1 He that liveth for ever, created all things together. God only shall be justified, and remaineth an invincible King for ever.
1 He¹ that liveth forever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king forever.
2 Who is sufficient to declare his works?
2 Who is able to declare his works?
3 For who shall search out his glorious things?
3 For who shall search out his glorious acts?
4 and who shall shew forth the power of his greatness? Or who shall add to declare his mercy?
4 And who shall show forth the power of his majesty? Or who shall be able to declare his mercy?
5 It is not possible to diminish, nor add, neither is it possible to find the glorious works of God:
5 Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God.
6 When a man, shall have done, then shall he begin: and when he shall rest, he shall work.
6 When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss.
7 What is man: and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what his evil?
7 What is man, and what is his grace? And what is his good, or what is his evil?
8 The number of the days of men at the most an hundred years: as drops of the water of the sea they are reputed: and as the gravel stone of the sand, so a few years in the day of eternity.
8 ²The 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.
9 For this cause God is patient toward them, and poureth out his mercy upon them.
9 Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them.
10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is naught, and hath known their subversion that it is evil.
10 He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil.
11 Therefore hath he fulfilled his propitiation toward them, and hath shewed them the way of equity.
11 Therefore hath he filled up his mercy in their favor, and hath shown them the way of justice.
12 Man's compassion is touching his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
12 The compassion of man is toward his neighbor: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh.
13 He that hath mercy, teacheth and instructeth, as a pastor his flock.
13 He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his flock.
14 He hath mercy on him that receiveth the doctrine of compassion, and he that hasteneth in his judgements.
14 ³He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments.
15 Son in good deeds give no blame, & in every gift give not the sadness of an evil word.
15 My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest anything, add not grief by an evil word.
16 Shall not the dew cool heat? So also a word better than a gift.
16 Shall not the dew assuage the heat? So also the good word is better than the gift.
17 Is not a word above a good gift? But both are with a justified man.
17 Lo, is not a word better than a gift? But both are with a justified man.
18 Afool will upbraid bitterly: and the gift of one untaught maketh the eyes to dry away.
18 ⁴A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes.
19 Before judgment prepare thee justice, and before thou speak learn.
19 ⁵Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak.
20 Before sickness take medicine, and before judgement examine thyself, and in the sight of God thou shalt find propitiation.
20 Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God.
21 Before sickness humble thyself, and in time of infirmity shew thy conversation.
21 Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness show thy conversation.
22 Be not hindered to pray always, & fear not to be justified even to death, because the reward of God abideth for ever.
22 Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth forever.
23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
23 Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God.
24 Remember the wrath in the day of consummation, and the time of reward in conversation of the face.
24 Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face.
25 Remember poverty in the time of aboundance, & the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
25 ⁶Remember poverty in the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches.
26 From morning unto evening time shall be changed, & all these are sown in the eyes of God.
26 From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God.
27 Awise man in all things will fear, and in the days of offences will beware of sloth.
27 A wise man will fear in everything, and in the days of sins will beware of sloth.
28 Every subtile man knoweth wisdom, and to him that findeth her he will give praise.
28 Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her.
29 The wise in words, and they also have done wisely: and have understood truth and justice, and have rained proverbs & judgments.
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.
30 Go not after thy concupiscences, and turn away from thy will.
30 ⁷Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will.
31 If thou give to thy soul her concupiscences, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
31 If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies.
32 Be not delighted in multitudes, nor in few: for their concertation is continual.
32 Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual.
33 Be not poor in contention of borrowing, and thou hast nothing in thy purse: for thou shalt be envious to thine own life.
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.