Part 434 (2/2)

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 pet.i.tion 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, G.o.d will give a blessing.

4:15. They that serve her, shall be servants to the holy one: and G.o.d 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 a.s.surance.

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 novices.h.i.+p of the children of G.o.d.

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.

<script>