# verses

text:
Peter, an Apostle of Iesus Christ, to them that dwell here and there as straungers, throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia:


text:
Elect accordyng to the foreknoweledge of God the father, vnto the sanctifiyng of the spirite, through obedience & sprinklyng of ye blood of Iesus Christ: Grace & peace be multiplied vnto you.


text:
Blessed be God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christe, which accordyng to his aboundaunt mercie begat vs agayne vnto a lyuely hope, by that that Iesus Christe rose agayne from death,


text:
Which are kept by the power of God through fayth vnto saluation, which is prepared alredie to be shewed in the last tyme.


text:
In the which ye reioyce, though nowe for a season (yf nede require) ye are in heauinesse through manifolde temptations:


text:
That the triall of your fayth, beyng much more precious then golde that perisheth, though it be tried with fyre, myght be founde vnto laude, glorie, and honour, at the appearyng of Iesus Christe,


text:
Whom ye haue not seene, and yet loue hym, in whom euen nowe though ye see hym not, yet do you beleue, & reioyce with ioy vnspeakeable and glorious:


text:
Of which saluation haue ye prophetes enquired & searched, which prophesied of the grace that should come vnto you:


text:
Searchyng when or at what tyme the spirite of Christ which was in them, shoulde signifie, which spirite testified before, the passions that should happen vnto Christe, and the glorie that shoulde folowe after.


text:
Unto which prophetes it was also declared, that not vnto them selues, but vnto vs, they shoulde minister ye thinges which are nowe shewed vnto you of them, which by the holy ghost sent downe from heauen, haue in the Gospell preached vnto you, the thynges which the Angels desire to beholde.


text:
Wherfore girde vp the loynes of your mynde, be sober, and trust perfectly on the grace that is brought vnto you, by the reuelation of Iesus Christe:


text:
And yf so be that ye call on the father, which without respect of person iudgeeth accordyng to euery mans worke, see that ye passe the tyme of your dwellyng here, in feare:


text:
Forasmuch as ye knowe, howe that ye were not redeemed with corruptible thynges, as siluer and golde, from your vayne conuersation which ye receaued by the tradition of the fathers:


text:
Which was ordeyned beforehande, euen before the worlde was made, but was declared in the last tymes for your sakes:


text:
Which by his meanes do beleue on God that raysed hym vp from death, and glorified hym, that ye might haue fayth and hope towarde God:


text:
Euen ye which haue purified your soules through the spirite in obeying the trueth, with brotherly loue vnfayned, see that ye loue one another with a pure heart feruentlye:


text:
For ye are borne a newe, not of mortal seede: but of immortal, by the worde of God, which lyueth and lasteth for euer.


text:
For all fleshe is as grasse, and all the glorie of man, is as the flowre of grasse. The grasse withereth, and the flowre falleth away:


text:
But the worde of the Lorde endureth euer. And this is the worde, which by the Gospell was preached vnto you.


text:
Wherefore lay asyde all maliciousnesse, and all guile, and faynednesse, and enuie, and all backbityng,


text:
And as newe borne babes, desire ye ye milke of the worde, which is without deceipt: that ye may growe therby [vnto saluatio]


text:
And ye as lyuely stones, be you made a spirituall house, an holy priesthood, for to offer vp spirituall sacrifices, acceptable to God by Iesus Christe.


text:
Wherefore it is conteyned also in the scripture: beholde, I put in Sion a stone to be laide in the chiefe corner, elect and precious, and he that beleueth on hym, shall not be confounded.


text:
Unto you therfore which beleue, he is precious: but vnto them whiche beleue not, the stone which the buylders refused, the same is made the head of the corner:


text:
And a stone that men stumble at, and a rocke wherat they be offended, whiche stumble at the worde, and beyng disobedient, vnto the whiche thing they were euen ordeyned.


text:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royall priesthood, an holy nation, a peculier people: that ye should shewe foorth the vertues of hym that called you out of darknesse into his marueylous lyght.


text:
Which in time past were not a people, but are nowe the people of God: which sometime had not obteyned mercy, but nowe haue obteyned mercy.


text:
Dearely beloued, I beseche you as straugers and pilgrimes, abstaine from fleshly lustes, whiche fight agaynst the soule:


text:
And see that ye haue honest conuersation among the gentiles: that where as they backbite you as euyll doers, they may by your good workes whiche they shall see, prayse God in the day of visitation.


text:
Submit your selues therfore vnto al maner ordinaunce of ma for the Lordes sake: whether it be vnto the king, as hauyng the preeminence:


text:
Other vnto rulers, as vnto them that are sent of hym for the punyshment of euyll doers, but for the laude of them that do well.


text:
For so is the wyll of God, that with well doyng, ye may stoppe the mouthes of foolishe and ignoraunt men:


text:
As free, and not as hauyng the libertie for a cloke of maliciousnes, but euen as the seruauntes of God.


text:
Seruauntes, obey your maisters with all feare, not only yf they be good & curteous, but also though they be frowarde.


text:
For it is thanke worthy, yf a man for coscience toward god, endure griefe, and suffer wrong vndeserued.


text:
For what prayse is it, yf when ye be buffeted for your faultes, ye take it paciently? But yf when ye do well ye suffer wrong, & take it paciently, then is there thanke with God.


text:
For herevnto veryly were ye called, for Christe also suffered for vs, leauyng vs an ensample, that ye should folowe his steppes.


text:
Whiche when he was reuiled, reuiled not agayne: when he suffred, he threatned not, but committed the vengeaunce to him that iudgeth righteously.


text:
Which his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his body on the tree, that we beyng deliuered from sinne, shoulde liue vnto ryghteousnes: By whose strypes ye were healed.


text:
For ye were as sheepe goyng astray: but are nowe turned vnto the sheephearde and Byshop of your soules.


text:
Likewise ye wyues, be in subiectio to your husbandes, that euen they whiche obey not the word, may without the word, be wonne by the couersation of ye wiues,


text:
Whose apparel shal not be outward with brayded heere, & hanging on of gold, eyther in putting on of gorgeous apparel.


text:
But let the hid man whiche is in the heart, be without all corruption, so that the spirite be at rest and quiet, whiche [spirite] is before god a thing much set by.


text:
For after this maner in the olde tyme dyd the holy women, whiche trusted in God, tyre them selues, and were obedient vnto theyr husbandes.


text:
Euen as Sara obeyed Abraham, and called hym Lorde, whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afrayde for any terrour.


text:
Lykewyse ye husbandes dwell with them accordyng to knowledge, geuyng honour vnto the wyfe, as vnto the weaker vessell, and as vnto them that are heires also of the grace of lyfe, that your prayers be not hyndered.


text:
Not rendryng euyl for euyll, or rebuke for rebuke: but contrarywyse blesse, knowyng that ye are therevnto called, euen that ye shoulde be heyres of the blessyng.


text:
For he that doeth long after lyfe, and loueth to see good dayes, let hym refrayne his tongue from euyll, and his lippes, that they speake no guyle.


text:
For the eyes of the Lorde are ouer the ryghteous, and his eares are open vnto their prayers: Againe, the face of the Lorde is ouer them that do euyll.


text:
Yea, happy are ye if any trouble happen vnto you for ryghteousnes sake: Be not ye afrayde for any terrour of them, neither be ye troubled:


text:
But sanctifie the Lorde God in your heartes. Be redy alwayes to geue an aunswere to euery man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you,


text:
And that with mekenesse and feare, hauyng a good conscience: that where as they backebite you as euyll doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conuersation in Christe.


text:
Forasmuch as Christe hath once suffered for sinnes, the iust for the vniust to bryng vs to God, and was kylled as parteynyng to the fleshe, but was quickened in the spirite.


text:
Which sometime had ben disobedient, when once the long sufferyng of God abode in ye dayes of Noe, whyle the Arke was a preparyng, wherein fewe, that is to say eyght soules, were saued in the water:


text:
To the which also the figure agreeth that nowe saueth vs, euen baptisme, not the puttyng away of the fylth of the fleshe, but in that a good conscience maketh request to God, by the resurrection of Iesus Christe:


text:
Which is on the ryght hande of God, and is gone into heauen, angels, powers, and myght subdued vnto hym.


text:
For as muche then as Christ hath suffered for vs in the fleshe, arme ye your selues lykewise with the same mynde: for he which suffereth in the fleshe, ceasseth from sinne:


text:
That he hence forwarde shoulde lyue, as much tyme as remayneth in ye fleshe, not after the lustes of men, but after the wyll of God.


text:
For it is sufficient for vs that we haue spent the tyme that is paste of the lyfe, after the wyll of the gentiles, walkyng in wantonnesse, lustes, in excesse of wynes, in excesse of eatyng, in excesse of drynkyng, and abominable idolatrie.


text:
And it seemeth to them an inconuenient thyng, that ye runne not also with them vnto the same excesse of riote, and therefore speake they euyll of you:


text:
For vnto this purpose veryly was the Gospel peached also vnto ye dead, that they shoulde be iudged lyke other men in the fleshe, but should lyue before God in the spirite.


text:
But aboue all thynges, haue feruent loue among your selues: For loue shall couer the multitude of sinnes.


text:
As euery man hath receaued the gyft, eue so minister the same one to another, as good ministers of the manifold grace of God.


text:
If any man speake, [let hym talke] as the wordes of God. If any man minister, let him do it as of the abilitie which God ministreth vnto hym, that God in all thinges may be glorified through Iesus Christe, to whom be prayse and dominion for euer and euer. Amen.


text:
Dearely beloued, thinke it not straunge concerning the fierie triall, which thing is to trye you, as though some straunge thyng happened vnto you.


text:
But reioyce, in as much as ye are partakers of Christes passions: that when his glory appeareth, ye maye be mery and glad.


text:
Yf ye be rayled vpon for the name of Christe, happy are ye. For the spirite of glory and of God, resteth vpon you: On their part he is euyll spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.


text:
See that none of you be punished as a murtherer, or as a thiefe, or an euyll doer, or as a busie body in other mens matters.


text:
Yf any [man suffer] as a Christian man, let hym not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalfe.


text:
For the tyme is [come] that iudgement must begin at the house of God. Yf it first [begin] at vs, what shall the ende be of them whiche beleue not the Gospell of God?


text:
Wherefore, let them that are troubled accordyng to the wyll of God, commit their soules to him with well doyng, as vnto a faythfull creatour.


text:
The elders which are among you, I exhort, whiche am also an elder, & a wytnesse of the afflictions of Christe, and also a partaker of the glory that shalbe opened:


text:
Feede you God his flocke, whiche is committed vnto you, takyng the ouersight of them not as compelled therto, but wyllyngly, not for the desyre of fylthy lucre, but of a good mynde:


text:
Likewise ye younger, submit your selues vnto the elder: Submit your selues euery man one to another, decke your selues inwardly in lowlynes of mynde: For God resisteth the proude, and geueth grace to the humble.


text:
Submit your selues therfore vnder the mightie hande of God, that he may exalt you when the tyme is come.


text:
Be sober, & watche, for your aduersarie the deuyll, as a roaryng Lion walketh about seking who he may deuour:


text:
Whom resist stedfast in the fayth, knowyng that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the worlde.


text:
But the God of all grace whiche hath called vs vnto his eternall glory by Christe Iesus, shal his owne selfe, after that ye haue suffred a litle affliction, make you perfite, setle, strength, and stablyshe you.


text:
By Syluanus a faythfull brother, vnto you, as I suppose, haue I wrytten briefly, exhortyng and testifiyng, howe that this is the true grace of God, wherin ye stande.


text:
The Churche that is at Babylon elected together with you, saluteth you, and so doeth Marcus my sonne.


text:
Greete ye one another with the kysse of loue. Peace be with you all which are in Christe Iesus. Amen.


text:
Simon Peter, a seruaunt and an Apostle of Iesus Christe, to them which haue obteined lyke precious faith with vs, thorowe the ryghteousnes of our god and sauiour Iesus Christe:


text:
Accordyng as his godly power hath geuen vnto vs all thynges that parteine vnto lyfe and godlynesse, through the knowledge of hym that hath called vs vnto glorie and vertue:


text:
By the which are geuen vnto vs excellent and most great promises, that by the meanes thereof, ye might be partakers of the godly nature, yf ye flee the corruption of worldly lust.


text:
For yf these thynges be among you, and be plenteous, they wyll make you that ye neither shalbe idle nor vnfruitefull in the knowledge of our Lorde Iesus Christe.


text:
But he that lacketh these thynges, is blynde, and can not see farre of, & hath forgotten that he was purged from his olde sinnes.


text:
Wherfore brethren, geue the more diligence for to make your callyng and election sure: For yf ye do such thynges, ye shall neuer fall.


text:
Yea, and by this meanes an entryng in shalbe ministred vnto you aboudantlye, into the euerlastyng kyngdome of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe.


text:
Wherfore I wyll not be negligent to put you alwayes in remembraunce of suche thynges, though ye knowe them your selues, and be stablysshed in the present trueth.


text:
Notwithstandyng I thynke it meete, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stirre you vp by puttyng you in remembraunce:


text:
Forasmuch as I am sure that shortly I must put of this my tabernacle, euen as our Lorde Iesus Christe shewed me.


text:
I wyll euer also geue my diligence yt ye may haue wherwith to stirre vp the remembraunce of these thynges after my departyng.


text:
For we haue not folowed deceitfull fables, when we opened vnto you the power and commyng of our Lorde Iesus Christe, but with our eyes we sawe his maiestie:


text:
Euen then veryly when he receaued of God the father honour and glorie, & when there came suche a voyce to hym from the excellent glorie: This is my deare beloued sonne in whom I delyte.


text:
We haue also a ryght sure worde of prophesie, wherevnto yf ye take heede, as vnto a lyght that shyneth in a darke place, ye do well, vntyll the day dawne, and the day starre arise in your heartes.


text:
For the prophesie came not in olde time by the wyll of man: but holy men of God, spake as they were moued by the holy ghost.


text:
There were false prophetes also among the people, eue as there shalbe false teachers among you, whiche pryuyly shal bryng in damnable heresies, euen denying the Lorde that hath bought them, and bryng vpo them selues swyft damnation.


text:
And through couetousnesse, shall they with fayned wordes make marchaudize of you, whose iudgement is nowe not farre of, and their damnation sleepeth not.


text:
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them downe into hell, and delyuered them into chaynes of darknesse, to be kept vnto iudgement:


text:
Neither spared the olde worlde, but saued Noe the eyght [person] a preacher of ryghteousnesse, and brought in the flood vpon the worlde of the vngodly,


text:
And turned their cities of Sodome & Gomorrhe into asshes, ouerthrewe the, dampned them, and made of them an ensample vnto those that after shoulde lyue vngodly:


text:
For he beyng ryghteous, & dwellyng among them, in seyng and hearyng, vexed his ryghteous soule from daye to daye with their vnlawfull deedes.


text:
The Lorde knoweth howe to delyuer the godly out of temptation, and to reserue the vniust vnto the day of iudgement for to be punished:


text:
But chiefely them that walke after the fleshe in the lust of vncleanenesse, and despise auctoritie. Presumptious are they, and stande in their owne conceyte, whiche feare not to speake euyl of them that excell in worship.


text:
When the Angels whiche are greater both in power and might, geue not raylyng iudgement against them before the Lorde.


text:
But these, as bruite beastes ledde with sensualitie, and made to be taken and destroyed, speake euyll of the thynges that they vnderstande not, and shall perishe through their owne corruption,


text:
And receaue the rewarde of vnryghteousnesse, they count it pleasure to lyue deliciouslye for a season: Spottes they are and blottes, delighting them selues in their deceauynges, in feastyng with you.


text:
Hauyng eyes full of adulterie, & that can not ceasse from sinne, begylyng vnstable soules: Heartes they haue exercised with robberie, they are cursed chyldren,


text:
Which haue forsaken the ryght waye, and are gone astray, folowyng the way of Balaam the sonne of Bosor, which loued the rewarde of vnrighteousnesse:


text:
But was rebuked of his iniquitie. The dumbe beast, and vsed to the yoke, speaking with mans voyce, forbad the madnesse of the prophete.


text:
These are welles without water, cloudes that are caryed with a tempest, to whom the mist of darknesse is reserued for euer.


text:
For when they haue spoken the great swellyng wordes of vanitie, they entice through lustes in the voluptuousnesse of the fleshe, them that were cleane escaped, from them whiche are wrapped in errour,


text:
Whyle they promise them libertie, where as they them selues are ye bonde seruauntes of corruption. For of whom a man is ouercome, vnto the same is he brought in bondage.


text:
For yf they, after they haue escaped from the fylthynesse of the worlde, thorowe the knowledge of the Lord, & the sauiour Iesus Christe, are yet tangled agayne therein, and ouercome, then is the later end worse with them then the begynnyng.


text:
For it had ben better for them not to haue knowen the way of righteousnes, then after they haue knowen it, to turne from the holy commaundement that was geuen vnto them.


text:
But the same is happened vnto them that is vsed to be spoken by the true prouerbe: The dogge is tourned to his owne vomite againe, and the sowe that was wasshed, is turned againe to her wallowyng in the myre.


text:
This is the seconde epistle that I now wryte vnto you, dearely beloued, wherwith I stirre vp & warne your pure myndes,


text:
By puttyng you in remembraunce, that ye may be myndfull of the wordes which were tolde before of the holy prophetes, and also the commaundement of vs, whiche be Apostles of the Lorde and sauiour.


text:
This first vnderstande, that there shall come in the laste dayes mockers, whiche wyll walke after their owne lustes,


text:
And say: Where is the promise of his commyng? For sence the fathers dyed, all thynges continue a lyke from the begynnyng of the creation.


text:
For this they knowe not (and that wylfully) howe that the heauens were of olde, and the earth that was of the water, and by the water, by the worde of God:


text:
But the heauens and earth whiche are nowe, be kept by his worde in store, and reserued vnto fire, agaynst the day of iudgement and perdition of vngodly men.


text:
Dearely beloued, be not ignoraunt of this one thyng, howe that one day is with the Lorde as a thousande yere, & a thousande yere as one day.


text:
The Lorde that hath promised, is not slacke, as some men count slacknesse, but is pacient to vswarde [forasmuch] as he woulde haue no man lost, but wyll receaue all men to repentaunce.


text:
Neuerthelesse the day of the Lorde wyll come as a theefe in the nyght, in the which the heauens shal passe away with a noyse, and the elementes shall melt with heate, the earth also and the workes that are therein shall burne.


text:
Seyng then that all these thynges shall perisshe, what maner persons ought ye to be in holy conuersation and godlynesse:


text:
Lokyng for, and hastyng vnto the comyng of the day of God, by whom the heauens shall perishe with fire, and the elementes shall melt with heate?


text:
Neuerthelesse, we accordyng to his promise, loke for a newe heauen, and a newe earth, wherein dwelleth ryghteousnesse.


text:
Wherfore dearely beloued, seyng that ye loke for such thynges, be diligent that ye may be founde of hym in peace, without spot, and vndefyled:


text:
And suppose that the long suffering of the Lord is saluatio, euen as our dearely beloued brother Paul also, accordyng to the wisedome geuen vnto hym, hath written vnto you:


text:
Yea almost in euery epistle, speakyng of such thinges: among which, are manye thynges harde to be vnderstande, which they that are vnlearned and vnstable, peruert, as they do also the other scriptures, vnto their owne destruction.


text:
Ye therfore beloued, seyng ye be warned afore hande, beware lest ye with other men be also plucked away through the errour of the wicked, and fall from your owne stedfastnesse:


text:
But growe in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lorde and sauiour Iesus Christe, to whom be glorie both nowe and for euer. Amen.


text:
That whiche was fro the beginning, whiche we haue heard, which we haue seene with our eyes, whiche we haue loked vpo, & our handes haue handeled of, the worde of lyfe:


text:
(And the lyfe appeared, and we haue seene, and beare witnesse, and shewe vnto you that eternall lyfe which was with the father, and appeared vnto vs.)


text:
That which we haue seene and heard declare we vnto you, that ye also maye haue felowship with vs, and that our felowship may be with the father, and his sonne Iesus Christe.


text:
And this is the tydynges whiche we haue hearde of hym & declare vnto you, that God is lyght, & in hym is no darkenesse at all.


text:
But and yf we walke in light, euen as he is in lyght, then haue we felowship one with another, and the blood of Iesus Christ his sonne clenseth vs from all sinne.


text:
If we knowledge our sinnes, he is faythfull & iust to forgeue vs our sinnes, and to clense vs from all vnryghteousnesse.


text:
My litle chyldren, these thynges write I vnto you, that ye sinne not. And yf any man sinne, we haue an aduocate with the father, Iesus Christe the ryghteous.


text:
And he is ye attonement for our sinnes: not for our sinnes only, but also for the sinnes of all the worlde.


text:
He that sayth I knowe hym, and kepeth not his commaundementes, is a lyer, and the veritie is not in hym:


text:
But who so kepeth his worde, in him is the loue of God perfect in deede. Hereby knowe we that we are in hym.


text:
Brethren, I write no newe comaundement vnto you, but that olde comaundement which ye haue had from the begynnyng. The olde commaundement is the worde which ye haue hearde fro the begynnyng.


text:
Agayne, a newe commaundement I write vnto you, that is true in hym, and [the same is true] also in you: For the darkenesse is past, and the true lyght nowe shyneth.


text:
He that sayth howe that he is in the lyght, and yet hateth his brother, is in darkenesse, euen vntyll this tyme.


text:
He that hateth his brother, is in darknesse, and walketh in darkenesse, & can not tell whyther he goeth, because that darkenesse hath blynded his eyes.


text:
I write vnto you fathers, because ye haue knowen hym that is from the begynnyng. I write vnto you young men, because you haue ouercome the wicked.


text:
I write to you little chyldren, because ye haue knowe the father. I haue written to you fathers, because ye haue knowen hym that is from the begynnyng. I haue written vnto you young men, because, ye are stronge, and the worde of God abydeth in you, and ye haue ouercome the wicked.


text:
See that ye loue not the worlde, neither the thynges that are in the worlde. If any man loue the worlde, the loue of the father is not in hym.


text:
For all that is in the worlde, as the lust of the fleshe, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but of the worlde.


text:
And the worlde passeth away, and the luste thereof: but he that fulfylleth the wyll of God, abydeth for euer.


text:
Litle chyldren, it is the last time, and as ye haue hearde howe that antichrist shall come, euen nowe are there many antichristes, whereby we knowe that it is the last tyme.


text:
They went out from vs, but they were not of vs: For yf they had ben of vs, they woulde no doubt haue continued with vs: But that it myght appeare that they were not of vs.


text:
I haue not written vnto you, as though ye knewe not the trueth: but because ye knowe it, and that no lye is of the trueth.


text:
Who is a lyer, but he that denieth that Iesus is Christe? The same is antichrist that denyeth the father and the sonne.


text:
Whosoeuer denyeth the sonne, the same hath not the father [But he that knowledgeth the sonne, hath the father also.]


text:
Let therfore abyde in you, that same whiche ye hearde from the begynnyng. If that whiche ye hearde from the begynnyng shall remayne in you, ye also shall continue in the sonne, and in the father.


text:
And the annoyntyng whiche ye haue receaued of hym dwelleth in you: And ye nede not that any man teach you, but as the same annoynting teacheth you of all thynges, and it is true, and not lying: and as it taught you, ye shall abyde in it.


text:
And nowe babes abide in him, that when he shal appeare, we may be bolde and not be made ashamed of hym at his commyng.


text:
If ye knowe that he is ryghteous, knowe also that euery one whiche doth righteousnes, is borne of hym.


text:
Beholde what loue the father hath shewed on vs, that we shoulde be called the sonnes of god: For this cause the worlde knoweth you not, because it knoweth not hym.


text:
Dearely beloued, nowe are we the sonnes of God, and yet it doth not appeare what we shalbe: But we knowe that when he shall appeare, we shalbe lyke hym, for we shall see hym as he is.


text:
Whosoeuer committeth sinne, transgresseth also the lawe: for sinne is the transgression of the lawe.


text:
He that committeth sinne, is of the deuyll: for the deuyll sinneth sence the beginning. For this purpose appeared the sonne of God, to loose the workes of the deuyll.


text:
Whosoeuer is borne of God, sinneth not: for his seede remayneth in him, and he can not sinne, because he is borne of God.


text:
In this are ye children of God knowe, and the chyldren of the deuyll: Whosoeuer doth not ryghteousnesse, is not of God, neither he that loueth not his brother.


text:
Not as Cain, which was of that wicked, and slewe his brother: And wherfore slewe he hym? Because his owne workes were euyll, and his brothers good.


text:
We knowe, that we are translated from death vnto lyfe, because we loue the brethren. He that loueth not his brother, abideth in death.


text:
Whosoeuer hateth his brother, is a manslear: And ye knowe that no manslear, hath eternall life abidyng in hym.


text:
Hereby perceaue we loue, because he layde downe his lyfe for vs, & we ought to lay downe our lyues for the brethren.


text:
But who so hath this worldes good, and seeth his brother haue neede, and shutteth vp his compassion from hym: howe dwelleth the loue of God in hym?


text:
And whatsoeuer we aske, we receaue of hym, because we kepe his commaundementes, and do those thynges which are pleasyng in his syght.


text:
And this is his comaundement, that we beleue on the name of his sonne Iesus Christe, and loue one another, as he gaue commaundement.


text:
And he that kepeth his commaundementes, dwelleth in him, and he in him: and hereby we knowe that he abideth in vs, euen by the spirite which he hath geuen vs.


text:
Dearly beloued, beleue not euery spirite: but proue the spirites whether they are of God or not: for many false prophetes are gone out into the worlde.


text:
Hereby shall ye knowe the spirite of God: Euery spirite that confesseth that Iesus Christe is come in the fleshe, is of God:


text:
And euery spirite which confesseth not that Iesus Christe is come in the fleshe, is not of God. And this is that spirite of antichriste, of whom ye haue hearde howe that he shoulde come: and euen nowe alredy is he in the worlde.


text:
Litle chyldren, ye are of God, & haue ouercome them: for greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the worlde.


text:
We are of God. He that knoweth God, heareth vs: he that is not of God, heareth vs not. Hereby knowe we the spirite of veritie, and the spirite of errour.


text:
Dearely beloued, let vs loue one another, for loue commeth of God: And euery one that loueth, is borne of God, and knoweth God.


text:
In this appeared the loue of God to vs warde, because God sent his only begotten sonne into the worlde, that we myght lyue through hym.


text:
Herein is loue, not that we loued God, but that he loued vs, and sent his sonne to be the agreement for our sinnes.


text:
No man hath seene God at any time. If we loue one another, God dwelleth in vs, and his loue is perfect in vs.


text:
And we haue knowen and beleued the loue that God hath to vs. God is loue, and he that dwelleth in loue, dwelleth in God, and God in hym.


text:
Herein is the loue perfect in vs, that we shoulde haue boldnesse in the day of iudgement: For as he is, euen so are we in this worlde.


text:
There is no feare in loue, but perfect loue casteth out feare: for feare hath paynefulnesse. He that feareth, is not perfect in loue.


text:
If a man say, I loue God, & yet hate his brother, he is a lyer: For how can he yt loueth not his brother whom he hath seene, loue God who he hath not seene?


text:
Whosoeuer beleueth that Iesus is Christe, is borne of God: And euerie one that loueth him which begat, loueth hym also which is begotten of hym.


text:
For this is the loue of God, that we kepe his commaundementes, and his commaundementes are not greeuous.


text:
For all that is borne of God, ouercommeth the worlde. And this is the victorie that ouercommeth ye worlde, [euen] our fayth.


text:
This Iesus Christe, is he that came by water and blood: not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the spirite that beareth witnesse, because the spirite is trueth.


text:
For there are three which beare recorde in heauen, the father, the worde, and the holy ghost, and these three are one.


text:
And there are three which beare recorde in earth, the spirite, and water, and blood, and these three agree in one.


text:
If we receaue the witnesse of men, the witnesse of God is greater: For this is the witnesse of God [that is greater] which he testified of his sonne.


text:
He that beleueth on the sonne of God, hath the witnesse in hym selfe: He that beleueth not God, hath made hym a lyer, because he beleued not the recorde that God gaue of his sonne.


text:
And this is the recorde, how that God hath geuen vnto vs eternall lyfe, and this lyfe, is in his sonne.


text:
These thynges haue I written vnto you that beleue on ye name of the sonne of God, that ye may knowe howe that ye haue eternall lyfe, and that ye may beleue on the name of the sonne of God.


text:
And this is the trust that we haue in hym: that yf we aske any thyng accordyng to his wyll, he heareth vs.


text:
And yf we knowe that he heare vs, whatsoeuer we aske: we know that we haue ye petitions that we desire of hym.


text:
If any man see his brother sinne a sinne not vnto death, let hym aske, and he shal geue him life for them that sinne not vnto death. There is a sinne vnto death: I say not that thou shouldest pray for it.


text:
We knowe that whosoeuer is borne of God, sinneth not: but he that is begotten of God, kepeth hym selfe, and that wicked toucheth hym not.


text:
We knowe that the sonne of God is come, & hath geuen vs a minde to know hym which is true: and we are in hym that is true, through his sonne Iesus Christe. This same is very God, and eternall lyfe.


text:
The elder to the elect Lady & her chyldren, whom I loue in the trueth: and not I only, but also all that haue knowen ye trueth:


text:
Grace be with you, mercie, and peace from God the father, & from the Lorde Iesus Christe the sonne of the father, in trueth and loue.


text:
I reioyced greatly, that I founde of thy chyldren walkyng in trueth, as we haue receaued a commaundement of the father.


text:
And nowe beseche I thee Lady, not as though I wrote a newe commaundement vnto thee: but that same which we haue had from the begynnyng, that we shoulde loue one another.


text:
And this is the loue, that we shoulde walke after his comaundement. This commaundement is, that as ye haue hearde from the begynnyng, ye shoulde walke in it.


text:
For many deceauers are entred into the worlde, which confesse not that Iesus Christe is come in the fleshe. This is a deceauer and an antichriste.


text:
Whosoeuer transgresseth, and bideth not in the doctrine of Christe, hath not God: He that endureth in the doctrine of Christe, hath both the father and the sonne.


text:
If there come any vnto you, and bring not this learnyng, hym receaue not to house: neither byd hym God speede.


text:
I had many thynges to write vnto you: neuerthelesse, I woulde not write with paper & inke, but I trust to come vnto you, and speake with you mouth to mouth, that our ioy may be full.


text:
Beloued, I wishe in all thynges that thou prosperedst and faredst well, euen as thy soule prospereth.


text:
For I reioyced greatly, when the brethren came & testified of the trueth that is in thee, how thou walkest in ye trueth.


text:
Which beare witnesse of thy loue before the Churche. Which brethren, yf thou bryng forwardes of their iourney after a godly sorte, thou shalt do well.


text:
I wrote vnto the Churche: but Diotrephes which loueth to haue the preeminence among the, receaueth vs not.


text:
Wherfore yf I come, I wyll declare his deedes which he doth, iestyng on vs with malicious wordes, neither is therwith content: not only he hym selfe receaueth not the brethren: but also he forbiddeth the that woulde, and thrusteth them out of the Churche.


text:
Beloued, folow not that which is euyl, but that which is good. He that doth well, is of God: but he that doth euyll, seeth not God.


text:
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the trueth it selfe: Yea, and we our selues also beare recorde, and ye knowe that our recorde is true.


text:
I trust I shal shortly see thee, and we shall speake mouth to mouth. Peace be vnto thee. The louers salute thee. Greete the louers by name.


text:
Iude the seruaunt of Iesus Christe, the brother of Iames: To them which are called and sanctified in God the father, and preserued in Iesus Christe:


text:
Beloued, when I gaue all diligence to write vnto you of the common saluation, it was nedeful for me to write vnto you, to exhorte you, that ye shoulde earnestly contende for the fayth which was once geuen vnto the saintes.


text:
For there are certayne vngodly men craftily crept in, which were before of olde ordeyned to this condemnation: They turne the grace of our God vnto wantonnesse, and denye God which is the only Lorde, and our Lorde Iesus Christe.


text:
My mynde is therfore to put you in remembraunce: forasmuch as ye once knowe this, howe that the Lorde, after that he had delyuered the people out of Egypt, destroyed the which afterward beleued not.


text:
The Angels also which kept not their first estate, but left their owne habitation, he hath reserued in euerlastyng chaynes vnder darkenesse, vnto the iudgement of the great day.


text:
Euen as Sodome and Gomorrhe, and the cities about them, which in lyke maner defiled them selues with fornication, and folowed straunge fleshe, are set foorth for an ensample, and suffer the payne of eternall fyre.


text:
Lykewyse, these beyng deceaued by dreames, defyle the flesh, despise rulers, and speake euyll of them that are in aucthoritie.


text:
Yet Michael the Archangel, when he stroue agaynst the deuyll, and disputed about the body of Moyses, durst not geue raylyng sentence, but sayde, the Lorde rebuke thee.


text:
But these speake euyl of those thinges which they knowe not: & what thinges they know naturally, as beastes which are without reason, in those thynges they corrupt them selues.


text:
Wo be vnto the, for they haue folowed the way of Cain, and are vtterly geuen to the errour of Balaam for lucres sake, and perishe in the gaynsaying of Core.


text:
These are spottes in your feastes of charitie, whe they feast with you, without al feare feedyng the selues: cloudes they are without water, caryed about of windes, corrupt trees, and without fruite, twise dead, and plucked vp by the rootes:


text:
They are the ragyng waues of the sea, fomyng out their owne shame: They are wandryng starres, to whom is reserued the mist of darknes for euer.


text:
Enoch the seuenth from Adam, prophesied before of such, saying: Beholde, the Lorde shall come with thousandes of saintes,


text:
To geue iudgement agaynst all men, and to rebuke all that are vngodly among them, of all their vngodly deedes, which they haue vngodly committed, and of all their cruel speakynges, which vngodly sinners haue spoken agaynst hym.


text:
These are murmurers, complayners, walkyng after their owne lustes, whose mouthes speake proude thynges. They haue men in great reuerence because of aduantage.


text:
But ye beloued, remember the wordes which were spoken before, of the Apostles of our Lorde Iesus Christe.


text:
Howe that they tolde you, that there shoulde be begilers in ye last tyme, which should walke after their owne vngodly lustes.


text:
And kepe your selues in the loue of God, lokyng for the mercie of our Lord Iesus Christe, vnto eternall lyfe.


text:
And other saue with feare, pullyng them out of the fyre, and haue compassion on the other, and hate euen the garment spotted by the fleshe.


text:
Unto him that is able to kepe you free from sinne, and to present you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with ioy,


text:
To God our sauiour, which only is wyse, be glorie, maiestie, dominion, and power, nowe and euer. Amen.


text:
The reuelation of Iesus Christ, which God gaue vnto hym, for to shewe vnto his seruautes thyngs which must shortlye come to passe: And when he had sent, he shewed by his Angel, vnto his seruaunt Iohn,


text:
Which bare recorde of the worde of God, and of the testimonie of Iesus Christe, and of all thinges that he sawe.


text:
Happy is he that readeth, and they that heare the wordes of this prophesie, and kepe those thynges which are written therin, for the tyme is at hande.


text:
Iohn to the seuen Churches in Asia: Grace be vnto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come: and from the seuen spirites which are before his throne,


text:
And from Iesus Christe, which is a faythfull witnesse, and first begotten of the dead, and Lorde ouer the kynges of the earth: Unto hym that loued vs, and wasshed vs from our sinnes in his owne blood,


text:
Beholde, he commeth with cloudes, and all eyes shall see hym, and they also which pearsed hym: And all kinredes of the earth shall wayle before hym. Euen so. Amen.


text:
I am Alpha and Omega, the begynnyng and the endyng, sayth the Lorde almyghtie, which is, and which was, and which is to come.


text:
I Iohn, your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christe, was in the Ile that is called Pathmos, for ye worde of God, and for the witnessyng of Iesus Christe.


text:
I was in the spirite on the Lordes day, and hearde behynde me a great voyce, as it had ben of a trumpe.


text:
Saying: I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: That thou seest, write in a booke, and sende it vnto the seuen Churches which are in Asia, vnto Ephesus, and vnto Smyrna, and vnto Pergamos, and vnto Thyatira, and vnto Sardis, and vnto Philadelphia, and vnto Laodicea.


text:
And I turned backe to see the voyce that spake to me: And whe I was turned, I sawe seuen golden candlestickes,


text:
And in ye middes of the candlestickes, one lyke vnto the sonne of man, clothed with a garment downe to the feete, and girde about the pappes with a golden girdle.


text:
His head, and his heeres were whyte as whyte wooll, and as snowe, and his eyes were as a flambe of fyre.


text:
And his feete lyke vnto fine brasse, as though they brent in a furnace, and his voyce as the sounde of many waters.


text:
And he had in his ryght hande, seuen starres: And out of his mouth went a sharpe two edged sworde: And his face shone, euen as the sunne in his strength.


text:
And when I sawe hym, I fell at his feete euen as dead: And he layde his ryght hande vpon me, saying vnto me, feare not, I am the first and the last,


text:
And am alyue, and was dead: And beholde, I am alyue for euermore, Amen, and haue the keyes of hell and of death.


text:
Write therfore the thinges which thou hast seene, and the thynges which are, and the thinges which must be fulfilled hereafter.


text:
The misterie of the seuen starres which thou sawest in my ryght hande, and the seuen golde candlestickes. The seuen starres, are the Angels of the seue Churches: And the seuen candlestickes whiche thou sawest, are the seuen Churches.


text:
Vnto the Angel of the Churche at Ephesus, write: these thynges sayth he that holdeth the seuen starres in his ryght hande, and that walketh in the middes of the seuen golden candlestickes:


text:
I knowe thy workes, and thy labour, and thy patience, and howe thou canst not forbeare them which are euyll: and hast examined them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast founde them lyers:


text:
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first workes: Or els I wyll come vnto thee shortly, & wyll remoue thy candlesticke out of his place, except thou repet.


text:
Let hym that hath an eare, heare what ye spirite sayth vnto the Churches. To hym that ouercommeth, wyll I geue to eate of the tree of lyfe, which is in the middes of the paradise of God.


text:
And vnto the Angel of the Churche of Smyrna, write: These thynges sayth he that is first and the last, which was dead, and is alyue.


text:
I knowe thy workes, and tribulation, and pouertie: but thou art riche. And I know the blasphemie of them which cal them selues Iewes, and are not, but (are) the synagogue of Satan.


text:
Feare none of those thynges, which thou shalt suffer: Beholde, the deuyll shall caste some of you into prison, to tempt you, and ye shall haue tribulation ten dayes. Be faythfull vnto the death, and I wyll geue thee a crowne of lyfe.


text:
Let hym that hath an eare, heare what the spirite sayth vnto ye Churches. He that ouercommeth, shall not be hurt of the seconde death.


text:
And to the Angell of the Churche in Pergamos, write: This saith he which hath ye sharpe sword with two edges:


text:
I knowe thy workes, and where thou dwellest, euen where Satans seate is, and thou kepest my name, and hast not denyed my fayth: Euen in those dayes when Antipas my faythfull martir was slayne among you, where Satan dwelleth.


text:
But I haue a fewe thynges agaynst thee, because thou hast there, them that maynetayne the doctrine of Balaam, whiche taught in Balacke, to put a stumblyng blocke before the chyldren of Israel, that they shoulde eate of meate dedicate vnto idols, & commit fornicatio.


text:
Repent, or els I wyll come vnto thee shortly, and wyll fyght agaynst them with the sworde of my mouth.


text:
Let hym that hath an eare, heare what ye spirite sayth vnto the Churches. To hym that ouercommeth, wyll I geue to eate Manna that is hyd, and wyll geue hym a white stone, and in the stone a newe name written, which no man knoweth, sauyng he yt receaueth it.


text:
And vnto the Angell of the Churche of Thyatira, write: This saith ye sonne of God, who hath eyes lyke vnto a flambe of fyre, and his feete are like fine brasse.


text:
I knowe thy workes, and thy loue, seruice, and fayth, and thy patience, and thy deedes, which are mo at the last the at the first.


text:
Notwithstandyng, I haue a fewe thynges agaynst thee, because thou sufferest that woman Iesabel, which called her selfe a prophetisse, to teache, and to deceaue my seruauntes, to make them commit fornication, and to eate meates offred vp vnto idols.


text:
Beholde, I wyll cast her into a bed, and them that commit fornication with her into great aduersitie, except they turne from their deedes:


text:
And I wyll kyll her chyldren with death, & all the Churches shall knowe, that I am he which searcheth the raynes and heartes: And I wyll geue vnto euery one of you, accordyng vnto his workes.


text:
Vnto you I say, and vnto other of the of Thyatira, as many as haue not this learnyng, & which haue not knowe the deepenesse of Satan, as they say, I wyll put vpon you none other burthen:


text:
And whosoeuer ouercommeth, and kepeth my workes vnto the ende, to hym wyll I geue power ouer nations,


text:
And he shall rule them with a rodde of yron: and as the vessels of a potter, shall they be broken to sheuers:


text:
And write vnto the Angel of the Churche that is at Sardis, this sayth he that hath the seuen spirites of God, and the seuen starres. I knowe thy workes: thou hast a name that thou lyuest, and thou art dead.


text:
Be awake, and strength the thynges which remayne, that are redie to dye: For I haue not founde thy workes perfect before God.


text:
Remember therfore howe thou hast receaued and heard, and holde fast, and repent. If thou shalt not watche, I wyll come on thee as a thiefe, and thou shalt not knowe what houre I wyll come vpon thee.


text:
Thou hast a fewe names in Sardis, which haue not defiled their garmetes, and they shall walke with me in white, for they are worthie.


text:
He that ouercommeth, shalbe thus clothed in whyte aray, and I wyll not put out his name out of the booke of life, and I will confesse his name before my father, and before his Angels.


text:
And write vnto ye Angel of the Church of Philadelphia, this sayth he that is holy and true, which hath the key of Dauid, which openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth.


text:
I knowe thy workes: Beholde, I haue set before thee an open doore, and no man can shut it, for thou hast a litle strength, & hast kept my sayinges: and hast not denyed my name.


text:
Beholde, I make them of the synagogue of Satan, which call them selues Iewes and are not, but do lye: Behold, I wyll make them that they shal come and worshyp before thy feete, and shall knowe that I haue loued thee.


text:
Because thou hast kept the wordes of my patience, therfore I wyll kepe thee from the houre of temptation, which wyll come vpon all the worlde, to trie them that dwel vpon the earth.


text:
Hym that ouercometh, wyll I make a pyller in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: And I wyll write vpon him the name of my God, and the name of the citie of my God, newe Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God, and [I wyll write vpon hym] my newe name.


text:
And vnto the Angel of the Churche which is in Laodicea, write: This saith Amen, the faythfull and true witnesse, the begynnyng of the creatures of God.


text:
So the, because thou art luke warme, and neither colde nor hotte, I wyll spewe thee out of my mouth:


text:
Because thou sayest, I am riche and increased with goodes, and haue neede of nothyng: & knowest not howe that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poore, and blynde, and naked.


text:
I counsel thee to bye of me gold tryed in the fyre, that thou mayest be riche, and whyte rayment, that thou mayest be clothed, that thy fylthie nakednesse do not appeare, and annoynt thyne eyes with eye salue, that thou mayest see.


text:
Beholde, I stande at the doore and knocke: If any man heare my voyce, and open the doore, I wyll come in to hym, and wyll suppe with hym, and he with me.


text:
To hym that ouercommeth, wyll I graunt to sitte with me in my throne, euen as I ouercame, and haue sitten with my father in his throne.


text:
After this, I loked, and beholde a doore was open in heaue: and the first voyce which I heard, was as it were of a trumpet talking with me, which saide: Come vp hyther, and I wyll shewe thee thynges which must be fulfylled hereafter.


text:
And immediatly I was in the spirite, and behold, a throne was set in heauen, and one sate on the throne.


text:
And he that sate, was to loke vppon like vnto a Iasper stone and a Sardine stone: and there was a raynebowe about the throne, in sight like to an Emeralde.


text:
And about ye throne were 24 seates, and vpon the seates 24 elders sitting, clothed in whyte rayment, and had on their heades crownes of golde.


text:
And out of the throne proceaded lightnynges, and thundrynges, and voyces, and there were seue lampes of fire burnyng before the throne, whiche are the seuen spirites of God.


text:
And before the throne there was a sea of glasse, lyke vnto cristall, and in the myddest of the throne, & rounde about the throne, were foure beastes, full of eyes before and behynde.


text:
And the first beast was lyke a Lion, and the seconde beast lyke a Calfe, & the thirde beast had a face as a Man, and the fourth beast was like a fleyng Egle.


text:
And the foure beastes had eche one of them sixe wynges about hym, and they were full of eyes within: and they had no rest day neither night, saying: Holy, holy, holy Lorde God almightie, which was, and is, and is to come.


text:
And when those beastes gaue glorie, and honour, and thankes to hym that sate on the throne, which lyueth for euer and euer:


text:
The xxiiij. elders fell downe before him that sate on the throne, and worshipped hym that lyueth for euer, and cast their crownes before the throne, saying:


text:
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receaue glorie, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all thynges, and for thy pleasures sake they are &


text:
And I sawe in the right hande of hym that sate on the throne, a booke written within, and on the backe syde, sealed with seuen seales.


text:
And I sawe a strong angell, whiche preached with a loude voyce: Who is worthy to open the booke, and to loose the seales therof?


text:
And no man in heauen, nor in earth, neither vnder the earth, was able to open the booke, neither to loke theron.


text:
And I wept muche, because no man was founde worthy to open & to reade the booke, neither to loke theron.


text:
And one of the elders sayde vnto me, wepe not: behold a Lion of the tribe of Iuda, the roote of Dauid, hath obteyned to open the booke, and to loose the seuen seales therof.


text:
And I behelde, and loe in the middes of the throne and of the foure beastes, and in the middes of the elders, stoode a lambe as though he had ben kylled, hauyng seuen hornes & seuen eyes, whiche are the seuen spirites of God, sent into all the worlde.


text:
And when he had taken the booke, the foure beastes and 24 elders fell downe before the lambe, hauyng euery one of them harpes, and golden vyals full of odours, which are the prayers of saintes:


text:
And they song a newe song, saying: Thou art worthy to take the booke and to open the seales therof: for thou wast kylled, and hast redeemed vs to God by thy blood, out of al kinrede, and tongue, and people, and nation:


text:
And I beheld, and I heard the voyce of many angels about the throne, and [about] the beastes and the elders, and hearde thousande thousandes,


text:
Saying with a loude voyce: Worthy is the lambe that was kylled to receaue power, and richesse, and wisedome, and strength, and honor, and glorie, and blessyng.


text:
And all the creatures whiche are in heauen, and on the earth, and vnder the earth, and in the sea, and all that are in them, hearde I, saying: Blessyng, honour, glorie, and power be vnto hym that sitteth vpon the throne, and vnto the lambe for euermore.


text:
And the foure beastes sayde, Amen. And the 24 elders fell vpon their faces, and worshipped hym that lyueth for euermore. The lambe openeth the sixe seales, and many thynges folowe the openyng therof, so that this conteyneth a generall prophesie to the ende of the worlde.


text:
And I sawe when the lambe opened one of the seales, and I heard one of the foure beastes say, as it were the noyse of thunder, come and see: and I sawe.


text:
And behold, there was a whyte horse, and he that sate on hym had a bowe, & a crowne was geuen vnto hym, and he went foorth conqueryng, and for to ouercome.


text:
And there went out another horse that was redde, and power was geuen to him that sate theron to take peace from the earth, and that they should kyll one another: and there was geuen vnto hym a great sworde.


text:
And when he had opened the thirde seale, I hearde the third beast say, come and see. And I behelde, and loe, a blacke horse, and he that sate on hym hadde a payre of balaunces in his hande.


text:
And I hearde a voyce in the myddes of the foure beastes saye: A measure of wheate for a penie, and three measures of barly for a penie, and oyle and wine see thou hurt not.


text:
And I loked, and behold a pale horse, & his name that sate on him was death, and hell folowed after hym, and power was geuen vnto them ouer the fourth part of the earth, to kyll with sworde, & with hunger, and with death, and with the beastes of the earth.


text:
And when he had opened the fift seale, I sawe vnder the aulter the soules of them that were kylled for the worde of God, and for the testimonie which they had.


text:
And they cryed with a loude voyce, saying: Howe long taryest thou Lorde, holy and true, to iudge and to auenge our blood on the that dwell on ye earth?


text:
And long whyte garmentes were geuen vnto euery one of them: and it was sayde vnto them, that they should reste yet for a litle season, vntyll the number of their felowes, and brethren, and of them that shoulde be kylled as they were, were fulfylled.


text:
And I behelde when he had opened the sixt seale, and loe there was a great earthquake, & the sunne was as blacke as sackcloth made of heere, & the moone waxed all euen as blood:


text:
And the starres of heauen fell vnto the earth, euen as a figge tree casteth her vntimely figges when she is shaken of a myghtie wynde.


text:
And heauen vanished awaye as a scroule when it is roulled together, and all mountaynes and yles were moued out of their places.


text:
And the kynges of the earth, and the great men, and the ryche men, and the chiefe capitaines, and the myghtie men, and euery bonde man, and euery free man, hyd them selues in dennes and in rockes of the hylles:


text:
And sayde to the hylles & rockes, fall on vs, and hyde vs from the presence of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the lambe:


text:
And after that, I sawe foure angels stande on the foure corners of the earth, holding the foure wyndes of ye earth, that the wynde shoulde not blowe on the earth, neither on the sea, neither on any tree.


text:
And I sawe another angell ascende from the rysing of the sunne, which had the seale of the lyuyng God, and he cryed with a loude voyce to the foure angels to whom power was geuen to hurt the earth and the sea,


text:
Saying: Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, neither the trees, tyll we haue sealed the seruautes of our God in their foreheades.


text:
And I hearde the number of them which were sealed: And there were sealed an 100 and 44 thousande, of all the tribes of the chyldren of Israel.


text:
Of the tribe of Iuda were sealed 12 thousande. Of the tribe of Ruben were sealed 12 thousande. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed 12 thousande.


text:
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed 12 thousande. Of the tribe of Nephthali were sealed 12 thousande. Of ye tribe of Manasses were sealed 12 thousande.


text:
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed 12 thousande. Of ye tribe of Leui were sealed 12 thousande. Of ye tribe of Isachar were sealed 12 thousande.


text:
Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed 12 thousande. Of the tribe of Ioseph were sealed 12 thousande. Of the tribe of Beniamin were sealed 12 thousand.


text:
After this I behelde, and loe a great multitude which no man could number of all nations, and kinredes, and people, and tongues, stoode before the throne, and before the lambe, clothed with long whyte garmentes, and palmes in their handes,


text:
And cryed with a loude voyce, saying: Saluation be ascribed to hym that sitteth vpon the throne of our God, and vnto the lambe.


text:
And all the angels stoode in the compasse of the throne, and of the elders, & of the foure beastes, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshypped God,


text:
Saying, Amen: Blessyng, and glorie, and wisedome, and thankes, & honour, and power, and myght, be vnto our God for euermore, Amen.


text:
And one of the elders aunswered, saying vnto me: What are these which are arayed in long whyte garmentes? and whence came they?


text:
And he sayde vnto hym, Lorde thou wotest. And he sayde to me: These are they which came out of great tribulation, and haue wasshed their long robes, and made them whyte by the blood of the lambe.


text:
Therefore are they in the presence of the throne of God, and serue hym daye and nyght in his temple, and he that sitteth in the throne, wyll dwell among them.


text:
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst, neither shall the sunne lyght on them, neither any heate.


text:
For the lambe which is in the myddes of the throne shall feede them, and shall leade them vnto fountaynes of lyuyng water, and God shall wype awaye all teares from their eyes.


text:
And when he had opened the seuenth seale, ther was scilence in heaue about the space of halfe an houre:


text:
And another angell came and stoode before the aulter, hauyng a golden senser, and much of odours was geuen vnto hym, that he should offer of the prayers of all saintes vpon the golden aulter which was before the throne.


text:
And the smoke of the odours whiche came of the prayers of all saintes, ascended vp before God, out of the angels hande.


text:
And the angel toke the senser, and fylled it with fire of the aulter, and cast it into the earth: and voyces were made, and thundrynges, and lyghtnynges, & earthquake.


text:
The first angell blewe, & there was made hayle & fire, mingled with blood, and they were cast into the earth, and the thirde part of trees was burnt, and all greene grasse was burnt.


text:
And the seconde angell blewe, and as it were a great mountayne burnyng with fire was cast into the sea, and the thirde part of the sea turned to blood.


text:
And the thirde part of the creatures whiche were in the sea, and hadde lyfe, dyed, and the thirde part of shippes were destroyed.


text:
And the third angell blewe, and there fell a great starre from heauen, burning as it were a lampe, and it fell into the thirde part of the ryuers, and into fountaynes of waters:


text:
And the name of the starre is called wormewood, and the thirde part was turned to wormewood, and many men dyed of the waters, because they were made bitter.


text:
And the fourth angell blewe, and the thirde part of the sunne was smytten, and the thirde part of the moone, and the thirde part of starres, so that the thirde part of them was darkened: and the day was smitten, that the third part of it shoulde not shyne, and lykewise the nyght.


text:
And I behelde, and hearde an angell fleyng through the myddes of heauen, saying with a loude voyce, wo, wo, wo to the inhabiters of the earth, because of the voyces to come of the trumpe of the three angels which were yet to blowe.


text:
And the fift angell blewe, and I sawe a starre fall from heauen vnto ye earth: and to hym was geuen the key of the bottomlesse pit.


text:
And he opened the bottomlesse pit, and the smoke of the pit arose, as the smoke of a great fornace, and the sunne and the ayre were darkened by the reason of the smoke of the pit.


text:
And there came out of the smoke locustes vpon the earth, and vnto them was geuen power, as the scorpions of the earth haue power.


text:
And it was commaunded them that they shoulde not hurt the grasse of the earth, neither any greene thing, neither any tree: but only those men which haue not the seale of God in their forheades.


text:
And to them was commaunded that they should not kyll them, but that they shoulde be vexed fiue monethes, and their paine was as the payne that commeth of a scorpion when he hath stong a man.


text:
And in those dayes shall men seke death, and shall not fynde it, and shall desire to dye, and death shall flee from them.


text:
And the similitude of the locustes was like vnto horses prepared vnto battayle, and on their heades were as it were crownes lyke vnto golde, and their faces were as it had ben the faces of men.


text:
And they had habbergions as it were habbergions of iron, and the sounde of their wynges was as ye sounde of charrettes when many horses runne together to batayle.


text:
And they had tayles lyke vnto scorpions, and there were stynges in their tayles: and their power was to hurt men fiue monethes.


text:
And they had a king ouer them, which is the angell of the bottomlesse pytte, whose name in the Hebrue tongue is Abadon, but in ye Greke tongue Apollyon, [that is to say, a destroyer.]


text:
And the sixt angell blewe, & I hearde a voyce from the foure hornes of the golden aulter, which is before God,


text:
Saying to the sixt angell whiche had the trumpe: Loose the foure angels which are bounde in the great riuer Euphrates.


text:
And the foure angels were loosed, whiche were prepared for an houre, for a day, for a moneth, and for a yere, for to slea the thirde part of men.


text:
And the number of horsemen of warre were twentie thousand times ten thousande, & I hearde the number of them.


text:
And thus I sawe the horses in a vision, and them that sate on them, hauing fierie habbergions of a iacinct colour, and brymstone, and the heades of the horses were as the heades of lions, and out of their mouthes went foorth fire, and smoke, and brymstone.


text:
And of these three was the third part of men kylled [that is to say] of fire, smoke and brymstone, which proceaded out of the mouthes of them.


text:
For their power was in their mouthes, & in their tayles: for their tayles were lyke vnto serpentes, and had heades, & with them they dyd hurt.


text:
And the remnaunt of the men whiche were not killed by these plagues, repented not of the deedes of their handes, that they shoulde not worship deuyls, and idoles of golde, and syluer, & brasse, and stone, and of wood, whiche neither can see, neither heare, neither go:


text:
Also they repented not of their murther, & of their sorcerie, neither of their fornication, neither of their theft.


text:
And I sawe another myghtie Angel come downe fro heaue, clothed with a cloude, and ye raynebowe vpon his head, and his face as it were the sunne, and his feete as it were pillers of fyre.


text:
And he had in his hande a litle booke open, and he put his ryght foote vpon the sea, and his left foote on the earth:


text:
And cryed with a loude voyce, as whe a Lion roreth: And when he had cryed, seuen thunders vttered their voyces.


text:
And when the seuen thunders had vttered their voyces, I was about to write: and I hearde a voyce from heauen, saying vnto me: seale vp those thinges which the seuen thunders vttered, and write them not.


text:
And sware by hym that lyueth for euermore, which created heauen and the thynges that therin are, & the earth and the thinges that therin are, and the sea, and the thynges which therin are, that there shoulde be no longer tyme.


text:
But in the dayes of the voyce of the seuenth Angel, when he shall begyn to blowe, euen the misterie of God shalbe finished, as he declared to his seruautes the prophetes.


text:
And the voyce which I hearde from heauen, spake vnto me agayne, & sayde: Go, and take the litle booke which is open in the hande of the Angel, which standeth vpon the sea and vpon ye earth.


text:
And I went vnto the Angel, & sayde vnto hym, geue me the litle booke. And he sayde vnto me, take it and eate it vp, and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shalbe in thy mouth as sweete as hony.


text:
And I toke the litle booke out of the Angels hande, and ate it vp, and it was in my mouth as sweete as hony: and assoone as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.


text:
And he sayde vnto me, thou must prophesie agayne among the people, and nations, and tongues, & to many kinges.


text:
And the was geuen me a reede lyke vnto a rod, and the angel stoode by, saying: Rise & meate ye temple of God, & the aulter, and them that worshippe therein:


text:
But the court which is without the temple, cast out, and meate it not: for it is geuen vnto the gentiles, and the holy citie shall they treade vnder foote fourtie and two monethes.


text:
And I wyl geue power vnto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesie a thousande, two hundred, and threescore dayes, clothed in sackcloth.


text:
And yf any man wyll hurt them, fyre shal proceade out of their mouthes, & cosume their enemies: And if any man wil hurt them, this wyse must he be kylled.


text:
These haue power to shut heauen, that it rayne not in the dayes of their prophesiyng: and haue power ouer waters, to turne them to blood, and to smite the earth with all maner plagues, as often as they wyll.


text:
And whe they haue finished their testimonie, the beast that commeth out of the bottomlesse pit, shall make warre against them, and shal ouercome them, and kyll them.


text:
And their bodyes shall lye in ye streates of the great citie, which spiritually is called Sodome and Egypt, where our Lorde was crucified.


text:
And they of the people, and kinredes, and tongues, and they of the nations, shall see their bodyes three dayes and an halfe, & shall not suffer their bodyes to be put in graues.


text:
And they that dwell vpon the earth shal reioyce ouer them, and be glad, and shall sende gyftes one to another: for these two prophetes vexed them that dwelt on the earth.


text:
And after three dayes and an halfe, the spirite of lyfe [commyng] from God, shall enter into them: And they shall stande vp vpon their feete, & great feare shall come vpon the which sawe them.


text:
And they shall heare a great voyce from heauen, saying vnto them, come vp hyther. And they shall ascende vp to heauen in a cloude, and their enemies shall see them.


text:
And the same houre shall there be a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the citie shall fall, and in the earthquake shalbe slaine names of men seuen thousande: and the remnaunt shalbe afraide, and geue glorie to the God of heauen.


text:
And the seuenth angell blewe, & there were made greate voyces in heauen, saying: the kyngdomes of this worlde are our Lordes, and his Christes, and he shall raigne for euermore.


text:
Saying: we geue thee thankes, O Lorde God almyghtie, which art, and wast, and art to come: for thou hast receaued thy great myght, & hast raigned.


text:
And the nations were angrie, and thy wrath is come, and the tyme of the dead that they shoulde be iudged, and that thou shouldest geue rewarde vnto thy seruauntes the prophetes and saintes, and to them that feare thy name, small and great, and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.


text:
And the temple of God was opened in heauen, and there were seene in his temple the arke of his testament: and there folowed lyghtninges, and voyces, and thundringes, and earthquake, and much hayle.


text:
And there appeared a great wonder in heauen: A woman clothed with the sunne, & the moone vnder her feete, and vpo her head a crowne of twelue starres:


text:
And there appeared another wonder in heauen, for beholde, a great redde dragon, hauing seuen heades, and tenne hornes, and seuen crownes vpon his heades.


text:
And his tayle drue the thirde part of the starres of heauen, and cast them to the earth: And the dragon stoode before the woman which was redie to be deliuered, for to deuoure her chylde assoone as it were borne.


text:
And she brought foorth a man chylde, which shoulde rule all nations with a rodde of yron: And her sonne was taken vp vnto God, and to his throne.


text:
And the woman fled into wildernesse, where she had a place prepared of God, that they should feede her there a thousande two hundreth and threscore days.


text:
And there was a battayle in heauen, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels,


text:
And the great dragon, that olde serpent, called the deuyll & Satanas, was cast out, which deceaueth all the world: And he was cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with hym.


text:
And I hearde a loude voyce saying in heauen: Nowe is made saluation, & strength, & the kingdome of our God, & the power of his Christ: For the accuser of our brethren is cast downe, which accused them before our God day & nyght,


text:
And they ouercame hym by the blood of the Lambe, and by the worde of their testimonie, and they loued not their lyues vnto the death.


text:
Therfore reioyce heauens, and ye that dwell in them. Wo to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea: for the deuyll is come downe vnto you, which hath great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short tyme.


text:
And when the dragon sawe that he was cast vnto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought foorth the man chylde.


text:
And to the woman were geuen two winges, of a great Egle, that she myght flee into the wildernesse into her place, where she is norished for a tyme, tymes, and halfe a tyme, from the presence of the serpent.


text:
And the serpent cast out of his mouth water after the woman as it had ben a fludde, that he myght cause her to be caryed away of the fludde.


text:
And the earth holpe the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swalowed vp the ryuer which the dragon cast out of his mouth.


text:
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went and made warre with the remnaunt of her seede, which kepe the commaundementes of God, & haue the testimonie of Iesus Christe.


text:
<n>(12:18)</n> And I stoode on the sea sande. <n>(13:1)</n> And I sawe a beast ryse out of the sea, hauing seuen heades, and ten hornes, & vpon his hornes ten crownes, and vpon his head the name of blasphemie.


text:
And the beast which I sawe, was like a Leoparde, and his feete were as [the feete] of a Beare, and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion: And the dragon gaue hym his power, and his seate, and great aucthoritie.


text:
And I sawe one of his heades, as it were wounded to death, and his deadly wounde was healed: And all the world wondred after the beast.


text:
And they worshipped the dragon which gaue power vnto the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying: Who is lyke vnto the beast? who is able to warre with hym?


text:
And there was geuen vnto hym a mouth, that spake great thynges and blasphemies, and power was geuen vnto hym, to do .xlij. monethes.


text:
And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemie agaynst God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heauen.


text:
And it was geuen vnto hym to make warre with the saintes, & to ouercome them: And power was geuen him ouer all kinredes, and tongues, and nations,


text:
And al yt dwel vpon the earth, worshipped him whose names are not writte in the booke of lyfe of ye lambe, which was killed from the beginnyng of the world.


text:
He that leadeth into captiuitie, shall go into captiuitie: He that kylleth with a sworde, must be kylled with a sworde. Here is the patience and the fayth of the saintes.


text:
And I behelde another beast commyng vp out of the earth, and he had two hornes lyke a lambe, and he spake as dyd the dragon.


text:
And he dyd all that ye first beast coulde do in his presence, & he caused the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.


text:
And he dyd great wonders, so that he made fyre come downe from heauen on the earth in the syght of men.


text:
And deceaued them that dwelt on the earth, by the meanes of those signes which he had power to do in the syght of the beast, saying to them that dwelt on the earth, that they shoulde make the image of the beast which had the wounde of a sworde, and dyd lyue.


text:
And he had power to geue a spirite vnto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast shoulde speake, and shoulde cause that as many as woulde not worship the image of the beast, shoulde be kylled.


text:
And he made all both smal & great, rich & poore, free & bonde, to receaue a marke in their right hand, or in their forheads.


text:
And that no man myght bye or sell, saue he that had the marke or ye name of the beast, other ye number of his name.


text:
Here is wisdome. Let hym that hath witte, count ye number of the beast: For it is the number of a man, & his number is sixe hundred threescore and sixe.


text:
And I loked, and lo, a lambe stoode on the mount Sion, and with hym an hundreth fourtie and foure thousande, hauyng his fathers name written in their foreheades.


text:
And I hearde a voyce from heauen, as the sounde of many waters, and as the voyce of a great thunder: And I hearde the voyce of harpers harpyng with their harpes:


text:
And they song as it were a newe song before the throne, and before the foure beastes, & the elders, and no man coulde learne that song, but the hundreth and fourtie & foure thousande, which were redeemed from the earth.


text:
These are they which were not defiled with wome, for they are virgins: These folowe the lambe whither soeuer he goeth: These were redeemed fro men, beyng the first fruites vnto God, and to the lambe.


text:
And I sawe another angell flee in the middes of heauen, hauyng the euerlastyng Gospell, to preache vnto them that sit and dwel on the earth, and to all nations, and kinredes, and tongues, and people,


text:
Saying with a loude voyce: Feare God, and geue honour to hym, for the houre of his iudgement is come: and worshippe hym that made heauen and earth, and the sea, and fountaynes of water.


text:
And there folowed another angell, saying: Babylon is fallen is fallen that great citie, for she made all nations drinke of the wyne of the wrath of her fornication.


text:
And the thirde angell folowed them, saying with a loude voyce: If any man worshippe the beast and his image, and receaue his marke in his foreheade, or on his hande,


text:
The same shall drynke of the wyne of the wrath of God: yea, of the pure wyne which is powred in ye cup of his wrath: And he shalbe punisshed in fyre & brimstone, before the holy angels, and before the lambe.


text:
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth vp euermore: And they haue no rest day nor nyght which worship the beast and his image, and whosoeuer receaueth the prynt of his name.


text:
Here is the pacience of the saintes: Here are they that kepe the commaundementes of God, and the fayth of Iesus.


text:
And I hearde a voyce from heauen, saying vnto me, write: Blessed are the dead, which hereafter dye in the Lorde. Euen so sayth the spirite, that they rest from their laboures, and their workes folowe them.


text:
And I loked, and beholde a whyte cloude, and vpon the cloude one sittyng lyke vnto the sonne of man, hauyng on his head a golden crowne, and in his hande a sharpe sickle.


text:
And another angell came out of the temple, crying with a loude voyce to hym that sate on the cloude: Thrust in thy sickle & reape, for the time is come to reape: for the haruest of ye earth is ripe.


text:
And I sawe another angell came out from the aulter, which had power ouer fyre, and cryed with a loude crye to hym that had the sharpe sickle, and sayde: Thrust in thy sharpe sickle, and gather the clusters of the vineyarde of ye earth, for her grapes are ripe.


text:
And the angell thrust in his sharpe sickle on the earth, and cut downe the grapes of the vineyarde of the earth, and cast them into the great wynefat of the wrath of God.


text:
And the wynefat was troden without the citie, and blood came out of the fat, euen vnto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand & sixe hundreth furlonges.


text:
And I sawe another signe in heauen, great & marueylous, seuen angels hauyng the seuen last plagues, for in them is fulfylled the wrath of God.


text:
And I sawe as it were a glassie sea mingled with fyre, and them that had gotten the victorie of the beast, and of his image, and of his marke, and of the number of his name, stande on ye glassie sea, hauyng the harpes of God.


text:
And they sang the song of Moyses the seruaunt of God, and the song of the lambe, saying: Great and marueylous are thy workes Lorde God almightie, iust and true are thy wayes thou kyng of saintes.


text:
Who shall not feare thee O Lorde, and glorifie thy name? for thou only art holy: And all gentiles shal come and worship before thee, for thy iudgemetes are made manifest.


text:
And the seuen angels came out of the temple, which had the seuen plagues, clothed in pure and bryght lynnen, and hauing their brestes girded with golden girdels.


text:
And one of the foure beastes, gaue vnto the seuen angels seuen golden vials, full of the wrath of God which lyueth for euermore.


text:
And the temple was full of the smoke of the glorie of God, and of his power: and no man was able to enter into the temple, tyll the seuen plagues of the seuen angels were fulfylled.


text:
And I hearde a great voyce out of the temple, saying to ye seuen angels: Go your wayes, powre out your vials of wrath vpon the earth.


text:
And the first angell went and powred out his vial vpon the earth, and there fell a noysome and a sore botch vpon the men which had the marke of the beast, and vpon them which worshipped his image.


text:
And the second angell shed out his vial vpon the sea, and it turned as it were into the blood of a dead man: and euery lyuyng thyng dyed in the sea.


text:
And the thirde angell shed out his viall vpon the ryuers and fountaynes of waters, and they turned to blood.


text:
And I hearde the angell of the waters say: Lorde, which art, and wast, thou art ryghteous & holy, because thou hast geuen such iudgementes:


text:
For they shed out the blood of saintes and prophetes, and therfore hast thou geuen them blood to drynke: for they are worthie.


text:
And I heard another out of the aulter say: euen so Lorde God almightie, true and ryghteous are thy iudgementes.


text:
And the fourth angell powred out his viall on the sunne, & power was geuen vnto hym to vexe men with heate of fyre.


text:
And men boyled in great heate, and blasphemed the name of God whiche hath power ouer these plagues, & they repented not, to geue hym glorie.


text:
And the fifth angell powred out his viall vpon the seate of the beast, and his kyngdome waxed darke, & they gnewe their tongues for sorowe,


text:
And blasphemed the God of heauen for their sorowe, and for theirs sores, and repented not of their deedes.


text:
And the sixt angell powred out his vial vpon the great riuer Euphrates, and the water dryed vp, that the wayes of the kynges of ye east should be prepared.


text:
And I sawe three vncleane spirites like frogges, come out of the mouth of ye dragon, & out of the mouth of the beast, & out of the mouth of the false prophete.


text:
For they are the spirites of deuyls workyng miracles, to go out vnto the kynges of the earth, and of the whole worlde, to gather them to the battayle of that great day of God almightie.


text:
Beholde, I come as a theefe. Happie is he that watcheth and kepeth his garmentes, lest he walke naked, and men see his fylthynesse.


text:
And the seuenth angell powred out his viall into the ayre: And there came a great voyce out of the temple of heauen, from the throne, saying: it is done.


text:
And there folowed voyces, thundringes, & lyghtnynges: and there was a great earthquake, such as was not sence men were vpon the earth, so mightie an earquake and so great.


text:
And the great citie was deuided into three partes, and the cities of all nations fell: And great Babylon came in remembraunce before God, to geue vnto her the cup of the wyne of the fearcenesse of his wrath.


text:
And there fell a great hayle, as it had ben talentes, out of heauen vpon the men, and the men blasphemed God, because of the plague of the hayle: for the plague therof was exceadyng great.


text:
And there came one of the seue angels, which had the seuen vials, & talked with me, saying vnto me: Come, I wyll shewe vnto thee the iudgement of the great whore that sitteth vpon many waters:


text:
With whom haue committed fornication the kynges of the earth, and the inhabiters of the earth are dronken with the wyne of her fornication.


text:
So he caryed me away in the spirite into the wildernesse: And I sawe a woman sit vpon a scarlet coloured beast, ful of names of blasphemie, which had seuen heades, and ten hornes.


text:
And the woman was arayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with golde, precious stone, and pearles, and had a cup of golde in her hande, full of abhominations and fylthynesse of her fornication.


text:
And in her forehead was a name written, a misterie, great Babylon, the mother of whoredome & abhominations of the earth.


text:
And I sawe ye woman dronken with the blood of the martirs of Iesus: And when I sawe her, I wondred with great maruayle.


text:
And the angell sayde vnto me: wherfore maruaylest thou? I wyll shewe thee the misterie of the woman, and of the beast that beareth her, which hath seuen heades, and ten hornes.


text:
The beast that thou seest, was, and is not, and shall ascende out of the bottomlesse pyt, and shall go into perdition, and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder (whose names are not written in the booke of lyfe from the begynnyng of the world) when they beholde the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.


text:
And here is a mynde that hath wisdome. The seuen heades, are seuen mountaynes on whiche the woman sitteth: They are also seuen kynges.


text:
Fyue are fallen, & one is, and another is not yet come: And whe he commeth, he must continue a short space.


text:
And the beast that was, and is not, is euen the eyght, and is one of the seuen, and shall go into destruction.


text:
And the ten hornes which thou sawest, are ten kynges, which haue receaued no kyngdome as yet: but shall receaue power as kynges at one houre with the beast.


text:
These shall fyght with the lambe, and the lambe shall ouercome them: For he is Lorde of Lordes, and Kyng of Kynges, and they that are on his syde, are called, and chosen, and faythfull.


text:
And he sayde vnto me: The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are people, and folke, & nations, and tongues.


text:
And the ten hornes which thou sawest vpon the beast, are they that shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eate her fleshe, and burne her with fire.


text:
For God hath put in their heartes to fulfyll his wyll, and to do with one consent, for to geue their kyngdome vnto the beast, vntyll the wordes of God be fulfylled.


text:
And after that, I sawe another angell come from heauen, hauyng great power, and the earth was lyghtened with his glorie.


text:
And he cryed myghtyly with a strong voyce, saying: Great Babylon is fallen is fallen, and is become the habitation of deuyls, and the holde of all foule spirites, and a cage of all vncleane and hatefull byrdes:


text:
For all nations haue dronken of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, & the kinges of the earth haue committed fornication with her, & the marchauntes of the earth are waxed riche of the aboundaunce of her pleasures.


text:
And I hearde another voyce from heauen say: Come awaye from her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sinnes, and that ye receaue not of her plagues.


text:
Rewarde her euen as she rewarded you, and geue her double accordyng to her workes, and powre in double to her in the same cuppe which she fylled vnto you.


text:
And as much as she glorified her selfe & lyued wantonly, so much powre ye in for her of punishement & sorowe: for she said in her heart, I sit being a queene, and am no wydowe, and shall see no sorowe.


text:
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and sorowe, and hunger, and she shalbe brent with fire: for strong is the Lorde whiche shall iudge her.


text:
And they shal bewayl her, & the kinges of the earth shall lament for her, which haue committed fornication with her, & haue lyued wantonly with her, when they shal see the smoke of her burnyng.


text:
And shall stande a farre of for feare of her punishment, saying: Alas, alas, that great citie Babylon, that myghtie citie, for at one houre is thy iudgement come.


text:
And the marchauntes of the earth shall wepe and wayle ouer her, for no man wyll bye their ware any more.


text:
The ware of golde and siluer, and precious stones, neither of pearle, & raynes, and purple, and sylke, and skarlet, and all thinne wood, and all maner vessels of yuorie, and all maner vessels of most precious wood, and of brasse, and yron, and marble,


text:
And synamon, and odours, and oyntmentes, and frankensence, and wine, and oyle, and fine floure, and wheate, & beastes, and sheepe, and horses, & charrets, and bodies, and soules of men.


text:
And the apples that thy soule lusted after are departed from thee, and all thynges which were daintie and had in price are departed from thee, and thou shalt fynde them no more.


text:
The marchauntes of these thynges whiche were waxed ryche, shall stande a farre of fro her for feare of the punishment of her, wepyng and waylyng,


text:
And saying: Alas, alas, that great citie, that was clothed in raynes, and purple, and skarlet, and decked with golde and precious stones, and pearles:


text:
For at one houre so great ryches is come to naught. And euery shippe gouernour, & all they that occupie shippes, and shippemen which worke in the sea, stoode a farre of,


text:
And cryed, when they sawe the smoke of her burnyng, saying: what citie is lyke vnto this great citie?


text:
And they cast dust on their heades, & cryed, wepyng & waylyng, and saying: Alas, alas, that great citie, wherein were made riche all that had shippes in the sea, by reason of her costlynesse, for at one houre is she made desolate.


text:
Reioyce ouer her thou heauen, and ye holy apostles and prophetes: for God hath geuen your iudgement on her.


text:
And a myghtie angell toke vp a stone lyke a great mylstone, and cast it into the sea, saying: With suche violence shall that great citie Babylon be cast, & shalbe founde no more.


text:
And the voyce of harpers, and musitions, & of pypers, and trumpetters, shall be heard no more in thee, and no craftes man, of whatsoeuer craft he be, shall be founde any more in thee, and the sounde of a myll shall be heard no more in thee:


text:
And the lyght of a candle shall shyne no more in thee, and the voyce of the brydegrome and of the bryde shall be hearde no more in thee: for thy marchaunts were the great men of ye earth, and with thyne inchauntment were deceaued all nations:


text:
And in her was founde the blood of the prophetes, and of the saintes, and of all that were slayne vpon the earth.


text:
And after that I heard a great voyce of much people in heauen, saying Alleluia: Saluation, and glory, and honour, and power, be ascribed to the Lorde our God:


text:
For true and ryghteous are his iudgementes, for he hath iudged the great whore which dyd corrupt ye earth with her fornication, and hath auenged the blood of his seruauntes of her hande.


text:
And the xxiiij. elders & the foure beastes fell downe, & worshipped God that sate on the throne, saying Amen, Alleluia.


text:
And a voyce came out of the throne, saying: Praise our Lord God all ye that are his seruauntes, & ye that feare hym both small and great.


text:
And I hearde the voyce of much people, euen as the voyce of many waters, and as the voyce of strong thundringes, saying, Alleluia: for the Lorde our God omnipotent raigneth.


text:
Let vs be glad, & reioyce, & geue honor to hym: for the mariage of the lambe is come, & his wyfe made her selfe redy.


text:
And to her was graunted that she should be arayed with pure and goodly raynes: For the raynes is the ryghteousnes of saintes.


text:
And he sayde vnto me, write: Happy are they which are called vnto the supper of the lambes mariage. And he said vnto me: These are the true sayinges of God.


text:
And I fell at his feete to worship him. And he saide vnto me: See thou do it not, for I am thy felowe seruaunt, and of thy brethren, euen of them that haue the testimonie of Iesus. Worship God: For the testimonie of Iesus, is the spirite of prophesie.


text:
And I sawe heauen open, & beholde a white horse, and he that sate vpon him was called faythfull and true, and in ryghteousnesse he doth iudge and make battayle.


text:
His eyes were as a flambe of fire, and on his head were many crownes, and he had a name written, that no man knewe but he hym selfe.


text:
And the warryers which were in heauen folowed hym vppon whyte horses, clothed with whyte and pure raynes.


text:
And out of his mouth went a sharpe sworde, that with it he shoulde smyte the heathen: and he shall rule the with a rodde of yron. And he trode the winefat of fiercenesse and wrath of almightie God.


text:
And I sawe an angell stande in the sunne, and he cryed with a loude voyce, saying to all the fowles that flee by the myddes of heauen: Come, and gather your selues together vnto the supper of the great God:


text:
That ye may eate the fleshe of kinges, and the fleshe of hye capitaynes, and the fleshe of myghtie men, and the fleshe of horses and of them that syt on them, and the fleshe of all free men, and bonde men, and of small and great.


text:
And I sawe the beast, and the kinges of the earth, and their warryers gathered together, to make battayle agaynst hym that sate on the horse, and agaynst his souldyers.


text:
And the beast was taken, and with hym that false prophete that wrought miracles before hym, with which he deceaued them that receaued the beastes marke, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast quicke into a ponde of fire, burnyng with brymstone:


text:
And the remnaunt were slayne with the sworde of hym that sate vppon the horse, whiche sworde proceaded out of his mouth, and all the fowles were fylled with their fleshe.


text:
And I sawe an angel come downe from heauen hauyng the key of the bottomelesse pytte, and a great chaine in his hand


text:
And he toke the dragon, that olde serpent, which is the deuyll and Satanas, and he bounde hym a thousand yeres.


text:
And cast hym into the bottomlesse pit, and he shut hym vp, and set a seale on hym, that he shoulde deceaue the people no more, tyll the thousande yeres were fulfylled: and after that, he must be loosed for a litle season.


text:
And I sawe thrones, and they sate vpon them, and iudgement was geuen vnto them: and I sawe the soules of them that were beheaded for the witnesse of Iesus, and for the word of God, and whiche had not worshipped the beast neither his image, neither had taken his marke vpon their foreheads, or in their handes: and they lyued and raigned with Christe a thousand yeres.


text:
But the other of the dead men shall not lyue agayne, vntyll the thousande yeres be finished. This is the first resurrection.


text:
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: For on such shal the seconde death haue no power, but they shalbe the priestes of God and of Christe, and shall raigne with hym a thousande yeres.


text:
And shall go out to deceaue the people which are in the foure quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battayle, whose number is as the sande of the sea.


text:
And they went vp in the playne of the earth, and compassed the tentes of the saintes about, and the beloued citie: and fire came downe from God out of heauen, and deuoured them:


text:
And the deuyll that deceaued them, was cast into a lake of fire & brymstone, where the beast and the false prophete shalbe tormented day & nyght for euermore.


text:
And I sawe a great whyte throne, and him that sate on it, fro whose face fledde away both the earth and heauen, and their place was no more founde.


text:
And I sawe the dead both great and small stand before God, and the bookes were opened: and another booke was opened, which is [the booke] of lyfe, and the dead were iudged of those thynges whiche were written in the bookes, accordyng to their deedes.


text:
And the sea gaue vp her dead whiche were in her, and death and hell delyuered vp the dead whiche were in them: and they were iudged euery man accordyng to his deedes.


text:
And I sawe a newe heauen & a new earth: for the first heauen & the first earth were vanisshed awaye, & there was no more sea.


text:
And I Iohn sawe the holy citie newe Hierusalem come downe from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride garnisshed for her husbande.


text:
And I hearde a great voyce out of heauen, saying: Beholde, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he wyll dwell with them, and they shalbe his people, and God hym selfe shalbe with them, and be their God.


text:
And God shall wype away all teares from their eyes: and there shalbe no more death, neither sorowe, neither crying, neither shall there be any more payne, for the former thynges are gone.


text:
And he that sate vpon the throne, said: Beholde, I make all thynges newe. And he sayde vnto me, write: for these wordes are faythfull and true.


text:
And he sayde vnto me, it is done, I am Alpha and Omega, the begynnyng and the ende: I wyll geue to hym that is a thirst of the well of the water of lyfe freely.


text:
But the fearefull and vnbeleuing, and the abhominable, and murtherers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, & all lyers, shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brymstone: which is the seconde death.


text:
And there came vnto me one of the seuen angels whiche had the seuen vyals full of the seuen last plagues, and talked with me, saying: Come hyther, I wyll shewe thee the bryde, the lambes wyfe.


text:
And he caryed me away in the spirite to a great and an hye mountayne, and he shewed me the great citie holy Hierusalem, descendyng out of heauen fro God,


text:
Hauing the glorie of God: and her shining was lyke vnto a stone most precious, euen lyke a Iasper, cleare as Cristall.


text:
And had walles great and hye, & had 12 gates, and at the gates 12 angels, & names written, which are the names of the 12 tribes of Israel.


text:
On the east syde three gates, and on the north syde three gates, and towards the south three gates, and fro the west three gates.


text:
And he that talked with me had a golden reede to measure the citie withall, and the gates thereof, and the wall therof.


text:
And the citie was buylt foure square, & the length was as large as ye breadth: and he measured the citie with the reede twelue thousande furlonges, and the length, and the breadth, and the heyght of it were equall.


text:
And he measured the wall thereof an hundreth and fourtie and foure cubites, by the measure of man, that is of the angell.


text:
And the buylding of the wall of it was of Iasper, and the citie was pure golde lyke vnto cleare glasse.


text:
And the foundations of the wall of the citie were garnisshed with all maner of precious stones. The first foundation was Iasper, the seconde Saphire, the third a Chalcedonie, the fourth an Emeralde,


text:
The fifth Sardonix, ye sixth Sardius, the seuenth Chrysolite, the eygth Beryl, the ninth a Topas, the tenth a Chrysoprasus, the eleueth a Iacinct, ye twelfth an Amatist.


text:
The 12 gates were 12 pearles, euery gate was of one pearle. and the streate of the citie was pure golde, as through shynyng glasse.


text:
And the citie hath no neede of the sunne, neither of the moone to lighten it: For the glorie of God dyd lighten it, and the Lambe is the lyght of it.


text:
And the people which are saued, shall walke in the lyght of it: and the kynges of the earth shall bryng their glorie and honor vnto it.


text:
And there shall enter into it none vncleane thyng, neither whatsoeuer worketh abhomination, or maketh lyes: but they only which are written in the lambes booke of lyfe.


text:
And he shewed me a pure ryuer of water of lyfe, cleare as Cristall, proceadyng out of the throne of god, and of the lambe.


text:
In the middes of the streate of it, and of either side of the ryuer, was there wood of lyfe, which bare twelue maner of fruites, and gaue fruite euery moneth: and the leaues of the wood serued to heale the people withall.


text:
And there shalbe no more curse, but the throne of God and the lambe shalbe in it: and his seruauntes shal serue hym.


text:
And there shalbe no nyght there, and they neede no candle, neither lyght of the sunne: for the Lorde God geueth them lyght, and they shall raigne for euermore.


text:
And he sayde vnto me: these sayinges are faythfull and true. And the Lorde God of the holy prophetes, sent his angell to shewe vnto his seruauntes, the thynges which must shortly be fulfilled.


text:
I Iohn sawe these thynges, & hearde them: And when I had hearde and seene, I fell downe to worship before the feete of the angell, which shewed me these thynges.


text:
And he sayde vnto me: see thou do it not, for I am thy felowe seruaunt, and the felowe seruaunt of thy brethren the prophetes, and of them which kepe the sayinges of this booke: But worshippe God.


text:
And he sayde vnto me, seale not the sayinges of the prophecie of this booke: For the tyme is at hande.


text:
He that doeth euyll, let hym do euyll styll: and he which is filthie, let hym be filthie styll: and he that is ryghteous, let hym be ryghteous styll: and he that is holy, let hym be holy styll.


text:
And beholde, I come shortly, and my rewarde is with me, to geue euery man accordyng as his deedes shalbe.


text:
Blessed are they that do his commaundementes, that their power may be in the tree of lyfe, and may enter in through the gates into the citie.


text:
For without shalbe dogges, and inchaunters, and whoremongers, and murtherers, and idolaters, and whosoeuer loueth or maketh leasynges.


text:
I Iesus sent myne angell, to testifie vnto you these thynges in ye Churches. I am the roote and the generation of Dauid, and the bryght mornyng starre.


text:
And the spirite and the bride say, come. And let hym that heareth, say also, come. And let hym that is a thirst, come. And let whosoeuer wyll, take of the water of lyfe, freely.


text:
I testifie vnto euery man that heareth the wordes of ye prophecie of this booke: If any man shall adde vnto these thynges, God shall adde vnto hym the plagues that are written in this booke.


text:
And yf any man shall minishe of the wordes of the booke of this prophecie, God shal take away his part out of the booke of lyfe, and out of the holy citie, and from the thynges which are writte in this booke.


text:
Tobias was of the tribe & citie of Nepthali, which lyeth in the hye countreys of Galilee aboue Naasson, beside ye way that leadeth to the west, hauyng the citie of Sephet vpon the left side.


text:
Though he was taken prisoner in the dayes of Salmanasar king of the Assyrians, neuerthelesse beyng in captiuitie, he forsoke not the way of trueth:


text:
In so much that whatsoeuer he might get, he parted it dayly with his felowe prisoners and brethren that were of his kinred.


text:
And though he were younger then al in the tribe of Nephthali, yet did not he behaue him selfe childyshly in his workes.


text:
And when all the other went to the golden calues whiche Ieroboam the king of Israel had made, he alone fled al their companies,


text:
And gat him to Hierusalem vnto the temple of the Lorde, and there worshipped the Lord God of Israel, faythfully offering of al his first fruites and tithes:


text:
But when he was a man, he toke out of his owne tribe a wyfe called Anna: and of her he begat a sonne, whom he called after his owne name,


text:
Now when he with his wife, his sonne, and with all his kinred, was come in captiuitie vnto the citie of Niniue,


text:
What time as they all dyd eate of the meates of the heathen: he kept his soule, and was neuer defiled in their meates.


text:
And for so much as he was mindeful of the Lorde in all his heart, God gaue him fauour in the sight of Salmanasar the king,


text:
So went Tobias vnto all them that were in captiuitie [and comforted them] and gaue them wholsome exhortations.


text:
And when he came to Rages a citie of the Medes, hauing ten talentes of siluer (of the thinges wherewith the king had honoured him)


text:
And sawe among a great companie of people of his kinred, one Gabelus which was of his owne tribe, beyng in necessite, he gaue him the sayde wayght of siluer vnder an hande writyng.


text:
After a long season, when Salmanasar the kyng was dead, and Sennacherib his sonne raigned in his steade, which hated the children of Israel:


text:
Tobias went dayly throughout all his kinrede, and comforted them, and gaue of his goods to euery one of them as much as he might.


text:
And when Sennacherib the king came agayne and fled out of Iurie (what time as god punished him for his blasphemie) & in his wrath slue many of the children of Israel: Tobias buried their bodies.


text:
Neuerthelesse, Tobias with his sonne and with his wyfe, fled his way naked, and was hyd: for there were many that loued hym.


text:
And sayde vnto his sonne: Go thy way, & bring hyther some of our tribe, suche as feare God, that they may make mery with vs.


text:
And when he was gone, he came againe, and told his father that one of the children of Israel lay slayne vpon the streete.


text:
And immediatly he leapt from his table, left the feast, came fasting to the dead coarse, toke him and bare him priuyly into his house, that when the sunne was downe he might safely burie him.


text:
Remembring the wordes that the Lord sayde by the prophete Amos: Your hye feastes shalbe turned to sorowe and heauinesse.


text:
Then al his neyghbours reproued him, saying: It is not long sence it was commaunded to slay thee because of this matter, and hast scarce escaped the daunger of death: and buriest thou the dead againe?


text:
Neuerthelesse, Tobias fearing God more then the king, toke the bodies of the slayne, and hyd them in his house, and buried them at midnights.


text:
It happened vpon a day that he had buried the dead and was weery, came home and layed him downe by the wal, and slept.


text:
And whyle he was asleepe, there fell downe vpon his eyes warme doung out of the swalloes nest, so that he was blinde.


text:
This temptation dyd God suffer to happen vnto him, that they which came after, might haue an example of his pacience, like as of holy Iob.


text:
For in so much as he euer feared God from his youth vp, and kept his commaundementes, he grudged not against God that the plague of blindnesse chaunced vnto hym:


text:
For like as blessed Iob was had in derision of kinges: euen so was he laughed to scorne of his elders and kinsfolkes, which sayde vnto him:


text:
For we are the children of holy men, and loke for the lyfe whiche God shall geue vnto them that neuer turne their beliefe from him.


text:
And loke what liuing she coulde get with the labour of her handes, she brought it. And it happened that she toke a byd, and brought it home:


text:
And when her husband hearde it crye, he sayde, Loke that it be not stollen: restore it againe to the owners, for it is not lawfull for vs to eate or to touch any thing of theft.


text:
Then was his wyfe angry, and sayde: Nowe is thy hope become vayne openly, and thy almes deedes are manifest.


text:
Saying: O Lord thou art righteous, and all thy iudgementes are true: yea al thy wayes are mercie, faythfulnesse, and iudgement.


text:
And now O Lorde be myndefull of me, and take no vengeaunce of my sinnes, neither remember my misdeedes, neither the misdeedes of my forefathers.


text:
For we haue not ben obedient vnto thy commaundementes: therefore are we spoyled, brought into captiuite, into death, into derision and shame vnto all nations, among whom thou hast scattered vs.


text:
And nowe O Lorde, thy iudgementes are great: for we haue not done according to thy commaundementes, neither haue we walked innocently before thee.


text:
And nowe O Lord, deale with me according to thy will, and commaunde my spirite to be receaued in peace: for more expedient were it for me to die, then to liue.


text:
At the same time it happened that Sara the daughter of Raguel at Rages a citie of the Medes, was also reproched by one of her fathers handmaydes,


text:
That she had had seuen husbandes, which assoone as they were gone in vnto her, were slayne of the deuyll, called Asmodeus.


text:
Therfore when she reproued the mayden for her faut, she aunswered her, saying: God let vs neuer see sonne nor daughter of thee more vpon earth, thou killer of thy husbandes.


text:
Wilt thou slay me also, as thou hast slayne seuen men? At this voyce went Sara into an hye chamber of her house, and three dayes and three nightes she neither eate nor dranke.


text:
Upon the thirde day it came to passe, that when she had made an end of prayer, she praysed the Lorde,


text:
Saying: Blessed be thy name O God of our fathers, whiche when thou art wroth shewest mercie, and in time of trouble thou forgeuest the sinnes of them that call vpon thee.


text:
I beseche thee O Lord, loose me out of the bondes of this rebuke, or els take me vtterly away from of the earth.


text:
Thou knowest Lorde that I neuer had desire vnto man, and that I haue kept my soule cleane from all vncleanly lust:


text:
I haue not kept companie with those that passe their time in sport, neither haue I made my selfe partaker with them that walke in light behauour.


text:
Nowe peraduenture eyther I haue ben vnworthy of them, or els were they vnmeete for me: for thou happyly hast kept me to another hushande.


text:
But euery one that serueth thee is sure of this, that if his life be in triyng, it shalbe crowned: and if he be in trouble, that God [no doubt] shal deliuer him: and if his life be in chastening, that he shall haue leaue to come vnto thy mercie.


text:
For thou hast no pleasure in our dampnation: And why? after a storme thou makest the wether faire and still, after weeping & heauinesse thou geuest great ioy.


text:
And Raphael the holy angell of the Lorde, was sent to helpe them both, whose prayers came at one time together before God.


text:
So when Tobias thought his prayer to be heard, that he might dye, he called vnto him his sonne Tobias,


text:
And sayde vnto him: My sonne heare the wordes of my mouth, and lay them in thyne heart as a foundation.


text:
When God taketh away my soule, burie thou my body: and holde thy mother in honour all the dayes of her life.


text:
Haue God in thy thought all the dayes of thy life, and beware lest at any time thou consent vnto sinne, and lest thou let slippe the commaundementes of the Lorde our God.


text:
Geue almes of thy goods, and turne neuer thy face from the poore: and so shall it come to passe, that the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee.


text:
If thou haue much, geue plenteously: if thou hast litle, do thy diligence gladly to geue of that litle:


text:
For mercie deliuereth from al sinne and from death, and suffreth not the soule to come into darkenesse.


text:
My sonne, kepe thee wel from al whordome: and beside thy wife, suffer not thy selfe to knowe of sinne.


text:
Whosoeuer worketh any thing for thee, immediatly geue him his hire, and loke that thy hired seruauntes wages remayne not at all with thee.


text:
Loke that thou neuer do vnto another man, the thing that thou wouldest not another man shoulde do vnto thee.


text:
Set thy bread and wine vpon the buriall of the righteous, and do not thou eate and drinke therof with the sinners.


text:
Be alway praysing of God, & beseche him that he will order thy wayes, and that whatsoeuer thou deuisest or takest in hand, it may remayne in him.


text:
I certifie thee also my sonne, that when thou wast yet but a babe, I deliuered ten talentes of siluer vnto Gabelus at Rages a citie of the Medes, and his hande wryting haue I by me.


text:
And therfore seke some meanes howe thou mayest come by him, and receaue of him the sayd wayght of siluer, & geue him his hande wryting againe.


text:
My sonne, be not afrayde: trueth it is we leade here a poore life, but great good shall we haue if we feare God, and depart from all sinne, and do well.


text:
Then aunswered Tobias his father, and said: Father, all that thou hast commaunded me wyl I doe, and that diligently.


text:
Then his father aunswered him, and saide, I haue his hand writing by me: which when thou shewest him, immediatly he shall pay thee.<br/>But how I shall require this money I can not tell, neither doth he knowe me, nor I him: What token shall I geue him? And as for the way thyther, I neuer knew it.


text:
But go thy way nowe and get thee some faithful man to go with thee for an hyre, that thou mayst receaue the money while I am yet liuing.


text:
Then went Tobias out, and vpon the streate he founde a fayre young man standing, girded vp, and as it were one redie to take his iourney.


text:
And he knewe not that it was an angell of God, but saluted him, and sayde: From whence art thou, thou good young man?


text:
He aunswered: Of the children of Israel. And Tobias said vnto him: Knowest thou the way that leadeth vnto the countrey of the Medes?


text:
He aunswered: I knowe it well, & all those streates haue I gone oft times, and haue lodged with our brother Gabelus that dwelleth in Rages a citie of the Medes, which lyeth vpon the mout Ecbatanis.


text:
Then went Tobias in, and tolde his father all: At the which his father marueyled, and prayed that he woulde come in vnto him.


text:
And olde Tobias saide: what ioy can I haue that sit here in darkenesse, and see not the light of heauen?


text:
And Tobias saide vnto him: Canst thou bring my sonne to Gabelus, vnto the citie of Rages in Medea: and when thou commest againe, I shall pay thee thy hyre?


text:
The angel Raphael saide vnto him: Seekest thou after the kinred of an hireling, or an hired man him selfe for thy sonne to go with him?


text:
And Tobias aunswered, Thou art come of a great kinred: but I pray thee be not displeased that I desire to know thy kinred.


text:
The angell said vnto him: Thy sonne shall I leade foorth safely, and bryng him whole sounde to thee againe.


text:
Then aunswered Tobias, and saide: well, go on your way, and God be in your iourney, and his angell beare you company.


text:
So when they had prepared all thinges that they woulde take with them in their iourney, Tobias bade his father and his mother farewell: and they went on their way both together.


text:
Nowe when they were gone, his mother began to weepe, & saide: The staffe of our age hast thou taken away, and sent him from vs.


text:
For our pouertie was sufficient for vs, why we shoulde haue counted it rychesse, that we saw our sonne here.


text:
Then saide Tobias vnto her: Weepe not, our sonne shall go safely and come to vs againe sounde, and thyne eyes shall see him.


text:
For I trust that the good angell of God shall beare him company, and order well all the thinges that he doth, so that he shall come to vs againe with ioy.


text:
So Tobias went on his way, and a dogge folowed him: and the first night they abode by the water of Tigris.


text:
And the angell saide vnto him: Take him by the gyll, and drawe him to thee. And he did so, and drew him vpon the lande: and the fishe began to leape at his feete.


text:
Then saide the angell vnto him, Take out the bowels of this fishe: & as for the heart, the gal, and the lyuer, keepe them by thee: for these thinges are necessary and good for medicines.


text:
Tobias did so, and rosted the flesh, and they tooke it with them in their iourney: the residue they salted, as much as was sufficient for them, tyll they came to Rages a citie of the Medes.


text:
Then Tobias asked the angell, and saide vnto him: I pray thee brother Azaria, tell me whereto are these thinges good of the fishe that thou hast bidden me keepe.


text:
The angell aunswered him, and said: If thou layest a peece of the heart vpon the coales, the smoke thereof dryueth away all maner of euill spirites, whether it be from man or from woman, so that from thencefoorth the same shall come no more vnto them.


text:
The gal is good to annoynt or to strike the eyes withall, where as there is any blemishe in them, so that they shalbe whole.


text:
And saide: Here is a nye kinsman of thyne and of thy tribe, one Raguel by name, which hath a daughter called Sara, & hath neither sonne nor daughter but her.


text:
Then aunswered Tobias and saide: As I vnderstand she hath ben maryed vnto seuen husbandes, and they all are dead: and I haue heard say, that the deuill slue them.


text:
I am afrayd therfore lest such thinges happen vnto me also: which if it came to passe, seeing I am the onely sonne of my father and my mother, I should bryng them in their age with sorowe to their graues.


text:
Then saide the angell Raphael vnto him: Heare me, & I wyll tell thee what they be, of whom the deuil hath power.


text:
Namely, they that receaue mariage after such a fashion that they shut God out from them and from their heart, and geue them selues to their owne lust, euen as it were an Horse & Mule which haue no vnderstanding: vpon such hath the deuill power.


text:
But when thou takest her, and art come in to the chamber, withhold thy selfe from her three dayes, and geue thy diligence vnto nothing but vnto prayer with her.


text:
The third night shalt thou obtayne the blessing of God, so that whole children shall be borne of you.


text:
After the third night take the mayden in the feare of God, and more for the desire of children, then for any fleshely lust, that in the seede of Abraham thou mayest obtayne the blessing in children.


text:
And when Raguel loked vpon Tobias, he saide vnto Anna his wyfe: How lyke is this young man vnto my sisters sonne?


text:
And when he had spoken this, he said: Whence be ye ye young men and our brethren? They saide: Of the tribe of Nephthali, out of the captiuitie of Niniue.


text:
And when he had spoken much good of him, the angell saide vnto Raguel: Tobias of whom thou askest, is this young mans father.


text:
Now when they had talked together, Raguel bade kill a wether, & to make a feaste: And when he had exhorted them to sit downe to dinner,


text:
Tobias saide: I wyll neither eate nor drinke here this day, except thou first graunt me my petition, and promise me to geue me thy daughter Sara.


text:
When Raguel heard this, he was astonied, for he knewe what had happened vnto the other seuen men that went in vnto her: and he began to feare that it shoulde chaunce vnto him also in lyke maner. And while he stoode so in doubt, and gaue the young man no aunswere,


text:
The angell saide vnto him: Feare not to geue him thy daughter, for vnto this man that feareth God, belongeth thy daughter to wyfe: therefore might none other haue her.


text:
And I beleue he caused you to come vnto me for the same intent, that this daughter of myne might be maryed in her owne kindred according to the law of Moyses: And nowe doubt thou not but I wyll geue her vnto thee.


text:
So he toke the right hande of his daughter, and gaue her into the right hande of Tobias, and saide: The God of Abraham, the God of Isahac, & the God of Iacob be with you, ioyne you together, and fulfill his blessing in you.


text:
Then saide he vnto her, Be of good cheare my daughter: the Lorde of heauen geue thee ioy for the heauinesse that thou hast suffered.


text:
Then thought Tobias vpon the wordes of the angel, and toke out of his bagge a peece of, the lyuer of the fishe, and layed it vpon the hotte coales.


text:
So the angell Raphael tooke holde of the deuil, and sent him away, & bound him in the wildernesse of the hygher Egypt.


text:
Then spake Tobias vnto the virgin, and saide: Up Sara, let vs make our prayer vnto God to day, to morow, and ouermorow: For these three nightes wyl we reconcile our selues with God, and when the third holy night is past, we shall ioyne together in the due tie of mariage.


text:
And Tobias saide: O Lorde God of our fathers, praysed be thou of heauen and earth, of the sea, welles, & fluddes, and of al thy creatures that be therein.


text:
And now Lorde thou knowest that it is not because of voluptuousnes that I take this sister of myne to wyfe, but onely for the loue of children, in whom thy name may be blessed for euer.


text:
And Sara saide: Haue mercie vpon vs O Lorde, haue mercy vpon vs, and let vs both come whole and sounde together to a good age.


text:
For he saide: It is chaunced nowe vnto him peraduenture as it did vnto the other seuen men that went in vnto her.


text:
Now when they had made the graue, Raguel came againe to his wyfe, and saide vnto her: Send one of thy maydens to loke if he be dead, that I may bury him afore it be light day.


text:
So she sent a mayden to see: which when she came into the chamber, found them whole and founde, sleeping together.


text:
And hast shewed mercy vnto yonder two the onely borne children of their parentes: O Lorde, cause them to magnifie thee more perfectly, and to offer the sacrifice of thy prayse & of their health: that all people may knowe that thou onely art God in all the earth.


text:
And immediatly Raguel commaunded his seruauntes to fyll the graue that they had made, with earth, afore it was light,


text:
And bade his wyfe prepare a feaste, & to make redie all thinges that were necessary for meate, to such as went by the way.


text:
He caused two fat kine also and foure weathers to be slaine, and meates to be prepared for all his neighbours and freindes.


text:
As for all the good that he had, he gaue Tobias the halfe of it, and made this writing, that the halfe which remayned, should fall vnto Tobias after their death.


text:
Then Tobias called vnto him the angell, who he thought to haue ben a man, and saide vnto him: Brother Azarias, I pray thee hearken vnto my wordes,


text:
Neuerthelesse, I beseche thee that thou wilt take the beastes and the seruauntes, & go vnto Gabelus in Rages the citie of the Medes, and delyuer him his hand writing, and receaue the money of him, and pray him to come to my mariage.


text:
For thou knowest thy selfe that my father doth number the dayes: and if I tary one day to long, he wyll be sory in his minde.


text:
Then toke Raphael foure of Raguels seruauntes and two Camels, and went vnto Rages the citie of the Medes: And when he had founde Gabelus, he gaue him his hand writing, and receaued all the money.


text:
He tolde him also of Tobias the sonne of Tobi, how al thinges had happened: and caused him to come with him to the mariage.


text:
Now when he came into the house of Raguel, he founde Tobias sittyng at the table: and he leaped vp, & they kissed one another, and Gabelus wept, and praysed God,


text:
And saide: The blessing of the God of Israel haue thou, for thou art the sonne of a right vertuous and iust man, and of one that feareth God, & geueth great almes:


text:
That ye may see your children, and your childrens children vnto the third & fourth generation: and your seede be blessed of the God of Israel, which raigneth worlde without end.


text:
And when they all had sayde Amen, they went to the feast: but with the feare of the Lorde held they the feast of the mariage.


text:
Now whyle young Tobias made long tarying, by reason of the mariage, his father was full of care & heauinesse, saying: Canst thou thinke what shoulde be the cause that my sonne tarieth so long? or why he should be kept so long there?


text:
Thus began he to be very sorowfull, he and Anna his wyfe with him: and began to weepe both together, because their sonne was not come againe vnto them at the day appoynted.


text:
As for his mother, she wept with discomfortable teares, and saide: Wo is me my sonne, Oh what ayled vs to send thee away into a strauge countrey, thou light of our eyes, thou staffe of our age, thou comfort of our life, thou hope of our generation?


text:
Then Tobias [comforted her, and] saide: Holde thy peace, & be not discomforted, our sonne is whole and sounde: the man that we sent him withall, is faithfull inough.


text:
Neuerthelesse, she might in no wyse be comforted: but dayly went out, loked about, and went about all the streates whereby she thought he should come againe: that if it were possible she might see him comming a farre of.


text:
But Raguel saide vnto his sonne in lawe: O tary here, and I shall send a messenger vnto thy father Tobias, to tell him that thou art in good health.


text:
Tobias saide vnto him: I am sure that my father and my mother count euery day, and that their heartes are sorye.


text:
So when Raguel had prayed Tobias with many wordes, and he woulde in no wyse heare him, he deliuered Sara vnto hym, & the halfe part of all his good, in seruauntes, and handmaydens, in sheepe, in camels, and in kyne, & much money: and so sent him away from him with health and ioy,


text:
And said: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your iourney, and bring you foorth safe and sounde, that ye may finde all thinges in good case with your elders, & that myne eyes may see your children afore I dye.


text:
Exhorting her to honour her father & mother in law, to loue her husband, to rule well her housholde, to keepe her house in good order, and to shewe her selfe faultlesse.


text:
As they nowe were going homeward againe, vpon the eleuenth day they came to Charran, which lyeth in the halfe way toward Niniue.


text:
Therfore if it please thee, we two wyl go before, and let the housholde with thy wyfe & the cattaile come faire and softly after vs.


text:
And when Tobias was content that they should go before, Raphael said vnto him: Take of the gal of the fishe with thee, for it shall be necessary. So Tobias toke of the gall, and they went their way.


text:
But Anna the mother of Tobias sate dayly by the way side vpon the toppe of an hill, from whence she might see farre about her.


text:
And whyle she was wayting there for his comming, she loked a farre of, and anone she perceaued her sonne comming, and ranne and tolde her husband, saying: beholde thy sonne commeth.


text:
And Raphael saide vnto Tobias: Assoone as thou commest into the house, immediatly worship the lorde thy God, and geue thankes vnto him: then go to thy father, and kisse hym,


text:
And straight wayes strike his eyes ouer with the gall of the fishe that thou hast brought with thee: For be sure that his eyes shall straight way be opened, and thy father shall see the light of heauen, and shal reioyce at the sight of thee.


text:
Then the dogge that had ben with them in their iourney, ranne before, and came as a messenger, and wagged his tayle for gladnesse.


text:
So the blynde father arose, and began to runne, and stumbled with his feete: and gaue a seruaunt his hand, & ranne to meete his sonne,


text:
And taryed halfe an houre, and then began the blemishe to go out of his eyes, lyke as it had ben the white skinne of an egge:


text:
And Tobias saide: O Lorde God of Israel I geue thee prayse & thankes, for thou hast chastened me, & made me whole: And lo, nowe do I see my sonne Tobias.


text:
After seuen dayes, came Sara his sonnes wyfe also whole and sound, with all the housholde and cattaile, with camels, & much money of his wyues, and with the money that he had receaued of Gabelus.


text:
And he tolde his father and his mother all the benefites which God had done for him by the man that led him.


text:
Achior also and Nabath Tobias sister sonnes came, and were glad, and reioyced with him, by reason of all the good thinges that God had shewed vnto him: And so for the space of seuen dayes they made mery, and were right ioyfull euery one.


text:
Tobias aunswered his father, and sayde: Father, what rewarde shall we geue him? or what thing can deserue his benefites?


text:
He hath ben my guyde, and brought me safe againe: He receaued the money from Gabelus, he caused me to get my wyfe, he droue the euill spirite from her, he hath ben an occasion of gladnesse to her father and mother, he delyuered me that I was not deuoured of the fishe, he hath made thee to see the light of heauen: yea, we all haue receaued great good of him.


text:
Howe shoulde we worthyly deserue these thinges vnto him? But I pray thee my father that thou wilt desire him, if happyly he wil vouchsafe to take with him the halfe of all that we haue brought.


text:
So the father & the sonne called him, toke him asyde, and began to pray him that he woulde be content to take in good worth the halfe part of all that they had brought.


text:
Then saide he secretly vnto them: Prayse ye the God of heauen, and geue thankes vnto him before al men lyuing: for he hath shewed his mercy vnto you.


text:
It is good to hide the kinges secrete: but to shewe and to prayse the workes of God it is an honorable thing.


text:
When thou prayedst with teares, and buriedst the dead, and leftest thy dynner and hyddest the dead in thyne house vpon the day time that thou mightest bury them in the night, I offred thy prayer before the Lorde.


text:
And nowe hath the Lorde sent me to heale thee, and to delyuer Sara thy sonnes wyfe from the euill spirite.


text:
When they heard this, they were sore afrayde, and trembled, and fell downe vpon their faces vnto the grounde.


text:
You thought that I did eate & drinke with you, but I vse meate that is inuisible, and drinke that can not be seene of men.


text:
Now therfore is the time that I must turne againe vnto him that sent me: but be ye thankefull vnto God, and tell out all his wonderous workes.


text:
And when he had spoke those wordes, he was taken away out of their sight, so that they could see him no more.


text:
Then fell they downe flat vpon their faces by the space of three houres, and praysed God: and when they rose vp, they tolde all his wonderous workes.


text:
Then olde Tobias opened his mouth & praysed the Lorde, & sayde: Great art thou O lord for euermore, and thy kingdome world with out end.


text:
For thou scourgest and healest, thou leadest vnto hell & bringest out againe: and there is none that may escape thyne hande.


text:
For among the heathen which knowe him not hath he scattered you, to the intent that ye should shew forth his marueilous workes, and cause them for to knowe that there is none other God almightie but he.


text:
Consider then how he hath dealt with you, and prayse him with feare & dread: and magnifie the euerlasting king in your workes.


text:
I wyll prayse him euen in the lande of my captiuitie: for he hath shewed his maiestie vnto a sinfull people.


text:
Turne you therfore O ye sinners, and do righteousnesse before God, and be ye sure that he wyll shew his mercy vpon you.


text:
O prayse the Lord in thy good thinges, & geue thankes to the euerlasting God, that he may build vp his tabernacle againe in thee, that he may call againe vnto thee all such as be in captiuitie, and that thou mayest haue ioy for euermore.


text:
The people shall come vnto thee from farre, they shall bring giftes, and worship the Lorde in thee, and thy land shal they haue for a sanctuary: for they shall call vpon the great name in thee.


text:
Cursed shall they be that despise thee, and all that blaspheme thee shal be condempned: But blessed shall they be that builde thee vp.


text:
As for thee thou shalt reioyce in thy children: for they all shalbe blessed, and gathered together vnto the Lorde.


text:
Prayse thou the Lorde, O my soule: for the Lorde our God hath deliuered his citie Hierusalem from all her troubles.


text:
The gates of Hierusalem shalbe builded with Saphir and Smaragde, and all the compasse of her walles with precious stones.


text:
All her streates shalbe paued with white and fayre stone, and in all streates shall Halleluia be song.


text:
And so Tobias made an end of speaking: And after that Tobias had gotten his sight againe, he lyued fouretie & two yeres, & sawe his childers children.


text:
For when he was sixe and fiftie yeres of age, he lost the sight of his eyes: and when he was three score yeres olde, he gate his sight againe.


text:
The residue of his lyfe led he in ioy, and increased well in the feare of God, and departed in peace.


text:
But in the houre of his death he called vnto him his sonne Tobias, and seuen young springaldes his sonnes children, and saide vnto them:


text:
The destruction of Niniue is at hand, (for the word of the Lord can not fayle) and our brethren that are scattered out of the lande of Israel, shall come thyther agayne.


text:
And the whole lande of it that hath ben waste, shall be filled, and the house of God that was brent in it, shal be builded againe: and all such as feare God, shall returne thyther,


text:
And therefore my children, heare your father, serue the Lorde in the trueth, seeke after his wyll to do the thing that pleaseth him:


text:
Commaunde your children that they do right, geue almes, be mindefull of God, and euer to be thankefull vnto him in trueth and with all their power.


text:
Heare me now therefore my children, and abyde not here: but in what day so euer ye haue buryed your mother by me in one sepulchre, get you from hence:


text:
After the death of his mother, Tobias departed away from Niniue, with his wife, and children, and with his childers children, and came againe to his father and mother in lawe,


text:
And founde them whole and in a good age, and toke the care of them: and he closed their eyes, and was heyre vnto all Raguels goodes, and sawe the fyft generation, and his childers children.


text:
And al his kindred and posteritie continued in a good life and holy conuersation: so that they were loued and accepted both of God and men, and of all the people of the lande.


text:
Arphaxad the king of the Medes subdued many people vnto his dominion, and buylded a noble strong citie, whiche he called Ecbatanis.


text:
The walles of it made he of free stone foure square, seuentie cubites hie, and thirtie cubites brode: He made towres therevpon an hundreth cubites hye.


text:
But along the foure corners euery side was twentie foote brode: He made the portes in the height, like as the towres.


text:
So in the twelfth yere of his raigne, it happened that Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians whiche raigned in the great citie of Niniue, fought against Arphaxad:


text:
And ouercame him in the great fielde called Ragau beside Euphrates, and Tigris, and Iadason in the fielde of Erioth the king of the Elikes.


text:
Then was the kingdome of Nabuchodonosor exalted, and his heart was lift vp: and he sent vnto all them that dwelt in Cilicia, in Damascus, and Libanus:


text:
And vnto the heathen that dwelt in Carmel, and Cedar, and to such as dwelt in Galilee in the great field of Esdrelon:


text:
To all them that dwelt in Samaria, and beyonde the water of Iordane vnto Hierusalem, and the whole lande of Iesse, vnto the borders of Ethiopia:


text:
But they all with one consent woulde not agree vnto him, and sent the messengers againe emptie, and put them away without honour.


text:
Then Nabuchodonosor the king toke indignation at all those landes, & sware by his trone and by his kingdome that he woulde be auenged of all those countreys.


text:
In the thirtenth yere of king Nabuchodonosor, vpon the twentie & two day of the firste moneth, it was deuised in the court of Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians that he woulde reuenge him selfe.


text:
So he called vnto him all the elders, all his captaynes and men of warre, and shewed them his secret counsell,


text:
Now when they were all content with this saying, Nabuchodonosor the king called Holophernes the chiefe captayne of his warres,


text:
And sayde vnto him: Go thy way foorth against all the kingdomes of the west, and specially against those that haue despised my commaundement.


text:
Then Holophernes called together all the captaynes & rulers of all the power in Assyria, and mustred the souldiers vnto the hoast like as the king commaunded him [namely] an hundred and twentie thousande fighting men vpon foote, and twelue thousande archers vpon horsebacke.


text:
All his ordinaunce sent he before with an innumerable multitude of camels, so that the hoast was well prouided for with oxen and small cattell, & that without number.


text:
So he toke his iourney and all his hoast, with charets, horsemen, and archers: of whom there were so many that they couered the ground of the land like the grashoppers.


text:
And when he was gone past the borders of the Assyrians, he came towarde the great mountaynes of Ange, whiche lye vpon the left side of Cilicia: and so he went vp into all their castels, and wunne euery strong holde.


text:
As for the welthie citie of Melothus, he brake it downe, & spoyled all the children of Tharsis and the Ismaelites, whiche lay towarde the wildernesse and vpon the south side of the lande of Chellon.


text:
He went ouer Euphrates also, & came into Mesopotamia, and brake downe all the hie cities that were there, from the brooke of Mambre till a man come to the sea:


text:
He caryed away all the Madianites, and spoyled al their goods, and whosoeuer withstoode him he slue them with the sworde.


text:
After this, he went downe into the fielde of Damascus in the time of haruest, and burnt vp all the corne, and all the trees and vines he caused to be cut downe:


text:
So the kinges & princes of al the cities & landes sent their embassadours, namely they of Syria and Mesopotamia, Syria Sobal, and Libya, and Cilicia, which came to Holophernes, and sayde:


text:
Let thy wrath ceasse towarde vs: It is better for vs to serue the great king Nabuchodonosor with our liues, and to be subiect vnto thee, then that we should dye, and with our slaughter suffer the euyls of our bondage.


text:
All our cities and possessions, al mountaynes and hilles, all fieldes, great and smal cattel, sheepe, goates, horses, and camels, all our goodes and housholdes be in thy power.


text:
Then came Holophernes downe from the mountaynes with horsemen & great power, and conquered all strong fensed cities, and all that dwelt in the lande.


text:
And there came such a feare vpon those countreys, that the indwellers of al the cities, the princes and rulers, and the people together, went foorth to meete hym as he came:


text:
For Nabuchodonosor the king had commaunded him that he should roote out all the gods of the lande, to the intent that he only might be called [and taken] for god of the nations, which Holophernes with his power might bring vnder him.


text:
So went he through Syria Sobal, and through all Appamea, and all Mesopotamia, and came to the Idumeans in the lande of Gabaa,


text:
And toke their cities, and remayned there thirtie dayes, in whiche space he caused all the whole multitude of his hoast to be gathered together.


text:
There came such trembling also & feare vpon them, lest he shoulde do vnto the citie of Hierusalem and the temple of the Lord, as he had done to other cities and their temples.


text:
So they sent into all Samaria rounde about vnto Iericho, [toke in] and occupied all the toppes of the mountaynes:


text:
Eliacim also the priest wrote vnto all them that dwelt towarde Esdrelon, which lieth ouer against the great fielde by Dothain, & vnto all those by whom men might haue passage vnto them,


text:
That they shoulde take in the wayes of the mountaynes, whereby there might be any way and passage to Hierusalem, and that they shoulde holde diligent watch where any strayte was betwixte the mountaynes.


text:
And all the people cryed vnto the Lord earnestly, and humbled their soules with fasting and prayers, they & their wiues:


text:
The priestes put on heery clothes, and layed the young babes before the temple of the Lord, and couered the aulter of the Lorde with an heery cloth:


text:
And with one accorde they cryed vnto the Lorde God of Israel, that their children should not be geuen into a pray, and their wiues into a spoyle, that their cities should not be layed waste, and that their sanctuarie shoulde not be vnhalowed, and so they to be a shame and rebuke vnto the heathen.


text:
Saying: Be ye sure that the Lord will heare your petitions, if ye continue stedfast in fastinges and prayers in the sight of the Lorde.


text:
Remember Moyses the seruaunt of the Lorde, which ouerthrewe the Amalechites that trusted in their might and power, in their hoast, in their shieldes, in their charets and horsemen, not with weapons, but with holy prayers.


text:
In so much that they whiche offered burnt sacrifices vnto the Lord, offred the offringes vnto the Lorde, beyng arayed in heery clothes, and had asshes vpon their heades.


text:
And worde came to Holophernes ye prince of the warre of the Assyrians, that the children of Israel prepared them selues to make resistaunce, and howe they had stopped the wayes betwixte the mountaynes.


text:
And sayde vnto them: Tell me what people is this that kepeth in the mountaynes? Or what maner and how great cities theirs are? What is their power? Or what maner of hoast haue they? who is their captayne?


text:
And why do they despise vs more then all those that dwell in the east, and come not foorth to meete vs, that they might receaue vs with peace?


text:
Then Achior the captayne of al the Ammonites aunswered, and sayde: Syr, if it please thee to heare, I will tell the trueth before thee concerning this people that dwel in the mountaynes, and there shall no vntrueth go out of my mouth.


text:
They dwelt first in Mesopotamia, for they woulde not folowe the gods of their fathers that were in the lande of the Chaldees,


text:
And so forsoke they the custome of their forefathers which had many gods, and worshipped one God that made heauen and earth: whiche also commaunded them that they shoulde go from thence and dwell at Charan.


text:
Nowe when there came a dearth into the whole lande, they went downe to Egypt, and there they dwelt foure hundreth yeres, in the whiche they multiplied greatly, that their hoast might not be numbred.


text:
And when the king of Egypt oppressed them, and yoked them in buylding of his cities with making of clay and brycke, they cryed vnto God their Lord which punished the whole lande of Egypt with diuers plagues.


text:
And when the Egyptians had cast them out & the plague ceassed from them, and they folowing after them to take them & to bring them againe into their bondage:


text:
Whyle they were flying away the God of heauen opened the sea, so that the waters stoode fast vpon both the sides as a wall, and these went through the botome of the sea drye shod.


text:
In the whiche place when an innumerable people of the Egyptians folowed vpon them, they were so ouerwhelmed with the waters, that there remayned not one to tell them that came after how it happened.


text:
So when this people was passed through the red sea, they came into the wildernesse of mount Sina, where neuer man might dwell afore, and where the sonne of man had neuer rested.


text:
There were the bitter waters made sweete for them that they might drinke, and fourtie yeres had they meate from heauen.


text:
Whersouer they went, without bow and arrow, without buckler or sworde, their God fought for them, and caused them to haue the victorie.


text:
Yea, no man was able to hurt this people, except it were when they departed vnfaythfully from the worshipping of the Lorde their God.


text:
But as ofte as they worshipped any other beside their God, he gaue them ouer to be spoyled, to be slayne, and to be put to confusion.


text:
Neuerthelesse, as ofte as they were sory for their departing from the worshippe of their God: the same God of heauen gaue them power & strength to withstande [their enemies.]


text:
Moreouer, they slue the king of the Chanaanites, Iebusites, Pherezites, Hethites, Heuites, and Amorites, and al the mightie in Hesebon, and toke their landes and cities in possession:


text:
And so long as they sinned not in the sight of their God, it went well with them: For their God hateth vnrighteousnesse.


text:
For in times past when they went out of the way which God had geuen them that they shoulde walke in it, they were destroyed in diuers battaylles of many nations, and many of them were caried away prisoners vnto a strange countrey.


text:
But now lately they haue turned them selues agayne vnto the Lord their God, and are come together agayne out of the countreys where they were scattred abrode: and thus haue they conquered these mountaynes, and dwel therin: and as for Hierusalem where their sanctuarie is, they haue it againe in possession.


text:
And therfore my Lord, make diligent inquisition, if this people haue done wickednesse in the sight of their God, then let vs go vp against them: for doubtlesse their God shall deliuer them into thy handes, and subdue them vnto thy power.


text:
But if this people haue not displeased their God, we shall not be able to withstande them: for their God shall defende them, and so shall we be a shame to all the worlde.


text:
Nowe when Achior had spoken out these wordes, all the great men of Holophernes were wroth, and thought to slay him, and sayde one to another:


text:
What is he this whiche dare say that the children of Israel are able to withstande Nabuchodonosor the king and his hoastes? where as they are an vnweaponed people, without strength or vnderstanding of the feates of warre?


text:
That Achior therfore may know that he hath deceaued vs, we will go vp into the mountaynes: and when the mightie men of them are taken, he with them shall be stickte with the sworde:


text:
That all the people may knowe that Nabuchodonosor is the God of the earth, and that there is none other beside him.


text:
For so much as thou hast prophesied vnto vs, saying, That the people of Israel shalbe defended of their God: I will shew thee that there is no God but Nabuchodonosor,


text:
Yea, when we slay them al as one man, thou also shalt perishe with them through the sword of the Assyrians, and all Israel shalbe destroyed with thee:


text:
And then shalt thou feele that Nabuchodonosor is the lorde of the whole earth: then shal the sword of my knighthood go through thy sides, & thou shalt fall downe stickte among the wounded of Israel, and shalt not come to thy selfe agayne, but be vtterly destroyed with them.


text:
Furthermore, if thou thinkest thy prophesie to be true, why doest thou then chaunge thy colour? why art thou afrayde? Thinkest thou that my wordes are not able to be perfourmed?


text:
But that thou mayest knowe that thou shalt feele these thinges with them, beholde from this houre foorth will I send thee vnto yonder people, that when the punishement of my sworde (whiche they haue worthyly deserued) falleth vpon them, thou mayest be punished with them.


text:
So Holophernes commaunded his seruauntes to take Achior, & to cary him vnto Bethulia, and to deliuer him into the handes of the children of Israel.


text:
Then Holophernes seruauntes toke him, and went through the playne field: But when they drewe nye vnto the mountaynes, the slyng casters came out against them.


text:
Neuerthelesse they gat them away by the side of the mountayne, and bounde Achior hande and foote to a tree, and so left him bounde with withes, and turned againe vnto their lorde.


text:
After that, the children of Israel went downe from Bethulia, came vnto hym, loosed him, brought him into Bethulia, set him in the middest of the people, and asked him what the matter was that the Assyrians had left him bounde?


text:
Osias the sonne of Micha of the tribe of Simeon, and Charmi which is also called Gothoniel, were the principal rulers at the same time.


text:
Nowe when Achior stoode in the middest of the senatours, and before them al, he tolde them what aunswere he gaue Holophernes to the thing that he asked him, & how Holophernes people would haue slayne him for so saying:


text:
And howe Holophernes him selfe was wroth, and commaunded him for the same cause to be deliuered vnto the Israelites: that when he ouercame the children of Israel, he might commaunde Achior also to be put to death with diuers tormentes, because he sayde, The God of heauen is their defender.


text:
And when Achior had playnly told out al these thinges, all the people fel downe vpon their faces, praysing the Lord, and powred out their prayers together vnto the Lorde, with a generall complaynt and weeping,


text:
And sayde: O Lord God of heauen and of earth, beholde their pryde, and loke vpon our lowlinesse, and consider howe it standeth with thy sayntes, and make it to be knowen that thou forsakest not those which holde them fast by thee: and howe that thou bringest them low that presume of them selues, and make their boast in their owne strength.


text:
So when the weeping and prayer of the people (whiche they had made the whole day long) was ended, they comforted Achior,


text:
Saying: The God of our fathers, whose power and strength thou hast praysed, shall so rewarde thee, that thou shalt rather see their destruction.


text:
When the Lorde our God then shall geue his seruauntes this libertie, God be also with thee among vs: so that as it shall please thee, so thou with all thyne mayst dwell with vs.


text:
And afterward was al the people called together, whiche made their prayers all the night long in the congregation, and besought the God of Israel for helpe.


text:
There were an hundred and twentie thousande fighting men on foote, and two and twentie thousande horsemen, beside the preparing of them that were wunne, and came to them on euery side out of the countreys and cities which he had taken.


text:
All these prepared them selues vnto the battayl against the Israelites, and came on by the hilside, vnto the top that loketh ouer against Dothain, from the place which is called Belma, vnto Chelmon that lyeth towarde Esdrelon.


text:
Nowe when the children of Israel sawe so great multitude of the Assyrians, they fell downe flat vpon the grounde, strawed asshes vpon their heades, and prayed with one accorde that the God of Israel woulde shewe his mercie vpon his people.


text:
And so they toke their weapons, and sat betwixte the mountaynes in the narow place, and kept the way day and night.


text:
But whyle Holophernes was goyng rounde about, he founde the water spring, whiche from the south side was conueyed into the citie be a conduite, and he commaunded their conduite to be cut in sunder.


text:
There were welles also not farre from the walles, whiche they vsed secretely, more for pleasure then for necessitie.


text:
Then went the Ammonites and the Moabites vnto Holophernes, and sayd: The children of Israel trust neither in speare nor arrow, but haue taken in and kepe the mountaynes, and steepe hilles defende them.


text:
That thou mayest ouercome them therfore without the striking of any battayl, set men to kepe the welles that they drawe no water out of them, so shalt thou destroy them without sworde, or at the least they shall be so feeble that they must be fayne to geue ouer the citie, which they thinke not able to be wunne for so much as it lyeth in the mountaynes.


text:
These wordes pleased Holophernes wel and all his men of warre, and he set an hundreth at euery well round about.


text:
And when this watch had endured twentie dayes, the cesternes and all that had water fayled them that dwelt in the citie of Bethulia, so that in the whole citie they had not drincke inough for one day, for the people had water geuen them dayly in a measure.


text:
God be iudge betwixt vs and thee, for thou hast dealt euyll with vs: thou wouldest not speake peaceably with the king of the Assyrians, therefore hath God solde vs into their handes.


text:
And there is no man to helpe vs, wheras we are brought downe before their eyes in thirst and great destruction.


text:
Therefore gather now together all the people that be in the citie, that we may all yeelde our selues wyllyngly vnto the people of Holophernes.


text:
For better it is that we be captiue and prayse the Lorde with our liues, then to be slayne & perishe, and to be laughed to scorne and shamed of euery man when we see our wiues and children die before our eyes.


text:
We take heauen and earth this day to record, & the God of our fathers, whiche punisheth vs according to [the deseruing of] our sinnes [and geue you warning,] that ye geue vp the citie nowe into the power of Holophernes hoast, that our end may be short with the sworde, which els shal endure long for want of water and for thirst.


text:
When they had spoken out these wordes, there was a great weeping and howling in the whole congregation [and that of euery man,] and they cryed a whole houre long vnto God with one voyce,


text:
Thou that art gratious haue mercie vpon vs, or punishe our vnrighteousnes with thyne owne scourge, and geue not those ouer that knowledge thee, vnto a people which knowe thee not:


text:
Osias stoode vp with watry eyes, and sayde: O take good heartes vnto you deare brethren [and be of good cheare,] and let vs wayte yet these fiue dayes for mercie of the Lorde:


text:
And it happened, when these wordes came to the eares of Iudith a widdowe, which was the daughter of Merari, the sonne of Idox, the sonne of Ioseph, the sonne of Osia, the sonne of Elai, the sonne of Iamnor, the sonne of Gedeon, the sonne of Raphaim, the sonne of Achitob, the sonne of Melchia, the sonne of Enan, the sonne of Nathania, the sonne of Salathiel, the sonne of Simeon, the sonne of Ruben:


text:
For whyle he was binding the sheaues together in the fielde, the heate came vpon his head, and he died at Bethulia his citie, and there was he buried beside his fathers.


text:
And in the higher partes of her house she made her selfe a priuie chamber, where she dwelt, beyng closed in with her maydens.


text:
She ware a smocke of heere, and fasted al the dayes of her life, except the Sabbathes, and newe moones, and the solempne dayes that the people of Israel kept.


text:
She was a very faire and beautiful person, her husbande also had left her great riches, a plenteous houshold, great vnmoueable possessions, & many cattell.


text:
This Iudith was a woman of a very good report with euery one, for she feared the Lord greatly: and there was no body that spake an euyll worde of her.


text:
When this Iudith hearde how Osias had promised the people that after the fift day he woulde geue vp the citie vnto the Assyrians, she sent for the elders, Chabri and Charmi.


text:
And when they came to her, she sayde: What thing is this wherin Osias hath consented, that if God helpe not within fiue dayes he will geue ouer the citie to the Assyrians?


text:
Neuerthelesse, for so much as the Lord is pacient, let vs rather repent in this, powring out teares, and beseching hym of grace.


text:
And with weeping eyes say vnto the Lorde, that he deale with vs according to his owne wil speedyly in mercie: that like as our heart is nowe vexed and brought low through the pride of them, it may so be comforted through his grace:


text:
In so much as we folowe not the sinnes of our fathers, which forsoke their God and worshipped other gods:


text:
For the which sinne they perished with the sword, were spoyled, and brought to shame of al their enemies: As for vs, we knowe none other God but only hym.


text:
For whose comfort let vs tary with meekenesse, and he shall require & make inquisition for our blood from the vexations of our enemies: he shall bring downe all the heathen that rise vp against vs, and put them to dishonour, euen the Lord our God.


text:
Therefore deare brethren, seyng ye are the [honorable and] elders in the people of God, and their lyfe hangeth all vpon you, lift vp their heartes with your exhortation, that they may call to remembraunce howe our fathers also in times past were tempted, that they might be proued if they worshipped their God a right.


text:
They ought to remember, howe our father Abraham beyng tempted, & tryed through many tribulations, was found a louer and friende of God.


text:
So was Isahac, so was Iacob, so was Moyses: and all they that pleased God, passed stedfast in faith through manyfolde troubles.


text:
Againe, they that receaued not these temptations with the feare of God, but put them selues foorth with vnpatiencie and murmuring against God,


text:
But to consider that all these punishmentes are farre lesse then our sinnes and misdeedes, and beleeuing that this correction commeth vnto vs as to the seruauntes of God, for amendement, and not for our destruction.


text:
Then saide Osias and the elders vnto Iudith: All that thou speakest is true, and no man can reproue thy wordes.


text:
Then proue my counsell and deuice if it be of God: and beseche God that he wyll bryng my counsell to good ende.


text:
[Thus haue I deuised] Ye shall stande this night before the porte, and I wyll go foorth with Abra my mayden: and pray ye therefore vnto God, that he wyll graciously remember his people of Israel within fiue dayes, as ye haue saide.


text:
As for the thing that I go in hande withall, aske ye no questions of it: and tyll I bring you word againe of it, do ye nothing els but pray vnto the Lorde our God for me.


text:
Then Osias the prince of the people of Iuda, saide vnto her: Go thy way in peace, the Lorde be with thee, that we may be auenged of our enemies. And so they went from her againe.


text:
Now when they were gone their way, Iudith went into her closet, put on a heery smocke, strawed ashes vpon her head, fell downe before the Lorde, and cryed vnto him, saying:


text:
O Lorde God of my father Simeon, which gauest him a sword for a defence against the enemies that vsed violence in their vncleannesse, and that rauished the virgin, [and] put her to shame and confusion:


text:
Thou that gauest their wyues into a pray, and their daughters into captiuitie, and all their pray for a spoyle vnto thy seruauntes which bare a zeale vnto thee: helpe me wydowe, O Lorde my God I beseche thee.


text:
For thou hast made the first thinges: and after that, looke what thou hast taken in hande and deuised, it came euer to passe.


text:
O looke now vpon the armies of the Assyrians, lyke as it was thy pleasure sometime to looke vpon the hoast of the Egyptians, when they being weaponed persecuted thy seruauntes, and put their trust in their charettes, horsemen, and in the multitude of their men of warre.


text:
Euen so Lord, let it go with these that trust in the power & multitude of their men of warre, in their charets, arrowes, and speares:


text:
And know not that thou onely art our God which destroyest warres from the beginning, and that thou art the Lord.


text:
O lyft vp thyne arme [now] lyke as euer from the beginning, and in thy power bryng their power to naught: cause their might to fall in thy wrath, which make their boast that they wyll vnhallowe and defile thy sanctuarie, and to waste the tabernacle of thy name, and to cast downe the horne of thyne aulter with their sword.


text:
That he may be taken with the snare of his eyes in me, and that thou mayest smyte him with the lyppes of my loue.


text:
For thy power O Lord standeth not in the multitude [of men] neither hast thou any pleasure in the strength of horses, neither was there from the beginning any proude persons that pleased thee: but in the prayer of the humble & meeke hath thy pleasure ben euermore.


text:
O thou God of the heauens, thou maker of the waters, and Lorde of all creatures, heare me poore woman calling vpon thee and putting my trust in thy mercy.


text:
Remember thy couenaunt O Lorde, and minister wordes in my mouth, and stablishe this deuice in my heart, that thy house may continue still in holynes:


text:
And when she had left of crying vnto the lord, she rose vp from the place where she had lyen flat before the Lord,


text:
And called her mayden Abra, went downe into her house, layed the heery cloth from her, put of the garmentes of her wydowhood,


text:
Washed her body, annoynted her selfe with precious thinges of sweete sauour, broyded and platted her heere, set a coyffe vpon her head, and put on such apparell as belongeth vnto gladnesse, slippers vpon her feete, bracelettes, spanges, earynges, fynger rynges, and decked her selfe with all her best aray.


text:
The Lorde gaue her also a speciall beautie and fairenesse: for all this decking of her selfe was not done for any voluptuousnesse, but of a ryght discretion and vertue, therefore did the Lorde encrease her beautie, so that she was exceeding amiable and welfauoured in all mens eyes.


text:
She gaue her mayden Abra also a bottell of wine, a pot with oyle, pottage, cake bread and cheese: & went her way.


text:
Nowe when they came to the porte of the citie, they founde Osias and the elders of the citie wayting there:


text:
Neuerthelesse, they asked no question at her, but let her go, saying: The God of our fathers geue thee grace, and with his power perfourme all the deuice of thy heart, that Hierusalem may reioyce ouer thee, and that thy name may be in the number of the holy & righteous.


text:
And as she was going downe the mountayne, it happened that about the spryng of the day the spyes of the Assyrians met with her, and tooke her, saying: whence commest thou? or whyther goest thou?


text:
She aunswered: I am a daughter of the Hebrues, and am fled from them: for I knowe that they shalbe geuen vnto you to be spoyled, because they thought scorne to yeelde them selues vnto you that they myght finde mercie in your sight.


text:
Therefore haue I deuised by my selfe after this maner: I wyll go before the prince Holophernes and tell him all their secretes, and wyll shewe him how he may come by them, and winne them: so that not one man of his hoast shall perishe.


text:
And when these men had heard her wordes, and considered her faire face, they were astonied (for they wondred at her excellent beautie)


text:
And saide vnto her: Thou hast saued thy lyfe by findinge out this deuice, that thou wouldest come downe to our lorde.


text:
And be thou sure that when thou commest vnto him, he shall entreate thee well, and thou shalt please him at the heart. So they brought her in to Holophernes pauilion, and tolde him of her.


text:
Then said his seruauntes: who would despise the people of the Iewes that haue so faire women? should we not by reason fight against them for these?


text:
So when Iudith sawe Holophernes sitting in a canapie that was wrought of purple silke, golde, smaragde, and precious stones,


text:
She looked fast vpon him, bowed her selfe, and fel downe vpon the earth: And Holophernes seruauntes tooke her vp agayne at their lordes commaundement.


text:
Then said Holophernes vnto her, Be of good cheare, and feare not in thyne heart: for I neuer hurt man that would serue Nabuchodonosor the king.


text:
But tell me nowe what is the cause that thou art departed from them, and wherefore art thou come vnto vs?


text:
And Iudith saide vnto him, Syr, vnderstand the wordes of thy handemayden: for if thou wylt do after the wordes of thy handmayden, the Lorde shall bryng thy matter to a prosperous effect.


text:
As Nabuchodonosor the king of the earth lyueth, and as his power liueth which is in thee to the punishment of all men that go wrong, al men shal not onely be subdued vnto him through thee, but al the beastes also of the fielde.


text:
For all people speake of thy prudent actiuitie, and it hath euer ben reported how thou onely art good and mightie in all his kingdome, and thy discretion is commended in all landes.


text:
The thing is manifest also that Achior spake, & it is well knowen what thou commaundest to do vnto him.


text:
For this is playne and of a suretie, that our God is so wroth with vs by the reason of our sinnes, that he hath shewed by his prophetes vnto the people, howe that for their sinnes he wyll delyuer them ouer [vnto the enemie.]


text:
And for so much as the children of Israel knowe that they haue so displeased their God, they are sore afrayde of thee.


text:
And are purposed to spend the holy thinges of their God which he hath forbydden them to touch, [as] of corne, wine, and oyle, & they wil consume those thinges which they ought not to touch with their handes: Seing nowe that they do these thinges, it is a playne case that they must needes be destroyed.


text:
Which when I thy handmayden perceaued, I fled from them: and the Lord hath sent me to shewe thee these thinges.


text:
For I thy handmayden worship God euen here now besyde thee, and thy handmayden shal go foorth, and I wyl make my prayer vnto God:


text:
And he shall tell me when he wyll rewarde them their sinne, then shall I come and shewe thee, and bring thee through the middest of Hierusalem, so that thou shalt haue al the people of Israel as sheepe without a shephearde, & there shall not so much as one dogge barke against thee.


text:
These wordes pleased Holophernes, and all his seruauntes: which marueyled at the wysedome of her, and said one to another:


text:
And Holophernes said vnto her: God hath done well that he hath sent thee hither before thy people, that thou mayest geue them into our handes.


text:
And for so much as thy promise is good, if thy God perfourme it vnto me, he shalbe my God also, and thou shalt be excellent and great in the court of Nabuchodonosor, and thy name shalbe spoken of in all the lande.


text:
Then commaunded he her to go in where his treasure lay, and charged that she shoulde haue her dwellyng there, and appoynted what shoulde be geuen her from his table.


text:
Iudith aunswered him, and saide: As for the meate that thou hast commaunded to geue me, I may not eate of it as now, lest I displease my God: but wyll eate of such as I haue brought with me.


text:
Then saide Holophernes vnto her: If these thinges that thou hast brought with thee fayle, what shall we do vnto thee?


text:
And Iudith saide: As thy soule lyueth my Lorde, thy handmayden shall not spend all this, tyl God hath brought to passe in my hande the thinges that I haue deuised. So his seruauntes brought her into the tent whereas he had appoynted.


text:
And as she was going in, she desired that she might haue leaue to go foorth by night and before day to her prayer, and to make intercession vnto the Lord.


text:
Then commaunded Holophernes his chamberlaynes, that she should go out and in at her pleasure, to pray vnto God those three dayes.


text:
And so in the night season she went foorth into the valley of Bethulia, and washed her selfe in the well water.


text:
And comming vp, she besought the Lorde God of Israel that he woulde prosper her way for the deliueraunce of his people.


text:
Upon the fourth day it came to passe that Holophernes made a supper vnto his seruauntes, and saide vnto Uagao his chamberlayne: Go thy way, & counsell this Hebruesse, that she may be wylling to consent to kepe company with me:


text:
For it were a shame vnto all the Assyrians, that a woman shoulde so laugh a man to scorne, that she were come from him vnmedled withall.


text:
Then went Uagao vnto Iudith, and saide: Let not the good daughter be afrayde to come in to my lorde, that she may be honoured before him, that she may eate and drinke wine and be mery with him.


text:
Whatsoeuer is good and best before his eyes, I shal do it: and looke what is his pleasure, that shall I thinke well done as long as I lyue.


text:
And Holophernes saide vnto her: Drinke nowe and sit downe & be mery, for thou hast founde fauour before me.


text:
Then saide Iudith: Syr, I wyll drinke, for my minde is meryer to day then euer it was in all my lyfe.


text:
And she toke, and did eate, and dranke before him, the thinges that her mayden had prepared for her.


text:
Now when it was late in the night, his seruauntes made haste euery man to his lodging: And Uagao shut the chamber doores, & went his way:


text:
And saide: Strengthen me O Lorde God of Israel, and haue respect vnto the workes of myne handes in this houre, that thou mayest set vp thy citie of Hierusalem lyke as thou hast promysed: And graunt that I may perfourme the thing, which in hope that it may be done by thee, I haue deuised.


text:
And when she had spoke this, she went to the piller that was at Holophernes beddes head, and loosed his sword that hanged vpon it, and drewe it out:


text:
And when she had taken it out of the scabberd, she tooke holde of the heery lockes of his head, and sayde: Strengthen me O Lorde God in this houre.


text:
And with that she gaue him two strokes vpon the necke, & smote of his head: Then tooke she the canapie away from the pillers, and roulled the dead body asyde.


text:
Immediatly she gat her foorth, and deliuered the head of Holophernes vnto her mayden, and bad her put it in her wallet.


text:
And so these two went foorth together after their custome, as though they would pray: and so passed by the hoast, and came about through the valley vnto the porte of the citie.


text:
And Iudith cryed a farre of vnto the watchmen vpon the walles: Open the gates [saide she] for God is with vs which hath shewed his power in Israel.


text:
And they came all to meete her, litle & great, young & olde: for they thought not that she should haue come so soone.


text:
So they lighted candels, and gathered about her euery one: but she went vp into an high place, and caused scilence to be proclaymed.


text:
And when euery man now held his peace, Iudith saide: O prayse the Lord our God, for he hath not despised nor forsaken them that put their trust in him:


text:
And in me his handmayden he hath perfourmed his mercy, which he promised vnto the house of Israel: Yea, in my hand this same night hath he slaine the enemie of his people.


text:
And with that she tooke foorth the head of Holophernes out of the wallet, and shewed it them, saying: Behold the head of Holophernes the captayne of the armie of the Assyrians, and this is his canapie wherin he lay in his drunkennes, where the Lord our God hath slaine him by the hande of a woman.


text:
But as the Lorde liueth, his angell hath kept me going thither, remayning there, and comming hither againe from thence: And the Lorde hath not suffred me his handmayden to be defiled, but without any defiling of sinne hath he brought me againe vnto you: and that with great victorie, so that I am escaped, and ye deliuered.


text:
So they praysed the Lorde altogether [and gaue thankes vnto him,] and to her they saide: The Lorde hath blessed thee in his power, for through thee he hath brought our enemies to naught.


text:
And Osias the chiefe ruler of the people of Israel saide vnto her: Blessed art thou of the Lorde the high God, aboue all women vpon earth.


text:
Blessed be the Lorde the maker of heauen and earth, which hath guided thee aright to wounde and to smyte of the head of the captayne of our enemies.


text:
For this day he hath made thy name so honorable, that thy prayse shall neuer come out of the mouth of men which shal alway remember the power of the Lord, seeing thou hast not spared thyne owne selfe [but put thee in ieopardie] considering the anguishe and trouble of thy people: and so hast helped their fall before God our Lorde.


text:
Achior also was called, and he came: Then said Iudith vnto him, The God of Israel, vnto whom thou gauest witnesse that he would be auenged of his enemies, euen he hath this night through my hande smitten of the head of all the vnfaithfull.


text:
And that thou mayst see that it so is, behold this is the head of Holophernes, which in his presumptuous pride despised the God of the people of Israel, and threatened thee with destruction, saying, When the people of Israel is taken, I shall cause thee also to be stickt with the sword.


text:
When Achior saw Holophernes head, he fell downe vpon his face to the grounde for very anguishe and feare, so that he sowned withall.


text:
Blessed art thou of thy God in all the tabernacles of Iacob: for all the people that heare of thy name, shall prayse the God of Israel, because of thee.


text:
And when the sunne aryseth, take euery man his weapon, and fall out violently: not as though ye would go beside them, but to runne vpon them with violence.


text:
When the spies see this, they shall of necessitie be compelled to flee backward, and to rayse vp their captayne to the battaile.


text:
So when their captaynes come into Holophernes pauilion, and finde the dead body wrapped in the blood, fearefulnesse shall fall vpon them:


text:
And when ye perceaue that they flee, folowe them without all care, for God shall delyuer them vnto you to be destroyed.


text:
Then Achior seing the power of God which he had shewed vnto the people of Israel, fell of from his heathenishe beliefe, and put his trust in God, and let him selfe be circumcized, and so was he numbred among the people of Israel, he and all his posteritie vnto this day.


text:
Now assoone as it was day, they stickt vp Holophernes head vpon the walles, and euery man tooke his weapon, and so they went out with an horrible crye.


text:
And they that were within the tent, came before his chamber and made a great russhing by art, that Holophernes might awake, not by stirring him vp, but by their noyse.


text:
But when the captaynes and princes and all the chiefe in the king of the Assyrians hoast came together, they said vnto the chamberlaynes:


text:
Go your way in, and wake him vp: for the myce are crept out of their holes, and dare prouoke vs vnto battayle.


text:
Then went Uagao into his chamber, stoode before the bed, and clapped with his handes: for he thought he had ben sleeping with Iudith.


text:
But when he hearkened perfectly with his eares, and coulde perceaue no stirring, he went nyer to the bed and lift it vp, and when he sawe the dead body of Holophernes lying there without a head weltred in his blood vpon the earth, he cryed with a loude voyce, and with weeping rent his clothes,


text:
And so he lept out vnto the people, and saide: One woman of the Iewes, hath brought al Nabuchodonosors people to shame: For lo, Holophernes lyeth vpon the grounde and hath no head.


text:
When the chiefe of the Assyrians hoast heard that, they rent their clothes, and there fell an intollerable feare and tremblyng vpon them: so that their mindes were sore afrayd.


text:
Now when al the hoast heard that Holophernes was beheaded, their minde & counsell fel from them: and being amased with feare onely and trembling, they saued them selues by fleeing away,


text:
One spake not to another, but hanged downe their heades, left all behinde the, and made haste to escape from the Hebrues: for they heard that they were hasting to come after with their weapons, and so they fled by the wayes of the fieldes, and through all the foote pathes of the dales.


text:
And when the children of Israel saw that they fled, they folowed vpon them: and went downe with trumpettes, blowyng and making a great crye after them.


text:
As for the Assyrians they had no order, and kept not them selues together, but fled their way: Neuerthelesse, the children of Israel fell vpon them with one company and order, and discomfited as many as they might get.


text:
So all the regions and euery citie sent out their best men after them in harnesse, and smote them with the sworde, till they came to the vttermost parte of their borders.


text:
And the other that were in Bethulia came into the tentes of the Assyrians, and tooke all that they which were fled had left behinde them, & so they founde great good.


text:
And they that came againe to Bethulia from the battaile, tooke with them such thinges as had ben theirs: there was no number of the cattaile and of all costly iewels, so that from the lowest vnto the hiest, they were all made rich of the spoyles of them.


text:
And Ioachim the hie priest came from Hierusalem to Bethulia with al the elders, that they might see Iudith.


text:
Now when she came out vnto them, they began all to prayse her with one voyce, saying: Thou worship of the citie of Hierusalem, thou ioy of Israel, thou honour of our people.


text:
Because thou hast done manly, and thy heart is comforted, & for that thou hast loued clenlinesse and chastitie, and hast knowen no man but thyne owne husband: therefore hath the hand of the Lorde comforted thee, and blessed shalt thou be for euer.


text:
But all that belonged vnto Holophernes, and had ben his specially (whether it were of golde, of siluer, precious stone, clothing, and all ornamentes) they gaue it vnto Iudith, and it was deliuered vnto her of the people.


text:
Beginne vnto the Lorde vpon the tabrettes, sing vnto the Lorde vpon the cymbales, O sing vnto him a newe song of thankes geuing, be ioyfull and call vpon his name.


text:
Which hath pitched his tentes in the middest of his people, that he might deliuer vs from the hand of al our enemies.


text:
Assur came out of the mountaines of the north in the multitude of his strength: his people stopped the water brookes, and their horses couered the valleyes.


text:
He woulde haue caried away my children and virgins into captiuitie, but the almightie Lorde hindred him, and deliuered him into the handes of a woman, which brought him to confusion.


text:
For their mightie was not destroyed of the young men, it it was not the sonnes of Titan that slue him, neither haue the great giauntes set them selues against him: but Iudith the daughter of Merari with her faire beautie hath discomfited him, [and brought him to naught.]


text:
For she layed away her wydowes garment, and put on the apparell of gladnesse to the reioycing of the children of Israel.


text:
She annoynted her face with oyntment & bounde vp her heere in a coyffe, and tooke a newe stole to beguile him.


text:
Her slippers rauished his eyes, her beautie captiuated his minde, with the sword smote she of his necke.


text:
The sonnes of the daughters haue pearsed them through, and slaine them as fugitiue children: they perished in the battaile, for the very feare of the Lord my God.


text:
Let vs sing a song of thankesgeuing vnto the Lorde, a newe song of prayse wyll we sing vnto our God.


text:
All thy creatures must serue thee: For thou spakest but the worde, and they were made, thou sentest thy spirite, and they were created, and no man can withstand thy voyce.


text:
The mountaynes shall mooue from the foundations with the waters, the stony rockes shall melt before thee like waxe.


text:
Wo vnto the people that rise vp against my generation: for the almightie Lorde wyll auenge him selfe of them, and in the day of iudgement wyll he visite the.


text:
After this it happened, that after the victorie all the people came to Hierusalem, to geue prayse and thankes vnto the Lorde: And when they were purified, they offred all their burnt sacrifices and their vowes, and their promised offeringes.


text:
And Iudith offered all Holophernes weapons [and all the iewels] that the people had geuen her, and the canapie that she toke from his bed, and hanged them vp vnto the Lorde.


text:
The people were ioyfull as the vse is: and this ioy with Iudith, by reason of the victorie, endured three monethes.


text:
So after these dayes euery man went home againe, and Iudith was in great reputation at Bethulia, and right honourably taken in al the land of Israel.


text:
Unto her vertue also was chastitie ioyned, so that after her husbande Manasses dyed, she neuer knewe man all the dayes of her life.


text:
And dyed, and was buried beside her husbande in Bethulia: And all the people mourned for her seuen dayes.


text:
The day wherein this victorie was gotten, was solemply holden, & reckened of the Iewes in the number of the holy dayes, and it is yet greatly holden of the Iewes euer since, vnto this day.


text:
Loue righteousnesse ye that be iudges of ye earth, consider deepely of the Lorde in goodnesse, and seeke hym in singlenesse of heart:


text:
For he wyll be founde of them that tempt hym not, and appeareth vnto such as put no distrust in him.


text:
For why? wysdome shall not enter into a wicked soule, nor dwell in the body that is subiect vnto sinne.


text:
For the holy spirite of discipline fleeth from deceipt, and withdraweth hym selfe from thoughtes that are without vnderstanding, and is declared when wickednesse commeth.


text:
For the spirite of wysdome is louing, and will not absolue hym that blasphemeth with his lippes, for God is witnesse of his raynes, and a true beholder of his heart, & an hearer of his tongue.


text:
For the spirite of the Lorde filleth the rounde compasse of the worlde, and the same that vpholdeth all thinges hath knowledge also of the voyce.


text:
Therfore he that speaketh vnrighteous thinges can not be hid, neither shall the iudgement of reprofe let him escape.


text:
And why? inquisition shalbe made for the thoughtes of the vngodly, and the sounde of his wordes shall come vnto God, so that his wickednesse shalbe punished.


text:
Therefore beware of murmuring whiche is nothing worth, and refraine your tongue from sclaunder: For there is no worde so secrete that it shall go for naught, and the mouth that speaketh lyes, slayeth the soule.


text:
O seeke not your owne death in the errour of your lyfe, destroy not your selues thorowe the workes of your owne handes:


text:
For he created all thinges that they might haue their being, and the generations of the worlde were healthfull, and there is no poyson of destruction in them, nor the kyngdome of hell vpon the earth.


text:
Neuerthelesse, the vngodly call it vnto them both with workes and wordes, and whyle they thinke to haue it their friende, they come to naught, & they haue made an agreement with it, for they are worthy to be of her part.


text:
For the vngodly say reasoning with them selues but not a right, our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedie, neither is there any man knowen to haue returned from the graue.


text:
For we are borne at all aduenture, and we shalbe here by more fortune after, as though we had neuer ben: for our breath is as a smoke in our nosetrilles, and wordes as a sparke raysed out of our heartes:


text:
Whiche being extinquished, our body shalbe turned into ashes, and our spirite shall vanishe as the soft ayre.


text:
Our life shall passe away as the trace of a cloude, and come to naught as the miste that is driuen away with the beames of the sunne, and put downe with the heate thereof: Our name also shalbe forgotten by litle and litle, and no man shall haue our workes in remembraunce.


text:
For our tyme is a very shadowe that passeth away, and after our ende there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man commeth agayne.


text:
Come on therefore, let vs enioy the pleasures that are present, and let vs chearefully vse the creatures, like as in youth:


text:
Let there be no fayre medowe, but our lust go thorowe it. Let euery one of vs be partakers of our volupteousnes, let vs leaue some token of our pleasure in euery place: for that is our portion, and this [only] our lot.


text:
Let vs oppresse the poore righteous, let vs not spare the wydowe nor olde man, let vs not regarde the heades that are gray for age.


text:
Therefore let vs defraude the righteous, and why? he is not for our profite, yea he is cleane contrary to our doinges, he checketh vs for offending against the lawe, and slaundereth the faultes of our maner of liuing.


text:
It greeueth vs also to looke vpon him, for his life is not like other mens, his wayes are of another fashion.


text:
He counteth vs but vayne persons, he withdraweth hym selfe from our wayes as from filthynes, he commendeth greatly the latter ende of the iust, and maketh his boast that God is his father.


text:
For if the iust man be the sonne of god, he wyll receaue hym, and deliuer hym from the handes of his enemies.


text:
Let vs examine him with despitefull rebuke and tormenting, that we may know his meekenesse, and proue his pacience.


text:
Let vs condempne him with the most shamefull death: for as him selfe saith, he shalbe rewarded [of God.]


text:
As for the mysteries of God, they vnderstande them not, they neither hope for the rewarde of righteousnesse, nor regarde the worship that holy soules shall haue.


text:
Neuerthelesse, thorowe enuie of the deuyll came death into the worlde, and they that helde of his side do finde it.


text:
They are punished but in few thinges, neuerthelesse in many thinges shal they be well rewarded: for God proueth the, and findeth them meete for hym selfe.


text:
As golde in the furnace doth he trye them, and receaueth them as a burnt offeryng: and when the tyme commeth they shalbe loked vpon.


text:
They shal iudge the nations and haue dominion ouer the people: and their Lorde shall raigne for euer.


text:
They that put their trust in him shall vnderstande the trueth, and such as be faythfull shall perseuer with hym in loue: for his saintes haue grace & mercie, and he hath care for his elected.


text:
But the vngodly shalbe punished accordyng to their owne imaginations, for they haue dispised the righteous, and forsaken the Lorde.


text:
For who so dispiseth wisdome and nurture he is vnhappy, and as for the hope of such it is but vayne, their labours vnfruitfull, and their workes vnprofitable.


text:
Their offpryng [or progenie] is cursed: Wherfore blessed is the barren that is vndefiled, which hath not knowen the sinnefull bed, she shall haue fruite in the visitation of soules,


text:
And the gelded which with his handes hath wrought no vnrighteousnesse, nor imagined wicked thinges agaynst God: for vnto hym shalbe geuen the speciall gyft of fayth, and the most acceptable portion in the temple of God.


text:
As for the children of adulterers they shall not come to a perfect ende, and the seede of an vnryghteous bedde shalbe rooted out.


text:
And though they lyue long, yet shall they be nothyng regarded, and their last age shalbe without honour.


text:
O howe faire is a chaste generation with vertue? the memoriall therof is immortall: for it is knowen with God and with men.


text:
When it is present, men take example at it, & if it go away, yet they desire it: it is crowned and euer triumpheth, when it hath wunne the rewarde of the vndefiled battayles.


text:
But the multitude of the vngodly aboundyng in children, shall profite nothyng, nor geue deepe roote by the seede of adulterie, nor lay any fast foundatio.


text:
For though they budde foorth in the braunches for a tyme, yet shall they be shaken with the wynde, for they stande not fast: and through the vehemencie of the wynde they shalbe rooted out.


text:
The vnperfect braunches shalbe broken, their fruite shalbe vnprofitable, & sowre to eate, yea meete for nothyng.


text:
And why? all the children that are borne of the wicked bed, must beare recorde of the wickednesse agaynst their fathers and mothers when they be asked:


text:
For honorable age is not that which standeth in length of tyme, nor that that is measured by number of yeres:


text:
Yea spedyly was he taken away, to the intent that wickednesse shoulde not alter his vnderstandyng, and that deceipt shoulde not beguile his soule.


text:
For wickednesse with bewitchyng doth darken the honest thynges: and the lyghtnesse of voluptuous desire turneth asyde the single mynde.


text:
This the people see, and vnderstande it not, they lay not vp such thynges in their heartes, howe that the louyng fauour and mercie [of God] is vpon his saintes, and that he hath respect vnto his chosen.


text:
Thus the ryghteous that is dead, condemneth the vngodly which are liuing: and the youth that is soone brought to an ende, the long life of the vnrighteous.


text:
For they see the ende of the wyse: but they vnderstande not what God hath deuised for him, and wherfore the Lord hath taken him away to be in safetie.


text:
So that they them selues shall dye hereafter without honour, yea in shame among the dead for euermore: For without any voyce shall he burst those that be puft vp, and shake them from the foundations, so that they shalbe layde as vtterly wasted: they shalbe in sorowe, and their memoriall perishe.


text:
So they shall come afrayde in remembraunce of their sinnes, and their owne iniquities before their face shal conuince them.


text:
Then shal the righteous stande in great boldenesse before the face of such as haue dealt extremely with them, and taken away their labours.


text:
When they see it, they shalbe vexed with horrible feare, and shal wonder at his health so farre beyonde all that they loked for.


text:
And chaungyng their opinion with gronyng for the redresse of mynde, they shall say: This is he whom we sometyme had in derision, annd iested vpon.


text:
Therfore haue we erred from the way of trueth, the lyght of ryghteousnesse hath not shined vnto vs, and the sunne of vnderstandyng rose not vp vpon vs.


text:
We haue weeryed our selus in the way of wickednesse and destruction, yea we haue gone through tedious desertes: but as for the way of the Lorde, we haue not knowen it.


text:
As a ship that passeth ouer the waues of the water, which when it is gone by the trace therof can not be founde, neither the path of it in the fluddes:


text:
Or as a birde that fleeth through in the ayre, and no man can see any token where she is flowen, but only heareth the noyse of her wynges beatyng the lyght wynde, partyng the ayre through the vehemencie of her goyng, and fleeth on shakyng her wynges, wheras afterwarde no token of her way can be founde:


text:
Or lyke as when an arrowe is shot at a marke, it parteth the ayre which immediatly commeth together agayne, so that a man can not knowe where it went through:


text:
Euen so we in lyke maner assoone as we were borne, began immediatly to drawe to our ende, and haue shewed no token of vertue, but are consumed in our owne wickednesse.


text:
For the hope of the vngodly is lyke a drye thistle floure that is blowe away with the wynde, like a thinne scumme that is scattered abrode with the storme, lyke as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with the wynde, and as the remembraunce of a straunger that taryeth but a day and then departeth.


text:
But the ryghteous shall lyue foreuermore, their rewarde also is with the Lorde, and the care for them is with the hyghest.


text:
Therfore shall they receaue a glorious kyngdome, and a beautifull crowne of the Lordes hande: for with his ryght hande shall he couer them, and with his arme shall he defende them.


text:
His ielosie also shall take on harnesse, and he shall arme the creature to be reuenged of his enemies.


text:
He shall put on ryghteousnesse for a brestplate, and take vnfaigned iudgement in steade of an helmet.


text:
His fierse wrath shall he sharpen for a sworde, and the whole compasse of the worlde shall fyght with hym agaynst the vnwise.


text:
Then shall the thunder boltes go ryght out of the lyghtnynges, and come as out of the well bent bowe of the cloudes to the place appoynted,


text:
And as from an angry caster of stones, there shall fall thicke hayles, and the water of the sea shalbe wroth agaynst them, & the fluddes shall runne roughly together.


text:
Yea a mightie wynde shall stande vp agaynst them, and a storme shall scatter them abrode: Thus vnrighteous dealyng shall bryng all the lande to a wildernesse, and wickednesse shall ouerthrowe the royal seates of the mightie.


text:
For the power is geuen you of the Lorde, and the strength from the hyest, which shall trye your workes, & searche out your imaginations:


text:
Howe that ye beyng officers of his kyngdome, haue not geuen true iudgement, haue not kept the lawe of ryghteousnesse, nor walked after the wyll of God.


text:
Horribly and that ryght soone shall he appeare vnto you: for an harde iudgement shall they haue that beare rule.


text:
For he which is Lorde ouer all shall except no mans person, neither shall he stande in awe of any mans greatnesse: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all a lyke.


text:
For they that kepe holinesse holyly, shalbe iudged holy: and they that haue learned such thinges, shal finde defence.


text:
Wisdome is a noble thyng, and neuer fadeth away: yea she is easyly seene of them that loue her, and founde of such as seke her.


text:
Who so awaketh vnto her betymes, shall haue no great trauayle: for he shal fynde her sittyng redy at his doores.


text:
To thynke therfore vpon her, is perfect vnderstandyng: and who so watcheth for her, shall quickly be dispatched of care.


text:
For she goeth about sekyng such as are meete for her, sheweth her selfe chearefully vnto the in their goynges, and meeteth them with all diligence.


text:
If your delyght be then in royall seates and scepters (O ye kynges of the people) set your lust vpon wisdome, that ye may raigne for euermore.


text:
As for wisdome, what she is & howe she came vp, I wyll tell you, and wyll not hyde the mysteries of [God] from you: but wyll seke her out from the begynnyng of her natiuitie, and bryng the knowledge of her into lyght, and wyll not kepe backe the trueth,


text:
But the multitude of the wise, is the welfare of the worlde: and a wise kyng is the vpholdyng of the people.


text:
I my selfe also am a mortall man, lyke as all other, & am come of the earthy generation of hym that was first made,


text:
And in my mothers wombe was fashoned to be fleshe in the tyme of tenne monethes, beyng brought together in blood, through the seede of man, and the pleasure that came with sleepe.


text:
And when I was borne I receaued lyke ayre as other men, and fell vpon the earth which is of like nature, crying and weeping at the first as all other do.


text:
Wherfore I desired, and vnderstandyng was geuen me: I called, and the spirite of wisdome came into me.


text:
I set more by her then by kingdomes and royal seates, and counted riches nothyng in comparison of her.


text:
As for pretious stone, I compared it not vnto her: for all golde is but a litle grauell vnto her, and siluer shalbe counted but clay before her syght.


text:
I loued her aboue welfare & beautie, and purposed to take her for my lyght: for her lyght can not be quenched.


text:
And I was glad in all thynges, because wisdome went before them: and I knewe not that she was the mother of them.


text:
And I my selfe learned vnfaignedly, and make other men partakers of her without enuie, and hyde her riches from no man.


text:
For she is an infinite treasure vnto men: which who so vse, become partakers of the loue [and friendshyp] of God, and are accepted vnto him for the giftes of wisdome.


text:
God hath graunted me to speake what my mynde conceaueth, and to thynke as is meete for the thynges that are geuen me: For it is he that leadeth vnto wisdome, and teacheth to vse wisdome a ryght.


text:
For he hath geuen me the true science of the thinges that are, so that I know howe the worlde was made, and the powers of the elementes:


text:
The begynnyng, endyng, and myddest of the tymes, howe the tymes alter, howe one goeth after another, & howe they are fulfylled,


text:
The natures of lyuyng thynges, the furiousnesse of beastes, the power of the wyndes, the imaginations of men, the diuersities of young plants, the vertues of rootes:


text:
For wisdome which is the worker of all thynges hath taught me: for in her is the spirite of vnderstandyng, which is holy, one only, manifolde, subtile, quicke mouyng, cleare, vndefiled, plaine, sweete, louyng the thyng that is good, sharpe, which can not be letted, doyng good,


text:
Kynde to man, stedfast, sure, free from care, hauyng all vertues, circumspect in all thynges, and passyng through all vnderstanding, cleane, & subtile spirites.


text:
For wisdome is nimbler then all nimble thynges, she goeth through and attayneth to all thynges, because of her cleannesse.


text:
For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glorie of the almightie [God:] therfore can no defiled thyng come vnto her.


text:
For she is the bryghtnesse of the euerlastyng lyght, the vndefiled mirrour of the maiestie of God, and the image of his goodnesse.


text:
And beyng [but] one, she can do all thinges: and remaynyng in her selfe she renueth all, and in all ages of tymes entryng into holy soules, she maketh Gods friendes, and prophetes:


text:
For she is more beautifull then the sunne, and geueth more lyght then the starres, and the day is not to be compared vnto her.


text:
I haue loued her, and laboured for her, euen from my youth vp: I dyd my diligence to mary my selfe with her, such loue had I vnto her beautie.


text:
That she hath the companie of God, it commendeth her nobilitie: yea the Lorde of all thynges hym selfe loueth her.


text:
And yf a man loue ryghteousnesse, her labours are but vertues: For why? she teacheth sobernesse and prudence, righteousnesse and strength, which are such thinges as men can haue nothyng more profitable in their lyfe.


text:
If a man desire much knowledge, she can tell the thynges that are past, and discerne thynges for to come: she knoweth the subtilties of wordes, and can expounde darke sentences: she forseeth signes and wonders or euer they come to passe, and the endes of all tymes and ages.


text:
Therfore I purposed after this maner: I wyll take her into my companie, that she may liue with me, knowyng for certaintie she shall geue me good counsayle, and speake comfortably vnto me in my carefulnesse and griefe.


text:
For her sake shall I be well [& honestly] taken among the commons, and with honour among the elders though I be young.


text:
I shalbe founde to be of sharpe iudgement, so that I shalbe marueylous in the sight of great men: and the faces of princes shall wonder at me.


text:
When I holde my tongue, they shall byde my leasure, and when I speake, they shall geue good eare vnto me, and if I talke much, they shall lay their handes vpon their mouth.


text:
Moreouer, by the meanes of her I shall obtayne immortalitie, and leaue behynde me an euerlastyng memoriall among them that come after me.


text:
Horrible tirauntes shalbe afraide when they do but heare of me, among the multitude I shalbe counted good, and mightie in battayle.


text:
When I come home I shall fynde rest with her: for her companie hath no bitternesse, and her felowshyp hath no tediousnesse, but mirth and ioy.


text:
Nowe whe I considered these thinges by my selfe, and pondered them in my heart, howe that to be ioyned vnto wisdome is immortalitie,


text:
And great pleasure to haue her friendshyp, and that in the workes of her handes are infinite riches, and that who so kepeth companie with her shalbe wise, and that he which talketh with her, shall come to honour: I went about sekyng howe to get her vnto me.


text:
Neuerthelesse when I perceaued that I coulde not enioy it except God gaue it [me] and that was a poynt of wisdome also to knowe whose gyft it was, I stepped vnto the Lorde and besought hym, and with my whole heart I sayde after this maner:


text:
And ordeyned man through thy wisdome, that he shoulde haue dominion ouer the creatures which thou hast made,


text:
That he shoulde order the worlde accordyng to equitie and righteousnesse, and execute iudgement with a true heart:


text:
For I thy seruaunt and sonne of thy handmayden, am a feeble person, and of a short tyme, and to young to the vnderstandyng of iudgement and lawes.


text:
And though a man be neuer so perfect among the children of men, yet yf thy wisdome be not with hym, he shalbe nothyng regarded.


text:
Thou hast commaunded me to builde a temple vpon thy holy mount, and an aulter in the citie wherin thou dwellest, a likenesse of thy holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning.


text:
And thy wisdome with thee, which knoweth thy workes, which also was with thee whe thou madest the worlde, and knewe what was acceptable in thy syght, and ryght in thy commaundementes.


text:
O sende her out of thy holy heauens, & from the throne of thy maiestie, that she may be with me and labour [with me] that I may knowe what is acceptable in thy syght.


text:
For she knoweth and vnderstandeth all thynges, and she shall leade me soberly in my workes, and preserue me in her power.


text:
So shall my workes be acceptable, and then shall I gouerne thy people ryghteously, and be worthy to sit in my fathers seate.


text:
For why? a corruptible body is heauy vnto the soule, and the earthy mansion kepeth downe that vnderstandyng that museth vpon many thynges.


text:
Uery hardly can we discerne the thynges that are vpon earth, and great labour haue we or we can fynde the thynges which are before our eyes: & who hath then sought out the ground of the thynges that are done in heauen?


text:
[Oh Lorde] who can haue knowledge of thy [vnderstandyng and] meanyng, except thou geue wisdome, and sende thy holy ghost from aboue?


text:
For so the wayes of them which liued on the earth were refourmed, and men haue learned the thynges that are pleasaunt vnto thee, and were preserued through wisdome.


text:
She preferred the first fourmed father of the worlde that was created alone, and brought hym out of his fall:


text:
But when the vnrighteous went away in his wrath from her, he perished by the furious desire to murther his brother.


text:
For whom when the water destroyed the whole worlde, wisdome agayne preserued it, her selfe gouernyng the iust man by no costly worke of wood.


text:
Moreouer, when the nations were confounded [or ioyned together] in their malicious confederacie, she founde out the righteous, and preserued hym faultlesse vnto God, and kept hym strong agaynst the loue of his sonne.


text:
She preserued the ryghteous when he fled from the vngodly that perished, what tyme as the fire fell downe vpon the fiue cities.


text:
Like as yet this day the [vnfruitfull] waste [and] smokyng lande geueth testimonie of their wickednesse: yea the vnripe & vntymely fruites that growe vpon the trees, and for a token of a remembraunce of the vnfaythfull soule, there standyng a pyller of salt.


text:
For all such as regarded not wisdome, gat not only this hurt, that they knewe not the thynges which were good: but also left behynde them vnto men a memoriall of their foolishnesse, so that in the thynges wherin they sinned, they coulde not be hyd.


text:
When the ryghteous fled because of his brothers wrath, wisdome led hym the ryght way, shewed hym the kyngdome of God, gaue hym knowledge of holy thynges, made hym riche in his labours, & brought to passe the thynges that he went about.


text:
She saued hym from the enemies, and defended him from the deceauers: In a strong battayle she gaue hym the victorie, that he myght knowe howe that the feare of God is stronger then all thynges.


text:
When the ryghteous was solde, she forsoke hym not, but delyuered hym from sinne: She went downe with hym into the dungeon,


text:
And fayled hym not in the bandes, till she had brought hym the scepter of the realme, and power agaynst those that oppressed hym: As for them that had accused hym, she declared them to be lyers, and brought hym to perpetuall worshyp.


text:
She entred into the soule of the seruaunt of the Lorde, and stoode by hym in wonders and tokens agaynst the dreadfull kynges.


text:
She gaue the ryghteous the reward of their labours, and led them foorth a marueylous way: on the day tyme she was a shadowe vnto them, and a lyght of starres in the nyght season.


text:
So the ryghteous toke the spoyles of the vngodly, & praysed thy holy name O Lorde, and magnified thy victorious hande with one accorde.


text:
[So that] they went through the wildernesse that was not inhabited, and pitched their tentes in the waste desert.


text:
When they were thirstie they called vpon thee, and water was geuen them out of the [most] hye rocke, & their thirst was quenched out of the harde stone.


text:
For by the thynges wherthrough their enemies were punished, were the children of Israel helped in their neede.


text:
In reproche of the commaundement published to murther the infantes, thou gauest vnto them aboundaunce of water, and that not loked for neither:


text:
For when they were tryed, and nurtured with [fatherly] mercie, they knewe howe the vngodly were iudged and punished in the wrath [of God.]


text:
For these hast thou exhorted as a father, and proued them: but vnto the other thou hast ben a boystuous kyng, layed harde to their charge, and condempned them.


text:
For whom in his castyng out before, as an abiect they had denied with derision, him in the ende when they sawe what happened, they wondered at: for they were of another thirst then was the iust.


text:
But for the foolishe deuises of their wickednesse, wherwith being deceaued they worshipped serpentes that had not the vse of reason, and vile beastes, thou sentest a multitude of vnreasonable beastes vpon them for reuengeaunce:


text:
For vnto thy almightie hande that made the worlde of naught, it was not vnpossible to sende among them an heape of beares, or wood lions,


text:
Or cruell beastes of a straunge kynde such as are vnknowen, or spout fire, or cast out a smokyng breath, or shoote horrible sparkes out of their eyes:


text:
Yea without these [beastes] might they haue ben slayne with one wynde, being persecuted by the reuengeaunce, and scattered abroade through the breath of thy power: Neuerthelesse, thou hast ordered all thinges in measure, number, and wayght.


text:
For why? lyke as the small thyng that the ballaunce wayeth, so is the worlde before thee: yea as a drop of the mornyng deawe that falleth downe vpon the earth.


text:
But thou hast mercie vpon all, for thou hast power of all thynges, and makest thee as though thou sawest not the sinnes of men, because they shoulde amende.


text:
For thou louest all the thynges that are, and hatest none of them whom thou hast made: for thou wouldest not haue made any thyng yf thou hadst hated it.


text:
Yea howe myght any thyng endure yf it were not thy wyll? or howe coulde any thyng be preserued, except it were called of thee?


text:
Therfore chastenest thou them measurably that go wrong, and warnest them by putting them in remembraunce in what thinges they haue offended, that leauing their wickednesse, they may beleue on thee O Lorde.


text:
For they committed abhominable workes [against thee] as witchcraft, sorcerie, and wicked sacrifices.


text:
They slue their owne chyldren without mercy, they dyd eate vp the bowels of mens fleshe, and deuoured the blood in abhominable bankets, and had their mad fanaticall priestes:


text:
And the fathers were the chiefe murderers of the soules destitute of helpe, [these doers] thou wouldest destroy by the handes of our fathers:


text:
That the lande whiche thou louest aboue all other, might be a meete dwelling for the chyldren of God.


text:
Neuerthelesse, thou sparedst them also as men, and sendedst the forerunners of thyne hoast, euen hornettes, to destroy them out by litle and litle.


text:
Not that thou wast vnable to subdue the vngodly vnto the righteous in battayle, or with cruell beastes, or with one rough worde to destroy them together:


text:
But thy mynde was in punishing them by litle & litle, to geue them place for amendement, knowing well that it was an vnrighteous nation, and wicked of nature, and that their thought might neuer be altered.


text:
For it was a cursed seede from the beginning: yet hast thou not pardoned their sinnes wherein they offended, for that thou fearest any man.


text:
For who will stand against thy iudgement? or who wyll blame thee for the nations that perishe, whom thou hast made? or who wyll come before thy face to be reuenged for the vnrighteous men?


text:
For there is none other God but thou, that carest for all thinges: that thou mayest declare howe that thy iudgement is not vnright.


text:
There dare neither king nor tiraunt in thy sight, require accomptes of them whom thou hast destroyed.


text:
Forsomuche then as thou art righteous thy selfe, thou ordrest all thinges righteously, thinking it vnseemely for thy power to condempne hym that hath not deserued to be punished.


text:
For thy power is the beginning of righteousnesse, and because thou art Lorde of all thinges, it maketh thee to be gracious vnto all.


text:
For when men thinke thee not to be of a full strength, thou declarest thy power, and reprouest the boldnesse of the wyse.


text:
But thou mastring thy power doest iudge with equitie, and ordrest vs with great fauour: for thou mayest vse power when thou wylt.


text:
By suche workes nowe hast thou taught thy people, that the iust man shoulde be louing, and hast made thy chyldren to be of a good hope, because thou geuest roome to repentaunce for sinnes.


text:
For insomuche as thou hast punished and with such deliberation and obtestation, the enemies of thy seruauntes, whiche were worthy to dye, where through thou gauest them tyme and place of amendement, that they might turne from their wickednesse:


text:
With howe great circumspection then punishest thou thyne owne chyldren, vnto whose fathers thou hast sworne, & made couenauntes of good promises?


text:
So where as thou doest chasten vs, thou punishest our enemies a thousande tymes more: to the intent that when we punishe, we should diligently thinke of thy goodnesse, and when we our selues are punished, we shoulde hope for mercy.


text:
Wherefore, where as men haue liued dissolutely and vnrighteously, thou hast punished them sore with their owne abhominations.


text:
For they went astray very long in the wayes of errour, & held the beastes (whiche euen their enemies despised) for gods, deceaued as chyldren of no vnderstanding.


text:
As for such as wyll not be refourmed by those scornes [and rebukes] they shall feele the worthy punishment of God.


text:
For looke in what thinges they disdayned when they suffred for their sakes whom they counted gods, seyng them selues punished in the same, they perceaued that he was in deede the true God, whom before they had denyed to knowe, and therefore came extreme dampnation vpon them.


text:
Surely vayne are all men by nature, which were ignoraunt of God, and coulde not out of the good things that are seene knowe hym that of hym selfe is [euerlasting] neither toke so muche regarde of the workes that are made, as therby to knowe who was the craftesman of them:


text:
But some toke the fire, some the winde or swift ayre, some the course of the starres, some the running water, [some toke sunne and moone] or the lightes of heauen, for gods that rule the worlde.


text:
But though they had such pleasure in their beautie, that they thought them to haue ben gods, yet should they haue knowen howe muche more fayrer he is that made them: For the maker of beautie hath ordayned al these thinges.


text:
Or if they marueyled at the power and worke of them, they shoulde haue perceaued therby, how much he which made these thinges is mightier then they.


text:
For by the greatnesse of the beautie and of the creatures, the maker therof compared with them, may playnely be knowen.


text:
Notwithstanding, they are the lesse to be blamed that seeke God, and woulde finde him, & yet peraduenture misse.


text:
For they being occupied in his works, do seeke hym diligently, and are perswaded by the sight, because the things are beautifull that are seene.


text:
For if their vnderstanding [and knowledge] be so great, that they can discerne the world [and the creatures] why do they not rather finde out the Lorde therof?


text:
But miserable are they, and among the dead is their hope, that call them gods whiche are but the workes of mens handes, golde, siluer, and the thing that is founde out by cunning, the similitude of beastes, or any vayne stone that hath ben made by hande of olde.


text:
Or as whe a carpenter cutteth downe a tree meete for the purpose, and pareth of al the barke cunningly, and so by arte comely maketh a vessell profitable to the vse of life:


text:
And as for the other part that is left, whiche is profitable for nothing (for it is a crooked peece of wood and full of knobbes) he carueth it diligently by leasure, and according to the knowledge of his cunning, he geueth it some proportion, fashioneth it after the similitude of a man,


text:
Or maketh it lyke some vyle beast, straketh it ouer with red, and paynteth it, and looke what foule spot is in it, he casteth some colour vpon it.


text:
Then maketh he a conuenient tabernacle for it, setteth it in the wall, and maketh it fast with iron:


text:
Prouiding so for it, lest it happen to fall, for it is well knowen that it can not helpe it selfe: For why, it is but an image, and must of necessitie be helped.


text:
Then making prayer for his goodes, for his mariage, and for chyldren, he is not ashamed to speake to that whiche hath no soule.


text:
For health, he maketh his petition vnto him that is sicke: for life, he humblie prayeth vnto hym that is dead: he calleth vpon hym for helpe, that hath no experience at all: and to sende hym a good iourney, he prayeth him that may not go.


text:
And for gayne, for worke, and for successe of his affayres, he asketh power of hym whiche is without all maner of power.


text:
Agayne, another man purposing to sayle, and beginning to take his iourney thorowe the raging sea, calleth for helpe vnto a stocke that is farre weaker then the vessell that beareth hym.


text:
For as for it, couetousnesse of money hath founde it out, and the craftes man made it with his cunning.


text:
But thy prouidence O father gouerneth it: For thou hast made a way euen in the sea, and a sure path in the middest of the waues,


text:
Declaring therby that thou hast power to helpe in all thinges, yea though a man went to the sea without ship.


text:
Neuerthelesse thou wouldest not that the workes of thy wysdome shoulde be in vayne: and therefore do men commit their liues to a small peece of wood, passing ouer the stormie sea in a ship, and are saued.


text:
For in the olde tyme also when the proude giauntes perished, he in whom the hope was left to increase the world, went into the ship whiche was gouerned thorowe thy hand, and so left seede behynde hym vnto the worlde.


text:
But cursed is [the idoll] that is made with handes, yea both it and he that made it: He, because he made it: and it, because it was called God, whereas it is but a frayle thing.


text:
Therefore shall there a plague come vpon the idols of the heathen: for out of the creature of God they are become an abhomination, a temptation vnto the soules of men, and a snare for the feete of the vnwyse.


text:
For why, the seeking out of idols, is the beginning of whordome, and the bringing vp of them, is the destruction of lyfe.


text:
For when a father mourned heauyly for his sonne sodainely taken away from hym, he made hym an image: and hym whiche then was but a dead man, he now began to worship as a god, and ordayned for his seruauntes ceremonies and sacrifices.


text:
Thus by processe of time this vngracious custome being waxen strong was kept as a lawe, and images were worshipped by commaundement of tirauntes.


text:
As for those that were so farre of that men might not worship them present, their visage beyng drawne out from farre of, was made as the cleare image of an honourable king, that they might with affection flatter aswell the absent as the present.


text:
Agayne, the singuler ambition of the craftes man gaue the ignoraunt also a great occasion to increase the superstition.


text:
For he willing to please one peraduenture that bare rule, laboured with all his cunning to make the image of the best fashion.


text:
And so thorowe the beautie of the worke, the common people being therto allured, toke hym nowe for a god, whiche a litle before was but honoured as a man.


text:
And this was to the deceauing of mans life, when men either with calamitie or tirannie oppressed, ascribed vnto stones and stockes that name [of God] whiche ought not to be geuen vnto any thing [els.]


text:
Moreouer, this was not inough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God: but where as they liued in the great warre of ignoraunce, those so [many and] great plagues called they peace.


text:
For either they slue their owne chyldren and offred them in sacrifice, or vsed secrete ceremonies, or folowed madde drunken dissolutenesse of rites in sacrifice:


text:
So that they kept neither life nor mariage cleane: but either one slue another traytorously, or greeued hym by adulterie.


text:
So that there raigned in al men without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft, dissimulation, corruption, vnfaythfulnesse, sedition, periurie,


text:
Disquieting of good men, vnthankefulnesse, defiling of soules, chaunging of byrth, disordering of mariages, adulterie, and vncleanenesse.


text:
For [they that worship idols] eyther they are madde when they be merie, or prophesie lies, or liue vngodly, or els lightly forsweare them selues.


text:
For insomuche as their trust is in the idols whiche haue no soule, though they sweare falsely, yet they thinke it shall not hurt them.


text:
Therefore commeth a great plague vpon them, and that worthyly for both causes: for they haue an euyll opinion of God that geue heede vnto idols, and they sweare vniustly in deceipt, despising holynes.


text:
For it is not the power of them by whom they sweare: but it is the iust vengeaunce of sinners that punisheth alwayes the offence of the vngodly doers.


text:
Though we sinne, yet are we thyne, for we knowe thy strength: but we wyll not sinne, because we knowe we are counted thyne.


text:
As for the thing that men haue found out through their euyll science it hath not deceaued vs, nor the paynters vnprofitable labour [to wit] an image spotted with diuers colours,


text:
Whose sight entiseth the ignoraunt to lust after it, and he desireth the picture of a dead image that hath no breath.


text:
Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, loue euyls, and are worthy to haue suche thinges to trust vpon.


text:
For the potter tempereth soft earth, laboureth it, and geueth it the fashion, of whatsoeuer vessell serueth for our vse: and of the selfe same clay he maketh both the vessels that serue for cleane vses, and also such as serue to the contrary: wherevnto euery vessell serueth, the potter hym selfe beyng the iudge.


text:
So by his wicked labour he maketh a vayne god of the same clay, this doth euen he whiche a litle before was made of earth hym selfe, and within a litle whyle after returneth to the same out of whiche he was taken, when the lone of his lyfe shalbe demaunded from him agayne.


text:
Notwithstanding, he careth not the more for this that he must labour, nor that his life is short: but striueth to excell goldsmythes and siluersmythes, and endeuoureth to do like the coppersmythes, and taketh it for an honour to make deceauable thinges.


text:
Forsomuche as he knoweth not his owne maker that gaue him his soule of power to worke, and breathed in hym the breath of life.


text:
But they counted our lyfe but a pastime, and [our] conuersation to be but a market for gayne, and that men should euery way be getting, yea though it were by euyll meanes.


text:
Nowe he that of earth maketh frayle vessels and images, knoweth hym selfe to offende aboue all other.


text:
Al the enemies of thy people that hold them in subiection, are most vnwyse, & are more miserable then very fooles.


text:
For they iudge all the idols of the heathen to be gods, whiche neither haue eyesight to see, nor noses to smell, nor eares to heare, nor fingers or hands to grope, and as for their feete, they are [to] slowe to go.


text:
For man made them, and he that borowed his owne spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god lyke vnto hym selfe.


text:
For seyng he is but mortall, it is but mortall that he maketh with vnrighteous handes: He him selfe is better then they whom he worshippeth, for he liued as they dyd neuer.


text:
Yea they worshipped [such] beastes also as are most hatefull: for if they were compared for madnesse, they are worse then others.


text:
Neither haue they any beautie why to be desired in respect of other beastes: but are all voyde of the prayse of God, and his blessing.


text:
Therfore by such things are they worthyly punished, & thorowe the multitude of beastes are they rooted out.


text:
In steede of the whiche punishmentes thou hast graciously ordred thine owne people, preparing for the desire of their appetite a straunge taste, euen quayles to be their meate:


text:
To the intent that by the thinges whiche were shewed & sent vnto them, they that were so greedie of meate, might begin to lothe euen their necessarie appetite, and they which had suffred penurie for a short space, might be partakers of the newe taste.


text:
For it was requisite that without any excuse pouertie should come vpon those whiche vsed tirannie, and to shewe onlye vnto the other howe their enemies were destroyed.


text:
For when the cruell woodnesse of the beastes came vpon them, and they perished thorowe the stinges of the cruell serpentes, [Notwithstanding] thy wrath endured not perpetually.


text:
But they were put in feare for a litle season, that they might be refourmed, hauing a token of saluation to remember the commaundement of thy lawe.


text:
For he that looked backe [to it] was not healed by the thing that he sawe, but by thee O sauiour of all.


text:
For then when they were bitten with grashoppers and flyes, they dyed, neither was there any remedie founde for their life, for they were worthy to be punished by suche.


text:
But not the very teeth of venemous dragons dyd ouercome thy chyldren: for thy mercy was euer by them, and healed them.


text:
For they were pricked because they should remember thy wordes, but speedyly were they healed agayne, lest they shoulde fall into so deepe forgetfulnesse, that they might not be called backe by thy benefite.


text:
For it was neither hearbe nor plaster that restored them to health: but thy word O Lord, which healeth al things.


text:
It is thou O Lord that hast the power of life and death, thou leadest vnto deathes doore, and bringest vp againe.


text:
A man in deede thorowe his wickednesse may slay [another] but when his spirite is gone foorth, it turneth not agayne, neither may he call agayne the soule that is taken away.


text:
For the vngodly that woulde not knowe thee, were punished by the strength of thyne arme: with straunge raynes, hayles, and showres were they persecuted that they coulde not auoyde, and thorowe fire were they consumed.


text:
For it was a wonderous thing that fire might do more then water whiche quencheth all thinges: but the worlde is the auenger of the righteous.


text:
For sometimes was the fyre so tame, that the beastes whiche were sent to punish the vngodly, brent not, and that because they should see and knowe that they were persecuted with the punishment of God.


text:
And sometyme brent the fire in the middest of the water, that it might destroy the fruites of the vniust lande.


text:
In steede wherof, thou hast fed thine owne people with angels foode, and sent them bread redye from heauen without their labour, being very pleasaunt and of good taste.


text:
For this thy substaunce vnto thy chyldren declared thy sweetenes, and seruing to his appetite that toke it, tempered it selfe according to his desire.


text:
But the snowe and yse abode the violence of the fire and melted not, that they might know that the fire burning in the hayle, & sparkeling in the rayne, destroyed the fruite of the enemies.


text:
For the creature that serueth thee whiche art the maker, is fierce in punishing the vnrighteous, but is easie [and gentle] to do good, vnto such as put their trust in thee.


text:
Therefore dyd it alter at the same tyme into all fashions, and was obedient vnto thy grace, whiche is the nurse of all thinges, according to the desire of them that had neede thereof:


text:
That thy chyldren O Lorde whom thou louest, might knowe that it is not the growing of fruites that feedeth men, but that it is thy word which preserueth them that put their trust in thee.


text:
For looke what myght not be destroyed at all with the fire, assoone as it was warmed with a litle sunne beame, it melted:


text:
That all men might knowe, that thankes ought to be geuen vnto thee before the sunne ryse, and that thou oughtest to be worshipped before the day spring.


text:
For the hope of the vnthankfull shall melt away as the winter yse, and flowe away as vnprofitable water.


text:
For great are thy iudgmentes [O Lorde] and can not be expressed: therefore men do erre that wyll not be refourmed [by thy wysdome.]


text:
For when the vnrighteous thought to haue thy holy people in subiection, they were bounde with the bandes of darknesse and long night, shut vp vnder roofes, and lay there to escape the eternall prouidence.


text:
And whyle they thought to be hyd in the darknesse of their sinnes, they were scattered abrode in the very middest of the darke couering of forgetfulnesse, put to horrible feare, and wonderouslye vexed.


text:
For the corner where they lay hyd, might not kepe them from feare, because the soundes came rounde about them and vexed them, yea many terrible and straunge visions appeared vnto them.


text:
No power of the fire might geue them light, neither might the cleare flambes of the starres lighte the horrible night:


text:
But there appeared vnto them a sodayne fire only, very dreadfull: At the which sight, wherin they sawe nothing throughly, they were so afrayde, that they thought the thing whiche they sawe to be the more fearefull.


text:
As for the illusions of the magicall art, they came to naught: and it was a most shamefull reproche of the pryde that they had of their owne wysdome.


text:
For they that promised to driue away the feares and troubles from the sicke soule, were sicke them selues with feare worthy to be laughed at.


text:
For though no terrible thing did feare them, yet were they afrayde at the beastes whiche passed by them, and at the hissing of the serpentes.


text:
Insomuch that with trembling they sowned, and sayde they sawe not the ayre, whiche no man yet may escape.


text:
For malice is a dreadfull thing, that is condempned by his owne witnesse: and beyng pressed with conscience, it euer suspecteth cruel thinges.


text:
And looke howe muche the lesse his hope is within, the greater doth he recount his ignoraunce of that cause that bryngeth the torment.


text:
But they [that dyd indure] the night that in deede was intollerable, and that came from the dungeons of intollerable hell, sleping the same sleepe,


text:
Were somtimes chased with monsterous apparitions, and sometymes they sowned, as their owne soules had betrayed them: for an hastie feare, & that was not looked for, came vpon them.


text:
For whether a man had occupied husbandrie, or had ben an heardman or labourer in the woods, if he were taken, he suffred intollerable necessitie.


text:
For they were all bounde with one chayne of darknesse: whether it were a blasing winde, or a sweete song of the byrdes among the thicke braunches of the trees, or the vehemencie of hastie running water,


text:
Or great noyse of the falling downe of stones, or the runnyng of playing beastes whiche they sawe not, or the mightie noyse of roaring wilde beastes, or the sounde that aunswered agayne in the holonesse of mountaynes: these terrible thinges made them sowne [for very feare.]


text:
Onlye vpon them there fell a heauie night, an image of darknesse that was to come vpon them: Yea they were vnto them selues more heauie then darknesse.


text:
Neuerthelesse, thy saintes had a very great light, whose voyce they hearing, and not seeing their figure, for that they suffred not the same thinges, they thought them blessed.


text:
And for that they dyd not hurt them nowe of whom they had ben wronged before, they thanked them, & besought them pardon of that they had ben enemies.


text:
Therfore thou gauest them a burning piller of fire to leade them in the vnknowen way, and the sunne not to hurt them in their honourable iourney.


text:
But reason it was that they shoulde leese the light and be put in the pryson of darknesse, whiche had kept thy chyldren shut vp, by whom the vncorrupt light of the lawe was to be geuen vnto the worlde.


text:
After when they thought to slay the babes of the saintes, one chylde beyng cast out, and preserued to reproue them, thou tokest away the whole multitude of their chyldren, and destroyedst them altogether in a mightie water.


text:
Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that they knowing vnto what othes they had geuen credence, might be of good cheare.


text:
For the righteous chyldren of the good men offred secretely, and made a godly lawe with one consent, that the saintes should in like maner receaue together both good and euil, and that the fathers nowe should first sing prayses.


text:
But there was hearde a disagreing voyce of the enemies, and there was a miserable lamentation for children that were bewayled.


text:
The maister and the seruaunt were punished after one maner: and lyke as the king, so suffred the common people:


text:
So they had innumerable that dyed with one kinde of death altogether: neither were the liuing sufficient to bury the dead, for in the twinckling of an eye the noblest ofspring of them was destroyed.


text:
For whereas they woulde discredite all thinges by reason of the inchauntmentes, in the destruction of the first borne they acknowledged that this people was the chyldren of God.


text:
For whyle all thinges were styl in scilence, and when the night was in the middest of her course, thy almightie worde O Lorde lept downe from heauen out of thy royall trone,


text:
And brought thyne vnfayned commaundement as a sharpe sworde, and standing vp, filled all thinges with death, yea it stoode vpon the earth and reached vnto the heauen.


text:
Then the sightes of the euyl dreames vexed them sodainly, and fearefulnesse came vpon them vnawares.


text:
For the visions that vexed them, shewed them these thinges afore, that they might not be ignoraunt wherefore they perished.


text:
Yea the temptation of death touched the righteous also, and among the multitude in the wildernesse there was insurrection: but thy wrath endured not long.


text:
For the blamelesse man went in all the haste, and toke the battayle vpon hym, brought foorth the weapon of his ministration, euen prayer and the reconciliation of incense, set hym selfe against the wrath, and so brought the miserie to an ende, declaring [therby] that he was thy seruaunt.


text:
For he ouercame not the multitude with bodyly power or force of weapons: but with the word he subdued him that vexed, alleaging the oth and couenaunt made vnto the fathers.


text:
For when the dead were fallen downe by heapes one vpon another, he stoode in the middest, pacified the wrath, and parted the way that it might not come to the liuing.


text:
And why? in his long garment was all the beautie, and in the foure rowes of the stones was the glory of the fathers grauen, and thy maiestie was wrytten in the crowne of his head.


text:
Unto these the destroyer gaue place, and was afrayde of them: for it was inough that they onlye tasted of the wrath.


text:
As for the vngodly, the wrath came vpo them without mercy vnto the ende: for he knewe before what shoulde happen vnto them:


text:
How that when they had consented to let them go, and had sent them out with great diligence, they would repent and folowe vpon them.


text:
For whyles they were yet mourning and making lamentation by the graues of the dead, they deuised another foolishnesse, so that they persecuted them in their fleeing, whom they had cast out afore with prayer.


text:
For the necessitie whiche they had deserued brought them vnto this ende, and made them forget the thinges that had alredy happened, that they might by tormentes fulfill their punishment whiche remayned:


text:
For euery creature in his kynde was fashioned agayne of newe, seruyng the peculiar offices as was commaunded them, that thy children myght be kept without hurt:


text:
For the cloude ouershadowed their tentes, and the drye earth appeared where afore was water: so that in the red sea there was a way without impediment, and the great deepe became a greene fielde:


text:
Wherthrough all the people went that were defended with thy hande, seyng thy marueylous straunge wonders.


text:
For as the horses, ryght so they neyed, and leaped lyke lambes, praysyng thee (O Lord) which hadst deliuered them.


text:
And why? they were yet myndefull of the thynges that were done whyle they dwelt in the straunge lande, howe the grounde brought foorth flies in steade of cattell, and howe the riuer scrawled with the multitude of frogges in steade of fisshes.


text:
But at the last they sawe a newe generation of birdes, what tyme as they were stirred with lust, and desired delicate meates.


text:
For why? the quayles came vp to them from the sea for their comfort: but punishmentes came vpon the sinners, not without the signes which came before to passe by vehemencie of the thicke lyghtnynges: For they suffered worthyly accordyng to their wickednesse, because they dealt so churlishly & with an hate of straungers.


text:
For some would not receaue men that came vnto them and were vnknowen: and some brought the straungers into bondage that dyd them good.


text:
Nor only so, but yf they had ben any where regarded, they coulde not suffer it: for they entreated straungers very dispitefully.


text:
Others that had receaued them with great solempnitie, when they were admitted vnto their societie, they afflicted them with greeuous labours.


text:
Therfore were they stricken with blindnesse, like as when they that were couered with sodayne darknesse at the doores of the ryghteous, sought euery one of them the entraunce of his doores.


text:
Thus the elementes beyng chaunged, agreed among them selues, lyke as when tunes are chaunged vpon an instrument of musicke, and yet kepe styll a melodie: which may easyly be perceaued by the syght of the thynges that are come to passe.


text:
For the earthy thynges were turned into waterie: and the thyng that before swamme in the water, nowe went vpon the grounde.


text:
The fire had power in the water, forgetting his owne vertue: and the water forgat his owne kynde to quenche [the fire.]


text:
Agayne, the flambes hurted not the fleshe of the corruptible liuing thynges though they walked therin, neither melted they that isie kynde of immortall meate that was of nature apt to melt.


text:
For in all thynges hast thou promoted thy people (O Lord) and brought them to honour, thou hast not dispised them, but alway and in all places hast thou stande by them.


text:
Who hath numbred the sande of the sea, the droppes of the rayne, and the dayes of time? Who hath measured the heyght of heauen, the breadth of the earth, and the deepenesse of the sea?


text:
(Gods worde in the heyght is the well of wisdome, and the euerlastyng commaundementes are the entraunce of her.)


text:
Unto whom hath the doctrine of wisdome ben discouered and shewed? and who hath vnderstande the manifolde entraunce of her?


text:
There is one, euen the hyest, the maker of all thynges, the almightie, the kyng of power, of whom men ought to stand greatly in awe, which sitteth vpon his throne, beyng a God of dominion.


text:
He hath powred her out vpon all his workes, and vpon all fleshe, accordyng to his gyft, he geueth her richely vnto them that loue hym.


text:
Who so feareth the Lorde, it shall go well with him at the last, and in the day of his death he shalbe blessed.


text:
The loue of God is honorable wisdome: loke vnto whom it appeareth, they loue it, for they see what wonderous thinges it doth.


text:
The feare of the Lorde is the begynnyng of wisdome, and was made with the faythfull in the mothers wombe, it shall go with the chosen women, and shalbe knowen of the ryghteous and faythfull.


text:
The feare of the Lorde is the crowne of wisdome, and geueth plenteous peace and health: He hath seene her and numbred her: Both these are the gyftes of God.


text:
Knowledge and vnderstandyng of wisdome hath he powred out as rayne, and them that helde her fast hath he brought vnto honour.


text:
In the treasures of wisdome is vnderstandyng & deuotion of knowledge, but wisdome is abhorred of sinners.


text:
For he that is without feare can not be made ryghteous, and his wylfull boldenesse is his owne destruction.


text:
A good vnderstandyng wyll hyde his wordes for a tyme, and many mens lippes shall speake of his wisdome.


text:
In the treasures of wisdome is the declaration of doctrine: but the sinner abhorreth the worshyp of God.


text:
For the feare of the Lorde is wisdome and nurture: he hath pleasure in fayth and louyng mekenesse, and he shall fyll the treasures therof.


text:
Be not obstinate and vnfaythfull to the feare of the Lorde, and come not vnto hym with a double heart.


text:
Exalt not thy selfe, lest thou happen to fall and bryng thy soule to dishonour, and so discouer thy secretes, and cast thee downe in the myddest of the congregation: because thou wouldest not receaue the feare of God, & because thy heart is full of faynednesse and deceipt.


text:
My sonne yf thou wylt come into the seruice of God, stande fast in righteousnesse & feare, and arme thy soule to temptation.


text:
Settle thyne heart and be patient, bowe downe thine eare, receaue the wordes of vnderstandyng, and shrynke not away when thou art assaulted.


text:
Holde thee fast vpon God, ioyne thy selfe vnto hym, and suffer that thy lyfe may encrease at the last.


text:
For lyke as golde and siluer are tryed in the fire, euen so are acceptable men in the furnace of aduersitie.


text:
Beleue in God and he shall helpe thee: order thy way a right, and put thy trust in hym: Holde fast his feare and growe therin,


text:
O ye that feare the Lorde, take sure holde of his mercie, shrynke not away from hym, that ye fall not.


text:
Consider the olde generations of men (O ye children) and marke them well: Was there euer any one confounded that put his trust in the Lorde? Who euer continued in his feare, and was forsaken? Or whom dyd he euer dispise that called faythfully vpon hym?


text:
For God is gratious and mercifull, he forgeueth sinnes in the tyme of trouble, and is a defendour for al them that seke hym in the trueth.


text:
Wo be vnto them that haue a fearefull heart, wicked lippes, and euyll occupied handes, and to the sinner that goeth two maner of wayes.


text:
Wo be vnto them that are faint harted, which put not their trust in God, and therfore shall they not be defended of hym.


text:
Wo be vnto you that haue lost patience, forsaken the ryght wayes, and are turned backe into frowarde wayes: What wyll you do when the Lord shall begin to visite you?


text:
They that feare the Lorde, wyll not disobey his worde: and they that loue him, wyll kepe his commaundementes.


text:
They that feare the Lorde wyll seke out the thinges that are pleasaunt vnto him: and they that loue him, be fulfylled with his lawe.


text:
Saying: If we do not repent, we shall fall into the handes of the Lorde, and not into the handes of men.


text:
The children of wisdome are a congregation of the ryghteous, and their ofspryng is obedience and loue.


text:
For the Lorde wyll haue the father honored of the children: and loke what a mother commaundeth her children to do, he wyll haue it kept.


text:
Who so honoureth his father, his sinnes shalbe forgeuen hym: and he shall abstayne from them, and shall haue his dayly desires.


text:
Who so honoureth his father, shall haue ioy of his owne children: & when he maketh his prayer, he shalbe heard.


text:
He that honoureth his father, shall haue a long lyfe: and he that is obedient vnto the Lorde, shall comfort his mother.


text:
He that feareth the Lorde, honoureth his father and mother, and doth them seruice as it were vnto lordes.


text:
Honour thy father and mother, in deede, in worde, and in all patience, that thou mayest haue Gods blessyng: and his blessyng shall abide with thee at the last.


text:
The blessyng of the father stablisheth the houses of the children: but the mothers curse rooteth out the foundations.


text:
For the worshyp of a mans father, is his owne worshyp: & the reproche of the mother, is the dishonestie of the sonne.


text:
For the good deede that thou shewest vnto thy father, shall not be forgotten: and when thou thy selfe wantest, it shalbe rewarded thee: and for thy mothers offence thou shalt be recompensed with good, yea it shalbe founded for thee in ryghteousnesse.


text:
And in the day of trouble thou shalt be remembred: thy sinnes also shall melt away, lyke as the yse in the fayre warme weather.


text:
The greater thou art, the more humble thy selfe in all thynges, and thou shalt fynde fauour in the sight of God.


text:
Seke not out the thynges that are aboue thy capacitie, and searche not the grounde of such thynges as are to mightie for thee:


text:
But loke what God hath commaunded thee, thynke vpon that alway, & be not curious in many of his workes: For it is not needefull for thee to see with thyne eyes the thynges that are secrete.


text:
Make not to much searche in superfluous thynges, and be not curious in many of his workes: for many thynges are shewed vnto thee alredy which be aboue the capacitie of men.


text:
An heart that goeth two wayes shall not prosper: and he that is frowarde of heart, wyll euer be worse and worse.


text:
An obstinate heart shalbe laden with sorowes, and the vngodly sinner wyll heape one sinne vpon another.


text:
The counsayle of the proude hath no health, & his footsteppes shalbe plucked vp: for the plant of sinne hath taken roote in hym.


text:
The heart of hym that hath vnderstandyng, shall perceaue hye thynges: and a good eare wyll gladly hearken vnto wisdome.


text:
An heart that is wise and hath vnderstandyng, wyll abstayne from sinnes, and increase in the workes of ryghteousnesse.


text:
God hath respect vnto hym that is thankfull: he thinketh vpon him against the tyme to come, so that whe he falleth he shall fynde a strong holde.


text:
My sonne, defraude not the poore of his almes, and turne not away thyne eyes from hym that hath neede.


text:
Cast not thyne eyes asyde from the poore for any euyll wyll, that thou geue him not occasion to speake euyll of thee.


text:
For yf he complayne of thee in the bitternesse of his soule, his prayer shalbe hearde: euen he that made hym shall heare hym.


text:
Be curteous vnto the company of the poore, humble thy soule vnto thy elder, and bowe downe thy head to a man of worshyp.


text:
Let it not greeue thee to bowe downe thine eare vnto the poore, but pay thy debt, and geue him a friendly aunswere, and that with meekenesse.


text:
Deliuer him that suffereth wrong, from the hande of the oppressour: and be not faynt hearted when thou sittest in iudgement.


text:
Be mercifull vnto the fatherlesse as a father, and be in steade of an husbande vnto their mother: so shalt thou be as an obedient sonne of the hyest, and he shall loue thee more then thy mother doth.


text:
Wisdome exalteth her children, receaueth them that seke her, & wyl go before them in the way of ryghteousnesse.


text:
They that honour her, shalbe the seruauntes of the holy one: and they that loue her, are beloued of God.


text:
Who so geueth eare vnto her, shall iudge the heathen: and he that hath respect vnto her, shall dwell safely.


text:
For when he falleth, she doth go with hym, and choseth hym among the best: Feare, dreade, and temptation shall she bryng vpon hym, and trye hym in her doctrine, tyll she haue so proued hym in his thoughtes, that he commit his soule vnto her.


text:
Then shall she stablishe hym, bryng the ryght way vnto hym, make hym a glad man, shewe hym her secretes, and heape vpon him the treasures of knowledge, & vnderstandyng of righteousnes.


text:
But yf he go wrong, she shall forsake hym, & geue hym ouer into the handes of destruction and ruine.


text:
And for thy lyfe shame not to say the trueth: For there is a shame that bryngeth sinne, and there is a shame that bryngeth worshyp and fauour.


text:
Accept no person after thyne owne wyll, that thou be not confounded to thyne owne decay: Be not ashamed of thy neyghbour in his aduersitie.


text:
For in the tongue is wisdome knowe, so is vnderstandyng, knowledge, and learnyng in the talkyng of the wise, and stedfastnesse in the workes of ryghteousnesse.


text:
And striue thou not agaynst the streame: But for ryghteousnesse take paynes with all thy soule, and for the trueth striue thou vnto death, and God shall fyght for thee agaynst thyne enemies.


text:
Be not as a lion in thyne owne house, destroying thy housholde folkes, and oppressyng them that are vnder thee.


text:
Trust not vnto thy riches, & say not, tushe I haue inough for my lyfe, for it shall not helpe in the tyme of vengeaunce and temptation.


text:
And say not, tushe howe haue I had strength? or who wyll bryng me vnder because of my workes? For doubtlesse God shall auenge it.


text:
And say not, I haue sinned, and what euyll hath happened me? For the almightie is a patient rewarder.


text:
Because thy sinne is forgeuen thee, be not therfore without feare, neither heape one sinne vpon another.


text:
And say not, tushe, the mercie of the Lorde is great, he shall forgeue me my sinnes be they neuer so many: For lyke as he is mercifull, so goeth wrath from hym also, and his indignation commeth downe vpon sinners.


text:
Make no tarying to turne vnto the Lorde, and put not of from day to day: for sodenly shall his wrath come, and in the tyme of vengeaunce he shall destroy thee.


text:
Be not caried about with euery winde, and go not into euery way: for so doth the sinner that hath a double tongue.


text:
Stande fast in the way of the Lorde, be stedfast in thy vnderstandyng, abyde by the worde, and folowe the worde of peace and righteousnesse.


text:
Be gentle to heare the worde of God, that thou mayest vnderstande it: and make a true aunswere with wisdome.


text:
If thou hast vnderstanding, shape thy neighbour an aunswere: yf no, laye thy hande vpon thy mouth, lest thou be trapped in an vndiscreete word, and so confounded.


text:
Be not a priuy accuser as long as thou lyuest, and vse no slaunder with thy tongue: For shame & sorowe goeth ouer the thiefe, and an euyll name ouer him that is double tongued: but he that is a priuy accuser of other men, shalbe hated, enuied, and confounded.


text:
Be not of a friende an enemie, for such a man getteth an euyll name, shame, and rebuke: and whosoeuer beareth enuie & a double tongue, offendeth.


text:
And lest thy leaues wyther, and thy fruite be destroyed, and so thou be left as a drye tree in the wildernesse.


text:
For a wicked soule destroyeth hym that hath it, maketh him to be laughed to scorne of his enemies, and bryngeth him to the portion of the vngodly.


text:
A sweete worde multiplieth friendes, & pacifieth them that be at variaunce: and a thankfull tongue wyll be plenteous in a good man.


text:
And there is some friend that turneth to enimitie, and taketh part agaynst thee: and if he knowe any hurt by thee, he telleth it out.


text:
A faythfull friende hath no peare, the wayght of golde and siluer is not to be compared to the goodnesse of his fayth.


text:
A faythfull friende is a medicine of lyfe and immortalitie, and they that feare the Lorde shall fynde hym.


text:
Who so feareth the Lorde, shall prosper with friendes: and as he is hym selfe, so shall his friende be also.


text:
Go to her as one that ploweth and soweth, and wayte patiently for her good fruites: For thou shalt haue but litle labour in her worke, but thou shalt eate of her fruites ryght soone.


text:
My sonne, yf thou wylt take heede, thou shalt haue vnderstandyng, and yf thou wylt apply thy mynde, thou shalt be wyse.


text:
If thou wylt bowe downe thine eare, thou shalt receaue doctrine: and yf thou delyte in hearyng, thou shalt be wyse.


text:
Stande with the multitude of such elders as haue vnderstandyng, and consent vnto their wisdome with thyne heart.


text:
And yf thou seest a man of discrete vnderstandyng, get thee soone vnto hym, & let thy foote treade vpon the steppes of his doores.


text:
Let thy mynde be vpon the commaundementes of God, and be earnestlye occupied in his lawes: so shall he stablishe thy heart, and geue thee wisdome at thyne owne desire.


text:
My sonne, sowe no euyll thynges in the sorowes of vnryghteousnes, so shalt thou not reape them seuen folde.


text:
Iustifie not thy selfe before God, for he knoweth the heart: and desire not to be reputed wise in the presence of the kyng.


text:
Make no labour to be made a iudge, except it so were that thou couldest mightily put downe wickednesse: for yf thou shouldest stande in awe of the presence of the mightie, thou shouldest fayle in geuyng sentence.


text:
Say not, tushe, God wyll loke vpon the multitude of my oblations, & when I offer to the hyest God he wyll accept it.


text:
Laugh no man to scorne in the heauinesse of his soule, for God (which seeth all thinges) is he that can bring downe, and set vp agayne.


text:
Let no labourous workes be tedious vnto thee, neither the husbandry which the almightie hath created.


text:
Make not thy boaste in the multitude of thy wickednesse: but humble thy selfe euen from thyne heart,


text:
And remember that the wrath shal not be long in tarying, and that the vengeaunce of the fleshe of the vngodly is a very fire and worme.


text:
Depart not from a discrete & good woman that is fallen vnto thee for thy portion in the feare of the Lorde: for the gift of her honesty is aboue golde.


text:
Where as thy seruaunt worketh truely, intreate hym not euyll, nor the hyreling that is faythfull vnto thee.


text:
Loue a discrete seruaunt as thyne owne soule, defraude him not of his libertie, neither leaue him a poore man.


text:
If thou haue sonnes bring them vp in nurture and learning, and hold them in awe from their youth vp.


text:
Mary thy daughter, and so shalt thou perfourme a wayghtie matter: but geue her to a man of vnderstanding.


text:
If thou haue a wife after thyne owne mynde, forsake her not: but commit not thy selfe to the hatefull.


text:
Honour thy father from thy whole heart: and forget not the sorowfull trauayle that thy mother had with thee.


text:
Remember that thou wast borne thorow them, and howe canst thou recompence them the thinges that they haue done for thee?


text:
Feare the Lord with all thy soule, & honour his priestes: geue them their portion of the first fruites and increase of the earth, like as it is commaunded thee: & reconcile thy selfe of thy negligence with the litle flocke, geue them the shoulders, and their appoynted offeringes & firstlinges.


text:
Make no variaunce with a riche man, lest he happen to bring vp an harde quarell against thee: For golde and siluer hath vndone many a man, yea euen the heartes of kinges hath it made to fall.


text:
Despise not a man that turneth hym selfe away from sinne, and cast him not in the teeth withall: but remember that we are frayle euerichone.


text:
Be not glad of the death of thyne enemie: but remember that we must dye all the sort of vs, and fayne would we come into ioy.


text:
Despise not the sermons of such elders as haue vnderstandyng, but acquaynt thy selfe with the wyse sentences of them: for of them thou shalt learne wisdome, & the doctrine of vnderstandyng, and howe to serue great men without complaynt.


text:
Go not from the doctrine of the elders, for they haue learned it of their fathers: for of them thou shalt learne vnderstanding, so that thou mayest make aunswere in the time of neede.


text:
Kindle not the coales of sinners when thou rebukest them, lest thou be brent in the fyrie flambes of their sinnes.


text:
Trauayle not by the way with hym that his braynlesse, lest he do the euyll: for he foloweth his owne wilfulnesse, and so shalt thou perishe thorowe his follie.


text:
Striue not with him that is angry and cruel, & go not with him into the wildernesse: for blood is nothing in his sight, and where there is no helpe he shall murther thee.


text:
Be not ielous ouer the wife of thy bosome, that she shew not some shrewd poynt, lest thou teache her an euil lesson against thy selfe.


text:
Geue not the power of thy lyfe vnto a woman, lest she come in thy strength, and so thou be confounded.


text:
Use not the companie of a woman that is a player & a dauncer, & heare her not, lest thou perishe thorow her entising.


text:
Cast not thy minde vpon harlots in any maner of thing, lest thou destroy both thy selfe and thyne heritage.


text:
Turne away thy face from a beautifull woman, and loke not vpon the fayrnesse of other: Many a man hath ben deceaued thorowe the beautie of women, for thorow it the desire is kindled as it were a fire.


text:
Many a man wondering at the beautie of a straunge woman, hath ben cast out: for her wordes kyndle as a fyre.


text:
Sit not with an other mans wife by any meanes, lye not with her vpon the bed, make no wordes with her at the wine: lest thyne heart consent vnto her, and so thou with thy blood fall into destruction.


text:
Forsake not an olde friende, for the new shall not be lyke him: A newe friende is newe wine, let hym be olde and thou shalt drinke hym with pleasure.


text:
Desire not the honour and riches of a sinner: for thou knowest not what destruction is for to come vpon hym.


text:
Delyte not thou in the thing that the vngodly haue pleasure in, beyng sure that the vngodly shall not be accepted vntill their graue.


text:
Kepe thee from the man that hath power to slay, so needest thou not to be afrayde of death: And yf thou commest vnto hym, make no fault, lest he happen to take away thy lyfe: Remember that thou goest in the middest of snares, and vpon the bulworkes of thy citie.


text:
Beware of thy neyghbour as nye as thou canst, and meddle with such as be wyse and haue vnderstanding.


text:
Let the remembraunce of God be in thy mynde, and let all thy talking be in the commaundementes of the hyghest.


text:
In the handes of craftes men shall the workes be commaunded: so shall the princes of the people in the wysdome of their talking.


text:
A man full of wordes is perilous in his citie: and he that is rashe in his talking, shalbe abhorred.


text:
Twyse iudge will order his people with discretion: and where a man of vnderstanding beareth rule, there goeth it well.


text:
As the iudge of the people is him selfe, euen so are his officers: and loke what maner of man the ruler of the citie is, such are they that dwell therin also.


text:
An vnwyse king destroyeth his people: but where they that be in auctoritie are men of vnderstanding, there the citie prospereth.


text:
The power of the earth is in the hande of God, and all iniquitie of the people is to be abhorred: and when his time is, he shall set a profitable ruler vpon it.


text:
In the hande of God is the prosperitie of man, and vpon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour.


text:
Because of vnrighteous dealing, wrong, blasphemies, and diuers disceytes, a realme shalbe translated from one people to another.


text:
There is nothing worse then a couetous man: Why art thou proude O thou earth and asshes? There is not a more wicked thing then to loue money: and why? such one hath his soule to sel, yet is he but filthy doung while he lyueth.


text:
And though the phisition shew his helpe neuer so long, yet in conclusion it goeth after this maner, To day a king, to morowe dead.


text:
For pryde is the originall of all sinne: Who so taketh hold therof, shalbe filled with cursinges, and at the last it shall ouerthrowe hym: Therefore hath the Lorde brought the congregations of the wicked to dishonour, and destroyed them to the end.


text:
God hath ouerthrowen the landes of the heathen, & destroyed them vnto the grounde: He hath caused them to wither away, he hath brought them to naught, & made the memoriall of them to ceasse from out of the earth.


text:
The seede of men that feareth God shalbe brought to honour: but the seede whiche transgresseth the commaundementes of the Lorde shalbe shamed.


text:
He that is the ruler among brethren, is holden in honour among them: and he that regardeth such as feare the Lorde, is acceptable in his sight.


text:
The feare of the Lord causeth that the kingdome faileth not: but the kingdome is lost by crueltie and pryde.


text:
Unto the seruaunt that is discrete, shal the free do seruice: He that is wyse and well nurtured will not grudge when he is refourmed, and an ignoraunt body shall not come to honour.


text:
Better is he that laboureth and hath plenteousnes of al thinges, then he that is gorgious, and wanteth bread.


text:
Who shall iustifie him that sinneth against him selfe? Who will honour hym that dishonoureth his owne soule?


text:
The poore is honoured for his fayhtfulnesse and trueth: but the riche is had in reputation because of his goodes.


text:
He that ordereth hym selfe honestly in pouertie, howe much more shal he behaue hym selfe honestly in riches? And who so ordreth hym selfe vnhonestly in riches, how much more shall he behaue him selfe vnhonestly in pouertie?


text:
The wysdome of hym that is brought lowe shall lift vp his head, and shall make hym to sit among great men.


text:
Be not proude of thy rayment, & exalt not thy selfe in the day of thy honour: for the workes of the hiest onely are wonderfull: yea glorious, secrete, and vnknowen are his workes.


text:
Condemne no man before thou haue tryed out the matter: and when thou hast made inquisition, then refourme righteously.


text:
My sonne, meddle not with many matters: and if thou gaine much thou shalt not be blamelesse, & if thou folow after it thou shalt not attayne it: and though thou runnest thy way afore, yet shalt thou not escape.


text:
There is some man that laboureth and taketh payne, and the more he weerieth him selfe, the lesse he hath.


text:
And gods eye loketh vpon him to good, setteth him vp from his lowe state, and lifteth vp his head: so that many men maruel at hym, and geue honour vnto God.


text:
Errour and darkenesse are made for sinners, and they that exalt them selues in euyll, waxe olde in euyll.


text:
In that he sayth, Now haue I gotten rest, and nowe will I eate and drinke of my goodes my selfe alone: and yet he considereth not that the time draweth nye, and death approcheth, that he must leaue all these thinges vnto other men, and dye him selfe.


text:
Stand thou fast in thy couenaunt, and exercise thy selfe therin, and remayne in the worke vnto thy age.


text:
Maruell not at the workes of sinners, but put thy trust in God and byde in thy labour: for it is but an easie thing in the sight of God to make a poore man riche, and that sodenly.


text:
The blessing of God hasteth to the rewarde of the righteous, and maketh his fruites soone to florishe and prosper.


text:
When thou art in welfare, forget not aduersitie: and when it goeth not well with thee, haue a good hope that it shalbe better:


text:
For it is but a small thing vnto God in the day of death to rewarde euery man according to his wayes.


text:
The aduersitie of an houre maketh one to forget al pleasure: & when a man dieth, his workes are discouered.


text:
Bring not euery man into thyne house: for the disceytfull layeth wayte diuersly, & are like stomackes that belche filthyly.


text:
Like as a partrych in a maunde, so is the heart of the proude: and like as a spie that loketh vpon the fall of his neyghbour.


text:
Of one sparke is made a great fire, and of one disceytfull man is blood increased: and an vngodly man layeth wayte for blood.


text:
If thou takest an aliaunt vnto thee, he shall destroy thee in vnquietnesse, and dryue thee from thyne owne wayes.


text:
When thou wilt do good, knowe to whom thou doest it, and so shalt thou be greatly thanked for thy benefites.


text:
Do good vnto the righteous, and thou shalt finde great reward, though not of him, yet [no doubt] the Lorde him selfe shall rewarde thee.


text:
He standeth not in a good case that is alway occupied in euil, & geueth no almes: for the hyghest hateth the sinners, and hath mercie vpon them that shewe the workes of repentaunce.


text:
As for the vngodly and sinners, he shall recompence vengeaunce vnto them, and kepe them to the day of wrath.


text:
Geue thou vnto the good, and receaue not the sinner, do well vnto hym that is lowly, but geue not to the vngodly: Let not the bread be geuen him, that he be not mightier then thy selfe therin: for so shalt thou receaue twyse as much euyll in all that good that thou doest vnto him.


text:
For when a man is in wealth, it greeueth his enemies: but in heauinesse and trouble a mans very friend will depart from him.


text:
And though he make much crouching and kneeling, yet kepe well thy mind, & beware of him: and thou shalt be to him as he that wypeth a glasse, & thou shalt knowe that al his rust hath not ben wel wyped away.


text:
Set him not by thee, neither let him sit at thy right hand: lest he turne him, get into thy place, take thy roome, and seke thy seate, and so thou at the last remember my wordes, and be pricked at my sayinges.


text:
Who wil haue pitie of the charmer that is stinged of the serpent, or of all such as come nye the beastes?


text:
An enemie is sweet in his lippes, he can make many wordes, and speake many good thinges: Yea he can wepe with his eyes, but in his heart he imagineth howe to throwe thee into the pit: and if he may fynde oportunitie, he will not be satisfied with blood.


text:
If aduersitie come vpon thee, thou shalt find him there first, and though he pretende to do thee helpe, yet shal he vndermine thee.


text:
He shall shake his head, and clap his handes ouer thee for very gladnesse: and whyle he maketh manywordes, he shall disguyse his countenaunce.


text:
Who so toucheth pytch, shalbe defiled withall: and he that is familier with the proude, shall cloth him selfe with pryde.


text:
He taketh a burthen vpon him that accompanieth a more honorable man then himselfe, therfore kepe no familiaritie with one that is richer then thy selfe: Howe agree the kettel and the pot together? for if the one be smitten against the other, it shalbe broken.


text:
The riche dealeth vnrighteously, and threatneth withal: but the poore beyng oppressed and wrongfully dealt withall, suffereth scarcenesse, and geueth fayre wordes. If the riche haue done wrong, yet must he be entreated: but if the poore haue done it, he shall straight wayes be threatned.


text:
As long as thou hast any thing of thyne owne, he shalbe a good felow with thee: yea he shall make thee a bare man, and not be sory for thee.


text:
If he haue neede of thee, he shall defraude thee, and with a priuie mocke shall he put thee in an hope, & geue thee all good wordes, and say: What wantest thou?


text:
Thus shal he shame thee in his meate, vntill he haue supt thee cleane vp twyse or thryse, & at the last shall he laugh thee to scorne: Afterwarde, when he seeth that thou hast nothing, he shall forsake thee, and shake his head at thee.


text:
Beware that thou be not disceaued and brought downe in thy simplenesse: Be not to humble in thy wysedome, lest when thou art brought lowe thou be disceaued through foolishnesse.


text:
Preasse not thou vnto him, that thou be not shut out: but go not thou farre of, lest he forget thee.


text:
Withdraw not thy selfe from his speach, but beleue not his many wordes: For with much communication shall he tempt thee, and with a priuie mocke shal he question with thee of thy secretes.


text:
The vnmercifull mynde of his shall marke thy wordes, he shall not spare to do thee hurt, and to put thee in prison.


text:
Beware and take good heede to thy selfe, for thou walkest in peryll of thy ouerthrowing: Now when thou hearest his wordes, make thee as though thou wast in a dreame, and wake vp.


text:
If a riche man fal, his friendes set him vp againe: but when the poore falleth, his acquayntaunce forsake him.


text:
If a riche man fall into an errour, he hath many helpers, he speaketh proude wordes, and yet men iustifie him: but if a poore man go wrong, he is punished, yea though he speake wysely, yet can it haue no place.


text:
When the riche man speaketh, euery body holdeth his tongue, and loke what he sayth, they prayse it vnto the cloudes: But if the poore manspeake, they say, What felow in this? and if he do amisse, they shall destroy hym.


text:
Riches are good vnto hym that hath no sinne in his conscience: and pouertie is a wicked thing in the mouth of the vngodly.


text:
A chearfull countenaunce is a token of a good heart: for els it is an harde thing to knowe the thought.


text:
Blessed is the man that hath not fallen with the worde of his mouth, & is not pricked with the conscience of sinne.


text:
It becommeth not a couetous man and a nygarde to be riche: and what should an enuious man do with money?


text:
He that with all his carefulnesse heapeth together vnrighteously, gathereth for other folkes, and another man shall make good cheare with his goodes.


text:
He that is wicked vnto him selfe, howe should he be good vnto other men? how can such one haue any pleasure of his goodes.


text:
There is nothing worse then when one disfauoureth him selfe: and this is a rewarde of his wickednesse.


text:
If he do any good, he doth it not knowing therof and against his will, and at the last he declareth his vngraciousnesse.


text:
A couetous mans eye hath neuer enough in the portion of wickednesse, vntill the time that he wyther away, and haue lost his owne soule.


text:
Remember that death tarieth not, and how that the graue is not shewed vnto thee: for the couenaunt of this world shall dye the death.


text:
Do good vnto thy friende before thou dye, and according to thy abilitie reache out thyne hande & geue vnto the poore.


text:
Shalt thou not leaue thy trauayles and labours vnto other men? In the deuiding of the heritage geue and take, and sanctifie thy soule.


text:
Some growe, some are cast downe, euen so is the generation of fleshe and blood: one commeth to an ende, another is borne, and this is the condition of all times, thou shalt dye the death.


text:
Blessed is the man that kepeth hym in wysdome, and exerciseth him selfe in vnderstanding, and with discretion shall thinke vpon the sore knowledge of God,


text:
He taketh his rest beside her house, and fasteneth his stake in her walles: he shal pitche his tent nye vnto her hand, and in his tent shall good thinges rest for euermore.


text:
As an honorable mother shall she meete hym, and she as his wife maried of a virgin shal receaue him.


text:
With the bread of lyfe and vnderstanding shal she feede him, & geue him the water of wholsome wisdome to drinke.


text:
If he be constant in her, he shall not be moued, and if he holde him fast by her, he shall not come to confusion.


text:
She shall bring him to honour among his neyghbours, and in the middest of the congregation shall she open his mouth: With the spirite of wysdome and vnderstanding shall she fyll him, and cloth him with the garment of glorie.


text:
She shall heape the treasure of myrth and ioye vpon him, and geue him an euerlasting name to heritage.


text:
Foolishe men will not take holde vpon her, but such as haue vnderstanding, will meete her: Foolishe men shall not see her, for she is farre from pryde and disceyte.


text:
Men that go about with lyes, will not remember her: but men of trueth shalbe founde in her, and shall prosper euen vnto the beholding of God.


text:
But if prayse come of wysdome and be plenteous in a faythfull mouth, then the Lorde will prosper it.


text:
Say not thou, it is the Lordes fault that I am gone by: for thou shalt not do the thing that God hateth.


text:
God made man from the beginning, and left him in the hande of his counsell: He gaue his commaundementes and preceptes.


text:
If thou wilt obserue the commaundementes and kepe acceptable faythfulnesse for euer, they shall preserue thee.


text:
He hath commaunded no man to do vngodly, neither hath he geuen any man licence to sinne: for he desireth not a multitude of infidels and vnprofitable children.


text:
Delite not thou in the multitude of vngodly children, and haue no pleasure in them if they feare not God.


text:
For one sonne that feareth God, is better then a thousand vngodly: And better it is for a man to dye without children, then to leaue beynde hym such children as are vngodly.


text:
For by one that hath vnderstanding, may a whole citie be vpholden: but though the vngodly be many, yet shal it be wasted through them.


text:
In the congregation of the vngodly shal a fire burne, and among vnfaythful people shall the wrath be kindled.


text:
The olde giauntes optayned no grace for their sinnes, whiche were destroyed trusting to their owne strength:


text:
Neither spared he them among who Lot was a straunger: but smote them, and abhorred them because of the pride of their wordes.


text:
And forsomuch as he ouersawe the sixe hundred thousand that gathered them selues together in the hardnesse of their heart, in afflicting them, in pitiing them, in smiting them, and healing them with mercie and chastisement: it were maruell if one being hardnecked should be free:


text:
Lyke as his mercy is great, euen so is his punishement also: he iudgeth a man according to his workes.


text:
The vngodly shall not escape in his spoyle, & the long pacience of him that sheweth mercie, shall not byde behinde.


text:
The Lorde hardened Pharao that he should not know him, and that his workes might be knowen vpon the earth vnder the heauen.


text:
His mercie is knowen to all creatures, he hath seperated his light from the darkenesse with an adamant.


text:
Say not thou, I wyll hide my selfe from God: for who wyll thinke vpon me from aboue? I shall not be knowen in so great an heape of people: for what is my soule among so many creatures?


text:
Beholde, the heauen, yea the heauen of heauens of God, the deepe, the earth, and all that therein is, shalbe moued at his presence.


text:
The mountaynes, the hilles, and the foundations of the earth shall shake for feare, when God visiteth them.


text:
And who vnderstandeth his wayes? No man seeth his stormes, and the most part of his workes are secrete.


text:
Who wyll declare the workes of his righteousnesse? or who shalbe able to abide them? For the couenaunt is farre from some, and trying out of men is in the ende.


text:
He that is humble of heart, thinketh vpon such thinges: but an vnwyse and erronious man casteth his minde vnto foolishe thinges.


text:
My sonne, hearken thou vnto me, and learne vnderstanding, and marke my wordes with thyne heart: I wyll geue thee a sure doctrine, and plainely shall I instruct thee.


text:
Marke my wordes then in thyne heart: for in righteousnesse of the spirite do I speake of the wonders that God hath shewed among his workes from the beginning, & in the trueth do I shew the knowledge of him.


text:
God hath set his workes in good order from the beginning, & part of them hath he sundred from the other.


text:
He hath garnished his workes from euerlasting, and their beginninges according to their generations: they are not hungrie nor weeried in their labours, nor ceasse from their offices.


text:
With all maner of liuing beastes hath he couered the grounde, and they all shalbe turned vnto earth againe.


text:
God shaped man of the earth, & made him after his owne image, and turned him vnto earth againe, and cloathed him with his owne strength.


text:
He gaue him the number of dayes and certaine time, yea and gaue him power of the thinges that are vpon earth.


text:
He made out of him an helper lyke vnto him selfe, & gaue them discretion and tongue, eyes, and eares, and a heart to vnderstande:


text:
He gaue them a spirite and a speache to declare his workes, & filled them with instruction and vnderstanding.


text:
He created for them also the knowledge of the spirite, filled their heartes with vnderstanding, and shewed them good and euill.


text:
That they should prayse his holy name together, reioyce of his wonders, and be telling of his noble actes.


text:
Beside this, he gaue them instruction, and the lawe of life for an heritage, that they might now know that they were mortall.


text:
They sawe the maiestie of his glorie with their eyes, and their eares heard the maiestie of his voyce, and he saide vnto them: beware of all vnrighteous thinges.


text:
Whom he nourisheth with discipline as his first borne, and geueth him most louing light, and doth not forsake him.


text:
All their workes are as the sunne, in the sight of God, & his eyes are alway looking vpon their wayes.


text:
And as he is mercifull and knoweth his worke, he doth not leaue them nor forsake them, but spareth them.


text:
The mercie that a man sheweth is as a seale with him, and the grace that is geuen to man preserueth him as the apple of an eye, and geueth repentaunce to their sonnes and daughters.


text:
At the last shall he awake, and reward euery man vpon his head, & shall turne them together into the neathermost partes of the earth.


text:
But vnto them that wyll repent he hath geuen the way of righteousnesse: As for such as be weake, he comforteth them, suffereth them, and sendeth them the portion of the veritie.


text:
O turne then vnto the Lorde, forsake thy sinnes, make thy prayer before the Lorde, do the lesse offence.


text:
Turne againe vnto the Lorde, for he wyll bring thee from darkenesse vnto holsome light, forsake thyne vnrighteousnesse, be an vtter enemie to abhomination,


text:
Learne to know the righteousnesse and iudgementes of God, stand in the portion that is set foorth for thee, and in the prayer of the most hye God.


text:
Who wil prayse the Lorde in the hel? abide not thou in ye errour of the vngodlie, but geue him thankes before death.


text:
As for the dead, thankfulnes perisheth from him as nothing: Geue thou thankes in thy lyfe, yea whyle thou art lyuing and whole shalt thou geue thankes, and prayse God, and reioyce in his mercie.


text:
O how great is the louing kindnesse of the Lorde, and his mercifull goodnes vnto such as turne vnto him?


text:
For all thinges may not be in man, and why? the sonne of man is not immortal, and he hath pleasure in the vanitie of wickednesse.


text:
Or what is more wicked then the thyng that fleshe and blood hath imagined? and that same shalbe reproued.


text:
He that lyueth for euermore, made al thinges together: God onely is righteous, and there is none other but he, and remaineth a victorious king for euer.


text:
He ordereth the worlde with the power of his hande, and all thinges obey his wyl: for he gouerneth all thinges by his power, and deuideth the holy thinges from the prophane.


text:
As for the wonderous workes of the Lord, there may nothing be taken from them, nothing may be put vnto them, neither may the grounde of them be founde out.


text:
But when a man hath done his best, he must beginne againe: and when he thinketh to be come to an ende, he must go againe to his labour.


text:
If the number of a mans dayes be almost an hundred yeres, it is much: and no man hath certaine knowledge of his death.


text:
Lyke as the droppes of rayne are vnto the sea, and as a grauell stone is in comparison of the sande: so are these fewe yeres to the dayes of euerlasting.


text:
He sawe and perceaued the thoughtes and imaginations of their heart that they were euill, therefore heaped he vp his mercifull goodnesse vpon them, and shewed them the way of righteousnes.


text:
The mercie that a man hath reacheth to his neighbour, but the mercie of god is vpon all fleshe: He chasteneth, he teacheth and nurtureth: yea euen as a sheephearde turneth againe his flocke, so doth he all them that receaue chastening, nurture, and doctrine.


text:
My sonne, when thou doest good, make no grudging at it: and whatsoeuer thou geuest, speake no discomfortable wordes.


text:
A foole shall cast a man in the teeth and that roughly: and a gift of the nigarde putteth out the eyes.


text:
Get thee righteousnes before thou come to iudgement, learne before thou speake, and go to phisicke or euer thou be sicke.


text:
Examine and iudge thy selfe before the iudgement come, and so shalt thou finde grace in the sight of God.


text:
Be not let to pay thy vowe in good time, and tary not to be iustified vnto thy death: for the rewarde of God endureth for euer.


text:
Thinke vpon the wrathfull indignation that shalbe at the ende, and the houre of vengeauce when he shall turne away his face.


text:
When thou hast inough, remember the time of hunger: and when thou art rich, thinke vpon the time of pouertie and scarsenesse.


text:
From the morning vntyl the euening the time is chaunged, & all such thinges are soone done in the sight of God.


text:
A wyse man feareth God in al thinges, and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth him selfe from sinne: but the foole doth not obserue the time.


text:
They that haue had vnderstanding haue dealt wysely in wordes, haue vnderstand the trueth and righteousnesse, and haue sought out wyse sentences and iudgementes.


text:
Make not to great cheare of the thing that thou hast wonne by aduauntage, lest thou fall into pouertie and haue nothing in thy purse, els thou shouldest sclaunderously lye in wayte for thyne owne lyfe.


text:
A labouring man that is geuen vnto drunckennes, shall not be rich: and he that maketh not much of small thinges, shall fall by litle and litle.


text:
And he that companieth adulterers, shal become an impudent man: mothes and wormes shal haue him to heritage, yea he shal be set vp to a great example, and his soule shalbe rooted out of the number.


text:
Who so reioyceth in wickednesse, shalbe punished: but he that resisteth pleasures, crowneth his owne soule: he that refraineth his tongue, may lyue with a troublesome man: he that hateth to be refourmed, his lyfe shalbe shortened: & he that abhorreth babling of wordes, quencheth wickednesse.


text:
He that offendeth against his owne soule, shall repent it: and he that reioyceth in wickednes, shalbe punished.


text:
For he shall hearken vnto thee, and marke thee: and when he findeth oportunitie, he shall hate thee, and so shall he be alway about thee.


text:
If thou hast heard a worde against thy neighbour, let it be dead within thee: and be sure thou shalt haue no harme thereby.


text:
Tell thy friende his fault, lest he be ignoraunt, and say, I haue not done it: or if he haue spoken, that he do it no more.


text:
Tell thy neighbour his fault, for oft times an offence is made: and geue not credence to euery worde.


text:
A man falleth sometime with his tongue, but not with his wil: for what is he that hath not offended in his tongue?


text:
The knowledge of the commaundementes of the Lorde, is the doctrine of lyfe: and they that obey him, shall receaue the fruite of immortalitie.


text:
If a seruaunt say vnto his maister, I wyll not do as it pleaseth thee: though afterwarde he do it, he shall displease him that nourisheth him.


text:
As for the doctrine of wickednes, it is no wysdome, & the prudence of sinners is no good vnderstanding: it is but wickednes, and abhomination, and a blaspheming of wysdome.


text:
A simple man of small vnderstanding that feareth God, is better the one that hath much wysdome, and transgresseth the lawe of the highest.


text:
A craftie suttle man can be wyse, but he is vnrighteous, and with giftes he wrasteth the open and manifest lawe: againe, there is that is wise and iudgeth righteously.


text:
A wicked man can behaue him selfe humbly, and can ducke with his head, and yet is he but a deceauer within: He hydeth his face, and disguiseth it, and because he shoulde not be knowen, he preuenteth thee.


text:
And though he be so weake that he can do thee no harme, yet when he may finde oportunitie, he shall do some euill.


text:
A man may be knowen by his face, and one that hath vnderstanding may be perceaued by the looke of his countenaunce.


text:
Some man reproueth his neighbour oft times, but not in due season: Againe, some man holdeth his tongue, and he is wyse and discreete.


text:
It is much better to geue warning and to reproue, then to beare euill wyll: for he that knowledgeth him selfe openly, shalbe preserued from hurt and destruction.


text:
Lyke as when a gelded man through desire and lust defileth a mayden: euen so is it with him that vseth violence and vnrighteousnesse in the lawe.


text:
O how good a thing is it, a man that is reproued to shewe openly his repentaunce: for so shalt thou escape wylfull sinne.


text:
Some man keepeth scilence and is founde wyse: but he that is not ashamed what he saith, is hatefull.


text:
Some man holdeth his tongue, because he hath not vnderstanding of the language: and some man keepeth scilence, wayting a conuenient time.


text:
A wyse man wyll holde his tongue tyll he see oportunitie: but a wanton and vndiscreete body shall regarde no time.


text:
He that vseth many wordes, shal hurt his owne soule: and he that taketh aucthoritie vpon him vnrighteously, shalbe hated.


text:
Some man hath oft times prosperitie in wicked thinges: Againe, some man getteth much, and hath harme & losse.


text:
A wyse man with his wordes maketh him selfe to be beloued: but the merie tales of fooles shalbe powred out.


text:
The gift of the vnwyse shall do thee no good, nor yet of the enuious, for his importunitie is seuen folde: for he loketh to receaue many thinges for one.


text:
He shall geue litle, & say he gaue much: he openeth his mouth and cryeth out, as it were one that cryed out wide.


text:
The foole saith, I haue no freend, I haue no thanke for all my good deedes: yea euen they that eate my bread speake no good of me: O how oft and of how many shal he be laughed to scorne?


text:
He taketh a more perilous fall by such wordes, then if he fel vpon the grounde: euen so shal the fall of wicked men come hastyly.


text:
A wyse sentence shall not be alowed at the mouth of the foole: for he speaketh it not in due season.


text:
Some man there is that destroyeth his owne soule with shame, and for an vnwyse bodyes sake destroyeth he it, and with accepting of persons shall he vndoe him selfe.


text:
A theefe is better then a man that is accustomed to lye: but they both shall haue destruction to heritage.


text:
A wyse man shall bring him selfe to honour with his wordes: and he that hath vnderstanding shalbe set by among great men.


text:
He that tylleth his lande, shall encrease his heape of corne: he that worketh righteousnesse shalbe exalted, and he that pleaseth great men, shall escape much euill.


text:
Rewardes and giftes blinde the eyes of the wyse, and make him dumbe that he can not tell men their faultes.


text:
The necessarie patience of him that foloweth the Lorde, is better then he that gouerneth his lyfe without the Lorde.


text:
My sonne, if thou hast sinned, do it no more: but pray for thy foresinnes that they may be forgeuen thee.


text:
Flee from sinne, euen as from a serpent: for if thou comest to nye her, she wyll bite thee: the teeth thereof are as the teeth of a lion, to slay the soules of men.


text:
The wickednesse of man is as a sharpe two edged sword, which maketh such woundes that they cannot be healed.


text:
Strife and wrongfull dealing, shall waste away a mans goodes, & through pride a riche house shalbe brought to naught: so the riches of the proude shalbe rooted out.


text:
The prayer of the poore goeth out of the mouth, & commeth vnto the eares, and his vengeaunce [or defence] shall come hastyly.


text:
Who so hateth to be refourmed, it is a toke of an vngodly person: but he that feareth God, wyll remember him selfe.


text:
A mightie man is knowen a farre of by his tongue: but he that hath vnderstanding, perceaueth that he shall haue a fall.


text:
Who so buildeth his house with other mens cost, is lyke one that gathereth stones to make his graue.


text:
He that kepeth the lawe, wyll holde fast the vnderstanding thereof: and the ende of the feare of God is wysdome and vnderstanding.


text:
He that is not wyse, wyl not be taught in good, but the vnwyse man aboundeth in wickednesse: and where bitternesse is, there is no vnderstanding.


text:
The knowledge of the wyse shal flowe lyke water that runneth ouer, and his counsaile is lyke a pure fountaine of life.


text:
When a man of vnderstanding heareth a wyse worde, he shall commend it and make much of it: but if a voluptuous man heare it, he shall haue no pleasure therein, but cast it behinde his backe.


text:
The talking of a foole is lyke an heauy burthen by the way: but to heare a wise man speake, it is pleasure.


text:
Where a doubt is in the congregation, it is asked at the mouth of the wyse, and they shall ponder his wordes in their heartes.


text:
Lyke as is a house that is destroyed, euen so is wysdome vnto a foole: as for the knowledge of the vnwyse, it is but darke wordes.


text:
Doctrine is vnto him that hath no vnderstanding, euen as fetters about his feete, and lyke manicles vpon his right hande.


text:
A foolishe mans foote is soone in his neighbours house: but one that hath experience shalbe ashamed at the person of the mightie.


text:
A foole wyll peepe in at the windowe into the house: but he that is wel nurtured wyll stande without.


text:
The lippes of the vnwyse wyl be telling foolishe thinges: but the wordes of such as haue vnderstanding shalbe wayed in the balaunce.


text:
A priuie accuser of other men shall defile his owne soule, and be hated of euery man: but he that keepeth his tongue and is discreete, shal come to honour.


text:
A slouthfull body is made of the doung of oxen, and euery one that toucheth him must wasshe his handes againe.


text:
A wyse daughter is an heritage vnto her husband: but she that cometh to dishonestie, bringeth her father in heauinesse.


text:
A daughter that is past shame, dishonoureth both her father and her husband: the vngodly shall regarde her, but they both shall despise her.


text:
A tale out of time, is as musicke in mourning: but wysdome knoweth the seasons of correction and doctrine.


text:
But if children be proude with hautines and foolishnes, they blot out the nobilitie of their kinred.


text:
Who so teacheth a foole, is euen as one that gleweth a potsharde together, as one that telleth a tale to him that heareth him not, and as one that rayseth a man out of an heauy sleepe.


text:
Who so telleth a foole of wysdome, is euen as a man which speaketh to one that is a sleepe: when he hath tolde his tale, he saith, What is the matter?


text:
When one dyeth, lamentation is made for him, because the light fayleth him: euen so, let men mourne ouer a foole, for he wanteth vnderstanding. Make but litle weeping because of the dead, for he is come to rest: but the lyfe of the foole is worse then the death.


text:
Seuen dayes do men mourne for him that is dead: but the lamentation ouer the vnwyse and vngodly should endure all the dayes of their lyfe.


text:
Talke not much with a foole, and go not with him that hath no vnderstanding: beware of him, lest it turne thee to trauaile, and thou shalt not be defiled with his sinne. Depart from him, and thou shalt finde rest, and shalt not be drawen backe into his foolishnes.


text:
Lyke as the bande of wood bounde together in the foundation of the house can not be loosed: euen so is it with the heart that is stablished in the thought of counsell. The thought of the wyse shall neuer feare, nor be offended at any time.


text:
Lyke as a faire plastered wall in a winter house and a hye building may not abide the winde and storme: euen so is a fooles heart afraide in his imagination, he feareth at euery thing, and can not endure.


text:
A wauering heart in the imagination of a foole wyll not euer stande in awe: but he that abideth in the commaundementes of God, wyll alway feare.


text:
He that nippeth a mans eye, bringeth foorth teares: and he that pricketh the heart, bringeth foorth the meaning and thought.


text:
Who so casteth a stone at the birdes, frayeth them away: and he that blasphemeth his freend, breaketh frendship.


text:
Though thou drewest a sworde at thy freend, yet dispaire not: for thou mayst come againe to thy freend.


text:
If he speake sourely, feare not: for ye may be agreed together againe, except it be that thou blaspheme him, disdayne him, open his secretes, and wounde him trayterouslie: for all such thinges shall dryue away a freend.


text:
Be faithfull vnto thy neighbour in his pouertie, that thou mayst reioyce with him also in his prosperitie: abyde stedfast vnto him in the time of his trouble, that thou maist be heyre with him in his heritage: for pouertie is not alwayes to be contempned, nor the riche that is foolish to be had in estimation.


text:
Lyke as the vapour and smoke goeth out at the ouen before the fire: euen so euill wordes, rebukes, and threatninges go before bloodshedding.


text:
Be not ashamed to defende thy freend, as for me I wyll not hide my face from him though he should do me harme: whosoeuer heareth it, shall beware of him.


text:
Who shal set a watch before my mouth, and a sure seale vpon my lippes, that I fall not with them, and that my tongue destroy me not?


text:
O Lorde, father and gouernour of my lyfe, leaue me not in their imagination and counsell: Oh let me not fall in such reproofe.


text:
Who wyll keepe my thought with the scourge, and the doctrine of wysdome in myne heart? that he spare not myne ignoraunce, that I fall not with them:


text:
Lest myne ignoraunces increase, that myne offences be not many in number, and that my sinnes exceede not: lest I fall before myne enemies, and so my aduersarie reioyce, whose hope is farre fro thy mercie.


text:
O Lorde thou father and God of my lyfe, leaue me not in their imagination: O let me not haue a proude looke, but turne away all voluptuousnesse fro me.


text:
Heare me O ye children, I wyll geue you a doctrine how ye shall order your mouth: whoso kepeth it shal not perishe through his lippes, nor be hurt through wicked workes.


text:
As for the sinner, he shalbe taken in his owne vanitie: he that is proude and cursed, shall fall therein.


text:
Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing, for in it there are many fals: let not the naming of God be continually in thy mouth, and meddle not with the names of sainctes, for thou shalt not be excused of them.


text:
For lyke as a seruaunt which is oft punished, can not be without some sore: euen so whatsoeuer he be that sweareth and nameth God, shall not be cleane purged from sinne.


text:
A man that vseth much swearing shal be filled with wickednesse, & the plague shall neuer go from his house: if he beguile his brother, his fault shalbe vpon him, if he knowledge not his sinne, he maketh a double offence, & if he sweare in vaine, he shall not be founde righteous: for his house shalbe full of plagues.


text:
The wordes of the swearer bringeth death, God graunt that it be not founde in the house of Iacob: but they that feare God eschue all such, and lye not weltering in sinne.


text:
Remember thy father and thy mother when thou art set among great men: lest God forget thee in their sight, and lest thou doting in thy custome, suffer rebuke, and wishe not to haue ben borne, and so curse the day of thy natiuitie.


text:
The man that is accustomed with the wordes of blasphemie, will neuer be refourmed all the dayes of his lyfe.


text:
To sinne twise is to much, but the third bringeth wrath and destruction: An hot stomacke can not be quenched (euen like a burning fire) til it haue swalowed vp some thing: euen so an vnchaste man hath no rest in his fleshe, till he haue kindled a fire.


text:
A man that breaketh wedlocke, and regardeth not his soule, but sayth, Tushe who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkenesse, the walles couer me, no body seeth me, whom neede I to feare? the hyghest will not remember my sinnes:


text:
He vnderstandeth not that his eyes see all thinges, for all such feare of men dryueth away the feare of God from hym: for he feareth onely the eyes of men, and considereth not that the eyes of the Lord are clearer then the sunne, beholding all the wayes of men, & the ground of the deepe, and loking euen to mens heartes in secrete places.


text:
The Lorde God knewe all thinges or euer they were made, and after they be brought to passe also he loketh vpon them all.


text:
The same man shalbe openly punished in the streetes of the citie, & shalbe chased abrode lyke a young horse foale: and when he thinketh least vpon it, he shalbe taken.


text:
Thus shall he be put to shame of euery man, because he woulde not vnderstand the feare of the Lorde: And thus shal it go also with euery wyfe that leaueth her husbande, and getteth inheritaunce by a straunge mariage.


text:
First, she hath ben vnfaythful vnto the lawe of the hyghest: secondly, she hath forsaken her owne husbande: thyrdly, she hath played the whore in adultrie, & gotten her children by an other man.


text:
And they that remayne, shall knowe that there is nothing better then the feare of God, and that there is nothing sweeter then to take heed vnto the commaundementes of the Lorde.


text:
In the congregations of the hyghest shall she open her mouth, and triumph in the beholding of his power.


text:
In the multitude of the chosen she shalbe commended, and among such as be blessed she shalbe praysed, and shal say,


text:
I my selfe alone haue gone round about the compasse of heauen, and pearsed the grounde of the deepe.


text:
I haue walked in the fluddes of the sea, and haue stande in all landes, my dominion is in euery people and in euery nation, and with my power haue I troden downe the heartes of all, both hye and lowe.


text:
So the creator of all thinges gaue me a commaundement, and he that made me, appoynted me a tabernacle, and sayd vnto me: Let thy dwelling be in Iacob, and thine inheritaunce in Israel, & roote thy selfe among my chosen.


text:
I was created from the beginning and before the world, and shall not leaue of vnto the world to come: In the holy habitation haue I serued before hym, and so was I stablished in Sion.


text:
I toke roote in an honorable people, euen in the portion of the Lorde and in his heritage, and kept me in the fulnesse of the sainctes.


text:
I am exalted lyke a palme tree in Cades, and as a rose plant in Iericho, as a fayre Oliue tree in the fielde, and am exalted like as a plantaine tree by the water side.


text:
I haue geuen a smell in the streetes as the Cinamon and Balme that hath so good a sauour, yea a sweet odour haue I geuen as it were myrre of the best: I haue made my dwellinges to smell as it were of Rosin, Galbanum, of Cloues, Insence, and as Libanus when it is not hewen downe, and myne odour is as the pure balme.


text:
As the Terebint haue I stretched out my braunches, and my braunches are the braunches of honour and louing fauour.


text:
As the vine haue I brought foorth fruite of a sweete sauour, & my floures are the fruite of honour and riches.


text:
I am the mother of beautie, of loue, of feare, of knowledge, and of holy hope: I geue eternall thinges to all my children to whom God hath commaunded.


text:
For my spirite is sweeter then hony, and so is myne inheritaunce more then the hony combe: the remembraunce of me endureth for euer more.


text:
Who so hearkeneth vnto me, shall not come to confusion, and they that worke in me shall not offende: they that take me to be knowen, shall haue euerlasting lyfe.


text:
All these thinges are the booke of lyfe, the couenaunt of the highest, and the knowledge of the trueth: Moyses commaunded the lawe in the preceptes of righteousnesse for an heritage vnto the house of Iacob, and committed the promise vnto Israel.


text:
Be not weery to behaue yourselues valiauntly with the Lord, that he may also confirme you: Cleaue vnto him, for the Lord almightie is but one God, and besides hym there is none other sauiour.


text:
( Out of Dauid his seruaunt he ordeyned to rayse vp a most mightie king, sitting in the seate of honour for euermore.)


text:
This filleth with wysdome, lyke as the fludde of Phison, and as the fludde of Tigris when the newe fruites are a growing.


text:
This bringeth a plenteous vnderstanding like Euphrates, and filleth it vp as Iordane in the time of haruest.


text:
I wysdome haue cast out fluddes, I am as a great water brooke out of the riuer, I am as the riuer Dorix, and as a water conduite am I come out of the garden of pleasure.


text:
I sayde, I will water the garden of my young plantes, and fil the fruite of my byrth: So my water brooke became exceeding great, and my riuer approched vnto the sea.


text:
For I make doctrine to be vnto al men as light as the faire morning, and I shal make it to be euer the clearer.


text:
I will pearse thorowe all the lower parties of the earth, I will loke vpon al such as be a sleepe, and lighten all them that put their trust in the Lorde.


text:
I shall yet powre out doctrine lyke as prophecie, and leaue it vnto such as seke after wysdome, and their generations shall I neuer fayle vnto the holy euerlasting worlde.


text:
Beholde howe that I haue not laboured for my selfe onely: but for all them that seke after the trueth.


text:
Three thinges there are that my spirite fauoureth, which be also alowed before God and men: The vnitie of brethren, the loue of neyghbours, a man and wyfe that agree well together.


text:
Three thinges there be which my soule hateth, and I vtterly abhorre the life of them: A poore man that is proude, a riche man that is a lyar, and an old body that doteth and is vnchaste.


text:
O howe pleasaunt a thing is it when gray headed men are discrete, and when the elders can geue good counsell?


text:
O howe comely a thing is wisdome vnto aged men? yea, vnderstanding & counsel to men of honour is a glorious thing.


text:
There be nyne thinges which I haue iudged in my heart to be happy, and the tenth will I tell foorth vnto men with my tongue: A man that whyle he liueth hath ioy of his children, and seeth the fal of his enemies.


text:
Well is hym that dwelleth with an houswyfe of vnderstanding, and that hath not fallen with his tongue, and that hath not ben fayne to serue such as are vnmeete for him.


text:
Well is hym that findeth a faythfull friend: and well is him which talketh of wysdome to an eare that heareth hym.


text:
O howe great is he that findeth wysdome and knowledge? Yet is he not aboue him that feareth the Lorde.


text:
Blessed is the man vnto whom it is graunted to haue the feare of God: vnto whom shall he be likened that kepeth it fast?


text:
The feare of God is the beginning of his loue: and the beginning of fayth, is to cleaue fast vnto it.


text:
All punishement and plague is nothing in comparison of the plague of the heart: euen so, al wickednesse is nothing to the wickednesse of a woman.


text:
What so euer happeneth vnto a man, is nothing in comparison of it that his euil willers do vnto him: and al vengeaunce is nothing to the vengeaunce of the enemie.


text:
There is not a more wicked head then the head of the serpent: and there is no wrath aboue the wrath of a woman.


text:
The wickednesse of a woman chaungeth her face, she shal moffle her countetaunce as it were a beare, and as a sacke shal she shew it among the neyghbours.


text:
Her husbande is brought to shame among his neyghbours because of her: & when he heareth it, it maketh him to sigh.


text:
All wickednesse is but litle to the wickednesse of a woman: the portion of the vngodly shall fall vpon her.


text:
Lyke as the clymyng vp a sandy way is to the feete of the aged: euen so is a wife full of wordes to a still quiete man.


text:
The wrath of a woman is dishonour and great confusion: If a woman get the mastrie, then is she contrarie to her husbande.


text:
A wicked wyfe maketh a sory heart, an heauy countenaunce, and a dead wound: Weake handes & feeble knees is a woman that her husband is not the better for.


text:
If she walke not after thy hande, she shall confounde thee in the sight of thine enemies: Cut her of then from thy fleshe, that she do not alway abuse thee.


text:
An honest woman maketh her husbande a ioyfull man, and she shall fill the yeres of his lyfe in peace.


text:
There be three thinges that my heart feareth, and my face is afrayde of the fourth: treason in a citie, a seditious people, and noysome tongues: all these are heauyer then the death.


text:
When one woman is ielous ouer an other, it bringeth payne and sorowe vnto the heart: and a woman that telleth out all thinges, is a scourge of the tongue.


text:
When one hath an euyll wyfe, it is euen as when an vnlyke payre of oxen must drawe together: he that getteth her, getteth a scorpion.


text:
If thy daughter be not shamefast, hold her straytly, lest she abuse her selfe thorowe ouer much libertie.


text:
As a way faring man that is thirstie, when he hath founde a well drinketh of euery water: so will she sit downe by euery hedge, and make her selfe common to euery man that passeth by.


text:
An honest and manerly woman is a gift aboue other giftes: and there is no wayght to be compared vnto a minde that can rule it selfe.


text:
Like as the sunne when it ariseth, is an ornament in the hie heauen of the Lord: so is a vertuous wyfe the beautie of all her house.


text:
Like as the cleare light is vpon the holy candelsticke: so is the beautie of the face vpon an honest body.


text:
Like as the golden pillers are vpon the sockettes of siluer: so are the fayre feete vpon a woman that hath a constant mynde.


text:
Perpetual are the foundations that be layed vpon a whole stony rocke: so are the commaundementes of God vpon the heart of an holy woman.


text:
There be two thinges that greeue my heart, & in the thirde is displeasure come vpo me: When an experte man of warre suffreth scarsenesse and pouertie, when men of vnderstanding and wisdome are not set by, and when one departeth from righteousnesse vnto sinne: Who so doth such, the Lorde hath prepared him vnto the sworde.


text:
There be two maner of thinges which me thinke to be harde and perilous: A marchaunt can not lightly kepe hym from wrong, neither a tauerner hym selfe from sinne.


text:
Lyke as a nayle in the wal sticketh fast betwixt two stones: euen so doth sinne sticke betwixt the bier and the seller.


text:
Lyke as when one sifteth, the filthynesse remayneth in the syue: So remayneth there some vncleane thing in the thought of man.


text:
The tree of the fielde is knowen by his fruite: so is the thought of mans heart knowen by his wordes.


text:
If thou folowest righteousnes, thou shalt get her, and put her vpon thee as a fayre garment: and thou shalt dwell with her, and she shall defende thee for euer, and in the day of knowledge thou shalt finde stedfastnesse.


text:
The talking of him that feareth God, is nothing but wysdome: as for a foole he chaungeth as the moone.


text:
If thou be among the vndiscrete, kepe thy wordes to a conuenient time: but among such as be wise, speake on hardyly.


text:
Loue thy friende, and binde thy selfe in faythfulnesse with him: but if thou bewrayest his secretes, thou shalt not get him againe.


text:
For like as the man is that destroyeth his enemie: so is he also that dealeth falsly in the friendship of his neyghbour.


text:
Like as one that letteth a byrde go out of his hande, can not take her againe: Euen so thou, if thou geue ouer thy friende, thou canst not get him againe.


text:
Yea thou canst not come by him, for he is to farre of: He is vnto thee as a Roe escaped out of the snare, for his soule is wounded.


text:
As for woundes, they may be bounde vp againe, and an euyll worde may be reconciled: but who so bewrayeth the secretes of a friende, there is no more hope to be had vnto him.


text:
When thou art present, he shall hyghlie commende and prayse thy wordes: but at the last he shall turne his tayle, and sclaunder thy saying.


text:
Who so casteth a stone an hye, it shal fal vpon his owne head: and he that smyteth with guyle, woundeth him selfe.


text:
Who so diggeth a pit shall fall therein, and he that layeth a stone in his neyghbours way, shall stumble theron, and he that layeth a snare for another, shall be taken in it him selfe.


text:
Who so geueth a wicked noisome counsell, it shall come vpon hym selfe, and he shall not knowe from whence.


text:
They that reioyce at the fall of the righteous shall be taken in the snare: anguishe of heart shall consume them before they dye.


text:
He that seketh vengeaunce, shal find vengeaunce of the Lorde, which shal surely kepe hym his sinnes.


text:
Forgeue thy neyghbour the hurt that he hath done thee, and so shal thy sinnes be forgeuen thee also when thou prayest.


text:
He that sheweth no mercie to a man which is like him selfe, how dare he aske forgeuenesse of his sinnes?


text:
Remember the ende, and let enmitie passe whiche seketh death and destruction, and abyde thou in the commaundementes.


text:
Remember the commaundementes, so shalt thou not be rigorous ouer thy neyghbour: Thinke vpon the couenaunt of the hyghest, and forgeue thy neyghbours ignoraunce.


text:
For an angry man kindleth variaunce: and the vngodly disquieteth friendes, and putteth discorde among them that be at peace.


text:
The more wood there is, the more vehement is the fire, and the mightier that men be, the greater is the wrath: according to his riches his anger increaseth, and the longer the stryfe endureth, the more it burneth.


text:
And hastie brawling kindleth a fyre, and an hastie stryfe sheddeth blood: A tongue also that beareth false witnesse, bringeth death.


text:
If thou blow the sparke it shall burne, yf thou spyt vpon it, it shall go foorth, and both these come out of the mouth.


text:
The sclaunderer and doubble tongued is cursed: for many one that be friendes, setteth he at variaunce.


text:
The thirde tongue hath disquieted many one, and dryuen them from one lande to another: Strong cities of the riche hath it broken downe, and ouerthrowen the houses of great men: The strength of the people hath it brought downe, and ben the decay of mightie nations.


text:
The stroke of the rod maketh printes in the skinne: but the stroke of the tongue smyteth the bones in sunder.


text:
Well is him that is kept from an euyll tongue, and commeth not in the anger thereof, which draweth not the yoke of such, and is not bounde in the bandes of it.


text:
Such as forsake the Lorde, shall fall therin, and it shall burne them, and no man shall be able to quenche it: It shall fall vpon them as a lion, and deuour them as a leoparde.


text:
Thou hedgest thy goodes with thornes: why doest thou not rather make doores and barres for thy mouth?


text:
Thou wayest thy gold and siluer: why doest thou not waye thy wordes also vpon thy balaunce, and make a doore, and a barre, and a sure brydell for thy mouth?


text:
Beware that thou slide not thy tongue, and so fal before thyne enemies that lay wayte for thee, and thy fal be incurable, euen vnto death.


text:
Who so will shewe mercie, let hym lende vnto his neyghbour: and he that is able, let him kepe the commaundementes.


text:
Kepe thy worde, and deale faythfully with him: and thou shalt alway finde the thing that is necessarie for thee.


text:
There haue ben many, that when a thing was lent them, reckened it to be founde, and made them trauayle and labour that had helped them.


text:
Whyle they receaue any thing, they kisse the handes of such as geue them, and for their neyghbours good they humble their voyce: but when they should paye againe, they kepe it backe, and geue euyl wordes, and make many excuses by reason of the time.


text:
And though he be able, yet geueth he scarse the halfe againe, and reckeneth the other to be founde: And if he withholde not his money, yet hath he an enemie of him, and that vndeserued: He payeth him with cursing and rebuke, and geueth him euyll wordes for his good deede.


text:
There be many one which are not glad for to lende, not because of euyl: but they feare to lose the thing that they lende.


text:
Helpe the poore for the commaundementes sake, and let hym not go emptie from thee, because of his necessitie.


text:
Lose thy money for thy brother and neyghbours sake, and burie it not vnder a stone where it rusteth and corrupteth.


text:
Gather thy treasure after the commaundement of the hyghest, and so shal it bring thee more profite then golde.


text:
A mans almes is as a purse with him, & shal kepe a mans fauour as the apple of an eye: and afterwarde shall it arise and paye euery man his rewarde vpon his head.


text:
It shall fight for thee against thyne enemies, better then the shielde of a gyaunt or speare of the mightie.


text:
The wicked will not become suertie, and the vnthankeful and ignoraunt leaueth his suertie in daunger.


text:
Suertishippe hath destroyed many a riche man, and remoued them as the waues in the sea: Mightie people hath it dryuen away, and caused them to wander in straunge countreys.


text:
An vngodly man transgressing the commaundement of the Lorde, shall fal into an euyll suertiship: and though he force him selfe to get out, yet shall he fall into iudgement.


text:
The chiefe thing that kepeth in thy life, is water, & bread, clothing, and lodging, to couer the shame.


text:
Be it litle or much that thou hast, hold thee content withall: and thou shalt not be blamed as a vagabounde.


text:
For a miserable lyfe is it to go from house to house, and where a man is fremde, he dare not open his mouth.


text:
Though one be lodged, & haue meate and drinke, yet shall he be taken as vnworthy, and heare many bytter rough wordes, [namely thus:]


text:
Geue place thou straunger to an honorable man, my brother commeth into my house, and so telleth him the necessitie of his house.


text:
These thinges are heauy to a man that hath vnderstanding: [namely] the forbidding of the house, and that the lender casteth him in the teeth.


text:
Who so loueth his child, holdeth hym still vnder correction, that he may haue ioy of him afterwarde, and that he grope not after his neyghbours doores.


text:
He that teacheth his sonne shall haue ioy in hym, and neede not to be ashamed of him among his aquayntaunce.


text:
Who so enfourmeth and teacheth his sonne, greeueth the enemie: and before his friendes he may haue ioy of him.


text:
Though his father dye, yet is he as though he were not dead: for he hath left one behinde him that is like hym.


text:
In his lyfe he sawe him and had ioy in him, and was not sory in his death, neither was he ashamed before the enemies.


text:
For the lyfe of children, he shall bynde the woundes together, and his heart is greeued at euery crye.


text:
If thou bring vp thy sonne delicately, he shal make thee afrayde: and if thou play with hym, he shall bring thee to heauinesse.


text:
Bowe downe his necke whyle he is young, hyt him vpon the sides whyle he is yet but a childe, lest he waxe stubburne, & geue no more force of thee, & so shalt thou haue heauinesse of soule.


text:
What good doth the offering vnto an idoll? for he can neither eate, tast, nor smell: Euen so is he that is chased of the Lorde, and beareth the rewardes of iniquitie.


text:
The ioy & chearefulnesse of the heart is the lyfe of man, and a mans gladnesse is the prolonging of his dayes.


text:
Loue thyne owne soule, and comfort thyne heart: as for sorowe & heauinesse, dryue it farre from thee, for heauinesse hath slayne many a man, and bringeth no profite.


text:
The rich hath great labour in gathering his riches together, and then with the pleasure of his riches he taketh his rest and is refreshed.


text:
He that loueth riches, shal not be iustified: and who so foloweth corruption, shall haue inough thereof.


text:
Many one are come in great misfortune by the reason of golde, and haue founde their destruction before them.


text:
Blessed is the rich which is founde without blemishe, & hath not gone after golde, nor hoped in money & treasures.


text:
Where is there such a one, and we shal commend him and call him blessed? for wonderfull thinges doth he among his people.


text:
Who so is tryed and founde perfect in such thinges, shalbe commended and praysed: who might offende, and hath not offended? who coulde do euill, and hath not done it?


text:
If thou sit at a great mans table, open not thy mouth wide vpon it, and say not there is much meate on it.


text:
Remember that an euil eye is a shrewe: What thing created is worse then a wicked eye? therefore weepeth it before euery mans face?


text:
Eate the thing that is set before thee manerlie as it becommeth a man, and eate not to much, lest thou be abhorred.


text:
Leaue thou of first of al, because of nurture, lest thou be he whom no man may satisfie, which may turne to thy decay.


text:
When thou sittest among many men, reache not thyne hand out first of al, neither call thou first for drinke.


text:
O how well content is a wyse man with a litle wine? so that in sleepe thou shalt not be sicke thereof, nor feele any payne.


text:
A sweete holsome sleepe shall such a one haue, and feele no inwarde greefe, he ryseth vp betimes in the morning, and is wel at ease in him selfe: but an vnsatiable eater sleepeth vnquietly, and hath ache and payne of the body.


text:
If thou feelest that thou hast eaten to much, arise, go thy way, cast it of thy stomacke, and take thy rest: and it shall ease thee, so that thou shalt bring no sicknesse vnto thy body.


text:
My sonne heare me, and despise me not, and at the last thou shalt finde as I haue tolde thee: In all thy workes be diligent and quicke, so shall there no sicknesse happen vnto thee.


text:
Who so is liberall in dealing out his meate, many men shall blesse him, and prayse him with their lippes: and the same is a sure token of his loue & faithfulnesse.


text:
But he that is vnfaithfull in meate, the whole citie shall complaine of him: and that is a sure experience of his infidelitie and wickednesse.


text:
The fire prooueth the hard iron: euen so doth wine prooue the heartes of the proude, when they be druncken.


text:
Wine soberly druncken, quickeneth the lyfe of man: If thou drinkest it measurably, thou shalt be temperate: What is the lyfe of him that is ouercome with wine? what taketh away the lyfe? euen death.


text:
Wine was made from the beginning to make men glad, and not for drunkennesse: wine measurably drunken is a reioycing of the soule and body: A measurable drinking is health to soule and body.


text:
Drunkennesse filleth the minde of the foolishe with shame & ruine, minisheth the strength, and maketh woundes.


text:
Rebuke not thy neighbour at the wine, and despise him not in his mirth: Geue him no dispitefull wordes, and preasse not vpon him with contrary sayinges.


text:
If thou be made a ruler, pride not thy selfe therein, but be thou as one of the people: take diligent care for them, and loke well thereto.


text:
And when thou hast done all thy dutie, sit thee downe, that thou mayst be mery with them, and receaue a crowne of honour.


text:
Thou young man speake that becommeth thee, and that is profitable, and yet scarse when thou art twyse asked.


text:
Comprehede much with fewe wordes, in many thinges be as one that is ignoraunt: geue eare and holde thy tongue withall.


text:
If thou be among men of high aucthoritie, desire not to compare thy selfe vnto the: and when an elder speaketh, make not thou many wordes therein.


text:
But for all thinges geue thankes vnto him that hath made thee, and replenished thee with his goodes.


text:
Who so feareth the Lord, wyl receaue his doctrine: and they that get them to him betimes, shall finde grace.


text:
He that seeketh the law, shall be filled withal: as for him that is but fayned, he wyll be offended thereat.


text:
They that feare the Lorde shall finde the iudgement, and their righteousnesse shalbe kindled as a light.


text:
An vngodly man wyll not be refourmed, but can helpe him selfe with the example of other in his purpose.


text:
A man of vnderstanding despiseth no good counsaile: but a wylde and proude body hath no feare, yea euen when he hath dealt rashly with another man: but his owne doinges shalbe his rebuke.


text:
Go not in the way where thou mayst fall, nor where thou mayst stumble against the stone: againe, neither trust thou to the way that is playne.


text:
In all thy workes put thy trust in God from thy whole heart: for that is the keeping of the commaundementes.


text:
Who so beleueth gods worde, taketh heede to the commaundementes: and he that putteth his trust in the Lorde, shall want nothing.


text:
There shall no euil happen vnto him that feareth God: but when he is in temptation, the Lorde shall deliuer him, & keepe him from euill.


text:
Lyke as a wylde horse that neyeth vnder euery one that sitteth vpon him, so it is with a scornefull friende.


text:
The wysdome of the Lorde hath so parted them a sunder, and so hath he ordayned the times and solempne feastes.


text:
And all men are made of the grounde, and out of the earth of Adam: In the multitude of science hath the Lorde sundred them, and made their wayes of diuers fashions.


text:
Some of them hath he blessed, made much of them, halowed them, and claymed them to him selfe: but some of them hath he cursed, brought them low, and put them out of their estate.


text:
Lyke as the claye is in the potters hande, and all the ordering therof at his pleasure: so are men also in the hande of him that made them, so that he may geue them as lyketh him best.


text:
Beholde, these are the workes of the hiest, and there are euen two against two, and one set against another.


text:
I am awaked vp last of al, as one that gathereth after in haruest: in the giftes of God and in his blessing I am increased, and haue filled my wine presse, lyke a grape gatherer.


text:
Geue not thy sonne, and wyfe, thy brother, and friend, power ouer thee whyle thou liuest: and geue not away thy substaunce & good to another, lest it repent thee, and thou be faine to aske of them againe.


text:
For better it is thy children to pray thee, then that thou shouldest be faine to loke in their handes.


text:
The fodder, the whippe, and the burthen belongeth vnto the asse: meate, correction, and worke vnto the seruaunt.


text:
If thou set thy seruaunt to labour, thou shalt finde rest: but if thou let him go idle, he shall seeke libertie.


text:
The yoke and the whippe bowe downe the hard necke: but tame thou thy euill seruaunt with bondes and correction.


text:
If he be not obedient, binde his feete: but do not to much vnto him in any wyse, and without discretion do nothing.


text:
If thou haue a [faithfull] seruaunt, let him be vnto thee as thyne owne soule: entreate him as a brother, for in blood hast thou gotten him: if thou haue a seruaunt holde him as thy selfe, for thou hast neede of him as of thy selfe:


text:
If thou intreatest him euil, and kepest him hard, and makest him to be proude, and to runne away from thee, thou canst not tell what way thou shalt seeke him.


text:
Who so regardeth dreames, is lyke him that wyll take holde of a shadowe, and folowe after the winde.


text:
Soothsaying, witchcrafte, sorcerie, and dreaming is but vaine: lyke as when a woman trauayleth with childe, & hath many fantasies in her heart.


text:
The lawe shalbe fulfilled without lyes, & wysdome is sufficient to a faithfull mouth: what knowledge hath he that is not tryed?


text:
A wyse man that is well instruct, vnderstandeth much: and he that hath good experience, can talke of wysdome.


text:
He that hath no experience, knoweth litle, and he that erreth, causeth much wickednesse: he that is not tryed, what thinges knoweth he? he that hath ben deceaued, is full of subtiltie.


text:
When I was yet in errour, I learned much also: yea, I was so learned, that I could not expresse it all,


text:
Now I see that they which feare God, haue the right spirit, for their hope standeth in him that can helpe them: and the eyes of the Lorde are on them that loue him.


text:
Who so feareth the Lorde, standeth in awe of no man, and is not afraide: for the Lorde is his hope and comforte.


text:
Blessed is the soule of him that feareth the lord: in whom putteth he his trust? who is his strength?


text:
For the eyes of the Lord haue respect vnto them that loue him, he is their mightie protection and strong grounde: A defence for the heate, a refuge for the hot noone day, a succour for stumbling, and an helpe for falling.


text:
He that geueth an offering of vnrighteous good, his offering is refused: and the scornefull dealinges of the vnrighteous please not God.


text:
The highest doth not alowe the giftes of the wicked: and God hath no delight in the offeringes of the vngodly, neither may sinne be reconciled in the multitude of oblations.


text:
Who so bringeth an offering out of the goodes of the poore, doth euen as one that killeth the sonne before the fathers eyes.


text:
The bread of the nedefull, is the lyfe of the poore: he that defraudeth him thereof, is a man of blood.


text:
Who so robbeth his neighbour of his lyuing, doth as great sinne as though he slue him to death: he that defraudeth the labourer of his hyre, is a blood shedder.


text:
He that washeth him selfe because of a dead body, and then toucheth the dead againe, what doth his washing?


text:
So is it with a man that fasteth for his sinnes, and doth them againe: who wyll heare his prayer? or what doth his fasting helpe him?


text:
Who so kepeth the lawe, bringeth offeringes inough: he that holdeth fast the comaundement, offereth the right health offering.


text:
He that is thankefull and recompenceth, offereth fine floure: Who so is merciful and geueth almes, that is the right thanke offering.


text:
God hath pleasure when one departeth from sinne: and to forsake vnrighteousnesse, reconcileth vs with him.


text:
Geue vnto God according as he hath enriched and prospered thee: and loke what thyne hande is able, geue with a chearefull eye.


text:
Geue no vnrighteous giftes, for such wyll he not receaue: Beware of wrong offeringes, for the Lorde is a righteous iudge, and regardeth no mans person.


text:
He despiseth not the desire of the fatherlesse, nor the wydowe when she powreth out her prayer before him.


text:
Doth not God see the teares that runne downe the cheekes of the wydowe? or heareth he not the complaint ouer such as make her to weepe? For from her cheekes do the teares go vp vnto heauen, and the Lord which heareth them doth accept them.


text:
The prayer of him that humbleth him selfe, goeth through the cloudes: till she come nye she wyll not be comforted, nor go her way tyll the highest God haue respect vnto her, geue true sentece, and perfourme the iudgement.


text:
And the Lorde wyll not be slacke in comming, nor tary long, tyll he haue smitten in sunder the backes of the vnmercifull, and auenged him selfe of the heathen, tyll he haue taken away the multitude of the cruell, and broken the scepter of the vnrighteous, tyll he geue euery man after his workes, and rewarde them after their doinges, tyll he haue delyuered his people, maintayned their cause, and reioyced them in his mercie.


text:
O how faire a thing is mercie in the time of anguishe and trouble? it is lyke a cloude of rayne that commeth in the time of drouth.


text:
Haue mercie vpon vs, O Lorde, thou God of all thinges, haue respect vnto vs: shewe vs the light of thy mercies,


text:
And sende thy feare among the heathen and straungers which seeke not after thee, that they may knowe that there is no God but thou, and that they may shew thy wonderous workes.


text:
Lyft vp thyne hande ouer the outlandishe heathen, that they may learne to knowe thy might and power.


text:
Lyke as thou art halowed in vs before them: so bring to passe that thou mayst be magnified also in them before vs.


text:
Rayse vp thyne indignation, and poure out thy wrath: take away the aduersarie, and smite the enemie.


text:
Let the wrath of the fyre consume them that lyue so carelesse: and let them perishe that do thy people hurt.


text:
Gather all the tribes of Iacob together againe, that they may knowe how that there is none other God but onely thou, that they may shewe thy wonderous workes: and be thou thy peoples heritage, lyke as from the beginning.


text:
O Lorde haue mercie vpon the people that hath thy name, and vpon Israel whom thou hast lykened to a first borne sonne.


text:
Geue witnesse vnto thy creature who thou madest from the beginning, and rayse vp the prophesies that haue ben shewed in thy name.


text:
O Lorde heare the prayer of thy seruauntes according to the blessing of Aaron ouer thy people, and guide thou vs in the way of righteousnes: that al they which dwell vpon the earth may know that thou art the Lorde the eternall God, which is from euerlasting.


text:
If there be in her tongue gentlenes, meekenes, and holsome talke: then is not her husband lyke other men.


text:
He that hath gotten a vertuous woman, hath a goodlie possession: she is vnto him a helpe, and piller wherevpon he resteth.


text:
Where no hedge is, there the goodes are spoyled: and where no huswyfe is, there the frendles mourneth.


text:
Lyke as there is no credence geuen to a robber that goeth from one citie to another: so is not the man beleued that hath no nest, and must turne in where he may abide in the night.


text:
Euery friende sayth, I wyll be friendly vnto him also: but there is some friend, which is onely a frende in name.


text:
O most wicked presumption: from whence art thou sprong vp to couer the earth with falshood and disceite?


text:
There is some companion which in prosperitie reioyceth with his friend: but in the time of trouble, he taketh part against him.


text:
There is some companion that mourneth with his friend for the bellies sake: but when trouble commeth, he taketh holde of the shielde.


text:
Euery counseller prayseth his counsell: neuerthelesse, there is some that counselleth but for his owne profite.


text:
Beware of the counseller, and be aduised afore whereto thou wylt vse him (for he wyll counsaile for him selfe) lest he cast the lot vpon thee,


text:
And say vnto thee, Thy way and purpose is good: and afterwarde he stande against thee, and loke what shal become of thee.


text:
Aske no counsaile at him that suspecteth thee for an enemie, & hide thy counsaile from such as hate thee: aske no counsell for religion of him that is without religion, nor for iustice of him that hath no iustice: aske no counsel at a woman, touching her of who she is ielous, nor at a fearefull and faint harted body in matters of warre: or at a marchaunt how deare he wyl cheape thy wares toward his: or at a byer, of selling: or at an enuious man, of thankesgeuing: or at the vnmerciful, of louing kindnesse: or at an vnhonest man, of honestie: or at the slothfull, of working: or at an hyreling which hath no house, of profit or wealth: or at an idle body of much labour: take no such folkes to counsell.


text:
But be diligent to seeke counsaile at a vertuous man that feareth God, such a one as thou knowest to be a keper of the commaundementes, which hath a minde after thyne owne minde, and is sory for thee when thou stumblest.


text:
And holde thy counsell fast in thyne heart: for there is no man more faithfull to kepe it, then thou thy selfe.


text:
For a mans minde is sometime disposed to tell out more, then seuen watchmen that sit aboue in an hie place loking about them.


text:
There be foure thinges that declare a chaunged heart, whereout there springeth euill and good, death and lyfe, and a maisterfull tongue that bableth much.


text:
Some man there is that can geue wyse and prudent counsel, and yet is he hated and continueth a begger,


text:
Another is robbed of al wysdome: yet is he wyse vnto himselfe, and the fruite of vnderstanding is commedable in his mouth.


text:
For excesse of meates bringeth sickenesse, and gluttonie commeth at the last to an vnmeasurable heate.


text:
Through surfet haue many one perished: but he that dieteth him selfe temperatelie, prolongeth his lyfe.


text:
Honour the phisition, honour him with that honour that is due vnto him, because of necessitie: for God hath created him.


text:
The wysdome of the phisition bringeth him to great worship, and in the sight of the great men of this worlde he shalbe honourably taken.


text:
Was not the bitter water made sweete with a tree, that men might learne to knowe the vertue thereof.


text:
The Lord hath geuen men wysdome and vnderstanding, that he might be honoured in his wonderous workes.


text:
Of such doth the pothecarie make a confection, yet can no man perfourme al his workes: for of the Lorde commeth prosperous wealth ouer all the earth.


text:
Geue a sweete sauoured offering, and the fine floure for a token of remembraunce: make the offering fat, as one that geueth the first fruites,


text:
And geue roome to the phisition, for the Lorde hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast neede of him.


text:
My sonne, bring foorth thy teares ouer the dead, and beginne to mourne as if thou haddest suffered great harme thy selfe: and then couer his body after a conuenient maner, and despise not his buriall.


text:
Enforce thy selfe to weepe, & prouoke thy selfe to mourne, and make lamentation expediently, and be earnest in mourning, and vse lamentation as he is worthie, and that a day or two, lest thou be euill spoken of: and then comfort thy selfe, because of the heauines.


text:
Let the remembraunce of the dead ceasse in his rest, & comfort thee againe ouer him, seing his spirite is departed from him.


text:
The wysdome of the scribe is at conuenient time of rest: and he that ceasseth from exercises and labour, shalbe wyse.


text:
How can he get wysdome that holdeth the plough, and he that hath pleasure in the goade and in driuing the oxen, and is occupied in their labours, and his talke is but of the breeding of bullockes?


text:
So is euery carpenter also and workmaister, that laboureth still night and day: he carueth, graueth, cutteth out, & his desire is insundry cunning thinges, his heart imagineth how he may cunningly cast an image, his diligence also and watching perfourmeth the worke.


text:
The iron smith in lyke maner bydeth by his stithie, and doth his diligence to labour the iron: the vapour of the fyre brenneth his fleshe, and he must fight with the heate of the fornace: the noyse of the hammer euer soundeth in his eares, and his eyes loke still vpon the thing that he maketh: he hath set his minde thereupon that he wyll make out his worke, & therefore he watcheth how he may set it out, and bring it to an ende.


text:
So doth the potter set by his worke: he turneth the wheele about with his feete, he is diligent and carefull in all doinges, and maketh his worke in number.


text:
He fashioneth the clay with his arme, and with his feete he tempereth it: his heart imagineth howe he may make it pleasaunt, and his diligence is to clense the ouen.


text:
Yet come they not hye in the congregation, neither sit they vpon the iudgement seates: they vnderstand not the couenaunt of the lawe, they can not declare equitie and iudgement, they can not finde out the darke sentences.


text:
But through them shall the creature of the worlde be maintayned, their desire concerneth onely the worke and labour of cunning.


text:
He that applieth his mynde to vnderstande the lawe of God, doth diligently seke out the wysdome of them of the olde time, and exerciseth hym selfe in the prophetes.


text:
He kepeth the sayinges of famous men, and preasseth to the vnderstanding of darke sentences of wysdome.


text:
He doth seruice among great men, and appeareth before the prince: he goeth into a straunge countrey, and trauayleth thorowe it: loke what good or euyll is among men, he proueth and seketh it out.


text:
He purposeth in his heart to resort early vnto the Lord that made him, and to pray before the highest God: he openeth his mouth in prayer, and prayeth for his sinnes.


text:
When the great Lorde will, he shalbe filled with the spirite of vnderstanding, that he may then powre out wyse sentences, and geue thankes vnto the Lord in his prayer.


text:
He shall order his deuice, and leade his knowledge a right, and geue him vnderstanding of secrete thinges.


text:
He shall shewe foorth the science of his learning, and reioyce in the couenaunt of the lawe of the Lorde:


text:
The whole congregation shall commende his wysdome, and it shall neuer be put out: the remembraunce of hym shall neuer be forgotten, and his name shal continue from one generation to an other.


text:
His wysdome shalbe spoken of among the people, and the whole congregation shall openly declare his prayse.


text:
While he liueth, he hath a greater name then a thousand beside: and after death, the same name remayneth vnto hym.


text:
Hearken vnto me ye holy vertuous children, bring foorth fruite as the rose that is planted by the brookes of the fielde,


text:
And geue ye a sweete smell as incense, florishe as the rose garden, sing a song of prayse, O geue thankes vnto God ouer all his workes:


text:
Geue magnificence vnto his name, and set hym foorth in his prayse with your lippes, & with musicke and harmonie: Yea euen with the song of your lippes, with harpes and playing, and in geuing thankes vnto him, say after this maner:


text:
All the workes of the Lord are exceeding good, & all his commaundementes are meete and conuenient in due season.


text:
A man neede not to say, what is that? what is that? for at a time conuenient they shall all be sought: At his commaundement the water was as a wall, and at the worde of his mouth the water stoode still.


text:
A man neede not to say then, what is this, or that? for he hath made al thinges to do good vnto man.


text:
All thinges necessarie for the lyfe of man are created from the beginning: water, fire, iron, and salt, meale, wheate, and hony, milke, and wine, oyle and clothing:


text:
All these thinges are created for the best to the faythfull: but to the vngodly shall all these thinges be turned to hurt and harme.


text:
There be spirites that are created for vengeaunce, and in their rigorousnesse haue they fastened their tormentes: In the time of the ende they shall poure out their strength, and pacifie the wrath of him that made them.


text:
The teeth of wilde noysome beastes, the scorpions, serpentes, and the sworde, are created also for vengeaunce, to the destruction of the vngodly.


text:
They shalbe glad to do his commaundementes, and when neede is, they shalbe redy vpon earth: and when their houre is come, they shall not ouerpasse the commaundement of the Lorde.


text:
Therfore haue I taken a good courage vnto me from the beginning, and haue thought to put these thinges in writing, and to leaue them behinde me:


text:
So that no man neede not to say: This is worse then that: for in due season they are all pleasaunt and good.


text:
A great trauaile is created for all men, and an heauy yoke vpon all the sonnes of Adam, from the day that they go out of their mothers wombe, till they be buried in [the earth] the mother of all thinges.


text:
[namely] their thoughtes and imaginations, feare of the heart, counsel, meditations, longing & desire, the day of death:


text:
From the hyghest that sitteth vpon the glorious seate, vnto the lowest and most simple vpon the earth:


text:
From him that is gloriously arayde and weareth a crowne, vnto him that is but homely and simplie clothed.


text:
There is nothing but wrath, zeale, fearefulnesse, vnquietnesse, and feare of death, rigorousnes, anger, & stryfe: And in the night when one shoulde rest and sleepe vpon his bed, the sleepe chaungeth his vnderstanding and knowledge.


text:
A litle or nothing is his rest in the sleepe, aswel as in the day of labour: He feareth & is disquieted in the vision of his heart, as one that runneth out of a battayll.


text:
Moreouer, death, bloodshedding, strife, and sworde, oppression, hunger, destruction, and punishement:


text:
All bribes and vnrighteousnesse shalbe put away: but faythfulnesse and trueth shall endure for euer.


text:
The substaunce and goodes of the vngodly shalbe dryed vp, and sinke away as a water fludde, & they shal make a sound like a great thunder in the rayne.


text:
Like as the righteous reioyceth when he openeth his hande: so shall the transgressours be faynt when their goodes vanishe and consume away.


text:
And the vncleane rootes vpon the hye rockes, shalbe rooted out before the grasse by the water side, & vpon the riuer bankes.


text:
Frendlinesse and liberalitie in the increase & blessing of God, is like a paradise and garden of pleasure: such mercie also and kindnesse endureth for euer.


text:
To labour and to be content with that a man hath, is a sweete pleasaunt life: and that is, to finde a treasure of al treasures.


text:
To beget children and to repayre the citie, maketh a perpetuall name: but an honest woman is more worth then they both.


text:
A friende and companion come together at oportunitie: but aboue them both is a wyfe that agreeth with her husbande.


text:
Temporal substaunce and strength lift vp the minde: but the feare of the Lord, more then they both: The feare of the Lorde wanteth nothing, and needeth no helpe.


text:
The life of hym that loketh vpon an other mans table, is not to be counted for a life, for he vexeth his soule in other mens meate: but a wyse and well nurtured man will beware therof.


text:
O death how bitter is the remembraunce of the, to a man that seketh rest and comfort in his substaunce & riches, vnto the man that hath nothing to vexe him, & that hath prosperitie in all thinges, yea vnto him that yet is able to receaue meate?


text:
O death, howe acceptable and good is thy iudgement vnto the needefull, and vnto him whose strength fayleth, and that is nowe in his last age, and that in all thinges is full of care and fearfulnesse, vnto him also that is in dispayre, and hath no hope nor patience?


text:
Be not thou afraide of death, remember them that haue ben before thee, and that come after thee: this is the iudgement of the Lord ouer all fleshe.


text:
And why wouldest thou be against this pleasure of the hyghest? Whether it be ten, an hundreth, or a thousand yeres, death asketh not howe long one hath lyued.


text:
The children of the vngodly are abhominable children, and so are they that kepe company with the vngodly.


text:
The inheritaunce of vngodly children shall come to naught, & their posteritie shal haue perpetuall shame & confusion.


text:
Wo be vnto you, O ye vngodly, whiche haue forsaken the lawe of the hyghest God: for though ye do encrease, yet shal you perishe.


text:
All that is of the earth, shall turne to earth againe: so go the vngodly also out of the curse into destruction.


text:
Though men mourne for their body: yet the name of the vngodly shall be put out, for it is nothing worth.


text:
Labour to get thee a good name: for that shall continue surer by thee, then a thousande great treasures of golde.


text:
My children, kepe wisdome in peace: for wisdome that is hid and a treasure that is not seene, what profite is in them both?


text:
Therefore be ye turned at my wordes: for it is not good in all thinges and alway to be ashamed: True fayth must proue and measure it.


text:
Be ashamed of whordome before father and mother: be ashamed to leasing before the prince and men of auctoritie:


text:
Of sinne, before the iudge and ruler: of offence, before the congregation & people: of vnrighteousnes, before a companoin and friende:


text:
Of theft, before thy neyghbours: As for the trueth of God and his couenaunt, be not ashamed therof: be ashamed to lye with thyne elbowes vpon the bread, or to be reproued for geuing or taking,


text:
Be ashamed also to loke vpon an other mans wyfe, and to make many trifling wordes with her mayden, or to stand by her bed side.


text:
Or to report the matter that thou hast heard, or to disclose the secrete wordes: so shalt thou well be shamefast, and shalt find fauour with all men.


text:
Of these thinges be not ashamed, and accept no person to offend. [Namely of these thinges be not ashamed:]


text:
Of the lawe of God, of the couenaunt, of iudgement to bring the vngodly from his vngodlinesse vnto righteousnesse, & to make him a good man,


text:
To deale truely with temporall goodes in bying and selling, to bring vp children with diligence, to correct an euyll seruaunt:


text:
What thou deliuerest and geuest out to be kept, to tell it, and to wey it: to write vp all thy outgeuing and receauing:


text:
To enforme the vnlearned and vnwise, of the aged that are iudged of the young: If thou be diligent in these thinges, truely thou shalt be learned and wyse, and accepted of all men.


text:
The daughter maketh the father to watch secretly, and the carefulnesse that he hath for her, taketh away his sleepe, yea in her youth, lest she shoulde ouergrowe him, and when she hath an husbande lest she shoulde be hated:


text:
Lest she shoulde be defiled or rauished in her virginitie, or gotten with childe in her fathers house: or when she commeth to the man, lest she behaue her selfe not right, or continue vnfruitefull.


text:
If thy daughter be wanton, kepe her straytly, lest she cause thyne enemies to laugh thee to scorne, and the whole citie to geue thee an euyll report: and so thou be fayne to heare thy shame of euery man, and be confounded before all the people.


text:
It is better to be with an euyll man, then with a friendly wyfe that putteth one to shame and rebuke.


text:
I will remember the wordes of the Lord, and declare the thing that I haue seene: In the wordes of the Lorde are his workes.


text:
The sunne ouerloketh all thinges with his shine, and all his workes are full of the clearenes therof.


text:
Hath not the Lord brought to passe, that his sainctes shoulde tell out all his wonderous workes which the almightie Lord hath stablished? Al thinges endure in his glorie.


text:
He seketh out the grounde of the deepe, and the heart of men, and he knoweth all their imaginations and wisdome: for the Lord knoweth all science, and he loketh into the token of the time.


text:
He hath garnished the hye excellent workes of his wysdome, and he is from euerlasting to euerlasting: Unto him may nothing be added, neither can he be minished, he hath no neede also of any mans counsel.


text:
He hath stablished the goodes of euery one: and who may be satisfied with his glorie when he seeth it?


text:
The glorie of the height is the faire and cleare firmament, the beautie of the heauen is his glorious clearnesse.


text:
The sunne when it appeareth, declareth the day in the goyng out of it, a maruelous worke of the hyghest:


text:
Who so kepeth an ouen when it is hot, three times more doth the sunne burne vpon the mountaynes: when it breatheth out the fire beames & shineth, with the brightnesse of it it blindeth the eyes.


text:
The moone also in al thinges according to her season is a declaration of the time, and a signe for the world.


text:
The token of the solempne feast is taken of the moone, a light that minisheth and increaseth againe.


text:
The armie of heauen also is in ye heyght: in the firmament of heauen it geueth a cleare and a glorious shyne: This is the clearnesse of the starres, the beautifull apparell of heauen, the apparel that the Lorde lighteneth in the heyght.


text:
Through his commaundement he maketh the snow to fall, and the thunder of his iudgement to smyte hastyly.


text:
The sounde of his thunder beateth the earth, & so doth the storme of the north: the whirle wind also lighteth downe as a fethered foule, casteth out & spreadeth the snowe abrode, and as the grashoppers that destroy al, so falleth it downe.


text:
The eye maruayleth at the beautie of the whytenesse therof, and the heart is afrayde at the rayne of it.


text:
He powreth out the frost vpon earth like salt, and when it is frosen, it is as sharpe as the pricke of a thistle.


text:
When the colde north winde bloweth, harde christall commeth of the water: He lighteth downe vpon all the gatheringes together of water, and putteth on the water as a brestplate.


text:
He deuoureth the mountaynes, & burneth the wildernesses: and loke what is greene, he putteth it out lyke fire.


text:
The medicine of all these is, when a cloude commeth hastyly, and when a deaw commeth vpon the heate, it shalbe refreshed againe.


text:
In his worde he stilleth the winde, in his counsell he appeaseth the deepe, and hath planted Ilandes in it.


text:
They that sayle ouer the sea, tel of the peryls and harmes therof, and when we heare it with our eares, we maruell therat.


text:
I speake much, but I can not sufficiently attayne vnto it: for he hym selfe onely is the perfection of all wordes.


text:
Prayse the Lord, and magnifie him as much as ye may, yet doth he far exceede all prayse: O magnifie him with al your power, and labour earnestly, yet are ye in no wise able sufficiently to prayse him.


text:
For there are hyd yet greater thinges then these be: as for vs, we haue seene but fewe of his workes.


text:
Many more glorious actes haue the Lorde done in them, and shewed his great power euer sence the beginning.


text:
The noble famous men raigned in their kingdomes, and bare excellent rule, in their wysdome and vnderstanding, they folowed the counsel shewed in the prophecies.


text:
They led the folke thorow the counsell and wysdome of the scribes of the people, wyse sentences are founde in their instruction:


text:
They sought the sweetnesse and melodie of musicke, and brought foorth the pleasaunt songues in scripture:


text:
All these were very noble and honorable men in their generations, & were well reported of in their times.


text:
Afterward, there were some whose remembraunce is gone, they came to naught & perished as though they had neuer ben, and became as though they had neuer ben borne, yea and their children also with them.


text:
Neuerthelesse these are louyng men, whose righteousnesse shall neuer be forgotten, but continue by their posteritie.


text:
For their sakes shall their children and seede continue for euer, and their prayse shal neuer be put downe.


text:
Enoch walked right and acceptably before the Lorde, therfore was he translated for an example of amendement to the generations.


text:
Noe was a stedfast and righteous man, and in the time of wrath he became a reconciling: therfore was he left a remnaunt vnto the earth when the fludde came.


text:
Therfore swore God vnto him with an oth, that he woulde blesse all people in his seede, that he woulde multiplie and increase him as the dust of the earth, and to exalt his seede as the starres: yea and that his seede shoulde haue the possession, an inheritaunce of the lande, from sea to sea, and from the riuer vnto the borders of the worlde.


text:
With Isaac dyd he stablishe the same couenaunt for Abraham his fathers sake: Yea that gratious blessing & health of all men, and couenaunt dyd he stablishe with Isaac, and made it rest vpon the head of Iacob.


text:
He knewe him, in that he prospered him so wel and richely, and gaue him an heritage, and sundered his portion by it selfe, and parted among the twelue tribes.


text:
Hym that the Lorde made like in the glorie of the sainctes, & magnified him, so that the enemies stoode in awe of him.


text:
Through his wordes he did great wonders: he made hym glorious in the sight of kinges, gaue him commaundement before his people, and shewed him glorious power.


text:
For he hearde his voyce, and he led hym in the darke cloude, and there he gaue him the commaundementes, yea the law of life and wysdome: that he might teach Iacob the couenaunt and Israel his lawes.


text:
An euerlasting couenaunt made he with him, and gaue hym the priesthod in the people: He made him glorious in beautifull aray, and clothed him with the garment of honour.


text:
He put perfect ioy vpon him, and girded hym with strength, he deckt hym with side clothes and a tunicle, with an ouerbody coate also, and a girdle.


text:
Round about made he hym belles of golde, and that many: that when he went int, he sounde might be heard, that they might make a noyse in the sanctuarie, and geue the people warning.


text:
The holy garment was wrought and bordered with golde, yelow silke, and purple: and in the brestlappe there was a goodly worke, wherin was fastened light and perfectnesse.


text:
Upon the same also there was a worke fastened and set with costly precious stones all bound with golde, and this he brought in his ministration: The stones were fastened for a remembraunce, after the number of the twelue tribes of Israel.


text:
Upon his miter there was a plate of pure gold, a grauen image of holinesse, a famous and noble worke, garnished, and pleasaunt to loke vpon.


text:
Before hym were there seene no such faire ornamentes, & these it behoued him alway to vse: There might none other put them on, but onely his children, and his childers children perpetually.


text:
Moyses filled his handes, & annoynted him with holy oyle: This was now confirmed him with an euerlasting couenaunt, and to his seede as the dayes of heauen: namely, that his children should alway minister before him, & perfourme the office of the priesthood, and wyshe the people good in his name.


text:
Before al men lyuing chose he him, that he shoulde offer incense before the Lord, and make odours for a sweete sauour and remembraunce, that he should reconcile the people of the Lord with hym agayne.


text:
He gaue him auctoritie also in his commaundementes and in the couenaunt, that he should teach Iacob the statutes and testimonies, and to enfourme Israel in the lawe.


text:
Therfore there stoode vp certayne against him, and had enuie at him in the wildernesse: namely they that were of Dathan and Abirons side, and the furious congregation of Core.


text:
This the Lorde saw, and it displeased hym, and in his wrathfull indignation were they consumed: A great wonder did he vpon them, and consumed them with the fire.


text:
Besides this, he made Aaron yet more honorable and glorious, he gaue hym an heritage, & parted the first fruites vnto him: Unto him specially he appoynted the bread of sustenaunce,


text:
Els had he no heritage nor portion in the land & with the people: for the Lord him selfe is his portion & inheritaunce.


text:
The thirde noble and excellent man, is Phinehes the sonne of Eleazer, which pleased the God of Israel, because he had the zeale and feare of the Lord: For when the people were turned backe, he put him selfe foorth right soone, and that with a good will, to pacifie the wrath of the Lord towarde Israel.


text:
Therfore was there a couenaunt of peace made with him, that he should be the principall among the righteous in the people, that he and his posteritie shoulde haue the office of the priesthood for euer.


text:
Like as there was made a couenaunt with Dauid of the tribe of Iuda, that from among his sonnes only there shoulde be a king: and that Aaron also and his seede should be an heritage, to geue vs wysdome in our heart, to iudge his people in righteousnesse, that his goodes shoulde not come into forgetfulnesse, and that their honour might endure for euer.


text:
Manly & strong in battel was Iesus the sonne of Naue, and was the successour of Moyses in prophesies, & was geuen to be captaine of the people, which according vnto his name was a great sauiour vnto the elect of God, to punishe the enemies that rose vp against Israel, that Israel might optayne their inheritaunce.


text:
O how great, noble, and excellent was he, when he lift vp his hande and drewe out his sworde against the cities?


text:
He called vpon the hyghest and most mightie when the enemies preassed vpon him on euery side, and the mightie Lord heard him with the hayle stones.


text:
They smote the Heathenishe people mightyly, and in falling downe they slue all the aduersaries: so that the heathen knew his hoast, and all his defence, that the Lord him selfe fought against them: for he folowed vpon the mightie men of them.


text:
In the time of Moyses also, he and Caleb the sonne of Iephune dyd a good worke, whiche stoode against the enemies, withheld the people from sinne, and stilled the wicked murmuring.


text:
And of sixe hundreth thousande people of foote, they two were preserued to bring them into the heritage, namely, a lande that floweth with mylke & hony.


text:
The Lord gaue strength also vnto Caleb, which remayned with him vnto his age: so that he went vp into the hie places of the land, and his seede conquered the same for an heritage:


text:
And the iudges or rulers euery one after his name, whose heart went not a whoring nor departed from the Lorde, and that forsooke not the Lord vnfaithfully, whose remembraunce hath a good report.


text:
Yea their bones florishe out of their place, and their names shall neuer be chaunged: but honour remayneth still with the children of those holy men:


text:
Samuel the prophete, beloued of the Lorde his God, ordayned a king, and annoynted the princes ouer the people.


text:
In the lawe of the Lord ruled he, and iudged the congregation, and the Lorde had respect vnto Iacob.


text:
The prophete was founde diligent in his faithfulnes: yea & he is knowen faithful in his workes, because he sawe the God of light.


text:
He called vpon the Lorde almightie, when the enemies preassed vpon him on euery side, what time as he offered the sucking lambe.


text:
Before his last ende, he made protestation in the sight of the Lorde and his annoynted, that he toke neither substaunce nor good of any man, no not so much as a shoe: and no man might accuse him.


text:
After this he tolde that his ende was at hand, and shewed the king also his ende and death: and from the earth lyft he vp his voyce in the prophecie, that the vngodlie people should perishe.


text:
For lyke as the fat is taken away from the offering: so was Dauid chosen out of the children of Israel.


text:
Slewe he not a giaunt when he was yet but young, & toke away the rebuke fro his people, what time as he toke the stone in his hande, and smote downe proude Goliath with the sling?


text:
For he called vpon the highest Lorde, which gaue him strength in his right hande, so that he ouerthrewe the mightie giaunt in the battaile, that he might set vp the horne of his people againe.


text:
So he glorified him in ten thousand, and made him to haue a good report in the prayse of the Lorde, that he should weare a crowne of glorie.


text:
For he destroyed the enemies on euery side, rooted out the Philistines his aduersaries, and brake their horne in sunder, lyke as it is broken yet this day.


text:
In all his workes he praysed the hyest and holiest, and ascribed the honour vnto him: with his whole heart did he prayse the Lorde, and loued God that made him.


text:
He set singers also before the aulter, & in their tune he made sweete songes, that they might geue prayses euery day to God with songes.


text:
He ordayned to kepe the holy dayes worshipfully, & that the solempe feastes through the whole yere should be honorably holden, with praysing the name of the Lorde, and with singing betimes in the morning in the sanctuary.


text:
The Lorde toke away his sinnes, and exalted his horne for euer: he gaue him the couenaunt of the kingdome, and the throne of worship in Israel.


text:
After him there rose vp the wyse sonne [called Solomon.] who by him dwelt in a large possession, and for his sake he droue the enemies away far of.


text:
This Solomon raigned with peace in his time, and he obtayned glory: For God gaue him rest from his enemies on euery side, that he might builde him an house in his name, and prepare the sanctuarie for euer.


text:
How wyse wast thou in thy youth, and filled with wysdome and vnderstanding, as it were with a water flood?


text:
And in the name of the Lorde God, which is called the God of Israel, thou gatheredst golde as tinne, & thou hadst as much siluer as leade.


text:
Thou staynedst thy honour & worship, yea thy posteritie defiledst thou also, in bringing the wrath of the Lorde vpon thy children, and hast felt sorowe for thy folly.


text:
Neuerthelesse, God forsooke not his mercie, neither was he vtterly destroyed because of his workes, that he should leaue him no posteritie: as for the seede that came vpon him, which he loued, he brought it not vtterly to naught, but gaue yet a remnaunt vnto Iacob, and a roote vnto Dauid out of him.


text:
Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and out of his seede he left behinde him a verie foolishnes of the people, and such one as had no vnderstanding: euen Roboam, which turned away the people through his counsell, and Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat, which caused Israel to sinne, and shewed Ephraim the way of vngodlines:


text:
Insomuch that their sinnes and misdeedes had the vpper hande so sore, that at the last they were driuen out of the lande for the same:


text:
He brought an hunger vpon them, and in his zeale he made the fewe in number: for they might not away with the commaundementes of the Lorde.


text:
One that was dead thou raysedst vp from death, and in the worde of the hyest thou broughtest him out of the graue againe.


text:
Thou wast ordayned in the reproouinges in time, to pacifie the wrath of the Lorde before it raged, to turne the heartes of the fathers vnto the children, & to set vp the tribes of Iacob againe.


text:
Blessed were they that sawe thee, and were garnished in loue, for we lyue in lyfe: but after death we shall haue no such name.


text:
Elias was couered in the storme, but Elizeus was filled with his spirite: while he lyued he was afrayde of no prince, and no man might ouercome him.


text:
For all this the people amended not, neither departed they from their sinnes, tyll they were caryed away prisoners out of the lande, and were scattered abrode in all countries, so that of them there remayned but a very litle people, and a prince vnto the house of Dauid.


text:
Ezechias made his citie strong, conueyed water into it, digged through the stony rocke with iron, and made vp a wall by the water side.


text:
In his time came Sennacherib vp, and sent Rabsakes, lyft vp his hande against Sion, & defied them with great pride.


text:
So they called vpon the Lord which is mercifull, and lyft vp their handes before him, immediately the Lorde heard them out of heauen.


text:
He thought no more vpon their sinnes, nor gaue them ouer to their enemies: but deliuered them by the hande of Esaias.


text:
For Ezechias had done the thing that pleased the Lorde, and remayned stedfastly in the way of Dauid his father, as Esaias the great & faithfull prophete in the sight of God had commaunded him.


text:
With a right spirite prophecied he what shoulde come to passe at the last: and to such as were sorowfull in Sion, he gaue consolation, wherewith they might comfort them selues for euermore.


text:
The remembraunce of Iosias, is lyke as whe the apothecarie maketh many precious sweete smelling thinges together: his remembraunce shalbe sweete as hony in all mouthes, and as the playing of musicke at a banket of wine.


text:
He directed his heart vnto the Lorde, and in the time of the vngodlie he set vp the worship of God againe.


text:
All kinges except Dauid, Ezechias, and Iosias, committed wickednes: for euen the kinges of Iuda also forsoke the lawe of God.


text:
Therefore was the elect citie of the sanctuarie brent with fire, and the streetes therof layd desolate and waste in the hande of Ieremie.


text:
For they entreated him euill, which neuerthelesse was a prophete, ordayned from his mothers wombe, that he might roote out, breake of, and destroy: and that he might builde vp, and plant againe.


text:
Ezechiel sawe the glorie of the Lorde in a vision, which was shewed him vpon the charet of the Cherubims.


text:
For he thought vpon the enemies in the rayne, to do good vnto such as had ordered their wayes aright.


text:
And the bones of the twelue prophetes florished from out of their place: for they gaue comfort and consolation vnto Iacob, and deliuered them faithfully.


text:
So was Iesus also the sonne of Iosedec: these men in their times builded the house, & set vp the sanctuarie of the Lorde againe, which was prepared for an euerlasting worship.


text:
And among the elect was Nehemias, whose renowme was great, which set vp for vs the walles that were broken downe, made the portes and barres againe, and builded our houses a new.


text:
Neither was there a lyke man vnto Ioseph, which was lord of his brethren, and the vpholder of his people: his bones were couered and kept.


text:
Seth and Sem were in great honour among the people, and so was Adam aboue all the beastes when he was created.


text:
Simon the sonne of Onias the hye priest, which in his lyfe set vp the house againe, and in his dayes made fast the temple.


text:
The height of the temple also was founded of him, the double building, and the hye walles of the temple.


text:
He toke care for his people, and deliuered them from destruction: he kept his citie & made it strong, that it shoulde not be besieged.


text:
How honorable was his conuersation among the people, and when he came out of the house couered with the vaile?


text:
He gaue lyght as the morning starre in the middest of the cloudes, and as the moone when it is full:


text:
And florisheth as the floures and roses in the spring of the yere, and as lylies by the riuers of water, like as the brauches vpon the mount Libanus in the time of summer:


text:
As a fire and incense that is kindled, lyke as an whole ornament of pure gold set with all maner of precious stones,


text:
When he put on the garment of honour, and was clothed with al beawtie, when he went to the holy aulter, he made the garment of holynes honorable.


text:
When he toke the portions out of the priestes hande, he him selfe stoode by the hearth of the aulter, and his brethren rounde about in order: as the braunches of Cedar tree vpo the mount Libanus, so stoode they rounde about him:


text:
And as the braunches of the Oliue tree, so stoode all the sonnes of Aaron in their glory, and the oblations of the Lorde in their handes before al the congregation of Israel.


text:
And that he might sufficiently perfourme his seruice vpon the aulter, and garnishe the offering of the highest god,


text:
He stretched out his hande, and toke of the drinke offering, and powred in of the wine: so he poured vpon the bottome of the aulter a good smell vnto the highest prince.


text:
Then began the sonnes of Aaron to sing, and to blow with trumpettes, and to make a great noyse, for a remembraunce and prayse vnto the Lorde.


text:
Then al the people together were hasted, and fell downe to the earth vpon their faces to worship the Lorde their God, & to geue thankes to the almightie God.


text:
They long goodly also with their voyces, so that there was a pleasaunt noyse in the great house of the Lorde.


text:
And the people in their prayer besought the Lorde the highest that he would be mercifull, tyll the honour of the Lorde were perfourmed, and they had ended their ministration and seruice.


text:
Then went he downe and stretched out his handes ouer the whole multitude of the people of Israel, that they shoulde geue prayse and thankes out of their lippes vnto the Lorde, and to reioyce in his name.


text:
[Namely thus] O geue prayse and thankes all ye vnto the Lord our God, which hath euer done noble and great thinges, which hath increased our dayes from our mothers wombe, and dealt with vs according to his mercie,


text:
There be two maner of people that I abhorre from my heart, as for the third whom I hate, it is no people:


text:
They that sit vpon the mountaine of Samaria, the Philistines, and the foolishe people that dwelt in Sichimis.


text:
I Iesus, the sonne of Sirach Eleazarus, of Hierusalem, haue tokened vp these informations and documentes of wysdome and vnderstanding in this booke, and poured out the wysdome of my heart.


text:
Blessed is he that exerciseth him selfe therein: & who so taketh such to heart, shalbe wyse for euer.


text:
If he do these thinges, he shalbe strong in all: for the lyght of the Lorde leadeth him, which geueth wysdome to the godlie: The Lorde be praysed for euermore, so be it, so be it.


text:
I wyll thanke thee O Lorde and king, and prayse thee O God my sauiour: I wyll yeelde prayse vnto thy name.


text:
For thou art my defender and helper, and hast preserued my body from destruction, from the snares of trayterous tongues, and from the lippes that are occupied with lyes.


text:
Thou hast ben my helper from such as stoode vp against me, and hast deliuered me after the multitude of thy mercie, and for thy holy names sake, from the roring of them that prepared them selues to deuour me, out of the handes of such as sought after my lyfe, from the multitude of them that troubled me,


text:
And from them that went about to set fyre vpon me on euery side, so that I am not brent in the middest of the fyre:


text:
From the deepe of hell, from an vncleane tongue, from lying wordes, from false accusation to the king, and from an vnrighteous tongue.


text:
They compassed me round about on euery syde, and there was no man to helpe me: I loked about me if there were any man that would succour me: but there was none.


text:
Then thought I vpon thy mercie O Lorde, and vpon thy actes that thou hast done euer of olde: [namely] that thou deliuerest such as put their trust in thee, and riddest them out of the handes of the heathen.


text:
I called vpon the Lorde the father of my Lorde, that he would not leaue me without helpe in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proude.


text:
I wyll prayse thy name continually, yeelding honour and thankes vnto it: and so my prayer was heard.


text:
Thou sauedst me from destruction, and deliueredst me from the vnrighteous time: therefore wyll I acknoweledge and prayse thee, and magnifie the name of the Lorde.


text:
I came therfore before the temple and sought her vnto the last: then florished she vnto me, as a grape that is soone rype.


text:
My heart reioyced in her, then went my foote the right way: yea from my youth vp sought I after her.


text:
For I am aduised to do thereafter, I wyll be gelous to cleaue vnto the thing that is good, so shall I not be confounded.


text:
My soule hath wrestled with her, and I haue ben diligent to be occupied in her: I lift vp myne handes on hye, then was my soule lightened through wysdome that I knowledged my foolishnes.


text:
I ordered my soule after her, she and I were one heart from the beginning, and I found her in cleannesse, and therfore shall I not be forsaken.


text:
Withdrawe not your selues from her, but talke & commune of these thinges: for your soules are very thirstie.


text:
Bowe downe your necke vnder her yoke, and your soule shall receaue wysdome: she is harde at hande, and is content to be founde.


text:
After that Alexander king of Macedonia sonne of Phillip went forth of the lande of Cethim, and slew Darius king of the Persians and Medes, and raigned for him as he had done before in Grecia:


text:
It happened that he toke great warres in hand, wanne very many strong cities, and slue many kinges of the earth,


text:
Going through to the endes of the worlde, and getting many spoyles of the people, insomuch that the whole worlde stoode in awe of him, and therfore was he proude in his heart.


text:
He called for his noble estates, which had ben brought vp with him of childre, and parted his kingdome among them while he was yet aliue.


text:
And caused them selues to be crowned as kinges: and so did their children after them many yeres, and much wickednes increased in the worlde.


text:
Out of these came the vngratious roote noble Antiochus, the sonne of Antiochus the king, which had ben a pledge at Rome: and he raigned in the hundred thirtie and seuen yere of the empire of the Grekes.


text:
In those dayes went there out of Israel wicked men, which moued much people with their counsel, saying, Let vs go and make a couenaunt with the heathen that are rounde about vs: for since we departed from them, we haue had much sorowe.


text:
And certaine of the people toke vpon them for to go vnto the king, which gaue them licence to do after the ordinaunce of the heathen.


text:
And made themselues vncircumsized, but forsooke the holy testament, and ioyned them selues to the heathen, and were cleane soulde to do mischiefe.


text:
So when Antiochus began to be mightie in his kingdome, he went about to obtayne the lande of Egypt also, that he might haue the dominion of two realmes.


text:
Upon this entred he into Egypt with a strong hoast, with charets, Elephants, horsemen, and a great number of ships,


text:
And began to warre against Ptolome the king of Egypt: But Ptolome was afrayde of him, and fled, and many of his people were wounded to death.


text:
And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he turned againe in the hundred fourtie and three yere, and went toward Israel,


text:
And entred proudely into the sanctuarie, and toke away the golden alter, the candelsticke, and al the ornaments therof, the table of the shewbread, the pouring vessels, the chargers, the golden spoones, the vayle, the crownes, & golden apparell of the temple, and brake downe all in peeces.


text:
And when he had taken away altogether, caused a great murther of men, and spoken very proudly, the departed ino his owne lande.


text:
The princes and the elders of the people mourned, the young men and the maydens were defiled, and the faire beautie of women was chaunged:


text:
The lande and those that dwelt therein was moued: for all the house of Iacob was brought to confusion.


text:
After two yeres the king sent his chiefe treasurer vnto the cities of Iuda, which came to Hierusalem with a great multitude of people,


text:
And when he had spoyled the citie, he set fire on it, casting downe houses and walles on euery side.


text:
Then builded they the citie of Dauid with a great and thicke wall, and with mightie towres, and made it a strong holde for them.


text:
Stored it with weapons and vitailes, gathered the goodes of Hierusalem, and layed them vp there: Thus became it a theenishe castel.


text:
Thus they became a heauy burthen, laying wayte for the people that went into the sanctuary, and for the cruell destruction of Israel.


text:
Insomuch that the citezins were faine to depart, and the citie became an habitation of straungers, being desolate of her owne seede: for her owne natiues were faine to leaue her.


text:
Her sanctuary was cleane wasted, her holy dayes were turned into mourning, her Sabbathes were had in derision, & her honour brought to naught.


text:
Antiochus also the king sent out a commission vnto all his kingdome, that all the people should be one.


text:
Then they left euery man his lawe, and al the heathen agreed to the commaundement of king Antiochus:


text:
So the king Antiochus sent his messegers with his commission vnto Hierusalem, and to all the cities of Iuda, that they should folow the lawes of the heathen:


text:
And forbad either burnt offering, meate offering, or peace offering to be made in the temple of God, & that there should no Sabbath nor hie feast day be kept:


text:
He commaunded also, that there should be set vp other aulters, temples, & idols, to offer vp swines flesh, and other vncleane beastes,


text:
That men should leaue their children vncircumcized, to defile their soules with all maner of vncleannesse and abhominations:


text:
And that whosoeuer would not do according to the commaundement of king Antiochus, should suffer death.


text:
In lyke maner comaunded he throughout all his realme, and set rulers ouer the people, for to compell them to do these thinges:


text:
Then went the people vnto the heathen by heapes, forsooke the law of the Lorde, and committed much euil in the lande:


text:
The fifteenth day of the moneth Casleu, in the hundred threescore and fifth yere, set king Antiochus an abhominable idoll of desolation vpon the aulter of God, and they builded aulters throughout all the cities of Iuda on euery side,


text:
Whatsoeuer he was that had a booke of the testament of the Lorde founde by him, yea whosoeuer endeuoured him selfe to kepe the lawe of the Lorde, the kinges comaundement was, that they should put him to death.


text:
And through his aucthoritie they executed these thinges euery moneth, vpon the people of Israel that were founde in the cities.


text:
The twentie and fifth day of the moneth, what time as they did sacrifice vpon the aulter, which stoode in the steade of the aulter of the Lorde:


text:
According to the commaundement of king Antiochus they put certaine women to death, which had caused their children to be circumcized:


text:
Not onely that, but they hanged vp the childre by the neckes throughout al their houses, and slue the circumcizers of the.


text:
Yet were there many of the people of Israel, which determined in the selues that they woulde not eate vncleane thinges: but chose rather to suffer death, then to be defiled with vncleane meates:


text:
In those dayes there did stand vp one Mathathias the sonne of Iohn, the sonne of Simeon the priest, out of the kinred of Ioarib, from Hierusalem, and dwelt vpon the mount of Modin,


text:
And Mathathias sayd: Wo is me, alas that euer I was borne, to see this miserie of my people, & the piteous destruction of the holy citie, and thus to sit so still, it beyng deliuered into the handes of the enemies.


text:
Her sanctuarie is come into the power of straungers, her temple is as it were a man that hath lost his good name:


text:
Her pretious ornamentes are caried away captiue, her olde men are slayne in the streetes, and her young men are fallen thorowe the sworde of the enemies.


text:
What people is it that hath not some possession in her kingdome: or who hath not gotten some of her spoyles?


text:
And Mathathias rent his clothes, he and his sonnes, and put sackecloth vpon them, and mourned very sore.


text:
Then came the men thyther whiche were sent of king Antiochus, to compell such as were fled into the citie of Modin, for to do sacrifice, & to burne incense vnto idoles, and to forsake the lawe of God.


text:
So many of the people of Israel consented and enclined vnto them: but Mathathias and his sonnes remayned stedfast.


text:
Then spake the commissioners of king Antiochus, and sayd vnto Mathathias: Thou art a noble man, of hye reputation, and great in this citie, hauing many fayre children and brethren:


text:
Come thou therfore first and fulfill the kinges commaundement, like as all the heathen haue done, yea and the men of Iuda, and such as remayne at Hierusalem: so shalt thou and thy children be in the kinges fauour, and enriched with golde, siluer, and great rewardes.


text:
Mathathias aunswered, & spake with a loude voyce: Though all nations obey the king Antiochus, and fall away euery man from keping the law of their fathers, though they consent to his commaundementes:


text:
God forbid we shoulde: that were not good for vs that we shoulde forsake the lawe and ordinaunces of God, and to agree vnto the commaundement of king Antiochus.


text:
And when he had spoken these wordes, there came one of the Iewes, whiche openly in the sight of all, did sacrifice vnto the idoles vpon the aulter in the citie of Modin according to the kinges commaundement.


text:
When Mathathias sawe this, it greeued hym at the heart, so that his reynes shoke withall, and his wrath kindled for very zeale of the law: With that he start vp, and killed the Iewe beside the aulter:


text:
Yea and slue the kinges commissioner that compelled hym to do sacrifice, & destroyed the aulter at the same time:


text:
And Mathathias cryed with a loude voyce thorow the citie, saying: Who so is feruent in the law, and will kepe the couenaunt, let him folowe me.


text:
Many other godly men also which lyued iustly and vprightly departed into the wildernesse, with their children, their wiues, and their cattell, and remayned there: for the tiranny increased sore vpon them.


text:
Now when the kinges seruauntes, and the hoast whiche was at Hierusalem in the citie of Dauid, hearde that certayne men had broken the kinges commaundement, and were gone their way to the wildernesse into secrete places:


text:
Then many pursued after them, and after they had ouertaken them, they camped them selues, and set the battel in aray against them in the Sabbath day,


text:
And sayd vnto them: Will ye yet rebell? Get you hence, and do the commaundement of king Antiochus, and ye shall lyue.


text:
They aunswered: We will not go [for thee,] neither will we do the kinges commaundemet, to defile the Sabbath day.


text:
But the other gaue them none other aunswere, neither cast they one stone at them, nor made fast their priuie places:


text:
But sayde, We will dye all in our innocencie, heauen & earth shall testifie with vs that ye put vs to death wrongfully.


text:
Thus they fought against them vpon the Sabbath, and slue both men & cattayle, their wyues and their children, to the number of a thousande people.


text:
And sayde one to another: If so be that we al do as our brethren haue done, and fight not for our lyues and for our lawes against the heathen, then shall they the sooner roote vs out of the earth.


text:
Whatsoeuer he be that commeth to make battayle with vs vpon the Sabbath day, we will fight against him, and not dye all as our brethren that were murthered in the wildernesse.


text:
Upon this came the assemblie of the Assideans vnto them, whiche were of the strongest men in Israel, and all such as were feruent in the lawe:


text:
Insomuch that they gathered an hoast of men, and slue the wicked doers in their gelousie, and the vngodly men in their wrath: but the rest fled vnto the heathen, and escaped.


text:
And circumcised the children that had not yet receaued circumcision, as many as they found within the coastes of Israel:


text:
Insomuch that they kept the lawe against the power of the gentiles and the kinges, and gaue not ouer their dominion vnto wicked doers.


text:
After this, when the time drewe on fast that Mathathias shoulde dye, he sayde vnto his sonne: Now is pryde and persecution increased, nowe is the time of destruction & wrathfull displeasure:


text:
Wherefore O my sonnes, be ye feruent in the lawe, and ieoparde your liues for the testament of the fathers.


text:
Call to remembraunce what actes our fathers dyd in their time, so shall ye receaue great honour and an euerlasting name.


text:
Remember Abraham: was not he founde faythful in temptation, & it was reckened vnto him for righteousnesse?


text:
Phinehes our father was so feruent for the honour of God, that he obtayned the couenaunt of an euerlasting priesthood.


text:
And thus ye may consider throughout all ages sence the worlde began, that whosouer put their trust in God, were not ouercome.


text:
To day is he set vp, and to morowe is he gone: for he is turned into earth, and his memoriall is come to naught.


text:
Wherefore O my sonnes, take good heartes vnto you, and quyte your selues like men in the lawe: for if ye do the thinges that are commaunded you in the lawe of the Lorde your God, ye shall obtayne great honour therin.


text:
And beholde, I knowe that your brother Simon is a man of wysdome: see that ye geue eare vnto him alway, he shalbe a father vnto you.


text:
As for Iudas Machabeus, he hath euer ben mightie and strong from his youth vp: let him be your captayne, and order the battayle of the people.


text:
Thus shall ye bring vnto you all those that fauour the lawe, and see that ye auenge the wrong of your people,


text:
And died in the hundred fourtie and sixe yere at Modin, where his sonnes buried him in his fathers sepulchre, and all Israel made great lamentation for him.


text:
And all his brethren helped hym, and so dyd all they that helde with his father, and fought with cherefulnesse for Israel.


text:
So Iudas gate his people great honour: He put on a brest plate as a giaunt, and arayed him selfe with his harnesse, and defended the hoast with his sword.


text:
So that his enemies fled for feare of hym, and all the workers of vngodlinesse were put to trouble: such lucke and prosperitie was in his hande.


text:
This greeued diuers kinges: but Iacob was greatly reioyced thorow his actes, and he gate hym selfe a great name for euer.


text:
He went thorow the cities of Iuda, destroying the vngodly out of them, turning away the wrath from Israel,


text:
And receauing such as were oppressed: and the fame of him went vnto the vttermost part of the earth.


text:
Then Apollonius [a prince of Syria] gathered a mightie great hoast of the heathen, & out of Samaria, to fight against Israel:


text:
Whiche when Iudas perceaued, he went foorth to meete him, fought with him, slue him, & a great multitude with hym: the remnaunt fled, and he toke their substaunce.


text:
Nowe when Seron a prince of the armie of Syria, heard say that Iudas had gathered vnto hym the congregation and church of the faythfull,


text:
He sayde: I will get me a name and a prayse thorowout the realme: for I wil go fight with Iudas and them that are with hym, as many as haue despised the kinges commaundement.


text:
So he made him redy, and there went with hym a great mightie hoast of the vngodly, to stand by him, and to be auenged of the children of Israel.


text:
And when his people sawe such a great hoast before them, they sayde vnto Iudas: Howe are we able, beyng so few, to fight against so great a multitude and so strong, seyng we be so weery, and haue fasted all this day?


text:
But Iudas sayde, It is a small matter for many to be ouercome with fewe: yea there is no difference to the God of heauen, to deliuer by a great multitude, or by a small companie:


text:
For the victorie of the battell standeth not in the multitude of the hoast, but the strength commeth from heauen.


text:
Beholde, they come against vs with a cruell and proude multitude, to destroy vs, our wyues, and our children, and to robbe vs:


text:
Assoone as he had spoken these wordes, he leapt sodenly vpon them: Thus was Seron smitten, & his hoast put to flight,


text:
And Iudas folowed vpon them beyonde Bethoron, vnto the playne fielde, where there were slaine eyght hundreth men of them, and the residue fledde into the lande of the Philistines.


text:
So that the rumour of him came vnto the kinges eares, for all the gentiles coulde tell of the warres of Iudas.


text:
So when king Antiochus heard these tidinges, he was angry in his mynde: wherfore he sent foorth, and gathered an hoast of his whole realme, very strong armies:


text:
And opened his treasurie, and gaue his hoast a yeres wages in hande, commaunding them to be redy at all times.


text:
Neuerthelesse, when he saw that there was not money enough in his treasuries, and that thorow the discorde and persecution which he made in the lande to put downe the lawes that had ben of olde times, his customes and tributes of the lande were minished:


text:
He feared that he was not able for to beare the coastes and charges any lenger, nor to haue such giftes to geue so liberally as he dyd afore, more then the kinges that were before him.


text:
Wherfore he was heauy in his minde, and thought to go into Persides for to take tributes of the lande, and so to gather much money.


text:
So he left Lysias a noble man of the kinges blood to ouersee the kinges businesse, from the water Euphrates vnto the borders of Egypt:


text:
Moreouer, he gaue hym halfe of his hoast, and Elephantes, and committed vnto him euery thing, and gaue him the charge of all thinges that he woulde haue done, concerning those whiche dwelt in Iuda and Hierusalem:


text:
That he shoulde sende out an armie against them, to destroy and to roote out the power of Israel and the remnaunt of Hierusalem, to put out their memoriall from that place,


text:
Thus the king toke the other part of the hoast, and departed from Antioche a citie of his realme, ouer the water Euphrates, in the hundreth & fourtie and seuen yere, and went thorowe the hye countreys.


text:
And Lysias those vnto hym Ptolomi the sonne of Dorymimus, Nicanor and Gorgias, mightie men, and the kinges friendes.


text:
These he sent with fourtie thousande footemen, and seuen thousande horsemen, for to go into the land of Iuda, and to destroy it, as the king commaunded.


text:
When the marchauntes of the countrey hearde the rumour of them, they & their seruauntes toke very much siluer & gold for to bye the children of Israel to be their bondemen: There came vnto them also yet mo men of warre on euery syde, out of Syria, and from the Palestines.


text:
Now when Iudas and his brethren saw that trouble increased, and that the hoast drew nye vnto their borders, considering the kinges wordes whiche he commaunded vnto the people [namely] that they shoulde vtterly waste and destroy them:


text:
They sayde one to another, Let vs redresse the decay of our people, let vs fight for our folke & for our sanctuarie.


text:
Then the congregation were soone redy gathered to fight, to pray and to make supplication vnto God for mercie and grace.


text:
As for Hierusalem, it lay voyde, & was as it had ben a wildernesse: there went no man in nor out at it, and the sanctuarie was troden downe, the aliauntes kept the castle, there was the habitation of the heathen, the mirth of Iacob was taken away, the pype and the harpe was gone from among them.


text:
The Israelites gathered them together, & came to Maspha before Hierusalem: for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel.


text:
So they fasted that day, and put sackeclothes vpon them, cast asshes vpon their heades, rent their clothes,


text:
And layde foorth the bookes of the lawe, wherout the heathen sought to paynt the lykenesse of their images:


text:
And brought the priestes ornamentes, the firstlinges, and the tithes: they set there also the Nazarites, which had accomplished their vowes before God:


text:
And cryed with a loude voyce toward heauen, saying: What shall we do with these? and whyther shall we cary them away?


text:
And beholde, the heathen are come together for to destroy vs: Thou knowest what thinges they imagine against vs.


text:
Then Iudas ordeyned captaynes ouer the people, ouer thousandes, ouer hundredes, ouer fiftie, and ouer ten.


text:
But as for such as builded them houses, maried wyues, planted them vineyardes, and those that were fearfull, he commaunded them euery man to go home againe, according to the lawe.


text:
And Iudas sayd: Arme your selues, be strong O my children, make you redy against to morowe in the morning, that ye may fight with these people, whiche are agreed together to destroy vs and our sanctuarie.


text:
Better is it for vs to dye in battayle, then to see our people and our sanctuarie in such a miserable case.


text:
Then toke Gorgias fiue thousand me of foote, and a thousand of the best horsmen, and remoued out of the campe by night,


text:
To come nye where the Iewes hoast lay, & so to slay them sodenly: (Nowe the men that kept the castle, were the conueyers of them.)


text:
Nowe when Iudas heard this, he remoued, and al the strong men that were with hym, to smyte the chiefe and principall of the kinges hoast at Emmaus:


text:
In the meane season came Gorgias by night into Iudas tentes, and when he founde no man there, he sought them in the mountaynes, and thought they had ben fled away because of him.


text:
But when it was day, Iudas shewed hym selfe in the fielde with three thousande men only, which had neither harnesse, nor swordes to their mindes.


text:
But on the other side, they saw that the heathen were mightie and well harnessed, and their horsemen about them, and all these well expert in feates of warre.


text:
Then sayde Iudas to the men that were with him: Feare not ye the multitude of them, be not afrayde of their violent running.


text:
Remember howe our fathers were deliuered in the red sea, when Pharao folowed vpon them with a great hoast.


text:
Euen so let vs also crye nowe towarde heauen, and the Lord shall haue mercie vpon vs, and remember the couenaunt of our fathers, yea & destroy this hoast before our face this day:


text:
They went out of their tentes into the battayle, and they that were with Iudas blewe vp the trumpettes.


text:
But the hinmost of them were slayne with the sword: For they folowed them vnto Assaremoth, and into the fieldes of Idumea toward Azot and Iamnia: so that there were slayne of them vpon a three thousande men.


text:
For Gorgias and his hoast are here by vs in the mountaynes, but stand ye fast against our enemies, & ouercome them, then may ye safely take the spoyles.


text:
But when Gorgias sawe that they of his partie were fled, and the tentes brent vp (for by the smoke they might vnderstande what was done) they perceauing this, were very sore afrayde:


text:
So Iudas turned againe to spoyle the tentes, where they gat much golde and siluer, precious stones, purple, and great riches.


text:
Thus they went home, and song a Psalme of thankesgeuing, and praysed God in heauen, For he is gracious, and his mercie endureth for euer.


text:
Wherfore Lysias was sore afrayde and greeued in his minde, because Israel had not gotten such misfortune as he woulde they should, neither as the king commaunded.


text:
The next yere folowing, gathered Lysias three score thousande chosen men of foote, and fyue thousande horsemen, to fight against Hierusalem.


text:
So they came into Iurie, and pitched their tentes at Bethoron: where Iudas came against them with ten thousande men.


text:
And when he sawe so great and mightie an hoast, he made his prayer, & sayde: Blessed be thou O sauiour of Israel, which diddest destroy ye violent power of the giaunt in the hande of thy seruaunt Dauid, & gauest the hoast of the heathen into the hand of Ionathan the sonne of Saul, & of his harnesse bearer:


text:
Put this hoast now into the hand of thy people of Israel, & let them be confounded in their multitude and horsemen.


text:
Make them afrayde, and discomfite the boldnesse of their strength, that they may be moued thorowe their destruction.


text:
Cast them downe thorowe the sworde of thy louers, then shall all they that knowe thy name, prayse thee with thankesgeuing.


text:
Then Lysias seyng the discomfyting of his men, and the manlinesse of the Iewes, howe they were redy either to lyue or to dye lyke men: he went vnto Antioch, and chose out men of warre, that when they were gathered together, they might come againe into Iurie.


text:
Then sayde Iudas and his brethren: Behold, our enemies are discomfited, let vs nowe go vp to clense and to repayre the sanctuarie.


text:
Nowe when they sawe the sanctuarie layed wast, the aulter defiled, the doores brent vp, the shrubbes growing in the courtes, like as in a wood or vpon mountaynes, yea and that the priestes chambers were broken downe:


text:
Fell downe flat to the grounde vpon their faces, made a great noyse with the trumpettes, and cryed toward heauen.


text:
Then Iudas appoynted certayne men to fight against those which were in the castle, till they had clensed the sanctuarie.


text:
And forsomuch as the aulter of burnt offeringes was vnhalowed, he toke aduisement what he might do withall:


text:
So he thought it was best to destroy it, lest it shoulde happen to do them any shame, for the heathen had defiled it: and therfore they brake it downe.


text:
As for the stones, they layed them vp vpon the mountayne by the house in a conuenient place, till there came a prophete to shewe what shoulde be done with them.


text:
So they toke whole stones, according to the lawe, and buylded a newe aulter, such one as was before,


text:
They made newe holy ornamentes, & brought the candlesticke, the aulter of incense, and the table into the temple.


text:
The incense layed they vpon the aulter, & lighted the lampes whiche were vpon the candelsticke, that they might burne in the temple:


text:
They set the shew bread vpon the table, and hanged vp the vayle, and finished all the workes which they had begun to make,


text:
And vpon the twentie and fifth day of the nynth moneth (whiche is called the moneth of Casleu) in the hundred fourtie and eyght yere:


text:
They rose vp betimes in the morning, for to do sacrifice according to the lawe vpon the newe burnt offring aulter that they had made.


text:
After the time and season that the heathen had defiled it, and the same day was it set vp againe, with songues, pypes, harpes, and cymbales,


text:
And all the people fel vpon their faces, worshipping and thanking the God of heauen, whiche had geuen them the victorie.


text:
So they kept the dedication of the aulter eyght dayes, offring burnt sacrifices and thanke offeringes with gladnesse:


text:
They deckt the forefrunt of the temple also with crownes and shieldes of gold, and halowed the portes and celles, and hanged doores vpon them.


text:
Thus there was very great gladnesse among the people, because the blasphemie of the heathen was put away.


text:
So Iudas and his brethren, with the whole congregation of Israel, ordeyned that the time of the dedication of the aulter shoulde be kept in his season from yere to yere, by the space of eyght dayes, from the twentie and fifth day of the moneth Casleu with myrth and gladnesse.


text:
And at the same time buylded they vp the mount Sion, with hye walles and strong towres round about, lest the gentiles shoulde come and treade it downe, as they did afore.


text:
Therfore Iudas set men of warre in it to kepe it, and made it strong for to defend Bethsura, that the people might haue a refuge against the Edomites.


text:
It happened also, that when the heathen rounde about hearde howe that the aulter & the sanctuarie were set vp in their old estate, it displeased them very sore,


text:
Wherfore they thought to destroy the generation of Iacob that was among them: in so much that they began to slay and to persecute certayne of the people.


text:
Then Iudas fought against the children of Esau in Idumea at Arabathane: for they dwelt rounde about the Israelites, where he slue and spoyled a great multitude of them.


text:
He thought also vpon the malice and vnfaythfulnesse of the children of Bean, how they were a snare and stoppe vnto the people, and howe they layed wayte for them in the hye way:


text:
Wherfore he shut them vp into towres, and came vnto them, besieged them, and destroyed them vtterly, & brent vp their towres, with all that were in them.


text:
Afterward went he against the children of Ammon, whereof he founde a mightie power and a great multitude of people, with Timothi their captayne.


text:
And when he had slayne them, he wan Gazer the citie, with the townes belonging therto, and so turned againe into Iurie.


text:
The heathen also in Galaad, gathered them together against the Israelites that were in their quarters, to slay them: but they fled to the castle of Dathemam,


text:
And sent letters vnto Iudas and his brethren, saying: The heathen that are about vs are gathered against vs on euery side, to destroy vs.


text:
And nowe they make them redy for to come and lay siege to the castel whervnto we are fled, and Timothi is captayne of their hoast:


text:
Come therefore and deliuer vs out of their handes, for there is a great multitude of vs slayne alredy.


text:
Yea and our brethren that were at Tubin, are slayne and destroyed wellnye a thousande men and their wyues, their children and their goodes haue the enemies led away captiue.


text:
Whyle these letters were yet a reading, beholde there came other messengers from Galilee with rent clothes, whiche tolde euen the same tidinges,


text:
And sayde, that they of Ptolomais, of Tyrus, and of Sidon were gathered against them, and that all Galilee was filled with enemies to destroy Israel.


text:
When Iudas and the people hearde this, they came together a great congregation, to deuise what they might do for their brethren that were in trouble and besieged of their enemies.


text:
And Iudas sayd vnto Simon his brother: Choose thee out certayne men, & go deliuer thy brethren in Galilee: As for me & my brother Ionathas, we will go into Galaaditim.


text:
So he left Iosephus the sonne of Zachari, and Azarias, to be captaynes of the people, to kepe the remnaunt of the hoast in Iewry,


text:
And commaunded them, saying: Take the ouersight of this people, and see that ye make no warre against the heathen, vntill the time that we come againe.


text:
And vnto Simon he gaue three thousand men for to go into Galilee: but Iudas him selfe had eyght thousand in Galaaditim.


text:
And folowed vpon them into the port of Ptolomais: and there were slayne of the heathen almost three thousande men.


text:
So he toke the spoyles of them, and caried away the Israelites that were in Galilee and Arbatis, with their wyues, their children, and all that they had, and brought them into Iewry with great gladnesse.


text:
Iudas Machabeus also and his brother Ionathas went ouer Iordane, and trauayled three dayes iourney in the wildernesse:


text:
Where the Nabathees met them, and receaued them louingly, and tolde them euery thing that had happened vnto their brethren in Galaaditim:


text:
And howe that many of them were besieged in Barasa, Bosor, Alimis, Casbon, Mageth, and Carnaim (all these are strong walled and mightie great cities,)


text:
And that they were kept in other cities of Galaaditim also, and to morowe they are appoynted to bring their hoast vnto these cities, to take them, and to destroy them in one day.


text:
So Iudas and his hoast turned in all the haste in the wildernesse toward Bosor, and wan the citie, slue all the males with the sworde, toke all their goodes, and set fire vpon the citie:


text:
And betimes in the morning when they loked vp, beholde there was an innumerable people bearing ladders and other instrumentes of warre, to take the castell, and to ouercome them.


text:
When Iudas sawe that the battayl began, and that the noyse therof went vp and rang into the heauen, and that there was so a great crye in the citie,


text:
And so came behinde their enemies in three companies, and blewe vp the trumpettes, and cryed in their prayer to God:


text:
But so soone as Timotheus hoast perceaued that Machabeus was there, they fled from hym: and he slue them downe right sore, so that there were killed of them the same day almost eyght thousande men.


text:
Then departed Iudas vnto Maspha, layed siege vnto it, and wan it, slue al the males in it, spoyled it, and set fire vpon it.


text:
After this, gathered Timothi another hoast, which pitched their tentes before Raphon beyond the water.


text:
Iudas also sent to spye the hoast, and they brought him worde againe, saying: All the heathen that be rounde about vs, are gathered vnto him, and the hoast is very great:


text:
Yea, they haue hired the Arabians to helpe them, & haue pitched their tentes beyond the water, and are redie to come and fight against thee. So Iudas went on to meete them.


text:
And Timothi saide vnto the captaines of his hoast: Whe Iudas and his hoast come nye the ryuer, if he go ouer first, we shall not be able to withstand him: for why? he wyll be to strong for vs.


text:
But if he dare not come ouer, so that he pitch his tent beyond the water: then wyll we go ouer, for we shalbe strong inough against him.


text:
Now assoone as Iudas came to the riuer, he appoynted certaine scribes of the people by the riuer, and comaunded them, saying: See that ye leaue none behinde vpon this side of the riuer, but let euery man come to the battaile.


text:
So he went first ouer vnto them, & all his people after him, and al the heathen were discomfited before him, & let their weapons fall, and ranne into the temple that was at Carnaim,


text:
Which citie Iudas wanne, and brent the temple, with all that were in it: So was Carnaim subdued, and might not withstand Iudas.


text:
Then Iudas gathered all the Israelites that were in Galaaditim, from the least vnto the most, with their wiues and their children, a very great hoast, for to come into the lande of Israel.


text:
So they came vnto Ephron, which was a mightie great and strong citie, and laye in their way: for they coulde not go by it, neither on the right hande nor on the left, but must go through it.


