things which have been set forth by vow for the temple of the Lord at Jerusalem 8 ¶ Then the chief of the families of Judea and of the tribes of Benjamin stood up the priests also and the Levites and all they whose minde the Lord had moved to go up and to build an house for the Lord at Jerusalem 9 And they that dwelt round about them and helped them in all things with silver and gold with †Heb. substance Ezra 1.6 horses and cattel and with very many free gifts of a great number whose minds were stirred up thereto 10 King Cyrus also brought forth the holy vessels which Nebuchodonosor had carried away from Jerusalem and had set up in his temple of idols 11 Now when Cyrus kâ—ng of the Persians had brought them forth he delivered them to Mithridates his treasurer 12 And by him they were delivered to †Gr. Shashbazar the first part of the word is acrruptly joynes to the word going before Ezra 1.8 Sanabassar the governour of Judea 13 And this was the number of them A thousand golden cups and a thousand of silver †Heb. knioâ—â— Ezra 1.9 censers of silver twenty nine vials of gold thirty and of silver * Ezr. 1.10 but four hundred and ten two thousand four hundred and ten and a thousand other vessels 14 So all the vessels of gold and of silver which were carried away were * Ezr. 1.11 but five thousand four hundred five thousand four hundred threescore and nine 15 These were brought back by Sanabassar together with them of the captivity from Babylon to Jerusalem 16 * Ezra 4.7 But in the time of Artaxerxes king of the Persians Belemus and Mithridates and Tabellius and †Babumus and the name which followeth is but an epithete to the former Ezra 4.9 Rathumus Beeltethmus and †Shimshai Ezra 4.8 Semellius the secretary with others that were in commission with them dwelling in Samaria and other places wrote unto him against them that dwelt in Judea and Jerusalem these letters following 17 To king Artaxerxes our lord thy servants Rathumus the story-writer and Semellius the scribe and the rest of their counsel and the judges that are in Celosyria and Phenice 18 Be it now known to the lord the king that the Jews that are come up from you to us being come into Jerusalem that rebellious and wicked city do build the market-places and repair the walls of it and do lay the foundation of the temple 19 Now if this city and the walls thereof be made up again they will not onely refuse to give tribute but also rebel against kings 20 And forasmuch as the things pertaining to the temple are now in hand we think it meet not to neglect such a matter 21 But to speak unto our lord the king to the intent that if it be thy pleasure it may be sought out in the books of thy fathers 22 And thou shalt finde in the chronicles what is written concerning these things and shalt understand that that city was rebellious troubling both kings and cities 23 And that the Jews were rebellious and raised always wars therein for the which cause even this city was made desolate 24 Wherefore now we do declare unto thee O lord the king that if this city be built again and the walls thereof set up anew thou shalt from henceforth have no passage into Celosyria and Phenice 25 Then the king wrote back again to Rathumus the story-writer to Beeltethmus to Semellius the scribe and to the rest that were in commission and dwellers in Samaria and Syria and Phenice after this manner 26 I have read the epistle which ye have sent unto me therefore I commanded to make diligent search and it hath been found that that city was from the beginning practising against kings 27 And the men therein were given to rebellion and war and that mighty kings and fierce were in Jerusalem who reigned and exacted tributes in Celosyria and Phenice 28 Now therefore I have commanded to hinder those men from building the city and heed to be taken that there be no more done in it 29 And that those wicked workers proceed no further to the annoyance of kings 30 Then king Artaxerxes his letters being read Rathumus and Semellius the scribe and the rest that were in commission with them removing in haste towards Jerusalem with a troup of hors-men and ‖ Or a great number of souldiers a multitude of people in battel aray began to hinder the builders and the building of the temple in Jerusalem ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius king of the Persians CHAP. III. 4. Three strive to excel each other in wise speeches 9 They refer themselves to the judgement of the king 18 The first declareth the strength of wine NOw when Darius reigned he made a great feast unto all his subjects and unto all his houshold and unto all the princes of Media and Persia 2 And to all the governours and captains and lieutenants that were under him from India unto Ethiopia of an hundred twenty and seven provinces 3 And when they had eaten and drunken and being satisfied were gone home then Darius the king went into his bed-chamber and stept and soon after awaked 4 Then three young men that were of the guard that kept the kings body spake one to another 5 Let every one of us speak a sentence he that shall overcome and whole sentence shall seem wiser then the others unto him shall the king Darius give great gifts and great things in token of victory 6 As to be clothed in purple to drink in gold and to sleep upon gold and a chariot with bridles of gold and an head-tire of fine linen and a chain about his neck 7 And he shall sit next to Darius because of his wisdom and shall be called Darius his cousin 8 And then every one wrote his sentence sealed it and laid it under king Darius his pillow 9 And said that when the king is risen some will give him the writings and of whose side the king and the three princes of Persia shall judge that his sentence is the wisest to him shall the victory be given as was appointed 10 The first wrote Wine is the strongest 11 The second wrote The king is the strongest 12 The third wrote Women are strongest but above all things truth beareth away the victory 13 ¶ Now when the king was risen up they took their writings and delivered them unto him and so he read them 14 And sending forth he called all the princes of Persia and Media and the governours and the captains and the lieutenants and the chief officers 15 And sat him down in the ‖ Or counsel royal seat of judgement and the writings were read before them 16 And he said Call the young men and they shall declare their own sentences So they were called and came in 17 And he said unto them Declare
hill under Ashdoth-pisgah east-ward 18 ¶ And I commanded you at that time saying The LORD your God hath given you this land to possess it * Numb 32.20 ye shall pass over armed before your brethren the children of Israel all that are †Heb. sons of power meet for the war 19 But your wives and your little ones and your cattel for I know that ye have much caâ—tel shall abide in your cities which I have given you 20 Until the LORD have given rest unto your brethren as well as unto you and until they also possess the land which the LORD your God hath given them beyond Jordan and then shall ye * Jos 22.4 return every man unto his possession which I have given you 21 ¶ And * Numb 27.18 I commanded Joshua at that time saying Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest 22 Ye shall not fear them for the LORD your God he shall fight for you 23 And I besought the LORD at that time saying 24 O Lord GOD thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand for what God is there in heaven or in earth that can do according to thy works and according to thy might 25 I pray thee let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan that goodly mountain and Lebanon 26 But the LORD * Numb 20.12 Chap. 1.37 was wroth with me for your sakes and would not hear me and the LORD said unto me Let it suffice thee speak no more unto me of this matter 27 Get thee up into the top of ‖ Or the hill Pisgah and lift up thine eyes west-ward and north-ward and south-ward and east-ward and behold it with thine eyes for thou shalt not go over this Jordan 28 But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him for he shall go over before this people and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see 29 So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor CHAP. IV. 1 An exhortation to obedience 41 Moses appointeth the three cities of refuge on that side Jordan NOw therefore hearken O Israel unto the statutes and unto the judgements which I teach you for to do them that ye may live and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you 2 * Ch. 12.32 Jos 1.7 Prov. 30.6 Rev. 22.18 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of * Numb â—5 4 c. Baal-peor for all the men that followed Baal-peor the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you 4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day 5 Behold I have taught you statutes and judgements even as the LORD my God commanded me that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it 6 Keep therefore and do them for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes and say Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people 7 For what nation is there so great who hath God so nigh unto them as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for 8 And what nation is there so great that hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day 9 Onely take heed to thy self and keep thy soul diligently lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life but teach them thy sons and thy sons sons 10 Specially the day that thou stoodst before the LORD thy God in Horeb when the LORD said unto me Gather me the people together and I will make them hear my words that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their children 11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain and the * Ex. 19.18 mountain burnt with fire unto the †Heb. heart midst of heaven with darkness clouds and thick darkness 12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire ye heard the voice of the words but saw no similitude †Heb. save a voice onely ye heard a voice 13 And he declared unto you his covenant which he commanded you to perform even ten commandments and he wrote them upon two tables of stone 14 ¶ And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgements that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it 15 Take ye therefore good heed unto your selves for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire 16 Lest ye corrupt your selves and make you a graven image the similitude of any figure the likeness of male or female 17 The likeness of any beast that is on the earth the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air 18 The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth 19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars even all the host of heaven shouldest be driven to worship them and serve them which the LORD thy God hath ‖ Or â—mparted divided unto all nations under the whole heaven 20 But the LORD hath taken you and brought you forth out of the iron furnace even out of Egypt to be unto him a people of inheritance as ye are this day 21 Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes and sware that I should not go over Jordan and that I should not go in unto that good land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance 22 But I must die in this land I must not go over Jordan but ye shall go over and possess that good land 23 Take heed unto your selves lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God which he made with you and make you a graven image or the likeness of any thing which the LORD thy God hath forhidden thee 24 For * Ch. 9.3 Heb. 12.29 the LORD thy God is a consuming fire even a jealous God 25 ¶ When thou shalt beget children and childrens children and shalt have remained long in the land and shall corrupt your selves and make a graven image or the likeness of any thing and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God to provoke him to anger 26 I call heaven
And number thee an army like the army †Heb. that was fal◠that thou hast lost horse for horse and chariot for chariot and we will fight against them in the plain and surely we shall be stronger then they And he hearkned unto their voice and did so 26 And it came to pass at the return of the year that Ben-hadad numbred the Syrians and went up to Aphek †Heb. to the war with Israel to fight against Israel 27 And the children of Israel were numbred and ‖ Or were victualled were all present and went against them and the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of kids but the Syrians filled the countrey 28 ¶ And there came a man of God and spake unto the king of Israel and said Thus saith the LORD Because the Syrians have said The LORD is God of the hills but he is not God of the valleys therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand and ye shall know that I am the LORD 29 And they pitched one over against the other seven days and so it was that in the seventh day the battel was joyned and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day 30 But the rest fled to Aphek into the city and there a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left and Ben-hadad fled and came into the city ‖ Or from chamber to chamber †Heb. into a chamber within a chamber into an inner chamber 31 ¶ And his servants said unto him Behold now we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings let us I pray thee put sackcloth on our loyns and ropes upon our heads and go out to the king of Israel peradventure he will save thy life 32 So they girded sackcloth on their loyns and put ropes on their heads and came to the king of Israel and said Thy servant Ben-hadad saith I pray thee let me live And he said Is he yet alive he is my brother 33 Now the men did diligently observe whether any thing would come from him and did hastily catch it and they said Thy brother Ben-hadad Then he said Go ye bring him Then Ben-hadad came forth to him and he caused him to come up into the chariot 34 And Ben-hadad said unto him The cities which my father took from thy father I will restore and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus as my father made in Samaria Then said Ahab I will send thee away with this covenant So he made a covenant with him and sent him away 35 ¶ And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD Smite me I pray thee And the man refused to smite him 36 Then said he unto him Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD behold assoon as thou art departed from me a lion shall slay thee And assoon as he was departed from him a lion found him and slew him 37 Then he found another man and said Smite me I pray thee And the man smote him †Heb. smiting wounding so that in smiting he wounded him 38 So the prophet departed and waited for the king by the way and disguised himself with ashes upon his face 39 And as the king passed by he cried unto the king and he said Thy servant went out into the midst of the battel and behold a man turned aside and brought a man unto me and said Keep this man if by any means he be missing then shall thy life be for his life or else thou shalt †Heb. weigh pay a talent of silver 40 And as thy servant was busie here and there †Heb. he was not he was gone And the king of Israel said unto him So shall thy judgement be thy self hast decided it 41 And he hasted and took the ashes away from his face and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets 42 And he said unto him Thus saith the LORD * Chap. 22.37 Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction therefore thy life shall go for his life and thy people for his people 43 And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased and came to Samaria CHAP. XXI 1 Ahab being denied Naboths vineyard is grieved 5 Jezebel writing letters against Naboth he is condemned of blasphemy 15 Ahab taketh possession of the vineyard 17 Elijah denounceth judgements against Ahab and Jezebel 25 Wicked Ahab repenting God deferreth the judgement ANd it came to pass after these things that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard which was in Jezreel hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria 2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth saying Give me thy vineyard that I may have it for a garden of herbs because it is near unto my house and I will give thee for it a better vineyard then it or if it †Heb. be good in thine eyes seem good to thee I will give thee the worth of it in money 3 And Naboth said to Ahab The LORD forbid it me that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee 4 And Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him for he had said I will not give thee the inheritance of my fathers and he laid him down upon his bed and turned away his face and would eat no bread 5 ¶ But Jezebel his wife came to him and said unto him Why is thy spirit so sad that thou eatest no bread 6 And he said unto her Because I spake unto Naboth the Jezreelite and said unto him Give me thy vineyard for money or else if it please thee I will give thee another vineyard for it and he answered I will not give thee my vineyard 7 And Jezebel his wise said unto him Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel arise and eat bread and let thine heart be merry I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite 8 So she wrote letters in Ahabs name and sealed them with his seal and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city dwelling with Naboth 9 And she wrote in the letters saying Proclaim a fast and set Naboth †Heb. in the top of the people on high among the people 10 And set two men sons of Belial before him to bear witness against him saying Thou didst blaspheme God and the king and then carry him out and stone him that he may die 11 And the men of his city even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city did as Jezebel had sent unto them and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them 12 They proclaimed a fast and set Naboth on high
LORD hath chastned me sore but he hath not given me over unto death 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness I will go in to them and I will praise the LORD 20 This gate of the LORD into which the righteous shall enter 21 I will praise thee for thou hast heard me and art become my salvation 22 * Mat. 21.42 Mar. 12.10 Lu. 20.17 Act. 4.11 1 Pet. 2.4 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner 23 †Heb. This is from the LORD This is the LORDs doing it is marvellous in our eyes 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it 25 Save now I beseech thee O LORD O LORD I beseech thee send now prosperity 26 * Mat. 21.9 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD 27 God is the LORD which hath shewed us light binde the sacrifice with cords even unto the horns of the altar 28 Thou art my God and I will praise thee thou art my God I will exalt thee 29 O give thanks unto the LORD for he is good for his mercy endureth for ever PSAL. CXIX This psalm containeth sundry prayers praises and professions of obedience ALEPH. BLessed are the ‖ Or perfect or sincere undefiled in the way who walk in the law of the LORD 2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies and that seek him with the whole heart 3 They also do no iniquity they walk in his ways 4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently 5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 6 Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy commandments 7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart when I shall have learned †Heb. judgements of thy righteousness thy righteous judgements 8 I will keep thy statutes O forsake me not utterly BET II. 9 Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee O let me not wander from thy commandments 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee 12 Blessed art thou O LORD teach me thy statutes 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgements of thy mouth 14 I have rejoyced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches 15 I will meditate in thy precepts and have respect unto thy ways 16 I will delight my self in thy statutes I will not forget thy word GIMEL 17 Deal bountifully with thy servant that I may live and keep thy word 18 †Heb. reveal Open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law 19 * Gen. 47.9 1 Chr. 29.15 Ps 39.12 Heb. 11.13 I am a stranger in the earth hide not thy commandments from me 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgements at all times 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed which do err from thy commandments 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt for I have kept thy testimonies 23 Princes also did sit and speak against me but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes 24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and †Heb. men of my counsel my counsellours DALETH 25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust quicken thou me according to thy word 26 I have declared my ways and thou heardest me * Ps 25.4 27.11 86.11 teach me thy statutes 27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts so shall I talk of thy wondrous works 28 My soul †Heb. droppeth melteth for heaviness strengthen thou me according unto thy word 29 Remove from me the way of lying and grant me thy law graciously 30 I have chosen the way of truth thy judgements have I laid before me 31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies O LORD put me not to shame 32 I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart HE. 33 Teach me O LORD the way of thy statutes and I shall keep it unto the end 34 Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law yea I shall observe it with my whole heart 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments for therein do I delight 36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness 37 †Heb. Make to pass Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity and quicken thou me in thy way 38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant who is devoted to thy fear 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear for thy judgements are good 40 Behold I have longed after thy precepts quicken me in thy righteousness VAU 41 Let thy mercies come also unto me O LORD even thy salvation according to thy word 42 ‖ Or So shall I answer him that reproacheth me in a thing So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me for I trust in thy word 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth for I have hoped in thy judgements 44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever 45 And I will walk †Heb. at large at liberty for I seek thy precepts 46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings and will not be ashamed 47 And I will delight my self in thy commandments which I have loved 48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments which I have loved and I will meditate in thy statutes ZAIN 49 Remember the word unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope 50 This is my comfort in my affliction for thy word hath quickned me 52 The proud have had me greatly in derision yet have I not declined from thy law 52 I remembred thy judgements of old O LORD and have comforted myself 53 Horrour hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law 54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage 55 I have remembred thy name O LORD in the night and have kept thy law 56 This I had because I kept thy precepts CHETH 57 Thou art my portion O LORD I have said that I would keep thy words 58 I intreated thy †Heb face favour with my whole heart be merciful unto me according to thy word 59 I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies 60 I made haste and delayed not to keep thy commandments 61 The ‖ Or companies bands of the wicked have robbed me but I have not forgotten thy law 62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgements 63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee and of them that keep thy precepts 64 The earth O LORD is full of thy mercy teach me thy statutes TETH 65 Thou hast dealt well with thy
men and maidens old men and children 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD for his name alone is †Heb. exalted excellent his glory is above the earth and heaven 14 He also exalteth the horn of his people the praise of all his saints even of the children of Israel a people near unto him Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CXLIX 1 The prophet exhorteth to praise God for his love to the church 5 and for that power which he hath given to the church to rule the consciences of men †Heb. Hallelujah PRaise ye the LORD Sing unto the LORD a new song and his praise in the congregation of saints 2 Let Israel rejoyce in him that made him let the children of Zion be joyful in their King 3 Let them praise his name ‖ Or with the pipe in the dance let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp 4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people he will beautifie the meek with salvation 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory let them sing aloud upon their beds 6 Let the high praises of God be †Heb. in their throat in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand 7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen and punishments upon the people 8 To binde their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron 9 * Deut. 7 1 2. To execute upon them the judgement written this honour have all his saints Praise ye the LORD PSAL. CL. 1 An exhortation to praise God 3 with all kinde of instruments †Heb. Hallelujah PRaise ye the LORD Praise God in his sanctuary praise him in the firmament of his power 2 Praise him for his mighty acts praise him according to his excellent greatness 3 Praise him with the sound of the ‖ Or cornet dance praise him with the psaltery and harp 4 Praise him with the timbrel and ‖ Or pipe dance praise him with stringed instruments and organs 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD Praise ye the LORD ¶ The PROVERBS CHAP. I. 1 The use of the proverbs 7 An exhortation to fear God and beleeve his word 10 to avoid the enticings of sinners 20 Wisdom complaineth of her contempt 24 She threatneth her contemners THe proverbs of Solomon the son of David king of Israel 2 To know wisdom and instruction to perceive the words of understanding 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom justice and judgement and †Heb. equities equity 4 To give subtilty to the simple to the young man knowledge and ‖ Or advisement discretion 5 A wise man will hear and will increase learning and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels 6 To understand a proverb and ‖ Or an eloquent speech the interpretation the words of the wise and their dark sayings 7 ¶ * Job 28.28 Psal 111.10 Chap. 9.10 The fear of the LORD is ‖ Or the principal part the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction 8 My son hear the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother 9 For they shall be †Heb. an adding an ornantent of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck 10 ¶ My son if sinners entice thee consent thou not 11 If they say Come with us let us lay wait for bloud let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave and whole as those that go down into the pit 13 We shall finde all precious substance we shall fill our houses with spoil 14 Cast in thy lot among us let us all have one purse 15 My son walk not thou in the way with them refrain thy foot from their path 16 * Isa 59.7 Rom. 3.15 For their feet run to evil and make haste to shed bloud 17 Surely in vain the net it spread †Heb. in the eyes of every thing that hath a wing in the sight of any bird 18 And they lay wait for their own bloud they lurk privily for their own lives 19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain which taketh away the life of the owners thereof 20 ¶ †Heb. wisdoms that is excellent wisdom * Chap. 8.1 Wisdom crieth without she uttereth her voice in the streets 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse in the openings of the gates in the city she uttereth her words saying 22 How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and the scorners delight in their scorning and fools hate knowledge 23 Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my spirit unto you I will make known my words unto you 24 ¶ * Isa 65.12 and 66.4 Jer 7.13 Ezek. 8.18 Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel and would none of my reproof 26 I also will laugh at your calamity I will mock when your fear cometh 27 When your fear conveth as desolation and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind when distress and anguish cometh upon you 28 * Job 27.9 Psa 1.15 Jer. 1.11 and 14.12 Mic. 3.4 Then shall they call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not finde me 29 For that they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD 30 They would none of my counsel they despised all my reproof 31 Therefore shall they ear of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices 32 For the ‖ Or ease of the simple turning away of the simple shall slay them and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them 33 But whoso hearkneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil CHAP. II. 1 Wisdom promiseth godliness to her children 10 and safety from evil company 20 and direction in good ways My son if thou wilt receive my words and hide my commandments with thee 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding 3 Yea if thou criest after knowledge and †Heb. givest thy voice liftest up thy voice for understanding 4 * Mat. 13.44 If thou seekest her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD and finde the knowledge of God 6 * 1 King 3.9 Jam. 1.5 For the LORD giveth wisdom out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding 7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly 8 He keepeth the paths of judgement and preserveth the way of his saints 9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness and judgement and equity yes every good path 10 ¶ When wisdom entreth into thine heart and knowledge
princes and babes shall rule over them 5 And the people shall be oppressed every one by another and every one by his neighbour the childe shall behave himself proudly against the ancient and the base against the honourable 6 When a man shall take hold of his brother of the house of his father saying Thou hast clothing be thou our ruler and let this ruine be under thy hand 7 In that day shall he †Heb. lift up the hand swear saying I will not be an †Heb. binder up healer for in my house is neither bread nor clothing make me not a ruler of the people 8 For Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is faln because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD to provoke the eyes of his glory 9 ¶ The shew of their countenance doth witness against them and they declare their sin as * Gen. 13.13 18.21 19.5 Sodom they hide it not wo unto their soul for they have rewarded evil unto themselves 10 Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him for they shall eat the fruit of their doings 11 Wo unto the wicked it shall be ill with him for the reward of his hands shall be †Heb. done to him given him 12 ¶ As for my people children are their oppressours and women rule over them O my people ‖ Or they which call thee blessed they which lead thee cause thee to err and †Heb. swallow up destroy the way of thy paths 13 The LORD standeth up to plead standeth to judge the people 14 The LORD will enter into judgement with the ancients of his people and the princes thereof for ye have ‖ Or burnt eaten up the vineyard the spoil of the poor is in your houses 15 What mean ye thâ—â—â— ye beat my people to pieces and grinde the faces of the poor saith the Lord GOD of hosts 16 ¶ Moreover the LORD saith Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with stretched-forth necks and †Heb. deceiving with their eyes wanton eyes walking and ‖ Or tripping nicelâ— mincing as they go and making a tinkling with their feet 17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion and the LORD will †Heb. make â—aked discover their secret parts 18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet and their ‖ Or net-works cauls and their round tires like the moon 19 The ‖ Or sweet balls chains and the braceâ—ers and the ‖ Or spangled ornaments mufflers 20 The bonnets and the ornaments of the legs and the headbands and the †Heb. â—ouses of the soul tablets and the ear-rings 21 The rings and nose-jewels 22 The changeable suits of apparel and the mantles and the wimples and the crisping-pins 23 The glasses and the fine linen and the hoods and the veils 24 And it shall come to pass that in stead of sweet smell there shall be stink and in stead of a girdle a rent and in stead of well set hair baldness and in stead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth and burning in stead of beauty 25 Thy men shall fall by the sword and thy †Heb. miâ—â—t mighty in the war 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn and she being ‖ Or emptied †Heb. creansed desolate shall sit upon the ground CHAP. IV. In the extremity of evils Christs kingdom shall be a sanctuary ANd in that day seven women shall take hold of one man saying We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel onely †Heb. let the name be called upon us let us be called by thy name ‖ Or take thâ—â— away to take away our reproach 2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be †Heb. 〈…〉 beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely †Heb. so the escaping of Israel for them that are escaped of Israel 3 And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written ‖ Or to life among the living in Jerusalem 4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and shall have purged the bloud of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgement and by the spirit of burning 5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion and upon her assemblies a * Ex. 13.21 cloud and smoke by day the shining of a flaming fire by night for ‖ Or above upon all the glory shall be †Heb. a covering a defence 6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat and for a place of refuge and for a covert from storm and from rain CHAP. V. 1Vnder the parable of a vineyard God excuseth bis severe judgement 8 His judgements upon covetousness 11 upon lasciviousness 13 upon impiety 20 and upon injustice 26 The executioners of Gods judgements NOw will I sing to my welbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard My welbeloved hath * Jer. 2 21. Mat. 21.33 Mar. 12.1 Lu. 20.9 a vineyard in †Heb. the born of the son of oyl a very fruitful hill 2 And he ‖ Or made a wall about it fenced it and gathered out the stones thereof and planted it with the choicest vine and built a towre in the midst of it and also †Heb. bewed made a wine-press therein and he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wilde grapes 3 And now O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah judge I pray you betwixt me and my vineyard 4 What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it wherefore when I looked that it should bring forth grapes brought it forth wilde grapes 5 And now go to I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall be eaten up and break down the wall thereof and it shall be †Heb. for a treading troden down 6 And I will lay it waste it shall not be pruned nor digged bâ—â— there shall come up briers and thorns I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it 7 For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel and the men of Judah †Heb. plant of his pleasures his pleasant plant and he looked for judgement but behold †Heb. a seab oppression for righteousness but behold a cry 8 ¶ Wo unto them that joyn * Mic. 2.2 house to house that lay field to field till there be no place that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth 9 ‖ Or This is in mine
For the LORD spake thus to me †Heb. in strength of hand with a strong hand and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people saying 12 Say ye not A confederacy to all them to whom this people shall say A confederacy neither fear ye their fear nor be afraid 13 Sanctifie the LORD of hoâ—s himself and let him be your fear and let him be your dread 14 And he shall be for a sanctuary but for * Ch. 2â— 16 Luk. 2. â—4 Rom. 9 3â— 1 Pet. 2.8 a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem 15 And many among them shall * Matth. 2â— 44. Luk. 20.18 stumble and fall and be broken and besnared and be taken 16 Binde up the testimony seal the law among my disciples 17 And I will wait upon the LORD that hâ—â—â—th his face from the house of Jacob and I will look for him 18 * Hebr. 2 13. Behold I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts which dwelleth in mount Zion 19 ¶ And when they shall say unto you Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto wizard that peep and that mutter should not a people seek unto their God for the living to the dead 20 * Luk. 16.29 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is †Heb. no morning no light in them 21 And they shall pass through it hardly bestead and hungry and it shall come to pass that when they shall be hungry they shall fret themselves and curse their king and their God and look upward 22 And they shall look unto the earth and behold trouble and darkness dimness of anguish and they shall be driven to darkness CHAP. IX 1 What joy shall be in the midst of afflictions by the kingdom and birth of Chrâ—st 8 The judgements upon Israel for their pride 13 for their byjoâ—r sie 18 and for their impenitency NEvertheless the dimnesâ— shall not be such as was in her vexation when at the first he lightâ— afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea beyond Jordan in Galilee ‖ Or populous of the nations 2 * Mat. 4.16 Eph. 5.14 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death upon them hath the light shined 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation and ‖ Or to him not increased the joy they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest and as men rejoyce when they divide the spoil 4 ‖ Or when thou breakest For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder the rod of his oppressour as in the day of * Judg. 7.22 Ch. 10.26 Midian 5 ‖ Or When the whole â—atteâ— of the warrâ—our was c. For every bâ—ttel of the warriour is with confused noise and garments rolled in bloud ‖ Or and it was c. but this shall be with burning and †Heb meat fewel of fire 6 For unto us a childe is born unto us a * Joh. 3.16 son is given and the government shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour The mighty God The everlasting father The prince of peace 7 Of the increase of his government and peace * Luke 1.32 33. there shall be no end upon the throne of David and upon his kingdom to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever the * 2 King 19.31 Ch 37.32 zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this 8 ¶ The Lord sent a word into Jacob and it hath lighted upon Israel 9 And all the people shall know even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria that say in the pride and stoutness of heart 10 The bricks are fallen down but we will build with hewn stones the sycomores are cut down but we will change them into cedars 11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him and †Heb. mingle joyn his enemies together 12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behinde and they shall devour Israel †Heb. with whole mouth with open mouth * Ch. 5.25 10.4 for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still 13 ¶ For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seek the LORD of hosts 14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail branch and rush in one day 15 The ancient and honourable he is the head and the prophet that teacheth lies he is the tail 16 For ‖ Or they that call them blessed the leaders of this people cause them to err and ‖ Or they that are called blessed of them they that are led of them are †Heb. swallowed up destroâ—ed 17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows for ever one is an hypocrite and an evil doer and every mouth speaketh ‖ Or villany folly for all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still 18 ¶ For wickedness â—urneth as the fire it shall devour the briers and thorns and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke 19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkned and the people shall be as the †Heb. meat fewel of the fire no man shall spare his brother 20 And he shall †Heb. cut snatch on the right hand and be hungry and he shall eat on the left hand and they shall not be satisfied they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm 21 Manasseh Ephraim and Ephraim Manasseh and they together shall be against Judah For all this his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still CHAP. X. 1 The wo of tyrants 5 Assyria the rod of hypocrites for his pride shall he broken 20. A remnant of Israel shall be saved 24 Israel is comforted with promise of deliverance from Assyria WO unto them that decree unrighteous decrees and ‖ Or to the writers that write grievousness that write grievousness which they have prescribed 2 To turn aside the needy from judgement and to take away the right from the poor of my people that widows may be their prey and that they may rob the father less 3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which shall come from far to whom will ye flee for help and where will ye leave
loved her 4 For she is ‖ Or â—uther privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God and a ‖ Or choosâ—â— lover of his works 5 If riches be a possession to be desired in this life what is richer then wisdom that worketh all things 6 And if * Exod. 31.3 6. prudence work who of all that are is a more cunning workman then she 7 And if a man love righteousness her labours are vertues for she teacheth temperance and prudence justice and fortitude which are such things as men can have nothing more profitable in their life 8 If a man desire much experience she knoweth things of old and conjectureth aright what is to come she knoweth the subtilties of speeches and can expound dark sentences she foreseeth signs and wonders and the events of seasons and times 9 Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me knowing that she †Gr. will would be a counsellour of good things and a comfort in cares and grief 10 For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude and honour with the elders though I be young 11 I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgement and shall be admired in the sight of great men 12 * Job 29.8 9 10. When I hold my tongue they shall bide my leisure and when I speak they shall give good ear unto me if I talk much they shall lay their hands upon their moâ—th 13 Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality and leave behinde me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me 14 I shall ‖ Or govern set the people in order and the nations shall be subject unto me 15 Horrible tyrants shall be afraid when they do but hear of me I shall ‖ Or appear be found good among the multitude and valiant in war 16 ‖ Or being entred into mine house After I am come into mine house I will repose my self with her for her conversation hath no bitterness and to live with her hath no sorrow but mirth and joy 17 Now when I considered these things in my self and * Prov. 7.3 pondered them in my heart how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality 18 And great pleasure it is to have her friendship and in the works of her hands are infinite riches and in the exercise of conference with her prudence and in talking with her a ‖ Or fame good report I went about seeking how to ‖ Or marry her take her to me 19 For I was a witty childe and had a good spirit 20 Yea rather being good I came into a body undefiled 21 Nevertheless when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her except God gave her me and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was I ‖ Or went prayed unto the Lord and besought him and with my whole heart I said CHAP. IX 1 A prayer unto God for his wisdom 6 without which the best man is nothing worth 13 neither can he tell how to please God O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy who hast made all things with thy word 2 And ordained man through thy wisdom that he should * Gen. 1.28 have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made 3 And order the world according to equity and righteousness and execute judgement with an upright heart 4 Give * 1 King 3.9 me wisdom that sitteth by thy throne and reject me not from among thy children 5 For I * Ps 116.16 thy servant and son of thine hand-maid am a feeble person and of a short time and too young for the understanding of judgement and laws 6 For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men yet if thy wisdom be not with him he shall be nothing regarded 7 Thou hast chosen me to be a * 1 Chr. 28.5 2 Chr. 1.9 king of thy people and a judge of thy sons and daughters 8 Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest a resemblance of the holy tabernacle which thou hast prepared from the beginning 9 And * Pro. 8.22 Joh. 1.2 3 10. wisdom was with thee which knoweth thy works and was present when thou madest the world and knew what was acceptable in thy sight and right in thy commandments 10 O send her out of thy holy heavens and from the throne of thy glory that being present she may labour with me that I may know what is pleasing unto thee 11 For she knoweth and understandeth all things and she shall lead me soberly in my doings and preserve me ‖ Or by her power or glory in her power 12 So shall my works be acceptable and then shall I judge thy people righteously and be worthy to sit in my fathers seat 13 For * Is 40.13 Rom. 11.34 1 Cor. 2.16 what man is he that can know the counsel of God or who can think what the will of the Lord is 14 For the thoughts of mortal men are ‖ Or fearful miserable and our devices are but uncertain 15 For the corruptible body presseth down the soul and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the minde that museth upon many things 16 And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth and with labour do we finde the things that are †Gr. at hand before us but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out 17 And thy counsel who hath known except thou give wisdom and send thy holy spirit from above 18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee and were saved through wisdom CHAP. X. 1 What wisdom did for Adam 4 Noe 5 Abraham 6 Lot and against the five cities 10 for Jacob 12 Joseph 16 Moses 17 and the Israelites SHe preserved the first-formed father of the world that was created alone and brought him out of his fall 2 And * Gen. 1.28 gave him power to rule all things 3 * Gen. 4.8 But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger he perished also in the sury wherewith he murdered his brother 4 For whose cause the * Gen. 7 2â— earth being drowned with the floud wisdom again preserved it and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value 5 Moreover * Gen. 11.9 the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded she found out the righteous and preserved him blameless unto God and * Gen. 22.10 kept him strong ‖ Or in against his tender compassion toward his son 6 * Gen. 19.16 When the ungodly perished she delivered the righteous man who fled from the fire which fell down upon †Gr. Pentapoâ—â—â— the five cities 7 Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh
another nation without both by speaking and writing my grandfather Jesus when he had much given himself to the reading of the law and the prophets and other books of our fathers and had gotten therein good judgement was drawn on also himself to write something pertaining to learning and wisdom to the intent that those which are desirous to learn and are addâ—cted to these things might profit much more in living according to the law Wherefore let me intreat you to read it with favour and attention and to pardon us wherein we may seem to come short of some words which we have laboured to interpret For the same things uttered in Hebrew and translated into another tongue have not the same force in them and not onely these things but the law it self and the †Gr. prophesies prophets and the rest of the books have no small ‖ Or excellency difference when they are spoken in their own language For in the eight and thirtieth year coming into Egypt when Euergetes was king and continuing there some time I found a ‖ Or help of learning book of no small learning therefore I thought it most necessary for me to bestow some diligence and travel to interpret it using great watchfulness and skill in that space to bring the book to an end and set it forth for them also which in a strange countrey are willing to learn being prepared before in manners to live after the law CHAP. I. 1 All wisdom is from God 10 He giveth it to them that love him 12 The sear of God is full of many blessings 28 To fear God without hypocrisy ALl * 1 King 3.9 wisdom cometh from the Lord and is with him for ever 2 Who can number the sand of the sea and the drops of rain and the days of eternity 3 Who can finde out the height of heaven and the breadth of the earth and the deep and wisdom 4 Wisdom hath been created before all things and the understanding of prudence from everlasting 5 The word of God most High is the fountain of wisdom and her ways are everlasting commandments 6 * Rom. 11.34 To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed or who hath known her wise counsels 7 Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest and who hath understood her great experience 8 There is one wise and greatly to be feared the Lord sitting upon his throne 9 He created her and saw her and numbred her and poured her out upon all his works 10 She is with all flesh according to his gist and he hath given her to them that love him 11 The fear of the Lord is honour and glory and gladness and a crown of rejoycing 12 The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart and giveth joy and gladness and a long life 13 Whoso feareth the Lord it shall go well with him at the last and he ‖ Or shall blessed shall finde favour in the day of his death 14 * Prov. 1.7 Ps 111.10 To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and it was created with the faithful in the womb 15 She hath built an everlasting foundation with men and she shall continue * 2 Chr. 20.21 with their seed 16 To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom and filleth men with her fruits 17 She filleth all their house with things desirable and the garners with her increase 18 The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom making peace and perfect health to flourish both which are the gifts of God and it enlargeth their rejoycing that love him 19 Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast 20 The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord and the branches thereof are long life 21 The fear of the Lord driveth away sins and where it is present it turneth away wrath 22 A furious man cannot ‖ Or escape punishment be justified for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction 23 A patient man will bear for a time and afterward joy shall spring up unto him 24 He will hide his words for a time and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom 25 The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom but godliness is an abomination to a sinner 26 If thou desire wisdom keep the commandments and the Lord shall give her unto thee 27 For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction and faith and meekness are his delight 28 ‖ Or be not disobedient to Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor and come not unto him with a double heart 29 Be nor an hypocrite in the sight of men and take good heed what thou speakest 30 Exalt not thy fell lest thou fall and bring dishonour upon thy soul and so God discover thy secrets and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation because thou camest not in truth to the sear of the Lord but thy heart is full of deceit CHAP. II. 1 Gods servants must look for trouble 7 and be patient and trust in him 12 For wo to them that do not so 15 But they that fear the Lord will do so MY son if * Matt. 4.1 2 Tim. 3.12 1 Pet. 4.12 thou come to serve the Lord prepare thy soul for temptation 2 Set thy heart aright and constantly endure and ‖ Or haste not make not haste in time of trouble 3 Cleave unto him and depart not away that thou mayest be increased at thy last end 4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate 5 * Wild. 26. Prov. 17.3 For gold is tried in the fire and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity 6 Beleeve in him and he will help thee order thy way aright and trust in him 7 Ye that fear the Lord wait for his mercy and go not aside lest ye fall 8 Ye that fear the Lord beleeve him and your reward shall not fail 9 Ye that fear the Lord hope for good and for everlasting joy and mercy 10 Look at the generations of old and see * Psal 37.25 did ever any trust in the Lord and was confounded or did any abide in his fear and was forsaken or whom did he ever despise that called upon him 11 For the Lord is full of compassion and mercy long-suffering and very pitiful and forgiveth sins and saveth in time of affliction 12 Wo be to fearful hearts and faint hands and the sinner that goeth two ways 13 Wo unto him that is faint-hearted for he beleeveth not therefore shall he not be defended 14 Wo unto you that have lost patience and what will ye do when the Lord shall visit you 15 They that fear the Lord will not disobey his word and * John 14.23 they that love him will keep his ways 16 They that fear the Lord will seek that which
of Eliseus 17 and of Ezekias THen stood up * 1 King 17.1 Elias the prophet as fire and his word burnt like a lamp 2 He brought a sore famine upon them and by his zeal he diminished their number 3 By the word of the Lord he ‖ Or made heaven to â—â—liup shut up the heaven * 1 King 18.38 2 King 1.10 12. and also three times brought down fire 4 O Elias how wast thou honoured in thy wondrous deeds and who may glory like unto thee 5 * 1 Kin. 17.21 22. Who didst raise up a dead man from death and his soul from the ‖ Or grave place of the dead by the word of the most High 6 * 2 King 2.16 Who broughtest kings to destruction and honourable men from their ‖ Or seat bed 7 Who heardest the rebuke of the Lord in Sinai * 1 King 19.17 and in Horeb the judgement of vengeance 8 * 1 Kin. 19.15 16. Who anointed kings to take vengeance and prophets to succeed after him 9 * 2 King 2.11 Who wast taken up in a whirlwind of fire and in a chariot of fiery horses 10 Who wast ‖ Or written of ordained * â—â—al 4.5 for reproofs in their times to pacifie the wrath of the Lords judgement before it brake forth into fury and to turn the heart of the father unto the son and to ‖ Or establâ—sh restore the tribes of Jacob. 11 Blessed are they that saw thee and ‖ Or were â—â—ernâ—â— with love slept in love for we shall surely live 12 * 2 Kings 2.11 15. Elias it was who was covered with a whirlwind and Eliseus was filled with his spirit whilest he lived he was not moved with the presence of any prince neither could any bring him into subjection 13 ‖ Or nothing No word could overcome him * 2 Kings 13.21 and after his death his body prophesied 14 He did wonders in his life and at his death were his works marvellous 15 For all this the people repented not neither departed they from their sins * 2 King 18.11 12. till they were spoiled and carried out of their land and were scattered through all the earth yet there remained a small people and a ruler in the house of David 16 Of whom some did that which was pleasing to God and some multiplied sins 17 Ezekias fortified his city and * 2 King 20.20 brought in water into the midst thereof he digged the hard rock with iron and made wells for waters 18 In his time * 2 King 18.13 Sennacherib came up and sent Rabsaces and lift up his hand against Sion and boasted proudly 19 Then trembled their hearts and hands and they were in pain as women in travail 20 But they called upon the Lord which is merciful and stretched out their hands towards him and immediately the holy One heard them out of heaven and delivered them by the ‖ Or hand ministery of Esay 21 * 2 King 19.35 Isa 37.36 Tob. 1.18 1 Mac. 7.41 2 Mac. 8.19 He smote the host of the Assyrians his angel destroyed them 22 For Ezekias had done the thing that pleased the Lord and was strong in the ways of David his father as Esay the prophet who was great and faithful in his vision had commanded him 23 * 2 Kin. 20.10 11. Isa 38.8 In his time the sun went backward and he lengthned the kings life 24 He saw by an excellent spirit what should come to pass at the last and he comforted them that mourned in Sion 25 He shewed what should come to pass for ever and secret things or ever they came CHAP. XLIX 1 The praise of Josias 4 of David and Ezekias 6 of Jeremy 8 of Ezekiel 11 Zorobabel 12 Jesus the son of Josedee 13 Of Nâ—â—mias Enoch Seth Sem and Adam THe remembrance of * 2 King 22.1 2 Chr. 34 1. Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary it is sweet as honey in all mouths and as musick at a banquet of wine 2 He ‖ Or prâ—shered behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people and took away the abominations of iniquity 3 * 2 〈◊〉 23. â— 2 Chr. 34.3 He directed his heart unto the Lord and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God 4 All except David and Ezekias and Josias were defective for they forsook the law of the most High even the kings of Juda failed 5 Therefore he gave their ‖ Or horn power unto others and their glory unto a strange nation 6 * 2 Kings 25.9 They burnt the chosen city of the sanctuary and made the streets desolate ‖ Or by the hand of Jeremy according to the prophesie of Jeremias 7 For they * Jer. 38.6 entreated him evil who nevertheless was a prophet * Jer. 1. â— sanctified in his mothers womb that he might root out and afflict and destroy and that he might build up also and plant 8 * Ezek. 1.3 15. It was Ezekiel who saw the glorious vision which was shewed him upon the chariot of the cherubims 9 For he * Ezek. 13.11 38.9 16 22. made mention of the enemies under the figure of the rain and ‖ Or did good directed them that went right 10 And of the twelve prophets let the memorial be blessed and * Ch. 46.12 let their bones flourish again out of their place for they comforted Jacob and delivered them by assured hope 11 How shall we magnifie * Ezra 3. â— Hag. 2.24 Zorobabel even he was a signet on the right hand 12 So was * Ezra 3.2 Hag. 1.12 and 2.2 Zech. 3 1. Jesus the son of Josedec who in their time builded the house and set up an holy temple to the Lord which was prepared for everlasting glory 13 * Neh. 7.1 And among the elect was Neemias whose renown is great who raised up for us the walls that were faln and set up the gates and the bars and raised up our ruines again 14 But upon the earth was no man created like * Gen. 5 24. Heb. 11.5 Enoch for he was taken from the earth 15 Neither was there a man born like unto * Gen. 41.44 42.6 45.8 Joseph a governour of his brethren and a stay of the people whose bones were regarded of the Lord. 16 * Gen. 5.3 11.10 Sem and Seth were in great honour among men and so was Adam above every living thing in the creation CHAP. L. 1 Of Simon the son of Onias 22 How the people were taught to praise God and pray 27 The conclusion SImon the high priest the son of Onias who in his life repaired the house again and in his days fortified the temple 2 And by him was built from the foundation the double height the high fortress of the wall about the
be blameless the husband of one wife vigilant sober ‖ Or modest of good behaviour given to hospitality apt to teach 3 ‖ Or Not ready to quarrel and offer wrong as one in wine Not given to wine no striker not greedy of filthy lucre but patient not a brawler not covetous 4 One that ruleth well his own house having his children in subjection with all gravity 5 For if a man know not how to rule his own house how shall he take care of the church of God 6 Not I a novice lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil 8 Likewise must the deacons be grave not double-tongued not given to much wine not greedy of filthy lucre 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience 10 And let these also first be proved then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless 11 Even to must their wives be grave not slanderers sober faithful in all things 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife ruling their children and their own houses well 13 For they that have ‖ Or ministreâ—â— used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus 14 These things write I unto thee hoping to come unto thee shortly 15 But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God which is the church of the living God the pillar and ‖ Or stay ground of the truth 16 And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles beleeved on in the world received up into glory CHAP. IV. 1 He foretelleth that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith 6 And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty be furnisheth him with divers precepts belonging thereto NOw the Spirit speaketh expresly that * 2 Tim. 3.1 in the latter times some shall depart from the saith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience seared with a hot iron 3 Forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which beleeve and know the truth 4 For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereunto thou hast attained 7 But refuse profane and old wives fables and exercise thy self rather unto godliness 8 For bodily exercise profiteth ‖ Or for a little time little but godliness is profitable unto all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men specially of those that beleeve 11 These things command and teach 12 Let no man despise thy youth but be thou an example of the beleevers in word in conversation in charity in spirit in faith in purity 13 Till I come give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophesie with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery 15 Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear ‖ Or in all things to all 16 Take heed unto thy self and unto thy doctrine continue in them for in doing this thou shalt both save thy self and them that hear thee CHAP. V. 1 Rules to be observed in reproving 3 Of widows 17 Of elders 23 A precept for Timothies health 24 Some mens sins go before unto judgement and some mens do follow after REbuke not an elder but intreat him as a father and the younger men as brethren 2 The elder women as mothers the younger as sisters with all purity 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed 4 But if any widow have children or nephews let them learn first to shew ‖ Or kindness piety at home and to requite their parents for that is good and acceptable before God 5 Now she that is a widow indeed and desolate trusteth in God and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day 6 But she that liveth ‖ Or delicately in pleasure is dead while she liveth 7 And these things give in charge that they may be blameless 8 But if any provide not for his own and specially for those of his own ‖ Or kindred house he hath denied the faith and is worse then an infidel 9 Let not a widow be ‖ Or chosen taken into the number under threescore years old having been the wife of one man 10 Well reported of for good works if she have brought up children if she have lodged strangers if she have washed the saints feet if she have relieved the afflicted if she have diligently followed every good work 11 But the younger widows refuse for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ they will marry 12 Having damnation because they have cast off their first faith 13 And withal they learn to be idle wandring about from house to house and not onely idle but tattlers also and busie-bodies speaking things which they ought not 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry bear children guide the house give none occasion to the adversary †Gr. for their railing to speak reproachfully 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan 16 If any man or woman that beleeveth have widows let them relieve them and let not the church be charged that it may relieve them that are widows indeed 17 * 1 Cor. 9 14. Gal. 6.6 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and doctrine 18 For the scripture saith * Deut 25.4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn and * Marth 10.10 The labourer is worthy of his reward 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation but ‖ Or under before two or three witnesses 20 Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear 21 I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that thou observe these things ‖ Or without prejudice without preferring one before another doing nothing by partiality 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker
unto us your minde concerning the writings Then began the first who had spoken of the strength of wine 18 And he said thus O ye men how exceeding strong is wine it causeth all men to err that drink it 19 It maketh the minde of the king and of the fatherless childe to be all one of the bond-man and of the freeman of the poor man and of the rich 20 It turneth also every thought into jollity and mirth so that a man remembreth neither sorrow nor debt 21 And it maketh every heart rich so that a man remembreth neither king nor governour and it maketh to speak all things by talents 22 And when they are in their cups they forget their love both to friends and brethren and a little after draw out swords 23 But when they are from the wine they remember not what they have done 24 O ye men is not wine the strongest that enforceth to do thus And when he had so spoken he held his peace CHAP. IV. 1 The second declareth the power of a king 14 The third the force of women 33 and of truth 41 The third is judged to be wisest 47 and obtaineth letters of the king to build Jerusalem 58 He praiseth God and sheweth his brethren what he had done THen the second that had spoken of the strength of the king began to say 2 O ye men do not men excel in strength that ‖ Or have the command bear rule over sea and land and all things in them 3 But yet the king is more mighty for he is lord of all these things and hath dominion over them and whatsoever he commandeth them they do 4 If he bid them make war the one against the other they do it if he send them out against the enemies they go and break down mountains walls and towers 5 They slay and are slain and transgress not the kings commandment if they get the victory they bring all to the king as well the spoil as all things else 6 Likewise for those that are no souldiers and have not to do with wars but use husbandry when they have reaped again that which they had sown they bring it to the king and compel one another to pay tribute unto the king 7 And yet he is but one man if he command to kill they kill if he command to spare they spare 8 If he command to smite they smite if he command to make desolate they make desolate if he command to build they build 9 If he command to cut down they cut down if he command to plant they plant 10 So all his people and his armies obey him furthermore he lieth down he eateth and drinketh and taketh his rest 11 And these keep watch round about him neither ‖ Or can may any one depart and do his own business neither disobey they him in any thing 12 O ye men how should not the king be mightiest when in such sort he is obeyed And he held his tongue 13 ¶ Then the third who had spoken of women and of the truth this was Zorobabel began to speak 14 O ye men it is not the great king nor the multitude of men neither is it wine that †Heb. is of force excelleth who is it then that ruleth them or hath the lordship over them are they not women 15 Women have born the king and all the people that bear rule by sea and land 16 Even of them came they and they nourished them up that planted the vineyards from whence the wine cometh 17 These also make garments for men these bring glory unto men and without women cannot men be 18 Yea and if men have gathered together gold and silver or any other goodly thing do they not love a woman which is comely in favour and beauty 19 And letting all those things go do they not gape and even with open mouth fix their eyes fast on her and have not all men more desire unto her then unto silver or gold or any goodly thing whatsoever 20 A man leaveth his own father that brought him up and his own countrey and cleaveth unto his wife 21 He sticks not to spend his life with his wife and remembreth neither father nor mother nor countrey 22 By this also you must know that women have dominion over you do ye not labour and toil and give and bring all to the woman 23 Yea a man taketh his sword and goeth his way to rob and to steal to sail upon the sea and upon rivers 24 And looketh upon a lion and goeth in the darkness and when he hath stoln spoiled and robbed he bringeth it to his love 25 Wherefore a man loveth his wife better then father or mother 26 Yea many there be that have ‖ Or grown desperate run out of their wits for women and become servants for their sakes 27 Many also have perished have erred and sinned for women 28 And now do you not beleeve me is not the king great in his power do not all regions fear to touch him 29 Yet did I see him and Apame the kings concubine the daughter of the admirable ‖ Jos antiq l. 11. c. 4. Rabsaces Themasiu◠Bartacus sitting at the right hand of the king 30 And taking the crown from the kings head and setting it upon her own head she also stroke the king with her left hand 31 And yet ‖ Or hereat for all this the king gaped and gazed upon her with open month if she laughed upon him he laughed also but if she took any displeasure at him the king was fain to flatter that she might ‖ Or be friends with him be reconciled to him again 32 O ye men how can it be but women should be strong seeing they do thus 33 Then the king and the princes looked one upon another so he began to speak of the truth 34 O ye men are not women strong great is the earth high is the heaven swift is the sun in his course for he compasseth the heavens round about and fetcheth his course again to his own place in one day 35 Is he not great that maketh these things therefore great is the truth and stronger then all things 36 All the earth ‖ Or praiseth the truth Athanasius calleth upon the truth and the heaven blesseth it all works shake and tremble at it and with it is no unrighteous thing 37 Wine is wicked the king is wicked women are wicked all the children of men are wicked and such are all their wicked works and there is no truth in them in their unrighteousness also they shall perish 38 As for the truth it endureth and is always strong it liveth and conquereth for evermore 39 With her there is no accepting of persons or rewards but she doeth the things that are just and refraineth from all unjust and wicked things and all men do well like of her works 40 Neither in her judgement is any