Chapter 1

All wisdom cometh from the Lord, and is with him for ever.

²Who can number the sand of the sea, and the drops of rain, and the days of eternity?

³Who can find out the height of heaven, and the breadth of the earth, and the deep, and wisdom?

⁴Wisdom hath been created before all things, and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.

⁵The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom; and her ways are everlasting commandments.

⁶To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? or who hath known her wise counsels?

⁷Unto whom hath the knowledge of wisdom been made manifest? and who hath understood her great experience?

⁸There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.

⁹He created her, and saw her, and numbered her, and poured her out upon all his works.

¹⁰She is with all flesh according to his gift, and he hath given her to them that love him.

¹¹The fear of the Lord is honour, and glory, and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing.

¹²The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart, and giveth joy, and gladness, and a long life.

¹³Whoso feareth the Lord, it shall go well with him at the last, and he shall find favour in the day of his death.

¹⁴To fear the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and it was created with the faithful in the womb.

¹⁵She hath built an everlasting foundation with men, and she shall continue with their seed.

¹⁶To fear the Lord is fulness of wisdom, and filleth men with her fruits.

¹⁷She filleth all their house with things desirable, and the garners with her increase.

¹⁸The fear of the Lord is a crown of wisdom, making peace and perfect health to flourish; both which are the gifts of God: and it enlargeth their rejoicing that love him.

¹⁹Wisdom raineth down skill and knowledge of understanding standing, and exalteth them to honour that hold her fast.

²⁰The root of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the branches thereof are long life.

²¹The fear of the Lord driveth away sins: and where it is present, it turneth away wrath.

²²A furious man cannot be justified; for the sway of his fury shall be his destruction.

²³A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him.

²⁴He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom.

²⁵The parables of knowledge are in the treasures of wisdom: but godliness is an abomination to a sinner.

²⁶If thou desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord shall give her unto thee.

²⁷For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and instruction: and faith and meekness are his delight.

²⁸Distrust not the fear of the Lord when thou art poor: and come not unto him with a double heart.

²⁹Be not an hypocrite in the sight of men, and take good heed what thou speakest.

³⁰Exalt not thyself, lest thou fall, and bring dishonour upon thy soul, and so God discover thy secrets, and cast thee down in the midst of the congregation, because thou camest not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but thy heart is full of deceit.