Wisdom

And let the sword be doubled the third time;The sword of the deadly wounded:It is the sword of the great one that is deadly woundedWhich compasseth them about.I have set the point of the sword against all their gates,That their heart may melt,And their stumblings be multiplied:Ah! it is made as lightning!It is pointed for slaughter—Gather thee together, go to the right;Set thyself in array, go to the left—Whithersoever thy face is set.

And let the sword be doubled the third time;The sword of the deadly wounded:It is the sword of the great one that is deadly woundedWhich compasseth them about.

I have set the point of the sword against all their gates,That their heart may melt,And their stumblings be multiplied:Ah! it is made as lightning!It is pointed for slaughter—Gather thee together, go to the right;Set thyself in array, go to the left—Whithersoever thy face is set.

I will also smite mine hands together, and I will satisfy my fury: I theLordhave spoken it.

The word of theLordcame unto me again, saying, Also, thou son of man, appoint thee two ways that the sword of the king of Babylon may come; they twain shall come forth out of one land: and mark out a place, mark it out at the head of the way to the city. Thou shall appoint a way, for the sword to come to Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and to Judah in Jerusalem the defenced. For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he shook the arrows to and fro, he consulted the teraphim, he looked in the liver. In his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to set battering rams, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to set battering rams against the gates, to cast up mounts, to build forts. And it shall be unto them as a vain divination in their sight, which have sworn oaths unto them: but he bringeth iniquity to remembrance, that they may be taken. Therefore thus saith the LordGod:Because ye have made your iniquity to be remembered, in that your transgressions are discovered, so that in all your doings your sins do appear; because that ye are come to remembrance, ye shall be taken with the hand. And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end; thus saith the LordGod: Remove the mitre, and take off the crown: this shall be no more the same: exalt that which is low, and abase that which is high. I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: this also shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

And thou, son of man, prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LordGodconcerning the children of Ammon, and concerning their reproach; and say thou:

'A sword, a sword is drawn,'For the slaughter it is furbished:'To cause it to devour,'That it may be as lightning:'

whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine lies unto thee, to lay thee upon the necks of the wicked that are deadly wounded, whose day is come, in the time of the punishment of the end. (Cause it to return into its sheath.) In the place where thou wast created, in the land of thybirth, will I judge thee. And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee; I will blow upon thee with the fire of my wrath: and I will deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, skilful to destroy. Thou shalt be for fuel to the fire; thy blood shall be in the midst of the land; thou shalt be no more remembered: for I theLordhave spoken it.

VII

WRECK OF THE GOODLY SHIP TYRE

The word of theLordcame again unto me, saying, And thou, son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyre; and say unto Tyre, O thou that dwellest at the entry of the sea, which art the merchant of the peoples unto many isles: thus saith the LordGod: Thou, O Tyre, hast said, I am perfect in beauty. Thy borders are in the heart of the seas, thy builders have perfected thy beauty. They have made all thy planks of fir trees from Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon to make a mast for thee. Of the oaks of Bashan have they made thine oars; they have made thy benches of ivory inlaid in boxwood, from the isles of Kittim. Of fine linen with broidered work from Egypt was thy sail, that it might be to thee for an ensign; blue and purple from the isles of Elishah was thine awning.The inhabitants of Zidon and Arvad were thy rowers: thy wise men, O Tyre, were in thee, they were thy pilots. The ancients of Gebal and the wise men thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. Persia and Lud and Put were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness. The men of Arvad with thine army were upon thy walls round about, and the Gammadim were in thy towers: they hanged their shields upon thy walls round about; they have perfected thy beauty. Tarshish was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded for thy wares. Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they were thy traffickers: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass for thy merchandise. They of the house of Togarmah traded for thy wares with horses and war-horses and mules. The men of Dedan were thy traffickers: many isles were the mart of thine hand: they brought thee in exchange horns of ivory and ebony. Syria was thy merchant by reason of the multitude of thy handyworks: they traded for thy wares with emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and rubies. Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy traffickers: they traded for thy merchandise wheat of Minnith, and pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm. Damascus was thy merchant for the multitude of thy handyworks, by reason of the multitude of allkinds of riches; with the wine of Helbon, and white wool. Vedan and Javan traded with yarn for thy wares: bright iron, cassia, and calamus, were among thy merchandise. Dedan was thy trafficker in precious cloths for riding. Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they were the merchants of thy hand; in lambs, and rams, and goats, in these were they thy merchants. The traffickers of Sheba and Raamah, they were thy traffickers: they traded for thy wares with chief of all spices, and with all precious stones, and gold. Haran and Canneh and Eden, the traffickers of Sheba, Asshur and Chilmad, were thy traffickers. These were thy traffickers in choice wares, in wrappings of blue and broidered work, and in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and made of cedar, among thy merchandise. The ships of Tarshish were thy caravans for thy merchandise: and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in the heart of the seas.

Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the heart of the seas. Thy riches, and thy wares, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that are in thee, with all thy company which is in the midst of thee, shall fall into the heart of the seas in the day of thy ruin. At the sound of the cry of thy pilots the suburbs shall shake. And all that handle the oar, the mariners, and all the pilots of the sea, shall come down from their ships, they shall stand upon theland, and shall cause their voice to be heard over thee, and shall cry bitterly, and shall cast up dust upon their heads, they shall wallow themselves in the ashes: and they shall make themselves bald for thee, and gird them with sackcloth, and they shall weep for thee in bitterness of soul with bitter mourning. And in their wailing they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and lament over thee, saying, 'Who is there like Tyre, like her that is brought to silence in the midst of the sea?' When thy wares went forth out of the seas, thou filledst many peoples; thou didst enrich the kings of the earth with the multitude of thy riches and of thy merchandise. In the time that thou wast broken by the seas in the depths of the waters, thy merchandise and all thy company did fall in the midst of thee. All the inhabitants of the isles are astonished at thee, and their kings are horribly afraid, they are troubled in their countenance. The merchants among the peoples hiss at thee; thou art become a terror, and thou shalt never be any more.

VIII

PROPHETIC SENTENCES

Thus saith theLord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him thatglorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth me, that I am theLordwhich exercise lovingkindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith theLord.

* **

There is none like unto thee, OLord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee, but they are together brutish and foolish.

* **

Thus saith theLord: Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from theLord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, a salt land and not inhabited.

Blessed is the man that trusteth in theLord, and whose hope theLordis. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out his roots by the river, and shall not fear when heat cometh, but his leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

* **

The New Covenant

Behold, the days come, saith theLord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith theLord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith theLord; I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know theLord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith theLord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.

WISDOM BREVITIES

The liberal soul shall be made fat:And he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

* **

Where no oxen are, the crib is clean:But much increase is by the strength of the ox.

* **

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

* **

It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer:But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

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The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels,And they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

* **

Boast not thyself of tomorrow;For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

* **

As vinegar to the teeth,And as smoke to the eyes,So is the sluggard to them that send him.

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All the brethren of the poor do hate him:How much more do his friends go far from him!He pursueth them with words, but they are gone.

* **

The getting of treasures by a lying tongueIs a vapour driven to and fro;They that seek them seek death.

* **

As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather,And as vinegar upon nitre,So is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

* **

Wrath is cruel,And anger is outrageous:But who is able to stand before jealousy?

* **

The fining pot is for silver,And the furnace for gold:And a man is tried by his praise.

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An Epigram

Weary not thyself to be rich;Cease from thine own wisdom;Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?For riches certainly make themselves wings,Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

* **

An Epigram

Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye,Neither desire thou his dainties;For as one that reckoneth within himself, so is he:Eat and drink, saith he to thee;But his heart is not with thee.The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up,And lose thy sweet words.

* **

My son, if thou comest to serve the Lord, Prepare thy soul for temptation.

Set thy heart aright, and constantly endure, and make not haste in time of calamity. Cleave unto him, and depart not, that thou mayest be increased at thy latter end. Accept whatsoever is brought upon thee, and be longsuffering when thou passest into humiliation. For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Put thy trust in him, and he will help thee: order thy ways aright, and set thy hope on him.

* **

Go not after thy lusts;And refrain thyself from thine appetites.

If thou give fully to thy soul the delight of her desire, she will make thee the laughingstock of thine enemies.

Make not merry in much luxury;Neither be tied to the expense thereof.

Be not made a beggar by banqueting upon borrowing, when thou hast nothing in thy purse. A workman that is a drunkard shall not become rich.

He that despiseth small thingsShall fall by little and little.

Wine and women will make men of understanding to fall away: and he that cleaveth to harlots will be the more reckless. Moths and worms shall have him to heritage; and a reckless soul shall be taken away.

ESSAYS

Wisdom's Way with her Children

Wisdom exalteth her sons, and taketh hold of them that seek her. He that loveth her loveth life; and they that seek to her early shall be filled with gladness. He that holdeth her fast shall inherit glory; and where he entereth, the Lord will bless. They that do her service shall minister to the Holy One; and them that love her the Lord doth love. He that giveth ear unto her shall judge the nations; and he that giveth heed unto her shall dwell securely. If he trust her, he shall inherit her; and his generations shall have her in possession. For at the first she will walk with him in crooked ways, and will bring fear and dread upon him, and torment him with her discipline, until she may trust his soul, and try him by her judgements: then will she return again the straight way unto him, and will gladden him, and reveal to him her secrets. If he go astray, she will forsake him, and give him over to his fall.

Prosperity and Adversity are from the Lord

There is one that toileth, and laboureth, and maketh haste, and is so much the more behind. There is one that is sluggish, and hath need of help, lacking in strength, and that aboundeth in poverty; and the eyes of the Lord looked upon him for good, and he set him up from his low estate, and lifted up his head; and many marvelled at him. Good things and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from the Lord. The gift of the Lord remaineth with the godly, and his good pleasure shall prosper for ever. There is that waxeth rich by his wariness and pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: when he saith, I have found rest, and now will I eat of my goods—yet he knoweth not what time shall pass, and he shall leave them to others, and die. Be stedfast in thy covenant, and be conversant therein, and wax old in thy work. Marvel not at the works of a sinner, but trust the Lord, and abide in thy labour; for it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord swiftly on the sudden to make a poor man rich. The blessing of the Lord is in the reward of the godly; and in an hour that cometh swiftly he maketh his blessing to flourish. Say not, What use is there of me? And what from henceforth shall mygood things be? Say not, I have sufficient, and from henceforth what harm shall happen unto me? In the day of good things there is a forgetfulness of evil things; and in the day of evil things a man will not remember things that are good. For it is an easy thing in the sight of the Lord to reward a man in the day of death according to his ways. The affliction of an hour causeth forgetfulness of delight; and in the last end of a man is the revelation of his deeds. Call no man blessed before his death; and a man shall be known in his children.

Against Gossip

He that is hasty to trust is lightminded; and he that sinneth shall offend against his own soul. He that maketh merry in his heart shall be condemned: and he that hateth talk hath the less wickedness. Never repeat what is told thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. Whether it be of friend or foe, tell it not; and unless it is a sin to thee, reveal it not: for he hath heard thee, and observed thee, and when the time cometh he will hate thee. Hast thou heard a word? let it die with thee: be of good courage, it will not burst thee. A fool will travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labour with a child. As an arrowthat sticketh in the flesh of the thigh, so is a word in a fool's belly. Reprove a friend: it may be he did it not, and if he did something, that he may do it no more. Reprove thy neighbour: it may be he said it not, and if he hath said it, that he may not say it again. Reprove a friend, for many times there is slander; and trust not every word. There is one that slippeth, and not from the heart; and who is he that hath not sinned with his tongue? Reprove thy neighbour before thou threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High.

On the Tongue

If thou blow a spark, it shall burn; and if thou spit upon it, it shall be quenched: and both these shall come out of thy mouth. Curse the whisperer and double-tongued: for he hath destroyed many that were at peace. A third person's tongue hath shaken many, and dispersed them from nation to nation; and it hath pulled down strong cities, and overthrown the houses of great men. A third person's tongue hath cast out brave women, and deprived them of their labours. He that hearkeneth unto it shall not find rest, nor shall he dwell quietly. The stroke of a whip maketh a mark in the flesh; but thestroke of a tongue will break bones. Many have fallen by the edge of the sword; yet not so many as they that have fallen because of the tongue. Happy is he that is sheltered from it, that hath not passed through the wrath thereof; that hath not drawn its yoke, and hath not been bound with its bands. For the yoke thereof is a yoke of iron, and the bands thereof are bands of brass. The death thereof is an evil death; and Hades were better than it. It shall not have rule over godly men; and they shall not be burned in its flame. They that forsake the Lord shall fall into it; and it shall burn among them, and shall not be quenched: it shall be sent forth upon them as a lion, and as a leopard it shall destroy them. Look that thou hedge thy possession about with thorns; bind up thy silver and thy gold; and make a balance and a weight for thy words; and make a door and a bar for thy mouth. Take heed lest thou slip therein; lest thou fall before one that lieth in wait.

Choice of Company

Bring not every man into thine house; for many are the plots of the deceitful man. As a decoy partridge in a cage, so is the heart of a proud man; and as one that is a spy, he looketh upon thy falling. For he lieth in wait to turnthings that are good into evil; and in things that are praiseworthy he will lay blame. From a spark of fire a heap of many coals is kindled; and a sinful man lieth in wait for blood. Take heed of an evil-doer, for he contriveth wicked things; lest haply he bring upon thee blame for ever. Receive a stranger into thine house, and he will distract thee with brawls, and estrange thee from thine own.

If thou do good, know to whom thou doest it; and thy good deeds shall have thanks. Do good to a godly man, and thou shalt find a recompense; and if not from him, yet from the Most High. There shall no good come to him that continueth to do evil, nor to him that giveth no alms. Give to the godly man and help not the sinner. Do good to one that is lowly, and give not to an ungodly man; keep back his bread, and give it not to him, lest he overmaster thee thereby; for thou shalt receive twice as much evil for all the good thou shalt have done unto him. For the Most High also hateth sinners, and will repay vengeance unto the ungodly. Give to the good man, and help not the sinner.

A man's friend will not be fully tried in prosperity; and his enemy will not be hidden in adversity. In a man's prosperity his enemies are grieved; and in his adversity even his friend will be separated from him. Never trust thine enemy, for like as the brass rusteth, so is his wickedness: though he humble himself, and go crouching, yettake good heed, and beware of him, and thou shalt be unto him as one that hath wiped a mirror, and thou shalt know that he hath not utterly rusted it. Set him not by thee, lest he overthrow thee and stand in thy place; let him not sit on thy right hand, lest he seek to take thy seat, and at the last thou acknowledge my words, and be pricked with my sayings. Who will pity a charmer that is bitten with a serpent? or any that come nigh wild beasts? Even so who will pity him that goeth to a sinner, and is mingled with him in his sins? For a while he will abide with thee, and if thou give way, he will not hold out. And the enemy will speak sweetly with his lips, and in his heart take counsel how to overthrow thee into a pit; the enemy will weep with his eyes, and if he find opportunity, he will not be satiated with blood. If adversity meet thee, thou shalt find him there before thee; and as though he would help thee, he will trip up thy heel. He will shake his head, and clap his hands, and whisper much, and change his countenance.

He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled; and he that hath fellowship with a proud man shall become like unto him. Take not up a burden above thy strength; and have no fellowship with one that is mightier and richer than thyself. What fellowship shall the earthen pot have with the kettle? this shall smite, and that shall be dashed in pieces. The rich man doeth a wrong, and he threateneth withal: the poor is wronged, and he shall entreat withal.If thou be profitable, he will make merchandise of thee; and if thou be in want, he will forsake thee. If thou have substance, he will live with thee; and he will make thee bare, and will not be sorry. Hath he had need of thee? then he will deceive thee, and smile upon thee, and give thee hope: he will speak thee fair, and say, What needest thou? and he will shame thee by his meats, until he have made thee bare twice or thrice. And at the last he will laugh thee to scorn; afterward will he see thee, and will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee. Beware that thou be not deceived, and brought low in thy mirth. If a mighty man invite thee, be retiring, and so much the more will he invite thee. Press not upon him, lest thou be thrust back; and stand not far off, lest thou be forgotten. Affect not to speak with him as an equal, and believe not his many words: for with much talk will he try thee, and in a smiling manner will search thee out. He that keepeth not to himself words spoken is unmerciful; and he will not spare to hurt and to bind. Keep them to thyself, and take earnest heed, for thou walkest in peril of thy falling.

Every living creature loveth his like, and every man loveth his neighbour. All flesh consorteth according to kind, and a man will cleave to his like. What fellowship shall the wolf have with the lamb? so is the sinner unto the godly. What peace is there between the hyena and the dog? and what peace between the rich man and the poor? Wild asses are the prey of lions in the wilderness;so poor men are pasture for the rich. Lowliness is an abomination to a proud man; so a poor man is an abomination to the rich. A rich man when he is shaken is held up of his friends; but one of low degree being down is thrust away also by his friends. When a rich man is fallen, there are many helpers; he speaketh things not to be spoken, and men justify him: a man of low degree falleth, and men rebuke him withal; he uttereth wisdom, and no place is allowed him. A rich man speaketh, and all keep silence; and what he saith they extol to the clouds: a poor man speaketh, and they say, Who is this? and if he stumble, they will help to overthrow him. Riches are good that have no sin; and poverty is evil in the mouth of the ungodly.

The Wisdom of Business and the Wisdom of Leisure

The wisdom of the scribe cometh by opportunity of leisure; and he that hath little business shall become wise. How shall he become wise that holdeth the plow, that glorieth in the shaft of the goad, that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and whose discourse is of the stock of bulls? He will set his heart upon turning his furrows; and his wakefulness is to give his heifers their fodder. So is every artificer and workmaster, that passethhis time by night as by day; they that cut gravings of signets, and his diligence is to make great variety; he will set his heart to preserve likeness in his portraiture, and will be wakeful to finish his work. So is the smith sitting by the anvil, and considering the unwrought iron; the vapour of the fire will waste his flesh, and in the heat of the furnace will he wrestle with his work; the noise of the hammer will be ever in his ear, and his eyes are upon the pattern of the vessel; he will set his heart upon perfecting his works, and he will be wakeful to adorn them perfectly. So is the potter sitting at his work, and turning the wheel about with his feet, who is alway anxiously set at his work, and all his handywork is by number; he will fashion the clay with his arm, and will bend its strength in front of his feet; he will apply his heart to finish the glazing, and he will be wakeful to make clean the furnace. All these put their trust in their hands; and each becometh wise in his own work. Without these shall not a city be inhabited, and men shall not sojourn nor walk up and down therein. They shall not be sought for in the council of the people, and in the assembly they shall not mount on high, they shall not sit on the seat of the judge, and they shall not understand the covenant of judgement; neither shall they declare instruction and judgement, and where parables are they shall not be found. But they will maintain the fabric of the world; and in the handywork of their craft is their prayer.

Not so he that hath applied his soul, and meditateth in the law of the Most High. He will seek out the wisdom of all of the ancients, and will be occupied in prophecies. He will keep the discourse of the men of renown, and will enter in amidst the subtilties of parables. He will seek out the hidden meaning of proverbs, and be conversant in the dark sayings of parables. He will serve among great men, and appear before him that ruleth. He will travel through the land of strange nations; for he hath tried good things and evil among men. He will apply his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and will make supplication before the Most High, and will open his mouth in prayer, and will make supplication for his sins. If the great Lord will, he shall be filled with the spirit of understanding: he shall pour forth the words of his wisdom, and in prayer give thanks unto the Lord. He shall direct his counsel and knowledge, and in his secrets shall he meditate. He shall shew forth the instruction which he hath been taught, and shall glory in the law of the covenant of the Lord. Many shall commend his understanding, and so long as the world endureth, it shall not be blotted out; his memorial shall not depart, and his name shall live from generation to generation; nations shall declare his wisdom, and the congregation shall tell out his praise. If he continue, he shall leave a greater name than a thousand: and if he die, he addeth thereto.

Life as a Joy shadowed by the Judgment

An Essay with a Sonnet

Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. Yea, if a man live many years, let him rejoice in them all; and remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for youth and the prime of life are vanity.

The Coming of the Evil Days

Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth:Or ever the evil days come,And the years draw nigh,When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:Or ever the sun.And the light,And the moon,And the stars,Be darkened,And the clouds return after the rain:In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble,And the strong men shall bow themselves,And the grinders cease because they are few,And those that look out of the windows be darkened,And the doors shall be shut in the street;When the sound of the grinding is low,And one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;Yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high.And terrors shall be in the way;And the almond tree shall blossom,And the grasshopper shall be a burden,And the caperberry shall burst:Because man goeth to his long home,And the mourners go about the streets:Or ever the silver cord be loosed,Or the golden bowl be broken,Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain,Or the wheel broken at the cistern:And the dust return to the earth,As it was;And the spirit return unto GodWho gave it.

Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth:

Or ever the evil days come,And the years draw nigh,When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:

Or ever the sun.And the light,And the moon,And the stars,Be darkened,And the clouds return after the rain:In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble,And the strong men shall bow themselves,And the grinders cease because they are few,And those that look out of the windows be darkened,And the doors shall be shut in the street;

When the sound of the grinding is low,And one shall rise up at the voice of a bird,And all the daughters of music shall be brought low;

Yea, they shall be afraid of that which is high.And terrors shall be in the way;

And the almond tree shall blossom,And the grasshopper shall be a burden,And the caperberry shall burst:

Because man goeth to his long home,And the mourners go about the streets:

Or ever the silver cord be loosed,Or the golden bowl be broken,Or the pitcher be broken at the fountain,Or the wheel broken at the cistern:

And the dust return to the earth,As it was;And the spirit return unto GodWho gave it.

SONNETS[5]

[5]For the difference of form between the Hebrew and the modern sonnet see Notes, page255.

The Sluggard

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.How long wilt thou sleep, O Sluggard?When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?"Yet a little sleep,A little slumber,A little folding of the hands to sleep"—So shall thy poverty come as a robber,And thy want as an armed man!

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.

How long wilt thou sleep, O Sluggard?When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?"Yet a little sleep,A little slumber,A little folding of the hands to sleep"—So shall thy poverty come as a robber,And thy want as an armed man!

The Mourning for the Fool

Weep for the dead,For light hath failed him;And weep for a fool,For understanding hath failed him:Weep more sweetly for the dead,Because he hath found rest;But the life of the foolIs worse than death.

Weep for the dead,For light hath failed him;And weep for a fool,For understanding hath failed him:

Weep more sweetly for the dead,Because he hath found rest;But the life of the foolIs worse than death.

Seven days are the days of mourning for the dead: But for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.

The Two Paths

Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings;And the years of thy life shall be many.I have taught thee in the way of wisdom;I have led thee in paths of uprightness.When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened;And if thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.Take fast hold of instruction;Let her not go:Keep her;For she is thy life.Enter not into the path of the wicked,And walk not in the way of evil men.Avoid it,Pass not by it;Turn from it,And pass on.For they sleep not, except they have done mischief;And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.For they eat the bread of wickedness,And drink the wine of violence.But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn,That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.The way of the wicked is as darkness:They know not at what they stumble.

Enter not into the path of the wicked,And walk not in the way of evil men.Avoid it,Pass not by it;Turn from it,And pass on.For they sleep not, except they have done mischief;And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.For they eat the bread of wickedness,And drink the wine of violence.

But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn,That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.The way of the wicked is as darkness:They know not at what they stumble.

The Creator has made Wisdom the Supreme Prize

My son, despise not the chastening of theLord;Neither be weary of his reproof:For whom theLordloveth he reproveth;Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,And the man that getteth understanding.For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,And the gain thereof than fine gold.She is more precious than rubies:And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.Length of days is in her right hand;In her left hand are riches and honour.Her ways are ways of pleasantness,And all her paths are peace.She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:And happy is every one that retaineth her.TheLordby wisdom founded the earth;By understanding he established the heavens.By his knowledge the depths were broken up,And the skies drop down the dew.

My son, despise not the chastening of theLord;Neither be weary of his reproof:For whom theLordloveth he reproveth;Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,And the man that getteth understanding.For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver,And the gain thereof than fine gold.She is more precious than rubies:And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

Length of days is in her right hand;In her left hand are riches and honour.Her ways are ways of pleasantness,And all her paths are peace.She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:And happy is every one that retaineth her.

TheLordby wisdom founded the earth;By understanding he established the heavens.By his knowledge the depths were broken up,And the skies drop down the dew.

Watchfulness of Lips and Heart

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