dence, they might afterwards | upon the deftruction of the be of good cheer: 7 So of thy people was accepted both the falvation of the righteous, and deftruction of the enemies. 8 For wherewith thou didft punish our adverfaries, by the fame thou didst glorify us whom thou hadft called. 9 For the righteous children of good men did facrifice fecretly, and with one confent made a holy law, that the faints fhould be like partakers of the fame good and evil, the fathers now finging out the fongs of praife. first-born they acknowledged this people to be the fons of God. 14 For while all things were in quiet filence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course, 15 Thine Almighty word leapt down from heaven, out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of deftruction, 16 And brought thine unfeigned commandment, as a fharp fword, and ftanding up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth. 10 But on the other fide 17 Then fuddenly vifions there founded an ill accord- of horrible dreams troubled ing cry of the enemies, and them fore, and terrors came a lamentable noife was car-upon them unlooked for. ried abroad for children that 18 And one thrown here, were bewailed. and another there half dead, fhewed the caufe of his death. II The mafter and the fervant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, fo fuffered the common perfon. 12 So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living fufficient to bury them for in one moment the nobleft offspring of them was deftroyed. 13 For whereas they would not believe any thing, by reafon of the inchantments, 19 For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, left they fhould perish, and not know why they were afflicted. 1 20 Yea, the tafting of death touched the righteous a'fo, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness but the wrath endured not long : 21 For then the blameless man made hafte, and food. Kk 4 forth forth to defend them, and 2 How that having given bringing the fhield of his them leave to depart, and proper miniftry, even prayer, fent them haftily away, they and the propitiation of in- would repent and pursue cenfe, fet himself against the them. wrath, and fo brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant. 22 So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength | of body, nor force of arms, but with a word fubdued he him that punished, alledging the oaths and Covenants made with the fathers. 23 For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, ftanding between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living. 3 For whilft they were yet mourning, and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had entreated to be gone. 4 For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments: 5 And that thy people might pafs a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death. 6 For the whole creature in his proper kind was fafhioned again anew, ferving 24 For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the ftones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy majefty upon the diadem of his head. 25 Unto these the deftroy-the peculiar commandments er gave place, and was afraid that were given unto them, of them for it was enough that thy children might be that they only tafted of the kept without burt: wrath. 7 As namely, a cloud fhadowing the camp; and where water ftood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red fea, a way without impediment; and out of the viclent ftream, a green field: 8 Wherethrough all the people people went that were de- 15 And not only fo, but, fended with thy hand, feeing peradventure, fome refpect thy marvellous strange won-thall be had of thofe, because ders. they used ftrangers not friendly. 9 For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadft delivered them. 10 For they were yet mindful of the things that were done, while they fojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies inftead of cattle, and how the river caft up a multitude of frogs inftead of fishes. II But afterwards they faw a new generation of fowls, when being led with their appetite, they afked delicate meats. 12 For quails came up unto them from the fea, for their contentment. 13 And punishments came upon the finners, not without former figns by the force of thunders: for they suffered juftly, according to their own wickedness, infomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour towards ftrangers. 16 But these very grievoufly afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the fame laws with them. 17 Therefore even with blindnefs were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compaffed about with horrible great darkness, every one fought the paffage of his own doors. 18 For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a pfaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always founds, which may well be perceived by the fight of the things that have been done. 19 For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things that before fwam in the water, now went upon the ground. 20 The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue, and the water forgat his own quenching nature. 14 For the Sodomites did not receive those whom they knew not when they came: but thefe brought friends into 21 On the other fide, the bondage, that had well de-flames wafted not the flesh ferved of them. of the corruptible living things, 4 Wifdom hath been cre-joicing. ated before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting. 12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy and gladness, and a long life. 5 The word of God moft high is the fountain of wif- 13 Whofo feareth the dom; and her ways are ever-Lord, it fhall go well with lafting commandments. 6 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wife counfels? 7 Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifeft? and who hath understood her great experience? 8 There is one wife and him at the laft, and he shall find favour in the day of his death. 14 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb. 15 She hath built an everlafting foundation with men, and the fhall continue with their feed. ΙΟ 16 To fear the Lord is ledge are in the treasures fulness of wisdom, and fill- of wisdom: but godliness eth men with her fruits. is an abomination to a fin17 She filleth all their ner. house with things defirable, and the garners with her increase. 18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish: both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him. 19 Wisdom raineth down fkill and knowledge of understanding, and exalteth them to honour that hold her faft. 20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life. 21 The fear of the Lord driveth away fins: and where it is prefent it turneth away wrath. 22 A furious man cannot be juftified; for the fway of his fury fhall be his deftruction. 23 A patient man will bear for a time, and afterward joy fhall fpring up unto him. 24 He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many fhall declare his wifdom. 25 The parables of know 26 If thou defire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee. 27 For the fear of the Lord, is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight. 28 Diftruft not the fear of the Lord, when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart. 29 Be not an hypocrite in the fight of men, and take good heed what thou speakeft. 30 Exalt not thyself, left thou fall, and bring difhonour upon thy foul, and fo God difcover thy fecrets, and caft thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou cameft not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit. |