
17:26. Tarry not in the error of the ungodly, give glory before death. Praise perisheth from the dead as nothing.
17:27. Give thanks whilst thou art living, whilst thou art alive and in health thou shalt give thanks, and shalt praise God, and shalt glory in his mercies.
17:28. How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him !
17:29. For all things cannot be in men, because the son of man is not immortal, and they are delighted with the vanity of evil.
17:30. What is brighter than the sun; yet it shall be eclipsed. Or what is more wicked than that which flesh and blood hath invented? and this shall be reproved.
17:31. He beholdeth the power of the height of heaven: and all men are earth and ashes.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 18
God's works are wonderful: we must serve him, and not our lusts.
18:1. He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever.
18:2. Who is able to declare his works?
18:3. For who shall search out his glorious acts?
18:4. And who shall show forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
18:5. Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God.
18:6. When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
Then shall he begin. . .God is so great and incomprehensible, that when man has done all that he can to find out his greatness and boundless perfections, he is still to begin: for what he has found out, is but a mere nothing in comparison with his infinity.
18:7. What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil?
18:8. The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years, as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity.
18:9. Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
18:10. He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
18:11. Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice.
18:12. The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
18:13. He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock.
18:14. He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
18:15. My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word.
18:16. Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift.
18:17. Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man.
18:18. A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
18:19. Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
18:20. Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
18:21. Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation.
18:22. Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever.
18:23. Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
18:24. Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
18:25. Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
18:26. From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
18:27. A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
18:28. Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
18:29. They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments.
18:30. Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
18:31. If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
18:32. Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
18:33. Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 19
Admonition against sundry vices.
19:1. A workman that is a drunkard shall not be rich: and he that contemneth small things, shall fall by little and little.
19:2. Wine and women make wise men fall off, and shall rebuke the prudent:
19:3. And he that joineth himself to harlots, will be wicked. Rottenness and worms shall inherit him, and he shall be lifted up for a greater example, and his soul shall be taken away out of the number.
19:4. He that is hasty to give credit, is light of heart, and shall be lessened: and he that sinneth against his own soul, shall be despised.
19:5. He that rejoiceth in iniquity, shall be censured, and he that hateth chastisement, shall have less life: and he that hateth babbling, extinguisheth evil.
19:6. He that sinneth against his own soul, shall repent: and he that is delighted with wickedness, shall be condemned.
19:7. Rehearse not again a wicked and harsh word, and thou shalt not fare the worse.
19:8. Tell not thy mind to friend or foe: and if there be a sin with thee, disclose it not.
19:9. For he will hearken to thee, and will watch thee, and as it were defending thy sin he will hate thee, and so will he be with thee always.
19:10. Hast thou heard a word against thy neighbour? let it die within thee, trusting that it will not burst thee.
19:11. At the hearing of a word the fool is in travail, as a woman groaning in the bringing forth a child.
19:12. As an arrow that sticketh in a man's thigh: so is a word in the heart of a fool.
19:13. Reprove a friend, lest he may not have understood, and say: I did it not: or if he did it, that he may do it no more.
19:14. Reprove thy neighbour, for it may be he hath not said it: and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again.
19:15. Admonish thy friend: for there is often a fault committed.
19:16. And believe not every word. There is one, that slippeth with the tongue, but not from his heart.
19:17. For who is there that hath not offended with his tongue? Admonish thy neighbour before thou threaten him.
19:18. And give place to the fear of the most High: for the fear of God is all wisdom, and therein is to fear God, and the disposition of the law is in all wisdom.
19:19. But the learning of wickedness is not wisdom: and the device of sinners is not prudence.
19:20. There is a subtle wickedness, and the same is detestable: and there is a man that is foolish, wanting in wisdom.
19:21. Better is a man that hath less wisdom, and wanteth understanding, with the fear of God, than he that aboundeth in understanding, and transgresseth the law of the most High.
19:22. There is an exquisite subtilty, and the same is unjust.
19:23. And there is one that uttereth an exact word telling the truth. There is one that humbleth himself wickedly, and his interior is full of deceit:
19:24. And there is one that submitteth himself exceedingly with a great lowliness: and there is one that casteth down his countenance, and maketh as if he did not see that which is unknown:
19:25. And if he be hindered from sinning for want of power, if he shall find opportunity to do evil, he will do it.
19:26. A man is known by his look, and a wise man, when thou meetest him, is known by his countenance.
19:27. The attire of the body, and the laughter of the teeth, and the gait of the man, shew what he is.
19:28. There is a lying rebuke in the anger of an injurious man: and there is a judgment that is not allowed to be good: and there is one that holdeth his peace, he is wise.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 20
Rules with regard to correction, discretion, and avoiding lies.
20:1. How much better is it to reprove, than to be angry, and not to hinder him that confesseth in prayer.
20:2. The lust of an eunuch shall deflour a young maiden:
20:3. So is he that by violence executeth of the unwise.
20:4. How good is it, when thou art reproved, to shew repentance! for so thou shalt escape wilful sin.
20:5. There is one that holdeth his peace, that is found wise: and there is another that is hateful, that is bold in speech.
20:6. There is one that holdeth his peace, because he knoweth not what to say: and there is another that holdeth his peace, knowing the proper time.
20:7. A wise man will hold his peace till he see opportunity: but a babbler, and a fool, will regard no time.
20:8. He that useth many words shall hurt his own soul: and he that taketh authority to himself unjustly shall be hated.
20:9. There is success in evil things to a man without discipline, and there is a finding that turneth to loss.
20:10. There is a gift that is not profitable: and there is a gift, the recompense of which is double.
20:11. There is an abasement because of glory: and there is one that shall lift up his head from a low estate.
20:12. There is that buyeth much for a small price, and restoreth the same sevenfold.
20:13. A man wise in words shall make himself beloved: but the graces of fools shall be poured out.
20:14. The gift of the fool shall do thee no good: for his eyes are sevenfold.
20:15. He will give a few things, and upbraid much: and the opening of his mouth is the kindling of a fire.
20:16. To day a man lendeth, and to morrow he asketh it again: such a man as this is hateful.
20:17. A fool shall have no friend, and there shall be no thanks for his good deeds.
20:18. For they that eat his bread, are of a false tongue. How often, and how many will laugh him to scorn!
20:19. For he doth not distribute with right understanding that which was to be had: in like manner also that which was not to be had.
20:20. The slipping of a false tongue is as one that falleth on the pavement: so the fall of the wicked shall come speedily.
20:21. A man without grace is as a vain fable, it shall be continually in the mouth of the unwise.
20:22. A parable coming out of a fool's mouth shall be rejected: for he doth not speak it in due season.
20:23. There is that is hindered from sinning through want, and in his rest he shall be pricked.
20:24. There is that will destroy his own soul through shamefacedness, and by occasion of an unwise person he will destroy it: and by respect of person he will destroy himself.
20:25. There is that for bashfulness promiseth to his friend, and maketh him his enemy for nothing.
20:26. A lie is a foul blot in a man, and yet it will be continually in the mouth of men without discipline.
20:27. A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.
20:28. The manners of lying men are without honour: and their confusion is with them without ceasing.
20:29. A wise man shall advance himself with his words, and a prudent man shall please the great ones.
20:30. He that tilleth his land shall make a high heap of corn: and he that worketh justice shall be exalted: and he that pleaseth great men shall escape iniquity.
20:31. Presents and gifts blind the eyes of judges, and make them dumb in the mouth, so that they cannot correct.
20:32. O Wisdom that is hid, and treasure that is not seen: what profit is there in them both?
20:33. Better is he that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 21
Cautions against sin in general, and some sins in particular.
21:1. My son, hast thou sinned? do so no more: but for thy former sins also pray that they may be forgiven thee.
21:2. Flee from sins as from the face of a serpent: for if thou comest near them, they will take hold of thee.
21:3. The teeth thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
21:4. All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no remedy for the wound thereof.
21:5. Injuries and wrongs will waste riches: and the house that is very rich shall be brought to nothing by pride: so the substance of the proud shall be rooted out.
21:6. The prayer out of the mouth of the poor shall reach the ears of God, and judgment shall come for him speedily.
21:7. He that hateth to be reproved walketh in the trace of a sinner: and he that feareth God will turn to his own heart.
21:8. He that is mighty by a bold tongue is known afar off, but a wise man knoweth to slip by him.
21:9. He that buildeth his house at other men's charges, is as he that gathereth himself stones to build in the winter.
21:10. The congregation of sinners is like tow heaped together, and the end of them is a flame of fire.
21:11. The way of sinners is made plain with stones, and in their end is hell, and darkness, and pains.
21:12. He that keepeth justice shall get the understanding thereof.
21:13. The perfection of the fear of God is wisdom and understanding.
21:14. He that is not wise in good, will not be taught.
21:15. But there is a wisdom that aboundeth in evil: and there is no understanding where there is bitterness.
21:16. The knowledge of a wise man shall abound like a flood, and his counsel continueth like a fountain of life.
21:17. The heart of a fool is like a broken vessel, and no wisdom at all shall it hold.
21:18. A man of sense will praise every wise word he shall hear, and will apply it to himself: the luxurious man hath heard it, and it shall displease him, and he will cast it behind his back.
21:19. The talking of a fool is like a burden in the way: but in the lips of the wise, grace shall be found.
21:20. The mouth of the prudent is sought after in the church, and they will think upon his words in their hearts.
21:21. As a house that is destroyed, so is wisdom to a fool: and the knowledge of the unwise is as words without sense.
21:22. Doctrine to a fool is as fetters on the feet, and like manacles on the right hand.
21:23. A fool lifteth up his voice in laughter: but a wise man will scarce laugh low to himself.
21:24. Learning to the prudent is as an ornament of gold, and like a bracelet upon his right arm.
21:25. The foot of a fool is soon in his neighbour's house: but a man of experience will be abashed at the person of the mighty.
21:26. A fool will peep through the window into the house: but he that is well taught will stand without.
21:27. It is the folly of a man to hearken at the door: and a wise man will be grieved with the disgrace.
21:28. The lips of the unwise will be telling foolish things: but the words of the wise shall be weighed in a balance.
21:29. The heart of fools is in their mouth: and the mouth of wise men is in their heart.
21:30. While the ungodly curseth the devil, he curseth his own soul.
While the ungodly, etc. . .He condemneth and curseth himself: inasmuch as by sin he takes part with the devil, and is, as it were, his member and subject.
21:31. The talebearer shall defile his own soul, and shall be hated by all: and he that shall abide with him shall be hateful: the silent and wise man shall be honoured.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 22
Wise sayings on divers subjects.
22:1. The sluggard is pelted with a dirty stone, and all men will speak of his disgrace.
22:2. The sluggard is pelted with the dung of oxen: and every one that toucheth him will shake his hands.
22:3. A son ill taught is the confusion of the father: and a foolish daughter shall be to his loss.
22:4. A wise daughter shall bring an inheritance to her husband: but she that confoundeth, becometh a disgrace to her father.
22:5. She that is bold shameth both her father and husband, and will not be inferior to the ungodly: and shall be disgraced by them both.
22:6. A tale out of time is like music in mourning: but the stripes and instruction of wisdom are never out of time.
22:7. He that teacheth a fool, is like one that glueth a potsherd together.
22:8. He that telleth a word to him that heareth not, is like one that waketh a man out of a deep sleep.
22:9. He speaketh with one that is asleep, who uttereth wisdom to a fool: and in the end of the discourse he saith: Who is this?
22:10. Weep for the dead, for his light hath failed: and weep for the fool, for his understanding faileth.
For the fool. . .In the language of the Holy Ghost, he is styled a fool, that turns away from God to follow vanity and sin. And what is said by the wise man against fools is meant of such fools as these.
22:11. Weep but a little for the dead, for he is at rest.
22:12. For the wicked life of a wicked fool is worse than death.
22:13. The mourning for the dead is seven days: but for a fool and an ungodly man all the days of their life.
22:14. Talk not much with a fool and go not with him that hath no sense.
22:15. Keep thyself from him, that thou mayst not have trouble, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sin.
22:16. Turn away from him, and thou shalt find rest, and shalt not be wearied out with his folly.
22:17. What is heavier than lead? and what other name hath he but fool?
22:18. Sand and salt, and a mass of iron is easier to bear, than a man without sense, that is both foolish and wicked.
22:19. A frame of wood bound together in the foundation of a building, shall not be loosed: so neither shall the heart that is established by advised counsel.
22:20. The thought of him that is wise at all times, shall not be depraved by fear.
22:21. As pales set in high places, and plasterings made without cost, will not stand against the face of the wind:
22:22. So also a fearful heart in the imagination of a fool shall not resist against the violence of fear.
22:23. As a fearful heart in the thought of a fool at all times will not fear, so neither shall he that continueth always in the commandments of God.
22:24. He that pricketh the eye, bringeth out tears: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth forth resentment.
22:25. He that flingeth a stone at birds, shall drive them away: so he that upbraideth his friend, breaketh friendship.
22:26. Although thou hast drawn a sword at a friend, despair not: for there may be a returning. To a friend,
22:27. If thou hast opened a sad mouth, fear not, for there may be a reconciliation: except upbraiding, and reproach, and pride, and disclosing of secrets, or a treacherous wound: for in all these cases a friend will flee away.
22:28. Keep fidelity with a friend in his poverty, that in his prosperity also thou mayst rejoice.
22:29. In the time of his trouble continue faithful to him, that thou mayst also be heir with him in his inheritance.
22:30. As the vapour of a chimney, and the smoke of the fire goeth up before the fire: so also injurious words, and reproaches, and threats, before blood.
22:31. I will not be ashamed to salute a friend, neither will I hide myself from his face: and if any evil happen to me by him, I will bear it.
22:32. But every one that shall hear it, will beware of him.
22:33. Who will set a guard before my mouth, and a sure seal upon my lips, that I fall not by them, and that my tongue destroy me not?
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 23
A prayer for grace to flee sin: cautions against profane swearing and other vices.
23:1. O Lord, father, and sovereign ruler of my life, leave me not to their counsel: nor suffer me to fall by them.
By them. . .Viz., the tongue and the lips, mentioned in the last verse of the foregoing chapter.
23:2. Who will set scourges over my thoughts, and the discipline of wisdom over my heart, that they spare me not in their ignorances, and that their sins may not appear:
That they spare me not in their ignorances, etc. . .That is, that the scourges and discipline of wisdom may restrain the ignorances, that is, the slips and offences which are usually committed by the tongue and the lips.
23:3. Lest my ignorances increase, and my offences be multiplied, and my sins abound, and I fall before my adversaries, and my enemy rejoice over me?
23:4. O Lord, father, and God of my life, leave me not to their devices.
23:5. Give me not haughtiness of my eyes, and turn away from me all coveting.
23:6. Take from me the greediness of the belly, and let not the lusts of the flesh take hold of me, and give me not over to a shameless and foolish mind.
23:7. Hear, O ye children, the discipline of the mouth, and he that will keep it shall not perish by his lips, nor be brought to fall into most wicked works.
23:8. A sinner is caught in his own vanity, and the proud and the evil speakers shall fall thereby.
23:9. Let not thy mouth be accustomed to swearing: for in it there are many falls.
23:10. And let not the naming of God be usual in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of saints, for thou shalt not escape free from them.
23:11. For as a slave daily put to the question, is never without a blue mark: so every one that sweareth, and nameth, shall not be wholly pure from sin.
23:12. A man that sweareth much, shall be filled with iniquity, and a scourge shall not depart from his house.
23:13. And if he make it void, his sin shall be upon him, and if he dissemble it, he offendeth double:
23:14. And if he swear in vain, he shall not be justified: for his house shall be filled with his punishment.
23:15. There is also another speech opposite to death, let it not be found in the inheritance of Jacob.
23:16. For from the merciful all these things shall be taken away, and they shall not wallow in sins.
23:17. Let not thy mouth be accustomed to indiscreet speech: for therein is the word of sin.
23:18. Remember thy father and thy mother, for thou sittest in the midst of great men:
23:19. Lest God forget thee in their sight, and thou, by thy daily custom be infatuated and suffer reproach: and wish that thou hadst not been born, and curse the day of thy nativity.
23:20. The man that is accustomed to opprobrious words, will never be corrected all the days of his life.
23:21. Two sorts of men multiply sins, and the third bringeth wrath and destruction.
23:22. A hot soul is a burning fire, it will never be quenched, till it devour some thing.
23:23. And a man that is wicked in the mouth of his flesh, will not leave off till he hath kindled a fire.
23:24. To a man that is a fornicator all bread is sweet, he will not be weary of sinning unto the end.
23:25. Every man that passeth beyond his own bed, despising his own soul, and saying: Who seeth me?
23:26. Darkness compasseth me about, and the walls cover me, and no man seeth me: whom do I fear? the most High will not remember my sins.
23:27. And he understandeth not that his eye seeth all things, for such a man's fear driveth him from the fear of God, and the eyes of men fearing him:
23:28. And he knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are far brighter than the sun, beholding round about all the ways of men, and the bottom of the deep, and looking into the hearts of men, into the most hidden parts.
23:29. For all things were known to the Lord God, before they were created: so also after they were perfected he beholdeth all things.
23:30. This man shall be punished in the streets of the city, and he shall be chased as a colt: and where he suspected not, he shall be taken.
23:31. And he shall be in disgrace with all men, because he understood not the fear of the Lord.
23:32. So every woman also that leaveth her husband, and bringeth in an heir by another:
23:33. For first she hath been unfaithful to the law of the most High: and secondly, she hath offended against her husband: thirdly, she hath fornicated in adultery, and hath gotten her children of another man.
23:34. This woman shall be brought into the assembly, and inquisition shall be made of her children.
23:35. Her children shall not take root, and her branches shall bring forth no fruit.
23:36. She shall leave her memory to be cursed, and her infamy shall not be blotted out.
23:37. And they that remain shall know, that there is nothing better than the fear of God: and that there is nothing sweeter than to have regard to the commandments of the Lord.
23:38. It is great glory to follow the Lord: for length of days shall be received from him.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 24
Wisdom praiseth herself: her origin, her dwelling, her dignity, and her fruits.
24:1. Wisdom shall praise her own self, and shall be honoured in God, and shall glory in the midst of her people,
24:2. And shall open her mouth in the churches of the most High, and shall glorify herself in the sight of his power,
24:3. And in the midst of her own people she shall be exalted, and shall be admired in the holy assembly.
24:4. And in the multitude of the elect she shall have praise, and among the blessed she shall be blessed, saying:
24:5. I came out of the mouth of the most High, the firstborn before all creatures:
24:6. I made that in the heavens there should rise light that never faileth, and as a cloud I covered all the earth:
24:7. I dwelt in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of a cloud.
24:8. I alone have compassed the circuit of heaven, and have penetrated into the bottom of the deep, and have walked in the waves of the sea,
24:9. And have stood in all the earth: and in every people,
24:10. And in every nation I have had the chief rule:
24:11. And by my power I have trodden under my feet the hearts of all the high and low: and in all these I sought rest, and I shall abide in the inheritance of the Lord.
24:12. Then the creator of all things commanded, and said to me: and he that made me, rested in my tabernacle,
24:13. And he said to me: Let thy dwelling be in Jacob, and thy inheritance in Israel, and take root in my elect.
24:14. From the beginning, and before the world, was I created, and unto the world to come I shall not cease to be, and in the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him.
24:15. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem.
24:16. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.
24:17. I was exalted like a cedar in Libanus, and as a cypress tree on mount Sion.
24:18. I was exalted like a palm tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Jericho:
24:19. As a fair olive tree in the plains, and as a plane tree by the water in the streets, was I exalted.
24:20. I gave a sweet smell like cinnamon, and aromatical balm: I yielded a sweet odour like the best myrrh:
24:21. And I perfumed my dwelling as storax, and galbanum, and onyx, and aloes, and as the frankincense not cut, and my odour is as the purest balm.
24:22. I have stretched out my branches as the turpentine tree, and my branches are of honour and grace.
24:23. As the vine I have brought forth a pleasant odour: and my flowers are the fruit of honour and riches.
24:24. I am the mother of fair love, and of fear, and of knowledge, and of holy hope.
24:25. In me is all grace of the way and of the truth, in me is all hope of life and of virtue.
24:26. Come over to me, all ye that desire me, and be filled with my fruits.
24:27. For my spirit is sweet above honey, and my inheritance above honey and the honeycomb.
24:28. My memory is unto everlasting generations.
24:29. They that eat me, shall yet hunger: and they that drink me, shall yet thirst.
24:30. He that hearkeneth to me, shall not be confounded: and they that work by me, shall not sin.
24:31. They that explain me shall have life everlasting.
24:32. All these things are the book of life, and the covenant of the most High, and the knowledge of truth.
24:33. Moses commanded a law in the precepts of justices, and an inheritance to the house of Jacob, and the promises to Israel.
24:34. He appointed to David his servant to raise up of him a most mighty king, and sitting on the throne of glory for ever.
A most mighty king. . .Viz., Christ, who by his gospel, like an overflowing river, has enriched the earth with heavenly wisdom.
24:35. Who filleth up wisdom as the Phison, and as the Tigris in the days of the new fruits.
24:36. Who maketh understanding to abound as the Euphrates, who multiplieth it as the Jordan in the time of harvest.
24:37. Who sendeth knowledge as the light, and riseth up as Gehon in the time of the vintage.
24:38. Who first hath perfect knowledge of her, and a weaker shall not search her out.
Who first hath perfect knowledge of her. . .Christ was the first that had perfect knowledge of heavenly wisdom.
24:39. For her thoughts are more vast than the sea, and her counsels more deep than the great ocean.
24:40. I, wisdom, have poured out rivers.
24:41. I, like a brook out of a river of a mighty water; I, like a channel of a river, and like an aqueduct, came out of paradise.
24:42. I said: I will water my garden of plants, and I will water abundantly the fruits of my meadow.
24:43. And behold my brook became a great river, and my river came near to a sea:
24:44. For I make doctrine to shine forth to all as the morning light, and I will declare it afar off.
24:45. I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord.
24:46. I will yet pour out doctrine as prophecy, and will leave it to them that seek wisdom, and will not cease to instruct their offspring even to the holy age.
24:47. See ye that I have not laboured myself only, but for all that seek out the truth.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 25
Documents of wisdom on several subjects.
25:1. With three things my spirit is pleased, which are approved before God and men:
25:2. The concord of brethren, and the love of neighbours, and man and wife that agree well together.
25:3. Three sorts my soul hateth, and I am greatly grieved at their life:
25:4. A poor man that is proud: a rich man that is a liar: an old man that is a fool, and doting.
25:5. The things that thou hast not gathered in thy youth, how shalt thou find them in thy old age?
25:6. O how comely is judgment for a grey head, and for ancients to know counsel!
25:7. O how comely is wisdom for the aged, and understanding and counsel to men of honour!
25:8. Much experience is the crown of old men, and the fear of God is their glory.
25:9. Nine things that are not to be imagined by the heart have I magnified, and the tenth I will utter to men with my tongue.
25:10. A man that hath joy of his children: and he that liveth and seeth the fall of his enemies.
25:11. Blessed is he that dwelleth with a wise woman, and that hath not slipped with his tongue, and that hath not served such as are unworthy of him.
25:12. Blessed is he that findeth a true friend, and that declareth justice to an ear that heareth.
25:13. How great is he that findeth wisdom and knowledge! but there is none above him that feareth the Lord.
25:14. The fear of God hath set itself above all things:
25:15. Blessed is the man, to whom it is given to have the fear of God: he that holdeth it, to whom shall he be likened?
25:16. The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.
25:17. The sadness of the heart is every plague: and the wickedness of a woman is all evil.
25:18. And a man will choose any plague, but the plague of the heart:
25:19. And any wickedness, but the wickedness of a woman:
25:20. And any affliction, but the affliction from them that hate him:
25:21. And any revenge, but the revenge of enemies.
25:22. There is no head worse than the head of a serpent:
25:23. And there is no anger above the anger of a woman. It will be more agreeable to abide with a lion and a dragon, than to dwell with a wicked woman.
25:24. The wickedness of a woman changeth her face: and she darkeneth her countenance as a bear: and sheweth it like sackcloth. In the midst of her neighbours,
25:25. Her husband groaned, and hearing he sighed a little.
25:26. All malice is short to the malice of a woman, let the lot of sinners fall upon her.
25:27. As the climbing of a sandy way is to the feet of the aged, so is a wife full of tongue to a quiet man.
25:28. Look not upon a woman's beauty, and desire not a woman for beauty.
25:29. A woman's anger, and impudence, and confusion is great.
25:30. A woman, if she have superiority, is contrary to her husband.
25:31. A wicked woman abateth the courage, and maketh a heavy countenance, and a wounded heart.
25:32. Feeble hands, and disjointed knees, a woman that doth not make her husband happy.
25:33. From the woman came the beginning of sin, and by her we all die.
25:34. Give no issue to thy water, no, not a little: nor to a wicked woman liberty to gad abroad.
25:35. If she walk not at thy hand, she will confound thee in the sight of thy enemies.
25:36. Cut her off from thy flesh, lest she always abuse thee.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 26
Of good and bad women.
26:1. Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double.
26:2. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband, and shall fulfil the years of his life in peace.
26:3. A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds.
26:4. Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.
26:5. Of three things my heart hath been afraid, and at the fourth my face hath trembled:
26:6. The accusation of a city, and the gathering together of the people:
26:7. And a false calumny, all are more grievous than death.
26:8. A jealous woman is the grief and mourning of the heart.
26:9. With a jealous woman is a scourge of the tongue which communicateth with all.
26:10. As a yoke of oxen that is moved to and fro, so also is a wicked woman: he that hath hold of her, is as he that taketh hold of a scorpion.
26:11. A drunken woman is a great wrath: and her reproach and shame shall not be hid.
26:12. The fornication of a woman shall be known by the haughtiness of her eyes and by her eyelids.
26:13. On a daughter that turneth not away herself, set a strict watch: lest finding an opportunity she abuse herself.
26:14. Take heed of the impudence of her eyes, and wonder not if she slight thee.
26:15. She will open her mouth as a thirsty traveller to the fountain, and will drink of every water near her, and will sit down by every hedge, and open her quiver against every arrow, until she fail.
26:16. The grace of a diligent woman shall delight her husband, and shall fat his bones.
26:17. Her discipline is the gift of God.
26:18. Such is a wise and silent woman, and there is nothing so much worth as a well instructed soul.
26:19. A holy and shamefaced woman is grace upon grace.
26:20. And no price is worthy of a continent soul.
26:21. As the sun when it riseth to the world in the high places of God, so is the beauty of a good wife for the ornament of her house.
26:22. As the lamp shining upon the holy candlestick, so is the beauty of the face in a ripe age,
26:23. As golden pillars upon bases of silver, so are the firm feet upon the soles of a steady woman.
26:24. As everlasting foundations upon a solid rock, so the commandments of God in the heart of a holy woman.
26:25. At two things my heart is grieved, and the third bringeth anger upon me.
26:26. A man of war fainting through poverty, and a man of sense despised:
26:27. And he that passeth over from justice to sin, God hath prepared such an one for the sword.
26:28. Two sorts of callings have appeared to me hard and dangerous: a merchant is hardly free from negligence: and a huckster shall not be justified from the sins of the lips.
From negligence. . .That is, from the neglect of the service of God: because the eager pursuit of the mammon of this world, is apt to make men of that calling forget the great duties of loving God above all things, and their neighbours as themselves.—Ibid. A huckster. . .Or, a retailer of wine. Men of that profession are both greatly exposed to danger of sin themselves, and are too often accessary to the sins of others.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 27
Dangers of sin from several heads: the fear of God is the best preservative. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it.
27:1. Through poverty many have sinned: and he that seeketh to be enriched, turneth away his eye.
27:2. As a stake sticketh fast in the midst of the joining of stones, so also in the midst of selling and buying, sin shall stick fast.
27:3. Sin shall be destroyed with the sinner.
27:4. Unless thou hold thyself diligently in the fear of the Lord, thy house shall quickly be overthrown.
27:5. As when one sifteth with a sieve, the dust will remain: so will the perplexity of a man in his thoughts.
27:6. The furnace trieth the potter's vessels, and the trial of affliction just men.
27:7. As the dressing of a tree sheweth the fruit thereof, so a word out of the thought of the heart of man.
27:8. Praise not a man before he speaketh, for this is the trial of men.
27:9. If thou followest justice, thou shalt obtain her: and shalt put her on as a long robe of honour, and thou shalt dwell with her: and she shall protect thee for ever, and in the day of acknowledgment thou shalt find a strong foundation.
27:10. Birds resort unto their like: so truth will return to them that practise her.
27:11. The lion always lieth in wait for prey: so do sins for them that work iniquities.
27:12. A holy man continueth in wisdom as the sun: but a fool is changed as the moon.
27:13. In the midst of the unwise keep in the word till its time: but be continually among men that think.
27:14. The discourse of sinners is hateful, and their laughter is at the pleasures of sin.
27:15. The speech that sweareth much shall make the hair of the head stand upright: and its irreverence shall make one stop his ears.
27:16. In the quarrels of the road is the shedding of blood: and their cursing is a grievous hearing.
27:17. He that discloseth the secret of a friend loseth his credit, and shall never find a friend to his mind.
27:18. Love thy neighbour, and be joined to him with fidelity.
27:19. But if thou discover his secrets, follow no more after him.
27:20. For as a man that destroyeth his friend, so is he that destroyeth the friendship of his neighbour.
27:21. And as one that letteth a bird go out of his hand, so hast thou let thy neighbour go, and thou shalt not get him again.
27:22. Follow after him no more, for he is gone afar off, he is fled, as a roe escaped out of the snare because his soul is wounded.
27:23. Thou canst no more bind him up. And of a curse there is reconciliation:
And of a curse there is reconciliation. . .That is, it is easier to obtain a reconciliation after a curse, than after disclosing a secret.
27:24. But to disclose the secrets of a friend, leaveth no hope to an unhappy soul.
27:25. He that winketh with the eye forgeth wicked things, and no man will cast him off:
27:26. In the sight of thy eyes he will sweeten his mouth, and will admire thy words: but at the last he will writhe his mouth, and on thy words he will lay a stumblingblock.
27:27. I have hated many things but not like him, and the Lord will hate him.
27:28. If one cast a stone on high, it will fall upon his own head: and the deceitful stroke will wound the deceitful.
27:29. He that diggeth a pit, shall fall into it: and he that setteth a stone for his neighbour, shall stumble upon it: and he that layeth a snare for another, shall perish in it.
27:30. A mischievous counsel shall be rolled back upon the author, and he shall not know from whence it cometh to him.
27:31. Mockery and reproach are of the proud, and vengeance as a lion shall lie in wait for him.
27:32. They shall perish in a snare that are delighted with the fall of the just: and sorrow shall consume them before they die.
27:33. Anger and fury are both of them abominable, and the sinful man shall be subject to them.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 28
Lessons against revenge and quarrels. The evils of the tongue.
28:1. He that seeketh to revenge himself, shall find vengeance from the Lord, and he will surely keep his sins in remembrance.
28:2. Forgive thy neighbour if he hath hurt thee: and then shall thy sins be forgiven to thee when thou prayest.
28:3. Man to man reserveth anger, and doth he seek remedy of God?
28:4. He hath no mercy on a man like himself, and doth he entreat for his own sins?
28:5. He that is but flesh, nourisheth anger, and doth he ask forgiveness of God? who shall obtain pardon for his sins?
28:6. Remember thy last things, and let enmity cease:
28:7. For corruption and death hang over in his commandments.
In his commandments. . .Supply the sentence out of the Greek thus:
Remember corruption and death, and abide in the commandments.
28:8. Remember the fear of God, and be not angry with thy neighbour.
28:9. Remember the covenant of the most High, and overlook the ignorance of thy neighbour.
28:10. Refrain from strife, and thou shalt diminish thy sins.
28:11. For a passionate man kindleth strife, and a sinful man will trouble his friends, and bring in debate in the midst of them that are at peace.
28:12. For as the wood of the forest is, so the fire burneth, and as a man's strength is, so shall his anger be, and according to his riches he shall increase his anger.
28:13. A hasty contention kindleth a fire and a hasty quarrel sheddeth blood and a tongue that beareth witness bringeth death.
28:14. If thou blow the spark, it shall burn as a fire: and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: both come out of the mouth.
28:15. The whisperer and the double tongue is accursed: for he hath troubled many that were at peace.
28:16. The tongue of a third person hath disquieted many, and scattered them from nation to nation.
28:17. It hath destroyed the strong cities of the rich, and hath overthrown the houses of great men.
28:18. It hath cut in pieces the forces of people, and undone strong nations.
28:19. The tongue of a third person hath cast out valiant women, and deprived them of their labours.
28:20. He that hearkeneth to it, shall never have rest, neither shall he have a friend in whom he may repose.
28:21. The stroke of a whip maketh a blue mark: but the stroke of the tongue will break the bones.
28:22. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword, but not so many as have perished by their own tongue.
28:23. Blessed is he that is defended from a wicked tongue, that hath not passed into the wrath thereof, and that hath not drawn the yoke thereof, and hath not been bound in its bands.
28:24. For its yoke is a yoke of iron: and its bands are bands of brass.
28:25. The death thereof is a most evil death: and hell is preferable to it.
28:26. Its continuance shall not be for a long time, but it shall possess the ways of the unjust: and the just shall not be burnt with its flame.
28:27. They that forsake God shall fall into it, and it shall burn in them, and shall not be quenched, and it shall be sent upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall tear them.
28:28. Hedge in thy ears with thorns, hear not a wicked tongue, and make doors and bars to thy mouth.
28:29. Melt down thy gold and silver, and make a balance for thy words, and a just bridle for thy mouth:
28:30. And take heed lest thou slip with thy tongue, and fall in the sight of thy enemies who lie in wait for thee, and thy fall be incurable unto death.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 29
Of charity in lending money, and justice in repaying. Of alms, and of being surety.
29:1. He that sheweth mercy, lendeth to his neighbour: and he that is stronger in hand, keepeth the commandments.
And he that is stronger in hand. . .That is, he that is hearty and bountiful in lending to his neighbour in his necessity.
29:2. Lend to thy neighbour in the time of his need, and pay thou thy neighbour again in due time.
29:3. Keep thy word, and deal faithfully with him: and thou shalt always find that which is necessary for thee.
29:4. Many have looked upon a thing lent as a thing found, and have given trouble to them that helped them.
29:5. Till they receive, they kiss the hands of the lender, and in promises they humble their voice:
29:6. But when they should repay, they will ask time, and will return tedious and murmuring words, and will complain of the time:
29:7. And if he be able to pay, he will stand off, he will scarce pay one half, and will count it as if he had found it:
29:8. But if not, he will defraud him of his money, and he shall get him for an enemy without cause.
29:9. And he will pay him with reproaches and curses, and instead of honour and good turn will repay him injuries.
29:10. Many have refused to lend, not out of wickedness, but they were afraid to be defrauded without cause.
29:11. But yet towards the poor be thou more hearty, and delay not to shew him mercy.
29:12. Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty handed because of his poverty.
29:13. Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend: and hide it not under a stone to be lost.
29:14. Place thy treasure in the commandments of the most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold.
29:15. Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil.
29:16. Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear:
29:17. It shall fight for thee against thy enemy.
29:18. A good man is surety for his neighbour: and he that hath lost shame, will leave him to himself.
29:19. Forget not the kindness of thy surety: for he hath given his life for thee.
29:20. The sinner and the unclean fleeth from his surety.
29:21. A sinner attributeth to himself the goods of his surety: and he that is of an unthankful mind will leave him that delivered him.
29:22. A man is surety for his neighbour: and when he hath lost all shame, he shall forsake him.
29:23. Evil suretyship hath undone many of good estate, and hath tossed them as a wave of the sea.
29:24. It hath made powerful men to go from place to place round about, and they have wandered in strange countries.
29:25. A sinner that transgresseth the commandment of the Lord, shall fall into an evil suretyship: and he that undertaketh many things, shall fall into judgment.
29:26. Recover thy neighbour according to thy power, and take heed to thyself that thou fall not.
29:27. The chief thing for man's life is water and bread, and clothing, and a house to cover shame.
29:28. Better is the poor man's fare under a roof of boards, than sumptuous cheer abroad in another man's house.
29:29. Be contented with little instead of much, and thou shalt not hear the reproach of going abroad.
29:30. It is a miserable life to go as a guest from house to house: for where a man is a stranger, he shall not deal confidently, nor open his mouth.
29:31. He shall entertain and feed, and give drink to the unthankful, and moreover he shall hear bitter words.
29:32. Go, stranger, and furnish the table, and give others to eat what thou hast in thy hand.
29:33. Give place to the honourable presence of my friends: for I want my house, my brother being to be lodged with me.
29:34. These things are grievous to a man of understanding: the upbraiding of houseroom, and the reproaching of the lender.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 30
Of correction of children. Health is better than wealth. Excessive grief is hurtful.
30:1. He that loveth his son, frequently chastiseth him, that he may rejoice in his latter end, and not grope after the doors of his neighbours.
30:2. He that instructeth his son shall be praised in him, and shall glory in him in the midst of them of his household.
30:3. He that teacheth his son, maketh his enemy jealous, and in the midst of his friends he shall glory in him.
30:4. His father is dead, and he is as if he were not dead: for he hath left one behind him that is like himself.
30:5. While he lived he saw and rejoiced in him: and when he died he was not sorrowful, neither was he confounded before his enemies.
30:6. For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one that will requite kindness to his friends.
30:7. For the souls of his sons he shall bind up his wounds, and at every cry his bowels shall be troubled.
30:8. A horse not broken becometh stubborn, and a child left to himself will become headstrong.
30:9. Give thy son his way, and he shall make thee afraid: play with him, and he shall make thee sorrowful.
30:10. Laugh not with him, lest thou have sorrow, and at the last thy teeth be set on edge.
30:11. Give him not liberty in his youth, and wink not at his devices.
30:12. Bow down his neck while he is young, and beat his sides while he is a child, lest he grow stubborn, and regard thee not, and so be a sorrow of heart to thee.
30:13. Instruct thy son, and labour about him, lest his lewd behaviour be an offence to thee.
30:14. Better is a poor man who is sound, and strong of constitution, than a rich man who is weak and afflicted with evils.
30:15. Health of the soul in holiness of justice, is better than all gold and silver: and a sound body, than immense revenues.
30:16. There is no riches above the riches of the health of the body: and there is no pleasure above the joy of the heart.
30:17. Better is death than a bitter life, and everlasting rest, than continual sickness.
30:18. Good things that are hidden in a mouth that is shut, are as messes of meat set about a grave.
30:19. What good shall an offering do to an idol? for it can neither eat, nor smell:
30:20. So is he that is persecuted by the Lord, bearing the reward of his iniquity:
30:21. He seeth with his eyes, and groaneth, as an eunuch embracing a virgin, and sighing.
30:22. Give not up thy soul to sadness, and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel.
30:23. The joyfulness of the heart, is the life of a man, and a never failing treasure of holiness: and the joy of a man is length of life.
30:24. Have pity on thy own soul, pleasing God, and contain thyself: gather up thy heart in his holiness: and drive away sadness far from thee.
30:25. For sadness hath killed many, and there is no profit in it.
30:26. Envy and anger shorten a man's days, and pensiveness will bring old age before the time.
30:27. A cheerful and good heart is always feasting: for his banquets are prepared with diligence.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 31
Of the desire of riches, and of moderation in eating and drinking.
31:1. Watching for riches consumeth the flesh, and the thought thereof driveth away sleep.
31:2. The thinking beforehand turneth away the understanding, and a grievous sickness maketh the soul sober.
31:3. The rich man hath laboured in gathering riches together, and when he resteth he shall be filled with his goods.
31:4. The poor man hath laboured in his low way of life, and in the end he is still poor.
31:5. He that loveth gold, shall not be justified: and he that followeth after corruption, shall be filled with it.
31:6. Many have been brought to fall for gold, and the beauty thereof hath been their ruin.
31:7. Gold is a stumblingblock to them that sacrifice to it: woe to them that eagerly follow after it, and every fool shall perish by it.
31:8. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.
31:9. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
31:10. Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
31:11. Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms.
31:12. Art thou set at a great table? be not the first to open thy mouth upon it.
31:13. Say not: There are many things which are upon it.
31:14. Remember that a wicked eye is evil.
31:15. What is created more wicked than an eye? therefore shall it weep over all the face when it shall see.
31:16. Stretch not out thy hand first, lest being disgraced with envy thou be put to confusion.
31:17. Be not hasty in a feast.
31:18. Judge of the disposition of thy neighbour by thyself.
31:19. Use as a frugal man the things that are set before thee: lest if thou eatest much, thou be hated.
31:20. Leave off first, for manners' sake: and exceed not, lest thou offend.
31:21. And if thou sittest among many, reach not thy hand out first of all, and be not the first to ask for drink.
31:22. How sufficient is a little wine for a man well taught, and in sleeping thou shalt not be uneasy with it, and thou shalt feel no pain.
31:23. Watching, and choler, and gripes, are with an intemperate man:
31:24. Sound and wholesome sleep with a moderate man: he shall sleep till morning, and his soul shall be delighted with him.
31:25. And if thou hast been forced to eat much, arise, go out, and vomit: and it shall refresh thee, and thou shalt not bring sickness upon thy body.
31:26. Hear me, my son, and despise me not: and in the end thou shalt find my words.
31:27. In all thy works be quick, and no infirmity shall come to thee.
31:28. The lips of many shall bless him that is liberal of his bread, and the testimony of his truth is faithful.
31:29. Against him that is niggardly of his bread, the city will murmur, and the testimony of his niggardliness is true.
31:30. Challenge not them that love wine: for wine hath destroyed very many.
31:31. Fire trieth hard iron: so wine drunk to excess shall rebuke the hearts of the proud.
31:32. Wine taken with sobriety is equal life to men: if thou drink it moderately, thou shalt be sober.
31:33. What is his life, who is diminished with wine?
31:34. What taketh away life? death.
31:35. Wine was created from the beginning to make men joyful, and not to make them drunk.
31:36. Wine drunken with moderation is the joy of the soul and the heart.
31:37. Sober drinking is health to soul and body.
31:38. Wine drunken with excess raiseth quarrels, and wrath, and many ruins.
31:39. Wine drunken with excess is bitterness of the soul.
31:40. The heat of drunkenness is the stumblingblock of the fool, lessening strength and causing wounds.
31:41. Rebuke not thy neighbour in a banquet of wine: and despise him not in his mirth.
31:42. Speak not to him words of reproach: and press him not in demanding again.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 32
Lessons for superiors and inferiors. Advantages of fearing God, and doing nothing without counsel.
32:1. Have they made thee ruler? be not lifted up: be among them as one of them.
32:2. Have care of them, and so sit down, and when thou hast acquitted thyself of all thy charge, take thy place:
32:3. That thou mayst rejoice for them, and receive a crown as an ornament of grace, and get the honour of the contribution.
32:4. Speak, thou that art elder: for it becometh thee,
32:5. To speak the first word with careful knowledge, and hinder not music.
32:6. Where there is no hearing, pour not out words, and be not lifted up out of season with thy wisdom.
32:7. A concert of music in a banquet of wine is as a carbuncle set in gold.
32:8. As a signet of an emerald in a work of gold: so is the melody of music with pleasant and moderate wine.
32:9. Hear in silence, and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
32:10. Young man, scarcely speak in thy own cause.
32:11. If thou be asked twice, let thy answer be short.
32:12. In many things be as if thou wert ignorant, and hear in silence and withal seeking.
32:13. In the company of great men take not upon thee: and when the ancients are present, speak not much.
32:14. Before a storm goeth lightning: and before shamefacedness goeth favour: and for thy reverence good grace shall come to thee.
32:15. And at the time of rising be not slack: but be first to run home to thy house, and there withdraw thyself, and there take thy pastime.
32:16. And do what thou hast a mind, but not in sin or proud speech.
32:17. And for all these things bless the Lord, that made thee, and that replenisheth thee with all his good things.
32:18. He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.
32:19. He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
32:20. They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
32:21. A sinful man will flee reproof, and will find an excuse according to his will.
32:22. A man of counsel will not neglect understanding, a strange and proud man will not dread fear:
32:23. Even after he hath done with fear without counsel, he shall be controlled by the things of his own seeking.
32:24. My son, do thou nothing without counsel, and thou shalt not repent when thou hast done.
32:25. Go not in the way of ruin, and thou shalt not stumble against the stones: trust not thyself to a rugged way, lest thou set a stumblingblock to thy soul.
32:26. And beware of thy own children, and take heed of them of thy household.
32:27. In every work of thine regard thy soul in faith: for this is the keeping of the commandments.
In faith. . .That is, follow sincerely thy soul in her faith and conscience.
32:28. He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 33
The fear of God is the best security. Times and men are in the hands of God. Take care of thyself as long as thou livest, and look to thy servants.
33:1. No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him and deliver him from evils.
33:2. A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm.
33:3. A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him.
33:4. He that cleareth up a question, shall prepare what to say, and so having prayed he shall be heard, and shall keep discipline, and then he shall answer.
33:5. The heart of a fool is as a wheel of a cart: and his thoughts are like a rolling axletree.
33:6. A friend that is a mocker, is like a stallion horse: he neigheth under every one that sitteth upon him.
33:7. Why doth one day excel another, and one light another, and one year another year, when all come of the sun?
33:8. By the knowledge of the Lord they were distinguished, the sun being made, and keeping his commandment.
33:9. And he ordered the seasons, and holidays of them, and in them they celebrated festivals at an hour.
33:10. Some of them God made high and great days, and some of them he put in the number of ordinary days. And all men are from the ground, and out of the earth, from whence Adam was created.
33:11. With much knowledge the Lord hath divided them and diversified their ways.
33:12. Some of them hath he blessed, and exalted: and some of them hath he sanctified, and set near himself: and some of them hath he cursed and brought low, and turned them from their station.
33:13. As the potter's clay is in his hand, to fashion and order it:
33:14. All his ways are according to his ordering: so man is in the hand of him that made him, and he will render to him according to his judgment.
33:15. Good is set against evil, and life against death: so also is the sinner against a just man. And so look upon all the works of the most High. Two and two, and one against another.
33:16. And I awaked last of all, and as one that gathereth after the grapegatherers.
33:17. In the blessing of God I also have hoped: and as one that gathereth grapes, have I filled the winepress.
33:18. See that I have not laboured for myself only, but for all that seek discipline.
33:19. Hear me, ye great men, and all ye people, and hearken with your ears, ye rulers of the church.
33:20. Give not to son or wife, brother or friend, power over thee while thou livest; and give not thy estate to another, lest thou repent, and thou entreat for the same.
33:21. As long as thou livest, and hast breath in thee, let no man change thee.
Change thee. . .That is, so as to have this power over thee.
33:22. For it is better that thy children should ask of thee, than that thou look toward the hands of thy children.
33:23. In all thy works keep the pre-eminence.
The pre-eminence. . .That is, be master in thy own house, and part not with thy authority.
33:24. Let no stain sully thy glory. In the time when thou shalt end the days of thy life, and in the time of thy decease, distribute thy inheritance.
33:25. Fodder, and a wand, and a burden are for an ass: bread, and correction, and work for a slave.
33:26. He worketh under correction, and seeketh to rest: let his hands be idle, and he seeketh liberty.
33:27. The yoke and the thong bend a stiff neck, and continual labours bow a slave.
33:28. Torture and fetters are for a malicious slave: send him to work, that he be not idle:
33:29. For idleness hath taught much evil.
33:30. Set him to work: for so it is fit for him. And if he be not obedient, bring him down with fetters, but be not excessive towards any one, and do no grievous thing without judgment.
33:31. If thou have a faithful servant, let him be to thee as thy own soul: treat him as a brother: because in the blood of thy soul thou hast gotten him.
33:32. If thou hurt him unjustly, he will run away:
33:33. And if he rise up and depart, thou knowest not whom to ask, and in what way to seek him.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 34
The vanity of dreams. The advantage of experience, and of the fear of
God.
34:1. The hopes of a man that is void of understanding are vain and deceitful: and dreams lift up fools.
34:2. The man that giveth heed to lying visions, is like to him that catcheth at a shadow, and followeth after the wind.
34:3. The vision of dreams is the resemblance of one thing to another: as when a man's likeness is before the face of a man.
34:4. What can be made clean by the unclean? and what truth can come from that which is false?
34:5. Deceitful divinations and lying omens and the dreams of evildoers, are vanity:
34:6. And the heart fancieth as that of a woman in travail: except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them.
34:7. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.
34:8. The word of the law shall be fulfilled without a lie, and wisdom shall be made plain in the mouth of the faithful.
34:9. What doth he know, that hath not been tried? A man that hath much experience, shall think of many things: and he that hath learned many things, shall shew forth understanding.
34:10. He that hath no experience, knoweth little: and he that hath been experienced in many things, multiplieth prudence.
34:11. He that hath not been tried, what manner of things doth he know? he that hath been surprised, shall abound with subtlety.
34:12. I have seen many things by travelling, and many customs of things.
34:13. Sometimes I have been in danger of death for these things, and I have been delivered by the grace of God.
34:14. The spirit of those that fear God, is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed.
34:15. For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.
34:16. He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid: for he is his hope.
34:17. The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.
34:18. To whom doth he look, and who is his strength?
34:19. The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,
34:20. A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling: he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.
34:21. The offering of him that sacrificeth of a thing wrongfully gotten, is stained, and the mockeries of the unjust are not acceptable.
34:22. The Lord is only for them that wait upon him in the way of truth and justice.
34:23. The most High approveth not the gifts of the wicked: neither hath he respect to the oblations of the unjust, nor will he be pacified for sins by the multitude of their sacrifices.
34:24. He that offereth sacrifice of the goods of the poor, is as one that sacrificeth the son in the presence of his father.
34:25. The bread of the needy, is the life of the poor: he that defraudeth them thereof, is a man of blood.
34:26. He that taketh away the bread gotten by sweat, is like him that killeth his neighbour.
34:27. He that sheddeth blood, and he that defraudeth the laborer of his hire, are brothers.
34:28. When one buildeth up, and another pulleth down: what profit have they but the labour?
34:29. When one prayeth, and another curseth: whose voice will God hear?
34:30. He that washeth himself after touching the dead, if he toucheth him again, what doth his washing avail?
34:31. So a man that fasteth for his sins, and doth the same again, what doth his humbling himself profit him? who will hear his prayer?
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 35
What sacrifices are pleasing to God.
35:1. He that keepeth the law, multiplieth offerings.
35:2. It is a wholesome sacrifice to take heed to the commandments, and to depart from all iniquity.
35:3. And to depart from injustice, is to offer a propitiatory sacrifice for injustices, and a begging of pardon for sins.
35:4. He shall return thanks, that offereth fine flour: and he that doth mercy, offereth sacrifice.
35:5. To depart from iniquity is that which pleaseth the Lord, and to depart from injustice, is an entreaty for sins.
35:6. Thou shalt not appear empty in the sight of the Lord.
35:7. For all these things are to be done because of the commandment of God.
35:8. The oblation of the just maketh the altar fat, and is an odour of sweetness in the sight of the most High.
35:9. The sacrifice of the just is acceptable, and the Lord will not forget the memorial thereof.
35:10. Give glory to God with a good heart: and diminish not the firstfruits of thy hands.
35:11. In every gift shew a cheerful countenance, and sanctify thy tithes with joy.
35:12. Give to the most High according to what he hath given to thee, and with a good eye do according to the ability of thy hands:
35:13. For the Lord maketh recompense, and will give thee seven times as much.
35:14. Do not offer wicked gifts, for such he will not receive.
35:15. And look not upon an unjust sacrifice, for the Lord is judge, and there is not with him respect of person.
35:16. The Lord will not accept any person against a poor man, and he will hear the prayer of him that is wronged.
35:17. He will not despise the prayers of the fatherless: nor the widow, when she poureth out her complaint.
35:18. Do not the widow's tears run down the cheek, and her cry against him that causeth them to fall?
35:19. For from the cheek they go up even to heaven, and the Lord that heareth will not be delighted with them.
35:20. He that adoreth God with joy, shall be accepted, and his prayer shall approach even to the clouds.
35:21. The prayer of him that humbleth himself, shall pierce the clouds: and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and he will not depart till the most High behold.
35:22. And the Lord will not be slack, but will judge for the just, and will do judgment: and the Almighty will not have patience with them, that he may crush their back:
35:23. And he will repay vengeance to the Gentiles, till he have taken away the multitude of the proud, and broken the sceptres of the unjust,
35:24. Till he have rendered to men according to their deeds: and according to the works of Adam, and according to his presumption,
35:25. Till he have judged the cause of his people, and he shall delight the just with his mercy.
35:26. The mercy of God is beautiful in the time of affliction, as a cloud of rain in the time of drought.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 36
A prayer for the church of God. Of a good heart, and a good wife.
36:1. Have mercy upon us, O God of all, and behold us, and shew us the light of thy mercies:
36:2. And send thy fear upon the nations, that have not sought after thee: that they may know that there is no God beside thee, and that they may shew forth thy wonders.
36:3. Lift up thy hand over the strange nations, that they may see thy power.
36:4. For as thou hast been sanctified in us in their sight, so thou shalt be magnified among them in our presence,
36:5. That they may know thee, as we also have known thee, that there is no God beside thee, O Lord.
36:6. Renew thy signs, and work new miracles.
36:7. Glorify thy hand, and thy right arm.
36:8. Raise up indignation, and pour out wrath.
36:9. Take away the adversary, and crush the enemy.
36:10. Hasten the time, and remember the end, that they may declare thy wonderful works.
36:11. Let him that escapeth be consumed by the rage of the fire: and let them perish that oppress thy people.
36:12. Crush the head of the princes of the enemies that say: There is no other beside us.
36:13. Gather together all the tribes of Jacob: that they may know that there no God besides thee, and may declare thy great works: and thou shalt inherit them as from the beginning.
36:14. Have mercy on thy people, upon whom thy name is invoked: and upon Israel, whom thou hast raised up to be thy firstborn.
36:15. Have mercy on Jerusalem, the city which thou hast sanctified, the city of thy rest.
36:16. Fill Sion with thy unspeakable words, and thy people with thy glory.
36:17. Give testimony to them that are thy creatures from the beginning, and raise up the prophecies which the former prophets spoke in thy name.
36:18. Reward them that patiently wait for thee, that thy prophets may be found faithful: and hear the prayers of thy servants,
36:19. According to the blessing of Aaron over thy people, and direct us into the way of justice, and let all know that dwell upon the earth, that thou art God the beholder of all ages.
36:20. The belly will devour all meat, yet one is better than another.
36:21. The palate tasteth venison and the wise heart false speeches.
36:22. A perverse heart will cause grief, and a man of experience will resist it.
36:23. A woman will receive every man: yet one daughter is better than another.
A woman will receive every man. . .That is, any man that her parents propose to her to marry, though she does not like him, but marries in obedience to her parents, who make the choice for her.
36:24. The beauty of a woman cheereth the countenance of her husband, and a man desireth nothing more.
36:25. If she have a tongue that can cure, and likewise mitigate and shew mercy: her husband is not like other men.
36:26. He that possesseth a good wife, beginneth a possession: she is a help like to himself, and a pillar of rest.
36:27. Where there is no hedge, the possession shall be spoiled: and where there is no wife, he mourneth that is in want.
36:28. Who will trust him that hath no rest, and that lodgeth wheresoever the night taketh him, as a robber well appointed, that skippeth from city to city.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 37
Of the choice of friends and counsellors.
37:1. Every friend will say: I also am his friend: but there is a friend, that is only a friend in name. Is not this a grief even to death?
37:2. But a companion and a friend shall be turned to an enemy.
37:3. O wicked presumption, whence camest thou to cover the earth with thy malice, and deceitfulness?
37:4. There is a companion who rejoiceth with his friend in his joys, but in the time of trouble, he will be against him.
37:5. There is a companion who condoleth with his friend for his belly's sake, and he will take up a shield against the enemy.
37:6. Forget not thy friend in thy mind, and be not unmindful of him in thy riches.
37:7. Consult not with him that layeth a snare for thee, and hide thy counsel from them that envy thee.
37:8. Every counsellor giveth out counsel, but there is one that is a counsellor for himself.
37:9. Beware of a counsellor. And know before what need he hath: for he will devise to his own mind:
37:10. Lest he thrust a stake into the ground, and say to thee:
37:11. Thy way is good; and then stand on the other side to see what shall befall thee.
37:12. Treat not with a man without religion concerning holiness, nor with an unjust man concerning justice, nor with a woman touching her of whom she is jealous, nor with a coward concerning war, nor with a merchant about traffic, nor with a buyer of selling, nor with an envious man of giving thanks,
37:13. Nor with the ungodly of piety, nor with the dishonest of honesty, nor with the field laborer of every work,
37:14. Nor with him that worketh by the year of the finishing of the year, nor with an idle servant of much business: give no heed to these in any matter of counsel.
37:15. But be continually with a holy man, whomsoever thou shalt know to observe the fear of God,
37:16. Whose soul is according to thy own soul: and who, when thou shalt stumble in the dark, will be sorry for thee.
37:17. And establish within thyself a heart of good counsel: for there is no other thing of more worth to thee than it.
37:18. The soul of a holy man discovereth sometimes true things, more than seven watchmen that sit in a high place to watch.
37:19. But above all these things pray to the most High, that he may direct thy way in truth.
37:20. In all thy works let the true word go before thee, and steady counsel before every action.
37:21. A wicked word shall change the heart: out of which four manner of things arise, good and evil, life and death: and the tongue is continually the ruler of them. There is a man that is subtle and a teacher of many, and yet is unprofitable to his own soul.
37:22. A skilful man hath taught many, and is sweet to his own soul.
37:23. He that speaketh sophistically, is hateful: he shall be destitute of every thing.
37:24. Grace is not given him from the Lord: for he is deprived of all wisdom.
37:25. There is a wise man that is wise to his own soul: and the fruit of his understanding is commendable.
37:26. A wise man instructeth his own people, and the fruits of his understanding are faithful.
37:27. A wise man shall be filled with blessings, and they that see shall praise him.
37:28. The life of a man is in the number of his days: but the days of Israel are innumerable.
37:29. A wise man shall inherit honour among his people, and his name shall live for ever.
37:30. My son, prove thy soul in thy life: and if it be wicked, give it no power:
37:31. For all things are not expedient for all, and every kind pleaseth not every soul.
37:32. Be not greedy in any feasting, and pour not out thyself upon any meat:
37:33. For in many meats there will be sickness, and greediness will turn to choler.
37:34. By surfeiting many have perished, but he that is temperate, shall prolong life.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 38
Of physicians and medicines: what is to be done in sickness, and how we are to mourn for the dead. Of the employments of labourers and artificers.
38:1. Honour the physician for the need thou hast of him: for the most High hath created him.
38:2. For all healing is from God, and he shall receive gifts of the king.
38:3. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head, and in the sight of great men he shall be praised.
38:4. The most High hath created medicines out of the earth, and a wise man will not abhor them.
38:5. Was not bitter water made sweet with wood?
38:6. The virtue of these things is come to the knowledge of men, and the most High hath given knowledge to men, that he may be honoured in his wonders.
38:7. By these he shall cure and shall allay their pains, and of these the apothecary shall make sweet confections, and shall make up ointments of health, and of his works there shall be no end.
38:8. For the peace of God is over all the face of the earth.
38:9. My son, in thy sickness neglect not thyself, but pray to the Lord, and he shall heal thee.
38:10. Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.
38:11. Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour, and make a fat offering, and then give place to the physician.
38:12. For the Lord created him: and let him not depart from thee, for his works are necessary.
38:13. For there is a time when thou must fall into their hands:
38:14. And they shall beseech the Lord, that he would prosper what they give for ease and remedy, for their conversation.
38:15. He that sinneth in the sight of his Maker, shall fall into the hands of the physician.
38:16. My son, shed tears over the dead, and begin to lament as if thou hadst suffered some great harm, and according to judgment cover his body, and neglect not his burial.
38:17. And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness.
38:18. And make mourning for him according to his merit for a day, or two, for fear of detraction.
38:19. For of sadness cometh death, and it overwhelmeth the strength, and the sorrow of the heart boweth down the neck.
38:20. In withdrawing aside sorrow remaineth: and the substance of the poor is according to his heart.
38:21. Give not up thy heart to sadness, but drive it from thee: and remember the latter end.
38:22. Forget it not: for there is no returning, and thou shalt do him no good, and shalt hurt thyself.
38:23. Remember my judgment: for thine also shall be so: yesterday for me, and to day for thee.
38:24. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest, and comfort him in the departing of his spirit.
38:25. The wisdom of a scribe cometh by his time of leisure: and he that is less in action, shall receive wisdom.
A scribe. . .That is, a doctor of the law, or, a learned man.
38:26. With what wisdom shall he be furnished that holdeth the plough, and that glorieth in the goad, that driveth the oxen therewith, and is occupied in their labours, and his whole talk is about the offspring of bulls?
38:27. He shall give his mind to turn up furrows, and his care is to give the kine fodder.
38:28. So every craftsman and workmaster that laboureth night and day, he who maketh graven seals, and by his continual diligence varieth the figure: he shall give his mind to the resemblance of the picture, and by his watching shall finish the work.
38:29. So doth the smith sitting by the anvil and considering the iron work. The vapour of the fire wasteth his flesh, and he fighteth with the heat of the furnace.
38:30. The noise of the hammer is always in his ears, and his eye is upon the pattern of the vessel he maketh.
38:31. He setteth his mind to finish his work, and his watching to polish them to perfection.
38:32. So doth the potter sitting at his work, turning the wheel about with his feet, who is always carefully set to his work, and maketh all his work by number:
38:33. He fashioneth the clay with his arm, and boweth down his strength before his feet:
38:34. He shall give his mind to finish the glazing, and his watching to make clean the furnace.
38:35. All these trust to their hands, and every one is wise in his own art.
38:36. Without these a city is not built.
38:37. And they shall not dwell, nor walk about therein, and they shall not go up into the assembly.
38:38. Upon the judges' seat they shall not sit, and the ordinance of judgment they shall not understand, neither shall they declare discipline and judgment, and they shall not be found where parables are spoken:
38:39. But they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their prayer shall be in the work of their craft, applying their soul, and searching in the law of the most High.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 39
The exercises of the wise man. The Lord is to be glorified for his works.
39:1. The wise man will seek out the wisdom of all the ancients, and will be occupied in the prophets.
39:2. He will keep the sayings of renowned men, and will enter withal into the subtilties of parables.
39:3. He will search out the hidden meanings of proverbs, and will be conversant in the secrets of parables.
39:4. He shall serve among great men, and appear before the governor.
39:5. He shall pass into strange countries: for he shall try good and evil among men.
39:6. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.
39:7. He will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins.
39:8. For if it shall please the great Lord, he will fill him with the spirit of understanding:
39:9. And he will pour forth the words of his wisdom as showers, and in his prayer he will confess to the Lord.
39:10. And he shall direct his counsel, and his knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate.
39:11. He shall shew forth the discipline he hath learned, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord.
39:12. Many shall praise his wisdom, and it shall never be forgotten.
39:13. The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.
39:14. Nations shall declare his wisdom, and the church shall shew forth his praise.
39:15. If he continue, he shall leave a name above a thousand: and if he rest, it shall be to his advantage.
39:16. I will yet meditate that I may declare: for I am filled as with a holy transport.
39:17. By a voice he saith: Hear me, ye divine offspring, and bud forth as the rose planted by the brooks of waters.
Ye divine offspring. . .He speaks to the children of Israel, the people of God: whom he exhorts to bud forth and flourish with virtue.
39:18. Give ye a sweet odour as frankincense.
39:19. Send forth flowers, as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in his works.
39:20. Magnify his name, and give glory to him with the voice of your lips, and with the canticles of your mouths, and with harps, and in praising him, you shall say in this manner:
39:21. All the works of the Lord are exceeding good.
39:22. At his word the waters stood as a heap: and at the words of his mouth the receptacles of waters:
39:23. For at his commandment favour is shewn, and there is no diminishing of his salvation.
39:24. The works of all flesh are before him, and there is nothing hid from his eyes.
39:25. He seeth from eternity to eternity, and there is nothing wonderful before him.
39:26. There is no saying: What is this, or what is that? for all things shall be sought in their time.
39:27. His blessing hath overflowed like a river.
39:28. And as a flood hath watered the earth; so shall his wrath inherit the nations, that have not sought after him.
39:29. Even as he turned the waters into a dry land, and the earth was made dry: and his ways were made plain for their journey: so to sinners they are stumblingblocks in his wrath.
39:30. Good things were created for the good from the beginning, so for the wicked, good and evil things.
39:31. The principal things necessary for the life of men, are water, fire, and iron, salt, milk, and bread of flour, and honey, and the cluster of the grape, and oil, and clothing.
39:32. All these things shall be for good to the holy, so to the sinners and the ungodly they shall be turned into evil.
39:33. There are spirits that are created for vengeance, and in their fury they lay on grievous torments.
39:34. In the time of destruction they shall pour out their force: and they shall appease the wrath of him that made them.
39:35. Fire, hail, famine, and death, all these were created for vengeance.
39:36. The teeth of beasts, and scorpions, and serpents, and the sword taking vengeance upon the ungodly unto destruction.
39:37. In his commandments they shall feast, and they shall be ready upon earth when need is, and when their time is come they shall not transgress his word.
39:38. Therefore from the beginning I was resolved, and I have meditated, and thought on these things and left them in writing,
39:39. All the works of the Lord are good, and he will furnish every work in due time.
39:40. It is not to be said: This is worse than that: for all shall be well approved in their time.
39:41. Now therefore with the whole heart and mouth praise ye him, and bless the name of the Lord.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 40
The miseries of the life of man are relieved by the grace of God and his fear.
40:1. Great labour is created for all men, and a heavy yoke is upon the children of Adam from the day of their coming out of their mother's womb, until the day of their burial into the mother of all.
40:2. Their thoughts, and fears of the heart, their imagination of things to come, and the day of their end:
40:3. From him that sitteth on a glorious throne, unto him that is humbled in earth and ashes:
40:4. From him that weareth purple, and beareth the crown, even to him that is covered with rough linen: wrath, envy, trouble, unquietness, and the fear of death, continual anger, and strife,
40:5. And in the time of rest upon his bed, the sleep of the night changeth his knowledge.
40:6. A little and as nothing is his rest, and afterward in sleep, as in the day of keeping watch.
40:7. He is troubled in the vision of his heart, as if he had escaped in the day of battle. In the time of his safety he rose up, and wondereth that there is no fear.
40:8. Such things happen to all flesh, from man even to beast, and upon sinners are sevenfold more.
40:9. Moreover, death, and bloodshed, strife, and sword, oppressions, famine, and affliction, and scourges:
40:10. All these things are created for the wicked, and for their sakes came the flood.
40:11. All things that are of the earth, shall return to the earth again, and all waters shall return to the sea.
40:12. All bribery, and injustice shall be blotted out, and fidelity shall stand for ever.
40:13. The riches of the unjust shall be dried up like a river, and shall pass away with a noise like a great thunder in rain.
40:14. While he openeth his hands he shall rejoice: but transgressors shall pine away in the end.
40:15. The offspring of the ungodly shall not bring forth many branches, and make a noise as unclean roots upon the top of a rock.
40:16. The weed growing over every water, and at the bank of the river, shall be pulled up before all grass.
40:17. Grace is like a paradise in blessings, and mercy remaineth for ever.
40:18. The life of a laborer that is content with what he hath, shall be sweet, and in it thou shalt find a treasure.
40:19. Children, and the building of a city shall establish a name, but a blameless wife shall be counted above them both.
40:20. Wine and music rejoice the heart, but the love of wisdom is above them both.
40:21. The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.
40:22. Thy eye desireth favour and beauty, but more than these green sown fields.
40:23. A friend and companion meeting together in season, but above them both is a wife with her husband.
40:24. Brethren are a help in the time of trouble, but mercy shall deliver more than they.
40:25. Gold and silver make the feet stand sure: but wise counsel is above them both.
40:26. Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord.
40:27. There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.
40:28. The fear of the Lord is like a paradise of blessing, and they have covered it above all glory.
40:29. My son, in thy lifetime be not indigent: for it is better to die than to want.
40:30. The life of him that looketh toward another man's table is not to be counted a life: for he feedeth his soul with another man's meat.
40:31. But a man, well instructed and taught, will look to himself.
40:32. Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the unwise, but in his belly there shall burn a fire.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 41
Of the remembrance of death: of an evil and of a good name: of what things we ought to be ashamed.
41:1. O death, how bitter is the remembrance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions!
41:2. To a man that is at rest, and whose ways are prosperous in all things, and that is yet able to take meat!
41:3. O death thy sentence is welcome to the man that is in need, and to him whose strength faileth:
41:4. Who is in a decrepit age, and that is in care about all things, and to the distrustful that loseth patience!
41:5. Fear not the sentence of death. Remember what things have been before thee, and what shall come after thee: this sentence is from the Lord upon all flesh.
41:6. And what shall come upon thee by the good pleasure of the most High? whether ten, or a hundred, or a thousand years.
41:7. For among the dead there is no accusing of life.
41:8. The children of sinners become children of abominations, and they that converse near the houses of the ungodly.
41:9. The inheritance of the children of sinners shall perish, and with their posterity shall be a perpetual reproach.
41:10. The children will complain of an ungodly father, because for his sake they are in reproach.
41:11. Woe to you, ungodly men, who have forsaken the law of the most high Lord.
41:12. And if you be born, you shall be born in malediction: and if you die, in malediction shall be your portion.
41:13. All things that are of the earth, shall return into the earth: so the ungodly shall from malediction to destruction.
41:14. The mourning of men is about their body, but the name of the ungodly shall be blotted out.
41:15. Take care of a good name: for this shall continue with thee, more than a thousand treasures precious and great.
41:16. A good life hath its number of days: but a good name shall continue for ever.
41:17. My children, keep discipline in peace: for wisdom that is hid, and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is there in them both?
41:18. Better is the man that hideth his folly, than the man that hideth his wisdom.
41:19. Wherefore have a shame of these things I am now going to speak of.
Have a shame, etc. . .That is to say, be ashamed of doing any of these things, which I am now going to mention; for though sometimes shamefacedness is not to be indulged: yet it is often good and necessary: as in the following cases.
41:20. For it is not good to keep all shamefacedness: and all things do not please all men in opinion.
41:21. Be ashamed of fornication before father and mother: and of a lie before a governor and a man in power:
41:22. Of an offence before a prince, and a judge: of iniquity before a congregation and a people:
41:23. Of injustice before a companion and friend: and in regard to the place where thou dwellest,
41:24. Of theft, and of the truth of God, and the covenant: of leaning with thy elbow over meat, and of deceit in giving and taking:
41:25. Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.
41:26. Turn not away thy face from thy neighbour, and of taking away a portion and not restoring.
41:27. Gaze not upon another man's wife, and be not inquisitive after his handmaid, and approach not her bed.
41:28. Be ashamed of upbraiding speeches before friends: and after thou hast given, upbraid not.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 42
Of what things we ought not to be ashamed. Cautions with regard to women. The works and greatness of God.
42:1. Repeat not the word which thou hast heard, and disclose not the thing that is secret; so shalt thou be truly without confusion, and shalt find favour before all men: be not ashamed of any of these things, and accept no person to sin thereby:
42:2. Of the law of the most High, and of his covenant, and of judgment to justify the ungodly:
42:3. Of the affair of companions and travellers, and of the gift of the inheritance of friends:
42:4. Of exactness of balance and weights, of getting much or little:
42:5. Of the corruption of buying, and of merchants, and of much correction of children, and to make the side of a wicked slave to bleed.
42:6. Sure keeping is good over a wicked wife.
42:7. Where there are many hands, shut up, and deliver all things in number, and weight: and put all in writing that thou givest out or receivest in.
42:8. Be not ashamed to inform the unwise and foolish, and the aged, that are judged by young men: and thou shalt be well instructed in all things, and well approved in the sight of all men living.
42:9. The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away his sleep, when she is young, lest she pass away the flower of her age, and when she is married, lest she should be hateful:
42:10. In her virginity, lest she should be corrupted, and be found with child in her father's house: and having a husband, lest she should misbehave herself, or at the least become barren.
42:11. Keep a sure watch over a shameless daughter: lest at anytime she make thee become a laughingstock to thy enemies, and a byword in the city, and a reproach among the people, and she make thee ashamed before all the multitude.
42:12. Behold not everybody's beauty: and tarry not among women.
42:13. For from garments cometh a moth, and from a woman the iniquity of a man.
42:14. For better is the iniquity of a man, than a woman doing a good turn, and a woman bringing shame and reproach.
Better is the iniquity, etc. . .That is, there is, commonly speaking, less danger to be apprehended to the soul from the churlishness, or injuries we receive from men, than from the flattering favours and familiarity of women.
42:15. I will now remember the works of the Lord, and I will declare the things I have seen. By the words of the Lord are his works.
42:16. The sun giving light hath looked upon all things, and full of the glory of the Lord is his work.
42:17. Hath not the Lord made the saints to declare all his wonderful works, which the Lord Almighty hath firmly settled to be established for his glory?
42:18. He hath searched out the deep, and the heart of men: and considered their crafty devices.
42:19. For the Lord knoweth all knowledge, and hath beheld the signs of the world, he declareth the things that are past, and the things that are to come, and revealeth the traces of hidden things.
42:20. No thought escapeth him, and no word can hide itself from him.
42:21. He hath beautified the glorious works of his wisdom: and he is from eternity to eternity, and to him nothing may be added,
42:22. Nor can he be diminished, and he hath no need of any counsellor.
42:23. O how desirable are all his works, and what we can know is but as a spark!
42:24. All these things live, and remain for ever, and for every use all things obey him.
42:25. All things are double, one against another, and he hath made nothing defective.
42:26. He hath established the good things of every one. And who shall be filled with beholding his glory?
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 43
The works of God are exceedingly glorious and wonderful: no man is able sufficiently to praise him.
43:1. The firmament on high is his beauty, the beauty of heaven with its glorious shew.
43:2. The sun when he appeareth shewing forth at his rising, an admirable instrument, the work of the most High.
43:3. At noon he burneth the earth, and who can abide his burning heat? As one keeping a furnace in the works of heat:
43:4. The sun three times as much, burneth the mountains, breathing out fiery vapours, and shining with his beams, he blindeth the eyes.
43:5. Great is the Lord that made him, and at his words he hath hastened his course.
43:6. And the moon in all in her season, is for a declaration of times and a sign of the world.
43:7. From the moon is the sign of the festival day, a light that decreaseth in her perfection.
43:8. The month is called after her name, increasing wonderfully in her perfection.
43:9. Being an instrument of the armies on high, shining gloriously in the firmament of heaven.
43:10. The glory of the stars is the beauty of heaven; the Lord enlighteneth the world on high.
43:11. By the words of the holy one they stand in judgment, and shall never fall in their watches.
43:12. Look upon the rainbow, and bless him that made it: it is very beautiful in its brightness.
43:13. It encompasseth the heaven about with the circle of its glory, the hands of the most High have displayed it.
43:14. By his commandment he maketh the snow to fall apace, and sendeth forth swiftly the lightnings of his judgment.
43:15. Through this are the treasures opened, and the clouds fly out like birds.
43:16. By his greatness he hath fixed the clouds, and the hailstones are broken.
43:17. At his sight shall the mountains be shaken, and at his will the south wind shall blow.
43:18. The noise of his thunder shall strike the earth, so doth the northern storm, and the whirlwind:
43:19. And as the birds lighting upon the earth, he scattereth snow, and the falling thereof, is as the coming down of locusts.
43:20. The eye admireth at the beauty of the whiteness thereof, and the heart is astonished at the shower thereof.
43:21. He shall pour frost as salt upon the earth: and when it freezeth, it shall become like the tops of thistles.
43:22. The cold north wind bloweth, and the water is congealed into crystal; upon every gathering together of waters it shall rest, and shall clothe the waters as a breastplate.
43:23. And it shall devour the mountains, and burn the wilderness, and consume all that is green as with fire.
43:24. A present remedy of all is the speedy coming of a cloud, and a dew that meeteth it, by the heat that cometh, shall overpower it.
43:25. At his word the wind is still, and with his thought he appeaseth the deep, and the Lord hath planted islands therein.
43:26. Let them that sail on the sea, tell the dangers thereof: and when we hear with our ears, we shall admire.
43:27. There are great and wonderful works: a variety of beasts, and of all living things, and the monstrous creatures of whales.
43:28. Through him is established the end of their journey, and by his word all things are regulated.
43:29. We shall say much, and yet shall want words: but the sum of our words is, He is all.
43:30. What shall we be able to do to glorify him? for the Almighty himself is above all his works.
43:31. The Lord is terrible, and exceeding great, and his power is admirable.
43:32. Glorify the Lord as much as ever you can, for he will yet far exceed, and his magnificence is wonderful.
43:33. Blessing the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he is above all praise.
43:34. When you exalt him put forth all your strength, and be not weary: for you can never go far enough.
43:35. Who shall see him, and declare him? and who shall magnify him as he is from the beginning?
43:36. There are many things hidden from us that are greater than these: for we have seen but a few of his works.
43:37. But the Lord hath made all things, and to the godly he hath given wisdom.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 44
The praises of the holy fathers, in particular of Enoch, Noe, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.
44:1. Let us now praise men of renown and our fathers in their generation.
44:2. The Lord hath wrought great glory through his magnificence from the beginning.
44:3. Such as have borne rule in their dominions, men of great power, and endued with their wisdom, shewing forth in the prophets the dignity of prophets,
44:4. And ruling over the present people, and by the strength of wisdom instructing the people in most holy words.
44:5. Such as by their skill sought out musical tunes, and published canticles of the scriptures.
44:6. Rich men in virtue, studying beautifulness: living at peace in their houses.
44:7. All these have gained glory in their generations, and were praised in their days.
44:8. They that were born of them have left a name behind them, that their praises might be related:
44:9. And there are some, of whom there is no memorial: who are perished, as if they had never been: and are become as if they had never been born, and their children with them.
44:10. But these were men of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed:
44:11. Good things continue with their seed,
44:12. Their posterity are a holy inheritance, and their seed hath stood in the covenants.
44:13. And their children for their sakes remain for ever: their seed and their glory shall not be forsaken.
44:14. Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.
44:15. Let the people shew forth their wisdom, and the church declare their praise.
44:16. Henoch pleased God, and was translated into paradise, that he may give repentance to the nations.
44:17. Noe was found perfect, just, and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation.
44:18. Therefore was there a remnant left to the earth, when the flood came.
44:19. The covenants of the world were made with him, that all flesh should no more be destroyed with the flood.
44:20. Abraham was the great father of a multitude of nations, and there was not found the like to him in glory, who kept the law of the most High, and was in covenant with him.
44:21. In his flesh he established the covenant, and in temptation he was found faithful.
44:22. Therefore by an oath he gave him glory in his posterity, that he should increase as the dust of the earth,
44:23. And that he would exalt his seed as the stars, and they should inherit from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
44:24. And he did in like manner with Isaac for the sake of Abraham his father.
44:25. The Lord gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed his covenant upon the head of Jacob.
44:26. He acknowledged him in his blessings, and gave him an inheritance, and divided him his portion in twelve tribes.
44:27. And he preserved for him men of mercy, that found grace in the eyes of all flesh.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 45
The praises of Moses, of Aaron, and of Phinees.
45:1. Moses was beloved of God, and men: whose memory is in benediction.
45:2. He made him like the saints in glory, and magnified him in the fear of his enemies, and with his words he made prodigies to cease.
45:3. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him commandments in the sight of his people, and shewed him his glory.
45:4. He sanctified him in his faith, and meekness, and chose him out of all flesh.
45:5. For he heard him, and his voice, and brought him into a cloud.
45:6. And he gave him commandments before his face, and a law of life and instruction, that he might teach Jacob his covenant, and Israel his judgments.
45:7. He exalted Aaron his brother, and like to himself of the tribe of Levi:
45:8. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him the priesthood of the nation, and made him blessed in glory,
45:9. And he girded him about with a glorious girdle, and clothed him with a robe of glory, and crowned him with majestic attire.
45:10. He put upon him a garment to the feet, and breeches, and an ephod, and he compassed him with many little bells of gold all round about,
45:11. That as he went there might be a sound, and a noise made that might be heard in the temple, for a memorial to the children of his people.
45:12. He gave him a holy robe of gold, and blue, and purple, a woven work of a wise man, endued with judgment and truth:
45:13. Of twisted scarlet the work of an artist, with precious stones cut and set in gold, and graven by the work of a lapidary for a memorial, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
45:14. And a crown of gold upon his mitre wherein was engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour: a work of power, and delightful to the eyes for its beauty.
45:15. Before him there were none so beautiful, even from the beginning.
45:16. No stranger was ever clothed with them, but only his children alone, and his grandchildren for ever.
45:17. His sacrifices were consumed with fire every day.
45:18. Moses filled his hands and anointed him with holy oil.
45:19. This was made to him for an everlasting testament, and to his seed as the days of heaven, to execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise, and to glorify his people in his name.
45:20. He chose him out of all men living, to offer sacrifice to God, incense, and a good savour, for a memorial to make reconciliation for his people:
45:21. And he gave him power in his commandments, in the covenants of his judgments, that he should teach Jacob his testimonies, and give light to Israel in his law.
45:22. And strangers stood up against him, and through envy the men that were with Dathan and Abiron, compassed him about in the wilderness, and the congregation of Core in their wrath.
45:23. The Lord God saw and it pleased him not, and they were consumed in his wrathful indignation.
45:24. He wrought wonders upon them, and consumed them with a flame of fire.
45:25. And he added glory to Aaron, and gave him an inheritance, and divided unto him the firstfruits of the increase of the earth.
45:26. He prepared them bread in the first place unto fulness: for the sacrifices also of the Lord they shall eat, which he gave to him, and to his seed.
45:27. But he shall not inherit among the people in the land, and he hath no portion among the people: for he himself is his portion and inheritance.
45:28. Phinees the son of Eleazar is the third in glory, by imitating him in the fear of the Lord:
45:29. And he stood up in the shameful fall of the people: in the goodness and readiness of his soul he appeased God for Israel.
45:30. Therefore he made to him a covenant of peace, to be the prince of the sanctuary, and of his people, that the dignity of priesthood should be to him and to his seed for ever.
45:31. And a covenant to David the king, the son of Jesse of the tribe of Juda, an inheritance to him and to his seed, that he might give wisdom into our heart to judge his people in justice, that their good things might not be abolished, and he made their glory in their nation everlasting.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 46
The praise of Josue, of Caleb, and of Samuel.
46:1. Valiant in war was Jesus the son of Nave, who was successor of Moses among the prophets, who was great according to his name,
Jesus the son of Nave. . .So Josue is named in the Greek Bibles. For
Josue and Jesus signify the same thing, viz., a saviour.
46:2. Very great for the saving the elect of God, to overthrow the enemies that rose up against them, that he might get the inheritance for Israel.
46:3. How great glory did he gain when he lifted up his hands, and stretched out swords against the cities?
46:4. Who before him hath so resisted? for the Lord himself brought the enemies.
46:5. Was not the sun stopped in his anger, and one day made as two?
46:6. He called upon the most high Sovereign when the enemies assaulted him on every side, and the great and holy God heard him by hailstones of exceeding great force.
46:7. He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.
And in the descent. . .Of Beth-horon (Jos. 10.).
46:8. That the nations might know his power, that it is not easy to fight against God. And he followed the mighty one:
46:9. And in the days of Moses he did a work of mercy, he and Caleb the son of Jephone, in standing against the enemy, and withholding the people from sins, and appeasing the wicked murmuring.
46:10. And they two being appointed, were delivered out of the danger from among the number of six hundred thousand men on foot, to bring them into their inheritance, into the land that floweth with milk and honey.
46:11. And the Lord gave strength also to Caleb, and his strength continued even to his old age, so that he went up to the high places of the land, and his seed obtained it for an inheritance:
46:12. That all the children of Israel might see, that it is good to obey the holy God.
46:13. Then all the judges, every one by name, whose heart was not corrupted: who turned not away from the Lord,
46:14. That their memory might be blessed, and their bones spring up out of their place,
46:15. And their name continue for ever, the glory of the holy men remaining unto their children.
46:16. Samuel the prophet of the Lord, the beloved of the Lord his God, established a new government, and anointed princes over his people.
46:17. By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation, and the God of Jacob beheld, and by his fidelity he was proved a prophet.
46:18. And he was known to be faithful in his words, because he saw the God of light:
46:19. And called upon the name of the Lord Almighty, in fighting against the enemies who beset him on every side, when he offered a lamb without blemish.
46:20. And the Lord thundered from heaven, and with a great noise made his voice to be heard.
46:21. And he crushed the princes of the Tyrians, and all the lords of the Philistines:
46:22. And before the time of the end of his life in the world, he protested before the Lord, and his anointed: money, or any thing else, even to a shoe, he had not taken of any man, and no man did accuse him.
46:23. And after this he slept, and he made known to the king, and shewed him the end of his life, and he lifted up his voice from the earth in prophecy to blot out the wickedness of the nation.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 47
The praise of Nathan, of David, and of Solomon: Of his fall and punishment.
47:1. Then Nathan the prophet arose in the days of David.
47:2. And as the fat taken away from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel.
47:3. He played with lions as with lambs: and with bears he did in like manner as with the lambs of the flock, in his youth.
47:4. Did not he kill the giant, and take away reproach from his people?
47:5. In lifting up his hand, with the stone in the sling he beat down the boasting of Goliath:
47:6. For he called upon the Lord the Almighty, and he gave strength in his right hand, to take away the mighty warrior, and to set up the horn of his nation.
47:7. So in ten thousand did he glorify him, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in offering to him a crown of glory:
47:8. For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and extirpated the Philistines the adversaries unto this day: he broke their horn for ever.
47:9. In all his works he gave thanks to the holy one, and to the most High, with words of glory.
47:10. With his whole heart he praised the Lord, and loved God that made him: and he gave him power against his enemies:
47:11. And he set singers before the altar, and by their voices he made sweet melody.
47:12. And to the festivals he added beauty, and set in order the solemn times even to the end of his life, that they should praise the holy name of the Lord, and magnify the holiness of God in the morning.
47:13. The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: and he gave him a covenant of the kingdom, and a throne of glory in Israel.
47:14. After him arose up a wise son, and for his sake he cast down all the power of the enemies.
47:15. Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God brought all his enemies under him, that he might build a house in his name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever: O how wise wast thou in thy youth!
47:16. And thou wast filled as a river with wisdom, and thy soul covered the earth.
47:17. And thou didst multiply riddles in parables: thy name went abroad to the islands far off, and thou wast beloved in thy peace.
47:18. The countries wondered at thee for thy canticles, and proverbs, and parables, and interpretations,
47:19. And at the name of the Lord God, whose surname is, God of Israel.
47:20. Thou didst gather gold as copper, and didst multiply silver as lead,
47:21. And thou didst bow thyself to women: and by thy body thou wast brought under subjection.
47:22. Thou hast stained thy glory, and defiled thy seed so as to bring wrath upon thy children, and to have thy folly kindled,
47:23. That thou shouldst make the kingdom to be divided, and out of Ephraim a rebellious kingdom to rule.
47:24. But God will not leave off his mercy, and he will not destroy, nor abolish his own works, neither will he cut up by the roots the offspring of his elect: and he will not utterly take away the seed of him that loveth the Lord.
47:25. Wherefore he gave a remnant to Jacob, and to David of the same stock.
47:26. And Solomon had an end with his fathers.
47:27. And he left behind him of his seed, the folly of the nation,
47:28. Even Roboam that had little wisdom, who turned away the people through his counsel:
47:29. And Jeroboam the son of Nabat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin, and their sins were multiplied exceedingly.
47:30. They removed them far away from their land.
47:31. And they sought out all iniquities, till vengeance came upon them, and put an end to all their sins.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 48
The praise of Elias, of Eliseus, of Ezechias, and of Isaias.
48:1. And Elias the prophet stood up, as a fire, and his word burnt like a torch.
48:2. He brought a famine upon them, and they that provoked him in their envy, were reduced to a small number, for they could not endure the commandments of the Lord.
48:3. By the word of the Lord he shut up the heaven, and he brought down fire from heaven thrice.
48:4. Thus was Elias magnified in his wondrous works. And who can glory like to thee?
48:5. Who raisedst up a dead man from below, from the lot of death, by the word of the Lord God.
48:6. Who broughtest down kings to destruction, and brokest easily their power in pieces, and the glorious from their bed.
48:7. Who heardest judgment in Sina, and in Horeb the judgments of vengeance.
48:8. Who anointedst kings to penance, and madest prophets successors after thee.
48:9. Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot of fiery horses.
48:10. Who art registered in the judgments of times to appease the wrath of the Lord, to reconcile the heart of the father to the son, and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
48:11. Blessed are they that saw thee, and were honoured with thy friendship.
48:12. For we live only in our life, but after death our name shall not be such.
48:13. Elias was indeed covered with the whirlwind, and his spirit was filled up in Eliseus: in his days he feared not the prince, and no man was more powerful than he.
48:14. No word could overcome him, and after death his body prophesied.
48:15. In his life he did great wonders, and in death he wrought miracles.
48:16. For all this the people repented not, neither did they depart from their sins till they were cast out of their land, and were scattered through all the earth.
48:17. And there was left but a small people, and a prince in the house of David.
48:18. Some of these did that which pleased God: but others committed many sins.
48:19. Ezechias fortified his city, and brought in water into the midst thereof, and he digged a rock with iron, and made a well for water.
48:20. In his days Sennacherib came up, and sent Rabsaces, and lifted up his hand against them, and he stretched out his hand against Sion, and became proud through his power.
48:21. Then their hearts and hands trembled, and they were in pain as women in travail.
48:22. And they called upon the Lord who is merciful, and spreading their hands, they lifted them up to heaven: and the holy Lord God quickly heard their voice.
48:23. He was not mindful of their sins, neither did he deliver them up to their enemies, but he purified them by the hand of Isaias, the holy prophet.
48:24. He overthrew the army of the Assyrians, and the angel of the Lord destroyed them.
48:25. For Ezechias did that which pleased God, and walked valiantly in the way of David his father, which Isaias, the great prophet, and faithful in the sight of God, had commanded him.
48:26. In his days the sun wen backward, and he lengthened the king's life.
48:27. With a great spirit he saw the things that are to come to pass at last, and comforted the mourners in Sion.
48:28. He showed what should come to pass for ever, and secret things before they came.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 49
The praise of Josias, of Jeremias, Ezechiel, and the twelve prophets.
Also of Zorobabel, Jesus the son of Josedech, Nehemias, Enoch, Joseph,
Seth, Sem, and Adam.
49:1. The memory of Josias is like the composition of a sweet smell made by the art of a perfumer:
49:2. His remembrance shall be sweet as honey in every mouth, and as music at a banquet of wine.
49:3. He was directed by God unto the repentance of the nation, and he took away the abominations of wickedness.
49:4. And he directed his heart towards the Lord, and in the days of sinners he strengthened godliness.
49:5. Except David, and Ezechias and Josias, all committed sin.
49:6. For the kings of Juda forsook the law of the most High, and despised the fear of God.
49:7. So they gave their kingdom to others, and their glory to a strange nation,
49:8. They burnt the chosen city of holiness, and made the streets thereof desolate according to the prediction of Jeremias.
49:9. For they treated him evil, who was consecrated a prophet from his mother's womb, to overthrow, and pluck up, and destroy, and to build again, and renew.
49:10. It was Ezechiel that saw the glorious vision, which was shewn him upon the chariot of cherubims.
49:11. For he made mention of the enemies under the figure of rain, and of doing good to them that shewed right ways.
49:12. And may the bones of the twelve prophets spring up out of their place: for they strengthened Jacob, and redeemed themselves by strong faith.
49:13. How shall we magnify Zorobabel? for he was as a signet on the right hand;
49:14. In like manner Jesus the son of Josedec who in their days built the house, and set up a holy temple to the Lord, prepared for everlasting glory.
49:15. And let Nehemias be a long time remembered, who raised up for us our walls that were cast down, and set up the gates and the bars, who rebuilt our houses.
49:16. No man was born upon earth like Henoch: for he also was taken up from the earth.
49:17. Nor as Joseph, who was a man born prince of his brethren, the support of his family, the ruler of his brethren, the stay of the people:
49:18. And his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied.
They prophesied. . .That is, by their being carried out of Egypt they verified the prophetic prediction of Joseph. Gen. 50.
49:19. Seth and Sem obtained glory among men: and above every soul Adam in the beginning,
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 50
The praises of Simon the high priest. The conclusion.
50:1. Simon the high priest, the son of Onias, who in his life propped up the house, and in his days fortified the temple.
50:2. By him also the height of the temple was founded, the double building and the high walls of the temple.
50:3. In his days the wells of water flowed out, and they were filled as the sea above measure.
50:4. He took care of his nation, and delivered it from destruction.
50:5. He prevailed to enlarge the city, and obtained glory in his conversation with the people: and enlarged the entrance of the house and the court.
50:6. He shone in his days as the morning star in the midst of a cloud, and as the moon at the full.
50:7. And as the sun when it shineth, so did he shine in the temple of God.
50:8. And as the rainbow giving light in bright clouds, and as the flower of roses in the days of the spring, and as the lilies that are on the brink of the water, and as the sweet smelling frankincense in the time of summer.
50:9. As a bright fire, and frankincense burning in the fire.
50:10. As a massy vessel of gold, adorned with every precious stone.
50:11. As an olive tree budding forth, and a cypress tree rearing itself on high, when he put on the robe of glory, and was clothed with the perfection of power.
Clothed with the perfection of power. . .That is, with all the vestments denoting his dignity and authority.
50:12. When he went up to the holy altar, he honoured the vesture of holiness.
50:13. And when he took the portions out of the hands of the priests, he himself stood by the altar. And about him was the ring of his brethren: and as the cedar planted in mount Libanus,
50:14. And as branches of palm trees, they stood round about him, and all the sons of Aaron in their glory.
50:15. And the oblation of the Lord was in their hands, before all the congregation of Israel: and finishing his service, on the altar, to honour the offering of the most high King,
50:16. He stretched forth his hand to make a libation, and offered of the blood of the grape.
50:17. He poured out at the foot of the altar a divine odour to the most high Prince.
50:18. Then the sons of Aaron shouted, they sounded with beaten trumpets, and made a great noise to be heard for a remembrance before God.
50:19. Then all the people together made haste, and fell down to the earth upon their faces, to adore the Lord their God, and to pray to the Almighty God the most High.
50:20. And the singers lifted up their voices, and in the great house the sound of sweet melody was increased.
50:21. And the people in prayer besought the Lord the most High, until the worship of the Lord was perfected, and they had finished their office.
50:22. Then coming down, he lifted up his hands over all the congregation of the children of Israel, to give glory to God with his lips, and to glory in his name:
50:23. And he repeated his prayer, willing to shew the power of God.
50:24. And now pray ye to the God of all, who hath done great things in all the earth, who hath increased our days from our mother's womb, and hath done with us according to his mercy.
50:25. May he grant us joyfulness of heart, and that there be peace in our days in Israel for ever:
50:26. That Israel may believe that the mercy of God is with us, to deliver us in his days.
50:27. There are two nations which my soul abhorreth: and the third is no nation: which I hate:
Abhorreth. . .Viz., with a holy indignation, as enemies of God and persecutors of his people. Such were then the Edomites who abode in mount Seir, the Philistines, and the Samaritans who dwelt in Sichem, and had their schismatical temple in that neighbourhood.
50:28. They that sit on mount Seir, and the Philistines, and the foolish people that dwell in Sichem.
50:29. Jesus the son of Sirach, of Jerusalem, hath written in this book the doctrine of wisdom and instruction, who renewed wisdom from his heart.
50:30. Blessed is he that is conversant in these good things and he that layeth them up in his heart, shall be wise always.
50:31. For if he do them, he shall be strong to do all things: because the light of God guideth his steps.
Ecclesiasticus Chapter 51
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
51:1. A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.
51:2. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me.
51:3. And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.
51:4. And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.
51:5. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:
51:6. From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt.
51:7. From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:
51:8. My soul shall praise the Lord even to death.
51:9. And my life was drawing near to hell beneath.
51:10. They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.
51:11. I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.
51:12. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
51:13. Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.
51:14. I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.
51:15. I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.
51:16. And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.
51:17. Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.
51:18. When I was yet young, before I wandered about, I sought for wisdom openly in my prayer.
51:19. I prayed for her before the temple, and unto the very end I will seek after her, and she flourished as a grape soon ripe.
51:20. My heart delighted in her, my foot walked in the right way, from my youth up I sought after her.
51:21. I bowed down my ear a little, and received her.
51:22. I found much wisdom in myself, and profited much therein.
51:23. To him that giveth me wisdom, will I give glory.
51:24. For I have determined to follow her: I have had a zeal for good, and shall not be confounded.
51:25. My soul hath wrestled for her, and in doing it I have been confirmed.
51:26. I stretched forth my hands on high, and I bewailed my ignorance of her.
51:27. I directed my soul to her, and in knowledge I found her.
51:28. I possessed my heart with her from the beginning: therefore I shall not be forsaken.
51:29. My entrails were troubled in seeking her: therefore shall I possess a good possession.
51:30. The Lord hath given me a tongue for my reward: and with it I will praise him.
51:31. Draw near to me, ye unlearned, and gather yourselves together into the hours of discipline.
51:32. Why are ye slow and what do you say of these things? your souls are exceeding thirsty.
51:33. I have opened my mouth, and have spoken: buy her for yourselves without silver,
51:34. And submit your neck to the yoke, and let your soul receive discipline: for she is near at hand to be found.
51:35. Behold with your eyes how I have laboured a little, and have found much rest to myself.
51:36. Receive ye discipline as a great sum of money, and possess abundance of gold by her.
51:37. Let your soul rejoice in his mercy and you shall not be confounded in his praise.
51:38. Work your work before the time, and he will give you your reward in his time.
This inspired writer is called by the Holy Ghost, the great prophet, (Ecclesiasticus 48.25,) from the greatness of his prophetic spirit, by which he hath foretold so long before, and in so clear a manner, the coming of Christ, the mysteries of our redemption, the calling of the Gentiles, and the glorious establishment, and perpetual flourishing of the church of Christ: insomuch that he may seem to have been rather an evangelist than a prophet. His very name is not without mystery; for Isaias in Hebrew signifies the salvation of the Lord, or Jesus is the Lord. He was, according to the tradition of the Hebrews, of the blood royal of the kings of Juda: and after a most holy life, ended his days by a glorious martyrdom; being sawed in two, at the command of his wicked son in law, King Manasses, for reproving his evil ways.
Isaias Chapter 1
The prophet complains of the sins of Juda and Jerusalem, and exhorts them to a sincere conversion.
1:1. The vision of Isaias the Son of Amos, which he saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem in the days of Ozias, Joathan, Achaz, and Ezechias, kings of Juda.
1:2. Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken. I have brought up children, and exalted them: but they have despised me.
1:3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood.
1:4. Woe to the sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a wicked seed, ungracious children: they have forsaken the Lord, they have blasphemed the Holy One of Israel, they are gone away backwards.
1:5. For what shall I strike you any more, you that increase transgression? the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is sad.
1:6. From the sole of the foot unto the top of the head, there is no soundness therein: wounds and bruises and swelling sores: they are not bound up, nor dressed, nor fomented with oil.
1:7. Your land is desolate, your cities are burnt with fire: your country strangers devour before your face, and it shall be desolate as when wasted by enemies.
1:8. And the daughter of Sion shall be left as a covert in a vineyard, and as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, and as a city that is laid waste.
1:9. Except the Lord of hosts had left us seed, we had been as Sodom, and we should have been like to Gomorrha.
1:10. Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear to the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrha.
1:11. To what purpose do you offer me the multitude of your victims, saith the Lord? I am full, I desire not holocausts of rams, and fat of fatlings, and blood of calves, and lambs, and buck goats.
1:12. When you came to appear before me, who required these things at your hands, that you should walk in my courts?
1:13. Offer sacrifice no more in vain: incense is an abomination to me. The new moons, and the sabbaths and other festivals I will not abide, your assemblies are wicked.
1:14. My soul hateth your new moons, and your solemnities: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them.
1:15. And when you stretch forth your hands, I will turn away my eyes from you: and when you multiply prayer, I will not hear: for your hands are full of blood.
1:16. Wash yourselves, be clean, take away the evil of your devices from my eyes, cease to do perversely,
1:17. Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.
1:18. And then come, and accuse me, saith the Lord: if your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool.
1:19. If you be willing, and will hearken to me, you shall eat the good things of the land.
1:20. But if you will not, and will provoke me to wrath: the sword shall devour you because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
1:21. How is the faithful city, that was full of judgment, become a harlot? justice dwelt in it, but now murderers.
1:22. Thy silver is turned into dross: thy wine is mingled with water.
1:23. Thy princes are faithless, companions of thieves: they all love bribes, they run after rewards. They judge not for the fatherless: and the widow's cause cometh not in to them.
1:24. Therefore saith the Lord the God of hosts, the mighty one of Israel: Ah! I will comfort myself over my adversaries: and I will be revenged of my enemies.
1:25. And I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dross, and I will take away all thy tin.
1:26. And I will restore thy judges as they were before, and thy counsellors as of old. After this thou shalt be called the city of the just, a faithful city.
1:27. Sion shall be redeemed in judgment, and they shall bring her back in justice.
1:28. And he shall destroy the wicked, and the sinners together: and they that have forsaken the Lord, shall be consumed.
1:29. For they shall be confounded for the idols, to which they have sacrificed: and you shall be ashamed of the gardens which you have chosen.
1:30. When you shall be as an oak with the leaves falling off, and as a garden without water.
1:31. And your strength shall be as the ashes of tow, and your work as a spark: and both shall burn together, and there shall be none to quench it.
Isaias Chapter 2
All nations shall flow to the church of Christ. The Jews shall be rejected for their sins. Idolatry shall be destroyed.
2:1. The word that Isaias the son of Amos saw, concerning Juda and Jerusalem.
2:2. And in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.
The last days. . .The whole time of the new law, from the coming of Christ till the end of the world, is called in the scripture the last days; because no other age or time shall come after it, but only eternity.—Ibid. On the top of mountains, etc. . .This shews the perpetual visibility of the church of Christ: for a mountain upon the top of mountains cannot be hid.
2:3. And many people shall go, and say: Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall come forth from Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
2:4. And he shall judge the Gentiles, and rebuke many people: and they shall turn their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into sickles: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they be exercised any more to war.
2:5. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord.
2:6. For thou hast cast off thy people, the house of Jacob: because they are filled as in times past, and have had soothsayers as the Philistines, and have adhered to strange children.
2:7. Their land is filled with silver and gold: and there is no end of their treasures.
2:8. And their land is filled with horses: and their chariots are innumerable. Their land also is full of idols: they have adored the work of their own hands, which their own fingers have made.
2:9. And man hath bowed himself down, and man hath been debased: therefore forgive them not.
2:10. Enter thou into the rock, and hide thee in the pit from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty.
2:11. The lofty eyes of man are humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be made to stoop: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
2:12. Because the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and highminded, and upon every one that is arrogant, and he shall be humbled.
2:13. And upon all the tall and lofty cedars of Libanus, and upon all the oaks of Basan.
2:14. And upon all the high mountains and upon all the elevated hills.
2:15. And upon every high tower, and every fenced wall.
2:16. And upon all the ships of Tharsis, and upon all that is fair to behold.
2:17. And the loftiness of men shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
2:18. And idols shall be utterly destroyed.
Idols shall be utterly destroyed. . .or utterly pass away. This was verified by the establishment of Christianity. And by this and other texts of the like nature, the wild system of some modern sectaries is abundantly confuted, who charge the whole Christian church with worshipping idols, for many ages.
2:19. And they shall go into the holes of rocks, and into the caves of the earth from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall rise up to strike the earth.
2:20. In that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which he had made for himself to adore, moles and bats.
2:21. And he shall go into the clefts of rocks, and into the holes of stones from the face of the fear of the Lord, and from the glory of his majesty, when he shall rise up to strike the earth.
2:22. Cease ye therefore from the man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for he is reputed high.
Isaias Chapter 3
The confusion and other evils that shall come upon the Jews for their sins. The pride of their women shall be punished.
3:1. For behold the sovereign Lord of hosts shall take away from Jerusalem, and from Juda the valiant and the strong, the whole strength of bread, and the whole strength of water.
3:2. The strong man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet and the cunning man, and the ancient.
3:3. The captain over fifty, and the honourable in countenance, and the counsellor, and the architect, and the skilful in eloquent speech.
3:4. And I will give children to be their princes, and the effeminate shall rule over them.
3:5. And the people shall rush one upon another, and every man against his neighbour: the child shall make a tumult against the ancient, and the base against the honourable.
3:6. For a man shall take hold of his brother, one of the house of his father, saying: Thou hast a garment, be thou our ruler, and let this ruin be under thy hand.
3:7. In that day he shall answer, saying: I am no healer, and in my house there is no bread, nor clothing: make me not ruler of the people.
3:8. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Juda is fallen: because their tongue, and their devices are against the Lord, to provoke the eyes of his majesty.
3:9. The shew of their countenance hath answered them: and they have proclaimed abroad their sin as Sodom, and they have not hid it: woe to their souls, for evils are rendered to them.
3:10. Say to the just man that it is well, for he shall eat the fruit of his doings.
3:11. Woe to the wicked unto evil: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
3:12. As for my people, their oppressors have stripped them, and women have ruled over them. O my people, they that call thee blessed, the same deceive thee, and destroy the way of thy steps.
3:13. The Lord standeth up to judge, and he standeth to judge the people.
3:14. The Lord will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and its princes: for you have devoured the vineyard, and the spoil of the poor is in your house.
3:15. Why do you consume my people, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord the God of hosts.
3:16. And the Lord said: Because the daughters of Sion are haughty, and have walked with stretched out necks, and wanton glances of their eyes, and made a noise as they walked with their feet and moved in a set pace:
3:17. The Lord will make bald the crown of the head of the daughters of Sion, and the Lord will discover their hair.
3:18. In that day the Lord will take away the ornaments of shoes, and little moons,
3:19. And chains and necklaces, and bracelets, and bonnets,
3:20. And bodkins, and ornaments of the legs, and tablets, and sweet balls, and earrings,
3:21. And rings, and jewels hanging on the forehead,
3:22. And changes of apparel, and short cloaks, and fine linen, and crisping pins,
3:23. And lookingglasses, and lawns, and headbands, and fine veils.
3:24. And instead of a sweet smell there shall be stench, and instead of a girdle, a cord, and instead of curled hair, baldness, and instead of a stomacher, haircloth.
3:25. Thy fairest men also shall fall by the sword, and thy valiant ones in battle.
3:26. And her gates shall lament and mourn, and she shall sit desolate on the ground.
Isaias Chapter 4
After an extremity of evils that shall fall upon the Jews, a remnant shall be comforted by Christ.
4:1. And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying: We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, take away our reproach.
4:2. In that day the bud of the Lord shall be in magnificence and glory, and the fruit of the earth shall be high, and a great joy to them that shall have escaped of Israel.
The bud of the Lord. . .That is, Christ.
4:3. And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall be left in Sion, and that shall remain in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, every one that is written in life in Jerusalem.
4:4. If the Lord shall wash away the filth of the daughters of Sion, and shall wash away the blood of Jerusalem out of the midst thereof, by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
4:5. And the Lord will create upon every place of mount Sion, and where he is called upon, a cloud by day, and a smoke and the brightness of a flaming fire in the night: for over all the glory shall be a protection.
4:6. And there shall be a tabernacle for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a security and covert from the whirlwind, and from rain.
Isaias Chapter 5
The reprobation of the Jews is foreshewn under the parable of a vineyard. A woe is pronounced against sinners: the army of God shall send against them.
5:1. I will sing to my beloved the canticle of my cousin concerning his vineyard. My beloved had a vineyard on a hill in a fruitful place.
My cousin. . .So the prophet calls Christ, as being of his family and kindred, by descending from the house of David. Ibid. On a hill, etc. . .Literally, in the horn, the son of oil.
5:2. And he fenced it in, and picked the stones out of it, and planted it with the choicest vines, and built a tower in the midst thereof, and set up a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.
5:3. And now, O ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and ye men of Juda, judge between me and my vineyard.
5:4. What is there that I ought to do more to my vineyard, that I have not done to it? was it that I looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it hath brought forth wild grapes?
5:5. And now I will shew you what I will do to my vineyard. I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be wasted: I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down.
5:6. And I will make it desolate: it shall not be pruned, and it shall not be digged: but briers and thorns shall come up: and I will command the clouds to rain no rain upon it.
5:7. For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel: and the man of Juda, his pleasant plant: and I looked that he should do judgment, and behold iniquity: and do justice, and behold a cry.
5:8. Woe to you that join house to house and lay field to field, even to the end of the place: shall you alone dwell in the midst of the earth?
5:9. These things are in my ears, saith the Lord of hosts: Unless many great and fair houses shall become desolate, without an inhabitant.
5:10. For ten acres of vineyard shall yield one little measure, and thirty bushels of seed shall yield three bushels.
5:11. Woe to you that rise up early in the morning to follow drunkenness, and to drink in the evening, to be inflamed with wine.
5:12. The harp, and the lyre, and, the timbrel and the pipe, and wine are in your feasts: and the work of the Lord you regard not, nor do you consider the works of his hands.
5:13. Therefore is my people led away captive, because they had not knowledge, and their nobles have perished with famine, and their multitude were dried up with thirst.
5:14. Therefore hath hell enlarged her soul, and opened her mouth without any bounds, and their strong ones, and their people, and their high and glorious ones shall go down into it.
5:15. And man shall be brought down, and man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be brought low.
5:16. And the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and the holy God shall be sanctified in justice.
5:17. And the lambs shall feed according to their order, and strangers shall eat the deserts turned into fruitfulness.
5:18. Woe to you that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as the rope of a cart.
5:19. That say: Let him make haste, and let his work come quickly, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel come, that we may know it.
5:20. Woe to you that call evil good, and good evil: that put darkness for light, and light for darkness: that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter.
5:21. Woe to you that are wise in your own eyes, and prudent in your own conceits.
5:22. Woe to you that are mighty to drink wine, and stout men at drunkenness.
5:23. That justify the wicked for gifts, and take away the justice of the just from him.
5:24. Therefore as the tongue of the fire devoureth the stubble, and the heat of the flame consumeth it: so shall their root be as ashes, and their bud shall go up as dust: for they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and have blasphemed the word of the Holy One of Israel.
5:25. Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched out his hand upon them, and struck them: and the mountains were troubles, and their carcasses became as dung in the midst of the streets. For after this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
5:26. And he will lift up a sign to the nations afar off, and will whistle to them from the ends of the earth: and behold they shall come with speed swiftly.
5:27. There is none that shall faint, nor labour among them: they shall not slumber nor sleep, neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken.
5:28. Their arrows are sharp, and all their bows are bent. The hoofs of their horses shall be like the flint, and their wheels like the violence of a tempest.
5:29. Their roaring like that of a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea they shall roar, and take hold of the prey, and they shall keep fast hold of it, and there shall be none to deliver it.
5:30. And they shall make a noise against them that day, like the roaring of the sea; we shall look towards the land, and behold darkness of tribulation, and the light is darkened with the mist thereof.
Isaias Chapter 6
A glorious vision, in which the prophet's lips are cleansed: he foretelleth the obstinacy of the Jews.
6:1. In the year that king Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated: and his train filled the temple.
6:2. Upon it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they flew.
6:3. And they cried one to another, and said: Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of his glory,
6:4. And the lintels of the doors were moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.
6:5. And I said: Woe is me, because I have held my peace; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people that hath unclean lips, and I have seen with my eyes the King the Lord of hosts.
6:6. And one of the seraphims flew to me, and in his hand was a live coal, which he had taken with the tongs off the altar.
6:7. And he touched my mouth, and said: Behold this hath touched thy lips, and thy iniquities shall be taken away, and thy sin shall be cleansed.
6:8. And I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send? and who shall go for us? And I said: Lo, here am I, send me.
6:9. And he said: Go, and thou shalt say to this people: Hearing, hear, and understand not: and see the vision, and know it not.
6:10. Blind the heart of this people, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes: lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and I heal them.
6:11. And I said: How long, O Lord? And he said: Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land shall be left desolate.
6:12. And the Lord shall remove men far away, and she shall be multiplied that was left in the midst of the earth.
6:13. And there shall be still a tithing therein, and she shall turn, and shall be made a show as a turpentine tree, and as an oak that spreadeth its branches: that which shall stand therein, shall be a holy seed.
Isaias Chapter 7
The prophet assures king Achaz that the two kings his enemies shall not take Jerusalem. A virgin shall conceive and bear a son.
7:1. And it came to pass in the days of Achaz the son of Joathan, the son of Ozias, king of Juda, that Rasin king of Syria and Phacee the son of Romelia king of Israel, came up to Jerusalem, to fight against it: but they could not prevail over it.
7:2. And they told the house of David, saying: Syria hath rested upon Ephraim, and his heart was moved, and the heart of his people, as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind.
7:3. And the Lord said to Isaias: Go forth to meet Achaz, thou and Jasub thy son that is left, to the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field.
7:4. And thou shalt say to him: See thou be quiet: fear not, and let not thy heart be afraid of the two tails of these firebrands, smoking with the wrath of the fury of Rasin king of Syria, and of the son of Romelia.
7:5. Because Syria hath taken counsel against thee, unto the evil of Ephraim and the son of Romelia, saying:
7:6. Let us go up to Juda, and rouse it up, and draw it away to us, and make the son of Tabeel king in the midst thereof.
7:7. Thus saith the Lord God: It shall not stand, and this shall not be.
7:8. But the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rasin: and within threescore and five years, Ephraim shall cease to be a people:
7:9. And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Romelia. If you will not believe, you shall not continue.
7:10. And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying:
7:11. Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God, either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above.
7:12. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord.
7:13. And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also?
7:14. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son and his name shall be called Emmanuel.
7:15. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.
7:16. For before the child know to refuse the evil and to choose the good, the land which thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of the face of her two kings.
7:17. The Lord shall bring upon thee, and upon thy people, and upon the house of thy father, days that have not come since the time of the separation of Ephraim from Juda with the king of the Assyrians.
7:18. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly, that is in the uttermost parts of the rivers of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
7:19. And they shall come, and shall all of them rest in the torrents of the valleys, and in the holes of the rocks, and upon all places set with shrubs, and in all hollow places.
7:20. In that day the Lord shall shave with a razor that is hired by them that are beyond the river, by the king of the Assyrians, the head and the hairs of the feet, and the whole beard.
7:21. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a man shall nourish a young cow, and two sheep.
7:22. And for the abundance of milk he shall eat butter: for butter and honey shall every one eat that shall be left in the midst of the land.
7:23. And it shall come to pass in that day, that every place where there were a thousand vines, at a thousand pieces of silver, shall become thorns and briers.
7:24. With arrows and with bows they shall go in thither: for briers and thorns shall be in all the land.
7:25. And as for the hills that shall be raked with a rake, the fear of thorns and briers shall not come thither, but they shall be for the ox to feed on, and the lesser cattle to tread upon.
Isaias Chapter 8
The name of a child that is to be born: many evils shall come upon the
Jews for their sins.
8:1. And the Lord said to me: Take thee a great book, and write in it with a man's pen. Take away the spoils with speed, quickly take the prey.
8:2. And I took unto me faithful witnesses, Urias the priest, and Zacharias the son of Barachias.
8:3. And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived, and bore a son. And the Lord said to me: Call his name, Hasten to take away the spoils: Make hast to take away the prey.
8:4. For before the child know to call his father and his mother, the strength of Damascus, and the spoils of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of the Assyrians.
8:5. And the Lord spoke to me again, saying:
8:6. Forasmuch as this people hath cast away the waters of Siloe, that go with silence, and hath rather taken Rasin, and the son of Romelia:
8:7. Therefore behold the Lord will bring upon them the waters of the river strong and many, the king of the Assyrians, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and shall overflow all his banks.
8:8. And shall pass through Juda, overflowing, and going over shall reach even to the neck. And the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy, land, O Emmanuel.
8:9. Gather yourselves together, O ye people, and be overcome, and give ear, all ye lands afar off: strengthen yourselves, and be overcome, gird yourselves, and be overcome.
8:10. Take counsel together, and it shall be defeated: speak a word, and it shall not be done: because God is with us.
8:11. For thus saith the Lord to me: As he hath taught me, with a strong arm, that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying:
8:12. Say ye not: A conspiracy: for all that this people speaketh, is a conspiracy: neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
8:13. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself: and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.
8:14. And he shall be a sanctification to you. But for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence to the two houses of Israel, for a snare and a ruin to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
8:15. And very many of them shall stumble and fall, and shall be broken in pieces, and shall be snared, and taken.
8:16. Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
8:17. And I will wait for the Lord, who hath hid his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
8:18. Behold I and my children, whom the Lord hath given me for a sign, and for a wonder in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Sion.
8:19. And when they shall say to you: Seek of pythons, and of diviners, who mutter in their enchantments: should not the people seek of their God, for the living of the dead?
Seek of pythons. . .That is, people pretending to tell future things by a prophesying spirit.—Ibid. Should not the people seek of their God, for the living of the dead?. . .Here is signified, that it is to God we should pray to be directed, and not to seek of the dead, (that is, of fortune-tellers dead in sin,) for the health of the living.
8:20. To the law rather, and to the testimony. And if they speak not according to this word, they shall not have the morning light.
8:21. And they shall pass by it, they shall fall, and be hungry: and when they shall be hungry, they will be angry, and curse their king, and their God, and look upwards.
8:22. And they shall look to the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, weakness and distress, and a mist following them, and they cannot fly away from their distress.
Isaias Chapter 9
What joy shall come after afflictions by the birth and kingdom of Christ; which shall flourish for ever. Judgments upon Israel for their sins.
9:1. At the first time the land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephtali was lightly touched: and at the last the way of the sea beyond the Jordan of the Galilee of the Gentiles was heavily loaded.
9:2. The people that walked in darkness, have seen a great light: to them that dwelt in the region of the shadow of death, light is risen.
9:3. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and hast not increased the joy. They shall rejoice before thee, as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a prey, when they divide the spoils.
9:4. For the yoke of their burden, and the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast overcome, as in the day of Madian.
9:5. For every violent taking of spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be fuel for the fire.
9:6. For a CHILD IS BORN to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the world to come, the Prince of Peace.
9:7. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace: he shall sit upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth and for ever: the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
9:8. The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
9:9. And all the people of Ephraim shall know, and the inhabitants of Samaria that say in the pride and haughtiness of their heart:
9:10. The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with square stones: they have cut down the sycamores, but we will change them for cedars.
9:11. And the Lord shall set up the enemies of Rasin over him, and shall bring on his enemies in a crowd:
9:12. The Syrians from the east, and, the Philistines from the west: and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
9:13. And the people are not returned to him who hath struck them, and have not sought after the Lord of hosts.
9:14. And the Lord shall destroy out of Israel the head and the tail, him that bendeth down, and him that holdeth back, in one day.
9:15. The aged and honourable, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.
9:16. And they that call this people blessed, shall cause them to err: and they that are called blessed, shall be thrown down, headlong.
9:17. Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men: neither shall he have mercy on their fatherless, and widows: for every one is a hypocrite and wicked, and every mouth hath spoken folly. For all this his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
9:18. For wickedness is kindled as a fire, it shall devour the brier and the thorn: and shall kindle in the thicket of the forest, and it shall be wrapped up in smoke ascending on high.
9:19. By the wrath of the Lord of hosts the land is troubled, and the people shall be as fuel for the fire: no man shall spare his brother.
9:20. And he shall turn to the right hand, and shall be hungry: and shall eat on the left hand, and shall not be filled: every one shall eat the flesh of his own arm: Manasses Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasses, and they together shall be against Juda.
9:21. After all these things his indignation is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
Isaias Chapter 10
Woe to the makers of wicked laws. The Assyrian shall be a rod for punishing Israel: but for their pride they shall be destroyed: and a remnant of Israel saved.
10:1. Woe to them that make wicked laws: and when they write, write injustice:
10:2. To oppress the poor in judgment, and do violence to the cause of the humble of my people: that widows might be their prey, and that they might rob the fatherless.
10:3. What will you do in the day of visitation, and of the calamity which cometh from afar? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?
10:4. That you be not bowed down under the bond, and fall with the slain? In all these things his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
10:5. Woe to the Assyrian, he is the rod and the staff of my anger, and my indignation is in their hands.
10:6. I will send him to a deceitful nation, and I will give him a charge against the people of my wrath, to take away the spoils, and to lay hold on the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
10:7. But he shall not take it so, and his heart shall not think so: but his heart shall be set to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few.
10:8. For he shall say:
10:9. Are not my princes as so many kings? is not Calano as Charcamis: and Emath as Arphad? is not Samaria as Damascus?
10:10. As my hand hath found the kingdoms of the idol, so also their idols of Jerusalem, and of Samaria.
10:11. Shall I not, as I have done to Samaria and her idols, so do to Jerusalem and her idols?
10:12. And it shall come to pass, that when the Lord shall have performed all his works in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem, I will visit the fruit of the proud heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of the haughtiness of his eyes.
10:13. For he hath said: By the strength of my own hand I have done it, and by my own wisdom I have understood: and I have removed the bounds of the people, and have taken the spoils of the princes, and as a mighty man hath pulled down them that sat on high.
10:14. And my hand hath found the strength of the people as a nest; and as eggs are gathered, that are left, so have I gathered all the earth: and there was none that moved the wing, or opened the mouth, or made the least noise.
10:15. Shall the axe boast itself against him that cutteth with it? or shall the saw exalt itself against him by whom it is drawn? as if a rod should lift itself up against him that lifteth it up, and a staff exalt itself, which is but wood.
10:16. Therefore the sovereign Lord, the Lord of hosts, shall send leanness among his fat ones: and under his glory shall be kindled a burning, as it were the burning of a fire.
10:17. And the light of Israel shall be as a fire, and the Holy One thereof as a flame: and his thorns and his briers shall be set on fire, and shall be devoured in one day.
10:18. And the glory of his forest, and of his beautiful hill, shall be consumed from the soul even to the flesh, and he shall run away through fear.
10:19. And they that remain of the trees of his forest shall be so few, that they shall easily be numbered, and a child shall write them down.
10:20. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and they that shall escape of the house of Jacob, shall lean no more upon him that striketh them: but they shall lean upon the Lord the Holy One of Israel, in truth.
10:21. The remnant shall be converted, the remnant, I say, of Jacob, to the mighty God.
10:22. For if thy people, O Israel, shall be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them shall be converted, the consumption abridged shall overflow with justice.
A remnant of them shall be converted. . .This was partly verified in the children of Israel who remained after the devastations of the Assyrians, in the time of king Ezechias: and partly in the conversion of a remnant of the Jews to the faithful of Christ.—Ibid. The consumption abridged, etc. . .That is, the number of them cut short, and reduced to few, shall flourish in abundance of justice.
10:23. For the Lord God of hosts shall make a consumption, and an abridgment in the midst of all the land.
10:24. Therefore, thus saith the Lord the God of hosts: O my people that dwellest in Sion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall strike thee with his rod, and he shall lift up his staff over thee in the way of Egypt.
10:25. For yet a little and a very little while, and my indignation shall cease, and my wrath shall be upon their wickedness.
10:26. And the Lord of hosts shall raise up a scourge against him, according to the slaughter of Madian in the rock of Oreb, and his rod over the sea, and he shall lift it up in the way of Egypt.
10:27. And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall putrefy at the presence of the oil.
At the presence of the oil. . .That is, by the sweet unction of divine mercy.
10:28. He shall come into Aiath, he shall pass into Magron: at Machmas he shall lay up his carriages.
Into Aiath, etc. . .Here the prophet describes the march of the Assyrians under Sennacherib; and the terror they should carry with them; and how they should suddenly be destroyed.
10:29. They have passed in haste, Gaba is our lodging: Rama was astonished, Gabaath of Saul fled away.
10:30. Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim, attend, O Laisa, poor Anathoth.
10:31. Medemena is removed: ye inhabitants of Gabim, take courage.
10:32. It is yet day enough, to remain in Nobe: he shall shake his hand against the mountain of the daughter of Sion, the hill of Jerusalem.
10:33. Behold the sovereign Lord of hosts shall break the earthen vessel with terror, and the tall of stature shall be cut down, and the lofty shall be humbled.
10:34. And the thickets of the forest shall be cut down with iron, and Libanus with its high ones shall fall.
Isaias Chapter 11
Of the spiritual kingdom of Christ, to which all nations shall repair.
11:1. And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root.
11:2. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness.
11:3. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord, He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears.
11:4. But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
11:5. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.
11:6. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them.
11:7. The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
11:8. And the sucking child shall play on other hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk.
11:9. They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea.
11:10. In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.
11:11. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand the second time to possess the remnant of his people, which shall be left from the Assyrians, and from Egypt, and from Phetros, and from Ethiopia, and from Elam, and from Sennaar, and from Emath, and from the islands of the sea.
11:12. And he shall set up a standard unto the nations, and shall assemble the fugitives of Israel, and shall gather together the dispersed of Juda from the four quarters of the earth.
11:13. And the envy of Ephraim shall be taken away, and the enemies of Juda shall perish: Ephraim shall not envy Juda, and Juda shall not fight against Ephraim.
11:14. But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines by the sea, they together shall spoil the children of the east: Edom, till Moab shall be under the rule of their hand, and the children of Ammon shall be obedient.
11:15. And the Lord shall lay waste the tongue of the sea of Egypt, and shall lift up his hand over the river in the strength of his spirit: and he shall strike it in the seven streams, so that men may pass through it in their shoes.
11:16. And there shall be a highway for the remnant of my people, which shall be left from the Assyrians: as there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.
Isaias Chapter 12
A canticle of thanksgiving for the benefits of Christ.
12:1. And thou shalt say in that day: I will give thanks to thee, O Lord, for thou wast angry with me: thy wrath is turned away, and thou hast comforted me.
12:2. Behold, God is my saviour, I will deal confidently, and will not fear: because the Lord is my strength, and my praise, and he is become my salvation.
12:3. Thou shall draw waters with joy out of the saviour's fountains:
12:4. And you shall say in that day: Praise ye the Lord, and call upon his name: make his works known among the people: remember that his name is high.
12:5. Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath done great things: shew this forth in all the earth.
12:6. Rejoice, and praise, O thou habitation of Sion: for great is he that is in the midst of thee, the Holy One of Israel.
Isaias Chapter 13
The desolation of Babylon.
13:1. The burden of Babylon which Isaias the son of Amos saw.
The burden of Babylon. . .That is, a prophecy against Babylon.
13:2. Upon the dark mountain lift ye up a banner, exalt the voice, lift up the hand, and let the rulers go into the gates.
13:3. I have commanded my sanctified ones, and have called my strong ones in my wrath, them that rejoice in my glory.
13:4. The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as it were of many people, the noise of the sound of kings, of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts hath given charge to the troops of war.
13:5. To them that come from a country afar off, from the end of heaven: the Lord and the instruments of his wrath, to destroy the whole land.
13:6. Howl ye, for the day of the Lord is near: it shall come as a destruction from the Lord.
13:7. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every heart of man shall melt,
13:8. And shall be broken. Gripings and pains, shall take hold of them, they shall be in pain as a woman in labour. Every one shall be amazed at his neighbour, their countenances shall be as faces burnt.
13:9. Behold, the day of the Lord shall come, a cruel day, and full of indignation, and of wrath, and fury, to lay the land desolate, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it.
13:10. For the stars of heaven, and their brightness shall not display their light: the sun shall be darkened in his rising, and the moon shall not shine with her light.
13:11. And I will visit the evils of the world, and against the wicked for their iniquity: and I will make the pride of infidels to cease, and will bring down the arrogancy of the mighty.
13:12. A man shall be more precious than gold, yea a man than the finest of gold.
13:13. For this I will trouble the heaven: and the earth shall be moved out of her place, for the indignation of the Lord of hosts, and for the day of his fierce wrath.
13:14. And they shall be as a doe fleeing away, and as a sheep: and there shall be none to gather them together: every man shall turn to his own people, and every one shall flee to his own land.
13:15. Every one that shall be found, shall be slain: and every one that shall come to their aid, shall fall by the sword.
13:16. Their inhabitants shall be dashed in pieces before their eyes: their houses shall be pillaged, and their wives shall be ravished.
13:17. Behold I will stir up the Medes against them, who shall not seek silver, nor desire gold:
13:18. But with their arrows they shall kill the children, and shall have no pity upon the sucklings of the womb, and their eye shall not spare their sons.
13:19. And that Babylon, glorious among kingdoms, the famous pride of the Chaldeans, shall be even as the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha.
13:20. It shall no more be inhabited for ever, and it shall not be founded unto generation and generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch his tents there, nor shall shepherds rest there.
13:21. But wild beasts shall rest there, and their houses shall be filled with serpents, and ostriches shall dwell there, and the hairy ones shall dance there:
13:22. And owls shall answer one another there, in the houses thereof, and sirens in the temples of pleasure.
Isaias Chapter 14
The restoration of Israel after their captivity. The parable or song insulting over the king of Babylon. A prophecy against the Philistines.
14:1. Her time is near at hand, and her days shall not be prolonged. For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose out of Israel, and will make them rest upon their own ground: and the stranger shall be joined with them, and shall adhere to the house of Jacob.
14:2. And the people shall take them, and bring them into their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the Lord for servants and handmaids: and they shall make them captives that had taken them, and shall subdue their oppressors.
14:3. And it shall come to pass in that day, that when God shall give thee rest from thy labour, and from thy vexation, and from the hard bondage, wherewith thou didst serve before,
14:4. Thou shalt take up this parable against the king of Babylon, and shalt say: How is the oppressor come to nothing, the tribute hath ceased?
14:5. The Lord hath broken the staff of the wicked, the rod of the rulers,
14:6. That struck the people in wrath with an incurable wound, that brought nations under in fury, that persecuted in a cruel manner.
14:7. The whole earth is quiet and still, it is glad and hath rejoiced.
14:8. The fir trees also have rejoiced over thee, and the cedars of Libanus, saying: Since thou hast slept, there hath none come up to cut us down.
14:9. Hell below was in an uproar to meet thee at thy coming, it stirred up the giants for thee. All the princes of the earth are risen up from their thrones, all the princes of nations.
14:10. All shall answer, and say to thee: Thou also art wounded as well as we, thou art become like unto us.
14:11. Thy pride is brought down to hell, thy carcass is fallen down: under thee shall the moth be strewed, and worms shall be thy covering.
14:12. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, who didst rise in the morning? how art thou fallen to the earth, that didst wound the nations?
O Lucifer. . .O day star. All this, according to the letter, is spoken of the king of Babylon. It may also be applied, in a spiritual sense, to Lucifer the prince of devils, who was created a bright angel, but fell by pride and rebellion against God.
14:13. And thou saidst in thy heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will sit in the mountain of the covenant, in the sides of the north.
14:14. I will ascend above the height of the clouds, I will be like the most High.
14:15. But yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, into the depth of the pit.
14:16. They that shall see thee, shall turn toward thee, and behold thee. Is this the man that troubled the earth, that shook kingdoms,
14:17. That made the world a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof, that opened not the prison to his prisoners?
14:18. All the kings of the nations have all of them slept in glory, every one in his own house.
14:19. But thou art cast out of thy grave, as an unprofitable branch defiled, and wrapped up among them that were slain by the sword, and art gone down to the bottom of the pit, as a rotten carcass.
14:20. Thou shalt not keep company with them, even in burial: for thou hast destroyed thy land, thou hast slain thy people: the seed of the wicked shall not be named for ever.
14:21. Prepare his children for slaughter for the iniquity of their fathers: they shall not rise up, nor inherit the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities.
14:22. And I will rise up against them, saith the Lord of hosts: and I will destroy the name of Babylon, and the remains, and the bud, and the offspring, saith the Lord.
14:23. And I will make it a possession for the ericius and pools of waters, and I will sweep it and wear it out with a besom, saith the Lord of hosts.
14:24. The Lord of hosts hath sworn, saying: Surely as I have thought, so shall it be: and as I have purposed,
14:25. So shall it fall out: That I will destroy the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: and his yoke shall be taken away from them, and his burden shall be taken off their shoulder.
14:26. This is the counsel, that I have purposed upon all the earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all nations.
14:27. For the Lord of hosts hath decreed, and who can disannul it? and his hand is stretched out: and who shall turn it away?
14:28. In the year that king Achaz died, was this burden:
14:29. Rejoice not thou, whole Philistia, that the rod of him that struck thee is broken in pieces: for out of the root of the serpent shall come forth a basilisk, and his seed shall swallow the bird.
14:30. And the firstborn of the poor shall be fed, and the poor shall rest with confidence: and I will make thy root perish with famine, and I will kill thy remnant.
14:31. Howl, O gate; cry, O city: all Philistia is thrown down: for a smoke shall come from the north, and there is none that shall escape his troop.
14:32. And what shall be answered to the messengers of the nations? That the Lord hath founded Sion, and the poor of his people shall hope in him.
Isaias Chapter 15
A prophecy of the desolation of the Moabites.
15:1. The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, it is silent: because the wall of Moab is destroyed in the night, it is silent.
15:2. The house is gone up, and Dibon to the high places to mourn over Nabo, and over Medaba, Moab hath howled: on all their heads shall be baldness, and every beard shall be shaven.
15:3. In their streets they are girded with sackcloth: on the tops of their houses, and in their streets all shall howl and come down weeping.
15:4. Hesebon shall cry, and Eleale, their voice is heard even to Jasa. For this shall the well appointed men of Moab howl, his soul shall howl to itself.
15:5. My heart shall cry to Moab, the bars thereof shall flee unto Segor a heifer of three years old: for by the ascent of Luith they shall go up weeping: and in the way of Oronaim they shall lift up a cry of destruction.
15:6. For the waters of Nemrim shall be desolate, for the grass is withered away, the spring is faded, all the greenness is perished.
15:7. According to the greatness of their work, is their visitation also: they shall lead them to the torrent of the willows.
Torrent of the willows. . .That is, as some say, the waters of Babylon: others render it, a valley of the Arabians.
15:8. For the cry is gone round about the border of Moab: the howling thereof unto Gallim, and unto the well of Elim the cry thereof.
15:9. For the waters of Dibon are filled with blood: for I will bring more upon Dibon: the lion upon them that shall flee of Moab, and upon the remnant of the land.
Isaias Chapter 16
The prophet prayeth for Christ's coming. The affliction of the Moabites for their pride.
16:1. Send forth, O Lord, the lamb, the ruler of the earth, from Petra of the desert, to the mount of the daughter of Sion.
16:2. And it shall come to pass, that as a bird fleeing away, and as young ones flying out of the nest, so shall the daughters of Moab be in the passage of Arnon.
16:3. Take counsel, gather a council: make thy shadow as the night in the midday: hide them that flee, and betray not them that wander about.
16:4. My fugitives shall dwell with thee: O Moab, be thou a covert to them from the face of the destroyer: for the dust is at an end, the wretch is consumed: he hath failed, that trod the earth under foot.
16:5. And a throne shall be prepared in mercy, and one shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking judgment and quickly rendering that which is just.
16:6. We have heard of the pride of Moab, he is exceeding proud: his pride and his arrogancy, and his indignation is more than his strength.
16:7. Therefore shall Moab howl to Moab, every one shall howl: to them that rejoice upon the brick walls, tell ye their stripes.
16:8. For the suburbs of Hesebon are desolate, and the lords of the nations have destroyed the vineyard of Sabama: the branches thereof have reached even to Jazer: they have wandered in the wilderness, the branches thereof are left, they are gone over the sea.
16:9. Therefore I will lament with the weeping of Jazer the vineyard of Sabama: I will water thee with my tears, O Hesebon, and Eleale: for the voice of the treaders hath rushed in upon thy vintage, and upon thy harvest.
16:10. And gladness and joy shall be taken away from Carmel, and there shall be no rejoicing nor shouting in the vineyards. He shall not tread out wine in the press that was wont to tread it out: the voice of the treaders I have taken away.
Carmel. . .This name is often taken to signify a fair and fruitful hill or field, such as mount Carmel is.
16:11. Wherefore my bowels shall sound like a harp for Moab, and my inward parts for the brick wall.
16:12. And it shall come to pass, when it is seen that Moab is wearied on his high places, that he shall go in to his sanctuaries to pray, and shall not prevail.
16:13. This is the word, that the Lord spoke to Moab from that time:
16:14. And now the Lord hath spoken, saying: In three years, as the years of a hireling, the glory of Moab shall be taken away for all the multitude of the people, and it shall be left small and feeble, not many.
Isaias Chapter 17
Judgments upon Damascus and Samaria. The overthrow of the Assyrians.
17:1. The burden of Damascus. Behold Damascus shall cease to be a city, and shall be as a ruinous heap of stones.
17:2. The cities of Aroer shall be left for flocks, and they shall rest there, and there shall be none to make them afraid.
17:3. And aid shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: and the remnant of Syria shall be as the glory of the children of Israel: saith the Lord of hosts.
17:4. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall grow lean.
17:5. And it shall be as when one gathereth in the harvest that which remaineth, and his arm shall gather the ears of corn: and it shall be as he that seeketh ears in the vale of Raphaim.
17:6. And the fruit thereof that shall be left upon it, shall be as one cluster of grapes, and as the shaking of the olive tree, two or three berries in the top of a bough, or four or five upon the top of the tree, saith the Lord the God of Israel.
17:7. In that day man shall bow down himself to his Maker, and his eyes shall look to the Holy One of Israel.
17:8. And he shall not look to the altars which his hands made; and he shall not have respect to the things that his fingers wrought, such as groves and temples.
17:9. In that day his strong cities shall be forsaken, as the ploughs, and the corn that were left before the face of the children of Israel, and thou shalt be desolate.
That were left. . .Viz., by the Chanaanites, when the children of Israel came into their land.
17:10. Because thou hast forgotten God thy saviour, and hast not remembered thy strong helper: therefore shalt thou plant good plants, and shalt sow strange seed.
17:11. In the day of thy planting shall be the wild grape, and in the morning thy seed shall flourish: the harvest is taken away in the day of inheritance, and shall grieve thee much.
17:12. Woe to the multitude of many people, like the multitude of the roaring sea: and the tumult of crowds, like the noise of many waters.
The multitude, etc. . .This and all that follows to the end of the chapter, relates to the Assyrian army under Sennacherib.
17:13. Nations shall make a noise like the noise of waters overflowing, but he shall rebuke him, and he shall flee far off: and he shall be carried away as the dust of the mountains before the wind, and as a whirlwind before a tempest.
17:14. In the time of the evening, behold there shall be trouble: the morning shall come, and he shall not be: this is the portion of them that have wasted us, and the lot of them that spoiled us.
Isaias Chapter 18
A woe to the Ethiopians, who fed Israel with vain hopes, their future conversion.
18:1. Woe to the land, the winged cymbal, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,
18:2. That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, and in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters. Go, ye swift angels, to a nation rent and torn in pieces: to a terrible people, after which there is no other: to a nation expecting and trodden underfoot, whose land the rivers have spoiled.
Angels. . .Or messengers.
18:3. All ye inhabitants of the world, who dwell on the earth, when the sign shall be lifted up on the mountains, you shall see, and you shall hear the sound of the trumpet.
18:4. For thus saith the Lord to me: I will take my rest, and consider in my place, as the noon light is clear, and as a cloud of dew in the day of harvest.
18:5. For before the harvest it was all flourishing, and it shall bud without perfect ripeness, and the sprigs thereof shall be cut off with pruning hooks: and what is left shall be cut away and shaken out.
18:6. And they shall be left together to the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall be upon them all the summer, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
18:7. At that time shall a present be brought to the Lord of hosts, from a people rent and torn in pieces: from a terrible people, after which there hath been no other: from a nation expecting, expecting and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the Lord of hosts, to mount Sion.
Isaias Chapter 19
The punishment of Egypt: their call to the church.
19:1. The burden of Egypt. Behold the Lord will ascend upon a swift cloud, and will enter into Egypt, and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst thereof.
19:2. And I will set the Egyptians to fight against the Egyptians: and they shall fight brother against brother, and friend against friend, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
19:3. And the spirit of Egypt shall be broken in the bowels thereof, and I will cast down their counsel: and they shall consult their idols, and their diviners, and their wizards, and soothsayers.
19:4. And I will deliver Egypt into the hand of cruel masters, and a strong king shall rule over them, saith the Lord the God of hosts.
19:5. And the water of the sea shall be dried up, and the river shall be wasted and dry.
19:6. And the rivers shall fail: the streams of the banks shall be diminished, and be dried up. The reed and the bulrush shall wither away.
19:7. The channel of the river shall be laid bare from its fountain, and every thing sown by the water shall be dried up, it shall wither away, and shall be no more.
19:8. The fishers also shall mourn, and all that cast a hook into the river shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish away.
19:9. They shall be confounded that wrought in flax, combing and weaving fine linen.
19:10. And its watery places shall be dry, all they shall mourn that made pools to take fishes.
19:11. The princes of Tanis are become fools, the wise counsellors of Pharao have given foolish counsel: how will you say to Pharao: I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?
19:12. Where are now thy wise men? let them tell thee, and shew what the Lord of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.
19:13. The princes of Tanis are become fools, the princes of Memphis are gone astray, they have deceived Egypt, the stay of the people thereof.
19:14. The Lord hath mingled in the midst thereof the spirit of giddiness: and they have caused Egypt to err in all its works, as a drunken man staggereth and vomiteth.
19:15. And there shall be no work for Egypt, to make head or tail, him that bendeth down, or that holdeth back.
19:16. In that day Egypt shall be like unto women, and they shall be amazed, and afraid, because of the moving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which he shall move over it.
19:17. And the land of Juda shall be a terror to Egypt: everyone that shall remember it shall tremble because of the counsel of the Lord of hosts, which he hath determined concerning it.
19:18. In that day there shall be five cities in the land of Egypt, speaking the language of Chanaan, and swearing by the Lord of hosts: one shall be called the city of the sun.
19:19. In that day there shall be an altar of the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a monument of the Lord at the borders thereof:
19:20. It shall be for a sign, and for a testimony to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt. For they shall cry to the Lord because of the oppressor, and he shall send them a Saviour and a defender to deliver them.
19:21. And the Lord shall be known by Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall worship him with sacrifices and offerings: and they shall make vows to the Lord, and perform them.
19:22. And the Lord shall strike Egypt with a scourge, and shall heal it, and they shall return to the Lord, and he shall be pacified towards them, and heal them.
19:23. In that day there shall be a way from Egypt to the Assyrians, and the Assyrian shall enter into Egypt, and the Egyptian to the Assyrians, and the Egyptians shall serve the Assyrian.
19:24. In that day shall Israel be the third to the Egyptian and the Assyrian: a blessing in the midst of the land,
19:25. Which the Lord of hosts hath blessed, saying: Blessed be my people of Egypt, and the work of my hands to the Assyrian: but Israel is my inheritance.
Isaias Chapter 20
The ignominious captivity of the Egyptians, and the Ethiopians.
20:1. In the year that Tharthan entered into Azotus, when Sargon the king of the Assyrians had sent him, and he had fought against Azotus, and had taken it:
20:2. At that same time the Lord spoke by the hand of Isaias the son of Amos, saying Go, and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and take off thy shoes from thy feet. And he did so, and went naked, and barefoot.
20:3. And the Lord said: As my servant Isaias hath walked, naked and barefoot, it shall be a sign and a wonder of three years upon Egypt, and upon Ethiopia,
20:4. So shall the king of the Assyrians lead away the prisoners of Egypt, and the captivity of Ethiopia, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt.
20:5. And they shall be afraid, and ashamed of Ethiopia their hope, and of Egypt their glory.
20:6. And the inhabitants of this isle shall say in that day: Lo this was our hope, to whom we fled for help, to deliver us from the face of the king of the Assyrians: and how shall we be able to escape?
Isaias Chapter 21
The destruction of Babylon by the Medes and Persians: a prophecy against the Edomites and the Arabians.
21:1. The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds come from the south, it cometh from the desert from a terrible land.
The desert of the sea. . .So Babylon is here called, because from a city as full of people as the sea is with water, it was become a desert.
21:2. A grievous vision is told me: he that is unfaithful dealeth unfaithfully: and he that is a spoiler, spoileth. Go up, O Elam, besiege, O Mede: I have made all the mourning thereof to cease.
O Elam. . .That is, O Persia.
21:3. Therefore are my loins filled with pain, anguish hath taken hold of me, as the anguish of a woman in labour: I fell down at the hearing of it, I was troubled at the seeing of it.
21:4. My heart failed, darkness amazed me: Babylon my beloved is become a wonder to me.
21:5. Prepare the table, behold in the watchtower them that eat and drink: arise, ye princes, take up the shield.
21:6. For thus hath the Lord said to me: Go, and set a watchman: and whatsoever he shall see, let him tell.
21:7. And he saw a chariot with two horsemen, a rider upon an ass, and a rider upon a camel: and he beheld them diligently with much heed.
A rider upon an ass, etc. . .These two riders are the kings of the
Persians and Medes.
21:8. And a lion cried out: I am upon the watchtower of the Lord, standing continually by day: and I am upon my ward, standing whole nights.
And a lion cried out. . .That is, I Isaias seeing the approaching ruin of Babylon, have cried out as a lion roaring.
21:9. Behold this man cometh, the rider upon the chariot with two horsemen, and he answered, and said: Babylon is fallen, she is fallen, and all the graven gods thereof are broken unto the ground.
21:10. O my thrashing, and the children of my floor, that which I have heard of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, I have declared unto you.
21:11. The burden of Duma calleth to me out of Seir: Watchman, what of the night? watchman, what of the night?
Duma. . .That is, Idumea, or Edom.
21:12. The watchman said: The morning cometh, also the night: if you seek, seek: return, come.
21:13. The burden in Arabia. In the forest at evening you shall sleep, in the paths of Dedanim.
21:14. Meeting the thirsty bring him water, you that inhabit the land of the south, meet with bread him that fleeth.
21:15. For they are fled from before the swords, from the sword that hung over them, from the bent bow, from the face of a grievous battle.
21:16. For thus saith the Lord to me: Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, all the glory of Cedar shall be taken away.
Cedar. . .Arabia.
21:17. And the residue of the number of strong archers of the children of Cedar shall be diminished: for the Lord the God of Israel hath spoken it.
Isaias Chapter 22
The prophet laments the devastation of Juda. He foretells the deprivation of Sobna, and the substitution of Eliacim, a figure of Christ.
22:1. The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee also, that thou too art wholly gone up to the housetops?
The valley of vision. . .Jerusalem. The temple of Jerusalem was built upon mount Moria, or the mountain of vision. But the city is here called the valley of vision; either because it was lower than the temple, or because of the low condition to which it was to be reduced.
22:2. Full of clamour, a populous city, a joyous city: thy slain are not slain by the sword, nor dead in battle.
22:3. All the princes are fled together, and are bound hard: all that were found, are bound together, they are fled far off.
22:4. Therefore have I said: Depart from me, I will weep bitterly: labour not to comfort me, for the devastation of the daughter of my people.
22:5. For it is a day of slaughter and of treading down, and of weeping to the Lord the God of hosts in the valley of vision, searching the wall, and magnificent upon the mountain.
22:6. And Elam took the quiver, the chariot of the horseman, and the shield was taken down from the wall.
22:7. And thy choice valleys shall be full of chariots, and the horsemen shall place themselves in the gate.
22:8. And the covering of Juda shall be discovered, and thou shalt see in that day the armoury of the house of the forest.
22:9. And you shall see the breaches of the city of David, that they are many: and you have gathered together the waters of the lower pool,
22:10. And have numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and broken down houses to fortify the wall.
22:11. And you made a ditch between the two walls for the water of the old pool: and you have not looked up to the maker thereof, nor regarded him even at a distance, that wrought it long ago.
22:12. And the Lord, the God of hosts, in that day shall call to weeping, and to mourning, to baldness, and to girding with sackcloth:
22:13. And behold joy and gladness, killing calves, and slaying rams, eating flesh, and drinking wine: Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
22:14. And the voice of the Lord of hosts was revealed in my ears: Surely this iniquity shall not be forgiven you till you die, saith the Lord God of hosts.
22:15. Thus saith the Lord God of hosts: Go, get thee in to him that dwelleth in the tabernacle, to Sobna who is over the temple: and thou shalt say to him:
22:16. What dost thou here, or as if thou wert somebody here? for thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, thou hast hewed out a monument carefully in a high place, a dwelling for thyself in a rock.
22:17. Behold the Lord will cause thee to be carried away, as a cock is carried away, and he will lift thee up as a garment.
22:18. He will crown thee with a crown of tribulation, he will toss thee like a ball into a large and spacious country: there shalt thou die, and there shall the chariot of thy glory be, the shame of the house of thy Lord.
22:19. And I will drive thee out from thy station, and depose thee from thy ministry.
22:20. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliacim the son of Helcias,
22:21. And I will clothe him with thy robe, and will strengthen him with thy girdle, and will give thy power into his hand: and he shall be as a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Juda.
22:22. And I will lay the key of the house of David upon his shoulder: and he shall open, and none shall shut: and he shall shut, and none shall open.
22:23. And I will fasten him as a peg in a sure place, and he shall be for a throne of glory to the house of his father.
22:24. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, divers kinds of vessels, every little vessel, from the vessels of cups even to every instrument of music.
22:25. In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, shall the peg be removed, that was fastened in the sure place: and it shall be broken and shall fall: and that which hung thereon, shall perish, because the Lord hath spoken it.
Isaias Chapter 23
The destruction of Tyre. It shall be repaired again after seventy years.
23:1. The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of the sea, for the house is destroyed, from whence they were wont to come: from the land of Cethim it is revealed to them.
23:2. Be silent, you that dwell in the island: the merchants of Sidon passing over the sea, have filled thee.
23:3. The seed of the Nile in many waters, the harvest of the river is her revenue: and she is become the mart of the nations.
23:4. Be thou ashamed, O Sidon: for the sea speaketh, even the strength of the sea, saying: I have not been in labour, nor have I brought forth, nor have I nourished up young men, nor brought up virgins.
23:5. When it shall be heard in Egypt, they will be sorry when they shall hear of Tyre:
23:6. Pass over the seas, howl, ye inhabitants of the island.
23:7. Is not this your city, which gloried from of old in her antiquity? her feet shall carry her afar off to sojourn.
23:8. Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, that was formerly crowned, whose merchants were princes, and her traders the nobles of the earth?
23:9. The Lord of hosts hath designed it, to pull down the pride of all glory, and bring to disgrace all the glorious ones of the earth.
23:10. Pass thy land as a river, O daughter of the sea, thou hast a girdle no more.
23:11. He stretched out his hand over the sea, he troubled kingdoms: the Lord hath given a charge against Chanaan, to destroy the strong ones thereof.
23:12. And he said: Thou shalt glory no more, O virgin daughter of Sidon, who art oppressed: arise and sail over to Cethim, there also thou shalt have no rest.
23:13. Behold the land of the Chaldeans, there was not such a people, the Assyrians founded it: they have led away the strong ones thereof into captivity, they have destroyed the houses thereof, they have, brought it to ruin.
23:14. Howl, O ye ships of the sea, for your strength is laid waste.
23:15. And it shall come to pass in that day that thou, O Tyre, shalt be forgotten, seventy years, according to the days of one king: but after seventy years, there shall be unto Tyre as the song of a harlot.
23:16. Take a harp, go about the city, harlot that hast been forgotten: sing well, sing many a song, that thou mayst be remembered.
23:17. And it shall come to pass after seventy years, that the Lord will visit Tyre, and will bring her back again to her traffic: and she shall commit fornication again with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth.
23:18. And her merchandise and her hire shall be sanctified to the Lord: they shall not be kept in store, nor laid up: for her merchandise shall be for them that shall dwell before the Lord, that they may eat unto fulness, and be clothed for a continuance.
Sanctified to the Lord. . .This alludes to the conversion of the
Gentiles.
Isaias Chapter 24
The judgments of God upon all the sinners of the world. A remnant shall joyfully praise him.
24:1. Behold the Lord shall lay waste the earth, and shall strip it, and shall afflict the face thereof, and scatter abroad the inhabitants thereof.
24:2. And it shall be as with the people, so with the priest: and as with the servant so with his master: as with the handmaid, so with her mistress: as with the buyer, so with the seller: as with the lender, so with the borrower: as with him that calleth for his money, so with him that oweth.
24:3. With desolation shall the earth be laid waste, and it shall be utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.
24:4. The earth mourned, and faded away, and is weakened: the world faded away, the height of the people of the earth is weakened.
24:5. And the earth is infected by the inhabitants thereof: because they have transgressed the laws, they have changed the ordinance, they have broken the everlasting covenant.
24:6. Therefore shall a curse devour the earth, and the inhabitants thereof shall sin: and therefore they that dwell therein shall be mad, and few men shall be left.
24:7. The vintage hath mourned, the vine hath languished away, all the merry have sighed.
24:8. The mirth of timbrels hath ceased, the noise of them that rejoice is ended, the melody of the harp is silent.
24:9. They shall not drink wine with a song: the drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
24:10. The city of vanity is broken down, every house is shut up, no man cometh in.
24:11. There shall be a crying for wine in the streets: all mirth is forsaken: the joy of the earth is gone away.
24:12. Desolation is left in the city, and calamity shall oppress the gates.
24:13. For it shall be thus in the midst of the earth, in the midst of the people, as if a few olives, that remain, should be shaken out of the olive tree: or grapes, when the vintage is ended.
24:14. These shall lift up their voice, and shall give praise: when the Lord shall be glorified, they shall make a joyful noise from the sea.
24:15. Therefore glorify ye the Lord in instruction: the name of the Lord God of Israel in the islands of the sea.
24:16. From the ends of the earth we have heard praises, the glory of the just one. And I said: My secret to myself, my secret to myself, woe is me: the prevaricators have prevaricated, and with the prevarication of transgressors they have prevaricated.
24:17. Fear, and the pit, and the snare are upon thee, O thou inhabitant of the earth.
24:18. And it shall come to pass, that he that shall flee from the noise of the fear, shall fall into the pit: and he that shall rid himself out of the pit, shall be taken in the snare: for the flood-gates from on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth shall be shaken.
24:19. With breaking shall the earth be broken, with crushing shall the earth be crushed, with trembling shall the earth be moved.
24:20. With shaking shall the earth be shaken as a drunken man, and shall be removed as the tent of one night: and the iniquity thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it shall fall, and not rise again.
24:21. And it shall come to pass, that in that day the Lord shall visit upon the host of heaven on high, and upon the kings of the earth, on the earth.
The host of heaven on high. . .The stars, which in many places of the Scripture are so called. Some commentators explain that these words here signify the demons of the air.
24:22. And they shall be gathered together as in the gathering of one bundle into the pit, and they shall be shut up there in prison: and after many days they shall be visited.
24:23. And the moon shall blush, and the sun shall be ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Sion, and in Jerusalem, and shall be glorified in the sight of his ancients.
Isaias Chapter 25
A canticle of thanksgiving for God's judgments and benefits.
25:1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt O thee, and give glory to thy name: for thou hast done wonderful things, thy designs of old faithful, amen.
25:2. For thou hast reduced the city to a heap, the strong city to ruin, the house of strangers, to be no city, and to be no more built up for ever.
25:3. Therefore shall a strong people praise thee, the city of mighty nations shall fear thee.
25:4. Because thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress: a refuge from the whirlwind, a shadow from the heat. For the blast of the mighty is like a whirlwind beating against a wall.
25:5. Thou shalt bring down the tumult of strangers, as heat in thirst: and as with heat under a burning cloud, thou shalt make the branch of the mighty to wither away.
25:6. And the Lord of hosts shall make unto all people in this mountain, a feast of fat things, a feast of wine, of fat things full of marrow, of wine purified from the lees.
25:7. And he shall destroy in this mountain the face of the bond with which all people were tied, and the web that he began over all nations.
25:8. He shall cast death down headlong for ever: and the Lord God shall wipe away tears from every face, and the reproach of his people he shall take away from off the whole earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.
25:9. And they shall say in that day: Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord, we have patiently waited for him, we shall rejoice and be joyful in his salvation.
25:10. For the hand of the Lord shall rest in this mountain: and Moab shall be trodden down under him, as straw is broken in pieces with the wain.
Moab. . .That is, the reprobate, whose eternal punishment, from which they can no way escape, is described under these figures.
25:11. And he shall stretch forth his hands under him, as he that swimmeth stretcheth forth his hands to swim: and he shall bring down his glory with the dashing of his hands.
25:12. And the bulwarks of thy high walls shall fall, and be brought low, and shall be pulled down to the ground, even to the dust.
Isaias Chapter 26
A canticle of thanks for the deliverance of God's people.
26:1. In that day shall this canticle be sung in the land of Juda. Sion the city of our strength a saviour, a wall and a bulwark shall be set therein.
26:2. Open ye the gates, and let the just nation, that keepeth the truth, enter in.
26:3. The old error is passed away: thou wilt keep peace: peace, because we have hoped in thee.
26:4. You have hoped in the Lord for evermore, in the Lord God mighty for ever.
26:5. For he shall bring down them that dwell on high, the high city he shall lay low. He shall bring it down even to the ground, he shall pull it down even to the dust.
26:6. The foot shall tread it down, the feet of the poor, the steps of the needy.
26:7. The way of the just is right, the path of the just is right to walk in.
26:8. And in the way of thy judgments, O Lord, we have patiently waited for thee: thy name, and thy remembrance are the desire of the soul.
26:9. My soul hath desired thee in the night: yea, and with my spirit within me in the morning early I will watch to thee. When thou shalt do thy judgments on the earth, the inhabitants of the world shall learn justice.
26:10. Let us have pity on the wicked, but he will not learn justice: in the land of the saints he hath done wicked things, and he shall not see the glory of the Lord.
26:11. Lord, let thy hand be exalted, and let them not see: let the envious people see, and be confounded: and let fire devour thy enemies.
26:12. Lord, thou wilt give us peace: for thou hast wrought all our works for us.
26:13. O Lord our God, other lords besides thee have had dominion over us, only in thee let us remember thy name.
26:14. Let not the dead live, let not the giants rise again: therefore hast visited and destroyed them, and hast destroyed all their memory.
26:15. Thou hast been favourable to the nation, O Lord, thou hast been favourable to the nation: art thou glorified? thou hast removed all the ends of the earth far off.
26:16. Lord, they have sought after thee in distress, in the tribulation of murmuring thy instruction was with them.
26:17. As a woman with child, when she draweth near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs: so are we become in thy presence, O Lord.
26:18. We have conceived, and been as it were in labour, and have brought forth wind: we have not wrought salvation on the earth, therefore the inhabitants of the earth have not fallen.
26:19. Thy dead men shall live, my slain shall rise again: awake, and give praise, ye that dwell in the dust: for thy dew is the dew of the light: and the land of the giants thou shalt pull down into ruin.
26:20. Go, my people, enter into thy chambers, shut thy doors upon thee, hide thyself a little for a moment, until the indignation pass away.
26:21. For behold the Lord will come out of his place, to visit the iniquity of the inhabitant of the earth against him: and the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall cover her slain no more.
Shall cover her slain no more. . .This is said with relation to the martyrs, and their happy resurrection.
Isaias Chapter 27
The punishment of the oppressors of God's people. The Lord's favour to his church.
27:1. In that day the Lord with his hard, and great, and strong sword shall visit leviathan the bar serpent, and leviathan the crooked serpent, and shall slay the whale that is in the sea.
Leviathan. . .That is, the devil, the great enemy of the people of God. He is called the bar serpent from his strength, and the crooked serpent from his wiles; and the whale of the sea, from the tyranny he exercises in the sea of this world. He was spiritually slain by the death of Christ, when his power was destroyed.
27:2. In that day there shall be singing to the vineyard of pure wine.
The vineyard, etc. . .The church of Christ.
27:3. I am the Lord that keep it, I will suddenly give it drink: lest any hurt come to it, I keep it night and day.
I will suddenly give it drink. . .Or, as the Hebrew may also be rendered, I will continually water it.
27:4. There is no indignation in me: who shall make me a thorn and a brier in battle: shall I march against it, shall, I set it on fire together?
No indignation in me, etc. . .Viz., against the church: nor shall I become as a thorn or brier in its regard; or march against it, or set it on fire: but it shall always take fast hold of me, and keep an everlasting peace with me.
27:5. Or rather shall it take hold of my strength, shall it make peace with me, shall it make peace with me?
27:6. When they shall rush in unto Jacob, Israel shall blossom and bud, and they shall fill the face of the world with seed.
When they shall rush in, etc. . .Some understand this of the enemies of the true Israel, that shall invade it in vain. Others of the spiritual invasion made by the apostles of Christ.
27:7. Hath he struck him according to the stroke of him that struck him? or is he slain, as he killed them that were slain by him?
Hath he struck him, etc. . .Hath God punished the carnal persecuting
Jews, in proportion to their doings against Christ and his saints?
27:8. In measure against measure, when it shall be cast off, thou shalt judge it. He hath meditated with his severe spirit in the day of heat.
When it shall be cast off, etc. . .When the synagogue shall be cast off, thou shalt judge it in measure, and in proportion to its crimes.—Ibid. He hath meditated, etc. . .God hath designed severe punishments in the day of his wrath.
27:9. Therefore upon this shall the iniquity of the house of Jacob be forgiven: and this is all the fruit, that the sin thereof should be taken away, when he shall have made all the stones of the altar, as burnt stones broken in pieces, the groves and temples shall not stand.
Of the house of Jacob. . .Viz., of such of them as shall be converted.
27:10. For the strong city shall be desolate, the beautiful city shall be forsaken, and shall be left as a wilderness: there the calf shall feed, and there shall he lie down, and shall consume its branches.
The strong city. . .Jerusalem.
27:11. Its harvest shall be destroyed with drought, women shall come and teach it: for it is not a wise people, therefore he that made it, shall not have mercy on it: and he that formed it, shall not spare it.
27:12. And it shall come to pass, that in that day the Lord will strike from the channel of the river even to the torrent of Egypt, and you shall be gathered together one by one, O ye children of Israel.
27:13. And it shall come to pass, that in that day a noise shall be made with a great trumpet, and they that were lost, shall come from the land of the Assyrians, and they that were outcasts in the land of Egypt, and they shall adore the Lord in the holy mount in Jerusalem.
A great trumpet. . .The preaching of the gospel for the conversion of the Jews.
Isaias Chapter 28
The punishment of the Israelites, for their pride, intemperance, and contempt of religion. Christ the cornerstone.
28:1. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, and to the fading flower the glory his joy, who were on the head of the fat valley, staggering with wine.
Ephraim. . .That is, the kingdom of the ten tribes.—Ibid. The head of the fat valley. . .Samaria, situate on a hill, having under it a most fertile valley.
28:2. Behold the Lord is mighty and strong, as a storm of hail: a destroying whirlwind, as the violence of many waters overflowing, and sent forth upon a spacious land.
28:3. The crown of pride of the drunkards of Ephraim shall be trodden under feet.
28:4. And the fading tower the glory of his joy, who is on the head of the fat valley, shall be as a hasty fruit before the ripeness of autumn: which when he that seeth it shall behold, as soon he taketh it in his hand, he will eat it up.
28:5. In that day the Lord of hosts shall be a crown of glory, and a garland of joy to the residue of his people:
28:6. And a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and strength to them that return out of the battle to the gate.
28:7. But these also have been ignorant through wine, and through drunkenness have erred: the priest and the prophet have been ignorant through drunkenness, they are swallowed up with wine, they have gone astray in drunkenness, they have not known him that seeth, they have been ignorant of judgment.
These also. . .The kingdom of Juda.
28:8. For all the tables were full of vomit and filth, so that there was no more place.
28:9. Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand the hearing? them that are weaned from the milk, that are drawn away from the breasts.
28:10. For command, command again; command, command again; expect, expect again; a little there, a little there.
Command, command again, etc. . .This is said in the person of the Jews, resisting the repeated commands of God, and still putting him off.
28:11. For with the speech of lips, and with another tongue he will speak to this people.
28:12. To whom he said: This is my rest, refresh the weary, and this is my refreshing: and they would not hear.
28:13. And the word of the Lord shall be to them: Command, command again; command, command again; expect, expect again; a little there, a little there: that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
28:14. Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, who rule over my people that is in Jerusalem.
28:15. For you have said: We have entered into a league with death, and we have made a covenant with hell. When the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come upon us: for we have placed our hope in lies, and by falsehood we are protected.
28:16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Behold I will lay a stone in the foundations of Sion, a tried stone, a corner stone, a precious stone, founded in the foundation. He that believeth, let him not hasten.
A stone in the foundations. . .Viz., Christ.—Ibid. Let him not hasten, etc. . .Let him expect his coming with patience.
28:17. And I will set judgment in weight, and justice in measure: and hail shall overturn the hope of falsehood: and waters shall overflow its protection.
28:18. And your league with death shall be abolished, and your covenant with hell shall not stand: when the overflowing scourge shall pass, you shall be trodden down by it.
28:19. Whensoever it shall pass through, it shall take you away: because in the morning early it shall pass through, in the day and in the night, and vexation alone shall make you understand what you hear.
28:20. For the bed is straitened, so that one must fall out, and a short covering cannot cover both.
The bed is straitened, etc. . .It is too narrow to hold two: God will have the bed of our heart all to himself.
28:21. For the Lord shall stand up as in the mountain of divisions: he shall be angry as in the valley which is in Gabaon: that he may do his work, his strange work: that he may perform his work, his work is strange to him.
As in the mountain, etc. . .As the Lord fought against the Philistines in Baal Pharasim, 2 Kings 5., and against the Chanaanites, in the valley of Gabaon, Jos. 10.
28:22. And now do not mock, lest your bonds be tied strait. For I have heard of the Lord the God of hosts a consumption and a cutting short upon all the earth.
28:23. Give ear, and hear my voice, hearken, and hear my speech.
28:24. Shall the ploughman plough all the day to sow, shall he open and harrow his ground?
28:25. Will he not, when he hath made plain the surface thereof, sow gith, and scatter cummin, and put wheat in order, and barley, and millet, and vetches in their bounds?
28:26. For he will instruct him in judgment: his God will teach him.
28:27. For gith shall not be thrashed with saws, neither shall the cart wheel turn about upon cummin: but gith shall be beaten out with a rod, and cumin with a staff.
28:28. But breadcorn shall be broken small: but the thrasher shall not thrash it for ever, neither shall the cart wheel hurt it, nor break it with its teeth.
28:29. This also is come forth from the Lord God of hosts, to make his counsel wonderful, and magnify justice.
This also, etc. . .Such also is the proceeding of the Lord with his land, and the divers seeds he throws therein.
Isaias Chapter 29
God's heavy judgments upon Jerusalem, for their obstinacy: with a prophecy of the conversion of the Gentiles.
29:1. Woe to Ariel, to Ariel the city which David took: year is added to year. the solemnities are at an end.
Ariel. . .This word signifies, the lion of God, and here is taken for the strong city of Jerusalem.
29:2. And I will make a trench about Ariel, and it shall be in sorrow and mourning, and it shall be to me as Ariel.
29:3. And I will make a circle round about thee, and I will cast up a rampart against thee, and raise up bulwarks to besiege thee.
29:4. Thou shalt be brought down, thou shall speak out of the earth, and thy speech shall be heard out of the ground: and thy voice shall be from the earth like that of the python, and out of the earth thy speech shall mutter.
29:5. And the multitude of them that fan thee, shall be like small dust: and as ashes passing away, the multitude of them that have prevailed against thee.
29:6. And it shall be at an instant suddenly. A visitation shall come from the Lord of hosts in thunder, and with earthquake, and with a great noise of whirlwind and tempest; and with the flame of devouring fire.
29:7. And the multitude of all nations that have fought against Ariel, shall be as the dream of a vision by night, and all that have fought, and besieged and prevailed against it.
29:8. And as he that is hungry dreameth, and eateth, but when he is awake, his soul is empty: and as he that is thirsty dreameth, and drinketh and after he is awake, is yet faint with thirst, and his soul is empty: so shall be the multitude of all the Gentiles, that have fought against mount Sion.
29:9. Be astonished, and wonder, waver, and stagger: be drunk, and not with wine: stagger, and not with drunkenness.
29:10. For the Lord hath mingled for you the spirit of a deep sleep, he will shut up your eyes, he will cover your prophets and princes, that see visions.
29:11. And the vision of all shall be unto you as the words of a book that is sealed which when they shall deliver to one that is learned, they shall say: Read this: and he shall answer: I cannot, for it is sealed.
29:12. And the book shall be given to one that knoweth no letters, and it shall be said to him: Read: and he shall answer: I know no letters.
29:13. And the Lord said: Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips glorify me, but their heart is far from me, and they have feared me with the commandment and doctrines of men:
29:14. Therefore behold I will proceed to cause an admiration in this people, by a great and wonderful miracle: for wisdom shall perish from their wise men, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
29:15. Woe to you that are deep of heart, to hide your counsel from the Lord: and their works are in the dark, and they say: Who seeth us, and who knoweth us?
29:16. This thought of yours is perverse: as if the clay should think against the potter, and the work should say to the maker thereof: Thou madest me not: or the thing framed should say to him that fashioned it: Thou understandest not.
29:17. Is it not yet a very little while, and Libanus shall be turned into charmel, and charmel shall be esteemed as a forest?
Charmel. . .This word signifies a fruitful field.
29:18. And in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind shall see.
29:19. And the meek shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
29:20. For he that did prevail hath failed, the scorner is consumed, and they are all cut off that watched for iniquity:
29:21. That made men sin by word, and supplanted him that reproved them in the gate, and declined in vain from the just.
29:22. Therefore thus saith the Lord to the house of Jacob, he that redeemed Abraham: Jacob shall not now be confounded, neither shall his countenance now be ashamed:
29:23. But when he shall see his children, the work of my hands in the midst of him sanctifying my name, and they shall sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall glorify the God of Israel:
29:24. And they that erred in spirit, shall know understanding, and they that murmured, shall learn the law.
Isaias Chapter 30
The people are blamed for their confidence in Egypt. God's mercies towards his church. The punishment of sinners.
30:1. Woe to you, apostate children, saith the Lord, that you would take counsel, and not of me: and would begin a web, and not by my spirit, that you might add sin upon sin:
30:2. Who walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth, hoping for help in the strength of Pharao, and trusting in the shadow of Egypt.
30:3. And the strength of Pharao shall be to your confusion, and the confidence of the shadow of Egypt to your shame.
30:4. For thy princes were in Tanis, and thy messengers came even to Hanes.
30:5. They were all confounded at a people that could not profit them: they were no help, nor to any profit, but to confusion and to reproach.
30:6. The burden of the beasts of the south. In a land of trouble and distress, from whence come the lioness, and the lion, the viper and the flying basilisk, they carry their riches upon the shoulders of beasts, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels to a people that shall not be able to profit them.
30:7. For Egypt shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this: It is pride only, sit still.
30:8. Now therefore go in and write for them upon box, and note it diligently in a book, and it shall be in the latter days for a testimony for ever.
30:9. For it is a people that provoketh to wrath, and lying children that will not hear the law of God.
30:10. Who say to the seers: See not: and to them that behold: Behold not for us those things that are right: speak unto us pleasant things, see errors for us.
30:11. Take away from me the way, turn away the path from me, let the Holy One of Israel cease from before us.
30:12. Therefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel: Because you have rejected this word, and have trusted in oppression and tumult, and have leaned upon it:
30:13. Therefore shall this iniquity be to you as a breach that falleth, and is found wanting in a high wall, for the destruction thereof shall come on a sudden, when it is not looked for.
30:14. And it shall be broken small, as the potter's vessel is broken all to pieces with mighty breaking, and there shall not a sherd be found of the pieces thereof, wherein a little fire may be carried from the hearth, or a little water be drawn out of the pit.
30:15. For thus saith the Lord God the Holy One of Israel: If you return and be quiet, you shall be saved: in silence and in hope shall your strength be. And you would not:
30:16. But have said: No, but we will flee to horses: therefore shall you flee. And we will mount upon swift ones: therefore shall they be swifter that shall pursue after you.
30:17. A thousand men shall flee for fear of one: and for fear of five shall you flee, till you be left as the mast of ship on the top of a mountain, and as an ensign upon a hill.
30:18. Therefore the Lord waiteth that he may have mercy on you: and therefore shall he be exalted sparing you: because the Lord is the God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
30:19. For the people of Sion shall dwell in Jerusalem: weeping thou shalt not weep, he will surely have pity on thee: at the voice of thy cry, as soon as he shall hear, he will answer thee.
30:20. And the Lord will give you spare bread, and short water: and will not cause thy teacher to flee away from thee any more, and thy eyes shall see thy teacher.
30:21. And thy ears shall hear the word of one admonishing thee behind thy back: This is the way, walk ye in it: and go not aside neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
30:22. And thou shalt defile the plates of thy graven things of silver, and the garment of thy molten things of gold, and shalt cast them away as the uncleanness of a menstruous woman. Thou shalt say to it: Get thee hence.
30:23. And rain shall be given to thy seed, wheresoever thou shalt sow in the land: and the bread of the corn of the land shall be most plentiful, and fat. The lamb in that day shall feed at large in thy possession:
30:24. And thy oxen, and the ass colts that till the ground, shall eat mingled provender as it was winnowed in the floor.
30:25. And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every elevated hill rivers of running waters in the day of the slaughter of many, when the tower shall fall.
30:26. And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days: in the day when the Lord shall bind up the wound of his people, and shall heal the stroke of their wound.
30:27. Behold the name of the Lord cometh from afar, his wrath burneth, and is heavy to bear: his lips are filled with indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire.
30:28. His breath as a torrent overflowing even to the midst of the neck, to destroy the nations unto nothing, and the bridle of error that was in the jaws of the people.
30:29. You shall have a song as in the night of the sanctified solemnity, and joy of heart, as where one goeth with a pipe, to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel.
30:30. And the Lord shall make the glory of his voice to be heard, and shall shew the terror of his arm, in the threatening of wrath, and the flame of devouring fire: he shall crush to pieces with whirlwind, and hailstones.
30:31. For at the voice of the Lord the Assyrian shall fear being struck with the rod.
30:32. And the passage of the rod shall be strongly grounded, which the Lord shall make to rest upon him with timbrels and harps, and in great battles he shall overthrow them.
30:33. For Topheth is prepared from yesterday, prepared by the king, deep, and wide. The nourishment thereof is fire and much wood: the breath of the Lord as a torrent of brimstone kindling it.
Topheth. . .It is the same as Gehenna, and is taken for hell.
Isaias Chapter 31
The folly of trusting to Egypt, and forgetting God. He will fight for his people against the Assyrians.
31:1. Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, trusting in horses, and putting their confidence in chariots, because they are many: and in horsemen, because they are very strong: and have not trusted in the Holy One of Israel, and have not sought after the Lord.
31:2. But he that is the wise one hath brought evil, and hath not removed his words: and he will rise up against the house of the wicked, and against the aid of them that work iniquity.
31:3. Egypt is man, and not God: and their horses, flesh, and not spirit: and the Lord shall put down his hand, and the helper shall fall, and he that is helped shall fall, and they shall all be confounded together.
31:4. For thus saith the Lord to me: Like as the lion roareth, and the lions whelp upon his prey, and when a multitude of shepherds shall come against him, he will not fear at their voice, nor be afraid of their multitude: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight upon mount Sion, and upon the hill thereof.
31:5. As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts protect Jerusalem, protecting and delivering, passing over and saving.
31:6. Return as you had deeply revolted, O children of Israel.
31:7. For in that day a man shall cast away his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which your hands have made for you to sin.
31:8. And the Assyrian shall fall by the sword not of a man, and the sword not of a man shall devour him, and he shall flee not at the face of the sword, and his young men shall be tributaries.
31:9. And his strength shall pass away with dread, and his princes fleeing shall be afraid: the Lord hath said it, whose fire is in Sion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.
Isaias Chapter 32
The blessings of the reign of Christ. The desolation of the Jews, and prosperity of the church of Christ.
32:1. Behold a king shall reign in justice, and princes shall rule in judgment.
32:2. And a man shall be as when one is hid from the wind, and hideth himself from a storm, as rivers of waters in drought, and the shadow of a rock that standeth out in a desert land.
32:3. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken diligently.
32:4. And the heart of fools shall understand knowledge, and the tongue of stammerers shall speak readily and plain.
32:5. The fool shall no more be called prince: neither shall the deceitful be called great:
32:6. For the fool will speak foolish things, and his heart will work iniquity, to practise hypocrisy, and speak to the Lord deceitfully, and to make empty the soul of the hungry, and take away drink from the thirsty.
32:7. The vessels of the deceitful are most wicked: for he hath framed devices to destroy the meek, with lying words, when the poor man speaketh judgment.
32:8. But the prince will devise such things as are worthy of a prince, and he shall stand above the rulers.
32:9. Rise up, ye rich women, and hear my voice: ye confident daughters, give ear to my speech.
32:10. For after days and a year, you that are confident shall be troubled: for the vintage is at an end, the gathering shall come no more.
32:11. Be astonished, ye rich women, be troubled, ye confident ones: strip you, and be confounded, gird your loins.
32:12. Mourn for your breasts, for the delightful country, for the fruitful vineyard.
32:13. Upon the land of my people shall thorns and briers come up: how much more upon all the houses of joy, of the city that rejoiced?
32:14. For the house is forsaken, the multitude of the city is left, darkness and obscurity are come upon its dens for ever. A joy of wild asses, the pastures of flocks.
32:15. Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high: and the desert shall be as a charmel, and charmel shall be counted for a forest.
32:16. An judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and justice shall sit in charmel.
32:17. And the work of justice shall be peace, and the service of justice quietness, and security for ever.
32:18. And my people shall sit in the beauty of peace, and in the tabernacles of confidence, and in wealthy rest.
32:19. But hail shall be in the descent of the forest, and the city shall be made very low.
32:20. Blessed are ye that sow upon all waters, sending thither the foot of the ox and the ass.
Isaias Chapter 33
God's revenge against the enemies of his church. The happiness of the heavenly Jerusalem.
33:1. Woe to thee that spoilest, shalt not thou thyself also be spoiled? and thou that despisest, shalt not thyself also be despised? when thou shalt have made an end of spoiling, thou shalt be spoiled: when being wearied thou shalt cease to despise, thou shalt be despised.
That spoilest, etc. . .This is particularly directed to Sennacherib.
33:2. O Lord, have mercy on us: for we have waited for thee: be thou our arm in the morning, and our salvation in the time of trouble.
33:3. At the voice of the angel the people fled, and at the lifting up thyself the nations are scattered.
33:4. And your spoils shall be gathered together as the locusts are gathered, as when the ditches are full of them.
33:5. The Lord is magnified, for he hath dwelt on high: he hath filled Sion with judgment and justice.
33:6. And there shall be faith in thy times: riches of salvation, wisdom and knowledge: the fear of the Lord is his treasure.
33:7. Behold they that see shall cry without, the angels of peace shall weep bitterly.
The angels of peace. . .The messengers or deputies sent to negotiate a peace.
33:8. The ways are made desolate, no one passeth by the road, the covenant is made void, he hath rejected the cities, he hath not regarded the men.
33:9. The land hath mourned, and languished: Libanus is confounded, and become foul, and Saron is become as a desert: and Basan and Carmel are shaken.
33:10. Now will I rise up, saith the Lord: now will I be exalted, now will I lift up myself.
33:11. You shall conceive heat, you shall bring forth stubble: your breath as fire shall devour you.
33:12. And the people shall be as ashes after a fire, as a bundle of thorns they shall be burnt with fire.
33:13. Hear, you that are far off, what I have done, and you that are near know my strength.
33:14. The sinners in Sion are afraid, trembling hath seized upon the hypocrites. Which of you can dwell with devouring fire? which of you shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
33:15. He that walketh in justices, and speaketh truth, that casteth away avarice by oppression, and shaketh his hands from all bribes, that stoppeth his ears lest he hear blood, and shutteth his eyes that he may see no evil.
33:16. He shall dwell on high, the fortifications of rocks shall be his highness: bread is given him, his waters are sure.
33:17. His eyes shall see the king in his beauty, they shall see the land far off.
33:18. Thy heart shall meditate fear: where is the learned? where is he that pondered the words of the law? where is the teacher of little ones?
33:19. The shameless people thou shalt not see, the people of profound speech: so that thou canst not understand the eloquence of his tongue, in whom there is no wisdom.
33:20. Look upon Sion the city of our solemnity: thy eyes shall see Jerusalem, a rich habitation, a tabernacle that cannot be removed: neither shall the nails thereof be taken away for ever, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
33:21. Because only there our Lord is magnificent: a place of rivers, very broad and spacious streams: no ship with oars shall pass by it, neither shall the great galley pass through it.
Of rivers. . .He speaks of the rivers of endless joys that flow from the throne of God to water the heavenly Jerusalem, where no enemy's ship can come, etc.
33:22. For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king: he will save us.
33:23. Thy tacklings are loosed, and they shall be of no strength: thy mast shall be in such condition, that thou shalt not be able to spread the flag. Then shall the spoils of much prey be divided: the lame shall take the spoil.
Thy tacklings. . .He speaks of the enemies of the church, under the allegory of a ship that is disabled.
33:24. Neither shall he that is near, say: I am feeble. The people that dwell therein, shall have their iniquity taken away from them.
Isaias Chapter 34
The general judgment of the wicked.
34:1. Come near, ye Gentiles, and hear, and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein, the world, and every thing that cometh forth of it.
34:2. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath killed them, and delivered them to slaughter.
34:3. Their slain shall be cast forth, and out of their carcasses shall rise a stink: the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
34:4. And all the host of the heavens shall pine away, and the heavens shall be folded together as a book: and all their host shall fall down as the leaf falleth from the vine, and from the fig tree.
And all the host of the heavens. . .That is, the sun, moon, and stars.
34:5. For my sword is inebriated in heaven: behold it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my slaughter unto judgment.
Idumea. . .Under the name of Idumea, or Edom a people that were enemies of the Jews, are here understood the wicked in general, the enemies of God and his church.
34:6. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood, it is made thick with the blood of lambs and buck goats, with the blood of rams full of marrow: for there is a victim of the Lord in Bosra and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.
34:7. And the unicorns shall go down with them, and the bulls with the mighty: their land shall be soaked with blood, and their ground with the fat of fat ones.
The unicorns. . .That is, the great and mighty.
34:8. For it is the day of the vengeance of the Lord, the year of recompenses of the judgment of Sion.
The year of recompenses, etc. . .When the persecutors of Sion, that is, of the church, shall receive their reward.
34:9. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the ground thereof into brimstone: and the land thereof shall become burning pitch.
34:10. Night and day it shall not be quenched, the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste, none shall pass through it for ever and ever.
34:11. The bittern and ericius shall possess it: and the ibis and the raven shall dwell in it: and a line shall be stretched out upon it, to bring it to nothing, and a plummet, unto desolation.
34:12. The nobles thereof shall not be there: they shall call rather upon the king, and all the princes thereof shall be nothing.
34:13. And thorns and nettles shall grow up in its houses, and the thistle in the fortresses thereof: and it shall be the habitation of dragons, and the pasture of ostriches.
34:14. And demons and monsters shall meet, and the hairy ones shall cry out one to another, there hath the lamia lain down, and found rest for herself.
34:15. There hath the ericius had its hole, and brought up its young ones, and hath dug round about, and cherished them in the shadow thereof: thither are the kites gathered together one to another.
34:16. Search ye diligently in the book of the Lord, and read: not one of them was wanting, one hath not sought for the other: for that which proceedeth out of my mouth, he hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.
34:17. And he hath cast the lot for them, and his hand hath divided it to them by line: they shall possess it for ever, from generation to generation they shall dwell therein.
Isaias Chapter 35
The joyful flourishing of Christ's kingdom: in his church shall be a holy and secure way.
35:1. The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily.
35:2. It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God.
35:3. Strengthen ye the feeble hands, and confirm the weak knees.
35:4. Say to the fainthearted: Take courage, and fear not: behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense: God himself will come and will save you.
35:5. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
35:6. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free: for waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness.
35:7. And that which was dry land, shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water. In the dens where dragons dwelt before, shall rise up the verdure of the reed and the bulrush.
35:8. And a path and a way shall be there, and it shall be called the holy way: the unclean shall not pass over it, and this shall be unto you a straight way, so that fools shall not err therein.
35:9. No lion shall be there, nor shall any mischievous beast go up by it, nor be found there: but they shall walk there that shall be delivered.
35:10. And the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and shall come into Sion with praise, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
Isaias Chapter 36
Sennacherib invades Juda: his blasphemies.
36:1. And it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Ezechias, that Sennacherib king of the Assyrians came up against all the fenced cities of Juda, and took them.
36:2. And the king of the Assyrians sent Rabsaces from Lachis to Jerusalem, to king Ezechias with a great army, and he stood by the conduit of the upper pool in the way of the fuller's field.
36:3. And there went out to him Eliacim the son of Helcias, who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and Joahe the son of Asaph the recorder.
36:4. And Rabsaces said to them: Tell Ezechias: Thus saith the great king, the king of the Assyrians: What is this confidence wherein thou trustest?
36:5. Or with what counsel or strength dost thou prepare for war? on whom dost thou trust, that thou art revolted from me?
36:6. Lo thou trustest upon this broken staff of a reed, upon Egypt: upon which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so is Pharao king of Egypt to all that trust in him.
36:7. But if thou wilt answer me: We trust in the Lord our God: is it not he whose high places and altars Ezechias hath taken away, and hath said to Juda and Jerusalem: You shall worship before this altar?
36:8. And now deliver thyself up to my lord the king of the Assyrians, and I will give thee two thousand horses, and thou wilt not be able on thy part to find riders for them.
36:9. And how wilt thou stand against the face of the judge of one place, of the least of my master's servants? But if thou trust in Egypt, in chariots and in horsemen:
36:10. And am I now come up without the Lord against this land to destroy it? The Lord said to me: Go up against this land, and destroy it.
36:11. And Eliacim, and Sobna, and Joahe said to Rabsaces: Speak to thy servants in the Syrian tongue: for we understand it: speak not to us in the Jews' language in the hearing of the people, that are upon the wall.
36:12. And Rabsaces said to them: Hath my master sent me to thy master and to thee, to speak all these words; and not rather to the men that sit on the wall; that they may eat their own dung, and drink their urine with you?
36:13. Then Rabsaces stood, and cried out with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said: Hear the words of the great king, the king of the Assyrians.
36:14. Thus saith the king: Let not Ezechias deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you.
36:15. And let not Ezechias make you trust in the Lord, saying: The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city shall not be given into the hands of the king of the Assyrians.
36:16. Do not hearken to Ezechias: for thus said the king of the Assyrians: Do with me that which is for your advantage, and come out to me, and eat ye every one of his vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the water of his cistern,
36:17. Till I come and take you away to a land, like to your own, a land of corn and of wine, a land of bread and vineyards.
36:18. Neither let Ezechias trouble you, saying: The Lord will deliver us. Have any of the gods of the nations delivered their land out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians?
36:19. Where is the god of Emath and of Arphad? where is the god of Sepharvaim? have they delivered Samaria out of my hand?
36:20. Who is there among all the gods of these lands, that hath delivered his country out of my hand, that the Lord may deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?
36:21. And they held their peace, and answered him not a word. For the king had commanded, saying: Answer him not.
36:22. And Eliacim the son of Helcias, that was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and Joahe the son of Asaph the recorder, went in to Ezechias with their garments rent, and told him the words of Rabsaces.
Isaias Chapter 37
Ezechias, his mourning and prayer. God's promise of protection. The
Assyrian army is destroyed. Sennacherib is slain.
37:1. And it came to pass, when king Ezechias had heard it, that he rent his garments and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord.
37:2. And he sent Eliacim who was over the house, and Sobna the scribe, and the ancients of the priests covered with sackcloth, to Isaias the son of Amos the prophet.
37:3. And they said to him: Thus saith Ezechias: This day is a day of tribulation, and of rebuke, and of blasphemy: for the children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.
37:4. It may be the Lord thy God will hear the words of Rabsaces, whom the king of the Assyrians his master hath sent to blaspheme the living God, and to reproach with words which the Lord thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up by prayer for the remnant that is left.
37:5. And the servants of Ezechias came to Isaias.
37:6. And Isaias said to them: Thus shall you say to your master: Thus saith the Lord: Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of the Assyrians have blasphemed me.
37:7. Behold, I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a message, and shall return to his own country, and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own country.
37:8. And Rabsaces returned, and found the king of the Assyrians besieging Lobna. For he had heard that he was departed from Lachis.
37:9. And he heard say about Tharaca the king of Ethiopia: He is come forth to fight against thee. And when he heard it, he sent messengers to Ezechias, saying:
37:10. Thus shall you speak to Ezechias the king of Juda, saying: Let not thy God deceive thee, in whom thou trustest, saying: Jerusalem shall not be given into the hands of the king of the Assyrians.
37:11. Behold thou hast heard all that the kings of the Assyrians have done to all countries which they have destroyed, and canst thou be delivered?
37:12. Have the gods of the nations delivered them whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozam, and Haram, and Reseph, and the children of Eden, that were in Thalassar?
37:13. Where is the king of Emath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Ana, and of Ava?
37:14. And Ezechias took the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it, and went up to the house of the Lord, and Ezechias spread it before the Lord.
37:15. And Ezechias prayed to the Lord, saying:
37:16. Lord of hosts, God of Israel who sitteth upon the cherubims, thou alone art the God of all the kingdoms of the earth, thou hast made heaven and earth.
37:17. Incline, O Lord, thy ear, and hear: open, O Lord, thy eyes, and see, and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he hath sent to blaspheme the living God.
37:18. For of a truth, O Lord, the kings of the Assyrians have laid waste lands, and their countries.
37:19. And they have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the works of men's hands, of wood and stone: and they broke them in pieces.
37:20. And now, O Lord our God, save us out of his hand: and let all the kingdoms of the earth know, that thou only art the Lord.
37:21. And Isaias the son of Amos sent to Ezechias, saying: Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel: For the prayer thou hast made to me concerning Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians:
37:22. This is the word which the Lord hath spoken of him: The virgin the daughter of Sion hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn: the daughter of Jerusalem hath wagged the head after thee.
37:23. Whom hast thou reproached, and whom hast thou blasphemed, and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice, and lifted up thy eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.
37:24. By the hand of thy servants thou hast reproached the Lord: and hast said: With the multitude of my chariots I have gone up to the height of the mountains, to the top of Libanus: and I will cut down its tall cedars, and its choice fir trees, and will enter to the top of its height, to the forest of its Carmel.
Carmel. . .See these figurative expressions explained in the annotations on the nineteenth chapter of the fourth book of Kings.
37:25. I have digged, and drunk water, and have dried up with the sole of my foot, all the rivers shut up in banks.
37:26. Hast thou not heard what I have done to him of old? from the days of old I have formed it: and now I have brought it to effect: and it hath come to pass that hills fighting together, and fenced cities should be destroyed.
37:27. The inhabitants of them were weak of hand, they trembled, and were confounded: they became like the grass of the field, and the herb of the pasture, and like the grass of the housetops, which withered before it was ripe.
37:28. I know thy dwelling, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me.
37:29. When thou wast mad against me, thy pride came up to my ears: therefore I will put a ring in thy nose, and a bit between thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest.
37:30. But to thee this shall be a sign: Eat this year the things that spring of themselves, and in the second year eat fruits: but in the third year sow and reap, and plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
37:31. And that which shall be saved of the house of Juda, and which is left, shall take root downward, and shall bear fruit upward:
37:32. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and salvation from mount Sion: the zeal of the Lord of hosts shall do this.
37:33. Wherefore thus saith the Lord concerning the king of the Assyrians: He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow into it, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a trench about it.
37:34. By the way that he came, he shall return, and into this city he shall not come, saith the Lord.
37:35. And I will protect this city, and will save it for my own sake, and for the sake of David my servant.
37:36. And the angel of the Lord went out and slew in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and eighty-five thousand. And they arose in the morning, and behold they were all dead corpses.
37:37. And Sennacherib the king of the Assyrians went out and departed, and returned, and dwelt in Ninive.
37:38. And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the temple of Nesroch his god, that Adramelech and Sarasar his sons slew him with the sword: and they fled into the land of Ararat, and Asarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Isaias Chapter 38
Ezechias being advertised that he shall die, obtains by prayer a prolongation of his life: in confirmation of which the sun goes back. The canticle of Ezechias.
38:1. In those days Ezechias was sick even to death, and Isaias the son of Amos the prophet cane unto him, and said to him: Thus saith the Lord: Take order with thy house, for thou shalt die, and not live.
38:2. And Ezechias turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord,
38:3. And said: I beseech thee, O Lord, remember how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Ezechias wept with great weeping.
38:4. And the word of the Lord came to Isaias, saying:
38:5. Go and say to Ezechias: Thus saith the Lord the God of David thy father: I have heard thy prayer, and I have seen thy tears: behold I will add to thy days fifteen years:
38:6. And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians, and I will protect it.
38:7. And this shall be a sign to thee from the Lord, that the Lord will do this word which he hath spoken:
38:8. Behold I will bring again the shadow of the lines, by which it is now gone down in the sun dial of Achaz with the sun, ten lines backward. And the sun returned ten lines by the degrees by which it was gone down.
38:9. The writing of Ezechias king of Juda, when he had been sick, and was recovered of his sickness.
38:10. I said: In the midst of my days I shall go to the gates of hell: I sought for the residue of my years.
Hell. . .Sheol, or Hades, the region of the dead.
38:11. I said: I shall not see the Lord God in the land of the living. I shall behold man no more, nor the inhabitant of rest.
38:12. My generation is at an end, and it is rolled away from me, as a shepherd's tent. My life is cut off, as by a weaver: whilst I was yet but beginning, he cut me off: from morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me.
38:13. I hoped till morning, as a lion so hath he broken all my bones: from morning even to night thou wilt make an end of me.
38:14. I will cry like a young swallow, I will meditate like a dove: my eyes are weakened looking upward: Lord, I suffer violence, answer thou for me.
38:15. What shall I say, or what shall he answer for me, whereas he himself hath done it? I will recount to thee all my years in the bitterness of my soul.
38:16. O Lord, if man's life be such, and the life of my spirit be in such things as these, thou shalt correct me, and make me to live.
38:17. Behold in peace is my bitterness most bitter: but thou hast delivered my soul that it should not perish, thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.
38:18. For hell shall not confess to thee, neither shall death praise thee: nor shall they that go down into the pit, look for thy truth.
38:19. The living, the living, he shall give praise to thee, as I do this day: the father shall make the truth known to the children.
38:20. O Lord, save me, and we will sing our psalms all the days of our life in the house of the Lord.
38:21. Now Isaias had ordered that they should take a lump of figs, and lay it as a plaster upon the wound, and that he should be healed.
38:22. And Ezechias had said: What shall be the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?
Isaias Chapter 39
Ezechias shews all his treasures to the ambassadors of Babylon: upon which Isaias foretells the Babylonish captivity.
39:1. At that time Merodach Baladan, the son of Baladan king of Babylon, sent letters and presents to Ezechias: for he had heard that he had been sick and was recovered.
39:2. And Ezechias rejoiced at their coming, and he shewed them the storehouses of his aromatical spices, and of the silver, and of the gold, and of the sweet odours, and of the precious ointment, and all the storehouses of his furniture, and all things that were found in his treasures. There was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion that Ezechias shewed them not.
39:3. Then Isaias the prophet came to king Ezechias, and said to him: What said these men, and from whence came they to thee? And Ezechias said: From a far country they came to me, from Babylon.
39:4. And he said: What saw they in thy house? And Ezechias said: All things that are in my house have they seen, there was not any thing which I have not shewn them in my treasures.
39:5. And Isaias said to Ezechias: Hear the word of the Lord of hosts.
39:6. Behold the days shall come that all that is in thy house, and that thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried away into Babylon: there shall not any thing be left, saith the Lord.
39:7. And of thy children, that shall issue from thee, whom thou shalt beget, they shall take away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
39:8. And Ezechias said to Isaias: The word of the Lord, which he hath spoken, is good. And he said: Only let peace and truth be in my days.
Isaias Chapter 40
The prophet comforts the people with the promise of the coming of
Christ to forgive their sins. God's almighty power and majesty.
40:1. Be comforted, be comforted, my people, saith your God.
40:2. Speak ye to the heart of Jerusalem, and call to her: for her evil is come to an end, her iniquity is forgiven: she hath received of the hand of the Lord double for all her sins.
40:3. The voice of one crying in the desert: Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness the paths of our God.
40:4. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough ways plain.
40:5. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh together shall see, that the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.
40:6. The voice of one, saying: Cry. And I said: What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the field.
40:7. The grass is withered, and the flower is fallen, because the spirit of the Lord hath blown upon it. Indeed the people is grass:
40:8. The grass is withered, and the flower is fallen: but the word of our Lord endureth for ever.
40:9. Get thee up upon a high mountain, thou that bringest good tidings to Sion: lift up thy voice with strength, thou that bringest good tidings to Jerusalem: lift it up, fear not. Say to the cities of Juda: Behold your God:
40:10. Behold the Lord God shall come with strength, and his arm shall rule: Behold his reward is with him and his work is before him.
40:11. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather together the lambs with his arm, and shall take them up in his bosom, and he himself shall carry them that are with young.
40:12. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and weighed the heavens with his palm? who hath poised with three fingers the bulk of the earth, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
40:13. Who hath forwarded the spirit of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor, and hath taught him?
40:14. With whom hath he consulted, and who hath instructed him, and taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and shewed him the way of understanding?
40:15. Behold the Gentiles are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the smallest grain of a balance: behold the islands are as a little dust.
40:16. And Libanus shall not be enough to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
40:17. All nations are before him as if they had no being at all, and are counted to him as nothing, and vanity.
40:18. To whom then have you likened God? or what image will you make for him?
40:19.