Chapter 18

¹He that liveth for ever created all things together. God only shall be justified, and he remaineth an invincible king for ever. ²Who is able to declare his works? ³For who shall search out his glorious acts? ⁴And who shall shew forth the power of his majesty? or who shall be able to declare his mercy? ⁵Nothing may be taken away, nor added, neither is it possible to find out the glorious works of God: ⁶When a man hath done, then shall he begin: and when he leaveth off, he shall be at a loss. ⁷What is man, and what is his grace? and what is his good, or what is his evil? ⁸The number of the days of men at the most are a hundred years: as a drop of water of the sea are they esteemed: and as a pebble of the sand, so are a few years compared to eternity. ⁹Therefore God is patient in them, and poureth forth his mercy upon them. ¹⁰He hath seen the presumption of their heart that it is wicked, and hath known their end that it is evil. ¹¹Therefore bath he filled up his mercy in their favour, and hath shewn them the way of justice. ¹²The compassion of man is toward his neighbour: but the mercy of God is upon all flesh. ¹³He hath mercy, and teacheth, and correcteth, as a shepherd doth his hock. ¹⁴He hath mercy on him that receiveth the discipline of mercy, and that maketh haste in his judgments. ¹⁵My son, in thy good deeds, make no complaint, and when thou givest any thing, add not grief by an evil word. ¹⁶Shall not the dew assuage the heat? so also the good word is better than the gift. ¹⁷Lo, is not a word better than a gift? but both are with a justified man. ¹⁸A fool will upbraid bitterly: and a gift of one ill taught consumeth the eyes. ¹⁹Before judgment prepare thee justice, and learn before thou speak. ²⁰Before sickness take a medicine, and before judgment examine thyself, and thou shalt find mercy in the sight of God. ²¹Humble thyself before thou art sick, and in the time of sickness shew thy conversation. ²²Let nothing hinder thee from praying always, and be not afraid to be justified even to death: for the reward of God continueth for ever. ²³Before prayer prepare thy soul: and be not as a man that tempteth God. ²⁴Remember the wrath that shall be at the last day, and the time of repaying when he shall turn away his face. ²⁵Remember poverty is the time of abundance, and the necessities of poverty in the day of riches. ²⁶From the morning until the evening the time shall be changed, and all these are swift in the eyes of God. ²⁷A wise man will fear in every thing, and in the days of sine will beware of sloth. ²⁸Every man of understanding knoweth wisdom, and will give praise to him that findeth her. ²⁹They that were of good understanding in words, have also done wisely themselves: and have understood truth and justice, and have poured forth proverbs and judgments. ³⁰Go not after thy lusts, but turn away from thy own will. ³¹If thou give to thy soul her desires, she will make thee a joy to thy enemies. ³²Take no pleasure in riotous assemblies, be they ever so small: for their concertation is continual. ³³Make not thyself poor by borrowing to contribute to feasts when thou hast nothing in thy purse : for thou shalt be an enemy to thy own life.