Part 311 (2/2)

I, Wisdom, have made subtilty my dwelling, And find out knowledge and discretion.

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, {253} And the froward mouth, do I hate.

Counsel is mine, and sound knowledge: I am understanding; I have might.

By me kings reign, And princes decree justice.

By me princes rule, And n.o.bles, even all the judges of the earth.

I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.

Riches and honour are with me; Yea, durable riches and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver.

I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of judgment: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, And that I may fill their treasuries.

The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, Before his works of old.

I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, Or ever the earth was.

When there were no depths, I was brought forth; When there were no fountains abounding with water.

Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, Nor the highest part of the dust of the world.

When he established the heavens, I was there: When he set a circle upon the face of the deep: {254} When he made firm the skies above: When the fountains of the deep became strong: When he gave to the sea its bound, That the waters should not transgress his commandment: When he marked out the foundations of the earth; Then I was by him, as a master workman: And I was daily his delight, Rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in his habitable earth; And my delight was with the sons of men.

Now therefore, my sons, hearken unto me: For blessed are they that keep my ways.

Hear instruction, and be wise, And refuse it not.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

For whoso findeth me findeth life, And shall obtain favour of the Lord.

But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: All they that hate me love death.

{255}

ENTER NOT INTO THE PATH OF THE WICKED

Enter not into the path of the wicked, And walk not in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, pa.s.s not by it; Turn from it, and pa.s.s on.

Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.

The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.

But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, That s.h.i.+neth more and more unto the perfect day.

Go to the ant, thou sluggard, Consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no chief, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, And gathereth her food in the harvest.

{256}

PRAISE OF THE WISE AND VIRTUOUS WOMAN

A virtuous woman who can find?

For her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchant-s.h.i.+ps; She bringeth her food from afar.

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