vnto Moyses Nowe shalt thou see what I wyll do vnto Pharao for in a mightie hande shal he let them go and in a mightie hande shall he dryue them out of his lande 2 And God spake vnto Moyses and said vnto him I am Iehouah 3 I appeared vnto Abraham Isahac and Iacob as an almightie God but in my name Iehouah was I not knowen vnto them 4 Moreouer I made a couenaunt with them to geue them the lande of Chanaan the land of their pilgrimage wherein they were straungers 5 And therefore I haue also heard the groning of the childreÌ of Israel whom the Egyptians kepe in bondage and haue remembred my couenaunt 6 Wherfore say vnto the children of Israel I am Iehouah I wil bryng you out from the burthens of the Egyptians and will ryd you out of their bondage and will deliuer you in a stretched out arme and in great iudgementes 7 And I will take you for my people and wil be to you a God And ye shall knowe that I am the Lord your God which bring you out from the burthens of the Egyptians 8 And I will bryng you into the lande concerning the whiche I did lift vp my hand to geue it vnto Abraham Isahac and Iacob and wyll geue it vnto you for a possession for I am Iehouah 9 And Moyses tolde the children of Israel euen so but they hearkened not vnto Moyses for anguishe of spirite and for cruell bondage 10 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses saying 11 Go in and speake vnto Pharao king of Egypt that he let the children of Israel go out of his lande 12 And Moyses spake before the Lorde saying beholde the children of Israel hearken not vnto me howe then shall Pharao heare me whiche am of vncircumcized lippes 13 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses and vnto Aaron gaue them a charge concerning the chyldren of Israel and concerning Pharao king of Egypt that they shoulde bring the children of Israel out of the lande of Egypt 14 These be the heades of theyr fathers houses The children of Ruben y e first borne sonne of Israel are these Hanoch and Phallu Hesron and Charmi these be the children of Ruben 15 The chyldren of Simeon Iemuel and Iamin Ohad Iachin Sohar and Saul the sonne of the Chanaanitishe woman these are the kinredes of Simeon 16 These also are the names of the chyldren of Leui in their generations Gerson and Cehath and Merari Leui liued an hundred thirtie and seuen yere 17 The sonnes of Gerson Libni and ' Simi by their kinredes ' 18 The chyldren of Cehath Amram Ishar and Hebron and Vziel And Cehath liued an hundred thirtie and three yere 19 The children of Merari Mahli and Musi these are the kinredes of Leui by their generations 20 Amram toke Iochebed his fathers sister to wyfe and she bare hym Aaron and Moyses and Amram liued an hundred and thirtie and seuen yeres 21 ' And the chyldren of Ishar Corah ' Nepheg and Sichri 22 ' The chyldren of Vsiel Misael Elzaphan ' and Zithri 23 And Aaron toke Eliseba daughter of Aminadab and sister of Nahason to wyfe whiche bare hym Nadab and Abihu Eleazar and Ithamar 24 The chyldren of Corah Assir and Eleanah and Abiasaph these are the kinredes of the Corahites 25 Eleazar Aarons sonne toke him one of the daughters of Putiel to wyfe whiche bare hym Phinees and these are the principal fathers of the Leuites throughout their kinredes 26 This is that Aaron and Moyses to whom the Lorde sayd Leade the children of Israel out of the lande of Egypt according to theyr armies 27 These are that Moyses and Aaron which spake to Pharao king of Egypt that they might bryng the chyldren of Israel out of Egypt 28 And in the day when the Lorde spake vnto Moyses in the lande of Egypt 29 He spake vnto hym saying I am the Lorde speake thou vnto Pharao the king of Egypt all that I say vnto thee 30 And Moyses sayde before the Lorde beholde I am of vncircumcized lippes how shall Pharao geue me audience ¶ The .vij. Chapter 1 Moyses with Aaron is sent vnto Pharao 3 God causeth signes that he onlye may be knowen mightie 10 The rodde of Moyses is turned into a serpent 11 The enchaunters do the same 19 Water turned into blood 22 The enchaunters do the same 1 AND the Lorde sayde vnto Moyses behold I haue made thee Pharaos God and Aaron thy brother shal be thy prophete 2 Thou shalt speake all that I commaunde thee and Aaron thy brother shall speake vnto Pharao that he sende the children of Israel out of his lande 3 And I will harden Pharaos heart and multiplie my miracles my wonders in the lande of Egypt 4 But Pharao shall not hearken vnto you that I may set my hande vpon Egypt and bryng out myne armies and my people the chyldren of Israel out of the land of Egypt in great iudgmentes 5 And the Egyptians shall knowe that I am the Lord when I stretch foorth my hande vpon Egypt and bryng out the children of Israel froÌ among them 6 Moyses and Aaron did as the Lord commaunded them euen so did they 7 Moyses was fourescore yere olde and Aaron fourescore and three when they spake vnto Pharao 8 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses and Aaron saying 9 If Pharao speake vnto you saying shewe a miracle for you thou shalt say vnto Aaron Take thy rod and cast it before Pharao that it may be a serpent 10 Then went Moyses and Aaron in vnto Pharao and dyd euen as the Lorde had commaunded and Aaron caste foorth his rodde before Pharao and before his seruauntes and it turned to a serpent 11 Then Pharao called for the wyse men and enchaunters and those sorcerers of Egypt dyd in like maner with their sorcerie 12 For they cast downe euery man his rod and they turned to serpentes but Aarons rodde did eate vp their roddes 13 And he helde Pharaos heart that he hearkened not vnto them euen as the Lorde had sayde 14 The Lorde also sayde vnto Moyses Pharaos heart is hardened he refuseth to let the people go 15 Get thee vnto Pharao in the morning loe he wyll come vnto the water and thou shalt stand vpoÌ the ryuers brincke agaynst he come and the rodde whiche was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thyne hande 16 And thou shalt say vnto hym the Lorde God of the Hebrewes hath sent me vnto thee saying Let my people go that they may serue me in the wyldernesse and beholde hytherto thou wouldest not heare 17 Thus sayeth the Lord In this thou shalt knowe that I am the Lorde beholde I wyll smyte with the rodde that is in my hande the waters whiche are in the ryuers and they shal be turned to blood 18 And the fishe that is in the riuer
maner of abhominations out of all landes that parteyned to the children of Israel and brought in all that were founde in Israel to worship and to serue the Lorde their God And they turned not aside from after the Lorde God of their fathers as long as he liued The .xxxv. Chapter 1 Iosia kepeth the passouer 2 He setteth foorth gods seruice 20 He fighteth against the king of Egypt and dieth 24 The people bewayle him 1 AND Iosia helde the feast of passouer vnto the Lorde in Hierusalem they slue passouer in the fourteenth day of the first moneth 2 And he set the priestes in their offices and ayded them in the seruice of the house of the Lorde 3 And sayd vnto the Leuites that taught all Israel and were sanctified vnto the Lorde Put the holy arke in the house whiche Solomon the sonne of Dauid king of Israel dyd buylde it shal be no more a burden vpon your shoulders But now serue the Lord your God and his people Israel 4 And prepare your selues by your auncient housholdes and companies according to the writing of Dauid king of Israel and the writing of Solomon his sonne 5 And stand in the holy place according to the deuision of the auncient housholdes of your brethren the children of the people and after the deuision of the auncient housholdes of the Leuites 6 Kill passouer and sanctifie your selues prepare your brethren that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hande of Moyses 7 And Iosia gaue to the people flockes of sheepe and kiddes all for passouer and for al that were present thirtie thousande by tale and three thousande oxen and these were euen of the kinges substaunce 8 And his lordes gaue willingly both vnto the people and to the priestes and vnto the Leuites Helkia also Zacharia and Iehiel rulers of the house of God gaue vnto the priestes for passouer offeringes two thousande and sixe hundred sheepe and three hundred oxen 9 Conania and Semeiahu Nathanael his brethren Hasabiah and Iehiel and Iosabad rulers of the Leuites gaue vnto the Leuites passouer offeringes euen fiue thousande sheepe and fiue hundred oxen 10 And so the seruice was prepared and the priestes stoode in their places the Leuites in their distinct companies at the kinges commaundement 11 And they slue passouer and the priestes sprinckled the blood with their hande and the Leuites pulled of the skinnes of the beastes 12 And they fet away the burnt offeringes to geue them vnto the people that were deuided be auncient houses and that they shoulde offer vnto the Lorde like as is written in the booke of Moyses And so dyd they with the oxen also 13 And they dressed the passouer with fire as the maner was And the other dedicate beastes sodde they in pottes caldrons and pannes and deuided them among all the people 14 And afterward they made redy for them selues and for the priestes for the priestes the children of Aaron were busied in offring of burnt offringes and the fat vntill night therfore the Leuites prepared for them selues and for the priestes the sonnes of Aaron 15 And the singers the children of Asaph stoode in their standing according to the commaundement of Dauid and Asaph Heman and Ieduthun the kinges fear and the porters wayted at euery gate and might not depart from their seruice for their brethren the Leuites prepared for them 16 And so all the seruice of the Lord was prepared the same day to offer passouer and to offer burnt offeringes vpon the aulter of the Lord according to the commaundement of king Iosia 17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passouer the same time and the feast of sweet bread seuen dayes 18 And there was no passouer like to that kept in Israel from the dayes of Samuel the prophete neither did al the kinges of Israel holde such a passeouer feast as dyd Iosia and the priestes and Leuites and all Iuda and Israel that were present and the inhabiters of Hierusalem 19 This passouer was holden in the eyghteenth yere of the raigne of Iosia 20 After all this when Iosia had prepared the temple Necho king of Egypt came vp to fight against Charcamis beside Euphrates and Iosia went out against him 21 Whiche sent messengers to hym and said What haue I to do with thee thou king of Iuda Be not thou against thy selfe this day for my warre is against another house and God bad me make hast Leaue of therfore meddle not with God which is with me lest he destroy thee 22 Neuerthelesse Iosia would not turne his face from him but rather toke aduise to fight with hym and hearkened not vnto the wordes of Necho out of the mouth of God and came to fight in the valley of Mageddo 23 And the shooters shot dartes at king Iosia And the king sayde to his seruauntes Carie me away for I am sore wounded 24 His seruauntes therefore had hym out of that charet and put him in another charet that they had And when they had brought him to Hierusalem he died and was buried in the sepulchre of his fathers And all Iuda and Hierusalem mourned for Iosia 25 And Ieremia lamented Iosia and all singing men and singing women mourned for Iosias in their lamentations to this day and made the same lamentations an ordinaunce in Israel and beholde they are written in the lamentations 26 The rest of the actes of Iosia and his goodnes whiche he did folowing in the writing of the lawe of the Lorde 27 And his sayinges first and last behold they are written in the booke of the kinges of Israel and Iuda The .xxxvi. Chapter 1 After Iosia raigneth Iehoahaz 4 After Iehoahaz Iehoiacim 8 After hym Iehoiacin 11 After him Zedekia 14. 17. in whose time all the people were caried away to Babylon for contemning the admonitions of the prophetes 22 And were restored againe the seuentith yere after by king Cyrus 1 ANd the people of the lande toke Iehoahaz the sonne of Iosia and made hym king in his fathers steade in Hierusalem 2 And Iehoahaz was twentie three yeres olde when he began to raigne and he raigned three monethes in Hierusalem 3 And the king of Egypt put him downe at Hierusalem and merced the lande in an hundreth talentes of siluer and a talent of golde 4 And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king vpon Iuda and Hierusalem and turned his name to Iehoiacim and Necho toke Iehoahaz his brother and caried him to Egypt 5 Iehoiacim was twentie and fiue yeres old when he began to raigne he raigned aleuen yeres in Hierusalem and he did euil in the sight of the Lord his God 6 Against him came vp Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon and bounde hym with two chaynes to cary him to Babylon 7 The king Nabuchodonosor also caried of the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon and put
vpon hym say they and we wyll tell his tale Yea all myne owne companions and suche as were conuersaunt with me lay in wayte for my halting saying peraduenture he wylbe deceaued and so shall we preuayle against hym and be auenged of hym 11 But the Lorde stoode by me lyke a mightie giaunt therefore my persecutours fell and coulde do nothing they shal be sore confounded for they haue done vnwisely they shall haue an euerlasting shame which shall neuer be forgotten 12 And nowe O Lorde of hoastes that triest the righteous which knowest the raynes and the very heartes let me see them punished for vnto thee I haue declared my cause 13 Sing vnto the Lord and prayse hym for he hath deliuered the soule of the oppressed from the hande of the violent 14 Cursed be the day wherein I was borne vnhappy be the day wherein my mother brought me foorth 15 * Cursed be the man that brought my father the tidinges to make hym gald saying Thou hast begotten a sonne 16 Let it happen vnto that man as to the cities whiche the Lorde turned vpsidedowne and repented not Let hym heare crying in the morning and at noone day lamentable howling 17 Why sluest thou not me assoone as I came out of my mothers wombe or that my mother had ben my graue her selfe that the byrth might not haue come out but remayned still in her 18 * Wherefore came I foorth of my mothers wombe to haue experience of labour and sorowe and to leade my lyfe with shame The .xx. Chapter 5 He prophecieth that Zedekias shal be taken and the citie burned 1 THese are the wordes that the lord spake vnto Ieremie * what time as kyng Zedekias sent vnto him Phashur the sonne of Melchias Sophonias the sonne of Maasias priest saying 2 Aske counsayle at the Lorde we pray thee on our behalfe for Nabuchodonozor the king of Babylon besiegeth vs if the Lorde peraduenture wyll deale with vs according to his maruaylous power and take hym from vs. 3 Then spake Ieremie Geue Zedechias this aunswere 4 Thus saith the Lord God of Israel Beholde I wyll turne backe the weapons that ye haue in your hands wherwith ye fight against the king of Babylon and the Chaldees whiche besiege you rounde about the walles and I wyll bryng them together into the middest of this citie 5 And I my selfe will fight against you with an outstretched hande and with a mightie arme in great displeasure and terrible wrath 6 And wyll smite them that dwell in this citie yea both men and cattell shall dye of a great pestilence 7 But after this saith the Lorde I shall deliuer Zedekias kyng of Iuda and his seruauntes his people and such as are escaped in the citie from the pestilence sworde and hunger into the power of Nabuchodonozor kyng of Babylon yea into the handes of their enemies into the handes of those that folowe vpon their liues whiche shall smite them with the sworde they shall not pitie them they shal not spare them they shall haue no mercy vpon them 8 And vnto this people thou shalt say thus saith the Lorde Beholde I lay before you the way of life and death 9 Whoso abideth in the citie shall perishe either with the sworde with hunger or pestilence but whoso goeth out to holde on the Chaldees part that besiege it he shall saue his lyfe and shall winne his soule for a pray 10 For I haue set my face against this citie saith the Lorde to plague it and to do it no good it must be geuen into the hande of the kyng of Babylon and be brent with fire 11 And vnto the house of the king of Iuda say thus Heare the worde of the Lorde 12 O thou house of Dauid thus saith the Lorde Minister righteousnesse and that soone deliuer the oppressed from violent power or euer my terrible wrath breake out lyke a fire and burne so that no man may quenche it because of the wickednesse of your imaginations 13 Behold saith the Lord I wyll come vpon thee that dwellest in the valleys rockes and fieldes and say tushe who will make vs afraide or who wil come into our houses 14 For I wyll visite you saith the Lord because of the wickednesse of your inuentions and wyll kindle suche a fire in your wood as shall consume all that is about you ¶ The .xxij. Chapter 2 He exhorteth the kyng of Iuda to iudgement and righteousnesse 9 Why Hierusalem is brought into captiuitie 11 The death of Sellum the sonne of Iosua is prophecied 1 THus saith the Lord Go downe into the house of the kyng of Iuda and speake there these wordes 2 And say Heare the worde of the Lorde thou king of Iuda that sittest in the kyngly seate of Dauid thou and thy seruauntes and thy people that goeth in and out at these gates 3 Thus the Lord coÌmaundeth Kepe equitie and righteousnesse deliuer the oppressed from the power of the violent do not greeue nor oppresse the straunger the fatherlesse nor the widowe and shed no innocent blood in this place 4 And if ye kepe these thinges faythfullye then shall there come in at the doore of this house kinges to sit vpon Dauids seate they shal be caried in charrets and ride vpon horses both they and their seruauntes and their people 5 But if ye wyll not be obedient vnto these commaundementes I sweare by mine owne selfe saith the Lord this house shal be waste 6 For thus hath the Lorde spoken vppon the kynges of Iuda Thou Gilead art vnto me the head of Libanus Shall I not make thee so waste as the cities that no man dwell in 7 I wyll prepare a destroyer with his weapons for thee to hewe downe thy especiall Cedar trees and to cast them in the fire 8 And all the people that go by this citie shall speake one to another Wherfore hath the Lorde done thus vnto this noble citie 9 Then shall it be aunswered Because they haue broken the couenaunt of the Lorde their God and haue worshipped and serued straunge Gods 10 Mourne not ouer the dead and be not wo for them but be sorie for hym that departeth away for he commeth not agayne and seeth his natiue countrey no more 11 For thus saith the Lorde as touching Sellum the sonne of Iosias kyng of Iuda whiche raigned after his father When he is caried out of this place he shall neuer come hyther agayne 12 For he shall dye in the place wherevnto he is led captiue and shall see this lande no more 13 Wo worth hym that buyldeth his house with vnrighteousnesse and his parlours with the good that he hath gotten by violence which neuer recompenceth his neighbours labour nor payeth hym his hyre 14 Who thinketh in hym selfe I wyll buylde me a wyde house and gorgious parlours who causeth windowes to be hewen therin and the seelinges and ioystes maketh he of
and prepare you after your villages and tribes 5 According as king Dauid the king of Israel hath left in writing and according as Solomon his sonne hath honourably prepared And standing eche of you in that degree of aucthoritie whiche in the distribution was appointed vnto your fathers the Leuites in the presence of your brethren the chyldren of Israel 6 Offer the passouer in order and make redye the sacrifices for your brethren and kepe the passouer according to the commaundement of the Lorde whiche was geuen vnto Moyses 7 And vnto the people that was founde there Iosias gaue thirtie thousande lambes and kiddes and three thousand calues These things were geuen of the kings owne possessions according as he promised to the people to the Priestes and to the Leuites 8 And Helkias and Zacharias and Syel the gouernours of the temple gaue to the priestes for the passouer two thousande and sixe hundred sheepe and three hundred calues 9 Moreouer Iechonias and Samaias and Nathanael his brother and Sabias and Ochiel and Ioram captaynes ouer thousandes gaue to the Leuites for the passouer fiue thousande sheepe and seuen hundred calues 10 And when these things were brought to passe the Priestes Leuites stoode goodly in their order and had the vnleauened bread throughout the tribes 11 And after the degrees of preheminence appoynted to their fathers to offer to the Lord in the sight of the people according as it is written in the booke of Moyses and thus dyd they in the mornyng 12 And they rosted the Easter lambe with fire as according was As for the offeringes they dight them in kettels and pottes with good sauours 13 And set them before all them of the people and afterwarde they prepared for them selues and the priestes their brethren the sonnes of Aaron 14 For the priestes offred the fat vntyll the tyme was expired and the Leuites prepared for them selues and for the priestes their brethren the chyldren of Aaron 15 The holy singers also the chyldren of Asaph stoode in their orders according as Dauid deuised to wit Asaph Zacharias and Iduthun which was appointed by the kyng 16 Moreouer the porters and doore kepers stoode by the doores and that diligently so that none went out of his standing and seruices for their brethren the Leuites prepared for them 17 Thus were all thinges perfourmed that belonged to the offering of the Lorde in that day that they myght holde the passouer 18 And offer sacrifices vpon the aulter of the Lorde according to the commaundement of king Iosias 19 So the children of Israel which were then present helde a honourable passouer and the feast of sweete bread seuen dayes long 20 Yea suche a passouer was not kept in Israel from the tyme of the prophete Samuel 21 And all the kinges of Israel helde not such an Easter as this which king Iosias held and the Priestes the Leuites the Iewes and all Israel of all them that were at Hierusalem 22 In the eyghteenth yere of the raigne of Iosias was this passouer kept 23 And with an heart full of godlynes dyd kyng Iosias rightly order all his workes before the Lorde 24 And the thinges that came to passe in his tyme they were wrytten of olde before those dayes concerning those that sinned and were vngodly against the Lord aboue all people and kingdomes and howe they greeued hym in seruing sensible thinges so that the wordes of the Lorde rose vp against Israel 25 Nowe after all these actes of Iosias it came to passe that Pharao the king of Egypt came to Carchamis vpon Euphrates to moue warre and Iosias went out against hym 26 But the kyng of Egypt sent to hym saying what haue I to do with thee O king of Iudea 27 I am not sent of the Lorde God against thee for my warre is vpon Euphrates and nowe the Lorde is with me yea the Lorde maketh diligent speede with me depart from me and be not against the Lorde 28 Howbeit Iosias woulde not turne backe his chariot from hym but vndertoke to fight with him and hearkened not to the wordes of the prophete Ieremie spoken by the mouth of the Lorde 29 But pitched a battayle against him in the fielde of Mageddo And the princes preassed to king Iosias 30 Then sayd the king vnto his seruauntes Cary me away out of the battayle for I am very weake And immediatly his seruauntes toke hym away out of the frunt of the battayle 31 Then gate he vp vpon the second charet came to Hierusalem dyed and was buried in his fathers sepulchre 32 And in all Iurie they mourned for Iosias yea Ieremie the prophete lamented for Iosias and the rulers also with their wyues made lamentation for hym vnto this day and it became a custome to be done continually in all the kinred of Israel 33 These things are written in the booke of the stories of the kinges of Iuda and all the actes of Iosias his glory and vnderstanding in the lawe of the Lord and the thinges which he had done before and that was nowe recited are written in the booke of the kynges of Israel and Iuda 34 And the people toke Iechonias the sonne of Iosias and made him king in steede of Iosias his father when he was twentie and three yeres olde 25 And he raigned in Iuda and in Hierusalem three monethes and then the kyng of Egypt put hym downe from raigning in Hierusalem 36 And raysed vp a taxe of the people namely an hundred talentes of syluer and one talent of golde 37 The kyng of Egypt also made Ioachim his brother king of Iuda and Hierusalem 38 And thus he bounde Ioachim and his gouernours but Zaracen his brother he apprehended led away with him into Egypt 39 Fiue and twentie yeres olde was Ioachim when he was made kyng in the lande of Iuda and Hierusalem and he dyd euyll before the Lorde 40 Wherfore against hym Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon came vp and bounde hym with bandes of iron and caryed hym vnto Babylon 41 Nabuchodonosor also toke of the holy vessels of the lord caryed them away set theÌ in his owne temple at Babylon 42 But all his actes and his prophanation and reproche are written in the chronicles of the kinges 43 And Ioachim his sonne raigned in his steede He was made king beyng eyghteene yeres olde 44 And raigned but three monethes and ten dayes in Hierusalem and dyd euyll before the Lorde 45 So after a yere Nabuchodonosor sent and caused him to be brought vnto Babylon with the holy vessels of the Lord. 46 And made Zedechias king of Iuda and Hierusalem when he was twentie and one yeres olde and he raigned a leuen yeres 47 And he did euill also in the sight of the Lord and cared not for the wordes that were spoken vnto him by the prophete Ieremie from the mouth of the Lord. 48 And where he had made an oth vnto
the booke of the lawe before the whole multitude for he was the principall and had in most honour of them all 46 And when he expounded the lawe they stoode all straight vpon their feete So Esdras praysed the Lord the most hye God the almightie God of hoastes 47 And al the people aunswered Amen 48 And Iesus Anus Sarabias Adimus Iacobus Battaias Autamas Maâanias Calitas Azarias Iohasabdus Anatnas and Biatas the Leuites lyft vp their handes and fell downe on the grounde and worshipped the Lord 49 And taught the lawe of the Lord and were earnestly occupied together in the reading thereof 50 Then spake Atharates vnto Esdras the hye priest and reader and to the Leuites that taught the multitude saying 51 This day is holy vnto the Lord and all when they hearde the lawe wept 52 So Esdras sayde Depart your way therfore and eate the fat meates and drinke the sweete drinkes and sende gyftes vnto them that haue nothing 53 For this day is holy vnto the Lorde and be not ye sory for the Lorde wyll bryng you to honour 54 So the Leuites published all these thinges to the people saying This day is holy to the Lorde be not sory 55 Then went they their way euery one to eate and drinke and were mery and sent presents to them that had nothing and made very good cheare 56 For they were as yet filled with the wordes that had ben taught them and for the whiche they had ben assembled ¶ The ende of the thirde booke of Esdras ⧠The fourth booke of Esdras ¶ The first Chapter 8 The people is reproued for their vnthankefulnes 30 God wyll haue another people if these wyll not be refourmed 1 THE second booke of the prophete Esdras the sonne of Saraias the sonne of Azarias the sonne of Helchia the sonne of Sadanias the sonne of Sadoc the sonne of Achitob 2 The sonne of Achia the sonne of Phinees the sonne of Heli the sonne of Amerias the sonne of Aziei the sonne of Marimoth the sonne of Arna the sonne of Ozias the sonne of Borith the sonne of Abisei the sonne of Phinees the sonne of Eleazar 3 The sonne of Aaron of the tribe of Leui whiche Esdras was prisoner in the lande of Medes in the raigne of Artaxerxes kyng of Persia 4 And the worde of the Lord came vnto me saying 5 Go thy way and shewe my people their sinnefull deedes and their chyldren their wickednesses whiche they haue done against me that they may tell their chylders chyldren the same 6 For the sinnes of their fathers are increased in them And why they haue forgotten me and haue offered vnto straunge gods 7 Am not I euen he that brought them out of the land of Egypt from the house of bondage But they haue prouoked me vnto wrath despised my counsels 8 Pull thou out than the heere of thy head and cast all euyll vpon them for they haue not ben obedient vnto my lawe But it is a people without learning and nurture 9 Howe long shall I forbeare them vnto whom I haue done so muche good 10 Many kynges haue I destroyed for their sakes Pharao with his seruauntes and all his power haue I smitten downe and slayne 11 All the nations haue I destroyed and rooted out before them and in the cast haue I brought two landes and people to naught euen Tyre and Sidon and haue slayne all their enemies 12 Speake thou therfore vnto them saying Thus saith the Lord 13 I led you thorowe the sea and haue geuen you sure streetes since the beginning I gaue you Moyses to be your captayne and Aaron to be the priest 14 I gaue you light in a piller of fire and great wonders haue I done among you yet haue ye forgotten me saith the Lorde 15 Thus saith the almightie Lord The quayles were as a token for you I gaue you tentes for your succour neuerthelesse in them ye murmured 16 And ascribed not the victory of your enemies vnto my name but euer to this day do ye yet murmure 17 Where are the benefites that I haue done for you When ye were hungry in the wyldernesse dyd ye not crye vnto me 18 Saying why hast thou brought vs into this wyldernesse to kill vs It had ben better for vs to haue serued the Egyptians then to die in this wyldernes 19 Then had I pitie vpon your mourninges and gaue you Manna to eate so ye dyd eate angels foode 20 When ye were thirstie dyd not I cleaue the rocke waters flowed out to satisfie you withall For the heate I couered you with the leaues of the trees 21 A good pleasaunt fat lande gaue I you I cast out the Chanaanites the Pherezites and Philistines before you What shall I do more for you saith the Lorde 22 Thus saith the almightie Lorde When ye were in the wyldernesse in the water of the Amorites beyng athirst and blaspheming my name 23 I gaue you not fire for your blasphemies but cast a tree into the water and made the riuer sweete 24 What shal I do vnto thee O Iacob Thou Iuda wouldest not obay me I will turne me to other nations and vnto those wyll I geue my name that they may kepe my statutes 25 Seyng ye haue forsaken me I wyll forsake you also When ye desire me to be gratious vnto you I shall haue no mercy vpon you 26 When ye call vpon me I wyll not heare you For ye haue defiled your handes with blood and your feete are swyft to commit manslaughter 27 Ye haue not as it were forsaken me but your owne selues saith the Lorde 28 Thus saith the almightie Lorde Haue I not prayed you as a father his sonnes as a mother her daughters and as a nurse her young babes 29 That ye woulde be my people and I shoulde be your God that ye would be my chyldren I should be your father 30 I gathered you together as an hen gathereth her chickens vnder her winges But nowe what shall I do vnto you I wyll cast you out from my face 31 When you offer vnto me I wyl turne my face from you for your solempne feast dayes your newe moones your circumcisions haue I forsaken 32 I sent vnto you my seruauntes the prophetes whom ye haue taken and slayne and torne their bodies in peeces whose blood I wyll require of your handes saith the Lorde 33 Thus saith the almightie lord Your house shal be desolate I wyll cast you out as the winde doth stubble 34 Your chyldren shall not be fruitefull for they haue despised my commaundement and done the thing that is euyll before me 35 Your houses wyll I geue to a people that shall come whiche not hauyng hearde of me yet shall beleue me to whom I haue shewed no signes yet they shall do that I haue commaunded them 36 They haue
Egypt to bryng vs into this euyll place which is no place of seede nor of fygges nor vines nor pomgranates neither is there any water to drynke 6 And Moyses and Aaron went from the presence of the congregation vnto the doore of the tabernacle of the congregation and fel vpon their faces and the glorie of the Lorde appeared vnto them 7 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses saying 8 Take the rodde and gather thou and thy brother Aaron the congregation together and speake vnto the rocke before their eyes and it shall geue foorth his water And thou shalt bryng them water out of the rocke to geue the companie drynke and their beastes also 9 And Moyses toke the rodde from before the Lord as he commaunded hym 10 And Moyses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rocke and Moyses sayde vnto them Heare ye rebelles must we fetch you water out of this rocke 11 And Moyses lyft vp his hande and with his rodde he smote the rocke two tymes and the water came out aboundauntly and the multitude dranke and their beastes also 12 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses and Aaron Because ye beleued me not to sanctifie me in the eyes of the children of Israel therfore ye shall not bryng this congregation into the lande which I haue geuen them 13 This is the water of strife because the children of Israel stroue with y e Lorde and he was sanctified in them 14 And Moyses sent messengers from Cades vnto the kyng of Edom thus sayeth thy brother Israel Thou knowest all the trauayle that we haue had 15 Our fathers went downe into Egypt we haue dwelt in Egypt a long tyme and the Egyptians vexed vs and our fathers 16 And when we cryed vnto the Lorde he hearde our voyce and sent an angell and hath fet vs vp out of Egypt And beholde we are in Cades euen in the vttermost citie of thy border 17 Let vs passe I pray thee through thy countrey but we wyll not go through the fieldes or vineyardes neither wyll we drynke of the water of the fountaynes we wyll go by the kynges hye way and neither turne vnto the ryght hande nor to the left vntyll we be past thy borders 18 And Edom aunswered hym Thou shalt not go by me lest I come out agaynst thee with the sworde 19 The children of Israel sayd vnto him we wyll go by the beaten way and if I and my cattell drynke of thy water I wyll pay for it I wyll but only without any harme go through on my feete 20 He aunswered Thou shalt not go through And Edom came out agaynst hym with much people and with a mightie power 21 And thus Edom denied to geue Israel passage through his countrey wherfore Israel turned away from hym 22 And the children of Israel departed from Cades and came vnto mount Hor with all the congregation 23 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses and Aaron in mount Hor harde by the coast of the lande of Edom saying 24 Aaron shal be gathered vnto his people for he shall not come into the lande which I haue geuen vnto the children of Israel because ye disobeyed my mouth at the water of strife 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his sonne and bryng them vp into mount Hor. 26 And cause Aaron to put of his garmentes and put them vpon Eleazar his sonne and Aaron shal be gathered vnto his people and shall dye there 27 And Moyses dyd as the Lorde commaunded and they went vp into mount Hor in the sight of all the multitude 28 And Moyses toke of Aarons clothes and put them vpon Eleazar his sonne and Aaron dyed there in the toppe of the mount And Moyses and Eleazar came downe out of the mount 29 When all y e multitude sawe that Aaron was dead they mourned for AaroÌ thirtie dayes all the housholde of Israel ⧠The .xxj. Chapter 1 Israel vanquissheth kyng Arad 6 The firie serpentes styng them 24 The kynges Sehon and Og are ouercome in battayle 1 ANd when kyng Arad the Chananite which dwelt towarde the south hearde tell that Israel came by the way that the spyes had founde out he fought agaynst Israel and toke some of them prisoners 2 And Israel vowed a vowe vnto the Lorde and sayde If thou wylt deliuer this people into my hande I wyll vtterly destroy their cities 3 And the Lorde hearde the voyce of Israel and deliuered them the Chanaanites And they destroyed them and their cities and called the name of the place Horma 4 And they departed froÌ mount Hor by the way of the red sea to compasse the lande of Edom and the soule of the people was sore greeued because of y e way 5 And the people spake agaynst God and agaynst Moyses Wherefore haue ye brought vs out of Egypt for to dye in the wildernesse for here is neither bread nor water and our soule lotheth this lyght bread 6 Wherfore the Lorde sent fierie serpentes among the people which stong them and much people of Israel dyed 7 Therfore the people came to Moyses sayd We haue sinned for we haue spoken agaynst the Lord and agaynst thee make intercession to the Lord that he take away the serpentes from vs. And Moyses made intercession for y e people 8 And the Lorde sayde vnto Moyses Make thee a fierie serpent and set it vp vpon a pole that as many as are bitten may loke vpon it and lyue 9 And Moyses made a serpent of brasse and set it vpon a pole and when the serpent had bitten any man he behelde the serpent of brasse and lyued 10 And the children of Israel departed thence and pitched in Oboth 11 And they departed from Oboth and pitched at the heapes of Abarim euen in the wildernesse which is before Moab on the east syde 12 And they remoued thence and pitched vpon the riuer of Zared 13 And they departed thence and pitched on the other syde of Arnon which is in the wildernesse and commeth out of the coastes of the Amorites for Arnon is the border of Moab betweene Moab and the Amorites 14 Wherfore it shal be spoken in the booke of the warres of the Lord what thyng he dyd in the red sea and in the riuers of Arnon 15 And at the streame of the riuers that goeth downe to the dwellyng of Ar and lyeth vpon the border of Moab 16 From thence they returned vnto Beer The same is the well wherof the Lord spake vnto Moyses Gather the people together and I will geue them water 17 Then Israel sang this song Spryng vp well syng ye vnto it 18 The princes digged this well the captaynes of the people digged it with the lawe geuer and with their staues And from the wildernesse they went to Mathana 19 And from Mathana to Nahaliel and from Nahaliel to Bamoth 20 And from Bamoth of the valley that is in the fielde of Moab vnto the top of
remoued from Ezeon gaber and pitched in the wyldernesse of Sin whiche is Cades 37 And they remoued from Cades and pitched in mount Hor whiche is in the edge of the lande of Edom. 38 And Aaron the priest went vp into mount Hor at the commaundement of the Lorde and dyed there euen in the fourteeth yere after the chyldren of Israel were come out of y e lande of Egypt and in the first day of the fifth moneth 39 And Aaron was an hundred and twentie and three yeres olde when he dyed in mount Hor. 40 And king Erad the Chanaanite which dwelt in the south in the lande of Chanaan heard of the comming of the children of Israel 41 And they departed from mount Hor ' and pitched in Zalmona ' 42 And they departed from Zalmona ' and pitched in Phunon ' 43 And they departed from Phunon ' and pitched in Oboth ' 44 And they departed from Oboth and pitched in Iim abarim in the border of Moab 45 And they departed from Iim abarim ' and pitched in Dibon Gad. ' 46 And they remoued from Dibon Gad ' and lay in Almon Diblathaim ' ¶ This Charte sheweth the way that the people of Israel passed the space of fourtie yeres from Egypt through the desertes of Arabia tyll they entred into the lande of Chanaan as is mention in the bookes of Exodus Numeri and Deuteronomium It contayneth also the fourtie and two iourneyes or stations named in this thirtie and three chapter of Numeri with the obseruations of the degrees aswell of the longitude as of the latitude of the places of the sayde iourneyes and also the order of the numbers of them ' 47 And they remoued from Almon Diblathaim ' and pitched in the mountaines of Abarim before Nabo 48 And they departed from the mountaynes of Abarim and pitched in the fieldes of Moab fast by Iordane ouer against Iericho 49 And they pitched by Iordane from Beth Iesimoth vnto the playne of Sittim in the fieldes of Moab 50 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses in the fielde of Moab by Iordane ouer agaynst Iericho saying 51 Speake vnto the chyldren of Israel and say vnto them When ye are come ouer Iordane to enter into the lande of Chanaan 52 Ye shall dryue out all the inhabiters of the lande before you and destroy all their pictures breake a sunder al their images of mettall and plucke downe all their hye places 53 And possesse the lande and dwell therin for I haue geuen you the lande to enioy it 54 And ye shall deuide the inheritaunce of the land by lot among your kinredes and geue to the moe the more inheritounce and to the fewer the lesse inheritaunce And your inheritaunce shal be in the tribes of your fathers euery mans inheritaunce in the place where his lot falleth 55 But and if ye wyll not dryue out the inhabiters of the lande before you then those whiche ye let remayne of them shal be prickes in your eyes and dartes in your sides and shall vexe you in the lande wherein ye dwell 56 Moreouer it wyll come to passe that I shall do vnto you as I thought to do vnto them ' ¶ The .xxxiiij. Chapter ' 1 The coastes and borders of the lande of promise 17 Certayne men are assigned to deuide the lande ' 1 AND the Lorde spake ' vnto Moyses saying 2 Commaunde the children of Israel and say vnto them When ye come into the lande of Chanaan this is the lande that shall fall vnto your inheritaunce euen the lande of Chanaan with her coastes 3 And your south quarter shal be from the wyldernesse Zin along by the coast of Edom so that your south quarter reache vpon the syde of the salt sea eastwarde 4 And fet a compasse from the south vp to Acrabim and Recahe to Zinna And go out froÌ the south to Cades Barnea and go out also to Hazar Adar and go along to Azmon 5 And fet a compasse agayne from Azmon vnto the riuer of Egypt and shall go out at the sea ' 6 And let your west quarter be the great ' sea let the same sea be your west coast 7 And this shal be your north quarter ye shall compasse your border from the great sea vnto mount Hor. 8 And from mount Hor ye shall describe your border tyll it come vnto Hemath the end of the coast shal be at Zedada 9 And the coast shall reache out to Ziphron and go out at Hazar Enan This shal be your north quarter 10 And ye shall describe your east quarter ' from Hazar Enan to Sepham ' 11 And the coast shall go downe from Sepham to Ribla on the east syde of Ain And the same border shall descend and go out at the side of the sea of Cenereth eastwarde 12 And then go downe along by Iordane and leaue at the salt sea And this shal be your land with the coastes therof rounde about 13 And Moyses commaunded the chyldren of Israel saying This is the land which ye shal inherite by lot and which the Lorde commaunded to geue vnto nine tribes and an halfe 14 For the tribe of the chyldren of Ruben according to the housholdes of their fathers and the tribe of the chyldren of Gad accordyng to their fathers householdes and halfe the tribe of Manasse haue receaued their inheritaunce 15 Two tribes and an halfe haue receaued their inheritaunce on the other side of Iordane ouer agaynst Iericho eastwarde ' 16 And the Lorde spake vnto Moyses ' saying 17 These are the names of the men which shall deuide the lande vnto you Eleazar the priest and Iosuah the sonne of Nun. ' 18 And ye shall take also a Lorde of ' euery tribe when ye deuide the lande 19 The names of the men are these Of the tribe of Iuda Caleb the sonne of Iephune ' 20 Of the tribe of the chyldren of Simeon ' Semuel the sonne of Amiud ' 21 Of the tribe of Beniamin Elidad the ' sonne of Cislon ' 22 Of the tribe of the chyldren of Dan ' the lorde Bucki the sonne of Iogli 23 From among the chyldren of Ioseph for the tribe of the chyldren of Manasse the lorde Haniel the sonne of Ephod 24 Of the tribe of the childreÌ of Ephraim the lorde Camuel the sonne of Siphtan 25 Of the tribe of the sonnes of Zabulon the lorde Elisaphan the sonne of Pharnach 26 Of the tribe of the chyldren of Isachar the lorde Palthiel the sonne of Asan 27 Of the tribe of the sonnes of Aser the' lorde Ahihud the sonne of Salomi ' 28 Of the tribe of the chyldren of Nephthali the lorde Pedael the sonne of Ammihud 29 These are they whom the Lord commaunded to deuide the inheritaunce vn-the chyldren of Israel in the lande of Chanaan ¶ The .xxxv. Chapter 2 Vnto the Leuites are geuen cities and suburbes 11 The cities of refuge 16 The lawe of
19 Lyfe and death is set before them 20 The Lorde is their lyfe which obey hym 1 WHen all these wordes are come vpon thee the blessyng and the curse whiche I haue set before thee thou shalt turne vnto thine heart among all the nations whyther the Lorde thy God hath dryuen thee 2 And come agayne vnto the Lorde thy God and hearken vnto his voyce in all these thynges that I commaunde thee this day thou and thy children with all thine heart and all thy soule 3 And the Lorde thy God wyll turne thy captiuitie and haue compassion vpon thee and wyll turne and fetche thee agayne from all the nations among which the Lord thy God had scattered thee 4 Though thou wast cast vnto the extreme partes of heauen euen from thence wyll the Lorde thy God gather thee and from thence will he fetch thee 5 And the Lorde thy God wyll bryng thee into the lande whiche thy fathers possessed and thou shalt enioy it And he wyll shewe thee kindnesse and multiplie thee aboue thy fathers 6 And the Lorde thy God wyll circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seede that thou mayest loue the Lorde thy God with all thine heart and all thy soule that thou mayest lyue 7 And the Lorde thy God wyll put all these curses vpon thine enemies and on them that hate thee and that persecute thee 8 But thou shalt turne and hearken vnto the voyce of the Lorde and do all his commaundementes which I commaunde thee this day 9 And the Lorde thy God wyll make thee plenteous in al the workes of thine hande in the fruite of thy body and in the fruite of thy cattell and in the fruite of thy lande for thy wealth For the Lorde wyll turne agayne and reioyce ouer thee to do thee good as he reioyced ouer thy fathers 10 If thou hearken only vnto the voyce of the Lorde thy God to kepe his commaundementes and his ordinaunces which are written in the booke of this lawe and if thou turne vnto the Lorde thy God with all thine heart and all thy soule 11 For the commaundement which I coÌmaunde thee this day is not hidden from thee neither farre of 12 It is not in heauen that thou needest to say Who shall go vp for vs to heauen and bryng it vnto vs that we may heare it and do it 13 Neither is it beyonde the sea that thou shouldest say Who shall go ouer the sea for vs and bryng it vnto vs that we may heare it and do it 14 But the worde is very nye vnto thee euen in thy mouth and in thine heart that thou do it 15 Beholde I haue set before thee this day lyfe and good death and euyll 16 For where as I commaunde thee this day to loue the Lorde thy God to walke in his wayes and to kepe his commaundementes his ordinaunces and his lawes yf thou so do thou shalt lyue and multiplie and the Lorde thy God shall blesse thee in the lande whyther thou goest to possesse it 17 But and yf thine heart turne away so that thou wylt not heare but shalt go astray and worship straunge gods and serue them 18 I pronounce vnto you also this day that ye shall surely perishe and that ye shall not prolong your dayes vpon the lande whyther thou passest ouer Iordane to go and possesse it 19 I call heauen and earth to recorde this day agaynst you that I haue set before you lyfe and death blessyng and cursyng Therfore choose lyfe that both thou and thy seede may lyue 20 That thou mayest loue the Lord thy God and be obedient to his voyce and cleaue vnto hym For he is thy life the length of thy dayes that thou mayest dwell vpon the earth which the Lord sware vnto thy fathers Abraham Isahac and Iacob to geue them ¶ The .xxxj. Chapter 2. 7 Moyses preparyng hym selfe to dye appoynteth Iosuah to rule the people 9 He geueth the lawe to the Leuites that they shoulde reade it to the people 19 God geueth them a song as a witnesse betwene hym and them 23 God confirmeth Iosuah 29 Moyses sheweth theÌ that they wyll rebell after his death 1 ANd Moyses went and spake these wordes vnto all Israel 2 And sayd vnto them I am an hundred and twentie yeres olde this day and can no more go out and in Also the Lorde hath sayd vnto me Thou shalt not go ouer this Iordane 3 The Lorde thy God he wyll go ouer before thee and he wyll destroy these nations before thee and thou shalt possesse them And Iosuah he shall go before thee as the Lorde hath sayde 4 And the Lorde shall do vnto them as he dyd to Sehon and Og kynges of the Amorites and vnto the lande of them whom he destroyed 5 And the Lorde shall geue them ouer before your face that ye may do vnto them accordyng vnto all the coÌmaundementes which I haue coÌmaunded you 6 Plucke vp your heartes therfore and be strong dreade not nor be afrayde of them for the Lorde thy God hym selfe doth go with thee he shall not fayle thee nor forsake thee 7 And Moyses called vnto Iosuah and sayd vnto him in the sight of all Israel Be strong of good courage for thou must go with this people vnto the lande which the Lord hath sworne vnto their fathers to geue them and thou shalt geue it them to inherite 8 And the Lorde he doth go before thee he shal be with thee he shall not fayle thee neither forsake thee feare not therfore nor be discomfyted 9 And Moyses wrote this lawe and deliuered it vnto the priestes the sonnes of Leui which bare the arke of the testament of the Lorde and vnto all the elders of Israel 10 And Moyses coÌmaunded them saying Euery seuenth yere in the solempnitie of the free yere euen in the feast of tabernacles 11 When all Israel is come to appeare before the Lorde thy God in the place which he hath chosen thou shalt reade this lawe before all Israel that they may heare it 12 Gather the people together men women and children and the straunger that is within thy gates that they may heare and learne and feare the Lorde your God and kepe and obserue all the wordes of this lawe 13 And that their children which knowe nothyng may heare and learne to feare the Lorde your God as long as ye lyue in the lande whyther ye go ouer Iordane to possesse it 14 And the Lorde sayde vnto Moyses Beholde thy dayes are come that thou must dye Call Iosuah therfore and stande ye in the tabernacle of the congregatioÌ that I may geue him a charge And Moyses and Iosuah went stood in the tabernacle of the congregation 15 And the Lorde appeared in the tabernacle euen in the piller of the cloude and the piller of the cloude stoode ouer the doore
because of your king whiche ye shall haue chosen you the Lorde wil not heare you at that day 19 Neuerthelesse the people woulde not heare the voyce of Samuel but did say Nay not so But there shal be a king ouer vs 20 That we may be lyke other nations and that our king may iudge vs and go out before vs and fight our battailes 21 Therfore when Samuel hearde all the wordes of the people he rehearsed them in the eares of the Lord. 22 And the Lord sayd to Samuel Hearken vnto their voyce and make them a king And Samuel said vnto the men of Israel Go euery man vnto his citie The ix Chapter 1 Saul seeking his fathers asses by the counsell of his seruaunt goeth to Samuel 9 The Prophetes called Seers 15 The Lord reuealeth to Samuel Sauls comming commaunding to annoynt him king 22 Samuel bringeth Saul to the feast 1 THere was a man of Beniamin named Cis the sonne of Abiel the sonne of Zeror y e sonne of Bechorath the sonne of Aphiah the sonne of a man that was a Ieminite mightie in power 2 And the same had a sonne called Saul a goodly young man and a faire so that among the children of Israel there was none goodlier then he From the shoulders vpwarde he was hygher then all the other people 3 And the asses of this Cis Sauls father were lost and Cis sayd to Saul his sonne Take one of the laddes with thee and arise go and seke the asses 4 And he went through mount Ephraim and passed through the lande of Salisa but they founde them not Then they went through the lande of Salim and there they were not When they went also through the land of Iemini they found them not 5 At the last when they were come to the lande of Zuph Saul sayde to his lad that was with him Come let vs returne lest my father leaue caring for the asses and take thought for vs. 6 He sayde vnto him Behold there is in this citie a man of God he is an honorable man all that he sayth commeth suerly to passe Now then let vs go thyther if so be he can shewe vs what way we may go 7 Then sayde Saul to his lad If we will go what shall we bring the man For the bread is spent in our vessels there is no other present to bring the man of God what haue we 8 And the lad aunswered Saul againe and sayde Behold I haue found about me the fourth part of a sicle of siluer that will I geue the man of God to tell vs our way 9 Before time in Israel when a man went to seke an aunswere of God thus wyse he spake Come and let vs go to the Seer For he that is now called a prophete was in the olde tyme called a Seer 10 Then sayde Saul to his lad wel sayd of thee Come let vs go And so they weÌt vnto the citie where the man of God was 11 And as they went their way vp the hil to the citie they met with damosels that came out to drawe water and sayd vnto them Is there here a Seer 12 And the maydens aunswered them and sayd yea beholde he is before you make hast nowe for he came this day to the citie for ther is an offring of the people this day in the hill 13 When ye be come into the citie ye shall finde him strayghtway yer he go vp to the hil to eate for y e people wil not eate vntil he come because he doth blesse the offring and then eate they that be bydden to the feast Nowe therfore get you vp for this day shal ye finde him 14 And they went vp into the citie And when they were come into the middes of the citie beholde Samuel came out agaynst them for to go vp to the hill 15 But the Lorde had tolde Samuel in his eare a day before Saul came saying 16 To morowe this tyme I wyll sende thee a man out of the lande of Beniamin him shalt thou annoynt to be captaine ouer my people Israel that he may saue my people out of y e handes of the Philistines for I haue loked vpon my people and their crie is come vnto me 17 When Samuel therfore sawe Saul the Lorde aunswered him See this is the man whom I spake to thee of this same shall raigne ouer my people 18 Then went Saul to Samuel in the middle of the gate and sayd Tell me I pray thee where the sears house is 19 Samuel aunswered Saul and sayd I am the sear Go vp before me vnto the hil for ye shall eate with me to day and to morowe I wil let thee go and wil tel thee all that is in thyne heart 20 And as for thyne asses that were lost three dayes ago care not for them for they are founde And whose shall the beawtiful thinges of Israel be Belong they not to thee and vnto all thy fathers house 21 But Saul aunswered and sayde Am not I the sonne of a Ieminite of the smallest tribe of Israel and my kinred is the lest of all the kinredes of the tribe of Beniamin Wherfore then speakest thou so to me 22 And Samuel toke Saul and his lad and brought them into the parler and made theÌ sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden whiche were vpon a thirtie persons 23 And Samuel sayde vnto the cooke Bring foorth the portion which I gaue thee and of which I said vnto thee kepe it with thee 24 And the cooke toke vp the shoulder that which was vpon it and set it before Saul And Samuel sayd Behold that which is left put it before thee and eate for hytherto hath it ben kept for thee saying Also I called the people And so Saul dyd eate with Samuel that day 25 And when they were come downe froÌ the hyghe place into the citie Samuel communed with Saul vpon the top of the house 26 And when they arose earely about the spring of the day Samuel called Saul vpon the toppe of the house saying Vp that I may send thee away And Saul arose and they went out both he and Samuel 27 And when they were come almost out of the towne Samuel sayde to Saul Bid the lad go before vs and he went before but stande thou stil a whyle that I may shewe thee the worde of God The .x. Chapter 6 Saul is annoynted king by Samuel 9 God chaungeth Sauls heart and he prohesieth 19 Samuel assembleth the people and sheweth them their sinnes 21 Saul is chosen king by lot 25 Samuel writeth the kings office 1 ANd theÌ Samuel toke a vessell of oyle and powred it vpon his head and kissed him and sayd Hath not the Lord annoynted thee to be captaine ouer his inheritaunce 2 When thou art departed from me this day thou shalt finde two men
incense vpon the aulter that was before the Lord and so he finished the house 26 And king Solomon made a nauie of shippes in Azion Gaber which is beside Eloth on the brinke of the red sea in the lande of Edom. 27 And Hiram sent by shippe also of his seruauntes that were shipmen and had knowledge of the sea with the seruauntes of Solomon 28 And they came to Ophir and set from thence foure hundred and twentie talentes of golde and brought it to king Solomon The .x. Chapter 1 The queene of Saba commeth to heare the wysdome of Solomon 18 His royall throne 32 His power and magnificence 1 ANd the queene of Saba hearing the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord came to proue him with harde questions 2 And she came to Hierusalem with a verie great trayne with camels that bare sweete odours and gold exceeding much precious stones And she came to Solomon and communed with him of al that was in her heart 3 And Solomon declared vnto her all her questions so that there was not one thing hyd from the king whiche he expounded not vnto her 4 And the queene of Saba considered al Solomons wysdome the house that he had buylded 5 And the meate of his table and the sitting of his seruauntes the order of his ministers their apparell his drinke and his burnt sacrifices that he offred in the house of the Lorde and she was astonied 6 And she sayde vnto the king It was a true word that I hearde in myne owne land of thy sayinges of thy wisdome 7 Howbeit I beleued it not till I came sawe it with myne eyes And beholde the one halfe was not tolde me for thy wysdome and prosperitie exceedeth the fame which I hearde of thee 8 Happy are thy men and happy are these thy seruauntes whiche stand euer before thee and heare thy wysdome 9 Blessed be the Lorde thy God whiche loued thee to set thee on the seate of Israel because the Lorde loued Israel for euer made thee king to do equite and righteousnes 10 And she gaue the king sixe score talentes of golde and of sweete odours exceeding much and precious stones There came no more suche aboundaunce of sweete odours as the queene of Saba gaue to king Solomon 11 The nauie also of the shippes of Hiram that caried golde from Ophir brought lykewyse great plentie of Almuge trees and precious stones from Ophir 12 And the king made of the Almuge trees pillers for the house of the Lorde and for the kinges palace and made harpes and psalteries for singers Ther came no more suche Almuge trees nor were any more seene vnto this day 13 And king Solomon gaue vnto the queene of Saba according to all her desire whatsoeuer she asked besides that he gaue her of a free wil with his owne hande And so she returned vnto her owne countrey both she and her seruauntes 14 The waight of golde that came to Solomon in one yere was sixe hundred theescore and sixe talentes of golde 15 Besydes that he had of marchauntes and of the marchaundises of the spices and of all the kinges of Arabia of the lordes of the countrey 16 And king Solomon made two hundred targettes of beaten golde sixe hundred sicles of golde went to a target 17 And he made three hundred shieldes of beaten golde three pounde of gold went to one shielde and the king put them in the house of the wood of Libanon 18 And the king made a great seate of iuorie and couered it with the best golde 19 And the seate had sixe steppes and the toppe of the seate was rounde behinde there were pommelles on either syde on the place of the seate and two lions stoode besyde the pommelles 20 And there stoode twelue lions on the steppes sixe on a syde There was none lyke worke seene many kingdome 21 And al king Solomons drinking vessels were of golde and lykewyse all the vessels of the house of the wood of Libanon were of pure golde And as for siluer it was nothing worth in the dayes of Solomon 22 For the kinges nauie of shippes went on the sea vnto Tharsis with the nauie of Hirams shippes euen once in three yeres went the nauie to Tharsis and brought golde and siluer Elephantes teeth apes and pecockes 23 And so king Solomon exceeded al the kinges of the earth both in ryches and wysdome 24 And all the worlde resorted to Solomon to heare his wysdome which God had put in his heart 25 And brought him euery man his present vessels of siluer vessels of golde rayment harnesse and sweete odours and horses and mules yere by yere 26 And Solomon gathered together charettes and horsemen and he had a thousande and foure hundred charettes and twelue thousande horsemen whom he bestowed in the charet cities and with the king at Hierusalem 27 And the king made siluer in Hierusalem as plenteous as stones and Cedar as plenteous as the wilde fegge trees that growe aboundauntly in the fieldes 28 Also Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt and fine linnen the kinges marchauntes receaued the linnen for a price 29 A charet came vp out of Egypt for sixe hundred sicles of siluer that is one horse for an hundred and fiftie And euen so for al the kinges of the Hethites and for the kinges of Siria did they bring them out through their handes The .xi. Chapter 1. Solomon hath a thousand wyues and concubines whiche bryng him to idolatrie 14 His God rayseth vp aduersaries against him 43 He dieth 1 BVt king SolomoÌ loued many outlandishe women the daughter of Pharao and women of the Moabites Ammonites Edomites Zidonites Hethites 2 Wher as yet concerning these nations the Lorde sayd vnto the children of Israel Go not ye into them nor let them come into els will they turne your heartes after their gods Neuerthelesse Solomon claue vnto them in loue 3 And he had seuen hundred queenes and three hundred concubines and his wyues turned away his heart 4 For it came to passe when Solomon was olde his wyues turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God as was the heart of Dauid his father 5 For Solomon folowed Astaroth the god of the Zidons and Milcom the abhomination of the Ammonites 6 And Solomon wrought wickednesse in the sight of the Lorde and folowed not the Lorde perfectly as dyd Dauid his father 7 For then dyd Solomon buylde an hye place for Chamos the abhomination of Moabim the hill that is before Hierusalem vnto Moloch the abhomination of the children of Ammon 8 And lykewyse dyd he for all his outlandishe wyues which burnt cense and offered vnto their gods 9 And the Lorde was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned froÌ the Lord God of Israel which had appeared vnto him twyse 10 And
house of the Lorde and to al that went out to mend the temple 13 Howbeit there was not made for the house of the Lorde bowles of siluer instrumentes of musicke basons trumpets or any vessels of golde or vessels of siluer of the money that was brought into the house of the Lorde 14 But they gaue that to the workemen and repaired therewith the house of the Lorde 15 Moreouer they reckened not with the men into whose handes they deliuered that money to be bestowed on workmeÌ for they did their busines faithfully 16 Howbeit trespasse money and sinne money was not brought into the house of the Lorde for it was the priestes 17 Then came Hazael king of Syria vp and fought against Geth and toke it And Hazael set his face to go vp to Hierusalem 18 And Iehoas king of Iuda toke all the halowed thinges that Iehosaphat Iehoram Haziahu his fathers kinges of Iuda had dedicate and that he him selfe had dedicated and al the gold that was founde in the treasures of the house of the Lorde and in the kinges house and sent it to Hazael king of Syria so he departed from Hierusalem 19 The remnaunt of the wordes that concerne Iehoas and all that he dyd are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Iuda 20 And his owne seruauntes arose and wrought treason and slue Iehoas in the house Millo when he came downe to Silla 12 Iozachar the sonne of Semaath and Iehozabad the sonne of Somer his seruauntes smote him and he dyed And they buryed him with his fathers in the citie of Dauid and Amaziahu his sonne raigned in his steade The .xiij. Chapter 3 Iehoahaz the sonne of Iehu is delyuered into the handes of the Syrians 5 He prayeth vnto God and is delyuered 9 Ioas his sonne raigneth in his steade 24 Hazael dyeth 26 Elisa dyeth 1 IN the three twentith yere of Ioas the sonne of Ahaziahu king of Iuda Iehoahaz the sonne of Iehu began to raigne ouer Israel in Samaria seuenteene yeres 2 And he wrought that which was euil in the sight of the Lorde and folowed the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat which made Israel to sinne and departed not therfrom 3 And the Lorde was angry with Israel and delyuered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria into the hand of Benhadad the sonne of Hazael all their dayes 4 And Iehoahaz besought the Lord the Lorde heard him For he considered the trouble of Israel wherewith the king of Syria troubled them 5 And the Lord gaue Israel a deliuerer so that they went out from vnder the subiection of the Syrians And the children of Israel dwelt in their tentes as before tyme. 6 Neuerthelesse they departed not from the sinnes of the house of Ieroboam which made Israel sinne but walked in them And there remayned an idols groue still also in Samaria 7 Neither did he leaue of the people to Iehoahaz but fiftie horsemen ten charets and ten thousand footemen for the king of Syria destroyed them and made them lyke thresshed dust 8 The rest of the wordes that concerne Iehoahaz and all that he dyd and his power are they not writteÌ in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Israel 9 And Iehoahaz slept with his fathers and they buryed him in Samaria and Ioas his sonne raigned in his steade 10 In the thirtie and seuenth yere of Ioas king of Iuda began Iehoas the sonne of Iehoahaz to raigne ouer Israel in Samaria sixteene yeres 11 And did that which is euill in the sight of the Lorde and departed not from all the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat that made Israel sinne for he walked therein 12 The remnaunt of the wordes that concerne Ioas and all that he did and his power wherewith he fought against Amaziahu king of Iuda are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Israel 13 And Ioas slept with his fathers and Ieroboam sat vpon his seate And Ioas was buryed in Samaria among the kinges of Israel 14 When Elisa was fallen sicke of his sicknesse whereof he dyed Ioas the king of Israel came downe vnto him and wept before him and saide O my father my father the charet of Israel the horsemen of the same 15 Elisa saide vnto him Take bowe and arrowes And he toke vnto him bowe and arrowes 16 And he saide to the king of Israel Put thyne hand vpon the bowe And he put his hand vpon it And Elisa put his handes vpon the kinges handes 17 And said Open a windowe eastward And when he had opened it Elisa sayd shoote And he shot And he saide The arrowe of health of the Lorde and the arrowe of health against Syria For thou shalt smyte Syria in Aphec till thou haue made an ende of them 18 And he saide Take the arrowes And he toke them And he said vnto the king of Israel Smyte the grounde And he smote thrise and ceassed 19 And the man of God was angry with him and saide Thou shouldest haue smitten fiue or sixe tymes and then thou haddest smytten Syria till thou haddest made an end of them where now thou shalt smyte Syria but thrise 20 And so Elisa dyed they buried him and the souldiers of the Moabites came into the lande the same yere 21 And it chaunced as some of them were burying a man and spyed the souldiers they cast y e man into the sepulchre of Elisa And when the man was roulled downe and touched the bones of Elisa he reuiued and stoode vpon his feete 22 But Hazael king of Syria vexed Israel all the dayes of Iehoahaz 23 And the Lorde had mercie on them and pitied them and had respect vnto them because of his appoyntment made with Abraham Isahac and Iacob and would not destroy them neither cast he them from him as yet 24 So Hazael the king of Syria dyed Benhadad his sonne raigned in his steade 25 And Iehoas the sonne of Iehoahaz went againe and toke out of the hande of Benhadad the sonne of Hazael the cities which he had taken away out of the hande of Iehoahaz his father in warre For three times did Ioas beate him and restored the cities vnto Israel againe ¶ The .xiiii. Chapter 1 Amaziahu the king of Iuda putteth to death them that slue his father 7 And after smyteth Edom. 25 Ioas dyeth and Ieroboam his sonne succeedeth him and after him raigneth Zacharia 1 THE second yere of Ioas sonne of Iehoahaz king of Israel raigned Amaziahu the sonne of Ioas king of Iuda 2 He was twentie and fiue yeres olde when he began to raigne and raigned twentie and nyne yeres in Hierusalem and his mothers name was Iehoadan of Hierusalem 3 And he did that which is good in the sight of the Lorde yet not lyke Dauid his father but did according to all thinges as Ioas his father did 4 Neither were the high places taken a
way For as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt incense on the high places 5 And assoone as the kingdome was setled in his hande it came to passe that he slue his seruauntes which had killed the king his father 6 But the children of those murtherers he slue not according vnto it that is written in the booke of the law of Moyses wherein the Lorde commaunded saying Let not the fathers dye for the children nor let the children be slaine for the fathers but let euery man be put to death for his owne sinne 7 He slue of Edom in the salt valley ten thousand and toke the castell on the rocke in the same battaile and called the name of it Ioktheel vnto this day 8 Then Amaziahu sent messengers to Iehoas the sonne of Iehoahaz sonne of Iehu king of Israel saying Come let vs see eche other 6 And Iehoas the king of Israel sent to Amaziahu king of Iuda saying Did not a thistle that is in Libanon send to a Cedar tree that is in Libanon saying Geue thy daughter to my sonne to wife And the wilde beast that was in Libanon went and trode downe the thystle 10 Thou hast smitten Edom thyne heart hath made thee proude Enioye this glory tarry at home Why doest thou prouoke to mischiefe that thou shouldest be ouerthrowen Iuda with thee 11 But Amaziahu would not heare And Iehoas king of Israel went vp and he and Amaziahu king of Iuda sawe either other at Bethsames which is in Iuda 12 And Iuda was put to the worse before Israel and they fled euery man to their tentes 13 And Iehoas king of Israel toke Amaziahu king of Iuda the sonne of Iehoas the sonne of Ahaziahu at Bethsames and came to Hierusalem brake downe the wall of Hierusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate foure hundred cubites 14 And he toke all the golde and siluer and all the vessels that were founde in the house of the Lorde and in the treasures of the kinges house and the children toke he to be his wardes and returned to Samaria againe 15 The rest of the actes of Iehoas which he did and his power how he fought with Amaziahu king of Iuda are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Israel 16 And Iehoas slept with his fathers and was buried at Samaria among the kinges of Israel Ieroboam his sonne raigned in his steade 17 Amaziahu the sonne of Ioas king of Iuda liued after the death of Iehoas sonne of Iehoahaz king of Israel fifteene yeres 18 And the remnaunt of the wordes that concerne Amaziahu are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Iuda 19 But they conspired treason against him in Hierusalem And when he fled to Lachis they sent after him to Lachis and slue him there 20 And they brought him on horses and he was buried at Hierusalem with his fathers in the citie of Dauid 21 And all the people of Iuda toke Azaria which was sixteene yeres olde and made him king for his father Amaziahu 22 He built Elath and brought it againe to Iuda after that the king was layde to rest with his fathers 23 In the fifteenth yere of Amaziahu the sonne of Ioas king of Iuda was Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas made king ouer Israel in Samaria and raigned fourtie and one yeres 24 And wrought that which was euill in the sight of the Lorde neither turned he away from all the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat which made Israel to sinne 25 He restored the coast of Israel from the entring of Hemath vnto the sea of the wildernesse according to the worde of the Lorde God of Israel which he spake by the hande of his seruaunt Ionas the sonne of Amithai the prophete which was of Geth Hepher 26 For the Lorde sawe howe that the affliction of Israel was exceeding bytter insomuch that the prisoned and the forsaken were at an ende and there was none to helpe Israel 27 And the Lorde saide not that he would put out the name of Israel from vnder heauen but he helped them by the hande of Ieroboam the sonne of Ioas. 28 The rest of the wordes that concerne Ieroboam and all that he did and his strength and howe he fought in the warres howe he restored Damascon Hemath to Iuda in Israel are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Israel 29 And Ieroboam slept with his fathers euen with the kinges of Israel Zacharia his sonne raigned in his steade ¶ The .xv. Chapter 1 Azaria the king of Iuda becommeth a leaper 5 Of Iotham 10 Sallum 14 Menahem 23 Pecahia 30 Vziahu 32 Iotham 38 Ahaz 1 IN the twentie and seuenth yere of Ieroboam king of Israel began Azaria sonne of Amazia king of Iuda to raigne 2 Sixteene yeres olde was he when he was made king and he raigned two and fiftie yeres in Hierusalem and his mothers name was Iecholiahu of Hierusalem 3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lorde according to all thinges as did his father Amaziahu 4 Saue that the high places were not put a way For the people offered and burnt incense still on the high places 5 And the Lorde smote the king and he was a leaper vnto the day of his death and dwelt in a seuerall house at libertie and Iotham the kinges sonne gouerned the palace and iudged the people of the lande 6 The rest of the wordes that concerne Azaria and all that he did are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Iuda 7 And so Azaria slept with his fathers and they buryed him with his fathers in the citie of Dauid and Iotham his sonne raigned in his steade 8 In the thirtie and eyght yere of Azaria king of Iuda did Zacharia the sonne of Ieroboam raigne vpon Israel in Samaria sixe monethes 9 And wrought that which was euill in the sight of the Lorde as did his fathers And turned not away from the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nabat which made Israel to sinne 10 And Sallum the sonne of Iabes conspired against him and smote him in the âight of the people and killed him and raigned in his steade 11 The rest of the wordes that concerne Zacharia beholde they are written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Israel 12 This is also the worde of the Lorde which he spake vnto Iehu saying Thy sonnes shall sit on the seate of Israel in the fourth generation after thee And so it came to passe 13 Sallum the sonne of Iabes began to raigne in the thirtie and ninth yere of Vzziah king of Iuda and he raigned a moneth in Samaria 14 For Menahem the sonne of Gadi went vp from Thirza came to Samaria and smote Sallum the sonne of Iabes in Samaria and slue him and raigned in his steade
goyng in and thy fury against me 28 And because thou ragest against me thy tumult is come vp to myne eares I will put my hoke in thy nostrels and my byt in thy lippes and wil bring thee backe againe the same way thou camest 29 And this shal be a signe vnto thee O Hezekia Ye shall eate this yere of such thinges as grow of themselues and the next yere such as come vp of those that dyd growe of their owne accorde and the thirde yere sowe ye and reape plant vineyardes and eate the fruites therof 30 And it that is escaped and left of the daughter of Iuda shall yet againe take roting downewarde and beare fruite vpwarde 31 For out of Hierusalem shall go a remnaunt and a number that shall escape out of mouÌt Sion The zeale of the lord of hoastes shal bring this thing to passe 32 Wherfore thus sayth the Lord concerning the king of Assyria he shall not come to this citie nor shote an arrowe into it nor come before it with shielde nor cast a banke against it 33 But shall go backe againe the way he came and shall not come into this citie sayth the Lorde 34 For I will defende this citie to saue it for myne owne sake and for Dauid my seruauntes sake 35 And it came to passe that the selfe same night the angell of the Lorde went out and smote in the hoast of the Assyrians an hundred fourescore fyue thousand And when the remnaunt were vp early in the morning beholde they were all dead coarses 36 And so Sennacherib king of Assyria auoyded and departed and went againe and dwelt at Niniue 37 And it fortuned that as he was in a temple worshipping Nisroch his God Adramelech Saresar his owne sonnes smote hym with the sworde And they escaped into the lande of Armenia and Asarhaddon his sonne raigned in his steade The .xx. Chapter 1 Hezekia is sicke and receaueth the signe of his health 12 He receaueth rewardes of Berodach 13 sheweth his treasures and is reprehended of Isai 22 He dieth and Manasse his sonne raigneth in his steade 1 ABout that time was Hezekia sicke vnto the death And the prophete Isai the sonne of Amoz came to him and sayde vnto him Thus saith the Lord Put thine houshold in an order for thou shalt dye and not lyue 2 And Hezekia turned his face to the wal and prayed vnto the Lord saying 3 I beseche the O Lorde remember now how I haue walked before thee in trueth and with a perfect heart haue done that whiche is good in thy sight And Hezekia wept sore 4 And it fortuned that afore Isai was gone out into the middle of the court the word of the Lorde came to him saying 5 Turne againe and tell Hezekia the captayne of my people thus sayth the Lorde God of Dauid thy father I haue hearde thy prayer and seene thy teares and beholde I will heale thee so that on the thirde day thou shalt go vp into the house of the Lorde 6 And I wil adde vnto thy dayes yet fifteene yeres I will deliuer thee this citie out of the hand of y e king of Assyria will defende this citie for myne owne sake for Dauid my seruauntes sake 7 And Isai sayd Take a lumpe of dried figges And they toke and layed it on the sore and he recouered 8 And Hezekia sayde vnto Isai What shal be the signe that the Lorde will heale me and that I shal go vp into the house of the Lorde the thirde day 9 Isai aunswered This signe shalt thou haue of the Lord that the Lord will do that he hath spoken Shall the shadowe go forwarde ten degrees or go backe againe ten degrees 10 Hezekia aunswered It is a light thing for the shadowe to go downe ten degrees I desire not that but let the shadowe go backwarde ten degrees 11 And Isai the prophete called vnto the Lord and he brought the shadowe ten degrees backwarde by whiche it had gone downe in the dyall of Ahaz 12 The same season Berodach Baladan the sonne of Baladan king of Babylon sent letters and a present vnto Hezekia for he had hearde howe that Hezekia was sicke 13 And Hezekia was glad of them and shewed them all his treasure house siluer golde odours precious oyntment all the house of his armory and all that was found in his treasures There was nothing in his house in all his realme that Hezekia shewed them not 14 And Isai the prophete came vnto king Hezekia and sayd vnto him What sayde these men and from wence came they to thee And Hezekia sayde They be come from a farre countrey euen from Babylon 15 And he sayde againe What haue they seene in thy house Hezekia aunswered All y e thinges that are in my house haue they seene there is nothing among my treasures that I haue not shewed theÌ 16 And Isai sayde vnto Hezekia Heare the word of the Lord 17 Beholde the dayes come that all that is in thy house and whatsoeuer thy fathers haue layde vp in store vnto this day shal be caryed into Babylon and nothing shal be left sayth the Lorde 18 And of thy sonnes that shall proceede out of thee and which thou shalt beget shall they take away and they shal be chamberlaynes in the palace of the king of Babylon 19 And Hezekia sayde vnto Isai Welcome be the worde of the Lorde whiche thou hast spoken And he sayde Shall there not be peace trueth in my dayes 20 The remnaunt of the wordes that concerne Hezekia and all his power and howe he made a poole and a conduite brought water into the citie are they not written in the booke of the cronicles of the kinges of Iuda 21 And Hezekia slept with his fathers Manasse his sonne raigned in his steade The xxi Chapter 3 King Manasse restoreth idolatrie 16 And vseth great crueltie 18 He dieth and Amon his sonne succeedeth 23 who is killed of his owne seruauntes 26 After him raigneth Iosia 1 MAnasse was twelue yeres old when he began to raigne and raigned fyftie and fyue yeres in HierusaleÌ his mothers name also was Hephziba 2 And he did euil in the sight of the Lord euen after the abominations of the heathen whom the Lorde cast out before the children of Israel 3 For he went and buylt vp the hygh places whiche Hezekia his father had destroyed and he reared vp aulters for Baal and made idol groues as dyd Ahab king of Israel and worshipped all the hoast of heauen and serued them 4 And he buylt aulters in the house of the Lord of which the Lorde sayde in Hierusalem will I put my name 5 And he buylt aulters for all the hoast of heauen euen in two courtes of the house of the Lorde 6 And he offred his owne sonne in fire and gaue heede vnto witchcraft and sorcery and mainteyned
three to Delaiahu ' and the twentie and foure to Maasiahu ' 19 These are the ordinaunces of them in their offices when they came into the house of the Lord according to their maner vnder Aaron their father as the lord God of Israel had coÌmaunded him 20 The rest of the sonnes of Leui are these Of the sonnes of Amram Subael of the sonnes of Sabuel Iehediahu ' 21 Of the sonnes of Rehabia the first ' Iesia ' 22 Of the Iezaharites Selomoth Of ' the sonnes also of Selomoth Iahath 23 His sonnes Ieriahu the first Amariahu the second Iahaziel the third and Iekameam the fourth ' 24 Of the sonnes of Vzziel Micha Of ' the sonnes of Micha Samir ' 25 The brother of Micha was Issia Of ' the sonnes also of Issia Zechariahu 26 The sonnes of Merari were Mahli and Musi The sonnes of Iaaziahu Beno 27 The sonnes of Merari by Iaaziahu ' Beno Soham Zacur and Ibri ' 28 Of Mahli came Eleazar and he had ' no sonnes ' 29 Of Cis the sonnes of Cis Ierahemeel ' 30 The sonnes of Musi Mahli Eder and Ierimoth These are the children of the Leuites after the housholde of their fathers 31 And these cast lottes next to their brethren the sonnes of Aaron in the presence of Dauid the king and Zadoc and Ahimelec and the auncient fathers of the priestes Leuites euen the principall fathers before their younger brethren ' The .xxv. Chapter ' ' The singers are appoynted with their places and lottes ' 1 ANd so Dauid and the captaynes of the hoast appoynted out to do seruice the sonnes of Asaph and Heman Ieduthun which should prophecie with harpes psalteries and cymbales And there was a multitude of the men that were appoynted to the seruice and ministration 2 Of the sonnes of Asaph Zacur Ioseph Nathania and Asarela that wayted on Asaph which prophecied according to the commaundement of the king 3 Of Ieduthun the sonnes of Ieduthun Gedeliahu Zeri Iesaiahu Hasabiahu and Mathathiahu sixe vnder the handes of their father Ieduthun which prophecied with a harpe for to geue thankes prayses vnto the Lorde 4 Of Heman the sonnes of Heman Bucciahu Matthaniahu Vzziel Zebuel Ierimoth Hananiah Hanani Eliatha Geddalthi Romanthi Ezer Iosbekasa Malothi Hothir and Mahazioth 5 All these were the sonnes of Heman which was y e kinges sear in the wordes of God to lyft vp the horne of the regall dignitie And God gaue to HemaÌ foureteene sonnes and three daughters 6 All these also were at the hand of their father singing in the house of the Lord with cymbales psalteries and harpes when Asaph Ieduthun and Heman executed the seruice in the house of God at the kinges commaundement 7 And the multitude of them with their brethreÌ that were instruct in the songes of the Lorde euen all that were cunning were two hundred fourescore and eyght 8 And they cast lottes among them selues how they should waite aswel for the small as for the great for the scholler aswell as for the schoolemaister 9 And the first lot in Asaph fell to Ioseph the second to Gedaliahu with his brethren and sonnes which men were twelue 10 The third fell to Zacur with his sonnes and brethren being twelue persons 11 The fourth to Izri with his sonnes ' and brethren twelue persons ' 12 The fifth to Nathaniahu with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 13 The sixt to Bucciahu with his sonnes ' and brethren twelue persons ' 14 The seuenth to Iesrarela with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 15 The eyght to Iesaiahu with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 16 The ninth to Mathaiahu with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 17 The tenth to Semei with his sonnes ' and brethren twelue persons ' 18 The eleuenth to Azareel with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 19 The twelfth to Hazabia with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' ' 20 The thirteenth to Subael with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 21 The foureteenth to Mathathiahu with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 22 The fifteenth to Ieremoth with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 23 The sixteenth to Hananiahu with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' ' 24 The seuenteenth to Iosbekasa with his sonnes brethren twelue persons ' ' 25 The eyghteenth to Hanani with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' ' 26 The nineteenth to Malothi with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 27 The twenteeth to Eliatha with his ' sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' 28 The twentie and one to Hothir with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons 29 The twentie two to Geddalthi with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons 30 The twentie and three to Mahazioth with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons 31 The twentie and foure to Romamthi Ezer with his sonnes and brethren twelue persons ' The .xxvi. Chapter ' 1 The porters of the temple are ordayned euery man to the gate which he should keepe 20 and ouer the treasure 1 THese are the deuisions of the porters Among the Corethites Meselemiahu the sonne of Kore of the children of Asaph 2 And the sonnes of Meselemiahu were these Zachariahu the eldest Iedihel the second Zebadiahu the third and Iahniel the fourth ' 3 Elam the fifth Iehohanan the sixt and Eiloenai the seuenth ' 4 The sonnes of Obed Edom Semeia the eldest Iehosabad the second Ioah the third Sacar the fourth and Nathanael the fifth ' 5 Ammiel the sixth Issachar the seuenth ' Peulthai the eyght for God blessed him 6 And vnto Semeia his sonne were sonnes borne that ruled in the house of their father for they were men of might 7 The sonnes of Semeia Othni Rephael Obed and Elzabad and his brethren were strong men Elihu and Samachiahu 8 All these were of the children of Obed Edom they and their children and their brethren actiue men and of strength to do seruice euen threescore and two of Obed Edom. ' 9 And Meselemiahu had sonnes and brethren actiue men eyghteene ' 10 The sonnes of Hosa of the children of Merari Simri the chiefe though he was not the eldest yet his father set him in the chiefest place 11 Helkiahu the second Tebaliahu the third and Zechariahu the fourth all the sonnes and brethren of Hosa were thirteene 12 Among these was deuided the office of the portership that they shoulde be auncient men to wayte with their brethren when they ministred in the house of the Lorde 13 And they cast lottes betweene the great and small after the housholde of their fathers for euery gate 14 And the lot on the eastsyde fell vpon Selemiahu And for Zachariahu his sonne which was a wyse counsailour they cast lottes and his lot came out toward the north 15 And Obed Edoms lot fell to the south And for his sonnes fell the houses of Asuppim 16 For Shuppim and Hosa toward the west with the gate Shallecheth by the
whosoeuer is wylling may this day consecrate his hande vnto the Lorde 6 And so the auncient fathers and the lordes of the tribes of Israel the captaynes of thousandes and hundredes with the lordes that were rulers ouer the kinges worke were willing 7 And gaue for the seruice of the house of God fiue thousand talentes of golde and ten thousand peeces of golde and ten thousand talentes of siluer eyghtteene thousand talentes of brasse and one hundred thousand talentes of iron 8 And they with whom precious stones were founde gaue them to the treasure of the house of the Lord by the hand of Iehiel the Gersonite 9 And the people reioyced when they were so wylling to geue their goodes and with a perfect heart they offered wyllingly to the Lord And Dauid the king reioyced with great gladnesse 10 And Dauid blessed the Lorde before all the congregation and sayde Blessed be thou Lorde God of Israel our father from euer and for euer 11 Thyne O Lorde is greatnesse and power glory victorie and prayse for all that is in heauen and in earth is thyne and thyne is the kingdome O Lorde and thou excellest aboue all euen as the head of all 12 And richesse and honour come of thee and thou raignest ouer all and in thyne hande is power strength and in thyne hand it is to make great and to geue strength vnto all 13 And nowe our God we thanke thee and prayse thy glorious name 14 But who am I and what is my people that we should enforce our selues to geue these thinges so willingly But all thinges come of thee of that which we receaued at thyne hand we haue geuen thee 15 For we be but straungers before thee and soiourners as were al our fathers Our dayes on the earth also are but as a shadowe and there is none abiding 16 O Lorde our God all this stuffe that we haue prepared to builde thee an house for thy holy name commeth of thyne hand and is all thyne 17 I wot also my God that thou tryest the heartes and hast pleasure in vnfaynednesse in the vnfaonednesse of myne heart I haue wyllingly offered al these thinges And now haue I seene thy people which are founde here to offer vnto thee wyllyngly and with gladnesse 18 O Lorde God of Abraham Isahac and of Israel our fathers keepe this for euer in the desire of the thoughtes of the heart of thy people prepare their heartes vnto thee 19 And geue vnto Solomon my sonne a perfect heart to keepe thy commaundementes thy testimonies thy statutes and to do all and builde the house for the which I haue made prouision 20 And Dauid saide to all the congregation Now blesse the Lorde your God And all the congregation blessed the Lorde God of their fathers and bowed downe their heades and worshipped the Lorde and the king 21 And they offered offringes vnto the Lorde And on the morowe after the saide day they offred burnt offringes vnto the Lorde euen a thousand young oxen a thousand rammes and a thousand sheepe with their drinke offrings Many sacrifices offred they for all Israel 22 And did eate drinke before the Lord the same day with great gladnesse And they made Solomon the sonne of Dauid king the second time and annoynted him prince before the Lorde and Zadoc to be the hie priest 23 And Solomon sate on the seate of the Lorde and was king in steade of Dauid his father and prospered and all they of Israel obeyed him 24 And all the lordes and men of power and all the sonnes of king Dauid submitted them selues were vnder king Solomon 25 And the Lorde magnified Solomon in dignitie in the sight of all them of Israel and gaue him so glorious a kingdome as no king had before him in Israel 26 And so Dauid the sonne of Isai raigned ouer all Israel 27 And the space that he raigned ouer Israel was fouretie yeres Seuen yeres raigned he in Hebron and thirtie and three yeres raigned he in Hierusalem 28 And he dyed in a good age ful of dayes riches and honour and Solomon his sonne raigned in his steade 29 The actes of Dauid the king first and last beholde they are written in the booke of Samuel the sear and in the booke of Nathan the prophete and in the booke of Gad the sear 30 With all his kingdome and power and times that went ouer him ouer all Israel and ouer all the kingdomes of the earth ⧠The end of the first booke of the Chronicles otherwyse called the first booke of Paralipomenon ⧠The second booke of the Chronicles which in the Hebrue is one with the first ¶ The first Chapter 6 The offering of Solomon at Gibeon 8 He prayeth vnto God to geue him wysedome 11 which he geueth him and more 14 The number of his charets and horses 15 and of his riches 1 ANd Solomon the sonne of Dauid waxed strong in his kingdome and the Lord his God was with him and magnified him in dignitie 2 And Solomon spake vnto all Israel to the captaynes ouer thousandes to the captaynes ouer hundredes to the iudges and to euery officer in all Israel and to the auncient fathers 3 And so Solomon and all the congregation with him went to the hie place that was at Gibeon for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God which Moyses the seruaunt of the Lorde made in the wyldernesse 4 But the arke of God had Dauid brought from Kiriathiarim into the place which Dauid had prepared therfore For he had pitched a tent for it at Hierusalem 5 Moreouer the brasen aulter that Bezaleel the sonne of Vri the sonne of Hur had made was there before the tabernacle of the Lorde And Solomon and the congregation went to visite it 6 And Solomon gat vp there before the Lord to the brasen aulter that was before the tabernacle of the congregation and offered a thousand burnt sacrifices vpon it 7 And the same night did God appeare vnto Solomon and said vnto him Aske what I shall geue thee 8 And Solomon saide vnto God Thou hast shewed great mercie vnto Dauid my father and hast made me to raigne in his steade 9 Now therefore O Lorde God let thy promise which thou madest vnto Dauid my father be true For thou hast made me king ouer a people which is lyke the dust of the earth in multitude 10 Wherefore geue me now wysedome and knowledge that I may be able to go in and out before this people for who els can iudge this people that is so great 11 And God saide to Solomon Because this was in thyne heart and because thou hast not asked treasure and riches and honour the liues of thyne enemies neither yet long lyfe but hast asked wysedome and knowledge for thy selfe to iudge my people ouer which I haue made thee
said Come that we way see either other 18 And Ioas king of Israel sent to Amaziahu king of Iuda saying A thistle that is in Libanon sent to a Cedar tree of Libanon saying Geue thy daughter to my sonne to wyfe And there came a wylde beast of Libanon and trode downe the thistle 19 Thou sayest Loe thou hast smitten the Edomites thyne heart maketh thee proude to glorifie thy selfe Now therefore byde at home why doest thou prouoke vnto euyll that thou mayest perishe both thou and Iuda with thee 20 But Amaziahu woulde not hearken to him for it came of God euen to delyuer them into the hande of their enemies because they sought counsell at the gods of Edom. 21 And so Ioas the king of Israel came vp and they sawe either other both he and Amaziahu king of Iuda at Bethsames which is in Iuda 22 And Iuda was put to the worse before Israel and they fled euery man to his tent 23 And Ioas the king of Israel toke Amaziahu king of Iuda the sonne of Ioas the sonne of Iehoahaz at Bethsames and brought him to Hierusalem and tare the wall of Hierusalem from the gate of Ephraim vnto the gate that was ouer against it foure hundred cubites 24 And he toke away also all the golde and siluer and all the iewels that were founde in the house of God with Obed Edom and the treasures of the kinges house and the young wardes and returned to Samaria 25 And Amaziahu the sonne of Ioas king of Iuda lyued after the death of Ioas sonne of Iehoahaz king of Israel fifteene yere 26 The rest of the actes of Amaziahu first and last are they not written in the booke of the kinges of Iuda and Israel 27 And after the time that Amaziahu did turne away from the Lorde they conspired treason against him in Hierusalem and when he was fled to Lachis they sent to Lachis after him and slue him there 28 And brought him vp with horses and buryed him with his fathers in the citie of Iuda ¶ The .xxvi. Chapter 14 Vzzia obeying the Lorde prospereth in his enterprises 16 He waxeth proude and vsurpeth the priestes office 19 The Lorde plagueth him 20 The priestes dryue him out of the temple and exclude him out of the Lordes house 23 His buriall and his successour 1 THen all the people of Iuda toke Vzzia which was sixteene yeres olde made him king in the roome of his father Amaziahu 2 And he built Eloth and brought it againe to Iuda after that the king was layde to sleepe with his fathers 3 Sixteene yeres olde was Vzzia when he began to raigne and he raigned fiftie and two yeres in Hierusalem His mothers name also was Iecholia of Hierusalem 4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lorde according to all as did his father Amaziahu 5 And it came to passe that he sought God in the dayes of Zachariahu who had vnderstanding in the visions of God And as long as he sought the Lorde God made him to prosper 6 And he went to battaile against the Philistines and brake downe the wall of Geth and the wall of Iabne and the wall of Asdod built cities about Asdod and among the Philistines 7 And God holpe him against the Philistines and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gur baal and Hamehunim 8 And the Ammonites gaue tribute to Vzzia his name spread abrode euen to the entring in of Egypt for he played the man exceedingly 9 Moreouer Vzzia built towres in Hierusalem by the corner gate and by the valley gate and at the turning of the wall and made them strong 10 And he built towres in the wildernesse and digged many welles For he had much cattaile in the valleyes playnes plowmen and vinedressers in the mountaines and in Charmel for he loued husbandry 11 And Vzzia had an hoast of fighting men that went out to warre in the armie according to the number of their office vnder the hande of Ieiel the scribe and Maasiahu the ruler and vnder the hand of Hananiahu which was one of the kinges lordes 12 And the whole number of the auncient fathers and of the men of might were two thousand and sixe hundred 13 And vnder the hand of them was the armie of the men of warre euen three hundred and seuen thousand and fiue hundred that made warre with the power of an armie helping the king against the enemies 14 And Vzzia prouided them throughout all the hoast shieldes speares helmets haberginnes bowes and slinges for to cast stones 15 And he made subtyll engins in Hierusalem which he inuented and layed on the towres and corners to shoote arrowes and great stones withall And his name spread farre abrode because he had prepared to him selfe marueylous strength 16 But in his strength his heart arose to his destruction For he transgressed against the Lorde his God and went into the temple of the Lorde to burne incense vpon the aulter of incense 17 And Azariahu the priest went in after him and with him fourescore priestes of the Lorde that were valiaunt men 18 And they stoode by Vzzia the king and saide vnto him * It parteyneth not to thee Vzzia to burne incense vnto the Lorde but to the priestes the children of Aaron that are consecrated for to offer incense Come therfore out of the sanctuary for thou hast trespassed and it is no worship to thee before the Lorde God 19 And Vzzia was wroth had incense in his hande to burne it and so while he had indignation against the priestes the leprosie sprang in his forehead before the priestes in the house of the Lorde euen beside the incense aulter 20 And Azariahu the chiefe priest with al the other priestes loked vpon him and beholde he was become a leaper in his forehead and they vexed him thence and he was fayne to go out because the Lorde had smytten him 21 And Vzzia the king continued a leper vnto the day of his death dwelt seuerall in an house being a leper and shut out of the house of the Lorde and Iotham his sonne had the gouernauÌce of the kinges house and iudged the people of the lande 22 The rest of the acres of Vzzia first and last did Isai the prophete the sonne of Amos write 23 And so Vzzia slept with his fathers and they buried him with his fathers in the fielde of the buriall which was beside the sepulchres of the kinges for they saide he is a leper And Iotham his sonne raigned in his steade The .xxvij. Chapter 1 Iotham raigneth and ouercommeth the Ammonites 8 His raigne and death 6 Ahaz his sonne raigneth in his steade 1 IOtham was fiue and twentie yeres olde when he began to raigne and he raigned sixteene yeres in Hierusalem His mothers name also was Ierusa the daughter of Zadoc 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lorde in all poyntes
seuenth moneth 8 And when Hezekia and the lordes came and sawe the heapes they blessed the Lorde and his people Israel 9 And Hezekia questioned with the priestes and the Leuites concerning the heapes 10 And Azaria the chiefe priest of the house of Zadoc aunswered him and saide Since the people began to bryng the heaue offringes into the house of the Lorde we also haue had inough to eate there remayned so much for the Lorde hath blessed his people and this heape is left 11 And Hezekia bade prepare the chambers in the house of the Lord And they did prepare them 12 And caried in the first fruites the tithes and the dedicate thinges faithfully ouer which Chonaniahu the Leuite had the rule and Semei his brother next to him 13 And Iehiel Azariahu Nahath Asael Ierimoth Iosabad Eliel Iesmachiahu Mahath and Banaiahu were ouerseres ordayned by Chonaniahu Semei his brother was an officer of Hezekia the king Azariahu was the ruler of the house of God 14 And Core the sonne of Imna the Leuite and porter of the east doore had the ouersight of the thinges that were offered of a free wyll vnto God were geuen in maner seuerally vnto the lord and ouer the thinges most holy 15 And vnder his hand were Eden Miniamin Iesua Semeiahu Amariahu and Sechaniahu in the cities of the priestes appoynted of their fidelitie to geue to their brethren their portions aswell to the small as to the great 16 Beside their generation beyng males from three yeres old and vpwarde euen vnto euery one that entereth into the house of the Lord they should geue day by day for their ministration and for their geuing attendaunce and for their diuers waytinges by course 17 Both to the generation of the priestes and Leuites throughout the housholde of their fathers from twentie yeres and aboue to wayte when their courses came 18 And to the families of all their babes wyues sonnes and daughters through all the congregation For vpon the fidelitie of them were the holy thinges bestowed 19 And to the children of Aaron the priestes whiche were in the fieldes and suburbes of their cities citie by citie the men whose names were expressed afore shoulde geue portions euen to all the males among the priestes and to all the Leuites according to their number 20 And of this maner did Hezekia throughout all Iuda wrought it that is good and right and true before the Lorde his God 21 And in al the workes that he began for seruice of the house of God for the lawe for the commaundementes he sought his God and that did he with all his heart and prospered The .xxxii. Chapter 1 Sennacherib inuadeth Iuda 3 Hezekia prepareth for the warre 7 He exhorteth the people to put their trust in the Lorde 9 Sennacherib blasphemeth God 20 Hezekia prayeth 21 The angell destroyeth the Assyrians and the king is slayne 25 Hezekia is not thankefull toward the Lorde 33 His death 1 AFter that these deedes were faythfully done Sennacherib king of the Assyrians came and entred into Iuda compassed the strong cities and thought to winne them for him selfe 2 And so when Hezekia sawe that Sennacherib was come and that he was purposed to fight against Hierusalem 3 He toke counsell with his lordes and men of might to stop the water of the fountaynes without the citie And they dyd helpe him 4 For there gathered many of the people together and stopt all the welles and the broke that ran through the middes of the land saying Why shall the kinges of the Assyrians come and finde much water 5 And Hezekia went to lustyly and buylt vp the wall where it was broken and made ordinaunce vpon the towres and to the other wall without and repaired Millo in the citie of Dauid and made many dartes and shieldes 6 And he set captaynes of warre ouer the people and gathered them together to him in the large streete of the gate of the citie and spake gentylly to them saying 7 Plucke vp your heartes and be strong be not afrayde nor discouraged for the king of the Assyrians for all the multitude that he hath with hym for there be mo with vs then with hym 8 With him is an arme of flesh but with vs is the Lord our God for to helpe vs and to fight our battayles And the people toke a courage through the wordes of Hezekia king of Iuda 9 After this did Sennacherib king of the Assyrians send of his seruauntes to Hierusalem but he him selfe remayned beside Lachis hauing all his power with him vnto Hezekia king of Iuda and vnto all Iuda that were at Hierusalem saying 10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of the Assyrians wherin do ye trust O ye that dwell in Hierusalem which is besieged 11 Doth not Hezekia entice you to geue ouer your selues vnto death hunger and thirst saying The Lord our God shall ryd vs out of the hand of the king of the Assyrians 12 Hath not the same Hezekia put downe his hye places and his aulters commaunded Iuda and Hierusalem saying Ye shall worship before one aulter and burne incense vpon the same 13 Knowe ye not what I and my fathers haue done vnto the people of all landes Were the gods of the people of other landes able or mightie to saue their landes out of my hande 14 Which of all the gods of those nations that my fathers destroyed could deliuer his people out of my hande And shall your God be able to deliuer you out of my hande 15 Wherfore nowe let not Hezekia deceaue you nor persuade you of this fassion nor yet beleue him For as no god among all nations and kingdomes was able to rid his people out of my hand and out of the hand of my fathers Howe much lesse shall your gods be able to kepe you out of my hande 16 And yet mo thinges did his seruauntes speake against the Lorde God and against his seruaunt Hezekia 17 And Sennacherib also wrote a letter to rayle on the Lord God of Israel and spake against him saying As the gods of the nations of other landes haue not ben able to deliuer their people out of my hande euen so shal not the God of Hezekia deliuer his people out of my hande 18 And they cried with a loude voyce in the Iewes speach vnto the people of Hierusalem that were on the wall to feare them and to make them faynt hearted and that they might so take the citie 19 And they spake against the God of Hierusalem as against the gods of the nations of the earth whiche were the workes of the handes of men 20 But Hezekia the king and the prophet Esai the sonne of Amos prayed against that blasphemie and cried vp to heauen 21 And the Lord sent an angel which destroyed all the men of warre and the lordes and captaynes of the hoast of the king of the Assyrians that he turned his face
of their brethren the priestes and Leuites and all they that were come out of the captiuitie vnto Hierusalem and appoynted the Leuites from twentie yeres olde and aboue to see that the worke of the house of the Lorde went forwarde 9 And Iesua stoode with his sonnes and brethren and Cadmiel with his sonnes the children of Iuda together to set forwarde the workmen of the house of God euen the childreÌ of Henadad with their children and their brethren the Leuites 10 And when the builders layed the foundation of the temple of the Lorde they appoynted the priestes in their araye with trumpettes and the Leuites the children of Asaph with cymbales to prayse the Lorde after the maner of Dauid king of Israel 11 And they sang together when they gaue prayse and thankes vnto the lorde Because he is gracious and because his mercie endureth for euer vpon Israel And all the people showted loude in praysing the Lorde because the foundation of the house of the Lord was layd 12 Many also of the priestes Leuites and chiefe fathers and auncient men which had seene the first house when the foundation was layde before their eyes wept with a loude voyce and many showted aloude with ioy 13 So that the people coulde not discerne the ioyfull sounde gladnesse from the noyse of the weeping among the people for the people showted with a loude crye and the noyse was heard farre of The .iiij. Chapter 2 The building of the temple is hindred and how 11 Letters to Artaxerxes and the aunswere 1 BVt the aduersaries of Iuda and Beniamin heard that the children of the captiuitie builded the temple vnto the Lorde God of Israel 2 And they came to Zorobabel and to the principall fathers and saide vnto them We wyll builde with you for we seeke the Lorde your God as ye do and we haue done sacrifice vnto him since the time of Asor Hadon the king of Assur which brought vs vp hither 3 And Zorobabel and Iesua and the other auncient fathers of Israel sayde vnto them It can not be that you and we together shoulde builde the house vnto our God for we our selues wyll builde alone vnto the Lorde our God of Israel as Cyrus the king of Persia hath commaunded vs. 4 And it came to passe that the folke of the lande discouraged the people of Iuda troubled them as they were building 5 And hyred counsellers against them to hinder their deuice as long as Cyrus the king of Persia liued vntil the raigne of Darius king of Persia 6 And in the raigne of Ahasuerus euen at the beginning of his raigne wrote they vnto him a complaynt against the inhabiters of Iuda and Hierusalem 7 And in the dayes of Artaxerxes wrote Mithridath Tabel and the other of his counsell vnto Artaxerxes the king of Persia with faire wordes And the writing of the letter was in the Syrians speache and interpreted in the language of the Syrians 8 Rehum the recorder and Samsai the scribe wrote a letter from Hierusalem to Artaxerxes the king as it foloweth 9 Then Rehum the recorder and Samsai the scribe and other of their company they of Dina of Apharsath of Tharpelai of Persia of Arache of Babylon of Susan of Deha of Elan 10 And other of the people whom the great noble Asnappar brought ouer and set in the cities of Samaria and other that are nowe beyond the water and Cheeneth 11 This is the copie of the letter that they sent vnto king Artaxerxes Thy seruauntes and the men that are nowe âeyond the water and Cheeneth 12 Be it knowen vnto the king that the Iewes which came vp from thee to vs are come vnto Hierusalem a citie seditious and froward and builde the same and set vp the walles thereof and lay the foundations 13 Be it knowen now vnto the king that if this citie be builded and the walles made vp againe then shal not they geue toule tribute and custome the kinges profite shall incurre damage 14 And now in the meane season we haue destroyed the temple and woulde no longer see the kinges dishonour therefore sent we out also and certified the king 15 That it may be sought in the booke of the cronicles of thy progenitours and so shalt thou finde in the booke of the cronicles and perceaue that this citie is seditious and noysome vnto the kinges and landes and that they cause other also among them to rebell of olde and for the same cause was this citie destroyed 16 Therfore do we certifie the king that if this citie be builded againe and the walles thereof made vp thou shalt hereafter haue no portion beyond the water 17 Then sent the king an aunswere vnto Rehum the recorder and Samsai the scribe and to the other of their companions that dwell in Samaria and vnto the other that were beyond the water in Selam and Cheeth 18 The letter which ye sent vnto vs hath ben openly read before me 19 And I haue commaunded to make searche and it is found that this citie of olde hath made insurrection against kinges and that rebellion and sedition hath ben committed therein 20 There haue ben mightie kinges also at Hierusalem which haue raigned ouer all countreys beyond the water and toule tribute and custome was geuen vnto them 21 Geue ye nowe therefore commaundement that the same men be forbidden and that the citie be not builded againe till I haue geuen another commaundement 22 Take heede now that ye be not negligent to do this for why should the king haue harme there through 23 Nowe when the copie of king Artaxerxes letter was read before Rehum Simsai the scribe and their companyons they went vp in all the haste to Hierusalem vnto the Iewes and forbad them with violence and power 24 Then ceassed the worke of the house of God at Hierusalem and continued so vnto the second yere of Darius king of Persia ¶ The .v. Chapter 1 Aggeus and Zachari do prophecie 3 The worke of the temple goeth forward contrary to the minde of Thathanai 6 His letters to Darius 1 THe prophetes Aggeus and Zachari the sonne of Iddo prophecied vnto the Iewes that were in Iuda and Hierusalem in the name of the God of Israel eueÌ vnto them 2 Then gat vp Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel and Iesua the sonne of Iosedec and began to builde the house of God at Hierusalem and with them were the prophetes of God which helped them 3 At the same time came to them Thathanai which was captaine beyond the water and Stharbuzanai and their companions and saide thus vnto them Who hath commaunded you to builde this house to make vp these walles 4 Then saide we vnto them after this maner What are the names of the men that make this building 5 But the eye of their God was vpon the elders of the Iewes that they could not cause them to ceasse till
handes in the worke of the house of God euen the God of Israel The .vij. Chapter 1 By the commaundement of the king Esdras and his companions come to Hierusalem 27 He geueth thankes to God 1 AFter these thinges ther was in the raigne of Artaxerxes king of Persia one Esdras the sonne of Saraia the sonne of Asaria the sonne of Helkia 2 The sonne of Sallum the sonne of Zadoc the sonne of Ahitob 3 The sonne of Amaria the sonne of Asaria the sonne of Meraioth 4 The sonne of Zeraia the sonne of Vzzi the sonne of Bucci 5 The sonne of Abisua the sonne of Phinehes the sonne of Eleasar the sonne of Aaron the chiefe priest 6 This Esdras also went vp from Babylon and was a perfect scribe in the law of Moyses which the Lorde God of Israel did geue And the king gaue him al that he required according to the hand of the Lorde his God which was vpon him 7 And there went vp certaine of the children of Israel of the priestes leuites singers porters and of the Nethinims vnto Hierusalem in the seuenth yere of king Artaxerxes 8 And he came to Hierusalem in the fifth moneth euen in the seuenth yere of the king 9 For vpon the first day of the first moneth began he to go vp from Babylon and on the first day of the fifth moneth came he to Hierusalem according to the good hand of his God that was vpon him 10 For Esdras prepared his heart to seeke the law of the Lorde and to do it and to teache the preceptes and iudgementes in Israel 11 And this is the copie of the letter that king Artaxerxes gaue vnto Esdras the priest and scribe which was a writer of the wordes and commaundementes of the Lorde and of his statutes ouer Israel 12 Artaxerxes a king of kinges vnto Esdras the priest and scribe of the law of the God of heauen peace and salutation 13 I haue commaunded that all they of the people of Israel and of the priestes and Leuites in my realme which are minded of their owne good wyll to go vp to Hierusalem go with thee 14 And therfore art thou sent of the king and of his seuen counsailers to visite Iuda and Hierusalem according to the law of thy God which is in thy hande 15 And that thou shouldest take with thee siluer and golde which the king and his counsailers offer of their owne good wyll vnto the God of Israel whose habitation is at Hierusalem 16 And all the siluer and golde that thou canst finde in al the countrey of Babylon with it that the people offer of their owne good wyll and the priestes geue wyllingly for the house of their God which is at Hierusalem 17 That thou mayst bye diligently with the same money oxen rammes and lambes with their meate offringes and drinke offringes thou shalt offer them vpon the aulter of the house of your God which is at Hierusalem 18 And looke what lyketh thee and thy brethren to do with the remnaunt of the siluer and golde that do after the wyll of your God 19 And the vessels that are geuen thee for the ministration in the house of thy God those deliuer thou before God at Hierusalem 20 And whatsoeuer thing more shal be nedefull for the house of thy God which is necessary for to spend thou shalt receaue the charges out of the kinges treasure house 21 I king Artaxerxes haue commaunded all the treasures beyond the water that loke what soeuer Esdras the priest and scribe in the law of the God of heauen requireth of you that ye fulfill the same speedylie 22 Vntill an hundred talentes of siluer and till an hundred quarters of wheate and till an hundred battes of wine and till an hundred battes of oyle salt without measure 23 Whatsoeuer also is by the commaundement of the God of heauen let the same be done without any delay for the house of the God of heauen that he be not wroth against the realme against the king and his children 24 And we certifie you that ye haue no aucthoritie to require taxing and custome and yerely rentes vpon any of the priestes leuites singers porters Nethinims and ministers in the house of his God 25 And thou Esdras after the wysdome of thy God that is in thyne hande set iudges and arbitrers by my aucthoritie to iudge all the people that is beyond the water euen all such as know the law of thy God and them that knowe it not those see that ye teache 26 And whosoeuer wyll not fulfill the lawe of thy God and the kinges lawe let him haue his iudgement without delay whether it be vnto death or to be rooted out or to be condempned in goodes or to be put in prison 27 Blessed be the Lorde God of our fathers which so had inspired the kinges heart to garnishe the house of the Lord that is at Hierusalem 28 And hath enclined mercie vnto me in the presence of the king and his counsailers and before all the kinges high estates And I was comforted euen as the hande of the Lord my God was vpon me and so gathered I the heades of Israel together that they might go vp with me ¶ The .viii. Chapter 1 The number of them that returned to Hierusalem with Esdras 21 He causeth them to fast 24 He admonisheth the priestes of their duetie 1 THese are now the principall fathers of them and this is the register of them that went vp with me from Babylon what time as king Artaxerxes raigned 2 Of the children of Phinehes Gersom of the children of Ithamar Daniel of the children of Dauid Hattus 3 Of the children of Zechania among the children of Pharos Zachari with him were numbred an hundred and fiftie men 4 Of the childreÌ of the captaine of Moab Elioenai the sonne of Zerahia with him two hundred men 5 Of the children of Zechania the sonne of Iahasiel and with him three hundred men 6 Of the children of Adin Abed the sonne of Ionathan and with hym fiftie men 7 Of the children of Elam Isai the sonne of Athalia and with hym seuentie men 8 Of the children of Saphatia Zebadia the sonne of Michael and with hym fourescore men 9 Of the children of Ioab Obadia the sonne of Iehiel and with him two hundred and eyghteene men 10 Of the children of Selomith the sonne of Iosephia and with hym an hundred and threescore men 11 Of the children of Bebai Zachari the sonne of Bebai and with hym twentie and eyght men 12 Of the children of Asgad Iohanan the sonne of Hakatan and with hym an hundred and ten men 13 Of the children of Adonicam that were the last whose names are these Eliphelet Iehiel and Samaiah with them threescore men 14 Of the children of Biguai Vthai and Zabud with them seuentie men 15 And I gathered them together by the water that runneth towarde Ahaua and there abode
we three dayes And I loked among the people and the priestes and founde there none of the children of Leui. 16 Then sent I to Eliezer to Ariel Semeia Elnachan Iarib Elnathan Nathan Zacharia and to Mesullam the rulers and to Ioiarib and Elnathan which were men of vnderstanding 17 And to those gaue I commaundement vnto Iddo the chiefest at Casphia and I told them what they should say vnto Iddo to his brethren the Nethinims at Casphia that they shoulde cause the ministers of the house of our God to come vnto vs. 18 And through the good hande of our God vpon vs they brought vs a very wyse man from among the children of Moholi the sonne of Leui the sonne of Israel and Sarabia with his sonnes and his brethren euen eyghteene 19 And Hasabia and with him Isai of the children of Merari with his brethren and their sonnes twentie 20 And of the Nethinims whom Dauid and the princes gaue to minister vnto the Leuites two hundred and twentie of Nethinims which al were named by name 21 And euen there at the water beside Ahaua I proclaymed a fast that we might humble our selues before our God and seke of hym a right way for vs and for our children and for all our substaunce 22 For I was ashamed to require of the king souldiers and horsemen to helpe vs against the enemie in the way for we had spoken vnto the king saying The hande of our God is vpon all them that seke him in goodnesse his power and wrath is against all them that forsake hym 23 So we fasted and besought our God for this and he was entreated of vs. 24 And I toke out twelue of the chiefe priestes Sarabia and Hasabia and ten of their brethren with them 25 And wayed them the siluer and golde and vessels that were appoynted for the house of our God whiche the king and his consaylers and his lordes and al Israel that were there at hand had geuen together 26 And I wayed vnto their hande sixe hundred and fiftie talentes of siluer and in siluer vessels an hundred talentes and in golde an hundred talentes 27 Twentie basons of gold of a thousand drammes and two costly vessels of good brasse as cleare as golde 28 And I sayde vnto them Ye are consecrate vnto the Lord like as the vessels are holy also and the gold and siluer are geuen of a good wil vnto the Lord God of your fathers 29 Watch ye and kepe them for ye shall way them downe before the chiefe priestes and Leuites and auncient fathers of Israel at Hierusalem in the treasuries of the house of the Lorde 30 Then toke the priestes and Leuites the wayed siluer and golde and vessels to bring it to Hierusalem vnto the house of our God 31 And we brake vp from the water of Ahaua on the twelfth day of the first moneth to go vnto Hierusalem and the hande of our God was vpon vs and deliuered vs from the hande of the enemies and of such as layed wayte for vs by the way 32 And we came to Hierusalem and abode there three dayes 33 But on the fourth day was the siluer and gold and vessels wayed in the house of our God by the hande of Meremoth the sonne of Vria the priest and with him was Eleazar the sonne of Phinehes and with them was Iosabad the sonne of Iesua and Noadia the sonne of Bennoi the Leuites 34 According to the number and weyght of euery one was the wayght all written vp at the same time 35 And the children of the captiuitie which were come out of captiuitie offred burnt offringes vnto the God of Israel twelue bullockes for all Israel ninetie and sixe rammes seuentie and seuen lambes twelue hee goates for sinne offering all to the burnt offering of the Lorde 36 And they deliuered the kinges commission vnto the kinges officers and to the captaynes that were beyonde the water And they promoted the people and the house of God The .ix. Chapter 1 Esdras complayneth on the people that had turned them selues from God and maried with the gentiles 5 He prayeth vnto God 1 WHen these thinges were done the rulers came to me and sayde The people of Israel and the priestes Leuites are not separated from the people of the landes as touching their abhominations namely of the Chanaanites Hethites Pherezites Iebusites Ammonites Moabites Egyptians and Amorites 2 For they haue taken the daughters of the same to them selues and to their sonnes and the holy seede is mixed with the nations of the landes the hand of the princes and rulers hath ben principall in the trespasse 3 And when I heard this saying I rent my clothes and my garment pluckt of the heere of my head of my beard and sate mourning 4 And there resorted vnto me all such as feared the wordes of the God of Israel because of the transgression of the people of the captiuitie And I sat mourning vntill the euening sacrifice 5 And about the euening sacrifice I arose vp from my heauinesse and rent my clothes and my rayment and fell vpon my knees and spread out my handes vnto the Lorde my God 6 And sayde My God I am ashamed and dare not lift vp myne eyes vnto thee my God for our wickednesses are growen ouer our head and our trespasse is waxed great vnto the heauen 7 Since the time of our fathers haue we ben in great trespasse vnto this day and because of our wickednesses haue we and our kinges and our priestes ben deliuered into the hande of the kinges of the nations vnto the sworde into captiuitie into a spoyle and into confusion of face as it is to see this day 8 And nowe for a litle space grace hath ben shewed from the Lorde our God in causing a remnaunt to escape and in geuing vs a nayle in his holy place that our God may light our eyes and geue vs a litle lyfe to take breath in our bondage 9 For we were bondmen and yet our God hath not forsaken vs in our bondage but hath enclined mercie vnto vs in the sight of the king of Persia to geue vs lyfe to set vp the house of our God and to redresse the desolation therof and to geue vs a wall in Iuda and Hierusalem 10 And nowe O our God what shall we say after this for we haue forsaken thy commaundementes 11 Whiche thou hast commaunded by thy seruauntes the prophetes saying The lande vnto which ye go to possesse it is an vncleane lande because of the filthinesse of the people of the landes whiche with their abhominations haue made it full of vncleannesse on euery syde 12 Therfore shal ye not geue your daughters vnto their sonnes and their daughters shall ye not take vnto your sonnes nor seke their peace and wealth for euer that ye may be strong and enioy the goodnesse of the lande and that ye and your children may haue
haste and take as thou hast saide the rayment and the horse and do euen so vnto Mardocheus the Iewe that sitteth before the kinges gate and let nothing faile of all that thou hast spoken 11 Then toke Haman the rayment and the horse and arayed Mardocheus and brought him on horsebacke through the streete of the citie and proclaymed before him Euen this shall it be done vnto the man whom the king is disposed to honour 12 And Mardocheus came againe to the kinges gate but Haman gat him home in all the haste mourning and his head couered 13 And tolde Zares his wyfe and all his friendes euery thing that had befallen him Then saide his wise men and Zares his wyfe vnto him If it be Mardocheus of the seede of the Iewes before whoÌ thou hast begun to fall thou shalt not preuaile against him but shalt surely fall before him 14 And whyle they were yet talking with him came the kinges chamberlaynes caused Haman to make hast to come vnto the banket that Esther had prepared ¶ The .vij. Chapter â The queene biddeth the king and Haman againe and prayeth for her selfe and her people 6 She accuseth Haman and he is hanged on the galous which he had prepared for Mardocheus 1 AND the king and Haman came to bancket with the queene Esther 2 And the king saide againe vnto Esther on the seconde day at the bancket of wine What is thy petition queene Esther that it may be geuen thee And what requirest thou if it be euen to the halfe of the empire it shal be done 3 And Esther the queene aunswered and saide If I haue found grace in thy sight O king and if it please the king then graunt me my lyfe at my desire and my people for my petitions sake 4 For we are solde I and my people to be destroyed to be slaine and to perishe And would God that we were solde to be bondmen and bondwomen then would I holde my tongue although the enemie coulde not recompence the kinges losse 5 The king Ahasuerus aunswered and saide vnto queene Esther Who is he And where is he that dare presume in his minde to do after that maner 6 And Esther saide the enemie and aduersarie is this wicked Haman Then Haman was exceedingly afrayde before the king and the queene 7 And the king arose from the bancket and from the wine in his displeasure and went into the palace garden And Haman stoode vp and besought queene Esther for his lyfe for he saw that there was a mischiefe prepared for him of the king alreadie 8 And when the king came againe out of the palace gardeÌ into the place where they dranke wine Haman had layde him vpon the bed that Esther sate vpon Then saide the king wil he force the queene also before me in the house As soone as that worde went out of the kinges mouth they couered Hamans face 9 And Harbona one of the chamberlaynes that stoode before the king saidâ Beholde there standeth yet a galous in Hamans house fiftie cubites hye which he had made for Mardocheus that spake good for the king Then the king saide Hang him thereon 10 So they hanged Haman on the galous that he had made for Mardocheus Then was the kinges wrath pacified ¶ The .viii. Chapter 1 After the death of Haman was Mardocheus exalted 14 Comfortable letters are sent vnto the Iewes 1 THe same day did king Ahasuerus geue the house of Haman the Iewes enemie vnto queene Esther and Mardocheus came before the king for Esther tolde what he was vnto her 2 And the king toke of his ring which he had taken from Haman and gaue it vnto Mardocheus And Esther sette Mardocheus ouer the house of Haman 3 And Esther spake yet more before the king and fel downe at his feete weping and besought him that he would put away the wickednesse of Haman the Agagite and his deuice that he had imagined against the Iewes 4 And the king held out the golden scepter toward Esther Then rose Esther and stode before the king 5 And saide if it please the king and if I haue founde grace in his sight and if it be acceptable before the king and I please him then let it be writteÌ that the letters of the deuise of Haman the sonne of Hamadatha the Agagite may be called againe which letters he wrote to destroy the Iewes which are in all the kinges prouinces 6 For how can I suffer and see the euill that shall come vnto my people or how can I beare and loke vpon the destruction of my kindred 7 And the king Ahasuerus saide vnto queene Esther and to Mardocheus the Iewe Beholde I haue geuen Esther the house of Haman whom they haue hanged vpon a tree because he layde hand vpon the Iewes 8 Write ye also for the Iewes as it lyketh you in the kinges name and seale it with the kinges ring For the writinges that were written in the kinges name and sealed with the kinges ring durst no man disanul 9 Then were the kinges scribes called at the same time euen in the thirde moneth that is the moneth Swan on the three and twentie day thereof and it was written according to all as Mardocheus commauÌded vnto the Iewes and to the princes to the debuties and captaynes in the prouinces which are from India vnto Ethiopia namely an hundred twentie and seuen prouinces vnto euery prouince according to the writing thereof and vnto euery people after their speach and to the Iewes according to their writing and language 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus name sealed it with the kinges ring and by postes that rode vpon horses and swyft young Mules sent he the writinges 11 Wherin the king graunted the Iewes in what cities soeuer they were to gather themselues together and to stand for their lyfe and for to roote out to slay and to destroy all the power of the people and prouince that woulde trouble them both children and women and to spoyle their goodes 12 Vpon one day in all the prouinces of king Ahasuerus namely vpon the thirteenth day of the twelfth moneth which is the moneth Adar 13 The summe of the writing was how there shoulde be a commaundement geuen in all and euery prouince and published among all people and that the Iewes should be redy against that day to auenge them selues on their enemies 14 And so the postes that rode vpon the swyft Horses and Mules made haste with all speede to execute the kinges word and the commaundement was deuised in Susan the chiefe citie 15 And Mardocheus went out from the king in royall apparell of yelowe and white with a great crowne of golde being arayed with a garment of silke and purple and the citie of Susan reioysed and was glad 16 And vnto the Iewes there was come light and gladnesse ioy and worship 17 In all prouinces and cities into what places soeuer the kinges word and commaundement
reached there was ioy and mirth a feaste and good dayes among the Iewes insomuch that many of the people in y e lande became Iewes for the feare of the Iewes came vpon them The .ix. Chapter 1 At the commaundement of the king the Iewes put their aduersaries to death 14 The ten sonnes of Haman are hanged 17 The Iewes kepe a feaste in remembraunce of their deliueraunce 1 IN the twelfth moneth that is the moneth Adar vpoÌ the thirteenth day of the same when the kinges worde and commaundement drue neare to be put in execution in the day that the enemies of the Iewes hoped to haue power ouer theÌ it turned contrary for the Iewes had rule ouer them that hated them 2 For then gathered the Iewes together in their cities within all the prouinces of king Ahasuerus to lay hande on such as woulde do them euill and no man could withstand them for the feare of them was come ouer all people 3 And all the rulers in the prouinces and princes and deputies and officers of the king promoted the Iewes for the feare of Mardocheus came vpon them 4 For Mardocheus was great in the kinges house the reporte of him was noysed in all the prouinces for this man Mardocheus waxed greater and greater 5 Thus the Iewes smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword and slaughter and destruction did what they would vnto their enemies 6 And at Susan the chiefe citie slue the Iewes destroyed fiue hundred men 7 And slue Pharsandatha Dalphon Asphatha 8 Phoratha Adalia Aridatha 9 Pharmastha Arisai Aridai and Vaizatha 10 The ten sonnes of Haman the sonne of Hamadata the enemie of the Iewes but on his goodes they layed no handes 11 At the same time was the king certified of the number of those that were slaine in the citie of Susan 12 And the king saide vnto queene Esther The Iewes haue slaine and destroyed fiue hundred men in the citie of Susan and the ten sonnes of Haman What haue they done thinkest thou in other landes of the king And what is thy petition that it may be geuen thee or what requirest thou more to be done 13 Esther aunswered If it please the king let him suffer the Iewes which are in Susan to morow also to do according vnto this dayes decree that they may hang Hamans ten sonnes vpon the tree 14 And the king charged to do so and the decree was deuised at Susan and they hanged Hamans ten sonnes 15 For the Iewes that were in Susan gathered them selues together vpon the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar and slue three hundred men at Susan but on their goodes they layed no handes 16 As for the other Iewes that were in the kinges prouinces they came together and stoode for their liues had rest from their enemies slue of their enemies seuentie and fiue thousand howbeit they layed no handes on their goodes 17 This they did on the thirteenth day of the moneth Adar on the fourteenth day of the same moneth rested they which day they held with feasting and gladnesse 18 But the Iewes that were at Susan came together both on the thirteenth day and on the fourteenth and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested and held that day with feasting gladnesse 19 And therefore the Iewes that dwelt in the villages and vnwalled townes held the fourteenth day of the moneth Adar with gladnesse and feasting and kept holy day and euery one sent preasentes vnto his neighbour 20 And Mardocheus wrote these wordes and sent letters vnto all the Iewes that were in all the prouinces of king Ahasuerus both nie and farre 21 That they should make a lawe among theÌ selues holde the fourteenth fifteenth day of the moneth Adar yerely 22 As the dayes wherein the Iewes came to rest from their enemies and as a moneth wherein their paine was turned to ioy and their sorowe into a ioyful day and that in those dayes they should make feastes and gladnesse and one to send giftes vnto another and to distribute vnto the poore 23 And the Iewes promised to do as they had begunne and as Mardocheus had written vnto them 24 Because Haman the sonne of Hamadatha the Agagite all the Iewes enemie had deuised against the Iewes how he might destroy them and caused to cast Phur that is a lot for to consume them to bring them to naught 25 But when Esther came before the king he commaunded by letters that his wicked deuice which he imagined against the Iewes should be turned vpon his owne head and that he and his sonnes should be hanged on the tree 26 For the which cause they called these dayes Phurim because of the name of the lot and because of all the wordes of this writing and what they themselues had seene what had come vnto them 27 And the Iewes ordayned and toke it vpon them and their seede and vpon all such as ioyned them selues vnto them that they would not misse but obserue these two dayes yerely according as they were written and appoynted in their season 28 And that these dayes are to be remembred and to be kept of childers children among al kinredes in all landes and cities In these dayes of Phurim which are not to be ouerslipt among y e Iewes and the memoriall of them ought not to perishe from their seede 29 And queene Esther the daughter of Abihail Mardocheus the Iewe wrote with all aucthoritie to confirme this second writing of Phurim 30 And he sent the letters vnto all the Iewes to the hundred twentie and seuen prouinces of the empire of Ahasuerus with wordes of peace and trueth 31 To confirme these dayes of Phurim in their time appoynted according as Mardocheus the Iewe and Esther the queene had appoââted them and they bound their soule and their seede to fasting and prayer 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these wordes of Phurim and was written in the booke 33 And the king Ahasuerus layed tribute vpon the land vpon the iles of the sea 34 And all the actes of his power and of his might the declaration of the dignitie of Mardocheus wherwith the king magnified him be they not written in the bookes of y e chronicles of the kinges of Medes and Persia 35 For Mardocheus the Iewe was the second next vnto king Ahasuerus and great among the Iewes and accepted among the multitude of his brethren as one that seeketh the wealth of his people and speaketh peaceably for all his seede ⧠The ende of the booke of Esther ⧠The booke of Iob. The first Chapter 1 The holines riches and care of Iob for his children 11 Satan hath permission to tempt him 13 He tempteth him by taking away his substaunce and his children 20 His faith and patience 1 IN the lande of * Hus there was a man whose name was Iob the same was a perfect and iust man one that feared
saye no more yea twyse but I wyl proceede no further 6 Then aunswered the Lorde vnto Iob out of the whirle winde and saide 7 Girde vp thy loynes now lyke a man I wyll demaunde of thee and make thou aunswere 8 Wylt thou disanul my iudgement or wylt thou condempne me that thou mayst be righteous 9 Is thy power then lyke the power of God maketh thy voyce a sounde as his doth 10 Decke thy selfe now with excellencie and maiestie and araye thy selfe with beautie and glory 11 Cast abrode the indignation of thy wrath and beholde euery one that is proude and abase him 12 Loke on euery one that is arrogant and bring him lowe destroy the wicked in their place 13 Hide them in the dust together and couer their faces in secrete 14 Then wyll I confesse vnto thee also that thyne owne right hande shall saue thee 15 Beholde the beaste Behemoth whoÌ I made with thee which eateth haye as an ore 16 Lo how his strength is in his loynes and what power he hath in the nauil of his body 17 When he wyll he spreadeth out his tayle lyke a Cedar tree all his sinowes are stiffe 18 His bones are lyke pipes of brasse yea his bones are lyke staues of iron 19 He is the chiefe of the wayes of God he that made him wyl make his sword to approche vnto him 20 Surely the mountaines bring him foorth grasse where all the beastes of the fielde take their pastime 21 He resteth him in the shade in the couerte of the reede and fennes 22 The trees couer him with their shadowe and the wyllowes of the brooke compasse him about 23 Beholde he drinketh vp whole ryuers and feareth not he thinketh that he can drawe vp Iordane into his mouth 24 He taketh it with his eyes and yet the hunter putteth a bridle into his nose 25 Canst thou drawe out Leuiathan with an hooke or binde his tongue with a corde 26 Canst thou put a hooke in the nose of him or bore his iawe through with a naule 27 Wyl he make many faire wordes with thee thinkest thou or flatter thee 28 Wyll he make a couenaunt with thee or wilt thou take him for a seruaunt for euer 29 Wylt thou take thy pastime with him as with a birde wilt thou binde him for thy maydens 30 That thy companions may make a refection of him or shall he be parted among the marchauntes 31 Canst thou fil the basket with his skin or the fishe panier with his head 32 Laye thyne hande vpon him remember the battaile and do no more so 33 Beholde his hope is in vaine for shall not one perishe euen at the sight of him ¶ The .xli. Chapter 1 By the greatnesse of this monster Leuiathan God sheweth his greatnes and his power which nothing can resist 1 NO man is fo fierce that dare stirre him vp Who is able to stande before me 2 Or who hath geuen me any thyng aforehande that I may rewarde him againe All thinges vnder heauen are myne 3 I wyll not keepe secrete his great strength his power nor his comely proportion 4 Who can discouer the face of his garment or who shall come to him with a double brydle 5 Who shall open the doores of his face for he hath horrible teeth round about 6 His scales are as it were strong shieldes so fastened together as if they were sealed 7 One is so ioyned to another that no ayre can come in 8 Yea one hangeth so vpon another sticketh so together that they can not be sundred 9 His neesinges make a glistering like fyre and his eyes lyke the morning shine 10 Out of his mouth go torches and sparkes of fire leape out 11 And out of his nostrels there goeth a smoke lyke as out of an hotte seething pot or caldron 12 His breath maketh the coles burne and the flambe goeth out of his mouth 13 In his necke ther remaineth strength and nothing is to labourous for him 14 The members of his body are ioyned so strait one to another and cleaue so fast together that he cannot be moued 15 His heart is as hard as a stone and as fast as the stythie that the smyth smiteth vpon 16 When he goeth the mightie are afraide and feare troubleth them 17 If any man drawe out a sword at him it shall not hurt him there may neither speare iaueling nor brestplate abide him 18 He setteth asmuch by iron as by a strawe and asmuch by brasse as by a rotten sticke 19 He starteth not away from him that bendeth the bowe as for sling stones he careth asmuch for stouble as for theÌ 20 He counteth the dartes no better then a strawe he laugheth him to scorne that shaketh the speare 21 Sharpe stones are vnder him lyke potsheardes and he lyeth vpon sharpe thinges as vpon the soft myre 22 He maketh the deepe to boyle lyke a pot and stirreth the sea together lyke an oyntment 23 He maketh the path to be seene after him and he maketh the deepe to seeme all hoarie 24 Vpon earth there is no power lyke vnto his for he is so made that he feareth not 25 He beholdeth all the hye thinges he is a king ouer all the children of pride ⧠The .xlij. Chapter 6 The repentaunce of Iob. 9 He prayeth for his friendes 12 and his goodes are restored double vnto him 1 THen Iob aunswered the Lord and saide 2 I know that thou hast power ouer all thinges and that there is no thought hid vnto thee 3 For who can keepe his owne counsaile so secrete but it shal be knowen Therefore haue I spoken that I vnderstoode not euen the thinges that are to wonderfull for me and passe myne vnderstanding 4 O hearken thou vnto me also and let me speake aunswere vnto the thing that I wyll aske thee 5 I haue heard of thee by the hearing of the eare but nowe myne eye seeth thee 6 Wherefore I geue myne owne selfe the blame and take repentaunce in the dust and asshes 7 Now when the Lorde had spoken these wordes vnto Iob it came to passe that the Lorde saide to Eliphas the Themanite I am displeased with thee and thy two friendes for ye haue not spoken of me the thyng that is right lyke as my seruaunt Iob hath done 8 Therefore take you now seuen oxen and seuen rammes and go to my seruaunt Iob and offer vp for your selues a burnt offring and my seruaunt Iob shall pray for you him wyll I accept and not deale with you after your foolishnesse in that ye haue not spoken of me the thing which is right lyke as my seruaunt Iob hath done 9 So Eliphas the Themanite and Bildad the Suhite and Sophar the Naamathite went and did according as the Lorde commaunded them the Lorde also accepted the person of Iob 10
stande out for fatnesse and the cogitations of their heartes do passe from them 8 They make other dissolute they speake oppression with iniurie they talke proudely and presumptuously 9 For they stretch foorth their mouth vnto the heauen and their tongue goeth through the worlde 10 Therfore God his people turneth thither and there is drawen vnto them waters in a full cuppe 11 And they say howe shoulde God perceaue it is there knowledge in the most hyghest 12 Lo these vngodly and fortunate in the worlde do possesse riches 13 Truely I haue cleansed my heart in vayne and wasshed my handes in innocencie 14 All the day long I haue ben scourged and chastened euery mornyng 15 If I shoulde say that I woulde iudge after this sort lo then I shoulde condempne the generation of thy children 16 Therfore I considered howe I might vnderstande this but it was to paynefull in myne eyes 17 Vntyll I went vnto the sanctuarie of God and vnderstood the ende of them 18 Truely thou doest set them in slippery places and castest them downe headlong for to be destroyed 19 Oh howe be they brought to a destruction euen vpon a sodayne they faynt they consume away for very dread 20 They be as a dreame to a man after he is once waked O Lorde thou wylt cause their image to be dispised in the citie 21 Veryly thus was my heart inflamed thus was my reynes pricked 22 So foolishe was I and voyde of vnderstanding I was euen a bruite beast before thee 23 Neuerthelesse I am alway with thee for thou hast holden me by my ryght hande 24 Thou hast guyde me with thy counsayle and after that thou receauedst me with glorie 25 Whom haue I in heauen but thee and there is none vpon earth that I desire besides thee 26 My fleshe and my heart fayleth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for euer 27 For lo they that kepe them selues a loofe from thee shall perishe thou destroyest euery one that committeth fornication agaynst thee 28 But it is good for me to come neare vnto God wherfore I put my trust in thee O Lorde God that I may declare all thy workes The argument of the .lxxiiii. psalme ¶ The prophete in the name of the people of Israel complayneth of their affliction howe that they be as forsaked of God howe that their temple is set a fire and raced and the worde of God abolished He discribeth the iniuries crueltie outragiousnesse and blasphemies of the enemies He humbly prayeth that these calamities may haue an ende that iust punishment auengeaunce may be taken of the enemies and that they may be defended for his couenaunt sake as his fathers were commyng out of Egypt ¶ A wise instruction to be song of Asaph 1 O Lorde wherfore dost thou forsake vs altogether wherfore breaketh foorth thy anger agaynst the sheepe of thy pasture 2 Remember thy congregation thou hast possest it nowe a long tyme thou hast redeemed the rodde of thine inheritaunce euen mount Sion wherein thou dwellest 3 Lyft vp thy feete for to destroy vtterly euery enemie which hath done euyll in thy sanctuarie 4 Thyne aduersaries roare in the myddest of thy congregations and set vp their banners for signes of victorie 5 He that hewed tymber afore out of * thicke woddes for to builde the temple was esteemed as one offeryng a present to God aboue 6 But nowe they breake downe into peeces all the carued worke therof with axes and hammers 7 They haue set fire on thy holy places they haue defiled the dwellyng place of thy name castyng it downe to the grouÌd 8 Yea they sayde in their heartes let vs make hauocke of them altogether thus haue they burnt vp all the houses of God in the lande 9 We see not our ensignes there is not one prophete more no not one is there amongst vs that vnderstandeth our case 10 O Lorde shall the aduersarie do this dishonour continually shall the enemie blaspheme thy name for euer 11 Why withdrawest thou thy hande yea thy right hande consume them drawing it out of thy bosome 12 Truely God is my kyng of olde who worketh saluation in the myddest of the earth 13 Thou didst deuide the sea through thy power thou brakest the heades of the dragons in the waters 14 Thou smotest the heades of Leuiathan in peeces and gauest hym to be meate for the people in wildernesse 15 Thou broughtest out fountaynes and waters out of the harde rockes thou dyddest drye vp mightie waters 16 The day is thine the nyght is thine thou hast prepared the light the sunne 17 Thou hast set all the borders of the earth thou hast ordeyned summer and wynter 18 Remember this O God the enemie hath dishonoured and the foolishe people hath blasphemed thy name 19 O deliuer not the soule of thy turtle doue vnto a wylde beast forget not the congregation of the poore for euer 20 Loke vpon the couenaunt for darknesse of the earth hath replenisshed houses with iniquitie 21 O let not the simple go away ashamed but let the afflicted needy geue prayse vnto thy name 22 Arise O Lord mayntayne thine owne cause remember the dishonour that the foolishe man doth vnto thee dayly 23 Forget not the voyce of thine enemies the mutteryng of them that hate thee ascendeth vp continually ¶ The argument of the .lxxv. Psalme ¶ The prophete prayseth God and setteth foorth the duetie of a good prince who must administer iustice and equitie purge the earth from corruptnesse of iudgement suppresse the wicked and aduaunce the godly through the great power of God ¶ To the chiefe musition destroy not the psalme of Asaph a song 1 WE do confesse it vnto thee O lord we do confesse it for thy wonderous workes do declare thy name to be at hande 2 When I shall take tyme fyt for the purpose I wyll iudge accordyng vnto ryght 3 The earth wasteth and all the inhabitours therof I haue vpholded the pyllours of it Selah 4 I sayd vnto fooles deale not so madly to the vngodly set not vp your horne 5 Set not vp your horne an high and speake not with a stiffe necke 6 Because promotion commeth neither from the east nor from the west nor yet from the south 7 For God is the iudge it is he that putteth downe one and setteth vp another 8 For in the hande of God there is a cup and the wine is redde it is full mixt and he powreth out the same 9 But the vngodly of the earth do wring out and drynke the dregges therof 10 As for me I wyll euer set foorth in wordes the Lorde I wyll sing psalmes to the God of Iacob 11 And I wyll breake all the hornes of the vngodly but the hornes of the ryghteous shal be exalted ¶ The argument of the .lxxvj. Psalme ¶ The prophete prayseth the countrey of Iurie
for that God and his wyll was knowen in it for that also that there God had geuen a notable victorie as declaryng him selfe to be the defendour of Hierusalem He setteth foorth the terrible iudgement power of God agaynst wicked enemies Finally he exhorteth all Israelites to the true worshyppyng of God ¶ To rhe chiefe musition in Neginoth the psalme of Asaph a song 1 IN Iurie is God knowen his name is great in Israel 2 At Shalem is his tabernacle and his dwellyng in Sion 3 There he brake the arrowes of the bowe the shielde the sworde and the battayle Selah 4 Thou art honourable and of more puissaunce then the mountaynes of robbers 5 The hygh couragious stomackes are spoyled they haue slept their slepe and the valiaunt souldiours coulde not finde their owne handes 6 At thy rebuke O God of Iacob both the charet and horse be brought to naught 7 Thou euen thou art dreadfull and who may stande in thy syght when thou begynnest to be angry 8 Thou causest thy iudgement to be hearde from heauen then the earth trembleth and is styll 9 When God ariseth to iudgement and to helpe all the afflicted vpon the earth Selah 10 The fearcenesse of man shall turne to thy prayse and the remnaunt of the fearcenesse thou wylt restrayne 11 Make vowes vnto God your Lorde perfourme them all ye that be rounde about hym bryng presentes vnto hym that is dreadfull 12 He abateth the spirite of princes he is dreadfull to the kynges of the earth ⧠The argument of the .lxxvii. psalme ¶ The prophete vttereth in a lamentation wonderfull cogitations of a sorowfull afflicted pensiue heart almost brought into desperation but consideryng the manifolde argument of Gods power and goodnesse declared to hym and to his fathers in tyme past he taketh good courage and trusteth of Gods helpe ¶ To the chiefe musition vpon Ieduthun a psalme of Asaph 1 MY voyce was vnto the Lorde and I cryed my voyce was vnto the Lord and he hearkened vnto me 2 In the tyme of my trouble I sought the Lorde my hande all the nyght catched ceassed not my soule refused comfort 3 I called to remembraunce God and I was disquieted I conferred with my selfe and my spirite was wrapped in pensiuenesse Selah 4 Thou dydst kepe the watche of mine eies I was amased coulde not speake 5 I dyd thynke vpon the dayes past and on the yeres of the olde worlde 6 I called to remembraunce my psalme song on the musicall instrument in the nyght tyme I communed with myne owne heart searched out my spirites 7 What wyll the Lorde forsake me for euer wyll he be no more intreated to be fauourable 8 Is his mercie cleane gone for euer and is his promise made from one generatioÌ to another come vtterly to an ende 9 Hath God forgotten to be gratious and will he shut vp his louing kindnesse in displeasure Selah 10 And I sayde this is my death but the ryght hande of the most hyghest may graunt me yeres 11 I dyd call to remeÌbraunce the workes of God almightie for thy wonders done a great whyle a goe came into my mynde 12 I also gaue my selfe to muse of all thy workes and I talked of all thy actes 13 Thy way O Lorde is in holynesse who is so great a God as the Lorde 14 Thou art y e God that doth wonders thou hast made thy power knowen among the people 15 Thou hast redeemed thy people with a mightie arme the sonnes of Iacob and Ioseph Selah 16 The waters sawe thee O God the waters sawe thee they feared yea the depthes of them moued out of their place 17 Thicke cloudes powred downe rayne thinne cloudes gaue a noyse and thine arrowes went abrode into al corners 18 The sounde of thy thunder was rounde about the sky the lightnynges shone through the worlde the earth quaked and trembled 19 Thy way is in the sea and thy pathes in the great waters and thy footesteppes are not knowen 20 Thou dydst leade thy people lyke sheepe by the hande of Moyses and Aaron ¶ The argument of the .lxxviij. Psalme ¶ The prophete moueth his people to geue diligent eare vnto hym vtteryng the wonderfull benefites of God to the Iewes euen such as were coÌmonly knowen amongst them and were to be declared of fathers vnto their children in all generations by the commaundement of God to the intent that they be not as their forefathers were rebelles and stubburne agaynst God and his worde For which cause they had euyll successe in battayle and were afflicted with sundry calamities yet they feelyng the smart of affliction made a countenaunce as though they sought God but it was hypocritically not forsakyng their sinnes and fleyng to Gods mercie wherfore God gaue the arcke to the Philistines as forsakyng the Israelites because they greued hym with hyll alters and images God also refused the tribe of Ephraim and chose the tribe of Iuda appoyntyng Dauid a sheephearde kepyng sheepe for to be kyng of his people ¶ A wise instruction of Asaph 1 HEare my lawe O my people enclyne your eares vnto the wordes of my mouth 2 I wyll open my mouth in a parable I wyll declare harde sentences of the olde tyme past 3 Which we haue hearde and knowen and such as our fathers haue tolde vs. 4 We wyll not hyde them from their children nay we wyll set foorth in wordes to the generation to come the prayses of God and his myght and wonderfull workes that he hath done 5 For he reuiued a statute in Iacob and gaue Israel a lawe in the whiche he commaunded our forefathers to teache their children 6 To the intent the posteritie shoulde knowe it and children whiche shal be borne that they shoulde ryse vp and declare it to their children 7 That they shoulde put their trust in God and not forget the workes of God but kepe his commaundementes 8 And that they be not as their forefathers were a rebellious and a mutable generation a generation that directed not their heart aright and whose spirite cleaued not stedfastly vnto God 9 Like as the children of Ephraim which beyng harnessed carying bowes turned their backes in the day of battayle 10 They kept not the couenaunt of God and they woulde not walke in his law 11 But they forgat his workes and his wonders which he had shewed them 12 Marueylous thinges dyd he in the sight of their fathers in the land of Egypt in the fielde of Zoan 13 He deuided the sea and let them go thorowe he made the waters to stande as on an heape 14 In the day time also he led them with a cloude and all the night through with a light of fire 15 He cloued the harde rockes in the wildernes gaue them drinke therof as it had ben out of the great deepe waters 16 He brought running streames out of a stonie rocke and
Lorde 5 Shewe your selues ioyfull vnto God all ye in the earth make a ioly noyse reioyce you chearfully syng psalmes 6 Syng psalmes vnto God playing vpon an harpe vpon an harpe and with the sounde of a psalterie 7 Shewe your selues ioyfull before the kyng eternall with trumpettes and sounde of shawmes 8 Let the sea make a noyse and that is within it the rounde worlde and they that dwell therin 9 Let the fluddes clappe their handes and let the hylles be ioyfull altogether before the face of God 10 For he commeth to iudge the earth he wyll iudge the worlde accordyng to iustice the people accordyng to equitie The argument of the .xcix. psalme ¶ The prophete setteth foorth the exceedyng fauour of God towardes the Israelites in that he raigned most mightily ouer them defended them dwelled amongst them and most gently hearde them and their fathers callyng vpon hym for helpe in their neede to the great discouragement of their aduersaries Wherfore he wylleth all to prayse God and to worshyp God 1 GOD raigneth the people be in a rage he sitteth betweene the Cherubims the earth quaketh 2 God is great in Sion and high aboue all people 3 They shall prayse thy name great dreadfull for it is holy and a kynges * power that loueth iudgement 4 Thou hast ordeyned all thynges accordyng to equitie thou hast caused iudgement and iustice to be in Iacob 5 Magnifie God our Lorde and kneele downe before his footstoole for it is holy 6 Moyses Aaron among his priestes and Samuel among such as call vpon his name these called vpon God and he hearde them 7 He spake vnto them out of the cloudy pyller for they kept his testimonies and the lawe that he gaue them 8 O God our Lord thou heardest them O Lorde thou didst forbeare them and thou tokest auengement for their owne inuentions 9 Magnifie God our Lorde and kneele downe before his holy hyll for God our Lorde is holy ¶ The argument of the C. psalme ¶ The prophete moueth all the people of God to frequent Gods temple and to come thyther chearfully with all kynde of ioy seruyng praysyng and thankyng hym for that he only is the God that hath made vs and so gratious that we shal be partakers of his benefites and goodnesse for euer ¶ A psalme for to confesse 1 BE ye ioyfull in God all that be in the earth serue God with gladnesse and come before his face with a ioyfull noyse 2 Be ye sure that God is the Lorde it is he that hath made vs and not we our selues we are his people and the sheepe of his pasture 3 Go your way into his gates with thankesgeuyng and into his courtes with prayse be thankfull vnto hym and blesse his name 4 For God is gratious his mercie is euerlastyng and his trueth endureth from generation to generation ⧠The argument of the .cj. psalme ¶ Dauid settyng foorth the duetie of a good ruler declareth that in his gouernment aboue all thynges he wyll acknowledge Gods benefites goodnesse He wyll study to lyue vprightly to do no wrong or euyll nor to beare any malice at all in his heart but he wyll employ hym selfe most zelouslie to confounde the wicked and to promote the godly and vertuous ¶ A psalme of Dauid 1 I Will sing of mercie and iudgement I wyll syng vnto thee O God psalmes 2 I wyll endeuour my selfe to be fully instructed in the way of perfectnesse when thou wylt come vnto me I wil go vp and downe in the middest of my house in the perfectnesse of my heart 3 I wyll neuer set before myne eyes any deuillishe thyng I wyll detest to do the worke of transgressours it shall take no holde of me 4 A frowarde heart shall depart from me I wyll not once knowe any euyll 5 I will destroy him who priuily slaundereth his neighbour I wyll not suffer hym who hath a proude loke and a great stomacke 6 Myne eyes shal be vpoÌ such in the lande as haue a true meanyng that they may sit with me he that leadeth a perfect lyfe shall minister vnto me 7 There shall no deceiptfull person haue any seate in my house he that telleth lyes shall not tary long in my syght 8 I wyll euery mornyng destroy all the vngodly in the lande that I may roote out from the citie of God all workers of wickednesse ¶ The argument of the .cii. Psalme ¶ The prophete desireth God to heare hym vtteryng his godly affect and great griefe for the calamities of the people of God desolation of the citie of Sion He setteth foorth the reproches and outragious behauiours of the enemies and his affliction of mynde for it He wisheth that the people may returne home agayne and that Sion may be reedified that Gods glorie may therin be set foorth And he consideryng the eternitie of God assureth hym selfe that God wyll perfourme his promises in grauntyng that the children of his people shall lyue for euer ¶ A prayer of the afflicted when he was ouerwhelmed and when he did powre out his petition before the face of God 1 HEare my prayer O God and let my crying come in vnto thee 2 Hyde not thy face from me in y e day of my distresse encline thine eare vnto me heare me spedyly in the day that I call 3 For my dayes are consumed away like smoke and my bones are burnt vp as though they were a firebrande 4 My heart is smitten downe and wythered lyke grasse because I did forget to eate my bread 5 Through the noyse of my gronyng my bones wyll scase cleaue to my fleshe 6 I am become lyke a Pellicane of the wildernesse and like an Owle that is in the desert I watch and am as it were a sparrowe that sitteth alone vpon the house toppe 7 Myne enemies reuile me all the day long and they that are in a rage against me make their oth by me 8 For I haue eaten asshes as it were bread and mingled my drynke with weepyng because of thine indignation and wrath for thou hast set me vp and cast me downe 9 My dayes fade away lyke a shadowe and I am wythered lyke grasse 10 But thou O God endurest for euer and thy remembraunce throughout all generations 11 Thou wylt aryse vp thou wylt haue compassion vpon Sion for it is tyme that thou haue mercie vpon her for the tyme appoynted is come 12 For thy seruauntes be well affected towarde her stones and it pitieth them to see her in the dust 13 And the heathen wyll feare thy name O God and all the kynges of the earth thy glorious maiestie 14 For God wyll buylde vp Sion to be seene in his glorious maiestie 15 He wyll regarde the prayer of the humble destitute of all helpe and he wyll not dispise their prayer 16 This shal be written for those that come
as when the trees of the wood are moued with the winde 3 Then sayd God vnto Esai Go meete Ahaz thou and thy sonne Sear Iasub at the head of the ouer poole in the footepath by the fullers grounde 4 And say vnto him Take heede to thy selfe and be styll feare not neither be faynt hearted for these two tayles that is for these two smoking firebrandes the wrath and furiousnesse of Razin the Syrian and Romelies sonne 5 Because that the Syrian Ephraim and Romelies sonne haue wickedly conspired against thee 6 Saying we wyll go vp against Iuda vexe them and bryng them vnder vs and set a kyng there euen the sonne of Tabel 7 Thus saith the Lorde God thereto It shal not so go foorth neither so come to passe 8 For the head citie of the Syrians is Damascus but the head of Damascus is Razin And after threscore and fiue yeres shall Ephraim be no more a people 9 And the head of Ephraim is Samaria but the head of Samaria is Romelies sonne if ye beleue not surely ye shall not be established 10 Moreouer God spake agayne vnto Ahaz saying 11 Require to thy selfe a token of the Lorde thy God whether it be towarde the depth beneath or toward the height aboue 12 Then said Ahaz I will require none neither wyll I tempt the Lorde 13 The prophete aunswered Then heare ye of the house of Dauid Is it not inough for you that ye be greeuous vnto meÌ but ye must greeue my God also 14 Therefore the Lorde hym selfe shall geue you a token Beholde a virgin shall conceaue and beare a sonne and shall call his name Emmanuel 15 Butter and honye shall he eate vntill he knowe to refuse the euyll and choose the good 16 For or euer the chylde come to knowledge to eschewe the euil and choose the good the lande that thou so abhorrest shal be desolate of both her kynges 17 The Lord also shall sende a tyme vppon thee vpon thy people and vpon thy fathers house such as neuer came since the tyme that Ephraim departed from Iuda namely thorowe the kyng of the Assyrians 18 For at the same tyme shall the Lorde hisse for the flyes that are about the water of Egypt and for the bees in the Assyrians lande 19 These shall come and shall light all in the desolate valleys in the holes of stones and vpon all thornie and bushie places 20 At the same time shal the Lord shaue the heere of the head and the feete and the bearde cleane of with the raser that he shall hyre beyonde the waters namely with the king of the Assyrians 21 At the same time shal a man nurrishe a young cowe and two sheepe 22 Then because of the aboundaunce of mylke that they geue he shall eate butter so that euery one which remayneth in the lande shall eate butter and hony 23 At the same time al vineyardes wherin there shal be a thousand vines worth a thousande siluerlinges shal be turned to bryers and thornes 24 They shall come into the lande with arrowes and bowes because all the lande shall become bryers and thornes As for all hilles that shal be digged with the mattocke there shall not come vpon them any feare of bryers and thornes but the cattell shal be driuen thyther and the sheepe shal feede there The .viij. Chapter â The deliueraunce of the lande by Emmanuel 14 The stone of offence at whiche many shall stumble 1 MOreouer the Lorde sayde vnto me Take thee a great roule and wryte in it as men do with a pen make hastie speede to rob and haste to the spoyle 2 And I called vnto me faythfull witnesses to recorde Vriah the priest and Zachariah the sonne of Barachiah 3 After that went I vnto the prophetisse and she conceaued bare a sonne Then sayde the Lord to me Geue him his name a speedie robber an hastie spoyler 4 For why or euer the chylde shall haue knowledge to crye my father and mother shall the riches of Damascus and the spoyle of Samaria be taken away before the kyng of the Assyrians 5 The Lorde spake also vnto me agayne saying 6 Forsomuche as this people refuseth the styll running water of Silo and put their delight in Razin and Romelies sonne 7 Beholde the Lord shall bryng mightie and great fluddes of water vpon them namely the king of the Assyrians with all his power whiche shall climbe vp vpon all his fluddes and runne ouer all his bankes 8 And shall breake in vpon Iuda he shall flowe and passe thorowe tyll he come vp to the necke thereof he shall fill also the widenesse of thy lande with his wynges O Emmanuel 9 Breake downe O ye people and ye shal be broken downe hearken to all ye of farre countreys muster you and you shal be broken downe prepare you and you shal be torne in peeces 10 Take your counsell together yet shall your counsell come to naught determine the matter yet shall it not prosper for God is with vs. 11 For the Lorde spake thus to me in a mightie prophesie and warned me that I should not walke in the way of this people saying 12 Ye shall not speake wordes of conspiracie in all thinges when this people shall say conspiracie feare them not neither be afraide of them 13 But sanctifie the Lorde of hoastes let him be your feare and dread 14 For he shal be the holy place to flee to and stone to stumble at the rocke to fall vpon a snare and net to both the houses of Israel and the inhabitours of Hierusalem 15 And many among them shall stumble and fall and be broken yea they shal be snared and taken 16 Binde vp the testimonie seale the law in my disciples 17 And I wyll wayte vpon the Lorde that hideth his face from the house of Iacob and I wyll loke for him 18 But lo as for me and the chyldren whiche the Lorde hath geuen me we are to be a token and a wonder in Israel from the Lorde of hoastes whiche dwelleth vpon the hill of Sion 19 And if they say vnto you Aske counsayle at the Soothsayers Witches Charmers and Coniurers then make them this aunswere Is there a people any where that asketh not counsayle at his God shoulde men runne vnto the dead for the liuing 20 Get thee to the lawe and the testimonie and if they speake not after this worde there is no light in them 21 And they shall wander thorowe this lande hardly besteade and hungry and when they suffer hunger they wyll be out of pacience and curse their king and their God and shall loke vpwarde and downewarde to the earth 22 And beholde there is trouble and darknesse dymnesse is rounde about him he shal be driuen into darknesse 23 Neuerthelesse the darknesse shall not be suche as was in her vexation when at the first he lightly afflicted the lande Zabulon and the lande of Nephthali and afterwarde dyd more greeuously
afflict her by the way of the sea beyond Iordane in Galilee of the heathen The .ix. Chapter 5 He prophecieth of Christes natiuitie and dominion 1 THE people that walked in darknesse haue seene a great light As for them that dwell in the lande of the shadowe of death vpon them hath the light shined 2 Thou hast multiplied the people and not increased their ioy * they reioyce before thee euen as men make merie in haruest and they be ioyfull as men that do deuide the spoyle after the victorie 3 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burthen the staffe of his shoulder and the rod of his oppressour as in the day of Madian 4 And truely euery battayle that the warrier maketh is done with confused noyse and defiling their garmentes with blood but this battayle shal be with burning and consuming of fire 5 For vnto vs a chylde is borne and vnto vs a sonne is geuen vpoÌ his shoulder doth the rule lye and he is called with his owne name wonderfull the geuer of counsell the mightie God the euerlasting father the prince of peace 6 He shall make no ende to encrease the rule peace and shall sit vpon the seate of Dauid and in his kingdome to order the same and to stablishe it with equitie and righteousnesse from hence foorth for euermore This shall the zeale of the Lorde of hoastes bring to passe 7 The Lorde sent a worde into Iacob the same is come into Israel 8 And all the people of Ephraim shall knowe and they that dwell in Samaria that say with pryde and high stomackes on this maner 9 The tyle worke is fallen downe but we wyll buylde it with squared stones the Mulberie timber is broken but we shall set it vp agayne with Cedar ââ But the Lorde shall strengthen the enemies of Razin and ioyne his aduersaries together against him 11 The Syrians before and the Philistines behinde and shall deuour Israel with open mouth After all this is not the wrath of the Lorde ceassed but yet his hande stretched out styll 12 For the people turneth not vnto hym that chastiseth them neither do they seeke the Lorde of hoastes 13 Therefore hath the Lorde rooted out of Israel both head and tayle bough and reede in one day 14 By the head is vnderstande the senatour and honourable man and by the tayle the prophete that preached lyes 15 For the guides of this people are deceauers and those that be gouerned are vtterly lost 16 Therefore shall the Lorde haue no pleasure in their young men neither haue pitie of their fatherlesse and wydowes for they are altogether hypocrites and wicked and al their mouthes speake folly After all this is not the Lordes wrath ceassed but yet his hand is stretched out styll 17 For vngodlynesse burneth as a fire and shall deuour bryers and thornes and it shall burne as in the thicket of a wood and the wicked aduaunce them selues as the smoke is caryed vp 18 Thorowe the wrath of the Lorde of hoastes is the lande full of darknesse and the people be consumed as it were with fire no man doth spare his brother 19 But he robbeth on the right hande and doth famishe he eateth on the left hande and he shall not haue inough euery man shall eate the fleshe of his owne arme 20 Manasses shall eate Ephraim and Ephraim Manasses and they both together shall eate Iuda After all this is not the Lordes wrath ceassed but yet his hande stretched out styll ¶ The .x. Chapter 1 He threatneth the oppressours of the poore 12 And prophecieth against Sennacherib 1 WO be vnto them that make vnrighteous lawes and that causeth their actuaries to wryte greeuousnesse 2 Where thorowe the poore are put from their right and my seelie people robbed of iudgement that wydowes may be their pray and that they may rob the fatherlesse 3 What wyll ye do in the tyme of visitation and when destruction shall come from farre to whom wyll ye runne for helpe and where wyll you leaue your glory 4 That when I withdrawe my hand ye come not among the prysoners nor lye among the dead After all this doth not the wrath of the Lorde ceasse but yet is his hande stretched out styll 5 O Assur whiche art the staffe of my wrath in whose hand is the rod of mine indignation 6 I wyll sende hym among those hypocritishe people among the people that haue deserued my disfauour wyll I sende hym that he vtterly rob them spoyle them and treade them downe lyke the myre in the streete 7 Howbeit his meaning is not so neither thinketh his heart on this fashion But he imagineth howe he may roote out and destroy muche people 8 For he saith Are not my princes all kynges 9 Is not Chalno as easie to winne as Charchamis Is it harder to conquer Hamath then Arphad or is it lighter to ouercome Damascus then Samaria 10 As who say I were able to winne the kyngdomes of the idolaters and their gods but not Hierusalem and Samaria 11 Shall I not do vnto Hierusalem and her images as I dyd vnto Samaria and her idols 12 Wherefore it shall come to passe that assoone as the Lorde hath perfourmed his whole worke vpon the hill of Sion and Hierusalem then wyll I visite the fruite of the stoute heart of the kyng of Assyria with his proude lookes 13 For he standeth thus in his owne conceipt This do I thorowe the power of myne owne hande thorowe my wysdome for I am wyse I am he that remoue the landes of the people I rob their treasure and haue pulled downe the inhabitauntes like a valiaunt man 14 My hand hath found out the strength of the people as it were a nest and like as egges that were layde here and there are gathered together so do I gather all countreys and there was none so bolde as to moue the winge that dare open his mouth or once whisper 15 Shall the axe boast it selfe against him that heweth therwith or shal the sawe make any bragging against hym that ruleth it That were euen lyke as if the rod did exalt it selfe against him that beareth it or as though the staffe should magnifie it selfe as who say it were no wood 16 Therefore shall the Lorde the God of hoastes sende among his fatlinges leanenesse and burne vp his glory as it were with a fire 17 And the light of Israel shal be that fire and his holy one shal be the flambe and it shall kindle and burne vp his thornes and bryers in one day 18 Yea all the glory of his wooddes and fieldes shal be consumed with body and soule and they shal be as an hoast of men whose standard bearer fayleth 19 The trees also of his wood whiche remayne shal be of such a number that a chylde may tell them 20 After that day shall the remnaunt of Israel and suche as are escaped out of the house of Iacob seeke no more comfort at him that
rusty with the fatnesse and blood of lambes and goates with the fatnesse of the kidneys of weathers For the Lord shall kyll a great offering in Bozra and a great slaughter in the lande of Idumea 7 There shall the vnicornes fall with them and the bulles with the giauntes and their lande shal be throughly soked with blood and their grounde corrupt with fatnesse 8 For it is the day of Gods vengeaunce and the yere of recompence for the reuenge of Sion 9 And his fluddes shal be turned to pitch and his earth to brimstone and therewith shall the lande be kindled 10 So that it shall not be quenched day nor nyght but smoke euermore and so foorth lye waste and no man shall go through it for euer 11 But Pellicanes Storkes great Owles and Rauens shall haue it in possession and dwell therin for God shall spreade out the line of desolation vpon it and the stones of emptinesse 12 Her nobles shall call and there is no kyngdome and all her princes shal be nothyng 13 Thornes shall growe in their palaces nettles thistles in their strong holdes that the dragons may haue their pleasure therin and that they may be a court for Estriches 14 There shall straunge visures monsterous beastes meete one another and the wylde kepe company together there shall the Lamia lye and haue her lodgyng 15 There shall the Owle make her nest builde be there at home bryng foorth her young ones there shall the Kytes come together eche one to his lyke 16 Seke through the booke of the Lorde and reade it there shall none of these thynges be left out there shall not one nor such lyke fayle for his mouth commaundeth and that same doth his spirite gather together or fulfyll 17 He hath cast the lot for them and to those beastes hath his hande deuided it by the line therfore those shall possesse it for euer from generation to generation shall they dwell therin ¶ The .xxxv. Chapter 1 Of the tyme and kyngdome of Christe 1 BVt the desert wildernesse shall reioyce the waste ground shall be glad and florishe as the Lilie 2 She shall florishe pleasauntly and be ioyfull and euer be geuing thankes more and more For the glorie of Libanus the beautie of Charmel and Saron shal be geuen her These shall knowe the honour of the Lorde the maiestie of our God 3 And therfore strength the weake handes and comfort the feeble knees 4 Say vnto them that are of a fearfull heart be of good cheare and feare not beholde your God commeth to take vengeaunce and you shall see the rewarde that God geueth God commeth his owne selfe and wyll delyuer you 5 Then shall the eyes of the blynde be lyghtened and the eares of the deaffe opened 6 Then shall the lame men leape as an Hart the dumbe mans tongue shall geue thankes for in the wildernesse there shall welles spryng and fluddes of water in the desert 7 The drye grounde shal turne to riuers and the thirstie to sprynges of water wheras dragons dwelt afore there shal growe sweete flowres greene russhes 8 There shal be foote pathes common streetes this shal be called the holy way no vncleane person shall go through it for the Lorde hym selfe shall go with them that way and the wayfayrer nor ignoraunt shall not erre 9 There shal be no lion no rauishyng beastes shall come therin nor be there but men redeemed shall go there free and safe 10 And the redeemed of the Lorde I say shall conuert and come to Sion with thankesgeuyng euerlastyng ioy shall they haue pleasure and gladnesse shal be among them and as for all sorowe and heauinesse it shall vanishe The .xxxvj. Chapter 1 Hierusalem is besieged by Sennacherib in the tyme of kyng Hezekias 1 IN the foureteenth yere of king Hezekias came Sennacherib kyng of the Assyrians downe to lay siege vnto all the strong cities of Iuda to conquer them 2 And the kyng of the Assyrians sent Rabsakeh from Lachis towarde Hierusalem agaynst Hezekias with an exceedyng hoast which set hym by the conduite of the ouer poole in the way that goeth through the fullers lande 3 And so there came foorth vnto hym Eliakim Helkias sonne the chiefe ouer the householde Sobâa the scribe and Ioah Asaphs sonne the secretarie 4 And Rabsakeh sayde vnto them Tell Hezekia that the great kyng saith thus vnto hym What presumption is this that thou trustest vnto 5 I sayde surely that thou trustest in vayne wordes when counsayle and strength are necessarie to battayle but nowe wherto trustest thou that thou rebellest agaynst me 6 Lo thou puttest thy trust in a broken staffe of reede I meane Egypt which he that leaneth vpon it goeth into his hande and shooteth it through euen so is Pharao the kyng of Egypt vnto all them that trust in hym 7 But if thou wouldest say vnto me We trust in the Lorde our God Is not he that God whose hygh places aulters Hezekia toke downe and commaunded Iuda and Hierusalem to worship only before this aulter 8 Nowe therfore deliuer hostages that thou rebell no more agaynst my Lorde the kyng of the Assyrians and I wyll geue thee two thousande horses yf thou be able to set men vpon them 9 Howe darest thou resist the power of the smallest prince that my Lorde hath howe darest thou trust in the charrets and horsemen of Egypt 10 Moreouer thinkest thou that I am come vp hyther to destroy this lande without the Lordes wyll The Lorde sayd vnto me Go vp agaynst this lande and destroy it 11 Then sayd Eliakim Sobna Ioah vnto Rabsakeh Speake to vs thy seruauntes we pray thee in the Syrians language for we vnderstande it well and speake not to vs in the Iewes tongue lest the folke heare which lyeth vpon the wall 12 Then aunswered Rabsakeh Hath my maister sent me to speake this only to thy maister and thee hath he not sent me to them also that lye vpon the wall that they may be compelled to eate their owne dunge and drinke their owne stale with you 13 And Rabsakeh stoode stiffe and cryed with a loude voyce in the Iewes tongue and sayde Nowe take heede howe the great kyng of the Assyrians geueth you warnyng 14 Thus saith the kyng Let not Hezekia deceaue you for he shall not be able to deliuer you 15 Moreouer let not Hezekia comfort you in the Lorde when he saith The Lorde without doubt shall defende vs and shall not geue ouer this citie into the handes of the king of the Assyrians 16 Hearken not to Hezekia for thus saith the kyng of Assyria Obtayne my fauour encline to me so may euery man enioy his vineyardes and figge trees and drynke the water of his cesterne 17 Vnto the tyme that I come my selfe and bryng you into a lande that is lyke your owne wherin is wheate wine which is both sowen with
seede and planted with vineyardes 18 Let not Hezekia deceaue you when he saith vnto you the Lorde shall deliuer vs Myght the gods of the gentiles kepe euery mans lande from the power of the kyng of the Assyrians 19 Where is the god of Hemath and Arphad where is the god of Sepharuaim and who is able to defende Samaria out of my hande 20 Or which of all the gods of these landes hath deliuered their countrey out of my power Is the Lord in deede able to deliuer Hierusalem from my hande 21 Vnto this Hezekias messengers helde their tongues and aunswered not one worde for the kyng had charged them that they should geue him no aunswere 22 So came Eliakim Helkias sonne the chiefe ouer the householde Sobna the scribe and Ioah Asaphes sonne the secratarie vnto Hezekia with rent clothes and tolde hym the wordes of Rabsakeh The .xxxvij. Chapter 1 Hezekia humbleth hym selfe before the Lorde 36 The armie of Sennacherib is slayne of the angell of the Lorde 38 and he hym selfe is kylled of his owne sonnes 1 WHEN Hezekia hearde that he rent his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lorde 2 But he sent Eliakim the chiefe ouer the householde Sobna the scribe with the eldest priestes clothed in sacke vnto the prophete Esai the sonne of Amos 3 And they sayde vnto hym Thus saith Hezekia This is the day of trouble of plague and of blasphemie for the children are come to the place of birth but there is no power to bryng them foorth 4 The Lorde thy God no doubt hath well considered the wordes of Rabsakeh whom his lorde king of the Assyrians hath sent to defie and blaspheme the lyuyng God with such wordes as the Lorde thy God hath hearde ryght well and therfore lyft vp thy prayer for the remnaunt that yet are left 5 So the seruauntes of the kyng Hezekia came to Esai 6 And Esai gaue them this aunswere Say thus vnto your lorde Thus saith the Lord Be not afraide of the wordes that thou hast hearde wherwith the kyng of the Assyrians seruauntes haue blasphemed me 7 Beholde I wyll rayse vp a wynde agaynst him he shall heare a rumour and he shall go agayne into his countrey there wyll I destroy hym with the sworde in his owne lande 8 Nowe when Rabsakeh returned he founde the kyng of Assyria laying siege to Libnas for he had vnderstandyng that he was departed from Lachis 9 And there came a rumour that Tharakas kyng of Ethiopia was come foorth to warre agaynst hym and when the king of Assyria hearde that he sent other messengers to kyng Hezekia with this commaundement 10 Say thus to Hezekia kyng of Iuda Let not thy God deceaue thee in whom thou hopest and sayest Hierusalem shall not be geuen into the handes of the kyng of Assyria 11 For lo thou knowest well howe the kynges of Assyria haue handled all the landes that they haue subuerted and hopest thou to escape 12 Were the people of the gentiles whom my progenitours conquered deliuered at any tyme through their gods As namely Gosan Haran Rezeph and the children of Eden which were at Thalassar 13 Where is the king of Hemath and the king of Arphad and the king of the citie Sepharuaim Ena and Aua 14 Nowe when Hezekia had receaued the letter of the messengers and read it he went vp into the house of the Lorde and opened the letter before the Lorde 15 And Hezekia prayed vnto the Lorde on this maner 16 O Lorde of hoastes thou God of Israel which dwellest vpon Cherubim thou art the God that only is God of all the kingdomes of the world for thou only hast created heauen and earth 17 Encline thine eare Lorde and consider open thine eyes Lorde and see and ponder all the wordes of Sennacherib which hath sent his embassage to blaspheme the lyuyng God 18 It is true O Lorde that the kynges of Assyria haue conquered all kyngdomes and landes 19 And cast their gods in the fire for those were no gods but the workes of mens handes of wood or stone therfore haue they destroyed them 20 Nowe therfore deliuer vs O Lord our God from the handes of Sennacherib that all the kyngdomes of the earth may knowe that thou only art the Lorde 21 Then Esai the sonne of Amos sent vnto Hezekia saying Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel Wheras thou hast made thy prayer vnto me as touching Sennacherib the king of Assyria 22 This is the aunswere that the Lorde hath geuen concernyng hym Dispised art thou and mocked O daughter Sion he hath shaken his head at thee O daughter of Hierusalem â3 But thou Sennacherib whom hast thou defied and blasphemed Agaynst whom hast thou lifted vp thy voyce and exalted thy proude lokes euen agaynst the holy one of Israel 24 Thou with thy seruauntes hast blasphemed the Lorde and thus holdest thou of thy selfe I wyll couer the hye mountaynes and sydes of Libanus with my horsemen and there wyll I cut downe the hye Cedar trees and the fayrest Firre trees I wyll vp in the heyght of it and into the chiefest of his tymber woods 25 If there be no water I wyll graue and drynke and as for waters of defence I wyll drye them vp with the feete of myne hoast 26 Yea hast thou not hearde what I haue taken in hande and brought to passe of olde tyme That same wyll I do nowe also and waste destroy and bryng strong cities vnto heapes of stones 27 For their inhabitours shal be like lame men brought in feare and confounded they shal be lyke grasse and greene hearbes in the fielde lyke the hay vpon house toppes that wythereth before it be growen vp 28 I knowe thy wayes thy going foorth and thy commyng home yea and thy madnesse agaynst me 29 Therfore thy furiousnesse agaynst me and thy pride is come before me I wyll put my ryng in thy nose and my bridle bit in the iawes of thee and turne thee about euen the same way thou camest 3 I wyll geue thee also this token O Hezekia this yere shalt thou eate such as groweth of it selfe and the seconde yere that which spryngeth agayne of the same in the thirde yere ye shall sowe and reape yea ye shall plant vineyardes and enioy the fruites therof 31 And such of the house of Iuda as are escaped shall come together and the remnaunt shall take roote beneath and bryng foorth fruite aboue 32 For the escaped shall go out of Hierusalem and the remnaunt from the mount Sion and this shall the zeale of the Lorde of hoastes bryng to passe 33 Therfore thus saith the Lorde concernyng the kyng of the Assyrians He shall not come into this citie and shall shoote no arrowe into it there shall no shielde hurt it neither shall they cast ditches about it 34 The same way he came he shall returne and not come at this citie saith the Lorde
thou wast deare in my sight and because I set by thee and loued thee I wyl geue ouer all men for thee and deliuer vp all people for thy sake 5 Feare not for I am with thee I will bryng thy seede from the east and gather thee together from the west 6 I wyll say to the north let go and to the south kepe not backe but bring me my sonnes from farre and my daughters from the endes of the worlde 7 Namely all those that be called after my name For them haue I created fashioned and made for mine honour 8 Bring foorth that people whiche is blinde and yet hath eyes whiche are deafe although they haue eares 9 If all nations come in one and be gathered together whiche among them shall declare suche thinges and tell vs the things that are past let them bring their witnesse so that they be iust els let them heare and say it is trueth 10 You are my witnesses saith the Lord and my seruaunt whom I haue chosen therefore be certified and geue me faythfull credence and consider that I am he before whom there was neuer any god neither shal be any after me 11 I am euen I am the only Lord and beside me there is no sauiour 12 I gaue warning I made whole I taught you when there was no straunge god among you and this recorde must ye beare me your selues saith the Lorde that I am God 13 And euen he am I who was from the beginning and there is none that can take any thing out of my hande I do the worke and who shal be able to let it 14 Thus saith the Lorde the holy one of Israel your redeemer for your sake I haue sent to BabyloÌ brought it down al they are fugitiue with the Chaldees whose sorowfull crie is in their shippes 15 I am the Lord your holy one which haue made Israel and am your kyng 16 Thus saith the Lorde euen he that maketh away in the sea and a foote path in the mightie waters 17 It is he whiche bringeth foorth the charrets and horses the hoast and power of warre that they may fall together and neuer rise and be extinct lyke as towe are they quenched 18 Remember not thinges of olde and regarde nothing that is past 19 Beholde I shall make a newe thing and shortly shall it appeare and shall you not knowe it I wyll make a way in the desert and riuers of water in the wyldernesse 20 The wilde beastes shall worship me the dragons and the young Esâriches for I shall geue water in the wyldernesse and streames in the desert that they may geue drinke to my people whom I chose 21 This people haue I made for my self and they shall shewe foorth my prayse 22 For thou Iacob wouldest not call vppon me but thou haddest an vnlust towarde me O Israel 23 Thou gauest me not thy beastes for burnt offerings neither diddest honour me with sacrifices I haue not ben chargeable vnto thee in offeringes neither greeuous in incense 24 Thou boughtest me no deare spice with thy money neither powredst the fat of thy sacrifices vpon me but thou hast laden me with thy sinnes and weeried me with thy vngodlynesse 25 Where as I yet euen I am he onlye that for my owne selues sake do away thine offences and forget thy sinnes so that I wyll neuer thinke vpon them 26 Put me now in remembraunce for we wyl reason together shew what thou hast for thee to make thee righteous 27 Thy first father offended sore and thy rulers haue sinned against me 28 Therefore I profaned or slue the princes of the sanctuarie I dyd curse Iacob and gaue Israel into reproofe ¶ The .xliiij. Chapter 5 Christe promiseth to deliuer his Churche without any her desertes 1 SO heare nowe O Iacob my seruaunt and Israel whom I haue chosen 2 For thus saith the Lorde that made thee fassioned thee and helped thee euen from thy mothers wombe Be not afraide O Iacob my seruaunt thou righteous whom I haue chosen 3 For I shall powre water vpon the drye grounde and riuers vpon the thirstie I shall powre my spirite vpon thy seede and my blessing vpon thy stocke 4 They shall growe together lyke as the grasse and as the willowes by the waters side 5 One shal say I am the Lordes another shall call hym selfe after the name of Iacob the thirde shall subscribe with his hande vnto the Lorde and geue hym selfe vnder the name of Israel 6 Thus hath the Lorde spoken euen the kyng of Israel and his redeemer the Lorde of hoastes I am the first and the last and besides me there is no God 7 If any be like me let hym call foorth the thing past and openly shewe it and lay it playne before me what hath chaunced since I appointed the people of the worlde and what shal be shortly or what shal come to passe in tyme long to come let them shewe these thinges 8 Be not abashed nor afraide for haue not I euer tolde you hitherto and warned you ye can beare me recorde your selues is there any God except me or any maker that I should not know hym 9 All caruers of images are but vayne and the carued images that they loue can do no good they must beare recorde them selues that seeing they can neither see nor vnderstande they shal be confounded 10 Who dare then make a god or fashion an image that is profitable for nothing 11 Beholde all the felowship of them must be brought to confusion truely all the workemasters of them are men they shal all be gathered together they shall stand tremble and be confounded one with another 12 The smith maketh an axe and tempereth it with hotte coales and fashioneth it with hammers and worketh it with all the strength of his armes yea sometime he is fainte for very hunger and so thirstie that he hath no more power 13 The carpenter or image caruer taketh measure of the timber and spreadeth foorth his line he marketh it with some colour he playneth it he ruleth it and squareth it and maketh it after the image of a man and according to the beautie of a man that it may stande in the house 14 Moreouer he goeth out to hewe Cedar trees he bringeth home Elmes and Okes and taking a bolde courage he seeketh out the best timber of the wood he him selfe hath planted a Pine tree whiche the rayne hath swelled 15 Which wood serueth for men to burne Of this he taketh and warmeth hym selfe withall he maketh a fire of it to bake bread and maketh also a god therof to honour it and a grauen image to kneele before it 16 One peece he burneth in the fire with another he rosteth fleshe that he may eate roste his belly full with the thirde he warmeth him selfe and saith Aha I am well warmed I haue ben at the
Cedar and painteth them with Sinoper 15 Thinkest thou to raigne nowe that thou hast inclosed thy selfe with Cedar Did not thy father eate and drinke and prosper well as long as he dealt with equitie and righteousnesse 16 Yea when he helped the oppressed and poore to their right then prospered he well From whence came this but onlye because he knewe me saith the Lorde 17 Neuerthelesse as for thyne eyes and thyne heart they loke vpon couetousnesse to shed innocent blood to do wrong and violence 18 And therefore thus saith the Lorde against Iehoakim the sonne of Iosias kyng of Iuda They shall not mourne for hym as they vse to do Alas brother alas sister neither shall they say vnto him Alas sir alas for that noble prince 19 But as an asse shall he be buried corrupt and be cast without the gates of Hierusalem 20 Climbe vp the hyll of Libanus O thou daughter Sion lyft vp thy voyce vppon Basan crye from all partes for all thy louers are destroyed 21 I gaue thee warning whyle thou wast yet in prosperitie but thou saidest I wyll not heare And this maner hast thou vsed from thy youth that thou wouldest neuer heare my voyce 22 All thy heardmen shal be driuen with the winde and thy darlinges shal be caryed away into captiuitie then shalt thou be brought to shame and confusion because of all thy wickednes 23 Thou that dwellest vpon Libanus and makest thy nest in the Cedar trees O howe litle shalt thou be regarded when thy sorowe and panges come vppon thee as vpon a woman trauayling with chylde 24 As truely as I liue saith the Lorde though Conanias the sonne of Iehoakim kyng of Iuda were the signet of my right hande yet wyll I plucke him of 25 And I wyll geue thee into the hande of them that seeke thy life and into the power of them that thou fearest euen into the power of Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon and into the power of the Chaldees 26 Moreouer I wyll sende thee and thy mother that bare thee into a straunge lande where ye were not borne and there shall ye dye 27 But as for the lande that ye wyll desire to returne vnto ye shall neuer come at it agayne 28 This man Conanias shal be lyke an image robbed and torne in peeces and like a vessell wherein there is no pleasure Wherefore both he and his seede shal be sent away and cast into a lande that they knowe not 29 O thou earth earth earth heare the worde of the Lorde 30 Thus saith the Lorde Write this man destitute of chyldren for no prosperitie shall this man haue all his dayes neyther shall any of his seede be so happie as to sit vpon the seate of Dauid and to beare rule any more in Iuda The .xxiij. Chapter 1 He speaketh against euill curates that make hauocke of the flocke of the Lord. 3 Of the conuersion of the remnaunt of the Iewes to the fayth 5 The comming of the true shephearde Christe is prophecied 9 Against false prophetes 22 When a prophete preacheth the worde of God God conuerteth the heartes of the hearers 26 Against prophetes that preache lies vnder the name of God 32 The miracles of false prophetes 1 WO vnto the shepheardes that destroy and scatter my flocke saith the Lorde 2 Wherefore this is the saying of the Lord God of Israel concerning the shepheardes that feede my people Ye scatter and thrust out my flocke and loke not vpon them therefore nowe wyll I visite the wickednesse of your imaginations saith the Lorde 3 And I wyll gather together the remnaunt of my flocke from all landes that I had driuen them vnto and will bring them agayne to their foldes that they may growe and increase 4 I wyll set shepheardes also ouer them whiche shall feede them they shall no more feare and dread and there shall none of them be loste saith the Lorde 5 Beholde the tyme commeth saith the Lorde that I wyll rayse vp the righteous braunche of Dauid whiche kyng shall beare rule and he shall prosper with wisdome and shal set vp equitie and righteousnesse agayne in the earth 6 In his tyme shall Iuda be saued and Israel shall dwell without feare and this is the name that they shall call hym euen the Lorde our righteousnesse 7 And therefore beholde the time commeth saith the Lorde that it shal be no more sayde the Lorde liueth whiche brought the chyldren of Israel out of the lande of Egypt 8 But the Lorde liueth which brought foorth and led the seede of the house of Israel out of the north lande and from all countreys where I had scattred them and they shal dwel in their owne lande agayne 9 My heart breaketh in my body because of the false prophetes all my bones shake I am become like a drunken man that by the reason of wine can take no rest for very feare of the Lorde and his holy wordes 10 Because the lande is full of adulterers and thorowe swearing it mourneth and the pleasaunt pastures of the desert are dryed vp yea the way that men take is wicked and their power is nothing right 11 For the prophetes and the priestes them selues are polluted hypocrites and their wickednesse haue I founde in my house saith the Lorde 12 Wherefore their way shal be slipperie in the darknesse wherein they may stacker and fall for I wyll bryng a plague vpon them euen the yere of their visitation saith the Lorde 13 I haue scene folly among the prophetes of Samaria that preached for Baal and deceaued my people of Israel 14 I haue seene also among the prophetes of Hierusalem foule adultrie and presumptuous lyes they take the most shamefull men by the hande flattering them so that they can not returne from their wickednes all these with their citizens are vnto me as Sodom and as the inhabitours of Gomorre 15 Therefore thus saith the Lorde of hoastes concerning these prophetes Beholde I wyll feede them with wormewood and make them drinke the water of gall For from the prophetes of Hierusalem is hypocrisie come into all the lande 16 And therfore the Lorde of hoastes geueth you this warning Heare not the wordes of the prophetes that preache vnto you and deceaue you truely they teache you vanitie for they speake the meaning of their owne heart and not out of the mouth of the Lorde 17 They say vnto them that despise me The Lorde hath spoken it tushe ye shall prosper right well and vnto all them that walke after the lust of their owne heart they say tushe there shall no misfortune happen you 18 For who hath sitten in the counsayle of the Lorde that he hath hearde and vnderstande what he is about to do who hath marked his deuice and hearde it 19 Beholde the stormie weather of the Lorde that is his indignation shall go foorth and a violent whirlewinde shall fall downe vpon the head
spoken out all the wordes that the Lorde commaunded hym to preache vnto the people then the priestes the prophetes and all the people toke holde vpon hym and sayde Thou shalt dye 9 Howe darest thou be so bolde as to say in the name of the Lord it shall happen to this house as it did vnto Silo and this citie shal be so waste that no man may dwell therin 10 And when all the people were gathered about Ieremie in the house of the Lorde the princes of Iuda hearde of this rumour and they came soone out of the kynges palace into the house of the Lorde and sate them downe before the newe doore of the Lorde 11 Then spake the priestes and the prophetes vnto the rulers and to all the people these wordes This man is worthy to dye for he hath preached agaynst this citie as ye your selues haue hearde with your eares 12 Then sayde Ieremie vnto the rulers and to all the people The Lorde hath sent me to preache agaynst this house and agaynst this citie all the wordes that ye haue hearde 13 Therfore amende your wayes and your aduisementes and be obedient vnto the voyce of the Lorde your God so shall the Lorde repent of the plague that he hath deuised agaynst you 14 Nowe as for me I am in your handes do with me as you thinke expedient and good 15 But this shall ye knowe yf ye put me to death ye shall make your selues this citie and all the inhabitours therof giltie of innocent blood For this is of a trueth that the Lorde hath sent me vnto you to speake all these wordes in your eares 16 Then sayde the rulers and the people vnto the priestes and prophetes This man may not be condempned to death for he hath preached vnto vs in the name of the Lorde our God 17 The elders also of the lande stoode vp and sayde thus vnto all the people 18 Micheas the Morasthite which was a prophete vnder Ezekias kyng of Iuda spake to all the people of Iuda thus saith the Lorde of hoastes Sion shal be plowed like a fielde Hierusalem shal be an heape of stones and the hyll of the Lordes house shal be turned to an hye wood 19 Did Ezekias the kyng of Iuda and all the people of Iuda put hym to death for this No veryly but rather feared the Lord and made their prayer vnto hym for the which cause also the Lorde repented of the plague that he had deuised agaynst them Shoulde we then do such a shamefull deede agaynst our soules 20 There was a prophete also that preached stifly in the name of the Lorde called Vrias the sonne of Semaiah of Kiriathiarim this man also preached agaynst this citie and agaynst this lande according to all as Ieremie saith 21 Nowe when Iehoakim the king with all the estates and princes had hearde his wordes the kyng went about to slay him When Vrias perceaued that he was afrayde and fled and departed into Egypt 22 Then Iehoakim the kyng sent seruauntes into the lande of Egypt namelye Elnathan the sonne of Achbor and certayne men with hym into Egypt 23 Which fetched Vrias out of Egypt and brought him vnto king Iehoakim that slue hym with the sworde and cast his dead body into the common peoples graue 24 But Ahikam the sonne of Saphan helped Hieremie that he came not into the handes of the people to be slayne The .xxvij. Chapter 1 Ieremie at the commaundement of the Lorde sendeth bondes to the kyng of Iuda and to the other kynges that were nye wherby they are monished to become subiectes vnto Nabuchodonozor 9 He warneth the people and the kinges and rulers that they beleue not false prophetes 1 IN the begynnyng of the raigne of Iehoakim the sonne of Iosias kyng of Iuda came this worde vnto Ieremie from the Lorde which spake thus vnto me 2 Make thee bondes and chaynes and put them about thy necke 3 And sende them to the kyng of Edom to the kyng of Moab to the kyng of Ammon to the kyng of Tyrus and to the kyng of Sidon and that by the messengers which shall come to Hierusalem vnto Zedekiah the kyng of Iuda 4 And bid them say vnto their maisters Thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel speake thus vnto your maisters 5 I am he that made the earth the men and the cattell that are vpon the grounde with my great power stretched out arme and haue geuen it vnto whom it pleased me 6 And nowe wyll I deliuer all these landes into the power of Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon my seruaunt the beastes also of the fielde shall I geue hym to do hym seruice 7 And all the people shal serue him and his sonne and his childers children vntyll the tyme of the same lande be come and his tyme also yea many people and great kynges shall serue hym 8 Moreouer that people and kyngdome which wyl not serue Nabuchodonozor that wyll not put their neckes vnder the yoke of the kyng of Babylon the same people wyll I visite with the sworde with hunger and pestilence vntyll I haue consumed them in his handes saith the Lorde 9 And therfore folowe not your prophetes soothsayers expounders of dreames charmers witches which say vnto you Ye shal not serue the kyng of Babylon 10 For they preache you lyes to bring you farre from your lande that I myght cast you out and destroy you 11 But the people that put their neckes vnder the yoke of the kyng of Babylon and serue hym those wyll I let remayne styll in their owne lande saith the Lorde and they shall occupie it and dwell therin 12 All these thynges tolde I Zedekiah the kyng of Iuda and sayde Put your neckes vnder the yoke of the kyng of Babylon and serue him and his people that ye may liue 13 Why wylt thou and thy people perishe with the sworde with hunger with pestilence like as the Lord hath deuised for all people that wyll not serue the kyng of Babylon 14 Therfore geue no eare vnto those prophetes that tell you Ye shall not serue the kyng of Babylon for they preache you lyes 15 Neither haue I sent them saith the Lorde howbeit they are bolde falsly to prophecie in my name that I myght the sooner driue you out and that ye myght perishe with your preachers 16 I speake to the priestes also and to all this people Thus saith the Lorde Heare not the wordes of your prophetes that preache vnto you and say Beholde the vessels of the Lordes house shall shortly be brought hyther agayne from Babylon for they prophecie lyes vnto you 17 Heare them not but serue the kyng of Babylon that ye may lyue Wherfore wyll ye make this citie to be destroyed 18 But yf they be true prophetes in very deede and yf the worde of the Lorde be committed vnto them then let them pray the
Lord of hoastes that the remnaunt of the ornamentes which are in the house of the Lorde in the house of the kyng of Iuda and at Hierusalem be not caryed to Babylon also 19 For thus hath the Lorde of hoastes spoken concerning the pillers the lauer the seate and the residue of the ornamentes that yet remayne in this citie 20 Which Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon toke not when he caryed away Iechonias the sonne of Iehoakim kyng of Iuda with all the power of Iuda Hierusalem vnto Babylon captiue 21 Yea thus hath the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel spoken as touchyng the residue of the ornamentes of the Lordes house of the kyng of Iuda his house and of Hierusalem 22 They shal be caryed vnto Babylon and there shall they remayne vntyll I visite them saith the Lorde then wyll I bryng them hyther agayne ¶ The .xxviij. Chapter 1 The false prophecie of Hananias the prophete 12 Ieremie sheweth that the prophecie of Hananias is false by the example of the other prophetes 15 He being inspired of the Lorde reproueth Hananias propheciyng his death 1 AND it came to passe the same yere euen in the begynnyng of the raigne of Zedekiah kyng of Iuda in the fourth yere the fift moneth that Hananias the sonne of Assur the prophete of Gibeon spake to me in the house of the Lorde in the presence of the priestes and of all the people and sayde 2 Thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel I haue broken the yoke of the kyng of Babylon 3 And after two yeres wyll I bryng agayne into this place all the ornamentes of the Lordes house that Nabuchodonozor kyng of Babylon caryed away from this place vnto Babylon 4 Yea I wyll bryng agayne Iechonias the sonne of Iehoakim the kyng of Iuda hym selfe with all the prisoners of Iuda that are caried vnto Babylon euen into this place saith the Lorde for I wyll breake the yoke of the kyng of Babylon 5 Then the prophete Ieremie gaue aunswere vnto the prophete Hananias before all the priestes and before all the people that were present in the house of the Lorde 6 And the prophete Ieremie sayde Amen the Lorde do that and graunt the thyng which thou hast prophecied that he may bryng agayne all the ornamentes of the Lordes house and restore all the prisoners from Babylon into this place 7 Neuerthelesse hearken thou also what I wyll say that thou and all the people may heare 8 The prophetes that were before vs in tyme past which prophecied of warre or trouble or pestilence 9 Either of peace vpon many nations and great kyngdomes were proued by this yf God hath sent them in very deede when the thyng came to passe which the prophete tolde before 10 And Hananias the prophete toke the chayne from the prophete Ieremies necke and brake it 11 And with that sayde Hananias that all the people might heare thus hath the Lorde spoken Euen so wyll I breake the yoke of Nabuchodonozor kyng of Babylon from the necke of all nations yea and that within this two yere And so the prophete Ieremie went his way 12 Nowe after that Hananias the prophete had taken the chayne from the prophete Ieremies necke and broken it the worde of the Lorde came vnto the prophete Ieremie saying 13 Go and tell Hananias these wordes Thus saith the Lord thou hast broken the chayne of wood but in steade of wood thou shalt make chaynes of iron 14 For thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel I wyll put a yoke of iron vpon the necke of all this people that they may serue Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon yea and so shall they do and I wyll geue hym the beastes of the fielde 15 Then sayde the prophete Ieremie vnto the prophete Hananias Heare me Hananias The Lorde hath not sent thee but thou bryngest this people into a false beliefe 16 And therfore thus saith the Lorde Beholde I wyll sende thee out of the lande and within a yere thou shalt dye because thou hast falsely spoken agaynst the Lorde 17 So Hananias dyed the same yere in the seuenth moneth The .xxix. Chapter 1 The pistle of Ieremie sent vnto them that were in captiuitie in Babylon 10 He prophecieth their returne from the captiuitie after seuentie yeres 16 He prophecieth the destruction of the king and of the people that remayned in Hierusalem 21 He threatneth two prophetes that seduced the people 25 The death of Semeiah the Nehelamite is prophecied 1 THese are the wordes of the booke that Ieremie the prophete sent from Hierusalem vnto the prisoners the senatours priestes prophetes and all the people whom Nabuchodonozor had led from Hierusalem vnto Babylon ⪠2 After that tyme that kyng Iechonias and his queene his chamberlaynes the princes of Iuda and Hierusalem the workmaisters of Hierusalem were departed thyther 3 Which booke Elasah the sonne of Saphan Gamariah the sonne of Helkia did beare whom Zedekias the kyng of Iuda sent vnto Babylon to Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon These were the wordes of Hieremies booke 4 Thus hath the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel spoken vnto all the prisoners that were fled from Hierusalem to Babylon 5 Builde you houses to dwell therin plant you gardens that you may enioy the fruites therof 6 Take you wiues to beare you sonnes and daughters prouide wiues for your sonnes and husbandes for your daughters that they may get sonnes daughters and that ye may multiplie there and decrease not 7 Seke after the peace and prosperitie of the citie wherin ye be prisoners and pray vnto the Lorde for it for in the peace therof shall your peace be 8 For thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel Let not these prophetes and soothsayers that be among you deceaue you and beleue not your owne dreames 9 For why they preache you lyes in my name and I haue not sent them saith the Lorde 10 But thus saith the Lorde When ye haue fulfylled seuentie yeres at Babylon I will bring you home and of mine owne goodnesse I wyll cary you hither agayne into this place 11 For I knowe what I haue deuised for you saith the Lorde My thoughtes are to geue you peace and not trouble and to geue you an ende as you wishe and hope to haue 12 Ye shall crye vnto me ye shall go and call vpon me and I wyll heare you 13 Ye shall seke me and fynde me yea yf so be that you seke me with your whole heart 14 I wyll be founde of you saith the Lord and will deliuer you out of prison and gather you together agayne out of all places wherin I haue scattered you saith the Lorde and wyll bryng you agayne to the same place from whence I caused you to be caried away captiue 15 But where as ye say that God hath raysed you vp prophetes at Babylon 16 Thus hath
saith the Lorde that I will perfourme that good thing whiche I haue promised vnto the house of Israel and vnto the house of Iuda 15 In those dayes and at the same tyme I wyll bryng foorth vnto Dauid the braunche of righteousnesse and he shall do equitie and righteousnesse in the lande 16 In those dayes shall Iuda be saued and Hierusalem shall dwell safe and this shal be her name God our righteousnesse 17 For thus the Lorde promiseth Dauid shall neuer want one to sit vpon the throne of the house of Israel 18 Neither shall the priestes and leuites want one to offer alway before me burnt offeringes to kindle the meate offeringes and to prepare the sacrifices 19 And the worde of the Lord came vnto Ieremie after this maner 20 Thus saith the Lorde May the couenaunt whiche I haue made with day and night be broken that there shoulde not be day and night in due season 21 Then may my couenaunt also be broken whiche I made with Dauid my seruaunt and so he not to haue a sonne to raigne in his throne so shall also the Priestes and Leuites neuer fayle but serue me 22 For like as the starres of heauen may not be numbred neither the sande of the sea measured so wyll I multiplie the seede of Dauid my seruaunt and the Leuites my ministers 23 Moreouer the worde of the Lorde came to Ieremie saying 24 Considerest thou not what this people speaketh Two kinredes say they had the Lorde chosen and those same two hath he cast away for so they haue despised my people and they reputed them as though they were no people 25 Therefore thus saith the Lord If I haue made no couenaunt with day and night and geuen no statute vnto heauen and earth 26 Then will I also cast away the seede of Iacob and Dauid my seruaunt so that I wyll take no prince out of his seede to rule the posteritie of Abraham Isaac and Iacob but yet I will turne agayne their captiuitie and be mercyfull vnto them The .xxxiiij. Chapter 2 He threatneth that the citie and the king Zedekias also shal be geuen into the handes of the kyng of Babylon 11 He rebuketh them that brought suche of their brethren into captiuitie as were pardoned to go at their libertie 1 THese are the wordes whiche the Lord spake vnto Ieremie what tyme as Nabuchodonozor the king of Babylon and all his hoast and all the kyngdomes that were vnder his power and all his people fought against Hierusalem and all the cities therof 2 Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel Go and speake to Zedekias the king of Iuda and tell hym the Lorde sendeth thee this worde beholde I wyll deliuer this citie into the hande of the kyng of Babylon he shall burne it with fire 3 And thou shalt not escape his handes but shal be taken prisoner and deliuered into his power Thou shalt looke the kyng of Babylon in the face and he shall speake to thee mouth to mouth and then shalt thou go to Babylon 4 Yet heare the worde of the Lorde O Zedekias thou kyng of Iuda thus saith the Lorde vnto thee Thou shalt not be slayne with the sworde 5 But shalt dye in peace And as thy forefathers the kynges thy progenitours were brent so shalt thou be brent also and in thy mourning they shal say O Lorde for thus haue I determined saith the Lorde 6 Then saide Ieremie the prophete all these wordes vnto Zedekias kyng of Iuda in Hierusalem 7 What tyme as the kyng of Babylons hoast besieged Hierusalem and the remnaunt of the cities namely Lachis and Azecah whiche yet remayned of the strong defensed cities of Iuda 8 These are the wordes that the Lorde spake vnto Ieremie the prophete when Zedekias was agreed with all the people at Hierusalem that there shoulde be proclaymed a libertie 9 So that euery man should let his seruaunt and handmayde go free Hebrue and Hebruesse and no Iewe holde his brother as a bondman 10 Nowe as they had consented all the princes and all the people whiche had gathered vnto this agreement that euery man shoulde set at libertie his bondseruaunt and bondwoman and no longer to holde them bounde euen so they were obedient and let them go free 11 But afterwarde they repented and toke agayne the seruauntes and handmaydens whom they had let go free and so made them bonde agayne 12 For whiche cause the worde of the Lorde came vnto Ieremie from the Lorde hym selfe saying 13 Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel I made a couenaunt with your fathers when I brought them out of the lande of Egypt out of the house of bondage saying 14 When seuen yeres are out euery man shall let his bought seruaunt an Hebrue go free if he haue serued hym sixe yeres but your fathers obayed me not and hearkened not vnto me 15 As for you ye were nowe turned and dyd right before me in that ye proclaymed euery man to let his neighbour go free and in that ye made a couenaunt before me in the temple that beareth my name 16 But yet ye turned your selues againe and blasphemed my name in this that euery man hath required his seruaunt and handemayde agayne whom ye had let go quite and free and compelled them to serue you agayne and to be bondmen and bondwomen 17 And therfore thus saith the Lord Ye haue not obayed me euery man to proclaime freedome vnto his brother and neighbour wherefore I wyll call you vnto freedome saith the Lorde euen vnto the sworde to the pestilence and to hunger and will make you to be plagued in all kyngdomes of the earth 18 Yea those men that haue broken my couenaunt and not kept the wordes of the appointment whiche they made before me when they hewed the calfe in two and when they went thorowe the two halfes therof 19 The princes of Iuda the princes of Hierusalem the gelded meÌ the priestes and all the people of the lande whiche went thorowe the two sydes of the calfe 20 Those men will I geue into the power of their enemies and into the handes of them that folowe vpon their liues and their dead bodies shal be meate for the foules of the ayre and beastes of the fielde 21 As for Zedekias the king of Iuda and his princes I wyll deliuer them into the power of their enemies of them that desire to slay them and into the hande of the kyng of Babylons hoast whiche nowe is departed from you 22 But thorowe my commaundement saith the Lord they shall come againe before this citie they shall fight against it winne it and burne it Moreouer I wyll lay the cities of Iuda so waste that no man shall dwell therin ¶ The .xxxv. Chapter 1 He propoundeth the obedience of the Rechabites and therby confoundeth the pryde of the Iewes 6 The commaundement of Ionadab the father of the Rechabites 17 He threatneth
princes sent Iehudi the sonne of Nathaniah the sonne of Selemiah the sonne of Chusi vnto Baruch saying Take in thine hande the booke whereout thou hast read before all the people come So Baruch the sonne of Neriah toke the booke in his hande and came vnto them 15 And they sayd vnto him Sit downe and reade the booke that we may heare also So Baruch read that they might heare 16 Nowe when they had hearde all the wordes they were abashed one vpon another and sayde vnto Baruch We will certifie the king of al these wordes 17 And they examined Baruch saying Tell vs howe diddest thou write all these wordes out of his mouth 18 Then Baruch aunswered them He spake all these wordes vnto me with his mouth and I wrote them in the booke 19 Then sayd the princes vnto Baruch Go thy way hide thee with Ieremie so that no man knowe where ye be 20 And they went in to the kyng to the court but they kept the booke in the chaumber of Elizama the scribe and tolde the kyng all the wordes that he might heare 21 So the kyng sent Iehudi to fet hym the booke which he brought out of Elizama the scribes chaumber and Iehudi read in it that the king and all the princes whiche were about hym might heare 22 Nowe the kyng sate in the winter house for it was in the ninth moneth and there was a fire before hym 23 And when Iehudi had read three or foure leaues therof he cut the booke in peeces with a penknife and cast it into the fire vpon the harth vntill the booke was al brent in the fire vpon the harth 24 Yet no man was abashed therof nor rent his clothes neither the kyng hym selfe nor his seruauntes though they hearde all these wordes 25 Neuerthelesse Elnathan Dalaiah and Gamariah besought the kyng that he woulde not burne the booke notwithstanding the kyng woulde not heare them 26 But commaunded Ierahmel the sonne of Amelech Saraiah the sonne of Ezriel and Selemiah the sonne of Abdeel to lay handes vpon Baruch the scribe and vpon Ieremie the prophete but the Lorde kept them out of sight 27 Nowe after that the kyng had brent the booke and the sermons which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Ieremie the worde of the Lorde came vnto Ieremie saying 28 Take another booke and write in it all the foresayde sermons that were written in the first booke whiche Iehoakim the kyng of Iuda hath brent 29 And tell Iehoakim the kyng of Iuda thus saith the Lorde Thou hast brent the booke and thoughtest within thy selfe Why hast thou written therin that the kyng of Babylon shall come and make this lande waste so that he shall make both people and cattell to be out of it 30 Therefore thus the Lorde saith of Iehoakim the kyng of Iuda There shall none of his generation sit vpon the throne of Dauid his dead coarse shal be cast out that the heate of the day and the frost of the night may come vppon hym 31 And I wyll visite the wickednesse of hym of his seede and of his seruauntes Moreouer all the euyll that I haue promised them though they hearde me not wyll I bryng vpon them vpon the inhabitours of Hierusalem and vpon all Iuda 32 Then toke Ieremie another booke and gaue it Baruch the scribe the sonne of Neriah which wrote therin out of the mouth of Hieremie all the sermons that were in the first booke which Iehoakim the kyng of Iuda did burne and there were added vnto them many mo sermons lyke vnto the former ¶ The .xxxvij. Chapter 1 Zedekia succeedeth Cononiah 3 he sendeth vnto Ieremie to pray for hym 12 Ieremie goyng into the lande of Beniamin is taken 15 he is beaten and put in prison 17 he is deliuered by kyng Zedekia 1 ZEdekia the sonne of Iosiah which was made kyng through Nabuchodonozor king of Babylon raigned in the lande of Iuda in the stead of Cononiah the sonne of Iehoakim 2 But neither he nor his seruauntes nor the people in his lande woulde obey the wordes of the Lorde which he spake by the prophete Ieremie 3 Neuerthelesse Zedekia the king sent Iehucall the sonne of Selemiah and Sophoniah the sonne of Maasiah the priest to the prophete Ieremie saying O pray thou vnto the Lorde our God for vs. 4 Nowe Ieremie walked free among the people at that tyme and was not put in prison as yet 5 Pharaos hoast also was come out of Egypt which when the Chaldees which besieged Hierusalem perceaued they departed from thence 6 Then came the worde of the Lorde vnto the prophete Ieremie saying 7 Thus saith the Lorde God of Israel This aunswere shal ye geue to the king of Iuda that sent you vnto me for counsayle Beholde Pharaos hoast which is come foorth to helpe you shal returne into Egypt into his owne lande 8 But the Chaldees shall come agayne and fight agaynst this citie winne it and set fire vpon it 9 For thus saith the Lorde Deceaue not your owne myndes thynkyng on this maner Tushe the Chaldees go nowe their way from vs No they shall not go their way 10 For though ye had slayne the whole hoast of the Chaldees that besiege you and that none remayned of them but wounded men yet shoulde they stande vp and set fire vpon this citie 11 Nowe when the hoast of the Chaldees was broken vp from Hierusalem for feare of the Egyptians armie 12 Ieremie went out of Hierusalem towarde the lande of Beniamin to get hym from among the people 13 And when he came vnder Beniamins port there was a porter called Ieriah the sonne of Selemiah the sonne of Hananiah which fell vpon hym and toke hym saying Thy mynde is to runne to the Chaldees 14 Then sayde Ieremie It is not so I go not to the Chaldees Neuerthelesse Ieriah woulde not beleue hym but brought Ieremie bounde before the princes 15 Wherfore the princes were angry with Ieremie smote hym and layde hym in prison in the house of Ionathan the scribe for they had made that house the prison 16 Thus was Hieremie put into a dungeon and prison and so lay there a long tyme. 17 Then Zedekia the kyng sent for him and called hym and asked hym quietly in his owne house saying Thinkest thou this businesse that nowe is in hande commeth of the Lorde Ieremie aunswered Yea that it doth and thou sayde he shalt be deliuered into the kyng of Babylons power 18 Moreouer Ieremie sayde vnto king Zedekia What haue I offended agaynst thee agaynst thy seruauntes or agaynst this people that ye haue put me in prison 19 Where are your prophetes which haue prophecied vnto you and sayde That the king of Babylon shoulde not come agaynst you and this lande 20 And therfore heare nowe O my Lorde the kyng let my prayer be accepted before thee and sende me no more into the house of Ionathan the scribe that I dye
name is the Lorde of hoastes so surely as Thabor standeth among the mountaynes and Charmel in the sea euen so assuredly shall this mischiefe come vppon Egypt 19 O thou daughter of Egypt make redye thy geare to flit for Noph shal be voyde and desolate so that no man shal dwell therein 20 The lande of Egypt is lyke a goodly faire calfe but destruction shall come out of the north I say it commeth 21 Her waged souldiers that be with her are lyke fat calues they also shall flee away together and not abyde for the day of their slaughter and the tyme of their visitation shall come vpon them 22 The crye of them shall make a noyse as the hissing of serpentes for they shall enter in with their hoastes and come against her with axes as it were hewers downe of wood 23 And they shall cut downe her wood saith the Lorde they shal be innumerable for they shal be mo in number then the grashoppers so that no man shal be able to tell them 24 The daughter of Egypt is confounded and deliuered into the handes of the people of the north 25 Thus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel Beholde I wyll visite that restlesse people of Alexandria Pharao Egypt yea both their gods and their kinges euen Pharoa and all them that put their trust in hym 26 Yea I wyl deliuer them into the handes of those that seeke after their liues namely into the power of Nabuchodonozor the kyng of Babylon and into the power of his seruauntes and after all these thinges it shal be inhabited as aforetyme saith the Lorde 27 Be not thou afraide O my seruaunt Iacob feare not thou O Israel for lo I wyll helpe thee from farre and thy seede from the lande of their captiuitie Iacob also shall come againe and be in rest he shall prosper and no man shall do hym harme 28 Feare thou not O Iacob my seruaunt saith the Lorde for I am with thee and wyll destroy all nations among whom I haue scattered thee neuerthelesse I wyll not consume thee but chasten thee and correct thee yea and that with discretion neither wyll I vtterly destroy thee ¶ The .xlvii. Chapter 1 The worde of the Lorde against the Philistines 1 THese are the wordes that the Lorde spake vnto Ieremie the prophete against the Philistines before that Pharao smote the citie of Azah 2 Thus saith the Lorde Beholde there shal waters arise out of the north and shall growe to a great fludde running ouer couering the lande and all that is therin the cities and them that dwel therin and the men shal crye all they that dwel in the land shal mourne 3 At the noyse and stamping of their strong barbed horses at the shaking of their charrets and at the rumbling of the wheeles the fathers shall not looke to their chyldren so feeble and weerie shall their handes be 4 At the same tyme when he shal be there to destroy the whole lande of the Philistines he shall make waste both Tyrus Sidon and the residue of their ayde for the Lorde wyll destroy the Philistines the remnaunt of the I le of Caphtor 5 Baldnesse is come vpon Azah Ascalon is put to scilence with the rest of their valleys Howe long wylt thou teare thy selfe 6 O thou sworde of the Lorde howe long wylt thou not ceasse Turne againe into thy sheath rest and leaue of 7 But how can it ceasse when the Lord him selfe hath geuen it a charge against Ascalon and raysed it vp against the cities of the sea coast The .xlviij. Chapter 1 The worde of the Lorde against the Moabites 1 THus saith the Lorde of hoastes the God of Israel against Moab Wo be to the citie of Nebo for it is layde waste brought to confusion and Kiriathaim is taken Misgab is brought to shame and afraide 2 Moab can boast no more of Hesbon for they haue deuised a mischiefe against it Come shall they say let vs roote them out that they may be no more a nation thou also shalt be destroyed O Madmena and the sworde shall persecute thee 3 A voyce shall crye from Horonaim Great wasting and destruction shall come vpon them 4 Moab is made desolate her litle ones haue cryed out 5 For at the going vp vnto Luith he arose with lamentation and mourning and downe towarde Horonaim they hearde a cruel and deadly crye 6 Get you away saue your liues and be lyke vnto the heath in the wyldernesse 7 For because thou hast trusted in thine owne workes and treasure thou shalt be taken Chamos with his priestes and princes shall go away into captiuitie 8 The destroyer shall come vpon all cities none shall escape The valleys shal be destroyed and the fieldes shal be layde waste lyke as the Lorde hath spoken 9 Geue winges vnto Moab that she get her away speedyly for her cities shal be made so desolate that no man shall dwell therein 10 Cursed be he that doth the worke of the Lorde fraudulently and cursed be he that kepeth backe his sworde from sheddyng of blood 11 Moab hath euer ben riche and carelesse from her youth vp she hath ben still setled vpon lies she was neuer yet put out of one vessell into another that is she neuer went away into captiuitie therefore her taste remayneth and her sauour is not yet chaunged 12 But lo the tyme commeth saith the Lorde that I shall sende her trussers to trusse her vp whiche shall remoue her from her dwelling and emptie her vessels and breake her wine pottes 13 And Moab shal be ashamed of Chamos lyke as Israel was ashamed of Bethel wherein she put her trust 14 Wherefore do ye thinke thus we are mightie and strong men of warre 15 Moab is destroyed and her cities brent vp her chosen young men be slayne saith the kyng whose name is the Lorde of hoastes 16 The destruction of Moab commeth on a pace and her fall is at hande 17 All ye neighbours mourne for her and all ye that knowe her name say O howe happeneth it that the strong staffe and the goodly rodde is thus broken 18 And thou daughter Dibon come downe from thy glory and sit in thyrst for he that destroyeth Moab shall come vp to thee also and breake downe thy strong holdes 19 And thou that dwellest in Aroer get thee to the streete and looke about thee aske them that are fled and escaped and say What thing is happened 20 Oh Moab is confounded and ouercome mourne and crye tell it out at Arnon that Moab is destroyed 21 For iudgement shall come vpon the playne lande namely vpon Holon and Iahzah and vpon Mephaath 22 And vpon Dibon vpon Nabo and Beth Deblathaim 23 Vpon Kiriathaim and vpon Beth Gamul vpon Beth Maon 24 And vpon Carioth vpon Bozra and all the cities in the lande of Moab whether they lye farre or neare 25 The horne of Moab is smitten downe and her arme
ye tell me the dreame and the interpretation therof ye shall receaue of me giftes rewardes and great honour therefore shewe me the dreame and the interpretation therof 7 They aunswered againe and said The king must shewe his seruauntes the dreame and so shal we declare the interpretation therof 8 Then the king aunswered saying I perceaue of a trueth that ye would redeeme the time for so much as ye see the thing is gone fro me 9 Therfore if ye wil not tel me the dreame this is your only purpose ye haue prepared liyng corrupt wordes to speake before me til the time be chaunged therfore tell me the dreame that I may knowe that ye can declare me the interpretation therof 10 Vpon this the Chaldees gaue aunswere before the king and sayde There is no man vpon earth that can tell the thing which the king speaketh of yea there is neither king prince nor lorde that euer asked such thinges at a wyse man soothsayer or Chaldean 11 For it is a rare matter that the king requireth neither is there any that can certifie the king therof except the gods whose dwelling is not with fleshe 12 For the which cause the king was wroth with great indignation commaunded to destroy al the wise men at Babylon 13 So the decree went foorth and the wise men were slayne they sought also to slay Daniel with his companions 14 Then Daniel stayed the counsell and decree with Arioch the captayne of the kinges garde who was gone foorth to put to death the wise men of Babylon 15 He aunswered and sayde vnto Arioch the kinges captayne why is the sentence so hastie from the king Then Arioch tolde Daniel the matter 16 Vpon this went Daniel and desired the king that he woulde geue him leysure and that he would shewe the king the interpretation 17 Then Daniel went to his house and shewed the thing to Ananias Misael and Azarias his companions 18 That they shoulde beseche the God of heauen for grace in this secrete that Daniel and his felowes with other such as were wyse in Babylon perished not 19 Then was the secrete reuealed vnto Daniel in a vision by night then Daniel praysed the God of heauen 20 Daniel also aunswered and said The name of God be praysed for euer euer for wysdome and strength are his 21 He chaungeth the times and seasons he taketh away kinges he setteth vp kinges he geueth wysdome vnto the wyse and vnderstanding to those that vnderstande 22 He reuealeth the deepe secrete thinges he knoweth the thing that lieth in darknesse for the light dwelleth with him 23 I thanke thee and prayse thee O thou God of my fathers that thou hast geuen me wisdome and strength and hast shewed me now the thing that we desired of thee for thou hast declared the kinges matter vnto vs. 24 Vpon this went Daniel in vnto Arioch whom the king had ordeined to destroy the wise men at Babylon he went and sayde thus vnto him Destroy not the wyse men of Babylon but bring me before the king and I shall shewe the king the interpretation 25 Then Arioch brought Daniel before the king in all the haste and sayde thus vnto him I haue founde a man among the children of Iuda that were brought captiues that will declare vnto the king the interpretation 26 Then aunswered the king and sayd vnto Daniel whose name was Baltassar Art thou able to shewe me the dreame which I haue seene and the interpretation therof 27 Daniel aunswered in the presence of the king and sayd As for this secrete for the whiche the king maketh inquisition there can neither the men of vnderstanding nor soothsayers nor the wyse men nor readers of destinies declare it vnto the king 28 But there is a God in heauen that reuealeth secretes sheweth the king Nabuchodonozor what is for to come in the latter dayes Thy dreame and that whiche thou hast seene in thyne head vpon thy bed is this 29 O king when thou wast in thy bed thoughtes came into thy mynde what should come hereafter so he that is the opener of misteries telleth thee what is for to come 30 As for me this secrete is not shewed me for any wysdome that I haue more then any other liuing but onely that I might shew the king the interpretation and that thou mightest knowe the thoughtes of thyne owne heart 31 Thou king sawest and beholde there was a great image this great image whose brightnesse was excellent stoode before thee and the fourme therof was terrible 32 This images head was of fine gold his brest and armes of siluer his belly and his thighes of brasse 33 His legges were of iron his feete were part of iron and part of clay 34 Thou beheldest it till a stone was cut without handes which smote the image vpon his feete that were of iron clay and brake them to peeces 35 Then was the iron the clay the brasse the siluer and gold broken al together became like y e chaffe of sommer floores and the winde caryed them away that no place was found for them the stone that smote the image became a great mountayne and filled the whole earth 36 This is the dreame and now will we shew before the king what it meaneth 37 O king thou art a king of kinges for the God of heaueÌ hath geuen vnto thee a kingdome power strength glorie 38 And in all places whersoeuer the children of men dwell the beastes of the fielde and the foules of the aire hath he geuen into thy hande and hath made thee ruler in them all thou art this head of golde 39 After thee shall arise another kingdome inferior to thee another third kingdome shal be of brasse whiche shall beare rule ouer all the earth 40 The fourth kingdome shal be strong as iron for as iron breaketh in peeces and subdueth all thinges and as iron bruiseth all these thinges so shall it breake in peeces and bruise all 41 Where as thou sawest the feete toes parte of potters clay part of iron the kingdome shal be deuided but there shal be in it of the strength of the iron for so much as thou sawest the iron mixt with the clay and earth 42 And as the toes of the feete were part of iron and part of clay so shal the kingdome be part strong and part broken 43 And wheras thou sawest iron mixt with clay and earth they shall mingle themselues with the seede of men and yet not ioyne one with another as iron will not be mixt with clay 44 And in the dayes of these kinges shall the God of heauen set vp a kingdome which shall neuer be destroyed and this kingdome shall not be geuen ouer to another people but it shall breake and destroy al these kingdomes and it shal stand for euer 45 Like as thou sawest that without any handes
there was cut out of the mount a stone whiche brake the iron the brasse the clay the siluer and gold in peeces so the great God hath shewed the king what shall come to passe after this This is a true dreame the interpretation of it is sure 46 Then the king Nabuchodonozor fell downe vpon his face and bowed hym selfe vnto Daniel and commaunded to ordeine rewardes and sweete odours for hym 47 The king aunswered Daniel sayde Of a truth your God is a God of gods and the Lorde of kinges and a reuealer of secretes seing thou couldest reueale this secrete 48 So the king made Daniel a great man and gaue him many great giftes he made hym ruler of all the countreys of Babylon and the chiefe of the rulers aboue all the wyse men of Babylon 49 Then Daniel made request to the king and he set Sidrach Misach and Abednego ouer the charge of the prouince of Babylon but Daniel sate in the kinges gate The .iii. Chapter 1 The king setteth vp a golden image which he commaundeth to be worshipped 8 Sidrach Misach and Abednego are accused because they despised the kinges commaundement 13 They are brought vnto the king commaunded to worship the image ⪠16 they refuse to do it and are put into a burning ouen 25 By beleefe in God they are deliuered from the fire 28 Nabuchodonozor confesseth the power of God after the sight of the miracle 1 NAbuchodonozor y e king made an image of gold whiche was threescore cubites hie and sixe cubites thicke he set it vp in the plaine of Dura in the prouince of Babylon 2 Then Nabuchodonozor the king sent foorth to gather together the dukes lordes and nobles the iudges and officers the deputies and sherifes with all the rulers of the prouinces that they might come to the dedication of the image whiche Nabuchodonozor the king had set vp 3 So the dukes lordes and nobles the iudges officers deputies sherifes with all the rulers of the prouince gathered them together vnto the dedicating of the image that Nabuchodonozor the king had set vp they stoode before the image whiche Nabuchodonozor had set vp 4 Then an herald cryed a loude To you it is commaunded O people nations and languages 5 That wheÌ ye heare the noyse of the cornet trumpet harpe shawme psaltries dulcimer and al maner of instrumentes of musicke ye fall downe and worship that golden image that Nabuchodonozor the king hath set vp 6 Whoso then falleth not downe worshippeth shall euen the same houre be cast into the mids of a hot firie fornace 7 Therfore when all the folke heard the noyse of the cornet trumpet harpe shawme psaltries and al instrumentes of musicke then all the people nations and languages fell downe and worshipped the golden image that Nabuchodonozor the king had set vp 8 Nowe were there certayne men of the Chaldees that went euen then and cried out an accusation of the Iewes 9 They spake and sayde vnto the king Nabuchodonozor O king liue for euer 10 Thou O king hast made a decree that euery man that shall heare the sound of the cornet trumpet harpe shawme psaltries dulcimer all instrumentes of musicke shall fall downe and worship the golden image 11 And who so then fel not downe worshipped not that he shoulde be cast into the mids of an hot firie fornace 12 Now are there certayne Iewes whom thou hast set ouer the charge of the prouince of Babylon namely Sidrach Misach and Abednego these men O king regarded not thy commaundement yea they will not serue thy gods nor worship the golden image that thou hast set vp 13 Then Nabuchodonozor in his anger and wrath commaunded that Sidrach Misach Abednego should be brought vnto hym so these men were brought before the king 14 Then Nabuchodonozor spake vnto them and sayde Is it true O Sidrach Misach Abednego will not you serue my gods nor worship the golden image that I haue set vp 15 Nowe therfore be redy when ye heare the sound of the cornet trumpet harpe shawme psaltries dulcimers and al instrumentes of musicke to fal downe and worship the image whiche I haue made for if ye worship it not ye shal be cast immediatly into the mids of a hot firie fornace for who is that God that can deliuer you out of my handes 16 Sidrach Misach and Abednego aunswered the king and sayd O Nabuchodonozor we are not carefull to aunswere thee in this matter 17 Beholde our God whom we serue is able to deliuer vs from the hot firie fornace and he wil deliuer vs out of thy hande O king 18 And though he will not yet shalt thou knowe O king that we will not serue thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set vp 19 Then was Nabuchodonozor full of indignation so that the countenaunce of his face chaunged vpon Sidrach Misach and Abednego therefore he charged and commaunded that they should heate the fornace one seuen tunes more then it was wont to be heat 20 And he charged the most valiaunt men of warre that were in his armie to bind Sidrach Misach and Abednego and to cast them into the hot firie fornace 21 So these men were bounde in their coates hosen head attire with their other garmentes and cast into the mids of the hot firie fornace 22 Therefore because the kinges commaundement was straite the fornace was exceeding hot the men that put in Sidrach Misach and Abednego the flamble of the fire destroyed them 23 And these three men Sidrach Misach and Abednego fel downe in the mids of the hot firie fornace bounde 24 Then Nabuchodonozor the king was astonied rose vp in all haste he spake vnto his counsel and sayd Dyd not we cast three men bounde into the mids of the fire They aunswered and sayde vnto the king It is true O king 25 He aunswered sayde Lo I see foure men loose walking in the mids of y e fire and they haue no hurt and the fourme of the fourth is like the sonne of God 26 Vpon this went Nabuchodonozor vnto the mouth of the hot firie fornace he spake also and sayd O Sidrach Misach and Abednego ye seruauntes of the hye God go foorth and come hyther And so Sidrach Misach Abednego came foorth of the mids of the fire 27 Then the dukes lordes and nobles and the kinges counsel came together to see these men vpon whom the fire had no maner of power in their bodies in so much that the very heere of their head was not burnt and their clothes vnchaunged yea there was no smell of fire felt vpon them 28 Then spake Nabuchodonozor and sayde Blessed be the God of Sidrach Misach and Abednego which hast sent his angel and deliuered his seruauntes that put their trust in him and haue altered the kinges commaundement and ieoparded their bodies rather then
they would serue or worship any God except their owne God onely 29 Therfore I make a decree that euery people nation language which speake any blasphemie against the God of Sidrach Misach and Abednego shal be drawen in peeces and their houses shal be made a iakes because there is no God that can deliuer after this sort 30 So the king promoted Sidrach Misach and Abednego in the prouince of Babylon The .iiii. Chapter 4 Nabuchodonozor dreameth againe 8 Daniel interpreth it 29 Nabuchodonozor it put out of his realme and eateth with beastes 34 He confesseth the power of God and is restored vnto his kingdome 1 NAbuchodonozor king vnto all people natioÌs and languages that dwel vpon the whole earth peace be multiplied among you 2 I thought it good to shewe the signes marueylous workes that the hie God hath wrought vpoÌ me 3 O how great are his signes and howe mightie are his wonders his kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome his dominion is froÌ generation to generation 4 I Nabuchodonozor beyng at rest in my house and florishing in my palace 5 Sawe a dreame whiche made me afrayde and the thoughtes vpon my bed with the visioÌs of my head troubled me 6 Therfore made I a decree that they shoulde bring all the wyse men of Babylon before me that they might declare vnto me the interpretatioÌ of the dreame 7 So came the wyse men the soothsayers the Chaldeans and wisardes to whom I tolde the dreame but they coulde not shewe me the interpretation therof 8 Till at the last Daniel came before me whose name was Baltassar according to the name of my God which hath the spirite of the holy gods in hym before him I tolde the dreame saying 9 O Baltassar thou prince of wyse men forsomuch as I knowe that thou hast the spirite of the holy gods no secrete troubleth thee tell me therefore the visions of my dreame that I haue seene and the interpretation therof 10 Thus were the visions of my head vpon my bed And behold I saw a tree in the mids of the earth and the heyght therof was great 11 A great tree and strong and the heyght therof reached vnto the heauen and the sight thereof to the endes of all the earth 12 The leaues therof were fayre and the fruite therof much and in it was meate for all the beastes of the fielde had shadowes vnder it and the foules of the aire dwelt in the bowes therof al fleshe fed of it 13 I sawe in the visions of my head vpon my bed and beholde a watcher and a holy one came downe from heauen 14 And cryed mightily saying thus Hew downe the tree breake of his braunches shake of his leaues scatter his fruite abroade that the beastes may get them away from vnder hym and the foules from his braunches 15 Neuerthelesse leaue the stumpe of his rootes still in the earth and with a band of iron and brasse binde it among the grasse of the fielde let it be wet with the deawe of heauen and let his portion be with the beastes among the grasse of the fielde 16 Let his heart be chaunged from mans nature and let a beastes heart be geued vnto hym and let seuen times be passed ouer hym 17 This sentence is according to the decree of the watchers and the request according to the word of the holy ones because liuing men should knowe that the hyghest hath power ouer the kingdome of men and geueth it to whom it liketh hym and setteth vp ouer it the basest among men 18 This is the dreame that I king Nabuchodonozor haue seene therfore thou O Baltassar declare the interpretation therof forsomuch as al the wyse men of my kingdome are not able to shewe me what it meaneth but thou caust do it for the spirite of the holy gods is in thee 19 Then Daniel whose name was Baltassar held his peace by the space of one houre and his thoughtes troubled him So the king spake and sayde O Baltassar let neither the dreame nor the interpretation thereof trouble thee Baltassar aunswered saying O my Lord this dreame be to them that hate thee the interpretation therof to thyne aduersaries 20 As for the tree that thou sawest which was great and mightie whose heyght reached vnto the heauen and the sight therof through all the world 21 Whose leaues were fayre and the fruite therof much and in it was meate for all vnder the which the beastes of the fielde had their habitation and vpon whose braunches the foules of the aire did sit 22 It is thou O king whiche art great and mightie for thy greatnesse increaseth reacheth vnto the heauen so doth thy dominion to the endes of the earth 23 But wheras the king saw a watcher and a holy one that came downe from heauen and sayd Hewe downe the tree destroy it yet leaue the stumpe of the rootes therof in the earth and with a band of iron brasse binde it among the grasse of the fielde let it be wet with the dewe of the heauen and let his portion be with the beastes of the fielde till seuen times passe ouer him 24 This O king is the interpretation yea it is y e very decree of hym that is hyghest of al and it toucheth my lord the king 25 Thou shalt be cast out from men and thy dwelling shal be with the beastes of the fielde with grasse shalt thou be fed like oxen thou must be wet with the deawe of the heauen yea seueÌ times shall passe ouer thee till thou knowe that the hyghest hath power ouer the kingdome of men geueth it to whom he list 26 Moreouer where as it was sayd that the stumpe of the roote of the tree should be left still it betokeneth that thy kingdome shall remayne whole vnto thee after thou hast learned to knowe that the power commeth from heauen 27 Wherfore O king let my counsel be acceptable vnto thee and breake of thy sinnes by righteousnesse and thyne iniquities by mercie towarde the poore lo let there be a healing of thyne errour 28 All these thinges touche the king Nabuchodonozor 29 So after twelue monethes the king walked in the palace of the kingdome of Babylon 30 And the king spake sayd Is not this great Babylon that I haue buylt for the house of the kingdome by the might of my power and for the honour of my maiestie 31 Whyle these wordes were yet in the kinges mouth there fell a voyce from heauen saying O king Nabuchodonozor to thee be it spoken Thy kingdome is departed from thee 32 And thou shalt be cast out of mens companie thy dwelling shal be with the beastes of the fielde so that thou shalt eate grasse like oxen and seuen times shal passe ouer thee vntil thou knowest that the hyghest hath power vpon the kingdome of men and geueth it vnto whom it pleaseth
trueth to the grounde and thus shall it do and prosper 13 Vpon this I heard one of the sainctes speaking and one of the sainctes spake vnto Palmoni saying how long shal the vision of the dayly sacrifice and of the iniquitie of desolation endure to geue both the sanctuarie and the power to be troden vnder foote 14 And he aunswered me Vnto the euening and the morning two thousand and three hundred then shal the sanctuarie be cleansed 15 Now when I Daniel had seene this vision and sought for the vnderstanding of it beholde there stoode before me like the similitude of a man 16 And I heard a mans voyce betweene Vlai which cryed and saide O Gabriel make this man vnderstande the vision 17 So he came and stoode by me but I was afraide at his comming and fell downe vpoÌ my face Then said he vnto me Vnderstand O thou sonne of man for at the time of the ende this vision shal be 18 Now as he was speaking vnto me I fell in a slumber vpon my face to the grounde but he touched me and set me vp in my place 19 And he saide Beholde I wyll shewe thee what shal be in the last wrath for in the time appoynted it shal be fulfilled 20 The ramme which thou sawest hauing two hornes is the king of the Medes and Perses 21 And the goate is the king of Grecia and the great horne that is betwixt his eyes that is the first king 22 But where as it brake foure other rose vp in the steade it signifieth that out of this people shall stande vp foure kingdomes but not so mightie as it 23 And in the ende of their kingdome when the wicked are come to the full a king of a fierce countenaunce and vnderstanding harde sentences shall stand vp 24 His power shal be mightie but not in his strength he shall destroy wonderfully he shall prosper practise and destroy the mightie and the holy people 25 And through his policie also he shall cause craft to prosper in his handes he shall extoll him selfe in his heart and in prosperitie he shall destroy many many one shal be put to death in his wealthinesse he shall stande vp against the prince of princes but he shal be destroyed without hande 26 And the vision of the euening and the morning which is declared is true therfore seale thou vp the vision for it shal be after many dayes 27 Vpon this was I Daniel feeble so that I lay sicke certaine dayes but when I rose vp I went about y e kinges busines and was astonied at the vision neuerthelesse no man vnderstoode it The .ix. Chapter 1 Daniel desireth to haue that prefourmed of God which he hath promised concerning the returne of the people from their banishment in Babylon 15 A true confession 20 Daniels prayer is harde 21 Gabriel the angel expoundeth vnto him the vision of the threescore and ten weekes 24 The annoynting of Christe 25 The building againe of Hierusalem vnder Nehemia 26 The death of Christe 1 IN the first yere of Darius the sonne of Ahasuerus which was of the seede of the Medes was made king ouer the realme of the Chaldees 2 Euen in the first yere of his raigne I Daniel vnderstoode by bookes the number of the yeres wherof the Lorde spake vnto Ieremie the prophete that he woulde accomplishe seuentie yeres in the desolation of Hierusalem 3 And I turned my face vnto the Lord God and sought by prayer and supplication with fasting sackcloth and asshes 4 I prayed vnto the Lorde my God made my confession saying O Lorde God great and fearefull which kepeth couenaunt and mercie with them that loue him and kepe his commaundementes 5 We haue sinned and haue committed iniquitie and haue done wickedly yea we haue rebelled haue departed from thy preceptes from thy iudgementes 6 We woulde not obey thy seruauntes the prophetes that spake in thy name to our kinges and princes to our forefathers and to all the people of the lande 7 O Lorde righteousnesse belongeth vnto thee vnto vs open shame as is come to passe this day vnto euery man of Iuda and to them that dwel at Hierusalem yea vnto all Israel whether they be farre or nye throughout all the landes whither thou hast driuen them because of their offences that they haue done against thee 8 Yea O Lorde vnto vs to our kinges princes to our forefathers that haue offended thee belongeth open shame 9 Vnto the Lorde our God pertayneth compassion and forgeuenesse though we haue rebelled against him 10 And we haue not obeyed the voyce of the Lorde our God to walke in his lawes which he layde before vs by the hande of his seruauntes the prophetes 11 Yea all Israel haue transgressed and gone backe from thy lawe so that they haue not hearkened vnto thy voyce wherefore the curse and oth that is written in the lawe of Moyses the seruaunt of God against whom we haue offended is poured vpon vs. 12 And he hath confirmed his wordes which he spake against vs and against our iudges that iudged vs to bring vpon vs such a great plague as neuer was vnder heauen lyke as it is now come to passe in Hierusalem 13 Yea all this plague as it is written in the lawe of Moyses is come vpon vs yet made we not our prayers before the Lorde our God that we might turne againe from our wickednes and vnderstand thy trueth 14 Therfore hath the Lord watched vpon the plague and brought it vpon vs for the Lorde our God is righteous in all his workes which he doth for we would not hearken vnto his voyce 15 And now O Lord our God thou that with a mightie hande hast brought thy people out of the lande of Egypt to get thy selfe a name which remayneth this day we haue sinned we haue done wickedly 16 O Lorde according to all thy righteousnes I beseche thee let thyne anger and thy wrath be turned away from thy citie of Hierusalem thy holy hill for because of our sinnes and for the wickednesse of our fathers Hierusalem and thy people are a reproche to all them that are about vs. 17 Now therefore O our God heare the prayer of thy seruaunt and his intercession O let thy face shine ouer thy sanctuarie that lyeth waste for the Lordes sake 18 O my God encline thyne eare hearken open thyne eyes beholde howe we be desolated yea and the citie also which is called after thy name for we do not present our prayers before thee in our owne righteousnes but in thy great mercies 19 O Lorde heare O forgeue Lorde O Lorde consider and do it defer not for thyne owne sake O my God because thy name is called vpon thy citie vpon thy people 20 As I was yet a speaking at my prayers knowledging myne
the kinges daughter of the south shall come to the kyng of the north for to make an agreement but she shall not retayne the power of the arme neither shall he continue nor his arme but she shal be deliuered to death and they that brought her and he that begat her and he that comforted her in these tunes 7 But out of the bud of her rootes shal one stande vp in his steede whiche shall come with an armie and shall enter into the fortresse of the kyng of the north and do with them as he list and shall preuayle 8 And shall also cary captiues into Egypt their gods with their molten images with their pretious vessels of siluer and of gold and he shall continue more yeres then the kyng of the north 9 So the kyng of the south shall come into his kyngdome and shall returne into his owne lande 10 Wherfore his sonnes shal be styrred vp and shall gather together a mightie great hoast of people one shal come and ouerflowe and passe through then shall he turne agayne and be stirred vp at his fortresse 11 Then y e king of the south shal be angry and shal come foorth to fight with him euen with the king of the north for he shall set foorth a great multitude the multitude shal be geuen into his hande 12 Then the multitude shal be proude and their heartes shal be lifted vp for he shall cast downe thousandes but he shall not still preuayle 13 For the kyng of the north shall returne and shal set foorth a greater multitude then afore and shall come foorth after certayne yeres with a mightie armie and great riches 14 And at the same time there shal manye stande vp against the kyng of the south ⪠so that the seditious chyldren of thy people also shall exalt them selues to establishe the vision but they shal fal 15 So the kyng of the north shal come cast vp amount take the strong cities and the armes of the south shall not resist neither his chosen people neither shal there be any strength to withstand 16 And when he commeth he shall handle him as he list and no man shal stand against him he shall stande in the pleasaunt lande whiche by his hande shal be consumed 17 Agayne he shall set his face to enter with the power of his whole kyngdome and his confederates with hym thus shall he do and he shall geue hym the daughter of women to destroy her but she shall not stande on his side neither before hym 18 After this shall he turne his face vnto the iles and shall take many but a prince shall cause his shame to light vpon him beside that he shall cause his owne shame to turne vpon him selfe 19 For he shal turne his face toward the fortes of his owne lande but he shal be ouerthrowen and fall and be no more founde 20 Then shall stande vp in his place a rayser of taxes in the glory of the kingdome after a fewe dayes he shal be destroyed neither in wrath nor in battel 21 In his steede there shal stande vp a vyle person to whom they shal not geue the honour of the kingdome but he shall come in peaceably and obtaine the kingdome with flatteries 22 And the armes shal be ouerflowed with a flud before hym and shal be broken also the prince of the couenaunt 23 And after the leage made with him he shall worke deceiptfully for he shall come vp and ouercome with a small people 24 He shal enter into the quiet and plentifull prouince and he shal do that which his fathers haue not done nor his fathers fathers he shall deuide among them the pray and the spoyle and the substaunce yea and he shall forecast his deuices against the strong holdes euen for a tyme. 25 Also his power heart shall he stirre vp with a great armie against the kyng of the south the kyng of the south shal be moued vnto battayle with a great and a mightie hoast also neuerthelesse he shal not stande for they shall forecast deuices against him 26 Yea they that feede of the portion of his meate shal destroy him and his armie shall ouerflowe and many shall fall and be slaine 27 These two kinges hartes shal be to do mischiefe they shall talke of deceipt at one table but it shal not prosper for yet the ende shal be at y e time appointed 28 Then shall he go home agayne into his lande with great substaunce and set his heart against the holy couenaunt so shall he do and returne to his owne lande 29 At the tyme appointed he shall come agayne and go towarde the south but the last shall not be as the first 30 For the ships of Chithim shall come against him therfore he shal be sorie and returne and fret against the holy couenaunt so shall he do he shall euen returne and haue intelligence with them that forsake the holy couenaunt 31 And armes shall stande on his part and they shall pollute the sanctuarie of strength and shall take away the dayly sacrifice and they shall set vp the abhominable desolation 32 And such as wickedly breake the couenaunt shall he cause to sinne by flatterie but the people that knowe their God shall preuayle and prosper 33 Those also that haue vnderstanding among the people shall enfourme the multitude and for a long season thei shall fall with sworde with fire with captiuitie and with the taking away of their goodes 34 Nowe when they shall fall they shal be holpen with a litle helpe but many shall cleaue vnto them faynedly 35 Yea some of those that haue vnderstanding shall fall that they may be tryed purified and made whyte tyll the tyme be out for there is a tyme appointed 36 And a kyng shall do what hym list he shall exalt and magnifie hym selfe against al that is God yea he shal speake marueylous thinges against the God of Gods and he shall prosper tyll the wrath be fulfilled for the determination is made 37 He shall not regarde the God of his fathers nor the desires of women yea he shall not care for any God for he shall magnifie him selfe aboue all 38 But in his place shall he honour the God Mauzzim and the God whom his fathers knewe not shall he honour with golde and siluer with pretious stones and pleasaunt thinges 39 Thus shall he do in the holdes of Mauzzim with a straunge God whom he shall acknowledge he shall encrease his glory shal cause them to rule ouer many shall deuide the land for gayne 40 And at the ende of tyme shall the king of the south pushe at hym the king of the north shall come against him lyke a
teareth in peeces and there is no man that can deliuer 9 Thyne hand shal be lyft vp vpon thyne enemies and all thyne aduersaries shall perishe 10 And it shall come to passe in that day saith the Lorde that I wyll take thyne horses from thee and destroy thy charrettes 11 I wyll breake downe the cities of thy lande and ouerthrowe all thy strong holdes 12 All witchcraftes wyll I roote out of thyne hande there shall no mo soothsayinges be within thee 13 Thyne idols and thyne images wyll I destroy out of thee so that thou shalt no more bowe thy selfe vnto the workes of thyne owne handes 14 Thy groues wyll I plucke vp by the rootes and breake downe thy cities 15 And I wyll execute a vengeaunce in my wrath indignation vpon the heathen such as they haue not heard The .vi. Chapter 1 An exhortation to heare the iudgement against Israel being vnkinde 8 What maner of sacrifices do please God 1 HEarken ye nowe what the Lorde sayth Arise thou and contend with the mountaynes and let the hilles heare thy voyce 2 Heare O ye mountaines the Lordes quarel and ye mightie foundations of the earth for the Lorde hath a quarell against his people and wyll pleade with Israel 3 O my people what haue I done vnto thee or wherein haue I greeued thee geue me aunswere 4 For I brought thee out of the lande of Egypt deliuered thee out of the house of bondage and I made Moyses Aaron and Miriam to leade thee 5 Remember O my people what Balaâh the king of Moab had deuised against thee and what aunswere that Balaam the sonne of Beor gaue him from Sethin vnto Galgal that ye may knowe the righteousnesse of the Lorde 6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lorde and bowe my selfe to the hye God Shall I come before him with burnt offeringes and with calues of a yere olde 7 Hath the Lorde a pleasure in many thousandes of Rammes or innumerable streames of oyle shall I geue my first borne for myne offences and the fruite of my body for the sinne of my soule 8 He hath shewed thee O man what is good and what the Lorde requireth of thee namely to do iustly to loue mercie and to humble thy selfe to walke with thy God 9 The Lordes voyce cryeth vnto the citie and the man that shal be saued considereth thy name hearken what is your rodde heare him that warneth you 10 Are not yet the treasures of wickednesse in the house of the wicked and the scant measure which is abhominable 11 Should I iustifie the false balaunces and the bagge of deceitfull weightes 12 For the riche men thereof are full of crueltie and the inhabitantes thereof haue spoken lyes and haue deceitfull tongues in their mouthes 13 Therefore I wyll take in hande to punishe thee and to make thee desolate because of thy sinnes 14 Thou shalt eate and not haue inough yea thou shalt bring thy selfe downe in the middes of thee thou shalt flee but not escape and those that thou wouldest saue wyll I deliuer to the sworde 15 Thou shalt sowe but not reape thou shalt presse out Oliues but oyle shalt thou not haue to annoynt thy selfe withall thou shalt tread out sweete must but shalt drincke no wine 16 Ye kepe the ordinaunces of Amri and all the customes of the house of Ahab ye walke in their counsels therfore wyl I make thee waste and cause thy inhabiters to be hissed at and ye shall beare the reproche of my people The .vii. Chapter 1 A complaynt of the litle number of the righteous 5 Against the trueth ought wâ not to holde with our greatest friendes 14 The prosperiâie of the church 1 WO is me I am become as one that goeth a gleanyng in the haruest there are no mo grapes to eate yet would I faine with al my hearte haue of the best fruite 2 There is not a godly vpon earth there is not one righteous among men they al lye in wayte for blood and euery man hunteth his brother to death 3 Yet they say they do wel when they do euyll the prince asketh and the iudge iudgeth for a rewarde therfore the great man speaketh out of the corruption of his soule and so they wrappe it vp 4 The best of them is as bryer and the most righteous of them is sharper then a thorne hedge the day of thy watchmen and of thy visitation commeth then shal be their confusion 5 Let no man beleeue his friende nor put his confidence in his brother kepe the doore of thy mouth from her that lyeth in thy bosome 6 For the sonne dishonoreth his father the daughter riseth against her mother the daughter in law against her mother in lawe and a mans foes are euen they of his owne housholde 7 Neuerthelesse I wil looke vp vnto the Lorde I will patiently abyde God my sauiour my God shall heare me 8 O thou enemie of myne reioyce not at my fall for I shall rise againe though I sit in darkenesse yet the Lorde is my light 9 I will beare the wrath of the Lord for I haue offended hym till he sit in iudgement vpon my cause and see that I haue right then will he bring me foorth to the light and I shall see his righousnesse 10 She that is myne enemie shall loke vpon it and be confounded which nowe sayth Where is the Lorde thy God myne eyes shall beholde her when she shal be troden downe as the myre in the streetes 11 This is the day that thy walles shal be buylt this day shall dryue farre away the decree 12 And at that time shall they come vnto thee from Assur from the strong cities and from the strong holdes euen vnto the riuer from the one sea to the other and from mountayne to mountayne 13 Notwithstanding the land must be wasted because of them that dwell therin and for the fruites of their owne imaginations 14 Therfore feede thy people with thy rod the flocke of thyne heritage whiche dwel desolate in the wood that they may be fed vpon the mount of Carmel Basan and Gilead as aforetime 15 Maruelous thinges wil I shewe thee like as when thou camest out of the lande of Egypt 16 This shall the heathen see and be ashamed for all their power so that they shall lay their hande vpon their mouth and stoppe their eares 17 They shal licke the dust like a serpente and as the wormes of the earth that tremble in their holes they shal be afrayde of the Lorde our God and they shall feare thee 18 Who is such a God as thou that pardonest wickednesse and forgeuest the offences of the remnaunt of thyne heritage He kepeth not his wrath for euer for his delite is to haue compassion 19 He shall turne againe and be merciful to vs he shall put downe our wickednesses and cast all our sinnes into the bottome of the sea 20
the fire shall deuoure thee the sword shall cut thee of shall deuoure as the locust though thou be multiplied as the locust though thou be as many as the grashopper 16 Thou hast increased thy marchauntes as the starres of heauen the locust spoyleth and fleeth away 17 Thy princes are as grashoppers and thy rulers as great locustes they swarme in hedges in cold weather the sunne ariseth and they flee and the place where they were is not knowen 18 Thy sheepheardes O king of Assur slumber thy noble men shall dwell in death thy people is scattered vpon the mountaynes there is none to gather them together 19 Thy wound shall not be healed thy plague is great all that heare of thee clap their handes For to whom hath not thy euil dealing pearsed continually ⧠The booke of the prophete Habacuc The first Chapter 1 A complaynt against the wicked that persecute the iust 6 He sheweth that the Chaldeans are raysed vp of the Lorde for the chastisement of the Iewes and describeth their armie 12 He comforteth the faythfull declaring that God will also destroy the Babylonians because they shall abuse their victorie and become proude and insolent attributing the prayse therof to their idoles 1 THe burdeÌ which Habacuc the prophete dyd see 2 O Lorde howe long shall I crye and thou wilt not heare euen crye out vnto thee for violence and thou wilt not helpe 3 Why doest thou shew me iniquitie and cause me to beholde sorowe for spoyling and violence are before me there are that rayse vp stryfe and contention 4 Therfore the law is dissolued iudgement doth neuer go foorth for the wicked doth compasse about the righteous therfore wrong iudgement proceedeth 5 Behold among the heathen and regarde and wonder and marueyll for I will worke a worke in your dayes ye will not beleue it though it be tolde you 6 For lo I rayse vp the Chaldeans that bitter and furious nation whiche shall go vpon the breadth of the land to possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs 7 They are terrible and fearfull their iudgement and their dignitie shall procede of them selues 8 Their horses also are swifter then the leopardes and are more fierce then the wolues in the euening and their horsemen shall come from farre they shall flee as the Egle hasting to meate 9 They come all to spoyle before their faces shal be an eastwinde and they shall gather the captiuitie as the sande 10 And they shall mocke the kinges and the princes shal be a scorne vnto them they shall deride euery strong hold for they shall gather dust and take it 11 Then shall they take a courage and transgresse and do wickedly imputing this their power vnto their god 12 Art not thou of olde O Lord my God my holy one we shall not dye O Lord thou hast ordeined them for iudgement and O God thou hast established them for correction 13 Thou art of pure eyes and canst not see euyl thou canst not behold wickednesse wherfore then doest thou loke vpoÌ the transgressours and holdest thy tongue when the wicked deuoureth the man that is more righteous then he 14 And makest men as the fishe of the sea and as the creeping thinges that haue no ruler ouer them 15 They take vp all with the angle they catche it in their net and gather it in their yarne wherof they reioyce and are glad 16 Therfore they sacrifice vnto their net and burne incense vnto their yarne because by them their portion is fat and their meate plenteous 17 Shall they therfore stretche out their net and not spare continually to slay the nations The .ii. Chapter A vision against pryde couetousnesse drunkennesse and idolatrie 1 I Will stande vpon my watche and set me vpon the towre will loke and see what he will say vnto me and what I shall aunswere to him that rebuketh me 2 And the Lord aunswered me and said write the vision and make it plaine vpon tables that he may run that readeth it 3 For the vision is yet for an appoynted time but at the last it shall speake and not lye though it tary wayte for it shall surely come and shall not stay 4 Behold he that lifteth vp him selfe his minde is not vpright in him but the iust shall liue by his fayth 5 Yea in deede the proude man is as he that transgresseth by wine therfore shall he not endure because he hath enlarged his desire as the hell is as death and can not be satisfied but gathereth vnto him all nations and heapeth vnto him all people 6 Shall not all these take vp a parable against him and a taunting prouerbe against him and say Wo he that increaseth that which is not his how long and he that ladeth him selfe with thicke clay 7 Shall they not rise vp sodenly that shall byte thee and awake that shall stirre thee thou shalt be their pray 8 Because thou hast spoyled many nations all the remnaunt of the people shall spoyle thee because of mens blood and for the wrong done in the lande in the citie and vnto all that dwell therin 9 Wo he that coueteth an euyll couetousnesse to his house that he may set his nest on hie to escape from the power of euyll 10 Thou hast consulted shame to thyne owne house by destroying many people hast sinned against thyne owne soule 11 For the stone shall crye out of the wal and the beame out of the timber shall aunswere it 12 Wo vnto him that buyldeth a towne with blood and erecteth a citie by iniquitie 13 Behold is it not of the Lord of hoastes that the people shall labour in the very fire the people shall euen weery them selues for very vanitie 14 For the earth shal be filled with the knowledge of the glorie of the Lorde as the waters couer the sea 15 Wo vnto him that geueth his neyghbour drinke thou ioynest thy heate and makest him drunken also that thou mayest see their priuities 16 Thou art filled with shame for glorie drinke thou also and be made naked the cup of the Lordes right hand shal be turned vnto thee and shamefull spuyng shal be for thy glorie 17 For the crueltie of Libanus shall couer thee so shal the spoyle of the beastes which he made afrayde because of mens blood and for the wrong done in the land in the citie and vnto all that dwell therin 18 What profiteth the image for the maker therof hath made it an image and a teacher of lyes though he that made it trust therin when he maketh dumbe idoles 19 Wo vnto hym that sayth to the wood Awake and to the dumbe stone Rise vp it shall teache thee beholde it is layde ouer with gold and siluer there
to murther to sayle vpon the sea and vpon riuers 24 And seeth a lion goeth in the darkenes when he hath stollen deceaued and robbed he bringeth it vnto his loue 25 Wherefore a man loueth his wife better then father and mother 26 Yea many there be that runne out of their wittes and became bondmen for their wyues sakes 27 Many one also haue perished haue erred and sinned also for women 28 And nowe do ye not beleue me is not the king great in his power do not all regions feare to touche hym 29 Yet dyd I see hym and Apame the daughter of the great king Bartacus the kinges concubine sate besyde the king vpon the right hande 30 And toke of his crowne from his head and set it vpon her owne head and stroke the king with her left hand 31 And there whyle stedyly the king loked vpon her with open mouth if she laughed vpon him he laughed also but if she toke any displeasure with hym the king was fayne to flatter her and to geue her good wordes tyll he had gotten her fauour agayne 32 O ye men are not women then stronger that do these thinges 33 Then the king and the princes loked one vpon another So he began to speake of the trueth 34 O ye men are not women stronger Great is the earth hye is the heauen swift is the course of the sunne he compasseth the heauen rounde about and fetcheth his course agayne to his owne place in one day 35 Is he not excellent that maketh these thinges Therfore great is the trueth and stronger then all thinges 36 All the earth calleth vpon trueth the heauen prayseth it all workes shake and tremble at it and with it is no vnrighteous thing 37 Wine is wicked the kyng is wicked women are wicked all the children of men are wicked yea such are all their wicked workes and there is no trueth in them in their vnrighteousnesse also shall they be destroyed and perishe 38 As for the trueth it endureth and is alway strong it lyueth and conquereth for euermore worlde without ende 39 With her there is no exception or difference of persons but she doth that iust is and refrayneth from all vniust and wicked thynges and all men do well lyke of her workes 40 In the iudgement of it there is no vnryghteous thyng she is the strength kyngdome power and maiestie of all ages Blessed be the God of trueth 41 And with that he helde his peace and all the people cryed and then sayde Great is trueth and aboue all 42 Then sayde the kyng vnto hym Aske what thou wilt more then is appoynted in the writyng and we shall geue it thee for thou art founde wyser then thy companions thou shalt sit next me and shalt be called my kinsman 43 Then sayde he vnto the kyng Remember thy promise and vowe which thou hast vowed and promised in the day when thou camest to the kingdome to builde vp Hierusalem 44 And to sende agayne all the vessels and iewels that were taken away out of Hierusalem which Cyrus set apart when he vowed to destroy Babylon and to sende them agayne thyther 45 And thy mynde was also to builde vp the temple which the Edomites burnt when Iudea was destroyed by the Chaldees 46 And nowe this onely O kyng is the thing that I require and desire of thee this is the princely liberalitie that I aske of thee I desire therfore that thou perfourme the vowe which thou with thine owne mouth hast made vnto the kyng of heauen 47 Then Darius the kyng stoode vp and kyssed hym wrote hym lettters vnto all the deputies and lieftenauntes to all the lordes and nobles that they shoulde conuey hym foorth and all them that went vp with hym to build Hierusalem 48 He wrote letters also vnto all the liefetenauntes that were in Coelosyria and Phenices and vnto them in Libanus that they shoulde bryng Cedar trees from Libanus vnto Hierusalem and builde the citie with hym 49 Moreouer he wrote for all the Iewes that were gone out of his realme into Iurie concernyng their freedome that no officer no ruler nor lieftenaunt nor stewarde should enter into their doores 50 And that all their lande whiche they kept shoulde be free and not tributarie and that the Edomites shoulde geue ouer the cites and villages of the Iewes which they had taken in 51 Yea and that there shoulde be yerely geuen twentie talentes to the buildyng of the temple vntyll the tyme that it were finished 52 And to maynteyne the burnt offerynges vpon the aulter euery day as they had a commaundement to offer seuenteene other ten talentes euery yere 53 And that all they which come from Babylon to builde the citie should haue free libertie they and their children and all the priestes that went away 54 He wrote also concerning the charges and the priestes garment wherin they minister 55 And likewise for the charges of the Leuites to be geuen them vntyll the day that the house were finished and Hierusalem builded vp 56 And he commaunded that all they that watched the citie shoulde haue their pensions and wages 57 He sent away also all the vessels that Cyrus had separated from Babylon and all that Cyrus had geuen in commaundement the same charged he also that it shoulde be done and sent vnto Hierusalem 58 Nowe when this young man was gone foorth he lyfted vp his face to heauen towarde Hierusalem and praysed the kyng of heauen 59 And sayde Of thee commeth victorie of thee commeth wisdome and thine is the glorie and I am thy seruaunt 60 Blessed art thou which hast geuen me wisdome for to thee I acknowledge it O Lorde thou God of our fathers 61 And so he toke the letters and went out and came vnto Babylon and tolde it all his brethren 62 And they praysed the God of their fathers that he had geuen them freedome and libertie 63 To go vp and to builde Hierusalem and the temple wherin the name of the Lorde is called vpon and they reioyced with instrumentes of musicke and gladnesse seuen dayes long The .v. Chapter 1 The number of them that returne from the captiuitie 42 their vowes and sacrifices 54 The temple is begun to be built 66 Their enemies would craftily ioyne with them 1 AFter this were the â principall men of the houses of their fathers chosen in the tribes and kinredes that they shoulde go with their wiues and sonnes and daughters with their seruauntes and maydens with all their cattell and substaunce 2 And Darius the kyng sent with them a thousande horsemen to conuey them safely vnto Hierusalem and with musical instrumentes with tabers flutes ' 3 And all their brethren played and he ' made them go vp together with them 4 And these are the names of the men which went vp out of the villages according to the tribes and after the order of their dignitie 5 The priestes
the sonnes of Phinehes the sonne of Aaron Iesus the sonne of Iosedec the sonne of Sariab and Ioachim the sonne of Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel of the kinrede of Dauid out of the kinrede of Phares of the tribe of Iuda 6 Which spake wonderfull wordes before Darius the kyng of Persia in the seconde yere of his raigne in the first moneth called Nisan 7 And these are they of Iurie that came vp from the captiuitie of the transmigration whom Nabuchodonosor the kyng of Babylon had brought away vnto Babylon 8 And returned vnto Hierusalem to the rest of Iurie euery man to his owne citie which came with Zorobabel with Iesus Nehemias Zacharias Reesaias Enemus Mardocheus Beelsarus Aspharasus Reelius Roimus and Baana their guides 9 The number of them of the nation and their gouernours the sonnes of Phares two thousande an hundred seuentie and two the sonnes of Saphat foure hundred seuentie and two 10 The sonnes of Areh seuen hundred ' fiftie and sixe ' 11 The sonnes of Phaath moab two ' thousande eyght hundred and twelue ' 12 The sonnes of Eilam a thousande two hundred fiftie and foure the sonnes of Zathui nine hundred fourtie and fiue the sonnes of Corbe seuen hundred and fiue the sonnes of Bani sixe hundreth fourtie and eyght 13 The sonnes of Bibai sixe hundred twentie and three the sonnes of Azgad three thousande two hundred twentie and two 14 The sonnes of Adonikam sixe hundred sixtie and seuen the sonnes of Bagoi two thousande sixtie and sixe the sonnes of Adim foure hundred fiftie and foure 15 The sonnes of Aterhezetia nintie and two the sonnes of Ceilam and Azota threescore and seuen the sonnes of Azuram foure hundred thirtie two 16 The sonnes of Ananias an hundred and one the sonnes of Arom and the sonnes of Bassa three hundred twentie and three the sonnes of Arsiphurith an hundred and two 17 The sonnes of Meterus three thousande fiue the sonnes of Bethlehem an hundred twentie and three 18 They of Netrophah fiftie and fiue they of Anathoth an hundred fiftie and eyght they of Bethsamos fourtie and two 19 They of Kariathiarim twentie and fiue they of Caphiras and Beroth seuen hundred fourtie and three they of Pirah seuen hundred 20 They of Chadias and Ammidioi fiue hundred twentie two they of Cirama and Gabdes sixe hundred twentie and one 21 They of Macamos an hundred twentie and two they of Bethel fiftie two the sonnes of Nebus an hundred fiftie and sixe 22 The sonnes of Calamolaus Onus seuen hundred twentie fiue the sonnes of Ierechus three hundred fourtie and fiue ' 23 The sonnes of Sanaah three thousande ' three hundred and thirtie 24 The priestes the sonnes of Ieddu the sonne of Iesus which are counted among the sonnes of Sanassib nine hundred seuentie and two the sonnes of Meruth a thousande fiftie and two 25 The sonnes of Phashur a thousande fourtie and seuen the sonnes of Charim a thousande and seuenteene 26 The Leuites the sonnes of Iessue Cadmiel Banua and Suia seuentie and foure 27 The sonnes which were holy singers the sonnes of Asaph an hundred fourtie and eyght 28 The porters the sonnes of Salum the sonnes of Iatal the sonnes of Talmon the sonnes of Dacobi the sonnes of Teta the sonnes of Sami all were an hundred thirtie and nine 29 The ministers of the temple the sonnes of Esau the sonnes of Asipha the sonnes of Tabaoth the sonnes of Ceras the sonnes of Sud the sonnes of Phaleu the sonnes of Labana the sonnes of Hagaba 30 The sonnes of Acub the sonnes of Vta the sonnes of Cetab the sonnes of Agab the sonnes of Sibe the sonnes of Anan the sonnes of Cathua the sonnes of Geddur 31 The sonnes Kaia the sonnes of Daisan the sonnes of Neroda the sonnes of Chaseba the sonnes of Gazema the sonnes of Azias the sonnes of Phinees the sonnes of Asara the sonnes of Baste the sonnes of Asana the sonnes of Meunim the sonnes of Naphison the sonnes of Bacubub the sonnes of Acupha the sonnes of Assur the sonnes of Pharacim the sonnes of Baraloth 32 The sonnes of Mehida the sonnes of Coutha the sonnes of Charescha the sonnes of Bareus the sonnes of Aserar the sonnes of Thomoth the sonnes of Nasib the sonnes of Atipha 33 The sonnes of the seruauntes of Solomon the sonnes of Hazophereth the sonnes of Pharuda the sonnes of Geelah the sonnes of Lozon the sonnes of Isdael the sonnes of Staphelia 34 The sonnes of Agia the sonnes of Pharareth the sonnes of Sabin the sonnes of Spartia the sonnes of Masias the sonnes of Gar the sonnes of Addu the sonnes of Subah the sonnes of Apherra the sonnes of Barodis the sonnes of Sabat the sonnes of Allon 35 All the ministers of the temple the sonnes of the seruauntes of Solomon were three hundred seuentie and two 36 These came vp from Thelmelah and Thelharsa Carathalat and Alar leadyng them 37 Neither coulde they shewe their families nor their stocke howe they were of Israel The sonnes of Dalaias the sonnes of Thubia the sonnes of Necodan sixe hundred fiftie and two 38 Of the priestes that executed the office of the priesthood and were not founde the sonnes of Hobia the sonnes of Hacoz the sonnes of Addus which maryed Augia one of the daughters of Barzeleus 39 And was named after hym The writing of the same kinrede was sought in the register of their generation but it was not founde and therfore were they forbidden to execute the office of the priesthood 40 For vnto them sayde Nehemias and Atharias that they shoulde haue no portion in the sanctuarie tyll there rose vp an hie priest that were well instruct in the playne clearnesse and trueth 41 So of Israel from them of twelue yeres olde and children they were all in number fourtie and two thousand three hundred and threescore besides men seruauntes and women seruauntes 42 Their seruauntes and handmaydens were seuen thousande three hundred fourtie seuen The singyng men and singyng women two hundred fourtie and fiue 43 Foure hundred thirtie fiue camels seuen thousande thirtie and sixe horses two hundred fourtie fiue mules fiue thousand fiue hundred twentie and fiue beastes vsed to the yoke 44 And of their rulers also after their families when they came to the temple of God that is in Hierusalem there were that vowed to set vp the house agayne in his owne place accordyng to their abilitie 45 And to geue into the holy treasure of the workes a thousande poundes of golde fiue thousande of siluer and an hundred pretious garmentes 46 And so dwelt the priestes and the Leuites and the people in Hierusalem and in the countrey there about the singers also and the porters and all Israel in their villages 47 But when the seuenth moneth came and when the children of Israel were euery man in his owne they came altogether with one consent into the open place of the gate which is towardes the east 48 And
Amarias the sonne of Ezias the sonne of Menuerath the sonne of Saraias the sonne of Sauias the sonne of Boccas the sonne of Abisun the sonne of Phinees the sonne of Eleazar the sonne of Aaron the first priest 3 This Esdras went vp from Babylon beyng a scribe of good vnderstandyng in the lawe of Moyses that was geuen by the Lorde God of Israel 4 And the kyng fauoured hym and dyd hym great worshyp and honour after all his desires 5 There went vp with hym also certayne of the children of Israel of the priestes of the Leuites of the singers porters and ministers of the temple vnto Hierusalem 6 In the seuenth yere of the raigne of kyng Artaxerxes in the fifth moneth which was the seuenth yere for they went from Babylon in the first day of the first moneth 7 And came to Hierusalem accordyng as God gaue theÌ speede in their iourney 8 For Esdras had gotten great knowledge to omit nothyng of that was in the lawe and the commaundementes of the Lorde and to teache all Israel all the ordinaunces and iudgementes 9 The copie of the commission whiche Artaxerxes the kyng wrote and that was geuen to Esdras the priest and reader of the lawe of the Lorde this is it that foloweth 10 Kyng Artaxerxes sendeth his greeting vnto Esdras the priest and reader of the lawe of the Lorde 11 I hauyng wayed thynges with pitie haue ordeyned and charged yf there be any of the Iewes of the priestes Leuites in my realme which desireth and is content to go with thee vnto Israel that he may do it 12 Therfore so many as long therafter let them depart together and go with thee like as I am content and my seuen friendes my counsaylers 13 To see what they do at Hierusalem and in Iurie conueniently accordyng as thou hast in the lawe of the Lorde 14 And to bryng the gyftes vnto God the Lorde of Israel that I my friendes haue promised to Hierusalem and all the siluer and golde that in the countrey of Babylon may be founde parteynyng to the Lorde in Hierusalem 15 With the thyng that is geuen of the people to the Lorde their Gods temple at Hierusalem that the same siluer and golde maye be gathered for oxen rammes sheepe and goates and other that belong to these thynges 16 That they may offer sacrifices vnto the Lorde vpon the aulter of the Lorde their God which is at Hierusalem 17 And whatsoeuer thou and thy brethren wyll do with the siluer and golde that do accordyng to the wyll of thy God 18 And the holy vessels of the Lorde which are geuen thee for the seruice of the temple of thy God which is in Hierusalem thou shalt set them before thy God in Hierusalem 19 And whatsoeuer thyng els thou shalt remember for the vse of the temple of thy God thou shalt geue it out of the kynges treasure 20 And I king Artaxerxes haue also commaunded the kepers of the treasures in Syria and Phenice that whatsoeuer Esdras the priest and the reader of the lawe of the hyghest God shall sende for they shoulde geue it hym with speede 21 Euen to the summe of an hundred talentes of siluer of corne also an hundred measures and till an hundred vessels of wine other thinges aboundauntly 22 Let all thinges be done after the lawe of God diligently vnto the highest God that wrath come not vpon the kyngdome of the kyng and of his sonnes 23 I commaunde you also that ye require no taxe nor tribute of the priestes Leuites holy singers porters and ministers of the temple nor of any that haue doynges in this temple and that no man haue aucthoritie to put any inpost vpon them 24 As for thee O Esdras set thou iudges and arbitrers to iudge in the whole lande of Syria and Phenice after the wisdome of God all skilfull in the lawe of God teache such as are ignoraunt 25 And let all them which shall offende agaynst the lawe of God and the kyng be diligently punished whether it be by death or other payne by punishment in money or els by banishment 26 Then sayd Esdras the scribe Blessed be the only Lorde God of my fathers that hath geuen so good a mynde will into the heart of the kyng to magnifie his house that is at Hierusalem 27 And hath made me to be accepted in the syght of the kyng of his counsayle of his friendes and of his nobles 28 And so I was stedfast in my mynde accordyng as the Lorde my God helped me and I gathered vp men of Israel to go vp with me 29 And these are the guides after their families and orders of dignities that went vp with me from Babylon in the raigne of kyng Artaxerxes 30 Of the sonnes of Phinees Gersom of the sonnes of Ithamar Gamaliel of the sonnes of Dauid Hattus the sonne of Cechemah 31 Of the sonnes of Phares Zacharias and with hym there returned agayne an hundred and fiftie men 32 Of the sonnes of Pahath Moab Elioam the sonne of Zacharias and with him two hundred men 33 Of the sonnes of Zathoe Shechenias the sonne of Iezolus with hym three hundred men of the sonnes of Adin Obed the sonne of Ionathan and with him two hundred and fiftie men ' 34 Of the sonnes of Elam Iesias sonne ' of Gotholias with him seuentie men ' 35 Of the sonnes of Saphatias Zarias ' sonne of Machael with him .lxx. men 36 Of the sonnes of Ioab Badias sonne of Iezelus and with hym two hundred and twelue men 37 Of the sonnes of Banid Assalimoth sonne of Iosaphias and with hym an hundred and threscore men ' 38 Of the sonnes of Babi Zacharias ' sonne of Bebai with him .xxviii. men ' 39 Of the sonnes of Astath Iohannes ' sonne of Acatan and with hym an cx 40 Of the sonnes of Adonicam the last and these are the names of them Eliphalet Ieouel and Maias and with them seuentie men ' 41 Of the sonnes of Bagouthi sonne of ' Iscacourus and with hym lxx men 42 All these called I together by the water Thia where we pitched our tentes three dayes there I mustered them ' 43 As for the sonnes of the priestes and ' leuites I founde none there 44 Then sent I vnto Eleazar beholde there came Maasman and Maloban 45 And Alnathan and Samaian and Ioribon and Nathan Ennatan Zacharian and Mosollamon the chiefe and best learned 46 And I bad them that they should go vnto Daddens the captayne whiche was in the place of the treasurie 47 And commaunded them that they shoulde speake vnto Daddeus and to his brethren and to those that were the treasurers to sende vs suche men as might execute the priestes office in the house of our Lorde 48 And with the mightie hande of our lord God they brought vnto vs men of good experience from among y e sonnes of
Moli the sonne of Leui the sonne of Israel Seredia and his sonnes and his brethren whiche were eyghteene 49 And Asebia and Amon and Osaian his brethreÌ of the sonnes of Canaineus their sonnes were twentie men 50 And of them that serued in the temple whom Dauid had ordayned and the principall men to the worke of the Leuites that were ministers in the temple two hundred twentie whose names are all signed vp in writing 51 And then commaunded I a fasting vnto the young men before the Lorde that I might desire of him a prosperous iourney and a good way both for vs and them that were with vs for our chyldren and for the cattell 52 For I feared to desire of the king men of horse and of foote to conuey vs safely against our enemies 53 For we had sayde vnto the kyng that the power of the Lord our God should be with them that seeke hym to direct them in all thinges 54 And therfore we besought our Lorde agayne as touching these thinges and founde him fauourable vnto vs. 55 Then I separated from among the chiefe of the tribes and from the priestes xij men to wit Esebrias and Assanias ten men of their brethren with them 56 And I wayed them the golde and the siluer and the holy vessels of the house of our Lorde whiche the kyng and his counsell and his princes and whole Israel had geuen 57 And when I had wayed it I deliuered it vnto them sixe hundred and fiftie talentes of siluer and an hundred talentes in siluer vessels and an hundred talentes of golde 58 And twentie golden basens twelue vessels of brasse euen fine brasse like shining golde 59 And I sayde vnto them Ye are holy vnto the Lord and the vessels are holy and the golde and the siluer is promised vnto the Lord God of our fathers 60 Be diligent nowe and kepe it vntyll the tyme that ye deliuer it to the chiefe of the priestes and leuites and to the principall men of the families of Israel in Hierusalem in the chaumbers of the house of our God 61 So the priestes and the leuites which receaued of me the golde the siluer and the vessels brought it vnto Hierusalem vnto the temple 62 And from the riuer Thia we brake vp the twelfth day of the first moneth according to the mightie hande of our Lorde whiche was with vs and from the beginning of our iourney the Lord deliuered vs from euery enemie so that we came vnto Hierusalem 63 And when the thirde day was past there the wayed golde and siluer was deliuered in the house of the Lorde on the fourth day vnto Marimoth the priest and sonne of Iori 64 And with him was Eleazar the sonne of Phinees and with them were Iosabdus the sonne of Iesu and Moeth the sonne of Sabbanus Leuites all was deliuered them by number and wayght 65 And all the wayght of them was written vp the same houre 66 After that they that were come out of captiuitie offred sacrifice vnto the Lord God of Israel euen twelue oxen for all Israel fourescore sixteene rammes 67 Threescore and twelue sheepe twelue goates for saluation all in sacrifice to the Lorde 68 And the kinges commission deliuered they vnto the kinges stewardes and to the gouernours of Coclosyria and Phenice who honoured the people and the temple of God 69 Now when these thinges were done the rulers came vnto me and sayde 70 The nation of Israel the princes the priestes and leuites haue not put away from them the straunge people of the lande nor the vncleannes of the Gentiles to wit of the Chanaanites Hethites Pheresites Iebusites and the Moabites Egyptians and Edomites 71 For both they and theyr sonnes haue mingled them selues with the daughters of them and the holy seede is mixt with the straunge people of the lande and since the beginning of the affaires the rulers and head men haue ben partakers of this wickednesse 72 And assoone as I had hearde these things immediatly I rent my clothes and the holy garment and pulled out the heere of my head my bearde and sat me downe forowfull and heauie 73 So all they that were moued thorow the worde of the Lorde God of Israel came vnto me whyles I wept for the iniquitie but I sate styll full of heauinesse vntyll the euening sacrifice 74 Then stoode I vp from fasting hauing rent clothes the holy garment and kneeled downe vpon my knees helde out my handes vnto the Lorde 75 And sayde O Lorde I am confounded and ashamed before thy face 76 For our sinnes are become many euen aboue our heades and our ignoraunces are lifted vp euen vnto heauen 77 For since the tyme of our fathers we are in great sinne vnto this day 78 And for the sinnes of vs and our fathers we with our brethren and with our kinges and with our priestes haue ben geuen vp vnto the kynges of the earth into the sworde and into captiuitie and became a spoyle with confusion and shame vnto this day 79 And nowe O Lord God howe great is the mercy that we haue gotten of thee in that thou hast lefte vs a roote and a name in the place of thy sanctuarie 80 And that thou hast discouered to vs a light in the house of the Lord our God and hast geuen vs meate in the tyme of our seruitude 81 And when we were in captiuitie we were not forsaken of the Lord our god but he made the kynges of Persia gratious and fauourable vnto vs so that they gaue vs victuals and meate 82 Yea and honoured the temple of our Lorde and repayred the wasted places of Sion and gaue vs assuraunce in Iurie and Hierusalem 83 And nowe O Lorde what shall we say hauing all these things in possession For we haue broken thy commaundementes whiche thou gauest vnto vs by the handes of thy seruauntes the prophetes saying 84 Because the lande whiche ye go to possesse as an heritage is a lande defiled with the vncleannes and filthynes of the straungers of the land and with their abhomination they haue polluted it altogether 85 Therfore now shall ye not ioyne their daughters vnto your sonnes neither marry your daughters to their sonnes 86 Moreouer ye shall neuer seeke to make peace with them that ye may increase and eate the best in the lande and that ye may leaue the inheritaunce of the lande vnto your chyldren for euermore 87 As for the thinges that are come to passe they come all for our wicked workes and great sinnes for thou O Lorde hast made our sinnes light 88 And geuen vs suche a roote but we haue turned backe agayne so that we haue broken thy lawe and mingled our selues with the vncleannes of the out landishe heathen 89 Mightest not thou be angry with vs to destroy vs so that thou shouldest leaue vs neither roote seede nor name 90 O Lord God of Israel thou art true for our
opened I my mouth and beholde he reached me a full cuppe which was full as it were with water but the colour of it was lyke fire 40 And I toke it and dranke And when I had drunken it my heart had vnderdandyng and wisdome grewe in my brest for my spirite was strenthened in remembraunce 41 And my mouth was opened and shut no more 42 The hyest gaue vnderstandyng vnto the fyue men that they wrote the hye thynges of the nyght which they vnderstoode not 43 But in the nyght they dyd eate bread as for me I spake in the day and helde not my tongue by nyght 44 In fourtie dayes they wrote two hundred and foure bookes 45 And it came to passe when the fourtie dayes were fulfylled that the hyest spake saying The first that thou hast written publishe openly that the worthy and vnworthy may reade it 46 But kepe the seuentie last that thou mayest deliuer them only to such as be wise among thy people 47 For in them is the spring of vnderstandyng the fountayne of wisdome and the streame of knowledge 48 And I dyd so The .xv. Chapter 1 The prophecie of Esdras is certayne 5 The euils that shall come on the worlde 9 The Lord wyll auenge the innocent blood 12 Egypt shall lament 16 Sedition 20 and punishment vpon the kynges of the earth 24 Cursed are they that sinne 29 Troubles warres vpon the whole earth 53 God is the reuenger of his elect 1 BEholde speake thou in the eares of my people the wordes of prophecie which I wyll put in thy mouth sayth the Lorde 2 And cause them to be written in a letter for it is the trueth 3 Feare not the imaginations agaynst thee Let not the vnfaythfulnesse of them trouble thee that speake agaynst thee 4 For all the vnfaythfull shall dye in their vnfaythfulnesse 5 Beholde saith the Lorde I will bring plagues vpon the worlde the sworde hunger death and destruction 6 For wickednesse hath the vpper hande in all the earth and their shamefull workes are fulfylled 7 Therfore sayth the Lorde 8 I wyll holde my tongue no more of their wickednesse which they do so vngodly neither wyll I suffer them in the thynges that they deale withall so wickedly Beholde the innocent and ryghteous blood cryeth vnto me and the soules of the iust complaine continually 9 And therfore sayth the Lorde I wyll surely auenge and receaue vnto me all the innocent blood from among them 10 Beholde my people is led as a flocke of sheepe to be slayne I wyll not suffer them nowe to dwell in the lande of Egypt 11 But wyll bryng them out with a mightie hande and a stretched out arme and smite it with plagues as afore and wyll destroy all the lande of it 12 Egypt shall mourne and the foundations of it shal be smitten with the plague and punishment that God shall bryng vpon it 13 They that tyll the grounde shall mourne for their seedes shal be destroyed through the blastyng and hayle and by an horrible starre 14 Wo worth the worlde and them that dwell therin 15 For the sworde and their destruction draweth nye and one people shal stande vp to fyght agaynst another swordes in their handes 16 For men shal be vnstedfast and some shall do violence vnto other they shall not regarde their kyng and the princes shall measure the way of their doinges by their power 17 A man shall desire to go into a citie and shall not be able 18 For because of their pride the cities shal be troubled the houses shall tremble and men shal be afrayde 19 A man shall haue no pitie vpon his neyghbour but shall destroy their houses with the sword and spoyle their goodes because of the hunger of bread and because of the great trouble 20 Beholde sayth God I call together all the kynges of the earth to reuerence me which are from the vprisyng from the south from the east and Libanus to turne vpon them and restore the thynges that they haue done to them 21 Lyke as they do yet this day vnto my chosen so wyll I do also and recompence them in their bosome Thus saith the Lorde God 22 My ryght hande shall not spare the sinners and my sworde shall not ceasse ouer them that shed the innocent blood vpon earth 23 The fire is gone out from his wrath hath consumed the foundations of the earth and the sinners lyke the strawe that is kyndled 24 Wo worth them that sinne and kepe not my commaundementes sayth the Lorde 25 I wyll not spare them Go your way ye children from the power defile not my sanctuarie 26 For the Lorde knoweth all them that sinne agaynst him therfore deliuereth he them vnto death and destruction 27 For nowe are the plagues come vpon the worlde and ye shall remayne in them For God shall not deliuer you because ye haue sinned agaynst hym 28 Beholde an horrible vision commeth from the east 29 Where generations of dragons of Arabia shal come out with many charettes the multitude of them shal be caryed as the wynde vpon earth that all they which heare them may feare tremble 30 Euen the Carmanies raging in wrath shall go foorth as the wylde boores of the forrest and with great power shall they come and stande fyghtyng with them and shall waste a portion of the lande of the Assyrians 31 And then shall the dragons haue the vpper hande and remembring their nature shall turne about conspiryng together in great power to persecute theÌ 32 Then these shal be troubled and kepe scilence in their power and shall flee 33 And from the lande of the Assyrians shall the enemie besiege them and consume some of them and in their hoast shal be feare and dread and strife among their kynges 34 Beholde cloudes from the east and from the north vnto the south and they are very horrible to loke vpon full of wrath and storme 35 They shall smite one vpon another and they shal smite downe a great multitude of starres vpon the earth euen their owne starre and the blood shal be from the sworde vnto the belly 36 And the doung of man vnto the Camels litter 37 And there shal be great fearfulnesse and tremblyng vpon earth and they that see the wrath shal be afraide and a tremblyng shall come vpon them 38 And then shal there come great raynes from the south and from the north and part from the west 39 And strong wyndes shall aryse from the east and shall open it and the cloude which he raysed vp in wrath and the starre stirred to cause feare towarde the east and west wind shal be destroyed 40 The great cloudes shal be lift vp and the mightie cloudes full of wrath and the starre that they may make all the earth afrayde and them that dwell therin and that they may powre out ouer euery high place an horrible starre 41 Fire and hayle and fleing
fruites and tithes 7 So that in the thirde yere he ministred all the tithes vnto the straungers and conuertes 8 These and such like thinges dyd he obserue according to the law of God when he was yet but young 9 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 10 And taught him from his youth vp to feare God and to refrayne from al sinne 11 Now when he with his wife his sonne and with all his kinred was come in captiuitie vnto the citie of Niniue 12 What time as they all dyd eate of the meates of the heathen he kept his soule and was neuer defiled in their meates 13 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 14 Which gaue him power to go where he woulde and so had he libertie to do whatsoeuer he woulde 15 So went Tobias vnto all them that were in captiuitie and comforted them and gaue them wholsome exhortations 16 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 17 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 18 After a long season when Salmanasar the kyng was dead and Sennacherib his sonne raigned in his steade which hated the children of Israel 19 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 20 He fed the hungry clothed the naked and buried the dead and slayne and that diligently 21 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 22 But when it was told the king he commaunded to slay him and toke away all his goodes 23 Neuerthelesse Tobias with his sonne and with his wyfe fled his way naked and was hyd for there were many that loued hym 24 But after fourtie and fiue dayes the king was slayne of his owne sonnes 25 Then came Tobias againe to his house and all his goodes were restored vnto him The .ii. Chapter 1 Tobias calleth the faythfull to his table 3 He leaueth the feast to burie the dead 10 Howe he became blind 13 His wife laboureth for his liuing 16 She reprocheth hym bitterly 1 AFter those thinges vppon a solempne day of the Lorde Tobias made a good feast in his house 2 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. 3 And when he was gone he came againe and told his father that one of the children of Israel lay slayne vpon the streete 4 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 5 And when he had hyd the coarse he did eate his meate with mourning and feare 6 Remembring the wordes that the Lord sayde by the prophete Amos Your hye feastes shal be turned to sorowe and heauinesse 7 But when the sunne was downe he went his way and buried him 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 And whyle he was asleepe there fell downe vpon his eyes warme doung out of the swalloes nest so that he was blinde 12 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. 13 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 14 But remayned stedfast in the feare of God and thanked God all the dayes of his lyfe 15 For like as blessed Iob was had in deâsion of kinges euen so was he laughed to scorne of his elders and kinsfolkes which sayde vnto him 16 Where is thy hope for the whiche thou hast done almes and buried the dead 17 But Tobias rebuked them and spake Say not so 19 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 19 And Anna his wyfe went dayly to the weauing worke 20 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 21 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 22 Then was his wyfe angry and sayde Nowe is thy hope become vayne openly and thy almes deedes are manifest 23 With these and such like wordes did she cast him in the teeth The .iii. Chapter 3 The prayer of Tobias 7 Sara Raguels daughter and the thinges that came vnto her 12 Her prayer hearde 19 The angell Raphael sent 1 THen Tobias toke it heauyly with teares began to make his prayer 2 Saying O Lord thou art righteous and all thy iudgementes are true yea al thy wayes are mercie faythfulnesse and iudgement 3 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 4 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. 5 And nowe O Lorde thy iudgementes are great for we haue not done according to thy commaundementes neither haue we walked innocently before thee 6 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 7 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 8 That she had had seuen husbandes which assoone as they were gone in vnto her were slayne of the deuyll called Asmodeus 9 Therfore when she reproued the mayden for
in the feare of God they buried him with ioye 17 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 The ende of the booke of Tobias ⧠The booke of Iudith The first Chapter 2 The buylding of Ecbatanis 5 Nabuchodonosor made warre against Arphaxad and ouercame him 12 He treateneth them that woulde not helpe him 1 ARphaxad the king of the Medes subdued many people vnto his dominion and buylded a noble strong citie whiche he called Ecbatanis 2 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 3 But along the foure corners euery side was twentie foote brode He made the portes in the height like as the towres 4 This king trusted in his mightie hoast and in his glorious charets 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 And vnto the heathen that dwelt in Carmel and Cedar and to such as dwelt in Galilee in the great field of Esdrelon 9 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 10 Vnto all these dyd Nabuchodonosor the king of the Assyrians send messengers 11 But they all with one consent woulde not agree vnto him and sent the messengers againe emptie and put them away without honour 12 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 The .ii. Chapter 1 Nabuchodonosor commaunded presumpteously that al people should be brought in subiection and to destroy those that disobeyed him â The preparation of Holophernes armie 12 The conquest of his enemies 1 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 2 So he called vnto him all the elders all his captaynes and men of warre and shewed them his secret counsell 3 And told them that his purpose was to bring the whole earth vnder his dominion 4 Now when they were all content with this saying Nabuchodonosor the king called Holophernes the chiefe captayne of his warres 5 And sayde vnto him Go thy way foorth against all the kingdomes of the west and specially against those that haue despised my commaundement 6 Thou shalt spare no realme all strong cities shalt thou bring in subiection vnto me 7 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 8 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 9 He appoynted to prepare corne out of all Syria in his passage 10 Much gold an siluer also toke he out of the kinges house 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 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 15 And he toke the borders in from Cilicia vnto the coastes of Iaphet towarde the south 16 He caryed away all the Madianites and spoyled al their goods and whosoeuer withstoode him he slue them with the sworde 17 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 18 And the feare of him fel vpon all them that dwelt on the earth The .iii. Chapter 1 The people subiect to Holophernes 12 He destroyed their gods that Nabuchodonosor might onely be worshipped 1 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 2 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 3 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 4 Vnder thy subiection be al that we haue 5 We our selues and also our children wil be thy seruauntes 6 Come vnto vs peaceable lorde and vse our seruice at thy pleasure 7 Then came Holophernes downe from the mountaynes with horsemen great power and conquered all strong fensed cities and all that dwelt in the lande 8 And out of all cities he toke strong men and such as were meete for the warre to helpe hym 9 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 10 And receaued him honorably with garlandes and torches with daunces taprettes and pipes 11 Neuerthelesse though they dyd this yet might they not swage his rigorous stomacke 12 But he destroyed their cities and hewed downe their wooddes 13 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 14 So went he through Syria Sobal and through all Appamea and all Mesopotamia and came to the Idumeans in the lande of Gabaa 15 And toke their cities and remayned there thirtie dayes in whiche space he caused all
thought scorne to yeelde them selues vnto you that they myght finde mercie in your sight 13 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 14 And when these men had heard her wordes and considered her faire face they were astonied for they wondred at her excellent beautie 15 And saide vnto her Thou hast saued thy lyfâ by findinge out this deuice that thou wouldest come downe to our lorde 16 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 17 Nowe when she came in before him immediately he was ouercome and taken with her beautie 18 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 19 So when Iudith sawe Holophernes sitting in a canapie that was wrought of purple silke golde smaragde and precious stones 20 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 The .xj. Chapter 1 Holophernes comforteth Iudith 3 and asketh the cause of her comming 5 She deceaueth him by her faire wordes 1 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 2 As for thy people if they had not despysed me I should not haue lyft vp my speare against them 3 But tell me nowe what is the cause that thou art departed from them and wherefore art thou come vnto vs 4 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 5 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 6 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 7 The thing is manifest also that Achior spake it is well knowen what thou commaundest to do vnto him 8 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 9 And for so much as the children of Israel knowe that they haue so displeased their God they are sore afrayde of thee 10 They suffer great hunger also and for want of water they are dead now in a maner 11 Moreouer they are appoynted to slay all their cattaile that they may drinke the blood of them 12 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 13 Which when I thy handmayden perceaued I fled from them and the Lord hath sent me to shewe thee these thinges 14 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 15 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 16 For these thinges are shewed me by the prouidence of God 17 And for so much as God is displeased with them he hath sent me to tell thee the same 18 These wordes pleased Holophernes and all his seruauntes which marueyled at the wysedome of her and said one to another 19 There is not such a woman vpoÌ earth in fauour in beautie and discretion of wordes 20 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 21 And for so much as thy promise is good if thy God perfourme it vnto me he shal be my God also and thou shalt be excellent and great in the court of Nabuchodonosor and thy name shal be spoken of in all the lande ¶ The .xii. Chapter 1 Iudith woulde not pollute her selfe with the meate of the Gentiles 5 She maketh her request that she might go out by night to pray 11 Holophernes causeth her to come to the banquet 1 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 2 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 3 Then saide Holophernes vnto her If these thinges that thou hast brought with thee fayle what shall we do vnto thee 4 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 5 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. 6 Then commaunded Holophernes his chamberlaynes that she should go out and in at her pleasure to pray vnto God those three dayes 7 And so in the night season she went foorth into the valley of Bethulia and washed her selfe in the well water 8 And comming vp she besought the Lorde God of Israel that he woulde prosper her way for the deliueraunce of his people 9 And so she went in remayned cleane in her tent tyll she toke her meate in the euening 10 Vpon the fourth day it came to passe that Holophernes made a supper vnto his seruauntes and saide vnto Vagao his chamberlayne Go thy way counsell this Hebruesse that she may be wylling to consent to kepe company with me 11 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 12 Then went Vagao vnto Iudith and saide Let not the good daughter be afrayde
that all they that are appointed in wrytyng and shewed vnto you by Aman whiche is ordayned and set ouer all our landes and the most principall next vnto the kyng and in maner as a father shall with their wiues and chyldren be destroyed rooted out with the sworde of their enemies and aduersaries and that there shal be no mercy shewed and no man spared And this shal be done the fourteenth day of the moneth called Adad of this yere 7 That they whiche of olde and nowe also haue euer ben rebellious may in one day with violence be thrust downe into the hell to the intent that after this maner our empire may haue peace and tranquilitie 8 But Mardocheus thought vpon all the workes noble actes of the Lorde and made his prayer vnto him 9 Saying O Lorde Lorde thou valiaunt and almightie king for all thinges are in thy power and if thou wilt helpe and deliuer Israel there is no man that can withstande nor let thee 10 For thou hast made heauen and earth and what wonderous thing soeuer is vnder the heauen 11 Thou art Lorde of all thinges and there is no man that can resist thy maiestie O Lorde 12 Thou knowest all thinges thou wotest Lorde that it was neither of malice nor presumption nor for any desire of glory that I would not bow downe my selfe nor worship yonder proude presumptious Aman 13 For I woulde haue ben content and that with good wyll if it might haue done Israel any good to haue kist euen his footesteppes 14 But that I did it because I woulde not set the honour of a man in the steede of the glory of God because I would worship none but only thee my Lorde and this haue I done in no pryde nor presumption 15 And therfore O Lord thou God and kyng haue mercy vpon thy people for they imagine howe they may bring vs to naught yea their minde and desire is to destroy and to ouerthrowe thy people that hath euer ben thyne inheritaunce of olde 16 O despise not thy portion which thou hast deliuered brought out of Egypt for thyne owne selfe 17 Heare my prayer and be mercifull vnto thy people whom thou hast chosen for an heritage vnto thy selfe Turne our complaynt and sorow into ioy that we may liue O Lorde and prayse thy name O Lord suffer not the mouthes of them that praise thee to be destroyed 18 All the people of Israel in like maner cryed as earnestly as they coulde vnto the Lorde for their death and destruction stoode before their eyes ¶ The .xiiij. Chapter ¶ The prayer of Hester for the deliueraunce of her and her people 1 QVeene Hester also beyng in the battayle of death resorted vnto the Lorde 2 Layde away her glorious apparell and put on the garmentes that serued for sighing and mourning In the steede of precious oyntment she scattered ashes and dounge vpon her head and as for her body she humbled it with fasting and brought it very low All the places where she was wont to haue ioy afore those filled she with her owne heere that she pluckt of 3 She prayed also vnto the Lorde God of Israel with these wordes O my Lorde thou only art our kyng helpe me desolate woman whiche haue no helper but thee 4 For my miserie and destruction is harde at my hande 5 Fro my youth vp I haue hearde out of the kinred of my father that thou tokest Israel from among all people and so haue our fathers of their fore elders that they shoulde be thy perpetuall inheritaunce and looke what thou didst promise them thou hast made it good vnto them 6 Nowe Lorde we haue sinned before thee therefore hast thou geuen vs into the handes of our enemies 7 Because we worshipped their gods Lorde thou art righteous 8 Neuerthelesse it satisfieth them not that we are in bitter and heauie captiuitie and oppressed among them but thou hast layde their handes vpon the handes of their gods 9 So that they begin to take away the thing that thou with thy mouth hast ordayned and appoynted to destroy thine inheritaunce to shut and to stop the mouthes of them that prayse thee to quench the glory and worship of thy house and thyne aulter 10 And to open the mouthes of the heathen that they may prayse the power and vertue of the gods and to magnifie the fleshly kyng for euer 11 O Lorde geue not thy scepter vnto them that be nothing lest they laugh vs to scorne in our miserie and fall but turne their deuice vpon them selues and punishe hym that hath begun the same ouer vs and set hym to an example 12 Thinke vpon vs O Lord and shewe thy selfe vnto vs in the tyme of our distresse and of our trouble strength me O thou kyng of Gods thou Lorde of all power 13 Geue me an eloquent and pleasaunt speache in my mouth before the lion Turne his heart into the hate of our enemies to destroy him and all such as consent vnto him 14 But deliuer vs with thy hande and helpe me thy handmayde which haue no defence nor helper but onlye the Lorde 15 Thou knowest all thinges thou wotest that I loue not the glory and worship of the vnrighteous and that I hate and abhorre the bed of the vncircumcised and of all heathen 16 Thou knowest my necessitie that I hate the token of my preeminence and worship which I beare vpon my head what tyme as I must shewe my selfe and be seene and that I abhorre it as an vncleane cloth and that I weare it not when I am quiet and alone by my selfe 17 Thou knowest also that I thy handmayden haue not eaten at Amans table and that I haue had no pleasure nor delight in the kinges feast that I haue not drunke the wine of the drinke offeringes 18 And that I thy handmayden haue no ioy since the day that I was brought hyther vnto this day but only in thee O Lorde O thou God of Abraham 19 O thou mightie God aboue all heare the voyce of them that haue no other hope and deliuer vs out of the hande of the wicked and deliuer me out of my feare The .xv. Chapter 1 Mardocheus moueth Hester to go in vnto the kyng and make intercession for her people 9 And she perfourmed his request 1 MArdocheus also bade Hester go in vnto the kyng and pray for her people and for her countrey 2 Remember saith he the dayes of thy lowe estate how thou wast nourished vnder my hande For Aman whiche is next vnto the kyng hath geuen sentence of death against vs 3 Call thou therefore vpon the Lorde and speake for vs vnto the king and deliuer vs from death 4 And vpon the thirde day it happened that Hester layde away the mourning garmentes and put on her glorious apparell 5 And deckt her selfe goodly after that she had called vpon God whiche is the beholder and sauiour of all thinges and toke two maydens with her
put on ryghteousnesse for a brestplate and take vnfaigned iudgement in steade of an helmet 20 The inuincible shielde of equitie shall he take 21 His fierse wrath shall he sharpen for a sworde and the whole compasse of the worlde shall fyght with hym agaynst the vnwise 22 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 23 And as from an angry caster of stones there shall fall thicke hayles and the water of the sea shal be wroth agaynst them the fluddes shall runne roughly together 24 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 The .vj. Chapter 2 The callyng of kynges princes and iudges which are also exhorted to searche wisdome 1 WIsdome is beter then strength and a man of vnderstandyng is more worth then one strong 2 Heare therfore O ye kynges and vnderstande O learne ye that be iudges of the endes of the earth 3 Geue eare ye that rule the multitudes and glorie in the number of peoples 4 For the power is geuen you of the Lorde and the strength from the hyest which shall trye your workes searche out your imaginations 5 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 6 Horribly and that ryght soone shall he appeare vnto you for an harde iudgement shall they haue that beare rule 7 Mercie is graunted vnto the lowest but they that be in aucthoritie shal be sore punished 8 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 9 But the mightie shall haue the sorer triall 10 Vnto you therfore O ye kynges do I speake that ye may learne wisdome and not go amisse 11 For they that kepe holinesse holyly shal be iudged holy and they that haue learned such thinges shal finde defence 12 Wherfore set your delyght vpon my wordes and desire them so shall ye come by nurture 13 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 14 She preuenteth them that desire her that she may shewe her selfe vnto them 15 Who so awaketh vnto her betymes shall haue no great trauayle for he shal fynde her sittyng redy at his doores 16 To thynke therfore vpon her is perfect vnderstandyng and who so watcheth for her shall quickly be dispatched of care 17 For she goeth about sekyng such as are meete for her sheweth her selfe chearefully vnto theÌ in their goynges and meeteth them with all diligence 18 For the vnfaigned desire of reformation is her begynnyng to care for nurture is loue 19 And loue is the kepyng of her lawes and the kepyng of her lawes is the assuraunce of immortalitie 20 And immortalitie maketh a man familier with God 21 And so the desire of wisdome leadeth to the kyngdome euerlastyng 22 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 23 O loue the lyght of wisdome all ye that be rulers of the people 24 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 25 Neither wyll I haue to do with consumyng enuie for such a man shall not be partaker of wisdome 26 But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the worlde and a wise kyng is the vpholdyng of the people 27 O receaue nurture then through my wordes and it shall do you good The .vij. Chapter Wisdome ought to be preferred aboue all thynges 1 I My selfe also am a mortall man lyke as all other am come of the earthy generation of hym that was first made 2 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 3 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 4 I was wrapped in swadlyng clothes and brought vp with cares 5 For there is no kyng that hath had any other begynnyng of birth 6 All men then haue one entraunce vnto lyfe and one goyng out in lyke maner 7 Wherfore I desired and vnderstandyng was geuen me I called and the spirite of wisdome came into me 8 I set more by her then by kingdomes and royal seates and counted riches nothyng in comparison of her 9 As for pretious stone I compared it not vnto her for all golde is but a litle grauell vnto her and siluer shal be counted but clay before her syght 10 I loued her aboue welfare beautie and purposed to take her for my lyght for her lyght can not be quenched 11 All good thynges together came to me with her and innumerable riches through her handes 12 And I was glad in all thynges because wisdome went before them and I knewe not that she was the mother of them 13 And I my selfe learned vnfaignedly and make other men partakers of her without enuie and hyde her riches from no man 14 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 15 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 16 For in his hande are both we and our wordes yea all our wisdome and knowledge of his workes 17 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 18 The begynnyng endyng and myddest of the tymes howe the tymes alter howe one goeth after another howe they are fulfylled 19 The course of the yere the ordinaunces of the starres 20 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 21 And all such thynges as are either secrete or manifest them haue I learned 22 For wisdome which is the worker of all thynges hath taught me
myght any thyng endure yf it were not thy wyll or howe coulde any thyng be preserued except it were called of thee 26 But thou sparest all for they are thine O Lorde thou louer of soules ¶ The .xij. Chapter 2 The mercy of God towarde sinners 14 The workes of God are vnreprouable 19 God geueth leasure to repent 1 FOr thy vncorruptible spirite O Lorde is in all thinges 2 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 3 As for those olde inhabiters of thy holy lande thou mightest not away with them 4 For they committed abhominable workes against thee as witchcraft sorcerie and wicked sacrifices 5 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 6 And the fathers were the chiefe murderers of the soules destitute of helpe these doers thou wouldest destroy by the handes of our fathers 7 That the lande whiche thou louest aboue all other might be a meete dwelling for the chyldren of God 8 Neuerthelesse thou sparedst them also as men and sendedst the forerunners of thyne hoast euen hornettes to destroy them out by litle and litle 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 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 13 For there is none other God but thou that carest for all thinges that thou mayest declare howe that thy iudgement is not vnright 14 There dare neither king nor tiraunt in thy sight require accomptes of them whom thou hast destroyed 15 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 16 For thy power is the beginning of righteousnesse and because thou art Lorde of all thinges it maketh thee to be gracious vnto all 17 For when men thinke thee not to be of a full strength thou declarest thy power and reprouest the boldnesse of the wyse 18 But thou mastring thy power doest iudge with equitie and ordrest vs with great fauour for thou mayest vse power when thou wylt 19 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 20 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 21 With howe great circumspection then punishest thou thyne owne chyldren vnto whose fathers thou hast sworne made couenauntes of good promises 22 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 23 Wherefore where as men haue liued dissolutely and vnrighteously thou hast punished them sore with their owne abhominations 24 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 25 Therefore hast thou sent them thy iudgement in scorne as to chyldren voyde of reason 26 As for such as wyll not be refourmed by those scornes and rebukes they shall feele the worthy punishment of God 27 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 ¶ The .xiij. Chapter 1 All thinges be vayne except the knowledge of God 10 Idolaters and idols are mocked 1 SVrely 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 2 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 3 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 4 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 5 For by the greatnesse of the beautie and of the creatures the maker therof compared with them may playnely be knowen 6 Notwithstanding they are the lesse to be blamed that seeke God and woulde finde him yet peraduenture misse 7 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 8 Howebeit yet neither are they to be excused 9 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 10 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 11 Or as wheÌ 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 12 And with that whiche is cut of from his worke doth dresse his meate to fyll his belly 13 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
1 ALl wisdome commeth of god the Lord hath ben euer with him and is before all tyme. 2 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 3 Who hath sought out the grounde of Gods wisdome which hath ben before all thynges 4 Wisdome hath ben created before all thinges and the vnderstandyng of prudence from euerlastyng 5 Gods worde in the heyght is the well of wisdome and the euerlastyng commaundementes are the entraunce of her 6 Vnto whoÌ hath the roote of wisdome ben declared or who hath knowen her wit 7 Vnto whom hath the doctrine of wisdome ben discouered and shewed and who hath vnderstande the manifolde entraunce of her 8 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 9 He hath created her through the holy ghost he hath seene her numbred her and measured her 10 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 11 The feare of the Lorde is worshyp and triumph gladnesse and a ioyfull crowne 12 The feare of the Lorde maketh a mery heart geueth gladnesse ioy and long lyfe 13 Who so feareth the Lorde it shall go well with him at the last and in the day of his death he shal be blessed 14 The loue of God is honorable wisdome loke vnto whom it appeareth they loue it for they see what wonderous thinges it doth 15 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 shal be knowen of the ryghteous and faythfull 16 The feare of the Lorde is the ryght Gods seruice 17 That preserueth iustifieth the heart and geueth mirth and gladnesse 18 Who so feareth the Lorde shal be happy and when he hath neede of comfort he shal be blessed 19 She hath buylt her euerlastyng foundations with men and is geuen to be with their seede 20 To feare God is the wisdome that maketh riche and bryngeth all good with her 21 She fylleth the whole house with her giftes the garners with her treasure 22 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 23 Knowledge and vnderstandyng of wisdome hath he powred out as rayne and them that helde her fast hath he brought vnto honour 24 The feare of the Lorde is the roote of wisdome her braunches are long lyfe 25 In the treasures of wisdome is vnderstandyng deuotion of knowledge but wisdome is abhorred of sinners 26 The feare of the Lorde driueth out sinne and wheÌ she is present she driueth away anger 27 For he that is without feare can not be made ryghteous and his wylfull boldenesse is his owne destruction 28 A patient man wyll suffer vnto the tyme and then shall he haue the rewarde of ioy 29 A good vnderstandyng wyll hyde his wordes for a tyme and many mens lippes shall speake of his wisdome 30 In the treasures of wisdome is the declaration of doctrine but the sinner abhorreth the worshyp of God 31 My sonne yf thou desire wisdome kepe the commaundement and God shall geue her vnto thee 32 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 33 Be not obstinate and vnfaythfull to the feare of the Lorde and come not vnto hym with a double heart 34 Be not an hypocrite in the syght of men and take good heede what thou speakest 35 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 The .ij. Chapter 1 He exhorteth the seruauntes of God to righteousnesse loue vnderstandyng and patience 11 To trust in the Lorde 13 A curse vpon them that are faynt hearted and impatient 1 MY sonne yf thou wylt come into the seruice of God stande fast in righteousnesse feare and arme thy soule to temptation 2 Settle thyne heart and be patient bowe downe thine eare receaue the wordes of vnderstandyng and shrynke not away when thou art assaulted 3 Holde thee fast vpon God ioyne thy selfe vnto hym and suffer that thy lyfe may encrease at the last 4 Whatsoeuer happeneth vnto thee receaue it suffer in heauinesse be patient in thy trouble 5 For lyke as golde and siluer are tryed in the fire euen so are acceptable men in the furnace of aduersitie 6 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 7 O ye that feare the Lorde take sure holde of his mercie shrynke not away from hym that ye fall not 8 O ye that feare the Lorde beleue him and your rewarde shall not be emptie 9 O ye that feare the Lorde trust in good thynges and mercie shall come vnto you for pleasure 10 O ye that feare the Lorde set your loue vpon him and your heartes shal be lyghtened 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 Wo be vnto them that are faint harted which put not their trust in God and therfore shall they not be defended of hym 15 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 16 They that feare the Lorde wyll not disobey his worde and they that loue him wyll kepe his commaundementes 17 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 18 They that feare the Lorde wyll prepare their heartes and humble their soules in his syght 19 They that feare the Lorde kepe his coÌmaundementes and wyll be patient tyll they see hym selfe 20 Saying If we do not repent we shall fall into the handes
learne vnderstanding so that thou mayest make aunswere in the time of neede 10 Kindle not the coales of sinners when thou rebukest them lest thou be brent in the fyrie flambes of their sinnes 11 Resist not the face of the blasphemer that they lay not wayte for thy mouth 12 Lende not vnto hym that is mightier then thy selfe yf thou lendest hym count it but lost 13 Be not suertie aboue thy power if thou be then thinke surely to paye it 14 Go not to lawe with the iudge for he will iudge according to his owne honour 15 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 16 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 17 Take no counsel at fooles for they can not kepe a thing close 18 Do no secrete thing before a straunger for thou canst not tell what will come of it 19 Open not thine heart vnto euery man lest he be vnthankefull to thee and put thee to reprofe The .ix. Chapter 1 Of ielousie 12 An olde friend is to be preferred before a newe 18 Righteous men shoulde be bidden to thy table 1 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 2 Geue not the power of thy lyfe vnto a woman lest she come in thy strength and so thou be confounded 3 Loke not vpon a woman that is desyrous of many men lest thou fall into her snares 4 Vse not the companie of a woman that is a player a dauncer heare her not lest thou perishe thorow her entising 5 Behold not a mayden that thou be not hurt in her beautie 6 Cast not thy minde vpon harlots in any maner of thing lest thou destroy both thy selfe and thyne heritage 7 Go not about gasing in euery lane of the citie neither wander thou abrode in the streetes therof 8 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 9 An adulterous woman shal be troden vnder foote as myre of euery one that goeth by the way 10 Many a man wondering at the beautie of a straunge woman hath ben cast out for her wordes kyndle as a fyre 11 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 12 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 13 Desire not the honour and riches of a sinner for thou knowest not what destruction is for to come vpon hym 14 Delyte not thou in the thing that the vngodly haue pleasure in beyng sure that the vngodly shall not be accepted vntill their graue 15 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 16 Beware of thy neyghbour as nye as thou canst and meddle with such as be wyse and haue vnderstanding 17 Let iust men be thy gestes let thy mirth be in the feare of God 18 Let the remembraunce of God be in thy mynde and let all thy talking be in the commaundementes of the hyghest 19 In the handes of craftes men shall the workes be commaunded so shall the princes of the people in the wysdome of their talking 20 A man full of wordes is perilous in his citie and he that is rashe in his talking shal be abhorred The .x. Chapter 1 Of kinges and iudges 7 Pride and couetousnesse are to be abhorred 28 Labour is praysed 1 TWyse iudge will order his people with discretion and where a man of vnderstanding beareth rule there goeth it well 2 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 3 An vnwyse king destroyeth his people but where they that be in auctoritie are men of vnderstanding there the citie prospereth 4 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 5 In the hande of God is the prosperitie of man and vpon the person of the scribe shall he lay his honour 6 Be not angry for any wrong of thy neyghbour and meddle thou with no vnrighteous workes 7 Pryde is hatefull before God and man and all wickednesse of the heathen is to be abhorred 8 Because of vnrighteous dealing wrong blasphemies and diuers disceytes a realme shal be translated from one people to another 9 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 10 All tyrannie is of smal enduraunce and the disease that is harde to heale greeueth the phisition 11 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 12 For when a man dieth he is the heyre of serpentes beastes and wormes 13 The beginning of mans pryde is to fall away from God and why his heart is gone from his maker 14 For pryde is the originall of all sinne Who so taketh hold therof shal be 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 15 God hath destroyed the seates of proude princes and set vp the meeke in their steade 16 God hath wythered the rootes of the proude heathen and planted the lowely for them 17 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 18 God hath destroyed the name of the proude and left the name of the humble of mynde 19 Pryde was not made for man neither wrothfulnesse for mens children 20 The seede of men that feareth God shal be brought to honour but the seede whiche transgresseth
that his workes might be knowen vpon the earth vnder the heauen 16 His mercie is knowen to all creatures he hath seperated his light from the darkenesse with an adamant 17 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 18 Beholde the heauen yea the heauen of heauens of God the deepe the earth and all that therein is shal be moued at his presence 19 The mountaynes the hilles and the foundations of the earth shall shake for feare when God visiteth them 20 These thinges doth no heart vnderstand worthyly but he vnderstandeth euery heart 21 And who vnderstandeth his wayes No man seeth his stormes and the most part of his workes are secrete 22 Who wyll declare the workes of his righteousnesse or who shal be able to abide them For the couenaunt is farre from some and trying out of men is in the ende 23 He that is humble of heart thinketh vpon such thinges but an vnwyse and erronious man casteth his minde vnto foolishe thinges 24 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 25 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 26 God hath set his workes in good order from the beginning part of them hath he sundred from the other 27 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 28 None of them hindred another neitheir was any of them disobedient vnto his wordes 29 After this God loked vpon the earth and filled it with his goodnesse 30 With all maner of liuing beastes hath he couered the grounde and they all shal be turned vnto earth againe ¶ The .xvii. Chapter 1 The creation of man and the goodnesse that God hath done vnto him 20 Of almes 26 and repentaunce 1 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 2 He gaue him the number of dayes and certaine time yea and gaue him power of the thinges that are vpon earth 3 He made all fleshe to stand in awe of him so that he had the dominion of all beastes and foules 4 He made out of him an helper lyke vnto to him selfe gaue them discretion and tongue eyes and eares and a heart to vnderstande 5 He gaue them a spirite and a speache to declare his workes filled them with instruction and vnderstanding 6 He created for them also the knowledge of the spirite filled their heartes with vnderstanding and shewed them good and euill 7 He set his eye vpon their heartes declaring vnto them his great and noble workes 8 That they should prayse his holy name together reioyce of his wonders and be telling of his noble actes 9 Beside this he gaue them instruction and the lawe of life for an heritage that they might now know that they were mortall 10 He made an euerlasting couenaunt with them and shewed them his righteousnesse and iudgementes 11 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 12 He gaue euery man also a coÌmaundement concerning his neighbour 13 Their wayes are euer before him and are not hid from his eyes 14 Euery man from his youth is geuen to euill and their stony heartes can not become fleshe 15 He hath set a ruler vpon euery people but Israel is the Lordes portion 16 Whom he nourisheth with discipline as his first borne and geueth him most louing light and doth not forsake him 17 All their workes are as the sunne in the sight of God his eyes are alway looking vpon their wayes 18 All their vnrighteousnesses are manifest vnto him and al their wickednesses are open in his sight 19 And as he is mercifull and knoweth his worke he doth not leaue them nor forsake them but spareth them 20 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 21 At the last shall he awake and reward euery man vpon his head shall turne them together into the neathermost partes of the earth 22 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 23 O turne then vnto the Lorde forsake thy sinnes make thy prayer before the Lorde do the lesse offence 24 Turne againe vnto the Lorde for he wyll bring thee from darkenesse vnto holsome light forsake thyne vnrighteousnesse be an vtter enemie to abhomination 25 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 26 Go in the portion of the holy worlde with such as be lyuing geue thankes vnto God 27 Who wil prayse the Lorde in the hel abide not thou in y e errour of the vngodlie but geue him thankes before death 28 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 29 O how great is the louing kindnesse of the Lorde and his mercifull goodnes vnto such as turne vnto him 30 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 31 What is more cleare then the sonne yet shall it fayle 32 Or what is more wicked then the thyng that fleshe and blood hath imagined and that same shal be reproued 33 The Lorde seeth the power of the hye heauen and al are but earth and asshes The .xviii. Chapter 1 The marueylous workes of God 6 The miserie and wretchednes of man 9 Against God ought we not to complaine 21 The perfourming of vowes 1 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 2 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 3 Who shal be able to expresse the workes of him who wyll seeke out the grounde of his
their generations were well reported of in their times 8 These haue left a name behynde them so that their prayse shall alway be spoken of 9 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 10 Neuerthelesse these are louyng men whose righteousnesse shall neuer be forgotten but continue by their posteritie 11 Their children are an holy good heritage their seede endured fast in the couenaunt 12 For their sakes shall their children and seede continue for euer and their prayse shal neuer be put downe 13 Their bodies are buried in peace but their name lyueth for euermore 14 The people can speake of their wysdome and the congregation can talke of their prayse 15 Enoch walked right and acceptably before the Lorde therfore was he translated for an example of amendement to the generations 16 Noâ 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 17 An euerlasting couenaunt was made with him that all fleshe should perishe no more with the water 18 Abraham was a great father of many people in glorie was there none like vnto hym 19 He kept the law of the hyghest came into a couenaunt with him 20 He set the couenaunt in his fleshe and when he was proued he was founde faythfull 21 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 ãâã sea to sea and from the riuer vnto the borders of the worlde 22 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 23 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 24 Mercifull men brought he out of hym whiche founde fauour in the sight of all fleshe The .xlv. Chapter 1 The prayse of Moyses 6 Aaron and Phinches 1 MOyses beloued of God men whose remembraunce is in hiâ prayse 2 Hym that the Lorde made like in the glorie of the sainctes magnified him so that the enemies stoode nawe of him 3 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 4 He stablished hym with faythfulnesse and mekenesse and chose him out of all men 5 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 wysoome that he might teach Iacob the couenaunt and Israel his lawes 6 He chose Aaron his brother also out of the tribe of Leui exalted him and made hym such like 7 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 8 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 9 Round about made he hym belles of golde and that many that when he went in t he sounde might be heare that they might make a noyse in the sanctuarie and geue the people warning 10 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 11 Vpon 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 12 Vpon 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 13 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 14 Dayly perfourmed he his burnt offeringes two times 15 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 16 Before al men lyuing âââse 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 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 Besides this he made Aaron yet more honorable and glorious he gaue hym an heritage parted the first fruites vnto him Vnto him specially he appoynted the bread of sustenaunce 21 For the priestes dyd eate of the offeringes of the Lorde this gaue he vnto him and his seede 22 Els had he no heritage nor portion in the land with the people for the Lord him selfe is his portion inheritaunce 23 The thirde noble and excellent man is Phinches 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 24 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 25 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
widdowe nor do good to the fatherlesse 38 Their gods of wood stone golde and siluer are but euen as other stones that be hewen of the mountayne they that worship them shal be confounded 39 Howe shoulde they then be taken for gods yea howe dare men call them gods 40 And though the Chaldees worshipped them not hearing that they were but dombe and coulde not speake 41 Yet they them selues offer vnto Bel and woulde fayne haue hym to speake as who say they coulde feele that may not moue 42 But when these men come to vnderstanding they shall forsake them for their gods haue no feeling 43 A great sort of women girde with coardes sit in the streetes burne oliue beries Now if one of them be conueyed away and lye with such as come by she casteth her neyghbours in the teeth because she was not worthyly reputed nor her coarde broken 44 What so euer is done for them it is but in vayne and lost Howe may it then be thought or sayde that they are gods 45 Carpenters and goldesmithes make them neither be they any other thing but euen what the workemen wil make of them 46 Yea the goldsmithes them selues that make them are of no long continuaunce howe shoulde then the thinges that are made of them be gods 47 Vayne therfore are the thinges yea very shame is it that they leaue behinde them for their posteritie 48 For assoone as there commeth any warre or plague vpon them then the priestes imagine where they may hyde themselues with them 49 Howe can men thinke then that they be gods whiche neither may defende them selues from warre nor deliuer them from misfortune 50 For seyng they be but of wood of stone of siluer and of golde all people and kinges shall knowe hereafter that they be but vayne thinges yea it shal be openly declared that they be no gods but euen the very workes of mens handes and that God hath nothing to do with them 51 It is manifest then that they are no gods but the workes of mens handes and no worke of God in them 52 They can set no king in the lande nor geue rayne vnto men 53 They can geue no sentence of a matter neither defende the lande from wrong for they are not able to do so much as a crowe that fleeth betwixt heauen and earth 54 When there happeneth a fire into the house of those gods of wood and siluer and of golde the priestes will escape and saue them selues but the gods burne as the balkes therin 55 They can not withstande any king or battell howe may it then be thought or graunted that they be gods 56 Moreouer these gods of wood of stone of gold and siluer may neither defend them selues from theeues nor robbers 57 Yea the very wicked are stronger then they these stryp them out of their apparell that they be clothed withall these take their golde and siluer from them so get them away yet can they not helpe them selues 58 Therfore it is much better for a man to be a king and so to shewe his power or els a profitable vessell in a house wherein he that oweth it might haue pleasure yea or to be a doore in a house to kepe such thinges safe as be therein then to be such a vayne god 59 The sunne the moone al the starres seing they geue their shine and light are obedient and do men good 60 When the lightning glistreth all is cleare 61 The winde bloweth in euery countrey when God commaundeth the cloudes to go rounde about the whole worlde they do as they are bidden 62 When the fire is sent downe from aboue and commaunded it burneth vp hilles woodes but as for those gods they are not like one of these thinges neither in beautie neither in strength 63 Wherfore men shoulde not thinke nor say that they be gods seing they can neither geue sentence in iudgement nor do men good 64 Forsomuch nowe as ye are sure that they be no gods then feare them not 65 For they can neither speake euyll nor good of kinges 66 They can shew no tokens in heauens for the heathen neither shyne as the sunne nor geue light as the moone 67 Yea the vnreasonable beastes are better then they for they can get them vnder the roofe and do them selues good 68 So can ye be certified by no maner of meanes that they be gods therefore feare them not 69 For like as a scartrowe in a garden of hearbes kepeth nothing euen so are their gods of wood of siluer and golde 70 And like as a White thorne in an orcharde that euery byrd sitteth vpon yea lyke as a dead body that is cast in the darke euen so is it with those gods of wood siluer and golde 71 By the purple scarlet which they haue vpon them and soone faydeth away ye may vnderstande that they be no gods yea they them selues shall be consumed at the last whiche shal be a great confusion of the lande 72 Blessed is the godly man that hath no images and worshippeth none for he shal be farre from reproofe The ende of the prophete Baruch whiche is not in the Canon of the Hebrue ⧠The song of the three children whiche were put into the hot burning ouen The common translation readeth this song in the iii. Chapter of Daniel 25 The prayer of Azarias 46 The crueltie of the king 48 The flambe deuoureth the Chaldeans 49 The angell of the Lorde was in the fornace 51 The three children prayse the Lorde and prouoke all creatures to the same 24 AND they walked in the middest of the flambe praysing God magnifiyng the Lorde 25 Then Azarias stoode vp prayed on this maner euen in the middest of the fire opened he his mouth and sayde 26 Blessed be thou O Lorde God of our fathers right worthy to be praysed and honoured is that name of thine for euermore 27 For thou art righteous in al the thinges that thou hast done to vs Yea faythfull are al thy workes thy wayes are right and all thy iudgementes true 28 In all y e thinges that thou hast brought vpon vs and vpon the holy citie of our fathers euen Hierusalem thou hast executed true iudgement yea according to right and equitie hast thou brought all these thinges vpon vs because of our sinnes 29 For why we haue offended and done wickedly departing from thee 30 In all thinges haue we trespassed not obeyed thy commaundementes nor kept them neither done as thou hast bidden vs that we may prosper 31 Wherefore all that thou hast brought vpon vs and euery thing that thou hast done to vs thou hast done them in true iudgement 32 As in deliuering vs into the handes of our enemies among vngodly and wicked abhominations and to an vnrighteous king yea the most frowarde vpon earth 33 And nowe we may not open our mouthes we are become a shame and reproofe vnto thy seruauntes
turned againe in all the haste and the elders that is the principall heades saide vnto him Come sit downe here among vs and shewe vs this matter seeing God hath geueÌ thee as great honour as an elder 51 And Daniel saide vnto them put these two asyde one from an other and then shall I examine them 52 When they were put asunder one from an other he called one of them and saide vnto him O thou olde cankarde carle that hast vsed thy wickednes so long thyne vngratious deedes which thou hast done afore are now come to light 53 For thou hast geuen false iudgementes thou hast oppressed the innocent and letten the giltie go free where as yet the Lorde saith The innocent and righteous see thou slay not 54 Well then if thou hast seene her tel me vnder what tree sawest thou them companying together He aunswered vnder a Mulbery tree 55 And Daniel saide Very well nowe thou lyest euen vpon thyne head lo the messenger of the Lorde hath receaued the sentence of him to cut thee in two 56 Then put he him aside and called for the other and saide vnto him O thou seede of Chanaan but not of Iuda fairenes hath deceaued thee and lust hath subuerted thyne heart 57 Thus dealt ye afore with the daughters of Israel and they for feare consented vnto you but the daughter of Iuda would not abide your wickednes 58 Now tel me then vnder what tree diddest thou take them companying together He aunswered vnder a Pomegranate tree 59 Then saide Daniel vnto him Very well nowe thou lyest also euen vpon thyne head the messenger of the Lord standeth wayting with the sword to cut thee in two and slay you both 60 With that all the whole multitude gaue a great shoute and praysed God which alway deliuered them that put their trust in him 61 And they came vpon the two elders whom Daniel had conuict with their owne mouth that they had geuen false witnesse 62 And dealt with them euen lykewyse as they woulde haue done with their neighbours yea they did according to the law of Moyses and put them to death Thus the innocent blood was saued the same day 63 Then Helcias and his wyfe praysed God for their daughter Susanna with Ioacim her husband and al the kinred that there was no dishonestie founde in her 64 From that day foorth was Daniel had in great reputation in the sight of the people 65 And king Astyages was layde with his fathers and Cyrus of Persia raigned in his steede ¶ The ende of the story of Susanna ¶ The story of Bel and of the Dragon which is the fourteenth Chapter of Daniel after the Latine 1 DAniel did eate at the kinges table and was had in reuerence aboue all his friendes 2 There was at BabyloÌ an image called Bel and there were spent vpon him euery day twelue cakes fourtie sheepe and sixe great pottes of wine 3 Him did the king worship him selfe and went dayly to honour him but Daniel worshipped his owne God And the king saide vnto him why doest not thou worship Bel 4 He aunswered and saide * Because I may not worship thinges that be made with handes but the liuing God which made heauen and earth and hath power vpon all fleshe 5 The king said vnto him Thinkest thou not that Bel is a lyuing God or seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh euery day 6 Daniel smyled and saide O king deceaue not thy selfe for this is but made of clay within and of brasse without neither eateth he euer any thing 7 Then the king was wroth and called for his priestes and saide vnto them If ye tell me not who is this that eateth vp these expences ye shall dye 8 But if ye can certifie me that Bel eateth them then Daniel shall dye for he hath spoken blasphemie against Bel. And Daniel said vnto the king Let it so be according as thou hast saide 9 The priestes of Bel were threescore and ten besides their wyues and children And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel. 01 So Bels priestes saide Lo we wyl go out set thou the meate there O king and poure in the wine then shut the doore fast and seale it with thyne owne signet 11 And to morowe when thou commest in if thou findest not that Bel hath eaten vp all we wyll suffer death or els Daniel that hath lyed vpon vs. 12 The priestes thought them selues sure inough for vnder the aulter they had made a priuy entraunce and there went they in euer and did eate vp what there was 13 So when they were gone foorth the king set meates before Bel Now Daniel had commaunded his seruauntes to bring asshes these he sifted throughout all the temple that the king might see then went they out and sparred the doore scaling it with the kinges signet and so departed 14 In the night came the priestes with their wyues and children as they were wont to do and did eate and drinke vp all 15 In the morning betimes at the breake of the day the king arose and Daniel with him 16 And the king said Daniel are the scales whole yet He aunswered yea O king they be whole 17 Now assoone as he had opened the doore the king loked vnto the aulter cryed with a loude voyce Great art thou O Bel and with thee is no deceite 18 Then laughed Daniel and held the king that he should not go in and saide Beholde the pauement marke well whose footesteps are these 19 The king saide I see the footesteps of men women and children 20 Therefore the king was angry and toke the priestes with their wyues and children and they shewed him the priuie doores where they came in and dyd eate vp such thinges as were vpon the aulter 21 For the which cause the king slue theÌ and deliuered Bel into Daniels power which destroyed him and his temple 22 And in that same place there was a great Dragon which they of Babylon worshipped 23 And the king said vnto Daniel Sayest thou that this is but a god of brasse also Lo he lyueth he eateth drinketh so that thou canst not say that he is no lyuing God therfore worship him 24 Daniel saide vnto the king I wyll worship the Lorde my God * he is the true lyuing God as for this he is not the God of lyfe 25 But geue me leaue O king and I shal destroy this Dragon without sworde or staffe The king said I geue thee leaue 26 Then Daniel toke pitch fat and heary wooll and did seeth them together and made lumpes thereof this he put in the Dragons mouth and so the Dragon burst in sunder And Daniel saide Lo there is he whom ye worshipped 27 When they of Babylon heard that they toke great indignation and gathered them together against the king saying The king is become a Iewe and he hath
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 36 To set straungers for to inhabite all their quarters and to part their land among them 37 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 38 And Lysias chose vnto hym Ptolomi the sonne of Doryminius Nicanor and Gorgias mightie men and the kinges friendes 39 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 40 So they went foorth with all their power and came to Emmaus into the playne fielde 41 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 42 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 43 They sayde one to another Let vs redresse the decay of our people let vs fight for our folke for our sanctuarie 44 Then the congregation were soone redy gathered to fight to pray and to make supplication vnto God for mercie and grace 45 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 46 The Israelites gathered them together came to Maspha before Hierusalem for in Maspha was the place where they prayed aforetime in Israel 47 So they fasted that day and put sacke-clothes vpon them cast asshes vpon their heades rent their clothes 48 And layde foorth the bookes of the lawe wherout the heathen sought to paynt the lykenesse of their images 49 And brought the priestes ornamentes the firstlinges and the tithes they set there also the Nazarites which had accomplished their vowes before God 50 And cryed with a loude voyce toward heauen saying What shall we do with these and whyther shall we cary them away 51 For thy sanctuarie is troden downe and defiled the priestes are come to heauinesse and dishonour 52 And beholde the heathen are come together for to destroy vs Thou knowest what thinges they imagine against vs. 53 Howe may we stande before them except thou O God be our helpe 54 Then they blewe out the trumpet also with a loude voyce 55 Then Iudas ordeyned captaynes ouer the people ouer thousandes ouer hundredes ouer fiftie and ouer ten 56 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 57 So the hoast remoued and pitched vpon the south side of Emmaus 58 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 59 Better is it for vs to dye in battayle then to see our people and our sanctuarie in such a miserable case 60 Neuerthelesse as thy will is O God in heauen so be it The .iiii. Chapter 1 Iudas goeth against Gorgias which lyeth in wayte 14 He putteth Gorgias his hoast to flight 28 Lysias inuadeth Iurie 29 But Iudas dryueth him out 43 Iudas purifieth the temple and dedicateth the aulter 1 THen toke Gorgias fiue thousand meÌ of foote and a thousand of the best horsmen and remoued out of the campe by night 2 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 3 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 4 For the army was not yet come together 5 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 6 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 7 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 8 Then sayde Iudas to the men that were with him Feare not ye the multitude of them be not afrayde of their violent running 9 Remember howe our fathers were deliuered in the red sea when Pharao folowed vpon them with a great hoast 10 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 11 And all the heathen shall knowe that it is God him selfe which deliuereth and saueth Israel 12 Then the heathen lift vp their eyes and when they sawe that they were comming against them 13 They went out of their tentes into the battayle and they that were with Iudas blewe vp the trumpettes 14 So they buckled together and the heathen were discomfited and fled ouer the playne fielde 15 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 16 So Iudas turned againe with his hoast 17 And sayd vnto the people Be not greedy of the spoyles we haue yet a battayle to fight 18 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 19 As Iudas was speaking these wordes behold there appeared one part of them vpon the mount 20 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 21 And when they sawe also that Iudas and his hoast were in the fielde redy to stryke battayle 22 They fled euery one into the lande of the heathen 23 So Iudas turned againe to spoyle the tentes where they gat much golde and siluer precious stones purple and great riches 24 Thus they went home and song a Psalme of thankesgeuing
before the day and brought the power of his hoast into the way to BethzacaraÌ where the hoastes made them redie to the battaile blowing the trumpettes 34 And to prouoke the Elephantes for to fight they shewed them the sappe of red grapes and mulberies 35 And deuided the Elephantes among the hoast so that by euery Elephant there stoode a thousand men well harnessed helmettes of steele vpon their heades yea vnto euery one of the Elephantes also were ordained fiue hundred horsemen of the best 36 Which wayted on the Elephant going wheresoeuer he went and departed not from him 37 Euery Elephant was couered with a strong towre of wood fastened thereon with instrumentes whereupon were thirtie and two valiaunt men with weapons to fight and within was a man of Inde to rule the beaste 38 As for the remnaunt of the horsemen he set them vpon both the sides in two partes with trumpettes to prouoke the hoast to stirre vp such as were slowe in the armie 39 And when the sunne shone vpon their shieldes of golde and steele the mountaines glistered againe at them were as bright as the cressets of fire 40 The kinges hoast also was deuided one parte vpon the hie mountaines the other low beneath so they went on taking good heede and keping their order 41 And all they that dwelt in the lande were afrayd at the noyse of their hoast when the multitude went foorth and when the weapons smote together for the hoast was both great and mightie 42 Iudas also and his hoast entred into the battaile and slue sixe hundred men of the kinges armie 43 Now when Eleazar the sonne of Saura did see one of the Elephantes deckt with the kinges badge and was a more goodly beast then the other he thought the king should be vpon him 44 And ieoparded him selfe to deliuer his people to get him a perpetual name 45 Wherfore he ranne with a courage vnto the Elephant in the middest of the hoast smiting them downe on both the sides and slue many about him 46 So went he to the Elephantes feete and gat him vnder him and slue him then fel the Elephant downe vpon him and there he dyed 47 Iudas also and his men seeing the power of the king and the mightie violence of his hoast departed from them 48 And the kinges armie went vp against them toward Hierusalem and pitched their tentes in Iurie beside mount Sion 49 Moreouer the king toke truice with them that were in Bethsura but wheÌ they came out of the citie because they had no vitayles but were shut vp within and the lande lay vntilled 50 The king toke Bethsura and set men to keepe it and turned his hoast to the place of the sanctuary 51 And layed siege to it a great while where he made all maner ordinaunce handbowes firie dartes racketts to cast stones scorpions to shoote arrowes and slinges 52 The Iewes also made ordinaunce against theirs and fought a long season 53 But in the citie there were no vittailes for it was the seuenth yere of y e warres and those heathen that remayned in Iurie had eaten vp all their store 54 And in the sanctuary were fewe men left for the hunger came so vpon them that they were scattred abrode euery man to his owne place 55 So when Lysias heard that Philip whom Antiochus the king while he was yet liuing had ordained to bring vp Antiochus his sonne that he might be king 56 Was come againe out of Persia Medea with the kinges hoast and thought to obtaine the kingdome with the gouernaunce of all thinges 57 He gate him to the king in al the haste and to the captaynes of the hoast and saide We decrease dayly and our vittailes are but small Againe the place that we laye siege vnto is very strong it were our part to see for the realme 58 Let vs agree with these men and take truice with them and with al their people 59 And graunt them to lyue after their lawe as they did afore for they be greeued and do all these thinges against vs because we haue despised their lawe 60 So the king and the princes were content and sent vnto them to make peace and they receaued it 61 Now when the king and the princes had made an oth vnto them they came out of the castle 62 And the king went vp to mount Sion but when he saw that the place was well fenced he brake the oth that he had made and commaunded to destroy the wall rounde about 63 Then departed he in all the haste and returned vnto Antioch where he found Philip hauing dominion of the citie So he fought against him and toke the citie againe into his handes The .vij. Chapter 1 Demetrius raigned after he had killed Antiochus and Lysias 5 He troubleth the children of Israel through the counsel of certaine wicked persons 37 The prayer of the priestes against Nicanor 41 Iudas killeth Nicanor after he hath made his prayer 1 IN the hundred fiftie and one yere came Demetrius the sonne of Seleucus from the citie of Rome with a smal company of men vnto a citie of the sea coast and there he bare rule 2 And when he came to Antioch the citie of his progenitours his hoast toke Antiochus and Lysias to bring them vnto him 3 But when it was tolde him he saide let me not see their faces 4 So the hoast put them to death Now wheÌ demetrius was set vpon the throne of his kingdome 5 There came vnto him wicked and vngodlie men of Israel whose captayne was Alcimus that woulde haue ben made hie priest 6 These men accused the people of Israel vnto the king saying Iudas and his brethren haue slaine thy frendes and driuen vs out of our owne lande 7 Wherfore send now some man to whoÌ thou geuest credence that he may go and see al the destruction which he hath done vnto vs and to the kinges lande and let him be punished with all his friendes and fauourers 8 Then the king chose Bacchides a friend of his which was a man of great power in the realme beyond the water and faithful vnto the king and sent him to see the destruction that Iudas had done 9 And as for that wicked Alcimus he made him hie priest and commaunded him to be auenged of the children of Israel 10 So they departed from the king and came with a great hoast into the lande of Iuda sending messengers to Iudas and his brethren speaking vnto them with peaceable wordes but vnder disceite 11 Therefore Iudas and his people beleued not their saying for they saw that they were come with a great hoast 12 After this came the scribes together vnto Alcimus Bacchides to entreate of reasonable couenauntes 13 And the Assideans were the first among the children of Israel that required peace of them 14 Saying Alcimus the priest is come of the seede of Aaron how can
raigneth after the death of Ptolomeus 22 Sion is besieged of Ionathas 42 Demetrius seing that no man resisteth hym sendeth his armie againe 54 Tryphon moueth Antiochus against Demetrius 60 Demetrius is deliuered by the succour of Ionathas 63 After his deliueraunce he breaketh his couenaunt that he had made 1 ANd the king of Egypt gathered an hoast like the sande that lyeth vpon the sea shore and many shippes went about thorow disceyte to obtayne the kingdome of Alexander and to ioyne it vnto his owne realme 2 Vpon this he toke his iourney into Syria vsing gentle wordes so that he was letten into the cities men came foorth to meete hym for king Alexander had commaunded them so to do because he was his father in lawe 3 Nowe when Ptolomi entred into any citie he left men of warre to kepe it and this he did thorowout all the cities 4 And when he came to Azotus they shewed hym the temple of Dagon and Azotus that was brent vp with the other thinges which were destroyed the dead bodies cast abrode and the graues that they had made by the way side for such as were slayne in the fielde 5 And tolde the king that Ionathas had done all these thinges to the intent they might get him euyll will But the king sayde not one worde therto 6 And Ionathas mette the king with great honour at Ioppa where they saluted one an other and toke their rest 7 So when Ionathas had gone with the king vnto the water that was called Eleutherus he turned againe to Hierusalem 8 Nowe Ptolomi had gotten the dominion of the cities vnto Seleucia vpon the sea coast imagining wicked counsels against Alexander 9 And sent ambassadours vnto Demetrius saying Come let vs make a bonde betwixt vs so shall I geue thee my daughter that Alexander hath and thou shalt raigne in thy fathers kingdome 10 I repent that I gaue Alexander my daughter for he goeth about to slay me 11 And thus he slaundered Alexander because he woude haue had his realme 12 Thus he toke his daughter from him gaue her vnto Demetrius and forsoke Alexander so that his malice was openly knowen 13 And Ptolomi came to Antioch where he set two crownes vpon his owne head the crowne of Egypt and of Asia 14 In the meane season was king Alexander in Cilicia for they that dwelt in those places had rebelled against hym 15 But when Alexander hearde of this he came to warre against hym So king Ptolomi brought foorth his hoast and mette him with a mightie power and chased him away 16 Then fled Alexander into Arabia there to be defended and king Ptolomeus honour increased 17 And Zabdiel the Arabian smote of Alexanders head sent it vnto Ptolomi 18 But the thirde day after died king Ptolomi hym selfe and they whom he had set in the strong holdes were slayne one of another 19 And Demetrius raigned in the hundred threscore and seuenth yere 20 At the same time gathered Ionathas them that were in Iurie to lay siege vnto the castle which was at Hierusalem so they made many instrumentes of warre against it 21 Then went there certayne vngodly persons whiche hated their owne people vnto king Demetrius and told hym that Ionathas besieged the castle 22 So when he hearde it he was angry and immediatly came vnto Ptolomais wrote vnto Ionathas that he should not lay siege to the castle but come and speake with hym at Ptolomais in all haste 23 Neuerthelesse when Ionathas heard this he commaunded to besiege it He chose also certayne of the elders and priestes of Israel and put him selfe in peryll 24 And toke with him golde siluer clothing and diuers presentes and went to Ptolomais vnto the king and foundâ him gracious 25 And though certayne vngodly men of his owne people made complayntes vpon him 26 Yet the king intreated him like as his predecessours had done before and promoted hym in the sight of all his friendes 27 Confirmed hym in the hye priesthood with all the worship that he had afore and made him his chiefe friend 28 Ionathas also desired the king that he woulde make Iurie free with the three head cities of Samaria and the landes perteyning therto vpon this did Ionathas promise hym three hundred talentes 29 Wherunto the king consented and gaue Ionathas wryting of the same conteyning these wordes 30 King Demetrius sendeth greeting vnto his brother Ionathas and to the people of the Iewes 31 We sende you here a copie of the letter which we did write vnto our cosen Lasthenus concerning you that ye shoulde knowe it 32 King Demetrius sendeth greeting vnto Lasthenus his father 33 For the faythfulnesse that our friendes the people of the Iewes kepe vnto vs and for the louing kindnesse which they beare towarde vs we are determined to do them good 34 Wherfore we assigne vnto the coastes of Iudea the three gouernemeÌtes Afferema Lydda and Ramatha whiche are added vnto Iurie from Samaria and all the landes pertayning therevnto to be freely separated for such as do sacrifice in Hierusalem both concerning the paymentes whiche the king toke yerely aforetime the fruite also of the earth and trees 35 As for other tithes and tributes that belonged vnto vs we discharge them therof from this time foorth 36 In like maner we graunt vnto them all the customes of salt crowne taxes which were brought vnto vs and this freedome shal they haue firme and stedfast from this time foorth for euermore 37 Therefore see that ye make a copie of these our letters and deliuer it vnto Ionathas that it may be set vpon the holy mount in a conuenient place 38 After this when Demetrius the king sawe that his land was in rest and that no resistaunce was made against him he sent away all his hoast euery man to his owne place except certayne bandes of straungers whom he brought from the Iles of the heathen wherefore all his fathers hoast hated him 39 Now was ther one Tryphon that had ben of Alexanders part afore whiche when he saw that all the hoast murmured against Demetrius he went to Samalcue the Arabian that brought vp Antiochus the sonne of Alexander 40 And lay sore vpon him to deliuer hym this young Antiochus that he might raine in his fathers steade He tolde him also what great euyll Demetrius had done how his men of warre loued him not so remayned there a long season 41 And Ionathas sent vnto king Demetrius to driue them out which were in the castle at Hierusalem and those that were in the fortresses for they dyd Israel great harme 42 So Demetrius sent word vnto Ionathas saying I will not only do these thinges for thee and thy people but at time conuenient I wil do both thee and thy people great worship 43 But now thou shalt do me a pleasure if thou wilt sende me men to helpe me for all myne armie is gone fro me 44 So
vndertaken compendiously to bring into one booke the thinges that were comprehended of him in fyue 24 For we considering the multitude of the bookes and howe hard it shoulde be for them that woulde meddle with stories and actes and that because of so diuers matters 25 Haue vndertaken so to comprehend the stories that such as are disposed to reade might haue pleasure and pastime therin and that they which are diligent in such thinges might the better thinke vpon them yea and that whosoeuer reade them might haue profite therby 26 Neuerthelesse we our selues that haue medled with this matter for the shortening of it haue taken no small labour but great diligence watchinges and trauayle 27 Like as they that make a feast would fayne do other men pleasure euen so we also for many mens sakes are very well content to take the labour 28 Where as we may shortly comprehend the thinges that other men haue truely written 29 For he that buyldeth an house anewe must prouide for many thinges to the whole buylding but he that paynteth it afterward seketh but only that is comely meete and conuenient to garnishe it withall 30 Euen so do we also in like maner And why He that beginneth fyrst to wryte a storie must with his vnderstanding gather the matter together set his wordes in order and diligently seke out euery part 31 But he that afterwarde will shorten it vseth fewe wordes and toucheth not the matter at the largest Let this be sufficient for a prologue 32 Now will we begin to shew the matter for it is but a foolishe thing to make a long prologue and to be short in the storie it selfe The .iii. Chapter 1 Of the honour done vnto the temple by the kinges of the gentiles 6 Simon vttereth what treasure is in the temple 9 Heliodorus is sent to take them away 26 He is striken of God and healed at the prayer of Onias 1 WHat time as the holy citie was inhabited in all peace and wealth and when the lawes were yet very well kept for so was it ordeyned thorowe the godlinesse of Onias the hye prieste and other godly men that were enemies to wickednesse 2 It came therto that euen the kinges and princes them selues dyd the place great worship and garnished the temple with great giftes 3 Insomuch that Seleucus king of Asia of his owne rentes bare all the coastes belonging to the seruice of the offringes 4 Then Simon of the tribe of Beniamin ruler of the temple vpon a variaunce risen betweene him the hygh priest for wickednesse that was done in the citie 5 For that he could not ouercome Onias he gat him to Apollonius the sonne of Thrasia which then was chiefe Lorde in Celosyria and Phemces 6 And tolde hym that the treasurie in Hierusalem was full of innumerable money how that the common goodes whiche belongeth not vnto the offeringes were exceeding great also yea and howe it were possible that all these might come vnder the kinges power 7 Now when Apollonius had shewed the king of the money as it was tolde him the king called for Heliodorus his treasurer and sent him with a commaundement to bring him the same money 8 Immediatly Heliodorus toke his iourney but vnder a colour as though he woulde go thorowe Celosyria and Phenices to visite the cities but his purpose was to fulfill the kinges pleasure 9 So when he came to Hierusalem and was louingly receaued of the hye priest into the citie he tolde what was determined concerning the money and shewed the cause of his comming he asked also if it were so in deede 10 Then the hye priest tolde hym that there was such money layed vp for the vpholding of wydowes and fatherlesse children 11 And how that a certayne of it belonged vnto Hyrcanus the sonne of Tobias a noble man that of all the money and not as that wicked Simon had reported there were foure hundreth talentes of siluer and two hundred of golde 12 Yea that it were vnpossible for those mens meaning to be disceaued that had put assured confidence in the holinesse of the place in the maiestie vndoubted safetie of the temple whiche is had in worship thorowe the whole worlde for the mayntenaunce and honour of the same 13 Whervnto Heliodorus aunswered that the king had commaunded hym in any wyse to bring hym the money 14 So at the day appoynted Heliodorus entred into the temple to order this matter wherefore there was no small feare throughout the whole citie 15 The priestes fell downe before the aulter in their vestmentes and called vnto heauen vpon hym whiche had made a lawe concerning stuffe geuen to kepe that they shoulde be safely preserued for such as commited them vnto keping 16 Then who so had loked the hye priest in the face it woulde haue greeued his heart for his countenaunce and the chaunging of his colour declared the inwarde sorowe of his mynde 17 The man was all in heauinesse and his body in feare whereby they that loked vpon him might perceaue the griefe of his heart 18 The other people also came out of their houses by heapes vnto the common prayer because the place was like to come into confusion 19 The women came together thorowe the streetes with heary clothes about their brestes the virgins also that were kept in ran to Onias some of them ran to the gates some vp vpon the walles other some loked out at the windowes 20 Yea they all helde vp their handes towarde heauen and prayed 21 A miserable thing was it to loke vpon the common people and the hie priest beyng in such trouble 22 But they besought almightie God that the goodes which were committed vnto them might be kept whole for those that had deliuered them vnto their keping 23 Neuerthelesse the thing that Heliodorus was determined to do that perfourmed he in the same place he hym selfe personally beyng about the treasurie with his men of warre 24 But the spirite of almightie God shewed him selfe openly so that al they which presumed to obey Heliodorus fel thorow the power of God into a great fearefulnesse and dread 25 For there appeared vnto them an horse with a terrible man sitting vpon him deckte in goodly aray and the horse smote at Heliodorus with his forefeete Nowe he that sate vpon the horse had harnesse of golde vpon him 26 Moreouer there appeared two fayre and beautifull young men of notable strength in goodly aray whiche stoode by him scourged him of both the sides and gaue hym many strypes without ceassing 27 With that fell Hiliodorus sodenly vnto the grounde so they toke him vp beyng compassed about with great darkenesse bare him out vpon a beere 28 Thus he that came with so many runners and men of warre into the sayde treasurie was borne out where as no man might helpe hym beyng destitute of harnesse and weapons and so the power of God was manifest knowen
29 He lay still dumbe also by the power of God destitute of all hope and life 30 And they praysed the Lord that he had shewed his power vpon his place and temple which a litle afore was full of feare and trouble and that through the reuelation of the almightie Lord it was filled with ioy and gladnesse 31 Then certayne of Heliodorus friendes prayed Onias that in al haste he would call vpon God to graunt hym his lyfe which was geuing vp the ghost 32 So the hye priest fearing lest the king should suspect that the Iewes had done Heliodorus some euyll he offered an offering for his health 33 Nowe when the hye priest had obtaytayned his petition the same young men in the same clothing appeared stoode beside Heliodorus saying Thanke Onias the hye priest for for his sake hath the Lorde graunted thee thy lyfe 34 Therfore seyng that God hath scourged thee geue hym prayse and thankes and shewe euery man his might and power And when they had spoken these wordes they appeared no more 35 So Heliodorus offered vnto God made great vowes vnto hym whiche had graunted him his lyfe thanked Onias toke his hoast and went againe to the king 36 Then testified he vnto euery man of the great workes of God that he had seene with his eyes 37 And when the king asked Heliodorus who were meete to be sent yet once againe to Hierusalem he sayde 38 If thou hast any enemie or aduersarie vnto thy realme sende him thyther and thou shalt haue hym punished if he escape with his lyfe for in that place no doubt there is a special power and working of God 30 For he that dwelleth in heauen visiteth and defendeth that place and all that come to do it harme he punisheth and plagueth them 40 This is nowe the matter concerning Heliodorus and the keping of the treasurie at Hierusalem The .iiii. Chapter 1 Simon reporteth euyll of Onias â Iason desiring the office of the hie priest corrupted the king with rewardes 19 The wicked intent of Iason 1 THis Simon nowe of whom we spake afore being a bewrayer of the money and of his owne natural couÌtrey reported y e worst of Onias as though he had moued Heliodorus vnto this as though he had ben a bringer vp of euil 2 Thus was he not ashamed to call hym an enemie of the realme that was so faythful an ouerseer and defender of the citie and of his people yea and so feruent in the lawe of God 3 But when the malice of Simon increased so farre that thorowe his friendes there were certayne manslaughters committed 4 Onias considered the peryll that might come thorowe this stryfe and howe that Apollonius the chiefe Lorde in Celosiria and Phenices was al set vpon tirannie and Simons malice increased the same 5 He gat him to the king not as an accuser of the citezins but as one that by him selfe intended the common wealth of the whole multitude 6 For he sawe it was not possible to liue in peace neither Simon to leaue of from his foolishnesse except the king did loke therto 7 But after the death of Seleueus when Antiochus whiche is called the noble toke the kingdome Iason the brother of Onias laboured to be hye priest 8 For he came vnto the king and promised him three hundred and threescore talentes of siluer and of the other rentes fourescore talentes 9 Besides this he promised hym yet an hundred and fiftie more if he might haue licence to set vp a scoole and an exercise of weapons and that he might call them of Hierusalem Antiochians 10 Which when the king had graunted and he had gotten the superioritie he began immediatly to draw his kinsmen to the custome of the heathen 11 Put downe the thinges that the Iewes had set vp of loue by Ihon the father of Eupolonius whiche was sent ambassadour vnto Rome for to make the bonde of friendship and loue he put downe all the lawes and liberties of the Iewes and set vp the wicked statutes 12 For when he had made a scoole of fence vnder the castle he drewe all the chiefest yong men on his side and trayned them to were hattes 13 And there was such a feruent desire to come to the maners of the heathen and to take vp newe straunge fashions brought in thorowe the vngratious and vnhearde wickednesse of Iason which shoulde not be called a priest but an vngodly person 14 Insomuch that the priestes were now no more occupied about the seruice of the aulter but despised the temple regarded not the offeringes yea gaue their diligence to learne to fight to wrastle to leape to daunce and to cast the stone 15 Not setting by the honour of the fathers but liked the glorie of the Grekes best of all 16 For the which they stroue perylously were greedy to folow their statutes yea their lust was in all thinges to be like them whiche afore were their enemies and destroyers 17 Howebeit to do wickedly against the law of God shal not escape vnpunished but of this we shall speake hereafter 18 What time as the Olimpians sportes were played at Tyrus the king hym selfe beyng present 19 This vngratious Iason sent wicked men bearing from them of Hierusalem which nowe were called Antiochians three hundred drachines of siluer for an offering to Hercules these had they that caryed them desired vnder such a fashion as though they should not haue ben offered but bestowed to other vses 20 Neuerthelesse he that sent them sent them to the inteÌt that they should be offered vnto Hercules but because of those that were present they were geuen as to the making of shippes 21 And Apollonius the sonne of Menestheus was sent into Egypt because of the noble men of king Ptolomi Philometor Nowe when Antiochius perceaued that he was put out from medling in the realme he sought his owne profite departed from thence came to Ioppa and then to Hierusalem 22 Where he was honorably receaued of Iason and of the citie and was brought in with torche light and with great prayse and so he turned his hoast vnto Phenices 23 After three yeres Iason sent Menelaus the foresayd Simons brother to beare the money vnto the king to bring him aunswere of other necessarie matters 24 But he when he was commended to the king for magnifiyng of his power turned the priesthood vnto him selfe laying vp three hundred talentes of siluer for Iason 25 So when he had gotten commaundementes from the king he came hauing nothing that becommeth a priest but bearing the stomacke of a cruel tyraunt and the wrath of a wilde bruite beast 26 Then Iason which had disceaued his owne brother seyng that he hym selfe was begiled also was fayne to flee into the lande of the Ammonites 27 And Menelaus gat the dominion but as for the money that he had promised vnto the king he dyd nothing therin albeit Sostratus the ruler of the
And so through myne hypocrisie for a litle time of a transitorie lyfe they might be deceaued by this meanes also should I defile myne age and make it abhominable 26 For though I were nowe deliuered from the tormentes of men yet shoulde I not escape the hand of almightie God neither aliue nor dead 27 Wherefore I wyll dye manfully and do as it becommeth myne age 28 Whereby I may peraduenture leaue an example of stedfastnes for such as be young if I with a redie minde manfully dye an honest death for the most worthy and holy lawes When he had saide these words immediatly he was drawen to the torment 29 Now they that led him and were milde a litle afore began to take displeasure because of the wordes that he saide for they thought he had spoken them of an hie minde 30 But when he was in his martirdome he mourned and saide Thou O Lorde which hast the holy knowledge knowest openly that where as I might be deliuered from death I suffer these sore paynes of my body but in my minde I am well content to suffer them because I feare thee 31 Thus this man dyed leauing the memoriall of his death for an example not onely vnto young men but vnto all the people to be stedfast and manly The .vij. Chapter The punishment of the seuen brethren and of their mother 1 IT happened also that there were seuen brethren with their mother taken and compelled by the king against the lawe to eate swines fleshe namely with scourges and leatherne whippes 2 And one of them which was the chiefe saide What seekest thou and what requirest thou of vs As for vs we are redie rather to suffer death then to offende the lawes of God and the fathers 3 Then was the king angry and bad heate cauldrons brasen pottes which when they were made hot 4 Immediately he commaunded the tongue of him that spake first to be cut out to pull the skin ouer his head to pare the edges of his handes and feete yea and that in the sight of his mother and the other of his brethren 5 Now when he was cleane mangled he coÌmaunded a fire to be made and so while there was any breathin him to be fried in the cauldron In the which when he had ben long pained the other brethren with their mother exhorted him to dye manfully saying 6 The Lorde God shall regarde the trueth and comfort vs lyke as Moyses testifieth and declareth in his song saying And he wyll haue compassion on his seruauntes 7 So when the first was dead after this maner they brought the second to haue him in derision pulled the skinne with the heere ouer his head and asked him if he would eate swines flesh or he were payned in the other members also throughout his body 8 But he aunswered in his owne language and said I wyll not do it And so he was tormented lyke as the first 9 And when he was euen at the geuing vp of the ghost he sayd Thou most vngratious person puttest vs now to death but the king of the worlde shal rayse vs vp which dye for his lawes in the resurrection of euerlasting lyfe 10 After him was the third had in derision and when he was required he put out his tongue and that right soone holding foorth his handes manfully 11 And spake with a stedfast faith These haue I of heaueÌ but now for the lawes of God I despise them for my trust is that I shal receaue them of him againe 12 Insomuch that the king they which were with him marueyled at the young mans boldnes that he nothing regarded the paynes 13 Now when he was dead also they vexed the fourth with tormentes in like maner 14 So when he was now at his death he saide It is better that we being put to death of men haue our hope trust in God for he shall rayse vs vp againe as for thee thou shalt haue no resurrection to lyfe 15 And when they had spoken to the fifth they tormented him 16 Then loked he vnto the king and said Thou hast power among men for thou art a mortall man also thy selfe to do what thou wylt but thinke not that God hath forsaken our generation 17 Abide thee tary still awhile and thou shalt see the great power of God howe he wyll punishe thee and thy seede 18 After him they brought the sixt which being at the poynt of death saide Be not deceaued O king for this we suffer for our owne sakes because we haue offended our God and therefore marueylous thinges are shewed vpon vs. 19 But thinke not thou which takest in hande to striue against God that thou shalt escape vnpunished 20 This excellent mother worthy to be wel reported of had in remembrauÌce saw her seuen sonnes dye in one day and suffered it paciently because of the hope that she had in God Yea she exhorted euery one of them in her countrey language and that boldly and stedfastly with perfect wysdome waking vp her wiuishe thought with a manly stomake and saide vnto them 22 I can not tell howe ye sprang in my wombe for I neither gaue you breath nor soule nor lyfe it is not I that ioyned the members of your bodies together 23 But the maker of the worlde which fashioned the byrth of man and began all thinges Euen he also of his owne mercie shall geue you breath and lyfe againe lyke as ye now regard not your owne selues for his lawes sake 24 Now thought Antiochus that she had despised him therfore he let her go with her reproffes and began to exhort the youngest sonne which yet was left not onely with wordes but swore vnto him with an oth that he shoulde make him a rich and wealthy man if he would forsake the lawes of his fathers yea and that he shoulde geue him whatsoeuer were necessarie for him 25 But when the young man would not be moued for all these thinges he called his mother and counselled her to saue her sonnes lyfe 26 And when he had exhorted her with many wordes she promysed him that she would speake to her sonne 27 So she turned her vnto him laughing the cruell tyraunt to scorne and spake in her countrey language O my sonne haue pitie vpon me that bare thee nine monethes in my wombe that gaue thee sucke nourished thee and brought thee vp vnto this age 28 I beseche thee my sonne loke vpon heauen and earth and all that is therein and consider that God made them and mans generation of naught 29 So shalt thou not feare this hangman but suffer death stedfastly lyke as thy brethren haue done that I may receaue thee againe in the same mercie with thy brethren 30 While she was yet speaking these wordes the young man saide whom loke ye for wherefore do ye tary â I wyl not obey the kinges commaundement but the law that God gaue vs by Moyses
42 They fel downe also vnto their prayers and besought God that the fault whiche was made might be put out of remembraunce Besides that Iudas exhorted the people earnestly to kepe them selues from such sinne forsomuch as they sawe before their eyes that these men were slayne for the same offence 43 So he gathered of euery one a certayne and sent two thousande drachmes of siluer vnto Hierusalem that there might a sacrifice be offered for the misdeede In the which place he did wel and right for he had some consideration and pondring of the lyfe that is after this time 44 For if he had not thought that they whiche were slayne shoulde ryse againe it had ben superfluous and vayne to make any vowe or sacrifice for them that were dead 45 But forsomuch as he sawe that they which die in the fauour beleefe of god are in good rest and ioy he thought it to be good honorable for a reconsiling to do the same for those which were slaine that the offence might be forgeuen The .xiii. Chapter 1 The comming of Eupator into Iurie 4 The death of Menelaus 10 Machabeus goyng to fight against Eupator moueth his souldiers vnto prayer 15 He killeth fourteene thousande men in the tentes of Antiochus 21 Rhodocus the betrayer of the Iewes is taken 24 Antiochus retayned friendship with the Iewes 1 IN the hundred fourtie and nine yere gat Iudas knowledge that Antiochus Eupator was comming with a great power into iurie 2 And Lysias the stewarde and ruler of his matters with him hauing an hundred ten thousand men of foote of the Grecians fyue thousande horsemen twentie and two Elephantes and three hundred charettes set with hookes 3 Menelaus also ioyned hym selfe with them but with great disceyte spake faire to the king not for any good of the countrey but because he thought to haue ben made some great man of aucthoritie 4 But the king of kinges moued Antiochus minde against this vngodly person and Lysias enformed the king that this Menelaus was the cause of all mischiefe so that the king commaunded to bring him vnto Berea and as the maner of them is to put him vnto death in the same place 5 There was also in the same place a towre of fiftie cubites hie heaped with asshes and it had an instrument that turned rounde on euery side it rouled downe into the asshes and there whosoeuer was condempned of sacriledge or of any other greeuous crime was cast of all men vnto the death 6 Whereinto the king coÌmaunded that shamefull person to be cast among the asshes as one that was cause of all vngraciousnesse 7 And reason it was that the vnthrift should dye such a death and not to be buried 8 For he had done much mischiefe vnto the aulter of God whose fire and asshes were holy therefore was it right that he him selfe also should be destroyed with asshes 9 But the king was wood in his minde and came to shew him selfe more cruell vnto the Iewes then his father was 10 Which when Iudas perceaued he commaunded the people to call vpon the Lord nyght and day that he would nowe helpe them also lyke as he had done alway for they were afraide to be put from their lawe from their natural countrey and from the holy temple 11 And not to suffer the people which a litle while afore began to recouer to be subdued againe of the blasphemous nations 12 So when they had done this together and besought the Lorde for mercie with weeping and fasting three dayes long flat vpon the grounde Iudas exhorted them to make them selues redie 13 But he and the eldest together deuised to go foorth first with the people afore the king brought his hoast into Iurie and afore he besieged the citie and so to commit the matter vnto God 14 Wherefore he committed the charge of all thinges vnto God the maker of all the worlde exhorting his people to fight manfully yea euen vnto death for the lawes the temple the citie their owne natiue countrey and to defend the citezins and he set his hoast before Modin 15 He gaue them also that were with him a token of the victory of God choosing out the manliest young men went by night into the kinges pauilion slue of the hoast fourteene thousand men and the greatest of the Elephantes with those that sate vpon him 16 Thus when they had brought a great feare and rumour among the tentes of their enemies and al thinges went prosperously with them 17 They departed in the breake of the day God being their helper and defender 18 Nowe when the king perceaued the manlinesse of the Iewes he went about to take the strong places by craft 19 And remoued his hoast vnto Bethsura which was a wel kept house of defence of the Iewes but they were chased away hurt and discomfited 20 And Iudas sent vnto them that were in it such thinges as were necessarie 21 In the Iewes hoast also there was one Rhodochus which tolde the enemies their secretes but they sought him out and when they had gotten him they put him in prison 22 After this did the king commune with them that were in Bethsura toke truice with them departed and stroke a battaile with Iudas which ouercame him 23 But when he vnderstoode that Philip whom he had left to be ouerseer of this busines at Antioch began to rebell against him he was astonied in his mind so that he yeelded him selfe to y e Iewes and made them an oth to do whatsoeuer they thought right 24 Now when he was reconciled with them he offered made much of the temple gaue great giftes vnto it 25 Embraced Machabeus making him captaine and gouernour from Ptolomais vnto the Gerrhenes 26 Neuerthelesse when he came to Ptolomais the people of the citie were not content with the bond of frendship for they were afraide that he would breake the couenaunt 27 Then went Lysias vp into the iudgement seate and excused the fact as well as he coulde and enformed the people shewed them the cause why pacified them so he came againe to Antioch This is now the matter concerning the kinges iourney and his returne The .xiiij. Chapter 1 By the motion of the Lorde Demetrius sendeth Nicanor to kill the Iewes 18 Nicanor maketh a compact with the Iewes 29 which he yet breaketh through the motion of the king 37 Nicanor commaundeth Razias to be taken 41 The boldnes of Razias 1 AFter three yeres was Iudas infourmed how that Demetrius the sonne of Seleucus was come vp with a great power and shippes through the hauen of Tripolis 2 To take certaine commodious places and countreys against Antiochus and his captaine Lysias 3 Nowe Alcimus whiche had ben hie priest and wylfully defiled him selfe in the time of the mixting seeing that by no meanes he could be helped nor haue any more entraunce to the aulter 4 He came to king Demetrius in the hundred fiftie and one yere
that thou hast sent me 26 And I haue declared vnto them thy name and wyll declare it that the loue wherewith thou hast loued me may be in them and I in them â ¶ The .xviij. Chapter 3 Christe is betrayed by Iudas 6 The souldiers fall backewarde 10 Peter smyteth of Malchus eare 13 Christe brought before Annas and Caiaphas 15 Peter and Iohn folowed Iesus to Caiaphas house 22 Christe sâricken by a seruaunt 23 what he aunswered 25 Peter denied hym 28 He is ledde before Pilate 36 and telleth hym what his kyngdome is 40 The Iewes aske Barabbas to be let loose 1 WHen Iesus had spoken these wordes he went forth with his disciples ouer the brooke Cedron where was a garden into the whiche he entred his disciples 2 Iudas also whiche betrayed hym knewe the place For Iesus oft tymes resorted thyther with his disciples 3 Iudas then after he had receaued a bande of men and officers of the hye priestes pharisees came thyther with lanternes and torches and weapons 4 And Iesus knowing all thinges that shoulde come on hym went foorth and sayde vnto them whom seke ye 5 They aunswered him Iesus of Nazareth Iesus sayth vnto them I am he Iudas also whiche betrayed hym stoode with them 6 Assoone then as he sayde vnto them I am he they went backewarde fell to the grounde 7 Then asâed he them agayne whom seke ye They said Iesus of Nazareth 8 Iesus aunswered I haue tolde you that I am he Yf ye seke me therefore let these go their way 9 That the saying myght be fulfylled which he spake Of them which thou gauest me haue I not lost one 10 Then Simon Peter hauing a sword drewe it and smote the hye priestes seruaunt and cut of his ryght eare The seruauntes name was Malchus 11 Therefore sayth Iesus vnto Peter Put vp thy sworde into the sheathe shall I not drynke of the cuppe whiche my father hath geuen me 12 Then the companie and the capitaine and officers of the Iewes toke Iesus and bounde hym 13 And led hym away to Annas first for he was father in lawe vnto Caiaphas which was y e hye priest that same yere And Annas sent Christe bounde vnto Caiaphas the hye priest 14 Caiaphas was he which gaue councell to the Iewes that it was expedieÌt that one man should dye for the people 15 And Simon Peter folowed Iesus and so did another disciple That disciple was knowen vnto the hye priest went in with Iesus into the palace of the hye priest 16 But Peter stoode at the doore without Then went out that other disciple which was knowen vnto the hye priest and spake vnto the damosell that kept the doore and brought in Peter 17 Then saide the damosell that kept the doore vnto Peter Art not thou also one of this mans disciples He sayde I am not 18 The seruauntes and officers stoode there which had made a fire of coales for it was colde and they warmed theÌ selues Peter also stoode among them and warmed hym 19 The hye priest then asked Iesus of his disciples and of his doctrine 20 Iesus aunswered him I spake openly to the worlde I euer taught in the synagogue and in the temple whyther all the Iewes resort in secrete haue I sayde nothyng 21 Why askest thou me Aske theÌ which hearde me what I haue sayd vnto theÌ Beholde they can tell what I sayde 22 When he had thus spoken one of the officers whiche stoode by smote Iesus with a rod saying Aunswerest thou the hye priest so 23 Iesus aunswered hym Yf I haue euyl spoken beare witnesse of the euyl But yf I haue well spoken why smytest thou me 24 Nowe Annas had sent hym bounde vnto Caiaphas the hye priest 25 Simon Peter stoode warmed hym selfe Then sayde they vnto hym Art not thou also one of his disciples He denyed it and sayde I am not 26 One of the seruauÌtes of y e hye priestes his cosin whose eare Peter smote of sayde vnto hym Dyd not I see thee in the garden with hym 27 Peter therefore denyed againe And immediatly the Cocke crewe 28 Then led they Iesus froÌ Caiaphas into the hall of iudgement It was in the mornyng And they them selues went not into the iudgement hall leste they shoulde be defyled but that they myght eate the Passouer 29 Pilate then went out vnto them and said What accusatioÌ bryng you against this man 30 They aunswered and said vnto him Yf he were not an euyll doer we would not haue deliuered hym vnto thee 31 Then sayde Pilate vnto them Take ye him and iudge him after your owne lawe The Iewes therfore sayde vnto hym It is not lawfull for vs to put any man to death 32 That the wordes of Iesus myght be fulfylled whiche he spake signifâyng what death he shoulde dye 33 Then Pilate entred into the iudgement hall againe and called Iesus and sayde vnto hym Art thou the kyng of the Iewes 34 Iesus aunswered Sayest thou that of thy selfe or did other tell it thee of me 35 Pilate aunswered am I a Iewe Thyne owne nation hye priestes haue deliuered thee vnto me what hast thou done 36 Iesus aunswered My kyngdome is not of this worlde Yf my kyngdome were of this worlde then woulde my seruauntes surely fyght that I shoulde not be deliuered to the Iewes but now is my kyngdome not from hence 37 Pilate therfore sayde vnto hym Art thou a kyng then Iesus aunswered Thou sayest that I am a king For this cause am I borne for this cause came I into the worlde that I should beare witnesse vnto the trueth And all that are of the trueth heare my voyce 38 Pilate sayde vnto him What thyng is trueth And when he had sayde this he went out agayne vnto the Iewes sayth vnto them I fynde in hym no cause at all 39 Ye haue a custome that I shoulde deliuer you one loose at y e Passouer Wyll ye that I loose vnto you the kyng of the Iewes 40 Then cryed they all agayne saying Not hym but Barabbas This Barabbas was a robber ¶ The .xix. Chapter 1 Christe is whypped beaten and crowned 4 Pilate woulde haue delyuered hym 6 but the Iewes aske hym to be crucified 11 All power of God 16 Pilate delyuered Christe to be crucified 19 The title set vpon the crosse 23 Christes garmentes deuided 27 He commendeth his mother to Iohn 30 After Christe tasted the vineger he dyeth 32 The legges of the theeues broken 34 Christes syde pearsed with a speare 38 Ioseph of Aramathia beggeth his body 40 and he and Nicodemus buryed it 1 THen Pilate toke Iesus therfore and scourged hym 2 And the souldiers wounde a crowne of thornes and put it on his head And they did on hym a purple garment 3 And sayde Hayle king of the Iewes And they stroke hym with roddes 4 Pilate went foorth agayne and sayde vnto
are not comely 14 I wyll therefore that the yonger women do marrie to beare chyldren to guyde the house to geue none occasion to y e aduersarie to speake slaunderously 15 For certaine of them are alredy turned backe after Satan 16 Yf any man or woman that beleueth haue wydowes let them susteine them let not the Churches be charged that there maye be sufficient for them that are wydowes in deede 17 The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour most speciallye they which labour in the worde teachyng 18 For the scripture sayth Thou shalt not moosel the oxe that treadeth out the corne And the labourer is worthy of his rewarde 19 Agaynst an elder receaue none accusation but vnder two or three witnesses 20 Them that sinne rebuke before all that other also may feare 21 I testifie before God and the Lorde Iesus Christe and the elect angels that thou obserue these thinges without hastynesse of iudgement and do nothyng after parcialitie 22 Lay handes sodenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sinnes Kepe thy selfe chaste 23 Drinke no longer water but vse a litle wine for thy stomackes sake thine often diseases 24 Some mens sinnes are open beforehande hastyng before vnto iudgement and in some they folowe after 25 Lykewise also good workes are manifest before hande and they that are otherwyse can not be hyd ¶ The .vj. Chapter 1 The duetie of seruauntes towarde their maisters 3 Agaynst such as are not satisfied with the worde of God 6 Of true godlynesse and contentation of mynde 9 Agaynst couetousnesse 11 A charge geuen to Timothie 1 LEt as many seruauntes as are vnder the yoke count their maisters worthy of all honour that the name of god and his doctrine be not blasphemed 2 And they whiche haue beleuyng maisters despise them not because they are brethren but rather do seruice forasmuch as they are beleuyng and beloued and partakers of the benefite These thynges teache and exhort 3 Yf any man teache otherwyse and consenteth not vnto the wholsome wordes of our Lorde Iesus Christe and to the doctrine whiche is accordyng to godlynesse 4 He is puft vp knowyng nothing but dotyng about questions and strifes of wordes wherof commeth enuie stryfe raylynges euyll surmysynges 5 Vayne disputations of men of corrupte myndes destitute of the trueth thynkyng lucre to be godlynesse From suche be thou separate 6 Godlynesse is great lucre if a man be content with that he hath 7 For we brought nothyng into the worlde and it is certayne that we may carry nought away 8 But hauyng foode and rayment we must therwith be content 9 For they that wyll be riche fall into temptations and snares and into many folishe noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and destruction 10 For loue of money is the roote of all euyll whiche whyle some lusted after they erred from the fayth pearced theÌ selues through with many sorowes 11 But thou O man of God flee these thynges and folow after righteousnes godlynes faith loue pacience mekenes 12 Fight the good fight of faith lay hand on eternall lyfe wherevnto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses 13 I geue thee charge in the sight of God who quickeneth all thynges and before Iesus Christe which vnder Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession 14 That thou kepe the commaundement without spot vnrebukeable vntyll the appearyng of our Lorde Iesus Christ 15 Which in his tymes he shall shewe that is blessed and prince only the kyng of kynges and Lorde of Lordes 16 Who only hath immortalitie dwelling in the light that no man can attayne vnto * Whom no man hath seene neither can see vnto whom be honour power euerlastyng Amen 17 Charge them which are riche in this world that they be not hie minded nor trust in vncertayne riches but in y e lyuyng God which geueth vs aboundauntly all thinges to enioy 18 That they do good that they be riche in good workes that they be redye to geue glad to distribute 19 Laying vp in store for them selues a good foundation agaynst the tyme to come that they may lay holde on eternall lyfe 20 O Timotheus saue that which is geuen thee to kepe auoydyng prophane and vayne bablynges and oppositions of science falslie so called 21 Which some professyng haue erred concernyng the fayth Grace be with thee Amen ¶ Sent from Laodicea which is the chiefest citie of Phrygia Pacaciana The seconde Epistle of the Apostle Saint Paul to Timothie ¶ The first Chapter ¶ 6 Paul exhorteth Timotheus to stedfastnesse and patience in persecution and to continue in the doctrine that he had taught hym 12 wherof his bondes afflictions were a gage 16 A commendation of Onesiphorus 1 PAul an Apostle of Iesus Christe by the wyll of God according to the promise of lyfe which is in Christ Iesus 2 To Timothie a beloued sonne Grace mercy and peace from God the father and Christe Iesus our Lorde 3 I thanke God whom I worshippe from my forefathers in pure conscience that without ceassyng I haue remembrauÌce of thee in my prayers night day 4 Desiryng to see thee myndefull of thy teares that I may be fylled with ioy 5 When I call to remembraunce the vnfaigned fayth that is in thee whiche dwelt first in thy graundmother Lois and in thy mother Eunica and I am assured that it dwelleth in thee also 6 Wherfore I put thee in remeÌbraunce that thou stirre vp the gyft of God which is in thee * by the puttyng on of my handes 7 * For God hath not geuen to vs the spirite of feare but of power and of loue and of a sounde mynde 8 Be not thou therfore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lorde neither of me his prisoner but suffer thou aduersitie with the Gospell accordyng to the power of God 9 Who hath saued vs called vs with an holy callyng not accordyng to our workes but accordyng to his owne purpose and grace which was geuen vs in Christe Iesus before the world began 10 But is nowe made manifest by the appearyng of our sauiour Iesus Christ who hath put away death and hath brought life and immortalitie vnto light through the Gospell 11 Wherunto I am appoynted a preacher and Apostle and a teacher of the gentiles 12 For the which cause I also suffer these thynges Neuerthelesse I am not ashamed For I knowe whom I haue beleued and I am perswaded that he is able to kepe that which I haue committed to hym agaynst that day 13 See thou haue the paterne of wholesome wordes which thou hast hearde of me in fayth loue that is in Christe Iesus 14 That good thyng which was committed to thy keping holde fast through the holy ghost which dwelleth in vs. 15 This
This saith Amen the faythfull and true witnesse the begynnyng of the creatures of God 15 I knowe thy workes that thou arte neither colde nor hotte I woulde thou were colde or hotte 16 So theÌ because thou art luke warme and neither colde nor hotte I wyll spewe thee out of my mouth 17 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 18 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 19 As many as I loue I rebuke and chasten Be feruent therfore repent 20 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 21 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 22 Let hym y t hath an eare heare what the spirite sayth vnto the Churches ¶ The .iiij. Chapter 1 The vision of the maiestie of God 2 He seeth the throne and one syttyng vpon it 8 and .xxiiii. seates about it with .xxiiii. elders syttyng vppon them and foure beastes praysyng God day and nyght 1 AFter this I loked and beholde a doore was open in heaueÌ 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 shewethee thynges which must be fulfylled hereafter 2 And immediatly I was in the spirite and behold a throne was set in heauen and one sate on the throne 3 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 4 And about y e throne were .xxiiij. seates and vpon the seates .xxiiij. elders sitting clothed in whyte rayment and had on their heades crownes of golde 5 And out of the throne proceaded lightnynges and thundrynges and voyces and there were seueÌ lampes of fire burnyng before the throne whiche are the seuen spirites of God 6 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 7 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. 8 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 9 And when those beastes gaue glorie and honour and thankes to hym that sate on the throne which lyueth for euer and euer 10 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 11 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 were created ¶ The .v. Chapter 1 He seeth the lambe openyng the booke 8.14 and therfore the foure beastes the xxiiii elders and the angels prayse the lambe and do hym worship 9 for their redemption and other benefites 1 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 2 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 3 And no man in heauen nor in earth neither vnder the earth was able to open the booke neither to loke theron 4 And I wept muche because no man was founde worthy to open to reade the booke neither to loke theron 5 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 6 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 7 And he came and toke the booke out of the right hande of him that sate vpon the throne 8 And when he had taken the booke the foure beastes and .xxiiij. elders fell downe before the lambe hauyng euery one of them harpes and golden vyals full of odours which are the prayers of saintes 9 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 10 And hast made vs vnto our God kinges and priestes and we shall raigne on the earth 11 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 12 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 13 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 14 And the foure beastes sayde Amen And the .xxiiij. elders fell vpon their faces and worshipped hym that lyueth for euermore ¶ The .vj. Chapter The lambe openeth the fire seales and many thynges folowe the openyng therof so that this conteyneth a generall prophesie to the ende of the worlde 1 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 2 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 3 And when he had opened the seconde seale I hearde the seconde beast saye come and see 4 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 5 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
saying Great and marueylous are thy workes Lorde God almightie iust and true are thy wayes thou kyng of saintes 4 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 iudgemeÌtes are made manifest 5 And after that I loked and beholde the temple of the tabernacle of testimonie was open in heauen 6 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 7 And one of the foure beastes gaue vnto the seuen angels seuen golden vials full of the wrath of God which lyueth for euermore 8 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 The .xvi. Chapter â The angels powre out their vials full of wrath 6 and what plagues folowe therof 15 Admonition to take heede and watche 1 AND I hearde a great voyce out of the temple saying to y e seuen angels Go your wayes powre out your vials of wrath vpon the earth 2 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 3 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 4 And the thirde angell shed out his viall vpon the ryuers and fountaynes of waters and they turned to blood 5 And I hearde the angell of the waters say Lorde which art and wast thou art ryghteous holy because thou hast geuen such iudgementes 6 For they shed out the blood of saintes and prophetes and therfore hast thou geuen them blood to drynke for they are worthie 7 And I heard another out of the aulter say euen so Lorde God almightie true and ryghteous are thy iudgementes 8 And the fourth angell powred out his viall on the sunne power was geuen vnto hym to vexe men with heate of fyre 9 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 10 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 11 And blasphemed the God of heauen for their sorowe and for theirs sores and repented not of their deedes 12 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 y e east should be prepared 13 And I sawe three vncleane spirites like frogges come out of the mouth of y e dragon out of the mouth of the beast out of the mouth of the false prophete 14 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 15 Beholde I come as a theefe Happie is he that watcheth and kepeth his garmentes lest he walke naked and men see his fylthynesse 16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrue tongue Armagedon 17 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 18 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 19 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 20 Euery I le also fledde away and the mountaynes were not founde 21 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 ⧠The .xvij. Chapter 3 The discription of the great whore 8 her sinnes and punishment 14 The victorie of the lambe 1 AND there came one of the seueÌ 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 2 With whom haue committed fornication the kynges of the earth and the inhabiters of the earth are dronken with the wyne of her fornication 3 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 4 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 5 And in her forehead was a name written a misterie great Babylon the mother of whoredome abhominations of the earth 6 And I sawe y e woman dronken with the blood of the martirs of Iesus And when I sawe her I wondred with great maruayle 7 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 8 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 9 And here is a mynde that hath wisdome The seuen heades are seuen mountaynes on whiche the woman sitteth They are also seuen kynges 10 Fyue are fallen one is and another is not yet come And wheÌ he commeth he must continue a short space 11 And the beast that was and is not is euen the eyght and is one of the seuen and shall go into destruction 12 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 13 These haue one mynde and shal geue their power strength vnto the beast 14 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 15 And he sayde vnto me The waters which thou sawest where the whore sitteth are people and folke nations and tongues 16 And the ten hornes which
Though they escape one daunger yet another shall take them (a) Thou boastest to be of the seede of Abraham but thou art degenerate and folowest the abhominations of the wicked Chanaanites as chyldren do the maners of their fathers Esai â a. 57. a. (b) When I first brought thee foorth of the lande of Egypt and planted thee in this land to be my Churche (c) These words blood pollution nakednesse and filthynesse ⪠c. are oft tymes repeated to beate downe their pryde and to cause them to consider what they were before God receaued them to mercye fauoured them and couered their shame (d) There was none idolatry so vyle wherwith thou didst not pollute thy selfe (e) This declareth howe the idolaters put their chiefe delite in those thinges which please the eyes and outwarde senses (f) In suche sort as the like hath not ben nor shal be so that they passed all nations in idolatrie (g Meaning by fire reade Leuit. xviâ b. 4. King xxiii â â Corner of the streete (h) He noteth the great impietie of this people who first falling from God to seeke helpe at straunge nations did also at length embrase their idolatrie thinking therby to make their amitie more sure (i) That is lauished out thy money vppon images to thy shame (k) Egyptians Assyrians Chaldeans whom thou tokest to be thy louers shall come and destroy thee Ezech. xxxiii b (l) I wyll iudge thee to death as the adulterers murtherers 4. King 25. b (m) Of all the heynous offeÌces this shal be the last ⪠or god wyll punishe thee so that thou shalt neuer ãâã more n As were the Chanaanites and the Hittites and other your predecessours so are you their successours (o) That is of Samaria and Sodom (p That is her cities (q) He alleageth these foure vices pryde excesse idlenesse and coÌtempt of the poore as foure principall causes of such abhomination wherfore they were so horriblâ punished Gen. xix d. (r) Which worshipped the calues in Bethel and Dan. 3. Kyng 12. d. (Å¿) Thou art so wicked that in respect of thee Sodom and Samaria were iust (t) That is as if he had sayde neuer (u) In that thou hast shewed thy selfe worse then they and yet thoughtest to escape punishment (x) Thou wouldest not call her punishment to minde when thou wast aloft to learne by her example to feare my iudgementes (y) That is tyll thou wast brought vnder by the Syrians and the Philistines 2. Chro. 28. c. (z) Reade the eyght vearse (aa) He speaketh here not onlye of Sodom and Samaria but also of the gentiles whom God wyll receaue of his owne free mercy (bb) This declareth the fruites of Gods mercy to wit sorowe and repentaunce for their former lyfe (a) That is Nabuchodonozor who hath great power riches and many countreys vnder him shall come to Hierusalem and take away Iechoniah the kyng as verse .xii. (b) Meaning to Babylon (c) That is Zedekiah who was of the kynges blood was left at Hierusalem made kyng in steade of Iechâmas 4. King 24. c. Iere. 37. a. (d This was Zedekias kyngdome (e) That it might not haue power to âell against Babylon as vers xiiii â The Egle. (f) Meaning the kyng of Egypt of whoÌ Zedezias âought succour against Nabuchodonozor (g) Nabuchodonozor vnderstanded by the first Egle. (h) That is the Babylonians (i) That is Iechonias 4. Kyng 24 c. (f) Because he toke the name of God in vayne brake his oth which he had confirmed by geuing his hand therfore the prophete declareth that God woulde not suffer periurie and infidelitie to escape punishment Ezech. xii b. and .xxxii. a (a) The people murmured at the chastiâinges of the Lorde and therefore vsed this prouerbe meaning that their fathers had sinned and they were punished for their transgressions reade Iere. xxxi d. (b) That is if he haue not communicated in the sacrifices of idols (c) Meaning suche as were set apart in tyme of naturall monthlye diseases namely intime of chyldbyrth leprosie and suche like as Leuit. xx c. Esai lviii a. Mat xxv â Exo. xxii d. Leui. xxv â Deu. xxiii c Psal xv a. Esai lviii a. Mat xxv â Exo. xxii d. Leui. xxv â Deu. xxiii c Psal xv a. Deut 24. c. 4. King 14 c ii Par. 25. a. ii Pet. iii. b. Ez xxxiii b (d) In punishing the fathers with the chyldren â Considereth or remembreth his iniquities (a) That is Iehohas and Iehoiakim Iosiahs sonnes who for their crueltie and pride are compared vnto lions (b) Meanyng Pharao Necho kyng of Egypt 4. Reg 23. d. (c) Which was Iehoiakim (d) Nabuchodonozor with his great armie which was gathered of diuers nations (e) ãâ¦ã âketh ãâã the repâ ãâã of this ãâã king in ãâã blood that in the raâ his ãâã âsours âsalem ãâã so should ãâã ben blessed âcordyng to Gods âmises and florished ãâã a fruitâul vine (f) Destruction to come by Zedekiah who was the occasion of the rebellion (a) Of the captiuitie of Ieconiah (b) If ye aske counsayle at me I wyll geue you no aunswere as Exod. xxxi (c) This was a maner of swearyng which was obserued in takyng an othe of all antiquitie and is yet in diuers countreis vsed Rom. x a. Gal. iii. b. Leuit. 18. a. Exo. xx b. Rom. x a. Gal. iii. b. Leuit. 18. a. Exo. xx b. Num. 14. d. (d) Wherby the holy ghost confuteth theÌ that say they wyll folowe the religion example of their father not measure their doynges by Gods worde whether they be approuable therby or no ⪠(e) Because they woulde not obey my lawes I gaue them vp to them selues that they shoulde obey their owne fantasies as vearse 39. Rom. 1. d. (f) Causyng their first borne to passe through the fire in sacrifice to Moloche (g) Such offeryng as prouoke God to anger (h) Which signifieth an hye place declaryng that they vaunted them selues of their idolatrie and were not ashamed therof though God had commaunded expresly y t they shoulde haue no aulter lifted vp on hye by stayres Exod. xx â (i) That is amongst straunge nations (k) I wyll reason and pleade my cause with you my selfe ⪠â Or cull (l) Your owne consciences shal coÌdempne you as worthy to be cut of from the earth (m) That is towarde Hierusalem and Iuda which was south from Babylon (n) That is both strong weake in Hierusalem (o) Because the people said that the prophete spake darkly therfore he desireth the Lord to geue them a playne declaration therof (a) As doctrine is compared to raine euen so here wordes are compared to droppes (b) That is such as seeme to haue an outward shew of righteousnesse by obseruation of y e ceremonies of the lawe (c) Meanyng through all the lande (d) As though thou were in extreme anguishe wherwith thy loynes should breake (e) Because of the great noyse of the armie of the Chaldeans (f) Shalbe as weake as
âwaâes becaâe that out of the hye towres they seemed litle (e) By sellâng ãâ¦ã and ãâã (f) Hornes of vnicornes teeth of Elephants called Iuory (g) Hebenus a precious wood bright and blacke (h) These were two places where the best wheat groweth (i) That is Nâbuchodonoâor king of Bâbâon (k) That is the townes villages neare adioyning vpoÌ the mayn land (l) Which was y e maner of the heathen in mourninges and miseries (m) Wherby is ment a long time for it was prophecied to be destroyed but seuentie yeres Esa 23. c. (a) Like as God is sââe in heauen euen so I am âe that none can come to hurt me (b) Though thou diddest thinke in thine heart that thou wast equall with God (c) Thus he speaketh by derision for Daniel had declared notable signes of his wisdome in Babylon when Ezechiel wrote this (d) Like the rest of the heathen and infidels whiche are gods enemies (e) He derideth the vayne opinion and confidence that the Tyrians had in their riches streÌgth and pleasures (f) He meaneth the royal state of Tyrus which for the excellencie glorie thereof he compareth to the Cherubims whiche couered the arke and by this word annoynted he signifieth the same (g) I appoynted admitted thee to the honour of one of the buylders of my temple which was wheÌ Hiram sent to Solomon thânges necessarie to the worke â Reg. 5. b. (h) That is ãâã the coÌmon expositours ãâã âmong my âple Israel ãâã sâned ãâ¦ã (i) Thou shalt haue no part among my people k That is the honour wherunto I called thee (a) To wit of y e captiuitie of Ieconia of the raigne of Zedekia But note that the disposition of these visions are not set foorth according to the order of the times but according to the nearnesse and distaunce of the countreys against whom they were written As the vision of Cyrus seene in the eleuenth yere is set before this ⪠seene in the tenth yere because it was nearer to Iurie then Egypt (b) He compareth Pharao to a dragon or Crocodile which was wont to haunt the riuer Nilus (c) I will send enemies against thee which shall plucke thee thy people that trust in thee out of thy sure places 4 Reg. 18 c. Esa 36 a. (d) When theââeâtnetâi they woulde stay no more vpon thâ but stoode vpon their âeâ and put their truss in others (e) Whichâ some ãâã the land of the blacke Moâes Ier. 40. d. (f) Meaning that they should not haue ful dominion but be vnder the Persians Gretians and Romanes and the cause is that the Israelites should no more put their trust in them but learne to depend on God (g) Counting from the captiuitie of Ieconiah â The trauayle he toke about Tyre a Which was a strong citie of Egypt Ezâ xxix b ãâ¦ã (c) oâ Thaphnis (d) Which âs supposed of diuers to be the citie Alexandria â Or Helidpolis â Pubastum (e) Meaning that there shal be great sorowes and afflictions when the strength and force of Egypt shal be broken (f) Of the captiuitie of Ieconiah or raigne of Iedekia (g) For Nabuchodonozor destroyed Pharao Necho at Charchemish Ier. 4â d. (h) Wherby we see that tirauntes haue no powre oâ them selues neither can do any more harme then God ãâ¦ã a) Of Zedekias raigne or Ieconiahs captiuitie b) Meaning that he was not lyke in strength to the king of the Assyrians who the Babylonians ouercame (c) Many other nations which were vnder their dominion (d) Signifiing that there was no greater power in the world then his was (e) That is Nabuchodonozor who afterwarde was the monarche and only ruler of the world f Hereby is signified the destruction of the power of the Assyrians in the Babilonians (g) The deepe waters that caused hym to mount so hye meaning his great aboundaunce and pompe shall now lamentâs they which in mourning were couered with sackecloth (h) That are norished with waters (i) To cause this destructioÌ of the king of Assyria to seeme more horrible he setteth foorth other kinges and princes which are dead as though they reioyced at the fall of such a tiraunt (k) Meaning that Pharaos power was nothing to great as his (l) Read cha 28.10 (a) Which was the first yere of the generall captiuitie vnder Zedekiah (b) Thus the scriptures compare tyrauntes to cruel and hugebeastes which deuour all that be weaker then they and such as they may ouercome (c) Thou disquietest the worlde with warre Chap 12 13.17 20. (d) With the heapes of the caâkases of thyne armie (e) As Nitus ouerfloweth Egypt so wil I wake the blood of thyne hoast to ouerflowe it (f) The word signifieth to be put out as a candell is put out Esai 13. b. Ioel. 2. d. and 315. Mac. 24. (g) By this maner of speache is ment the great sorowe that shal be for the great slaughter of the king and his people (h This came to passe in lesse then foure yeres after the prophecie (i) The inhabitantes of Egypt shal be so cleane destroyed that there shall remaine none to drawe the waters out of the riuers to water their groundes as beâore whereby it shal be the deeper in his channel (k) That is cleare and vntroubled with feete passing through the âoordes (l) That is prophecie that they shal be call downe Thus the Lorde geueth power both to plant and to destroy by his worde Ier. â x (m) Haue no other kingdomes ãâ¦ã thoâ ãâ¦ã (n) That is Egypt (o) To make the matter more suitable he bringeth in Pharao as though the dead shoulde meete him when he is slaine maruaile at him Esa 14. 9. (p Meaning the ãâã (q) They which being a lyuâ were a terrour to all the worlde now being dead are despised both of their lyâing and the dead (r) That is the Capadociâns Italians or Spaniârdes Iosâphus writeth (Å¿) Which dyed not by cruell death but by the course of nature and are honorably buried with their coate armour and signes of honour (t) That is the kinges of Babylon (u) Lyke as the wicked reioyce when they see others pertakers of their miseries (x) I wyll make the Egyptians afraide of me as they haue caused other to feare them (a) He shewâth that the people ought continually to haue gouernours and teachers whâch may haue a care âuer them and to âne them euer of the daungers which are at hande (b) Signifiing that the wicked shall not escape punishment though the watchmen be negligent but if the watchmen blowe the trumpet and then he wyll not obay he shall deserue double punishment Chap. â c. Which teacheth that he that receiueth not his charge and watchworde at the Lordes mouth ⪠âs a spot and not a true watchman (d) Thus the wicked when they heare of Gods iudgementes for their sinnes dispaire of his mercies and murmure Eze. xviii c. Eze. xviii c. Namely his righteousnes (f) Hereby he condeÌpneth al them of
Meredachs sonne to shew gods iudgementes against the wicked for the deliueraunce of his church and how the prophecie of Ieremi was true that they should be deliuered after seuentie yeres (b) That is not alone as commonly he was wont but in a solemne banket whervnto he receaued all his nobles to accompanie him (c) Meaning his graundfather (d) That it might the better be seene (e) So he that before contemned God was moued by this sight to tremble for feare of gods iudgementes (f) This some thinke was his mother other his grauÌdmother of al likelyhod a woman of great age that could remember the actes of Daniel (g) Reade chap. 4. b. and this declareth both that this name was odious vnto him and also that he did not vse these vile practizes because he was not among them when all were called (h) Before he read the writing he declareth to the king his great ingratitude toward God who could not be moued to geue him his glorie considering his wonderfull worââ toward his graundfather and so sheweth that âe surneth not of ignoraunce but of ãâã â Or Belsasâr (i) After that God had so long time differred his anger patiently wayted for thyne amendement (k) This worde is doubled not onely to exaggerate the certainetie of the matter but also as some thinke the one to signifie the ende of the king the other the ende of the kingdome (l) Cyrus his sonne in lawe gaue him this title of honour although Cyrus in effect had the dominion (a) Thus the wicked can not abide the graces of god in others but seeke by al occasions to deface them therefore against such assaultes there is no better remedie then to walke vprightly in the feare of God and to haue good conscience (b) Because he woulde not by his âcilence shew that he consented to this wicked decree he set open his windowes toward Hierusalem when he prayed both to stirre vp him selfe with the remembraunce of gods promises to his people when they should pray toward that temple also that others might see that he woulde neuer consent in heart nor deede for these fewe dayes to any thing contrary to gods glory (c) Thus the wicked maintaine yâ lawes by constancie aucthoritie ⪠which is oftimes eyther lightnes or stubbernes ⪠when as the innocentes thereby perishe and therfore gouernours ought neither to âeare nor be ashamed to breake such d Myne vplightnes in this thing wherein I was charged was approued of God e For he did disobey the kinges wicked commauÌdement to obey God and so did no iniurie to y e king who ought to commaunde nothing wherby god should be dishonoured Because he committed himselfe wholy vnto God whose cause he did defend he was assured that nothing but good could come vnto him wherein we see the power of faith as Hebr. xi e. (g) A terible example against all that contrary to their conscience make cruel lawes to destroy gods children and also admonisheth princes how to punish such when their wickednes is come to light though not in euery poynt or with like circumstaunces yet to execute true iustice (a) Whereas the people of Israel loked for a continuall quietnes after these seuentie yeres as Ieremie had declared he sheweth that this rest should not be a deliueraunce from all troubles but a beginning and therefore moued them to loke for a continual affliction til y e Messias be vttered reuealed by whom they shoulde haue a spiritual deliueraunce and all the promises fulfilled ⪠whereof they should haue a certaine token in the destruction of the baâonical kingdome b Which signified that there shoulde be ãâã troubles and ãâã in ãâã (c) The beastes are kinges kingdomes or monarchies By the lion ⪠the kingdome of Babylon is vnderstanded which speedyly vanquished the nations adioyning but after his winges were pluckt and his kingdome taken away he returned to the condition of a man and no lion (d) The second monarchie of the Persians and Medes (e) The third monarchie of the Macedonians (f) That is his foure chiefe captaines which had the empire after his death deuided among them (g) That is the Romane empire which was as a monster ⪠â coulde not be compared to any beast because the nature of none was able to expresse it (g) Which signifie ten kinges as verses 24. (h) That is God which was before all times (i) So was the maner in olde time of princes thrones to be made so that they might be moued and remoued the easelier (k) This is ment of the first comming of Christe when as the wyll of God was plainely reuealed by his gospell (l) Which is meÌt of Christ who had not yet taken vpon him mans nature neither was the sonne of Dauid according to the flesh as he was afterwarde but appeared then a figure and that in the cloudes (m) Meaning of the angels as verse x. (n) That is ⪠Gods elect people which in all hâuâ kingdome and church to continue â foreuer (o) That is the three other empires (p) That is to the church After the generall vision he coÌmeth to certaine particular visions as touching the destruction of y e monarchie of the Persians and Macedonians for the ruine of the Babylonians was at hande and also he had sufficiently spoken thereof (b) Elam is Persia (c) That is the kingdome of the Persians Medes now ioyned together Meaning Cyrus who after grewe greater in power then Darius his vncle and father in lawe e No kinges or nations (f) Meaning Alexander that came with great expedition (g) Though he came in the name of all Grecia yet he bare the title and dignitie of the generall captaine oâ that the strength was attributed to him which is ment by this horne (h) Alexander ouercame Darius in two battailes and so had the kingdomes of the Medes Persians i Alexanders great power was broken for when he had ouercome at the east he thought to returne toward Grecia to subdue them that were had rebelled and so dyed by the ãâã k For Casâder âo Macedâ ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã ãâ¦ã (q) That is God He laboured to abolishe gods religion and to cast downe his seruice (Å¿) This horne shall abolishe for a time the true doctrine and so corrupt gods seruice (t) One of the angels (u) That is a secrete one or a marueylous one whereby is vnderstanded Christe the reueaâer of all ãâã Euening and morning do signifie a naturall day that is 2300 ⪠dayes y That is Christe z That is betweene the bankes of the riuer Vlai This power to commaunde ãâã angel deââeth it was God (b) That is the vision shal be ãâã here after in time conuenient That is Antiochus who should be impudent shameles subtill and craftie That is not like Alexanders strength (e) Both the Gentiles that dwell about him and the Iewes (f) Meaning against God g God would destroy him with a notable plague 2. Mach 9 b Reade
verse 14. (a) Otherwyse called Astâages (b) For Cyrus led with ambition weÌt about warres in other countreys therfore Darius had the title though Cyrus were king in effect (c) Though he were an excellent prophete yet he dayly encreased in knowledge by reading the scriptures â thee (d) He sheweth that they rebell against God which serue him not according to his commauÌdement and worde (e) As Deutâ 27. c. or the curse confirmed by an oth That is according to al the mercyfull promises and the perfourmauÌce therof Shew thy selfe fauourable (h) That is for thy Christes sake in whom thou wylt accept all our prayers (i) Declaring that the godly âee onely vnto gods mercies and renounce their owne workes when they seeke for remission of their sinnes (k) Thus he could not content him selfe with any vehemencie of wordes when he was so led with a feruent zeale considering gods promise made to the citie in respect of the Church for the aduauncement of gods glory l He alludeth to Ieâes prophâe whereby âe declared there shoulde be seuentie yeres of the Iewes captiuitie âo the execution of gods iudgemeÌt but now gods mercie should seuen folde exceede his iudgmeÌâ in geuing theÌ seuentie âes ãâ¦ã of a hâppâ ãâã though not al together voide of affliction which amounteth to foure hundreth ninetie yeres euen to the comming of Christeâ so then it should continue for euer From the time that Cyrus gaue theÌ leaue to depart And these seuen weekes make fourtie nine yeres wherof three are reâerred to the time of â laying of the foundation of the temple ãâã 46 to y e building of it as Iohn 2. d. That is in a troublous time Counting from the sixt yere of Derius who gaue the second comauÌdement for the building of y e temple are 62. weekes which make ãâ¦ã of the ãâã shall Christe preach shew miracles and iustice (q) That is not for any his owne desertes or offences as Esai 53. b. (r) Meaning Titus Vespasianus sonne who should come destroy both the temple and the people without all hope of recouery (Å¿) By preaching the gospell he confirmed his promise first to y e Iewes after to y e Gentiles (t) That is by Christes sacrifice vpon the crosse all ceremonies of the lawe were fulfilled ⪠still remission of sinnes purchased so that there remayned no more oblation or offering for sinnes as Hebâ 10. c (u) Meaning that Hierusalem and the sanctuarie should be vtterly destroyed for their rebellion against God Or some reads that the plagues shal be so great that they shall all be astonied at them (a) He noteth this third yere because at this time the building of the temple begân to be hindred by Caââses Cyrus sonne when ãâã âther made warre in Asia âor against the ãâã which was a discouraging to the godly and a great âre to Daniel (b) Meaning Cambises who raigned in his fathers absence did not onely hinder thus long the building of the temple but would haue further raged if God had not sent me to resist him and therfore haue I stayed for the profite of the Churche (c) Meaning that he would not onely brydle the rage of Cambises but also the other kinges of Persia by Alexander the king of Macedonia For this angel was appoynted for the defence of the Churche vnder Christ who is the head thereof The angel assureth Daniel that god hath geuen him power to perfourme these thinges ⪠seeing he appoynted him to assist Darius when he ouercame the Chaldeans Wherof Cyrus was the first ⪠the second Cambises y e third ãâ¦ã (c) For he raysed vp all the east countreys to fight against the Grecians and albeit he had in his armie nine hundred thousand men yet in foure battailes he was discomfited and fled away with shame (d) That is Alexander the great (e) Reade Chap. 8. b. (f) To wit Ptolemeus king of Egypt (g) That is Antiochus y e sonne of Seleucus one of Alexanders princes shal be more mightie for he shall haue both Asia and Sâria That is ãâã the daughâer of Ptolemeus Philadelphus shal be geuen in mariage to Antiochus Theâs thinkyng by this affinitie that Syria and Egypt should haue a continuall peace together i That force and strength shall not continue for sons after Bereâce and her young son after her husbandes death was slayne of her stepson Seleucus Calinicus y e sonne of Laodice the lawfull wyfe of Antiochus but put awaye for this womans sake (k) Meaning that Ptolemeus Euergetes after the death of his father Philadelphus shoulde succeede in the kingdome being of y e same sâocke y t Berenice was (l) To reuenge his sisters death against Antiochus Calinicus king of Siria (m) Meaning Seleucus Antiochus y e greate the sonne of Calinicus shall make warre against Ptolomeus Philopator y e sonne of Philadelphus (n) Here he chaungeth the number for one of them perished by y e waye Antiochus Magnus mainteyned the warre alone Philopator mistrusting good successe for his wicked parricide burst not meete Antiochus in Siria but wheÌ he him selfe was in daunger also for Egypt his owne couÌtrie he was stirred vp to resiste put Antiochus to the foyle at that tyme. Meaning Antiochus y e great king of the north or Siria Not only Antiochus but also Philip kyng of Macedonia For vnder Omas whiche falsely alleaged that place of Esai xix c. certayne of the Iewes accompanied him into Egypt to fulfyll his prophecie Also the angell sheweth that all these troubles whiche are in the Churche are by the prouidence of God That is the Egyptians with their captayne Scopas were not able to withstande ãâã He sheweth that he shall not only afflict y e Egyptians but also the Iewes shal enter into their couÌtrey wherof he admonisheth theÌ before y t they may knowe that all theâe thinges come by Gods prouidence Antiochus maried his daughter Cleopatra to Ptolomeus Epiphanes therby the rather to ouercome hym but she fauoured her husbande and obayed not the subtil practises of her father (x) The Iewes maner was to call all couÌtreys iles that were deuided from theÌ by the sea yet Antiochus inuaded some y t were iles in deede as Euboca Phocea Samos Cyprus c. and at length conducted his armie into Grecia (y) Whereas Antiochus contemned the Romanes put their ambassadours to shame in all places Attilius the consull Scipâ put him to flight and caused his shame to turne vpoÌ his owne head (z) When as vnder the pretence of pouertie he woulde haue robbed the temple of Iupiter Dodoncus the countreymen slewe hym That is Seleucus shal succeede his father Antiochus who should shortly be deâtroied by poyson (bb) Namely Antiochus Epiphanes who was thought to be the occasion of Seleucus his brothers death was of a vyle cruel ⪠flattering nature and defrauded his brothers son of the kyngdome vsurped the kângdome with one consent of people
there Iesus the sonne of Iosedec and his brethren the priestes and Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel and his brethren rising vp made redy the aulter of the God of Israel 49 To offer burnt sacrifices vpon it so as it is written in the lawe of Moyses the man of God 50 And thither were gathered agaynst them diuers of other nations of the lande but they dressed the aulter in his owne place although all the nations in the lande were enemies to them and vexed them and they offered sacrifices to the Lorde both mornyng euenyng 51 And also they helde the feast of tabernacles as it is commaunded in the lawe and sacrifices dayly as it was appertaynyng 52 And after that also the continuall oblations and the offerynges of the Sabbathes and of the newe monethes and of all holy feastes 53 And all they which had made any vowe to God began to offer sacrifice to God from the first day of the seuenth moneth although the temple of the Lorde was not yet built vp 54 And they gaue vnto the masons and carpenters money meate and drynke with chearfulnesse 55 Vnto them of Sidon also and Tyre they gaue carres that they should bring Cedar trees from Libanus whiche should be brought by flote to the hauen Ioppe according as it was coÌmaunded them by Cyrus kyng of the Persians 56 And in the seconde yere and seconde moneth came into the temple of God at Hierusalem Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel and Iesus the sonne of Iosedec and their brethren and the priestes and Leuites and all they that were come vnto Hierusalem out of the captiuitie of Babylon 57 And they layde the foundation of the house of God in the newe moone of the seconde moneth in the seconde yere that they were come to Iurie and Hierusalem 58 And they appoynted the Leuites that were aboue twentie yeres olde ouer the workes of the Lord So Iesus and his sonne brethren assisted and Cadmiel also his brother and the sonnes of Madiabon with the sonnes of Ioda the sonne of Eliadon and his sonnes brethren euen all the Leuites with one accorde folowed on earnestly to aduaunce the workes in the house of God so the workmen built vp the temple of the Lorde 59 And the priestes stoode and had their garmentes with musicall instrumentes and trumpettes and the Leuites the sonnes of Asaph had Cymbales 60 Geuyng thankes and prayses vnto the Lorde accordyng as Dauid the kyng of Israel had ordeyned 61 And they song with loude voyces songes to the prayse of the Lorde because his mercie and glorie is for euer in Israel 62 And all the people blewe out with trumpets and cryed with loude voyce praysyng the Lorde together for the rearyng vp of the house of the Lorde 63 There came also from among the priestes and Leuites and of the chiefest accordyng to the tribes and kinredes to wit the elders which had seene the former house 64 To the buildyng of this with great crye and great mournyng many also with trumpettes and great ioy cryed with loude voyce 65 Insomuch that the trumpets myght not well be hearde for the weepyng and mournyng of the people yet there was a great multitude that blewe trumpets marueylouslye so that it was hearde farre of 66 Wherfore when the enemies of the tribes of Iuda and Beniamin hearde it they came to knowe what that noyse of trumpettes shoulde meane 67 And they perceaued that they which were come againe out of captiuitie built the temple vp a newe vnto the Lorde God of Israel 68 So they went to Zorobabel Iesus and to the rulers of the villages and sayd vnto them Shall we builde with you also 69 For we lykewyse as you do obey your Lorde and do sacrifice vnto hym from the dayes of Asbazareth the kyng of Assyria which brought vs hyther 70 Then Zorobabel and Iesus and the rulers of the villages of Israel sayde vnto them It doth not agree that ye shoulde builde the temple of our God with vs. 71 We our selues alone wyll builde vnto the Lorde of Israel as is meete and like as Cyrus the kyng of the Persians hath commaunded vs. 72 But the heathen in the lande made them sluggishe that were in Iurie and sundred them letted their buildinges 73 And by their embushmentes seditions and conspiracies stopped that the buildyng coulde not be finished all the tyme that kyng Cyrus lyued so that they put of the buildyng for the space of two yeres vntyll the raigne of king Darius The .vj. Chapter 1 Of Aggeus and Zacharias 2 The buildyng of the temple 3 Sisinnes woulde let them 7 His letters to Darius 23 The kynges aunswere to the contrarie 1 NOtwithstandyng in the seconde yere of the raigne of Darius Aggeus Zacharias the sonne of Addo the prophetes prophecied vnto the Iewes and to them in Iurie and Hierusalem euen in the name of the Lord God of Israel 2 * Then Zorobabel the sonne of Salathiel and Iesus the sonne of Iosedec stoode vp and began to builde the house of the Lorde at Hierusalem when the prophetes of the Lord were with them and helped them 3 At the same tyme came Sisinnes the gouernour of Syria and Phenice with Sathrabuzanes and his companions and sayde vnto them 4 Who hath bydden and commaunded you to builde this house to make this roofe and all other thinges againe And who are the workmen that builde theÌ 5 Neuerthelesse the elders of the Iewes had such grace of the Lorde after he had visited the captiuitie 6 That they were not letted from buildyng vntill the tyme that kyng Darius was certified therof and an aunswere receaued from hym 7 The copie of the letters which he wrote and sent vnto Darius Sisinnes gouernour of Syria and Phenice and Sathrabuzanes with their companions which are head rulers in Syria Phenice sende their salutation vnto Darius the kyng 8 We certifie our Lord the kyng that we came into the lande of Iurie and went to Hierusalem where we founde the auncientes of the Iewes that were of the captiuitie in the citie of Hierusalem 9 Buildyng an house vnto the Lorde great and newe of hewen and costlye stones and the timber alredy layde vpon the walles 10 Yea they make great haste with the worke and it goeth foorth prosperously in their handes and with great diligence and worshyp is it made 11 Then asked we the elders saying By whose commaundement builde you vp this house and lay the foundations of these workes 12 Which we demaunded of them to the intent that we myght geue knowledge vnto thee write vnto thee of those that gouerned it and we required of them their names in writyng that were their chiefe leaders to it 13 So they gaue vs this aunswere We are the seruauntes of the Lorde which made heauen and earth 14 And as for this house it was builded many yeres agone by a kyng of Israel great and strong and was
finished 15 But when our fathers prouoked God vnto wrath and sinned agaynst the Lorde of Israel which is in heauen he gaue them ouer into the power of Nabuchodonosor kyng of Babylon of the Chaldees 16 Which brake downe the house and burnt it and caryed away the people prisoners vnto Babylon 17 Neuerthelesse in the first yere that king Cyrus raigned ouer the countreys of Babylon Cyrus the kyng wrote and commaunded to builde vp this house agayne 18 And the holy vessels of golde and of siluer that Nabuchodonosor had caryed away out of the house at Hierusalem and had dedicated them in his owne temple those brought Cyrus foorth agayne out of the temple at Babylon and deliuered them to Zorobabel and to Sanabassarus the ruler 19 Commaundyng hym that he shoulde cary away those same vessels and put them in the temple at Hierusalem and that the temple of the Lorde shoulde be built in his owne place 20 Then the same Sanabassarus beyng come hyther layde the foundations of the house of the Lorde at Hierusalem and from that to this beyng styll a buildyng it is not yet fully ended 21 Nowe therfore O king if thou thinkest it good let it be sought in the libraries and rolles of kyng Cyrus 22 And yf it be founde then that the buildyng of the house of the Lorde at Hierusalem hath ben done with the counsell and consent of kyng Cyrus and yf our Lorde the kyng be so mynded let hym geue aunswere vnto vs therof 23 Then commaunded kyng Darius to seke in the kynges libraries at Babylon and so at Ecbatane a towre in the region of Medea there was founde a place where these thinges was layde vp for memorie 24 In the first yere of the raigne of Cyrus the same kyng Cyrus coÌmaunded that the house of the Lorde at Hierusalem shoulde be builded agayne where they do sacrifice with the continuall fire 25 Whos 's heyght shal be sixtie cubites and the breadth sixtie cubites with three rowes of hewen stones and one rowe of wood newe and of that countrey and the expenses therof to be geuen out of the house of kyng Cyrus 26 And the holy vessels of the house of the Lorde both of golde and of siluer that Nabuchodonosor toke out of the house of Hierusalem and brought to Babylon shoulde be restored to the house at Hierusalem and be set in the place where it was before 27 And also he commaunded that Sisinnes the gouernour of Syria Phenice and Sathrabuzanes with their companions and others constituted rulers in Syria and Phenice shoulde take heede not to meddle with that place but to suffer Zorobabel the seruaunt of the Lorde and gouernour of Iudea and the elders of the Iewes to builde that house of the Lorde in that place 28 I haue commaunded also to haue it built vp whole agayne and that they be diligent to helpe those that be of the captiuitie of the Iewes tyll the house of the Lorde be finished 29 And out of the tribute of Coelosyria and Phenice a portion diligently to be geuen those men vnto the offeringes of the Lord the same to be deliuered vnto Zorobabel the officer that he therwithall may ordeyne oxen rammes lambes 30 And also corne salt wine and oyle and that continually euery yere after the expences which the priestes that be at Hierusalem shall testifie to be made dayly this shal be geuen vnto them without delay 31 That they may offer sacrifices dayly to the hyest God for the kyng and for his children and to pray for their lines 32 And he commaunded also that whosoeuer shoulde breake any poynt of the foresayde and foredecreed thynges or make it voyde of his owne goodes shoulde a tree be taken and he theron be hanged and all his goodes seasoned vnto the kyng 33 The Lorde therfore whose name is there called vpon roote out and destroy euery kyng nation that stretcheth out his hande to hinder or hurt and endomage that house of the Lorde in Hierusalem 34 I Darius the kyng haue ordeyned that accordyng to these thynges it be done with diligence The .vij. Chapter 1 Sisinnes and his companions folowe the kynges commaundement and helpe the Iewes to builde the temple 5 The tyme that it was built 10 They kepe the Passouer 1 THen Sisinnes the gouernour in Coelosyria Phenice and Sathrabuzanes with their companions obeyed the thynges that kyng Darius had ordeyned 2 And were diligent assisters in the holy workes workyng with the auncientes and gouernours of the sanctuarie 3 And so the holy workes went foorth and prospered when Aggeus and Zacharias the prophetes prophecied 4 And they perfourmed all thinges through the commaundement of the Lorde God of Israel and with consent of Cyrus Darius and Artaxerxes kynges of Persia 5 And thus was the holy house finished in the twentie and three day of the moneth Adar in the sixt yere of Darius kyng of the Persians 6 And the children of Israel the priestes and the Leuites and other that were of the captiuitie that had any charge dyd accordyng to the thynges written in the booke of Moyses 7 And to the dedication of the temple of the Lorde they offered an hundred oxen two hundred rammes foure hundred lambes 8 And twelue goates for the sinnes of all the people of Israel after the number of the chiefe of the tribes of Israel 9 The priestes also and the Leuites stoode arayed in their long robes after their kinredes in all the workes of the Lorde God of Israel accordyng to the booke of Moyses and the porters at euery doore 10 And the children of Israel with those that were come out of captiuitie helde the Passouer the fourteenth day of the first moneth after that y e priestes and the Leuites were sanctified 11 They that were of the captiuitie were not all sanctified together but the Leuites were all sanctified together 12 And so they offered the Passouer for all them of the captiuitie and for their brethren the priestes for them selues 13 And the children of Israel that came out of captiuitie dyd eate all they that had separated them selues from the abhominations of the people of the lande and sought the Lorde 14 And they kept the feast of the vnleauened bread seuen dayes long makyng mery before the Lorde 15 That the Lorde had turned the counsayle of the kyng of Assyria towardes them to strengthen their handes vnto the workes of the Lord God of Israel The .viij. Chapter 1 Esdras commeth from Babylon to Hierusalem 10 The copie of the commission geuen by kyng Artaxerxes 29 Esdras geueth thankes to the Lorde 32 The number of the heades of the people that came with hym 76 His prayer and confession 1 ANd after these when Artaxerxes the kyng of the Persians raigned there went vnto hym Esdras the sonne of Saraias the sonne of Ezerias the sonne of Helchiach the sonne of Salum 2 The sonne of Sadoch the sonne of Achitob the sonne of
as Iudas and Ionathas were in the land of Galaad and Simon their brother in Galilee before Ptolomais 56 Then Iosephus the sonne of Zachari and Azarias the captaynes hearing of the actes that were done and of the battailes that were striken saide 57 Let vs get vs a name also and go fight against the heathen that are rounde about vs. 58 So they gaue their hoast a commaundement and went toward Iamma 59 Then came Gorgias and his men out of the citie to fight against them 60 Iosephus also and Azarias were chased vnto the borders of Iewry and ther were slaine that day of the people of Israel two thousand men so that there was a great miserie among the people of Israel 61 And all because they were not obedient vnto Iudas and his brethren but thought they shoulde quite themselues manfully 62 Neuerthelesse they came not of the seede of these men by whom Israel was helped 63 But the men that were with Iudas were greatly commended in the sight of all Israel and all the Heathen wheresoeuer their name was heard vpon 64 And the people came vnto them bidding them welcome 65 After this went Iudas foorth with his brethren and fought against the children of Esau in the lande that lyeth toward the south where he wan the citie of Hebron and the townes that lye beside it and as for the walles and towers rounde about it he brent them vp 66 Then remoued he to go into the lande of the Philistines and went through Samaria 67 At the same time were there many priestes slaine in the battaile which wilfully and without aduisement went out for to fight to get them honour 68 And when Iudas came to Azot in the Philistines lande he brake downe their aulters brent the images of their idols spoyled the cities and came againe into the lande of Iuda The .vj. Chapter 1 Antiochus wylling to take the citie of Elymas for a pray is driuen away of the citezins 8 He falleth into sicknesse and dyeth 17 His sonne Antiochus is made king 34 The besieging of the towre of Sion Eupator commeth into Iewry with a great armie 43 The boldnesse of Eleazar 1 NOw when king Antiochus trauailed thorough y e hie countries he heard that Elymas in Persia was a noble and plenteous citie in siluer and golde 2 And that there was in it a very rich temple where as were clothes coate armours and shieldes of golde which Alexander the sonne of Philip king of Macedonia that raigned first in Grecia had left behinde him 3 Wherefore he went about to take the citie to spoyle it but he was not able for the citezins were warned of it and fought with him 4 And so he fled and departed with great heauinesse and came againe into Babylon 5 Moreouer there came one which brought him tidinges in Persia that his hoastes which were in the lande of Iuda were driuen away 6 And how that Lysias went foorth first with a great power and was dryuen away of the Iewes how that they had wonne the victory and gotten great goodes out of the hoastes that perished 7 How they had broken downe the abhomination which he set vp vpon the aulter at Hierusalem fenced the sanctuary with hie walles lyke as it was afore yea and Bethsura his citie also 8 So it chaunced that when the king heard these wordes he was afrayde greeued very sore Wherefore he layde him downe vpon his bed and fell sicke for very sorowe and all because it had not happened as he had deuised 9 And there continued he long for his griefe was euer more and more so that he sawe he must needes dye 10 Therfore he sent for all his friendes saide vnto them The sleepe is gone fro myne eyes for the very sorowe and vexation of heart that I haue 11 For when I consider in my minde the great aduersitie that I am come vnto and the fluddes of heauines which I am come in where as afore time I was so merie and so greatlie set by by reason of my power 12 Againe considering the euill that I haue done at Hierusalem from whence I toke all the riches of golde and siluer that were in it and sent to destroye the inhabitours of Iurie without any reason why 13 I know that these troubles are come vpon me for the same cause and behold I must dye with great sorowe in a straunge lande 14 Then called he for one Phillip a frend of his whom he made ruler of all his realme 15 And gaue him the crowne his robe and his ring that he shoulde take his sonne Antiochus vnto him bring him vp till he might raigne him selfe 16 So the king Antiochus died there in the hundred fourtie and nine yere 17 When Lysias knew that the king was dead he ordained Antiochus his sonne whom he had brought vp to raigne in his fathers steede and called him Eupator 18 Nowe they that were in the castle at Hierusalem kept in the Iewes rounde about the sanctuary and sought euer still to do them harme for the strengthening of the Heathen 19 Wherefore Iudas thought to destroy them and called all the people together that they might lay siege vnto them 20 So they came together in the hundred and fiftie yere and besieged them laying foorth their ordinaunce instrumentes of warre 21 Then certaine of them that were besieged went foorth vnto whom some vngodly men of Israel ioyned them selues also 22 And went vnto the king saying how long wyll it be or thou punishe and auenge our brethren 23 We haue euer ben minded to do thy father seruice to walke in his statutes and to obey his commaundementes 24 Therfore our people fell from vs and wheresoeuer they founde any of vs they slue them and spoyled our enheritaunce 25 And they haue not onely medled with vs but with all our countries 26 And beholde this day are they besieging the castle at Hierusalem to take it and haue made vp the strong holde in Bethsura 27 And if thou doest not preuent them right soone they wil do more then these and thou shalt not be able to ouercome them 28 When the king heard this he was very angry and called all his friendes the captaines of his armie and all his footemen and horsemen 29 He hired men of warre also of other realmes pertayning to the kinges that were confederate with him and of the Iles of the sea which came vnto him 30 And the number of his hoast was an hundred thousand footemen and twentie thousand horsemen and thirtie two Elephantes well exercised to battaile 31 These came through Idumea vnto Bethsura and besieged it a long season made diuers instrumentes of warre against it but the Iewes came out and brent them with fire fought like men 32 Then departed Iudas from the castle at Hierusalem and remoued the hoast toward Bethzacaran ouer against the kinges armie 33 So the king arose