Wisdom of Solomon

Bishops(i) 1 Loue righteousnesse ye that be iudges of ye earth, consider deepely of the Lorde in goodnesse, and seeke hym in singlenesse of heart: 2 For he wyll be founde of them that tempt hym not, and appeareth vnto such as put no distrust in him. 3 For wicked thoughtes seperate from God, and [his] power when it is tryed, reproueth the vnwise. 4 For why? wysdome shall not enter into a wicked soule, nor dwell in the body that is subiect vnto sinne. 5 For the holy spirite of discipline fleeth from deceipt, and withdraweth hym selfe from thoughtes that are without vnderstanding, and is declared when wickednesse commeth. 6 For the spirite of wysdome is louing, and will not absolue hym that blasphemeth with his lippes, for God is witnesse of his raynes, and a true beholder of his heart, & an hearer of his tongue. 7 For the spirite of the Lorde filleth the rounde compasse of the worlde, and the same that vpholdeth all thinges hath knowledge also of the voyce. 8 Therfore he that speaketh vnrighteous thinges can not be hid, neither shall the iudgement of reprofe let him escape. 9 And why? inquisition shalbe made for the thoughtes of the vngodly, and the sounde of his wordes shall come vnto God, so that his wickednesse shalbe punished. 10 For the eare of ielousie heareth all thinges, & the noyse of the grudginges shall not be hid. 11 Therefore beware of murmuring whiche is nothing worth, and refraine your tongue from sclaunder: For there is no worde so secrete that it shall go for naught, and the mouth that speaketh lyes, slayeth the soule. 12 O seeke not your owne death in the errour of your lyfe, destroy not your selues thorowe the workes of your owne handes: 13 For God hath not made death, neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the liuing: 14 For he created all thinges that they might haue their being, and the generations of the worlde were healthfull, and there is no poyson of destruction in them, nor the kyngdome of hell vpon the earth. 15 For righteousnesse is [euerlasting and] immortall: but vnrighteousnesse bringeth death. 16 Neuerthelesse, the vngodly call it vnto them both with workes and wordes, and whyle they thinke to haue it their friende, they come to naught, & they haue made an agreement with it, for they are worthy to be of her part.