{"book":"Wisdom of Solomon","osis":"Wis","url":"https://driftbible.com/wisdom-of-solomon","licence":"Public domain","editions":[{"code":"WEB","name":"World English Bible","language":"en","source":"World English Bible, public domain. \"World English Bible\" is a trademark of eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Love righteousness, all you who are judges of the earth. Think of the Lord with a good mind. Seek him in singleness of heart,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"because he is found by those who don’t put him to the test, and is manifested to those who trust him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"for crooked thoughts separate from God. His Power convicts when it is tested, and exposes the foolish;"},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"because wisdom will not enter into a soul that devises evil, nor dwell in a body that is enslaved by sin."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"For a holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and will depart from thoughts that are without understanding, and will be ashamed when unrighteousness has come in."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"For wisdom is a spirit who loves man, and she will not hold a blasphemer guiltless for his lips, because God is witness of his inmost self, and is a true overseer of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"Because the spirit of the Lord has filled the world, and that which holds all things together knows what is said."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Therefore no one who utters unrighteous things will be unseen; neither will Justice, when it convicts, pass him by."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"For in his counsels the ungodly will be searched out, and the sound of his words will come to the Lord to bring his lawless deeds to conviction;"},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"because a jealous ear listens to all things, and the noise of murmurings is not hidden."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"Beware then of unprofitable murmuring, and keep your tongue from slander; because no secret utterance will go on its way void, and a lying mouth destroys a soul."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Don’t court death in the error of your life. Don’t draw destruction upon yourselves by the works of your hands;"},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"because God didn’t make death, neither does he delight when the living perish."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"For he created all things that they might have being. The generative powers of the world are wholesome, and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor has Hades royal dominion upon earth;"},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"for righteousness is immortal,"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"but ungodly men by their hands and their words summon death; deeming him a friend they pined away. They made a covenant with him, because they are worthy to belong with him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"For they said within themselves, with unsound reasoning, “Our life is short and sorrowful. There is no healing when a man comes to his end, and no one was ever known who was released from Hades."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"Because we were born by mere chance, and hereafter we will be as though we had never been, because the breath in our nostrils is smoke, and reason is a spark kindled by the beating of our heart,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"which being extinguished, the body will be turned into ashes, and the spirit will be dispersed as thin air."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"Our name will be forgotten in time. No one will remember our works. Our life will pass away as the traces of a cloud, and will be scattered as is a mist, when it is chased by the rays of the sun, and overcome by its heat."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow, and our end doesn’t retreat, because it is securely sealed, and no one turns it back."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"“Come therefore and let’s enjoy the good things that exist. Let’s use the creation earnestly as in our youth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Let’s fill ourselves with costly wine and perfumes, and let no spring flower pass us by."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Let’s crown ourselves with rosebuds before they wither."},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Let none of us go without his share in our proud revelry. Let’s leave tokens of mirth everywhere, because this is our portion, and this is our lot."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Let’s oppress the righteous poor. Let’s not spare the widow, nor regard the gray hair of the old man."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"But let our strength be a law of righteousness; for that which is weak is proven useless."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"But let’s lie in wait for the righteous man, because he annoys us, is contrary to our works, reproaches us with sins against the law, and charges us with sins against our training."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"He professes to have knowledge of God, and calls himself a child of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"He became to us a reproof of our thoughts."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"He is grievous to us even to look at, because his life is unlike other men’s, and his paths are strange."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"We were regarded by him as something worthless, and he abstains from our ways as from uncleanness. He calls the latter end of the righteous happy. He boasts that God is his father."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Let’s see if his words are true. Let’s test what will happen at the end of his life."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"For if the righteous man is God’s son, he will uphold him, and he will deliver him out of the hand of his adversaries."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Let’s test him with insult and torture, that we may find out how gentle he is, and test his patience."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Let’s condemn him to a shameful death, for he will be protected, according to his words.”"},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Thus they reasoned, and they were led astray; for their wickedness blinded them,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"and they didn’t know the mysteries of God, neither did they hope for wages of holiness, nor did they discern that there is a prize for blameless souls."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"Because God created man for incorruption, and made him an image of his own everlastingness;"},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"but death entered into the world by the envy of the devil, and those who belong to him experience it."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will touch them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died. Their departure was considered a disaster,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"and their travel away from us ruin, but they are in peace."},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"For even if in the sight of men they are punished, their hope is full of immortality."},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"Having borne a little chastening, they will receive great good; because God tested them, and found them worthy of himself."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"He tested them like gold in the furnace, and he accepted them as a whole burnt offering."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"In the time of their visitation they will shine. They will run back and forth like sparks among stubble."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"They will judge nations and have dominion over peoples. The Lord will reign over them forever."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"Those who trust him will understand truth. The faithful will live with him in love, because grace and mercy are with his chosen ones."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"But the ungodly will be punished even as their reasoning deserves, those who neglected righteousness and revolted from the Lord;"},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"for he who despises wisdom and discipline is miserable. Their hope is void and their toils unprofitable. Their works are useless."},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"Their wives are foolish and their children are wicked."},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Their descendants are cursed. For the barren woman who is undefiled is happy, she who has not conceived in transgression. She will have fruit when God examines souls."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"So is the eunuch which has done no lawless deed with his hands, nor imagined wicked things against the Lord; for a precious gift will be given to him for his faithfulness, and a delightful inheritance in the Lord’s sanctuary."},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"For good labors have fruit of great renown. The root of understanding can’t fail."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"But children of adulterers will not come to maturity. The seed of an unlawful union will vanish away."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"For if they live long, they will not be esteemed, and in the end, their old age will be without honor."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"If they die young, they will have no hope, nor consolation in the day of judgment."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"For the end of an unrighteous generation is always grievous."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"It is better to be childless with virtue, for immortality is in the memory of virtue, because it is recognized both before God and before men."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"When it is present, people imitate it. They long after it when it has departed. Throughout all time it marches, crowned in triumph, victorious in the competition for the prizes that are undefiled."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"But the multiplying brood of the ungodly will be of no profit, and their illegitimate offshoots won’t take deep root, nor will they establish a sure hold."},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"For even if they grow branches and flourish for a season, standing unsure, they will be shaken by the wind. They will be uprooted by the violence of winds."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"Their branches will be broken off before they come to maturity. Their fruit will be useless, never ripe to eat, and fit for nothing."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"For unlawfully conceived children are witnesses of wickedness against parents when they are investigated."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"But a righteous man, even if he dies before his time, will be at rest."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"For honorable old age is not that which stands in length of time, nor is its measure given by number of years,"},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"but understanding is gray hair to men, and an unspotted life is ripe old age."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"Being found well-pleasing to God, someone was loved. While living among sinners he was transported."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"He was caught away, lest evil should change his understanding, or guile deceive his soul."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"For the fascination of wickedness obscures the things which are good, and the whirl of desire perverts an innocent mind."},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"Being made perfect quickly, he filled a long time;"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"for his soul was pleasing to the Lord. Therefore he hurried out of the midst of wickedness."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"But the peoples saw and didn’t understand, not considering this, that grace and mercy are with his chosen, and that he visits his holy ones;"},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"but a righteous man who is dead will condemn the ungodly who are living, and youth who is quickly perfected will condemn the many years of an unrighteous man’s old age."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"For the ungodly will see a wise man’s end, and won’t understand what the Lord planned for him, and why he safely kept him."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"They will see, and they will despise; but the Lord will laugh them to scorn. After this, they will become a dishonored carcass and a reproach among the dead forever;"},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"because he will dash them speechless to the ground, and will shake them from the foundations. They will lie utterly waste. They will be in anguish and their memory will perish."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"They will come with coward fear when their sins are counted. Their lawless deeds will convict them to their face."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Then the righteous man will stand in great boldness before the face of those who afflicted him, and those who make his labors of no account."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"When they see him, they will be troubled with terrible fear, and will be amazed at the marvel of salvation."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"They will speak among themselves repenting, and for distress of spirit they will groan, “This was he whom we used to hold in derision, as a parable of reproach."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"We fools considered his life madness, and his end without honor."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"How was he counted among sons of God? How is his lot among saints?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"Truly we went astray from the way of truth. The light of righteousness didn’t shine for us. The sun didn’t rise for us."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"We took our fill of the paths of lawlessness and destruction. We traveled through trackless deserts, but we didn’t know the Lord’s way."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"What did our arrogance profit us? What good have riches and boasting brought us?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Those things all passed away as a shadow, like a rumor that runs by,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"like a ship passing through the billowy water, which, when it has gone by, there is no trace to be found, no pathway of its keel in the waves."},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"Or it is like when a bird flies through the air, no evidence of its passage is found, but the light wind, lashed with the stroke of its pinions, and torn apart with the violent rush of the moving wings, is passed through. Afterwards no sign of its coming remains."},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"Or it is like when an arrow is shot at a mark, the air it divided closes up again immediately, so that men don’t know where it passed through."},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"So we also, as soon as we were born, ceased to be; and we had no sign of virtue to show, but we were utterly consumed in our wickedness.”"},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"Because the hope of the ungodly man is like chaff carried by the wind, and as foam vanishing before a tempest; and is scattered like smoke by the wind, and passes by as the remembrance of a guest who stays just a day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"But the righteous live forever. Their reward is in the Lord, and the care for them with the Most High."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"Therefore they will receive the crown of royal dignity and the diadem of beauty from the Lord’s hand, because he will cover them with his right hand, and he will shield them with his arm."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"He will take his zeal as complete armor, and will make the whole creation his weapons to punish his enemies:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"He will put on righteousness as a breastplate, and will wear impartial judgment as a helmet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"He will take holiness as an invincible shield."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"He will sharpen stern wrath for a sword. The universe will go with him to fight against his frenzied foes."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"Shafts of lightning will fly with true aim. They will leap to the mark from the clouds, as from a well-drawn bow."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"Hailstones full of wrath will be hurled as from a catapult. The water of the sea will be angered against them. Rivers will sternly overwhelm them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"A mighty wind will encounter them. It will winnow them away like a tempest. So lawlessness will make all the land desolate. Their evil-doing will overturn the thrones of princes."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Hear therefore, you kings, and understand. Learn, you judges of the ends of the earth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Give ear, you rulers who have dominion over many people, and make your boast in multitudes of nations,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"because your dominion was given to you from the Lord, and your sovereignty from the Most High. He will search out your works, and will inquire about your plans,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"because being officers of his kingdom, you didn’t judge rightly, nor did you keep the law, nor did you walk according to God’s counsel."},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"He will come upon you awfully and swiftly, because a stern judgment comes on those who are in high places."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"For the man of low estate may be pardoned in mercy, but mighty men will be mightily tested."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"For the Sovereign Lord of all will not be impressed with anyone, neither will he show deference to greatness; because it is he who made both small and great, and cares about them all;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"but the scrutiny that comes upon the powerful is strict."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Therefore, my words are to you, O princes, that you may learn wisdom and not fall away."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"For those who have kept the things that are holy in holiness will be made holy. Those who have been taught them will find what to say in defense."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore set your desire on my words. Long for them, and you princes will be instructed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Wisdom is radiant and doesn’t fade away; and is easily seen by those who love her, and found by those who seek her."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"She anticipates those who desire her, making herself known."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"He who rises up early to seek her won’t have difficulty, for he will find her sitting at his gates."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"For to think upon her is perfection of understanding, and he who watches for her will quickly be free from care;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"because she herself goes around, seeking those who are worthy of her, and in their paths she appears to them graciously, and in every purpose she meets them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"For her true beginning is desire for instruction; and desire for instruction is love."},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"And love is observance of her laws. To give heed to her laws confirms immortality."},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"Immortality brings closeness to God."},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"So then desire for wisdom promotes to a kingdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"If therefore you delight in thrones and sceptres, you princes of peoples, honor wisdom, that you may reign forever."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"But what wisdom is, and how she came into being, I will declare. I won’t hide mysteries from you; but I will explore from her first beginning, bring the knowledge of her into clear light, and I will not pass by the truth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"Indeed, I won’t travel with consuming envy, because envy will have no fellowship with wisdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"But a multitude of wise men is salvation to the world, and an understanding king is stability for his people."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore be instructed by my words, and you will profit."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"I myself am also mortal, like everyone else, and am a descendant of one formed first and born of the earth."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"I molded into flesh in the time of ten months in my mother’s womb, being compacted in blood from the seed of man and pleasure of marriage."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"I also, when I was born, drew in the common air, and fell upon the kindred earth, uttering, like all, for my first voice, the same cry."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"I was nursed with care in swaddling clothes."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"For no king had a different beginning,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"but all men have one entrance into life, and a common departure."},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"For this cause I prayed, and understanding was given to me. I asked, and a spirit of wisdom came to me."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"I preferred her before sceptres and thrones. I considered riches nothing in comparison to her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"Neither did I liken to her any priceless gem, because all gold in her presence is a little sand, and silver will be considered as clay before her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"I loved her more than health and beauty, and I chose to have her rather than light, because her bright shining is never laid to sleep."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"All good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches are in her hands."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"And I rejoiced over them all because wisdom leads them; although I didn’t know that she was their mother."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"As I learned without guile, I impart without grudging. I don’t hide her riches."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"For she is a treasure for men that doesn’t fail, and those who use it obtain friendship with God, commended by the gifts which they present through discipline."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"But may God grant that I may speak his judgment, and to conceive thoughts worthy of what has been given me; because he is one who guides even wisdom and who corrects the wise."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"For both we and our words are in his hand, with all understanding and skill in various crafts."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"For he himself gave me an unerring knowledge of the things that are, to know the structure of the universe and the operation of the elements;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"the beginning, end, and middle of times; the alternations of the solstices and the changes of seasons;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"the circuits of years and the positions of stars;"},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"the natures of living creatures and the raging of wild beasts; the violence of winds and the thoughts of men; the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots."},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"All things that are either secret or manifest I learned,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"for wisdom, that is the architect of all things, taught me. For there is in her a spirit that is quick to understand, holy, unique, manifold, subtle, freely moving, clear in utterance, unpolluted, distinct, invulnerable, loving what is good, keen, unhindered,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"beneficent, loving toward man, steadfast, sure, free from care, all-powerful, all-surveying, and penetrating through all spirits that are quick to understand, pure, most subtle."},{"chapter":7,"verse":24,"text":"For wisdom is more mobile than any motion. Yes, she pervades and penetrates all things by reason of her purity."},{"chapter":7,"verse":25,"text":"For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty. Therefore nothing defiled can find entrance into her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":26,"text":"For she is a reflection of everlasting light, an unspotted mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":27,"text":"Although she is one, she has power to do all things. Remaining in herself, she renews all things. From generation to generation passing into holy souls, she makes friends of God and prophets."},{"chapter":7,"verse":28,"text":"For God loves nothing as much as one who dwells with wisdom."},{"chapter":7,"verse":29,"text":"For she is fairer than the sun, and above all the constellations of the stars. She is better than light."},{"chapter":7,"verse":30,"text":"For daylight yields to night, but evil does not prevail against wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"But she reaches from one end to the other with full strength, and orders all things well."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"I loved her and sought her from my youth. I sought to take her for my bride. I became enamoured by her beauty."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"She glorifies her noble birth by living with God. The Sovereign Lord of all loves her."},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"For she is initiated into the knowledge of God, and she chooses his works."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"But if riches are a desired possession in life, what is richer than wisdom, which makes all things?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"And if understanding is effective, who more than wisdom is an architect of the things that exist?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"If a man loves righteousness, the fruits of wisdom’s labor are virtues, for she teaches soberness, understanding, righteousness, and courage. There is nothing in life more profitable for people than these."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"And if anyone longs for wide experience, she knows the things of old, and infers the things to come. She understands subtleties of speeches and interpretations of dark sayings. She foresees signs and wonders, and the issues of seasons and times."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"Therefore I determined to take her to live with me, knowing that she is one who would give me good counsel, and encourage me in cares and grief."},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"Because of her, I will have glory among multitudes, and honor in the sight of elders, though I am young."},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"I will be found keen when I give judgment. I will be admired in the presence of rulers."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"When I am silent, they will wait for me. When I open my lips, they will heed what I say. If I continue speaking, they will put their hands on their mouths."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"Because of her, I will have immortality, and leave behind an eternal memory to those who come after me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"I will govern peoples. Nations will be subjected to me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Dreaded monarchs will fear me when they hear of me. Among the people, I will show myself to be good, and courageous in war."},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"When I come into my house, I will find rest with her. For conversation with her has no bitterness, and living with her has no pain, but gladness and joy."},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"When I considered these things in myself, and thought in my heart how immortality is in kinship to wisdom,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"and in her friendship is good delight, and in the labors of her hands is wealth that doesn’t fail, and understanding is in her companionship, and great renown in having fellowship with her words, I went about seeking how to take her to myself."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"Now I was a clever child, and received a good soul."},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"Or rather, being good, I came into an undefiled body."},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"But perceiving that I could not otherwise possess wisdom unless God gave her to me— yes, and to know and understand by whom the grace is given— I pleaded with the Lord and implored him, and with my whole heart I said:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"“O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy, who made all things by your word;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"and by your wisdom you formed man, that he should have dominion over the creatures that were made by you,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"and rule the world in holiness and righteousness, and execute judgment in uprightness of soul,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"give me wisdom, her who sits by you on your thrones. Don’t reject me from among your servants,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"because I am your servant and the son of your handmaid, a weak and short-lived man, with little power to understand judgment and laws."},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"For even if a man is perfect among the sons of men, if the wisdom that comes from you is not with him, he will count for nothing."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"You chose me to be king of your people, and a judge for your sons and daughters."},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"You gave a command to build a sanctuary on your holy mountain, and an altar in the city where you live, a copy of the holy tent which you prepared from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"Wisdom is with you and knows your works, and was present when you were making the world, and understands what is pleasing in your eyes, and what is right according to your commandments."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"Send her from the holy heavens, and ask her to come from the throne of your glory, that being present with me she may work, and I may learn what pleases you well."},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"For she knows all things and understands, and she will guide me prudently in my actions. She will guard me in her glory."},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"So my works will be acceptible. I will judge your people righteously, and I will be worthy of my father’s throne."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"For what man will know the counsel of God? Or who will conceive what the Lord wills?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"For the thoughts of mortals are unstable, and our plans are prone to fail."},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"For a corruptible body weighs down the soul. The earthy tent burdens a mind that is full of cares."},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"We can hardly guess the things that are on earth, and we find the things that are close at hand with labor; but who has traced out the things that are in the heavens?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"Who gained knowledge of your counsel, unless you gave wisdom, and sent your holy spirit from on high?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"It was thus that the ways of those who are on earth were corrected, and men were taught the things that are pleasing to you. They were saved through wisdom.”"},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"Wisdom guarded to the end the first formed father of the world, who was created alone, and delivered him out of his own transgression,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"and gave him strength to rule over all things."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"But when an unrighteous man fell away from her in his anger, he perished himself in the rage with which he killed his brother."},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"When for his cause the earth was drowning with a flood, wisdom again saved it, guiding the righteous man’s course by a paltry piece of wood."},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Moreover, when nations consenting together in wickedness had been confounded, wisdom knew the righteous man, and preserved him blameless to God, and kept him strong when his heart yearned toward his child."},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"While the ungodly were perishing, wisdom delivered a righteous man, when he fled from the fire that descended out of heaven on the five cities."},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"To whose wickedness a smoking waste still witnesses, and plants bearing fair fruit that doesn’t ripen, a disbelieving soul has a memorial: a standing pillar of salt."},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"For having passed wisdom by, not only were they disabled from recognising the things which are good, but they also left behind them for their life a monument of their folly, to the end that where they stumbled, they might fail even to be unseen;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"but wisdom delivered those who waited on her out of troubles."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"When a righteous man was a fugitive from a brother’s wrath, wisdom guided him in straight paths. She showed him God’s kingdom, and gave him knowledge of holy things. She prospered him in his toils, and multiplied the fruits of his labor."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"When in their covetousness men dealt harshly with him, she stood by him and made him rich."},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"She guarded him from enemies, and she kept him safe from those who lay in wait. Over his severe conflict, she watched as judge, that he might know that godliness is more powerful than every one."},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"When a righteous man was sold, wisdom didn’t forsake him, but she delivered him from sin. She went down with him into a dungeon,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"and in bonds she didn’t depart from him, until she brought him the sceptre of a kingdom, and authority over those that dealt like a tyrant with him. She also showed those who had mockingly accused him to be false, and gave him eternal glory."},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"Wisdom delivered a holy people and a blameless seed from a nation of oppressors."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"She entered into the soul of a servant of the Lord, and withstood terrible kings in wonders and signs."},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"She rendered to holy men a reward of their toils. She guided them along a marvelous way, and became to them a covering in the day-time, and a starry flame through the night."},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"She brought them over the Red sea, and led them through much water;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"but she drowned their enemies, and she cast them up from the bottom of the deep."},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"Therefore the righteous plundered the ungodly, and they sang praise to your holy name, O Lord, and extolled with one accord your hand that fought for them,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"because wisdom opened the mouth of the mute, and made the tongues of babes to speak clearly."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"Wisdom prospered their works in the hand of a holy prophet."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"They traveled through a desert without inhabitant, and they pitched their tents in trackless regions."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"They withstood enemies and repelled foes."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"They thirsted, and they called upon you, and water was given to them out of the flinty rock, and healing of their thirst out of the hard stone."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"For by what things their foes were punished, by these they in their need were benefited."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"When enemies were troubled with clotted blood instead of a river’s ever-flowing fountain,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"to rebuke the decree for the slaying of babies, you gave them abundant water beyond all hope,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"having shown by the thirst which they had suffered how you punished the adversaries."},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"For when they were tried, although chastened in mercy, they learned how the ungodly were tormented, being judged with wrath."},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"For you tested these as a father admonishing them; but you searched out those as a stern king condemning them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"Yes and whether they were far off or near, they were equally distressed;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"for a double grief seized them, and a groaning at the memory of things past."},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"For when they heard that through their own punishments the others benefited, they recognized the Lord."},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"For him who long before was thrown out and exposed they stopped mocking. In the end of what happened, they marveled, having thirsted in another manner than the righteous."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"But in return for the senseless imaginings of their unrighteousness, wherein they were led astray to worship irrational reptiles and wretched vermin, you sent upon them a multitude of irrational creatures to punish them,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"that they might learn that by what things a man sins, by these he is punished."},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"For your all-powerful hand that created the world out of formless matter didn’t lack means to send upon them a multitude of bears, fierce lions,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"or newly-created and unknown wild beasts, full of rage, either breathing out a blast of fiery breath, or belching out smoke, or flashing dreadful sparks from their eyes;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"which had power not only to consume them by their violence, but to destroy them even by the terror of their sight."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"Yes and without these they might have fallen by a single breath, being pursued by Justice, and scattered abroad by the breath of your power; but you arranged all things by measure, number, and weight."},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"For to be greatly strong is yours at all times. Who could withstand the might of your arm?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"Because the whole world before you is as a grain in a balance, and as a drop of dew that comes down upon the earth in the morning."},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"But you have mercy on all men, because you have power to do all things, and you overlook the sins of men to the end that they may repent."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"For you love all things that are, and abhor none of the things which you made; For you never would have formed anything if you hated it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"How would anything have endured unless you had willed it? Or that which was not called by you, how would it have been preserved?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"But you spare all things, because they are yours, O Sovereign Lord, you who love the living."},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"For your incorruptible spirit is in all things."},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"Therefore you convict little by little those who fall from the right way, and, putting them in remembrance by the things wherein they sin, you admonish them, that escaping from their wickedness they may believe in you, O Lord."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"For truly the old inhabitants of your holy land,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"hating them because they practiced detestable works of enchantments and unholy rites—"},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"merciless slaughters of children and sacrificial banquets of men’s flesh and of blood—"},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"allies in an impious fellowship, and murderers of their own helpless babes, it was your counsel to destroy by the hands of our fathers;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"that the land which in your sight is most precious of all might receive a worthy colony of God’s servants."},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"Nevertheless you even spared these as men, and you sent hornets as forerunners of your army, to cause them to perish little by little."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"Not that you were unable to subdue the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or by terrible beasts or by a stern word to make away with them at once,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"but judging them little by little you gave them a chance to repent, not being ignorant that their nature by birth was evil, their wickedness inborn, and that their manner of thought would never be changed."},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"For they were a cursed seed from the beginning. It wasn’t through fear of any that you left them unpunished for their sins."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"For who will say, “What have you done?” Or “Who will withstand your judgment?” Who will accuse you for the perishing of nations which you caused? Or who will come and stand before you as an avenger for unrighteous men?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"For there isn’t any God beside you that cares for all, that you might show that you didn’t judge unrighteously."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"No king or prince will be able to confront you about those whom you have punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"But being righteous, you rule all things righteously, deeming it a thing alien from your power to condemn one who doesn’t deserve to be punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"For your strength is the source of righteousness, and your sovereignty over all makes you to forbear all."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"For when men don’t believe that you are perfect in power, you show your strength, and in dealing with those who think this, you confuse their boldness."},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"But you, being sovereign in strength, judge in gentleness, and with great forbearance you govern us; for the power is yours whenever you desire it."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"But you taught your people by such works as these, how the righteous must be kind. You made your sons to have good hope, because you give repentance when men have sinned."},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"For if on those who were enemies of your servants and deserving of death, you took vengeance with so great deliberation and indulgence, giving them times and opportunities when they might escape from their wickedness,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"with how great care you judged your sons, to whose fathers you gave oaths and covenants of good promises!"},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"Therefore while you chasten us, you scourge our enemies ten thousand times more, to the intent that we may ponder your goodness when we judge, and when we are judged may look for mercy."},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"Therefore also the unrighteous that lived in a life of folly, you tormented through their own abominations."},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"For truly they went astray very far in the ways of error, Taking as gods those animals which even among their enemies were held in dishonor, deceived like foolish babes."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore, as to unreasoning children, you sent your judgment to mock them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"But those who would not be admonished by mild correction will experience the deserved judgment of God."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"For through the sufferings they were indignant of, being punished in these creatures which they supposed to be gods, they saw and recognized as the true God him whom they previously refused to know. Therefore also the result of extreme condemnation came upon them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"For truly all men who had no perception of God were foolish by nature, and didn’t gain power to know him who exists from the good things that are seen. They didn’t recognize the architect from his works."},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"But they thought that either fire, or wind, or swift air, or circling stars, or raging water, or luminaries of heaven were gods that rule the world."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"If it was through delight in their beauty that they took them to be gods, let them know how much better their Sovereign Lord is than these, for the first author of beauty created them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"But if it was through astonishment at their power and influence, then let them understand from them how much more powerful he who formed them is."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"For from the greatness of the beauty of created things, mankind forms the corresponding perception of their Maker."},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"But yet for these men there is but small blame, for they too perhaps go astray while they are seeking God and desiring to find him."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"For they diligently search while living among his works, and they trust their sight that the things that they look at are beautiful."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"But again even they are not to be excused."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"For if they had power to know so much, that they should be able to explore the world, how is it that they didn’t find the Sovereign Lord sooner?"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"But they were miserable, and their hopes were in dead things, who called them gods which are works of men’s hands, gold and silver, skillfully made, and likenesses of animals, or a useless stone, the work of an ancient hand."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"Yes and some woodcutter might saw down a tree that is easily moved, skillfully strip away all its bark, and fashion it in attractive form, make a useful vessel to serve his life’s needs."},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"Burning the scraps from his handiwork to cook his food, he eats his fill."},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"Taking a discarded scrap which served no purpose, a crooked piece of wood and full of knots, he carves it with the diligence of his idleness, and shapes it by the skill of his idleness. He shapes it in the image of a man,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"or makes it like some worthless animal, smearing it with something red, painting it red, and smearing over every stain in it."},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"Having made a worthy chamber for it, he sets it in a wall, securing it with iron."},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"He plans for it that it may not fall down, knowing that it is unable to help itself (for truly it is an image, and needs help)."},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"When he makes his prayer concerning goods and his marriage and children, he is not ashamed to speak to that which has no life."},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"Yes, for health, he calls upon that which is weak. For life, he implores that which is dead. For aid, he supplicates that which has no experience. For a good journey, he asks that which can’t so much as move a step."},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"And for profit in business and good success of his hands, he asks ability from that which has hands with no ability."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"Again, one preparing to sail, and about to journey over raging waves, calls upon a piece of wood more fragile than the vessel that carries him."},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"For the hunger for profit planned it, and wisdom was the craftsman who built it."},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"Your providence, O Father, guides it along, because even in the sea you gave a way, and in the waves a sure path,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"showing that you can save out of every danger, that even a man without skill may put to sea."},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"It is your will that the works of your wisdom should not be ineffective. Therefore men also entrust their lives to a little piece of wood, and passing through the surge on a raft come safely to land."},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"For in the old time also, when proud giants were perishing, the hope of the world, taking refuge on a raft, your hand guided the seed of generations of the race of men."},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"For blessed is wood through which comes righteousness;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"but the idol made with hands is accursed, itself and he that made it; because his was the working, and the corruptible thing was called a god."},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"For both the ungodly and his ungodliness are alike hateful to God;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"for truly the deed will be punished together with him who committed it."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore also there will be a visitation among the idols of the nation, because, though formed of things which God created, they were made an abomination, stumbling blocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the foolish."},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"For the devising of idols was the beginning of fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"For they didn’t exist from the beginning, and they won’t exist forever."},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"For by the boastfulness of men they entered into the world, and therefore a speedy end was planned for them."},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"For a father worn with untimely grief, making an image of the child quickly taken away, now honored him as a god which was then a dead human being, and delivered to those that were under him mysteries and solemn rites."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"Afterward the ungodly custom, in process of time grown strong, was kept as a law, and the engraved images received worship by the commandments of princes."},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"And when men could not honor them in presence because they lived far off, imagining the likeness from afar, they made a visible image of the king whom they honored, that by their zeal they might flatter the absent as if present."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"But worship was raised to a yet higher pitch, even by those who didn’t know him, urged forward by the ambition of the architect;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"for he, wishing perhaps to please his ruler, used his art to force the likeness toward a greater beauty."},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"So the multitude, allured by reason of the grace of his handiwork, now consider an object of devotion him that a little before was honored as a man."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"And this became an ambush, because men, in bondage either to calamity or to tyranny, invested stones and stocks with the Name that shouldn’t be shared."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"Afterward it was not enough for them to go astray concerning the knowledge of God, but also, while they live in a great war of ignorance, they call a multitude of evils peace."},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"For either slaughtering children in solemn rites, or celebrating secret mysteries, or holding frenzied revels of strange customs,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"no longer do they guard either life or purity of marriage, but one brings upon another either death by treachery, or anguish by adultery."},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"And all things confusedly are filled with blood and murder, theft and deceit, corruption, faithlessness, tumult, perjury,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"confusion about what is good, forgetfulness of favors, ingratitude for benefits, defiling of souls, confusion of sex, disorder in marriage, adultery and wantonness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"For the worship of idols that may not be named is a beginning and cause and end of every evil."},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"For their worshipers either make merry to madness, or prophesy lies, or live unrighteously, or lightly commit perjury."},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"For putting their trust in lifeless idols, when they have sworn a wicked oath, they expect not to suffer harm."},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"But on both counts, the just doom will pursue them, because they had evil thoughts of God by giving heed to idols, and swore unrighteously in deceit through contempt for holiness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"For it is not the power of things by which men swear, but it is the just penalty for those who sin that always visits the transgression of the unrighteous."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"But you, our God, are gracious and true, patient, and in mercy ordering all things."},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"For even if we sin, we are yours, knowing your dominion; but we will not sin, knowing that we have been accounted yours."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"For to be acquainted with you is perfect righteousness, and to know your dominion is the root of immortality."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"For we weren’t led astray by any evil plan of men’s, nor yet by painters’ fruitless labor, a form stained with varied colors,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"the sight of which leads fools into lust. Their desire is for the breathless form of a dead image."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"Lovers of evil things, and worthy of such hopes, are those who make, desire, and worship them."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"For a potter, kneading soft earth, laboriously molds each article for our service. He fashions out of the same clay both the vessels that minister to clean uses, and those of a contrary sort, all in like manner. What shall be the use of each article of either sort, the potter is the judge."},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"Also, laboring to an evil end, he molds a vain god out of the same clay, he who, having but a little before been made of earth, after a short space goes his way to the earth out of which he was taken, when he is required to give back the soul which was lent him."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"However he has anxious care, not because his powers must fail, nor because his span of life is short; But he compares himself with goldsmiths and silversmiths, and he imitates molders in brass, and considers it great that he molds counterfeit gods."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"His heart is ashes. His hope is of less value than earth. His life is of less honor than clay,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"because he was ignorant of him who molded him, and of him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed into him a vital spirit."},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"But he accounted our life to be a game, and our lifetime a festival for profit; for, he says, one must get gain however one can, even if it is by evil."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"For this man, beyond all others, knows that he sins, out of earthy matter making brittle vessels and engraved images."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"But most foolish and more miserable than a baby, are the enemies of your people, who oppressed them;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"because they even considered all the idols of the nations to be gods, which have neither the use of eyes for seeing, nor nostrils for drawing breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers for handling, and their feet are helpless for walking."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"For a man made them, and one whose own spirit is borrowed molded them; for no one has power as a man to mold a god like himself."},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"But, being mortal, he makes a dead thing by the work of lawless hands; for he is better than the objects of his worship, since he indeed had life, but they never did."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"Yes, and they worship the creatures that are most hateful, for, being compared as to lack of sense, these are worse than all others;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"Neither, as seen beside other creatures, are they beautiful, so that one should desire them, but they have escaped both the praise of God and his blessing."},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"For this cause, they were deservedly punished through creatures like those which they worship, and tormented through a multitude of vermin."},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Instead of this punishment, you, giving benefits to your people, prepared quails for food, a delicacy to satisfy the desire of their appetite,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"to the end that your enemies, desiring food, might for the hideousness of the creatures sent among them, loathe even the necessary appetite; but these, your people, having for a short time suffered lack, might even partake of delicacies."},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"For it was necessary that inescapable lack should come upon those oppressors, but that to these it should only be showed how their enemies were tormented."},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"For even when terrible raging of wild beasts came upon your people, and they were perishing by the bites of crooked serpents, your wrath didn’t continue to the uttermost;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"but for admonition were they troubled for a short time, having a token of salvation to put them in remembrance of the commandment of your law;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"for he who turned toward it was not saved because of that which was seen, but because of you, the Savior of all."},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"Yes, and in this you persuaded our enemies that you are he who delivers out of every evil."},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"For the bites of locusts and flies truly killed them. No healing for their life was found, because they were worthy to be punished by such things."},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"But your children weren’t overcome by the very fangs of venomous dragons, for your mercy passed by where they were and healed them."},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"For they were bitten to put them in remembrance of your oracles, and were quickly saved, lest, falling into deep forgetfulness, they should become unable to respond to your kindness."},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"For truly it was neither herb nor poultice that cured them, but your word, O Lord, which heals all people."},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"For you have authority over life and death, and you lead down to the gates of Hades, and lead up again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"But though a man kills by his wickedness, he can’t retrieve the spirit that has departed or release the imprisoned soul."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"But it is not possible to escape your hand;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"for ungodly men, refusing to know you, were scourged in the strength of your arm, pursued with strange rains and hails and relentless storms, and utterly consumed with fire."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"For, what was most marvelous, in the water which quenches all things, the fire burned hotter; for the world fights for the righteous."},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"For at one time the flame was restrained, that it might not burn up the creatures sent against the ungodly, but that these themselves as they looked might see that they were chased by the judgment of God."},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"At another time even in the midst of water it burns more intensely than fire, that it may destroy the produce of an unrighteous land."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"Instead of these things, you gave your people angels’ food to eat, and you provided ready-to-eat bread for them from heaven without toil, having the virtue of every pleasant flavor, and agreeable to every taste."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"For your nature showed your sweetness toward your children, while that bread, serving the desire of the eater, changed itself according to every man’s choice."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"But snow and ice endured fire, and didn’t melt, that people might know that fire was destroying the fruits of the enemies, burning in the hail and flashing in the rains;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"and that this fire, again, in order that righteous people may be nourished, has even forgotten its own power."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"For the creation, ministering to you, its maker, strains its force against the unrighteous for punishment and in kindness, slackens it on behalf of those who trust in you."},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore at that time also, converting itself into all forms, it ministered to your all-nourishing bounty, according to the desire of those who had need,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"that your children, whom you loved, O Lord, might learn that it is not the growth of crops that nourishes a man, but that your word preserves those who trust you."},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"For that which was not destroyed by fire, melted away when it was simply warmed by a faint sunbeam,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"that it might be known that we must rise before the sun to give you thanks, and must pray to you at the dawning of the light;"},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"for the hope of the unthankful will melt as the winter’s hoar frost, and will flow away as water that has no use."},{"chapter":17,"verse":1,"text":"For your judgments are great, and hard to interpret; therefore undisciplined souls went astray."},{"chapter":17,"verse":2,"text":"For when lawless men had supposed that they held a holy nation in their power, they, prisoners of darkness, and bound in the fetters of a long night, kept close beneath their roofs, lay exiled from the eternal providence."},{"chapter":17,"verse":3,"text":"For while they thought that they were unseen in their secret sins, they were divided from one another by a dark curtain of forgetfulness, stricken with terrible awe, and very troubled by apparitions."},{"chapter":17,"verse":4,"text":"For neither did the dark recesses that held them guard them from fears, but terrifying sounds rang around them, and dismal phantoms appeared with unsmiling faces."},{"chapter":17,"verse":5,"text":"And no power of fire prevailed to give light, neither were the brightest flames of the stars strong enough to illuminate that gloomy night;"},{"chapter":17,"verse":6,"text":"but only the glimmering of a self-kindled fire appeared to them, full of fear. In terror, they considered the things which they saw to be worse than that sight, on which they could not gaze."},{"chapter":17,"verse":7,"text":"The mockeries of their magic arts were powerless, now, and a shameful rebuke of their boasted understanding:"},{"chapter":17,"verse":8,"text":"For those who promised to drive away terrors and disorders from a sick soul, these were sick with a ludicrous fearfulness."},{"chapter":17,"verse":9,"text":"For even if no troubling thing frighted them, yet, scared with the creeping of vermin and hissing of serpents,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":10,"text":"they perished trembling in fear, refusing even to look at the air, which could not be escaped on any side."},{"chapter":17,"verse":11,"text":"For wickedness, condemned by a witness within, is a coward thing, and, being pressed hard by conscience, always has added forecasts of the worst."},{"chapter":17,"verse":12,"text":"For fear is nothing else but a surrender of the help which reason offers;"},{"chapter":17,"verse":13,"text":"and from within, the expectation of being less prefers ignorance of the cause that brings the torment."},{"chapter":17,"verse":14,"text":"But they, all through the night which was powerless indeed, and which came upon them out of the recesses of powerless Hades, sleeping the same sleep,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":15,"text":"now were haunted by monstrous apparitions, and now were paralyzed by their soul’s surrendering; for sudden and unexpected fear came upon them."},{"chapter":17,"verse":16,"text":"So then whoever it might be, sinking down in his place, was kept captive, shut up in that prison which was not barred with iron;"},{"chapter":17,"verse":17,"text":"for whether he was a farmer, or a shepherd, or a laborer whose toils were in the wilderness, he was overtaken, and endured that inescapable sentence; for they were all bound with one chain of darkness."},{"chapter":17,"verse":18,"text":"Whether there was a whistling wind, or a melodious sound of birds among the spreading branches, or a measured fall of water running violently,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":19,"text":"or a harsh crashing of rocks hurled down, or the swift course of animals bounding along unseen, or the voice of wild beasts harshly roaring, or an echo rebounding from the hollows of the mountains, all these things paralyzed them with terror."},{"chapter":17,"verse":20,"text":"For the whole world was illuminated with clear light, and was occupied with unhindered works,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":21,"text":"while over them alone was spread a heavy night, an image of the darkness that should afterward receive them; but to themselves, they were heavier than darkness."},{"chapter":18,"verse":1,"text":"But for your holy ones there was great light. Their enemies, hearing their voice but not seeing their form, counted it a happy thing that they had not suffered,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":2,"text":"yet for that they do not hurt them, though wronged by them before, they are thankful; and because they had been at variance with them, they begged for pardon."},{"chapter":18,"verse":3,"text":"Therefore you provided a burning pillar of fire, to be a guide for your people’s unknown journey, and a harmless sun for their glorious exile."},{"chapter":18,"verse":4,"text":"For the Egyptians well deserved to be deprived of light and imprisoned by darkness, they who had imprisoned your children, through whom the incorruptible light of the law was to be given to the race of men."},{"chapter":18,"verse":5,"text":"After they had taken counsel to kill the babes of the holy ones, and when a single child had been abandoned and saved to convict them of their sin, you took away from them their multitude of children, and destroyed all their army together in a mighty flood."},{"chapter":18,"verse":6,"text":"Our fathers were made aware of that night beforehand, that, having sure knowledge, they might be cheered by the oaths which they had trusted."},{"chapter":18,"verse":7,"text":"Salvation of the righteous and destruction of the enemies was expected by your people."},{"chapter":18,"verse":8,"text":"For as you took vengeance on the adversaries, by the same means, calling us to yourself, you glorified us."},{"chapter":18,"verse":9,"text":"For holy children of good men offered sacrifice in secret, and with one consent they agreed to the covenant of the divine law, that they would partake alike in the same good things and the same perils, the fathers already leading the sacred songs of praise."},{"chapter":18,"verse":10,"text":"But the discordant cry of the enemies echoed back, and a pitiful voice of lamentation for children was spread abroad."},{"chapter":18,"verse":11,"text":"Both servant and master were punished with the same just doom, and the commoner suffering the same as king;"},{"chapter":18,"verse":12,"text":"Yes, they all together, under one form of death, had corpses without number. For the living were not sufficient even to bury them, Since at a single stroke, their most cherished offspring was consumed."},{"chapter":18,"verse":13,"text":"For while they were disbelieving all things by reason of the enchantments, upon the destruction of the firstborn they confessed the people to be God’s children."},{"chapter":18,"verse":14,"text":"For while peaceful silence wrapped all things, and night in her own swiftness was half spent,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":15,"text":"your all-powerful word leaped from heaven, from the royal throne, a stern warrior, into the midst of the doomed land,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":16,"text":"bearing as a sharp sword your authentic commandment, and standing, it filled all things with death, and while it touched the sky it stood upon the earth."},{"chapter":18,"verse":17,"text":"Then immediately apparitions in dreams terribly troubled them, and unexpected fears came upon them."},{"chapter":18,"verse":18,"text":"And each, one thrown here half dead, another there, made known why he was dying;"},{"chapter":18,"verse":19,"text":"for the dreams, disturbing them, forewarned them of this, that they might not perish without knowing why they were afflicted."},{"chapter":18,"verse":20,"text":"The experience of death also touched the righteous, and a multitude were destroyed in the wilderness, but the wrath didn’t last long."},{"chapter":18,"verse":21,"text":"For a blameless man hurried to be their champion, bringing the weapon of his own ministry, prayer, and the atoning sacrifice of incense. He withstood the indignation and set an end to the calamity, showing that he was your servant."},{"chapter":18,"verse":22,"text":"And he overcame the anger, not by strength of body, not by force of weapons, but by his word, he subdued the avenger by bringing to remembrance oaths and covenants made with the fathers."},{"chapter":18,"verse":23,"text":"For when the dead had already fallen in heaps one upon another, he intervened and stopped the wrath, and cut off its way to the living."},{"chapter":18,"verse":24,"text":"For the whole world was pictured on his long robe, and the glories of the fathers were upon the engraving of the four rows of precious stones, and your majesty was upon the diadem on his head."},{"chapter":18,"verse":25,"text":"The destroyer yielded to these, and they feared; for it was enough only to test the wrath."},{"chapter":19,"verse":1,"text":"But indignation without mercy came upon the ungodly to the end; for God also foreknew their future,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":2,"text":"how, having changed their minds to let your people go, and having sped them eagerly on their way, they would change their minds and pursue them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":3,"text":"For while they were yet in the midst of their mourning, and lamenting at the graves of the dead, they made another foolish decision, and pursued as fugitives those whom they had begged to leave and driven out."},{"chapter":19,"verse":4,"text":"For the doom which they deserved was drawing them to this end, and it made them forget the things that had happened to them, that they might fill up the punishment which was yet lacking from their torments,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":5,"text":"and that your people might journey on by a marvelous road, but they themselves might find a strange death."},{"chapter":19,"verse":6,"text":"For the whole creation, each part in its diverse kind, was made new again, complying with your commandments, that your servants might be kept unharmed."},{"chapter":19,"verse":7,"text":"Then the cloud that overshadowed the camp was seen, and dry land rising up out of what had been water, out of the Red sea an unhindered highway, and a grassy plain out of the violent surge,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":8,"text":"by which they passed over with all their army, these who were covered with your hand, having seen strange marvels."},{"chapter":19,"verse":9,"text":"For like horses they roamed at large, and they skipped about like lambs, praising you, O Lord, who was their deliverer."},{"chapter":19,"verse":10,"text":"For they still remembered the things that happened in the time of their sojourning, how instead of bearing cattle, the land brought forth lice, and instead of fish, the river spewed out a multitude of frogs."},{"chapter":19,"verse":11,"text":"But afterwards, they also saw a new kind of birds, when, led on by desire, they asked for luxurious dainties;"},{"chapter":19,"verse":12,"text":"for, to comfort them, quails came up for them from the sea."},{"chapter":19,"verse":13,"text":"Punishments came upon the sinners, not without the signs that were given beforehand by the violence of the thunder, for they justly suffered through their own wickednesses, for the hatred which they practiced toward guests was grievous indeed."},{"chapter":19,"verse":14,"text":"For while the others didn’t receive the strangers when they came to them, the Egyptians made slaves of guests who were their benefactors."},{"chapter":19,"verse":15,"text":"And not only so, but while punishment of some sort will come upon the former, since they received as enemies those who were aliens;"},{"chapter":19,"verse":16,"text":"because these first welcomed with feastings, and then afflicted with dreadful toils, those who had already shared with them in the same rights."},{"chapter":19,"verse":17,"text":"And moreover they were stricken with loss of sight (even as were those others at the righteous man’s doors), when, being surrounded with yawning darkness, they each looked for the passage through his own door."},{"chapter":19,"verse":18,"text":"For as the notes of a lute vary the character of the rhythm, even so the elements, changing their order one with another, continuing always in its sound, as may clearly be conjectured from the sight of the things that have happened."},{"chapter":19,"verse":19,"text":"For creatures of the dry land were turned into creatures of the waters, and creatures that swim moved upon the land."},{"chapter":19,"verse":20,"text":"Fire kept the mastery of its own power in water, and water forgot its quenching nature."},{"chapter":19,"verse":21,"text":"On the contrary, flames didn’t consume flesh of perishable creatures that walked among them, neither did they melt the crystalline grains of ambrosial food that were melted easily."},{"chapter":19,"verse":22,"text":"For in all things, O Lord, you magnified your people, and you glorified them and didn’t lightly regard them, standing by their side in every time and place."}]},{"code":"BRENTON","name":"Brenton's Septuagint (1851)","language":"en","source":"Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton, The Septuagint with Apocrypha (1851), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter: nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hidden: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds."},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands."},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"(for righteousness is immortal:)"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"but ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"For [the ungodly] said, reasoning with themselves, [but] not aright, Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"which being extinguished, our body shall be turned to ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"and our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"For our time is a very shadow that passeth away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient grey hairs of the aged."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself the child of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"He was made to reprove our thoughts."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men's, his ways are of another fashion."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that are of his side do find it."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"and their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace."},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality."},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"And [blessed is] the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind."},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not fast, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"But wisdom is the grey hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"Yea, speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind."},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"for his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he [to take him away] from among the wicked."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"This the people saw, and understood not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn; and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a reproach among the dead for evermore."},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"And when they cast up the account of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"we fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"how is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!"},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with [our] vaunting brought us?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"and as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings, and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be found;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were consumed in our own wickedness."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord's hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of [his] enemies."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"He shall take holiness for an invincible shield."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast [as] out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations."},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man's person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man's greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike."},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"To think therefore upon her is the perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"and love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"and incorruption maketh us near unto God:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"and in my mother's womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out."},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called [upon God], and the spirit of wisdom came to me."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"And I rejoiced in [them] all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"I learned diligently, and do communicate [her] liberally: I do not hide her riches."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"God hath granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that leadeth unto wisdom, and directeth the wise."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"the beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning [of the sun], and change of seasons:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"the circuits of years, and positions of stars:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"the natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants, and the virtues of roots:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"and all such things as are either secret or manifest, [them] I know."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit, holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good, quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"kind to man, stedfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits."},{"chapter":7,"verse":24,"text":"For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":25,"text":"For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":26,"text":"For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":27,"text":"And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets."},{"chapter":7,"verse":28,"text":"For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom."},{"chapter":7,"verse":29,"text":"For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it."},{"chapter":7,"verse":30,"text":"For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"[Wisdom] reacheth from one end to another mightily; and sweetly doth she order all things."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"I loved her, and sought [her] out from my youth, I desired to make [her] my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her."},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"And if a man love righteousness, her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth [aright] what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief."},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young."},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Horrible tyrants shall be afraid when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war."},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness: and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy."},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"and great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit."},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled."},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"and order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"for I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws."},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee."},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power."},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father's seat."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain."},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things."},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom."},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"and gave him power to rule all things."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother."},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value."},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son."},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities."},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"Of whose wickedness, even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul."},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid."},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"When the righteous fled from his brother's wrath, she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied [the fruit of] his labours."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich."},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that godliness is stronger than all."},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"and left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory."},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"but she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep."},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them."},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay no way."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they in their need were benefited."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"For instead of a fountain of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"for a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants were slain, thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their adversaries."},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"For when they were tried, albeit but in mercy chastised, they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in another manner than the just."},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"For these thou didst admonish and try, as a father: but the others, as a severe king, thou didst condemn and punish."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike."},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past."},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord."},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"For whom they rejected with scorn, when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth [of the infants], him in the end, when they saw what came to pass, they admired."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"that they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same shall he be punished."},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"For thy Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form, wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears, or fierce lions,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out either a fiery vapour, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight."},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy will? or been preserved, if not called by thee?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls."},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things."},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that offend, and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee, O Lord."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of thy holy land,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"and also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man's flesh, and the feasts of blood,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"with their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"that the land, which thou esteemedst above all other, might receive a worthy colony of God's children."},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and little."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts, or with one rough word:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"but executing thy judgments upon them by little and little, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed."},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou hast made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee for any whom thou hast punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because thou art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto all."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power, thou shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou makest their boldness manifest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and orderest us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when thou wilt."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope that thou givest repentance for sins."},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place whereby they might be delivered from their malice:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"with how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"Therefore, whereas thou dost chasten us, thou scourgest our enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy."},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously, thou hast tormented them with their own abominations."},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of reason, thou didst send a judgment to mock them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"But they that would not be reformed by that correction, wherein he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of God."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished, that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; [now] being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whom before they denied to know; and therefore came extreme damnation upon them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"but deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen."},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"For being conversant in his works they search [him] diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who called them gods, which are the works of men's hands, gold and silver, to shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man's life;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"and after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath filled himself;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"and taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it diligently when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, and colouring every spot therein;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"and when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"for he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help."},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life."},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth to that which is dead: for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"and for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do any thing."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him."},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill."},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art."},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved."},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation."},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh."},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it: and it, because, being corruptible, it was called God."},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God."},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise."},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"For the devising of idols was the beginning of [spiritual] fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever."},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end."},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings."},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition."},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion."},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured as a man."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace."},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"they kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traiterously or grieved him by adultery."},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"So that there reigned in all men without exception, blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil."},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves."},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"For insomuch as their trust is in idols which have no life, though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt."},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence of the ungodly."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"But thou, our God, art gracious and true, long-suffering, and in mercy ordering all things."},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter's fruitless labour;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"the sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge."},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out of the which he was taken, when his life which was lent him shall be demanded."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit."},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes."},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself."},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas [he] lived once, but they never."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others."},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing."},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented."},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"to the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste."},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented."},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not for ever:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law."},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all."},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who deliverest from all evil:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"for them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such."},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was by them, and healed them."},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy goodness."},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things."},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"But it is not possible to escape thine hand."},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the righteous."},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God."},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels' food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man's delight, and agreeing to every taste."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man's liking."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies."},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker, increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"that thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"that it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter's hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water."},{"chapter":17,"verse":1,"text":"For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed: therefore unnurtured souls have erred."},{"chapter":17,"verse":2,"text":"For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay [there] exiled from the eternal providence."},{"chapter":17,"verse":3,"text":"For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly astonished, and troubled with [strange] apparitions."},{"chapter":17,"verse":4,"text":"For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear: but noises [as of waters] falling down sounded about them, and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances."},{"chapter":17,"verse":5,"text":"No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night."},{"chapter":17,"verse":6,"text":"Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not."},{"chapter":17,"verse":7,"text":"As for the illusions of art magic, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace."},{"chapter":17,"verse":8,"text":"For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at."},{"chapter":17,"verse":9,"text":"For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":10,"text":"they died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided."},{"chapter":17,"verse":11,"text":"For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things."},{"chapter":17,"verse":12,"text":"For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth."},{"chapter":17,"verse":13,"text":"And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment."},{"chapter":17,"verse":14,"text":"But they sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable hell,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":15,"text":"were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted, their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came upon them."},{"chapter":17,"verse":16,"text":"So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up in a prison without iron bars."},{"chapter":17,"verse":17,"text":"For whether he were husbandman, or shepherd, or a labourer in the field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness."},{"chapter":17,"verse":18,"text":"Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of birds among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water running violently,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":19,"text":"or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that could not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most savage wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains: these things made them to swoon for fear."},{"chapter":17,"verse":20,"text":"For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were hindered in their labour:"},{"chapter":17,"verse":21,"text":"over them only was spread a heavy night, an image of that darkness which should afterward receive them: but yet were they unto themselves more grievous than the darkness."},{"chapter":18,"verse":1,"text":"Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy."},{"chapter":18,"verse":2,"text":"But for that they did not hurt them [now], of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies."},{"chapter":18,"verse":3,"text":"Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and a harmless sun to entertain them honourably."},{"chapter":18,"verse":4,"text":"For they were worthy to be deprived of light, and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world."},{"chapter":18,"verse":5,"text":"And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them all together in a mighty water."},{"chapter":18,"verse":6,"text":"Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer."},{"chapter":18,"verse":7,"text":"So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies."},{"chapter":18,"verse":8,"text":"For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called."},{"chapter":18,"verse":9,"text":"For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise."},{"chapter":18,"verse":10,"text":"But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed."},{"chapter":18,"verse":11,"text":"The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person."},{"chapter":18,"verse":12,"text":"So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed."},{"chapter":18,"verse":13,"text":"For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God."},{"chapter":18,"verse":14,"text":"For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":15,"text":"thine Almighty word leaped from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":16,"text":"and brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth."},{"chapter":18,"verse":17,"text":"Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for."},{"chapter":18,"verse":18,"text":"And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death."},{"chapter":18,"verse":19,"text":"For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted."},{"chapter":18,"verse":20,"text":"Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long."},{"chapter":18,"verse":21,"text":"For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant."},{"chapter":18,"verse":22,"text":"So he overcame the destroyer, not with might of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers."},{"chapter":18,"verse":23,"text":"For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living."},{"chapter":18,"verse":24,"text":"For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head."},{"chapter":18,"verse":25,"text":"Unto these the destroyer gave place, and they were afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath."},{"chapter":19,"verse":1,"text":"As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end: for he knew before what they would do;"},{"chapter":19,"verse":2,"text":"how that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily away, they would repent and pursue them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":3,"text":"For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone."},{"chapter":19,"verse":4,"text":"For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":5,"text":"and that thy people might pass through a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death."},{"chapter":19,"verse":6,"text":"For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that thy children might be kept without hurt:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":7,"text":"[as namely], a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":8,"text":"through which all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders."},{"chapter":19,"verse":9,"text":"For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":10,"text":"For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes."},{"chapter":19,"verse":11,"text":"But afterward they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats."},{"chapter":19,"verse":12,"text":"For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment."},{"chapter":19,"verse":13,"text":"And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers."},{"chapter":19,"verse":14,"text":"For the [Sodomites] did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":15,"text":"And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":16,"text":"but these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":17,"text":"Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors."},{"chapter":19,"verse":18,"text":"For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done."},{"chapter":19,"verse":19,"text":"For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground."},{"chapter":19,"verse":20,"text":"The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature."},{"chapter":19,"verse":21,"text":"On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat, that was of nature apt to melt."},{"chapter":19,"verse":22,"text":"For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist them in every time and place."}]},{"code":"KJV","name":"King James Version","language":"en","source":"King James Version (1769), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"Love righteousness, ye that be judges of the earth: think of the Lord with a good (heart,) and in simplicity of heart seek him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"For he will be found of them that tempt him not; and sheweth himself unto such as do not distrust him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"For froward thoughts separate from God: and his power, when it is tried, reproveth the unwise."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject unto sin."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"For the holy spirit of discipline will flee deceit, and remove from thoughts that are without understanding, and will not abide when unrighteousness cometh in."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"For wisdom is a loving spirit; and will not acquit a blasphemer of his words: for God is witness of his reins, and a true beholder of his heart, and a hearer of his tongue."},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"For the Spirit of the Lord filleth the world: and that which containeth all things hath knowledge of the voice."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Therefore he that speaketh unrighteous things cannot be hid: neither shall vengeance, when it punisheth, pass by him."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"For inquisition shall be made into the counsels of the ungodly: and the sound of his words shall come unto the Lord for the manifestation of his wicked deeds."},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"For the ear of jealousy heareth all things: and the noise of murmurings is not hid."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore beware of murmuring, which is unprofitable; and refrain your tongue from backbiting: for there is no word so secret, that shall go for nought: and the mouth that belieth slayeth the soul."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Seek not death in the error of your life: and pull not upon yourselves destruction with the works of your hands."},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"For God made not death: neither hath he pleasure in the destruction of the living."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"For he created all things, that they might have their being: and the generations of the world were healthful; and there is no poison of destruction in them, nor the kingdom of death upon the earth:"},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"(For righteousness is immortal:)"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"But ungodly men with their works and words called it to them: for when they thought to have it their friend, they consumed to nought, and made a covenant with it, because they are worthy to take part with it."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"For the ungodly said, reasoning with themselves, but not aright, Our life is short and tedious, and in the death of a man there is no remedy: neither was there any man known to have returned from the grave."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"For we are born at all adventure: and we shall be hereafter as though we had never been: for the breath in our nostrils is as smoke, and a little spark in the moving of our heart:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"Which being extinguished, our body shall be turned into ashes, and our spirit shall vanish as the soft air,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"And our name shall be forgotten in time, and no man shall have our works in remembrance, and our life shall pass away as the trace of a cloud, and shall be dispersed as a mist, that is driven away with the beams of the sun, and overcome with the heat thereof."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"For our time is a very shadow that passeth away; and after our end there is no returning: for it is fast sealed, so that no man cometh again."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"Come on therefore, let us enjoy the good things that are present: and let us speedily use the creatures like as in youth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Let us fill ourselves with costly wine and ointments: and let no flower of the spring pass by us:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Let us crown ourselves with rosebuds, before they be withered:"},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Let none of us go without his part of our voluptuousness: let us leave tokens of our joyfulness in every place: for this is our portion, and our lot is this."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Let us oppress the poor righteous man, let us not spare the widow, nor reverence the ancient gray hairs of the aged."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Let our strength be the law of justice: for that which is feeble is found to be nothing worth."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"Therefore let us lie in wait for the righteous; because he is not for our turn, and he is clean contrary to our doings: he upbraideth us with our offending the law, and objecteth to our infamy the transgressings of our education."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"He professeth to have the knowledge of God: and he calleth himself the child of the Lord."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"He was made to reprove our thoughts."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"He is grievous unto us even to behold: for his life is not like other men’s, his ways are of another fashion."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"We are esteemed of him as counterfeits: he abstaineth from our ways as from filthiness: he pronounceth the end of the just to be blessed, and maketh his boast that God is his father."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Let us see if his words be true: and let us prove what shall happen in the end of him."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"For if the just man be the son of God, he will help him, and deliver him from the hand of his enemies."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Let us examine him with despitefulness and torture, that we may know his meekness, and prove his patience."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Let us condemn him with a shameful death: for by his own saying he shall be respected."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Such things they did imagine, and were deceived: for their own wickedness hath blinded them."},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"As for the mysteries of God, they knew them not: neither hoped they for the wages of righteousness, nor discerned a reward for blameless souls."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"For God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Nevertheless through envy of the devil came death into the world: and they that do hold of his side do find it."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and there shall no torment touch them."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure is taken for misery,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"And their going from us to be utter destruction: but they are in peace."},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality."},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded: for God proved them, and found them worthy for himself."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"As gold in the furnace hath he tried them, and received them as a burnt offering."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"And in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"They shall judge the nations, and have dominion over the people, and their Lord shall reign for ever."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth: and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him: for grace and mercy is to his saints, and he hath care for his elect."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"But the ungodly shall be punished according to their own imaginations, which have neglected the righteous, and forsaken the Lord."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"For whoso despiseth wisdom and nurture, he is miserable, and their hope is vain, their labours unfruitful, and their works unprofitable:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"Their wives are foolish, and their children wicked:"},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Their offspring is cursed. Wherefore blessed is the barren that is undefiled, which hath not known the sinful bed: she shall have fruit in the visitation of souls."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"And blessed is the eunuch, which with his hands hath wrought no iniquity, nor imagined wicked things against God: for unto him shall be given the special gift of faith, and an inheritance in the temple of the Lord more acceptable to his mind."},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"For glorious is the fruit of good labours: and the root of wisdom shall never fall away."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"As for the children of adulterers, they shall not come to their perfection, and the seed of an unrighteous bed shall be rooted out."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"For though they live long, yet shall they be nothing regarded: and their last age shall be without honour."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"Or, if they die quickly, they have no hope, neither comfort in the day of trial."},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"For horrible is the end of the unrighteous generation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Better it is to have no children, and to have virtue: for the memorial thereof is immortal: because it is known with God, and with men."},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"When it is present, men take example at it; and when it is gone, they desire it: it weareth a crown, and triumpheth for ever, having gotten the victory, striving for undefiled rewards."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"But the multiplying brood of the ungodly shall not thrive, nor take deep rooting from bastard slips, nor lay any fast foundation."},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"For though they flourish in branches for a time; yet standing not last, they shall be shaken with the wind, and through the force of winds they shall be rooted out."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"The imperfect branches shall be broken off, their fruit unprofitable, not ripe to eat, yea, meet for nothing."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"For children begotten of unlawful beds are witnesses of wickedness against their parents in their trial."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"But though the righteous be prevented with death, yet shall he be in rest."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, nor that is measured by number of years."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"But wisdom is the gray hair unto men, and an unspotted life is old age."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"He pleased God, and was beloved of him: so that living among sinners he was translated."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"Yea speedily was he taken away, lest that wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"For the bewitching of naughtiness doth obscure things that are honest; and the wandering of concupiscence doth undermine the simple mind."},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"He, being made perfect in a short time, fulfilled a long time:"},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"For his soul pleased the Lord: therefore hasted he to take him away from among the wicked."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"This the people saw, and understood it not, neither laid they up this in their minds, That his grace and mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect unto his chosen."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"Thus the righteous that is dead shall condemn the ungodly which are living; and youth that is soon perfected the many years and old age of the unrighteous."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"For they shall see the end of the wise, and shall not understand what God in his counsel hath decreed of him, and to what end the Lord hath set him in safety."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"They shall see him, and despise him; but God shall laugh them to scorn: and they shall hereafter be a vile carcase, and a reproach among the dead for evermore."},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"For he shall rend them, and cast them down headlong, that they shall be speechless; and he shall shake them from the foundation; and they shall be utterly laid waste, and be in sorrow; and their memorial shall perish."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"And when they cast up the accounts of their sins, they shall come with fear: and their own iniquities shall convince them to their face."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Then shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of such as have afflicted him, and made no account of his labours."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"When they see it, they shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the strangeness of his salvation, so far beyond all that they looked for."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"And they repenting and groaning for anguish of spirit shall say within themselves, This was he, whom we had sometimes in derision, and a proverb of reproach:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"We fools accounted his life madness, and his end to be without honour:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"How is he numbered among the children of God, and his lot is among the saints!"},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"Therefore have we erred from the way of truth, and the light of righteousness hath not shined unto us, and the sun of righteousness rose not upon us."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"We wearied ourselves in the way of wickedness and destruction: yea, we have gone through deserts, where there lay no way: but as for the way of the Lord, we have not known it."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"What hath pride profited us? or what good hath riches with our vaunting brought us?"},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"All those things are passed away like a shadow, and as a post that hasted by;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"And as a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"Or as when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found, but the light air being beaten with the stroke of her wings and parted with the violent noise and motion of them, is passed through, and therein afterwards no sign where she went is to be found;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"Or like as when an arrow is shot at a mark, it parteth the air, which immediately cometh together again, so that a man cannot know where it went through:"},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"Even so we in like manner, as soon as we were born, began to draw to our end, and had no sign of virtue to shew; but were consumed in our own wickedness."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"For the hope of the ungodly is like dust that is blown away with the wind; like a thin froth that is driven away with the storm; like as the smoke which is dispersed here and there with a tempest, and passeth away as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but a day."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"But the righteous live for evermore; their reward also is with the Lord, and the care of them is with the most High."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, and a beautiful crown from the Lord’s hand: for with his right hand shall he cover them, and with his arm shall he protect them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"He shall take to him his jealousy for complete armour, and make the creature his weapon for the revenge of his enemies."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"He shall put on righteousness as a breastplate, and true judgment instead of an helmet."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"He shall take holiness for an invincible shield."},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"His severe wrath shall he sharpen for a sword, and the world shall fight with him against the unwise."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"Then shall the right aiming thunderbolts go abroad; and from the clouds, as from a well drawn bow, shall they fly to the mark."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"And hailstones full of wrath shall be cast as out of a stone bow, and the water of the sea shall rage against them, and the floods shall cruelly drown them."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"Yea, a mighty wind shall stand up against them, and like a storm shall blow them away: thus iniquity shall lay waste the whole earth, and ill dealing shall overthrow the thrones of the mighty."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Hear therefore, O ye kings, and understand; learn, ye that be judges of the ends of the earth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Give ear, ye that rule the people, and glory in the multitude of nations."},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"For power is given you of the Lord, and sovereignty from the Highest, who shall try your works, and search out your counsels."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Because, being ministers of his kingdom, ye have not judged aright, nor kept the law, nor walked after the counsel of God;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"Horribly and speedily shall he come upon you: for a sharp judgment shall be to them that be in high places."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"For mercy will soon pardon the meanest: but mighty men shall be mightily tormented."},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"For he which is Lord over all shall fear no man’s person, neither shall he stand in awe of any man’s greatness: for he hath made the small and great, and careth for all alike."},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"But a sore trial shall come upon the mighty."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Unto you therefore, O kings, do I speak, that ye may learn wisdom, and not fall away."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"For they that keep holiness holily shall be judged holy: and they that have learned such things shall find what to answer."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Wherefore set your affection upon my words; desire them, and ye shall be instructed."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Wisdom is glorious, and never fadeth away: yea, she is easily seen of them that love her, and found of such as seek her."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"She preventeth them that desire her, in making herself first known unto them."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"Whoso seeketh her early shall have no great travail: for he shall find her sitting at his doors."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"To think therefore upon her is perfection of wisdom: and whoso watcheth for her shall quickly be without care."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"For she goeth about seeking such as are worthy of her, sheweth herself favourably unto them in the ways, and meeteth them in every thought."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"For the very true beginning of her is the desire of discipline; and the care of discipline is love;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"And love is the keeping of her laws; and the giving heed unto her laws is the assurance of incorruption;"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"And incorruption maketh us near unto God:"},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"Therefore the desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"If your delight be then in thrones and sceptres, O ye kings of the people, honour wisdom, that ye may reign for evermore."},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"As for wisdom, what she is, and how she came up, I will tell you, and will not hide mysteries from you: but will seek her out from the beginning of her nativity, and bring the knowledge of her into light, and will not pass over the truth."},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"Neither will I go with consuming envy; for such a man shall have no fellowship with wisdom."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"But the multitude of the wise is the welfare of the world: and a wise king is the upholding of the people."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Receive therefore instruction through my words, and it shall do you good."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"I myself also am a mortal man, like to all, and the offspring of him that was first made of the earth,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"And in my mother’s womb was fashioned to be flesh in the time of ten months, being compacted in blood, of the seed of man, and the pleasure that came with sleep."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"And when I was born, I drew in the common air, and fell upon the earth, which is of like nature, and the first voice which I uttered was crying, as all others do."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"I was nursed in swaddling clothes, and that with cares."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"For there is no king that had any other beginning of birth."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"For all men have one entrance into life, and the like going out."},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"Neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light: for the light that cometh from her never goeth out."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"All good things together came to me with her, and innumerable riches in her hands."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"And I rejoiced in them all, because wisdom goeth before them: and I knew not that she was the mother of them."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"I learned diligently, and do communicate her liberally: I do not hide her riches."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"For she is a treasure unto men that never faileth: which they that use become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts that come from learning."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"God hath granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are given me: because it is he that leadeth unto wisdom, and directeth the wise."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of workmanship."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"For he hath given me certain knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"The beginning, ending, and midst of the times: the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"The circuits of years, and the positions of stars:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"The natures of living creatures, and the furies of wild beasts: the violence of winds, and the reasonings of men: the diversities of plants and the virtues of roots:"},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"And all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"For wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me: for in her is an understanding spirit holy, one only, manifold, subtil, lively, clear, undefiled, plain, not subject to hurt, loving the thing that is good quick, which cannot be letted, ready to do good,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"Kind to man, steadfast, sure, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things, and going through all understanding, pure, and most subtil, spirits."},{"chapter":7,"verse":24,"text":"For wisdom is more moving than any motion: she passeth and goeth through all things by reason of her pureness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":25,"text":"For she is the breath of the power of God, and a pure influence flowing from the glory of the Almighty: therefore can no defiled thing fall into her."},{"chapter":7,"verse":26,"text":"For she is the brightness of the everlasting light, the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness."},{"chapter":7,"verse":27,"text":"And being but one, she can do all things: and remaining in herself, she maketh all things new: and in all ages entering into holy souls, she maketh them friends of God, and prophets."},{"chapter":7,"verse":28,"text":"For God loveth none but him that dwelleth with wisdom."},{"chapter":7,"verse":29,"text":"For she is more beautiful than the sun, and above all the order of stars: being compared with the light, she is found before it."},{"chapter":7,"verse":30,"text":"For after this cometh night: but vice shall not prevail against wisdom."},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"Wisdom reacheth from one end to another mightily: and sweetly doth she order all things."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"I loved her, and sought her out from my youth, I desired to make her my spouse, and I was a lover of her beauty."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"In that she is conversant with God, she magnifieth her nobility: yea, the Lord of all things himself loved her."},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"For she is privy to the mysteries of the knowledge of God, and a lover of his works."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"If riches be a possession to be desired in this life; what is richer than wisdom, that worketh all things?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"And if prudence work; who of all that are is a more cunning workman than she?"},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"And if a man love righteousness her labours are virtues: for she teacheth temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude: which are such things, as men can have nothing more profitable in their life."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"If a man desire much experience, she knoweth things of old, and conjectureth aright what is to come: she knoweth the subtilties of speeches, and can expound dark sentences: she foreseeth signs and wonders, and the events of seasons and times."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"Therefore I purposed to take her to me to live with me, knowing that she would be a counsellor of good things, and a comfort in cares and grief."},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"For her sake I shall have estimation among the multitude, and honour with the elders, though I be young."},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"I shall be found of a quick conceit in judgment, and shall be admired in the sight of great men."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"When I hold my tongue, they shall bide my leisure, and when I speak, they shall give good ear unto me: if I talk much, they shall lay their hands upon their mouth."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"Moreover by the means of her I shall obtain immortality, and leave behind me an everlasting memorial to them that come after me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"I shall set the people in order, and the nations shall be subject unto me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Horrible tyrants shall be afraid, when they do but hear of me; I shall be found good among the multitude, and valiant in war."},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"After I am come into mine house, I will repose myself with her: for her conversation hath no bitterness; and to live with her hath no sorrow, but mirth and joy."},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"Now when I considered these things in myself, and pondered them in my heart, how that to be allied unto wisdom is immortality;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"And great pleasure it is to have her friendship; and in the works of her hands are infinite riches; and in the exercise of conference with her, prudence; and in talking with her, a good report; I went about seeking how to take her to me."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"For I was a witty child, and had a good spirit."},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"Yea rather, being good, I came into a body undefiled."},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"Nevertheless, when I perceived that I could not otherwise obtain her, except God gave her me; and that was a point of wisdom also to know whose gift she was; I prayed unto the Lord, and besought him, and with my whole heart I said,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"O God of my fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"And ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"And order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"Give me wisdom, that sitteth by thy throne; and reject me not from among thy children:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"For I thy servant and son of thine handmaid am a feeble person, and of a short time, and too young for the understanding of judgment and laws."},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"For though a man be never so perfect among the children of men, yet if thy wisdom be not with him, he shall be nothing regarded."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"Thou hast chosen me to be a king of thy people, and a judge of thy sons and daughters:"},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"Thou hast commanded me to build a temple upon thy holy mount, and an altar in the city wherein thou dwellest, a resemblance of the holy tabernacle, which thou hast prepared from the beginning."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"And wisdom was with thee: which knoweth thy works, and was present when thou madest the world, and knew what was acceptable in thy sight, and right in thy commandments."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"O send her out of thy holy heavens, and from the throne of thy glory, that being present she may labour with me, that I may know what is pleasing unto thee."},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"For she knoweth and understandeth all things, and she shall lead me soberly in my doings, and preserve me in her power."},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"So shall my works be acceptable, and then shall I judge thy people righteously, and be worthy to sit in my father’s seat."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain."},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things."},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labour do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?"},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom."},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"And gave him power to rule all things."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"But when the unrighteous went away from her in his anger, he perished also in the fury wherewith he murdered his brother."},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"For whose cause the earth being drowned with the flood, wisdom again preserved it, and directed the course of the righteous in a piece of wood of small value."},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Moreover, the nations in their wicked conspiracy being confounded, she found out the righteous, and preserved him blameless unto God, and kept him strong against his tender compassion toward his son."},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"When the ungodly perished, she delivered the righteous man, who fled from the fire which fell down upon the five cities."},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"Of whose wickedness even to this day the waste land that smoketh is a testimony, and plants bearing fruit that never come to ripeness: and a standing pillar of salt is a monument of an unbelieving soul."},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"For regarding not wisdom, they gat not only this hurt, that they knew not the things which were good; but also left behind them to the world a memorial of their foolishness: so that in the things wherein they offended they could not so much as be hid."},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"But wisdom delivered from pain those that attended upon her."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"When the righteous fled from his brother’s wrath she guided him in right paths, shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him knowledge of holy things, made him rich in his travels, and multiplied the fruit of his labours."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"In the covetousness of such as oppressed him she stood by him, and made him rich."},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"She defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait, and in a sore conflict she gave him the victory; that he might know that goodness is stronger than all."},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"When the righteous was sold, she forsook him not, but delivered him from sin: she went down with him into the pit,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"And left him not in bonds, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: as for them that had accused him, she shewed them to be liars, and gave him perpetual glory."},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"She delivered the righteous people and blameless seed from the nation that oppressed them."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"She entered into the soul of the servant of the Lord, and withstood dreadful kings in wonders and signs;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"Rendered to the righteous a reward of their labours, guided them in a marvellous way, and was unto them for a cover by day, and a light of stars in the night season;"},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"Brought them through the Red sea, and led them through much water:"},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"But she drowned their enemies, and cast them up out of the bottom of the deep."},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"Therefore the righteous spoiled the ungodly, and praised thy holy name, O Lord, and magnified with one accord thine hand, that fought for them."},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"For wisdom opened the mouth of the dumb, and made the tongues of them that cannot speak eloquent."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"She prospered their works in the hand of the holy prophet."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"They went through the wilderness that was not inhabited, and pitched tents in places where there lay no way."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"They stood against their enemies, and were avenged of their adversaries."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"When they were thirsty, they called upon thee, and water was given them out of the flinty rock, and their thirst was quenched out of the hard stone."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"For by what things their enemies were punished, by the same they in their need were benefited."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"For instead of a perpetual running river troubled with foul blood,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"For a manifest reproof of that commandment, whereby the infants were slain, thou gavest unto them abundance of water by a means which they hoped not for:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"Declaring by that thirst then how thou hadst punished their adversaries."},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"For when they were tried albeit but in mercy chastised, they knew how the ungodly were judged in wrath and tormented, thirsting in another manner than the just."},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"For these thou didst admonish and try, as a father: but the other, as a severe king, thou didst condemn and punish."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"Whether they were absent or present, they were vexed alike."},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"For a double grief came upon them, and a groaning for the remembrance of things past."},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"For when they heard by their own punishments the other to be benefited, they had some feeling of the Lord."},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"For whom they respected with scorn, when he was long before thrown out at the casting forth of the infants, him in the end, when they saw what came to pass, they admired."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"But for the foolish devices of their wickedness, wherewith being deceived they worshipped serpents void of reason, and vile beasts, thou didst send a multitude of unreasonable beasts upon them for vengeance;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"That they might know, that wherewithal a man sinneth, by the same also shall he be punished."},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"For thy Almighty hand, that made the world of matter without form, wanted not means to send among them a multitude of bears or fierce lions,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"Or unknown wild beasts, full of rage, newly created, breathing out either a fiery vapour, or filthy scents of scattered smoke, or shooting horrible sparkles out of their eyes:"},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"Whereof not only the harm might dispatch them at once, but also the terrible sight utterly destroy them."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"Yea, and without these might they have fallen down with one blast, being persecuted of vengeance, and scattered abroad through the breath of thy power: but thou hast ordered all things in measure and number and weight."},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"For thou canst shew thy great strength at all times when thou wilt; and who may withstand the power of thine arm?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"For the whole world before thee is as a little grain of the balance, yea, as a drop of the morning dew that falleth down upon the earth."},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"For thou lovest all the things that are, and abhorrest nothing which thou hast made: for never wouldest thou have made any thing, if thou hadst hated it."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"And how could any thing have endured, if it had not been thy will? or been preserved, if not called by thee?"},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"But thou sparest all: for they are thine, O Lord, thou lover of souls."},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"For thine incorruptible Spirit is in all things."},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"Therefore chastenest thou them by little and little that offend, and warnest them by putting them in remembrance wherein they have offended, that leaving their wickedness they may believe on thee, O Lord."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"For it was thy will to destroy by the hands of our fathers both those old inhabitants of thy holy land,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"Whom thou hatedst for doing most odious works of witchcrafts, and wicked sacrifices;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"And also those merciless murderers of children, and devourers of man’s flesh, and the feasts of blood,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"With their priests out of the midst of their idolatrous crew, and the parents, that killed with their own hands souls destitute of help:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"That the land, which thou esteemedst above all other, might receive a worthy colony of God’s children."},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"Nevertheless even those thou sparedst as men, and didst send wasps, forerunners of thine host, to destroy them by little and little."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"Not that thou wast unable to bring the ungodly under the hand of the righteous in battle, or to destroy them at once with cruel beasts, or with one rough word:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"But executing thy judgments upon them by little and little, thou gavest them place of repentance, not being ignorant that they were a naughty generation, and that their malice was bred in them, and that their cogitation would never be changed."},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"For it was a cursed seed from the beginning; neither didst thou for fear of any man give them pardon for those things wherein they sinned."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"For who shall say, What hast thou done? or who shall withstand thy judgment? or who shall accuse thee for the nations that perish, whom thou made? or who shall come to stand against thee, to be revenged for the unrighteous men?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"For neither is there any God but thou that careth for all, to whom thou mightest shew that thy judgment is not unright."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"Neither shall king or tyrant be able to set his face against thee for any whom thou hast punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"Forsomuch then as thou art righteous thyself, thou orderest all things righteously: thinking it not agreeable with thy power to condemn him that hath not deserved to be punished."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"For thy power is the beginning of righteousness, and because thou art the Lord of all, it maketh thee to be gracious unto all."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"For when men will not believe that thou art of a full power, thou shewest thy strength, and among them that know it thou makest their boldness manifest."},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"But thou, mastering thy power, judgest with equity, and orderest us with great favour: for thou mayest use power when thou wilt."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"But by such works hast thou taught thy people that the just man should be merciful, and hast made thy children to be of a good hope that thou givest repentance for sins."},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"For if thou didst punish the enemies of thy children, and the condemned to death, with such deliberation, giving them time and place, whereby they might be delivered from their malice:"},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"With how great circumspection didst thou judge thine own sons, unto whose fathers thou hast sworn, and made covenants of good promises?"},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"Therefore, whereas thou dost chasten us, thou scourgest our enemies a thousand times more, to the intent that, when we judge, we should carefully think of thy goodness, and when we ourselves are judged, we should look for mercy."},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"Wherefore, whereas men have lived dissolutely and unrighteously, thou hast tormented them with their own abominations."},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"For they went astray very far in the ways of error, and held them for gods, which even among the beasts of their enemies were despised, being deceived, as children of no understanding."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore unto them, as to children without the use of reason, thou didst send a judgment to mock them."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"But they that would not be reformed by that correction, wherein he dallied with them, shall feel a judgment worthy of God."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"For, look, for what things they grudged, when they were punished, that is, for them whom they thought to be gods; [now] being punished in them, when they saw it, they acknowledged him to be the true God, whom before they denied to know: and therefore came extreme damnation upon them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"But deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"With whose beauty if they being delighted took them to be gods; let them know how much better the Lord of them is: for the first author of beauty hath created them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"But if they were astonished at their power and virtue, let them understand by them, how much mightier he is that made them."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"For by the greatness and beauty of the creatures proportionably the maker of them is seen."},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"But yet for this they are the less to be blamed: for they peradventure err, seeking God, and desirous to find him."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"For being conversant in his works they search him diligently, and believe their sight: because the things are beautiful that are seen."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"Howbeit neither are they to be pardoned."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"For if they were able to know so much, that they could aim at the world; how did they not sooner find out the Lord thereof?"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"But miserable are they, and in dead things is their hope, who call them gods, which are the works of men’s hands, gold and silver, to shew art in, and resemblances of beasts, or a stone good for nothing, the work of an ancient hand."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"Now a carpenter that felleth timber, after he hath sawn down a tree meet for the purpose, and taken off all the bark skilfully round about, and hath wrought it handsomely, and made a vessel thereof fit for the service of man’s life;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"And after spending the refuse of his work to dress his meat, hath filled himself;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"And taking the very refuse among those which served to no use, being a crooked piece of wood, and full of knots, hath carved it diligently, when he had nothing else to do, and formed it by the skill of his understanding, and fashioned it to the image of a man;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"Or made it like some vile beast, laying it over with vermilion, and with paint colouring it red, and covering every spot therein;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"And when he had made a convenient room for it, set it in a wall, and made it fast with iron:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"For he provided for it that it might not fall, knowing that it was unable to help itself; for it is an image, and hath need of help:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"Then maketh he prayer for his goods, for his wife and children, and is not ashamed to speak to that which hath no life."},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"For health he calleth upon that which is weak: for life prayeth to that which is dead; for aid humbly beseecheth that which hath least means to help: and for a good journey he asketh of that which cannot set a foot forward:"},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"And for gaining and getting, and for good success of his hands, asketh ability to do of him, that is most unable to do any thing."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"Again, one preparing himself to sail, and about to pass through the raging waves, calleth upon a piece of wood more rotten than the vessel that carrieth him."},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"For verily desire of gain devised that, and the workman built it by his skill."},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"But thy providence, O Father, governeth it: for thou hast made a way in the sea, and a safe path in the waves;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"Shewing that thou canst save from all danger: yea, though a man went to sea without art."},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"Nevertheless thou wouldest not that the works of thy wisdom should be idle, and therefore do men commit their lives to a small piece of wood, and passing the rough sea in a weak vessel are saved."},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"For in the old time also, when the proud giants perished, the hope of the world governed by thy hand escaped in a weak vessel, and left to all ages a seed of generation."},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"For blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh."},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"But that which is made with hands is cursed, as well it, as he that made it: he, because he made it; and it, because, being corruptible, it was called god."},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"For the ungodly and his ungodliness are both alike hateful unto God."},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"For that which is made shall be punished together with him that made it."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"Therefore even upon the idols of the Gentiles shall there be a visitation: because in the creature of God they are become an abomination, and stumblingblocks to the souls of men, and a snare to the feet of the unwise."},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"For the devising of idols was the beginning of spiritual fornication, and the invention of them the corruption of life."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"For neither were they from the beginning, neither shall they be for ever."},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"For by the vain glory of men they entered into the world, and therefore shall they come shortly to an end."},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"For a father afflicted with untimely mourning, when he hath made an image of his child soon taken away, now honoured him as a god, which was then a dead man, and delivered to those that were under him ceremonies and sacrifices."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"Thus in process of time an ungodly custom grown strong was kept as a law, and graven images were worshipped by the commandments of kings."},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"Whom men could not honour in presence, because they dwelt far off, they took the counterfeit of his visage from far, and made an express image of a king whom they honoured, to the end that by this their forwardness they might flatter him that was absent, as if he were present."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"Also the singular diligence of the artificer did help to set forward the ignorant to more superstition."},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"For he, peradventure willing to please one in authority, forced all his skill to make the resemblance of the best fashion."},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"And so the multitude, allured by the grace of the work, took him now for a god, which a little before was but honoured."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"And this was an occasion to deceive the world: for men, serving either calamity or tyranny, did ascribe unto stones and stocks the incommunicable name."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"Moreover this was not enough for them, that they erred in the knowledge of God; but whereas they lived in the great war of ignorance, those so great plagues called they peace."},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"For whilst they slew their children in sacrifices, or used secret ceremonies, or made revellings of strange rites;"},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"They kept neither lives nor marriages any longer undefiled: but either one slew another traiterously, or grieved him by adultery."},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"So that there reigned in all men without exception blood, manslaughter, theft, and dissimulation, corruption, unfaithfulness, tumults, perjury,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"Disquieting of good men, forgetfulness of good turns, defiling of souls, changing of kind, disorder in marriages, adultery, and shameless uncleanness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"For the worshipping of idols not to be named is the beginning, the cause, and the end, of all evil."},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"For either they are mad when they be merry, or prophesy lies, or live unjustly, or else lightly forswear themselves."},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"For insomuch as their trust is in idols, which have no life; though they swear falsely, yet they look not to be hurt."},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"Howbeit for both causes shall they be justly punished: both because they thought not well of God, giving heed unto idols, and also unjustly swore in deceit, despising holiness."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"For it is not the power of them by whom they swear: but it is the just vengeance of sinners, that punisheth always the offence of the ungodly."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"But thou, O God, art gracious and true, longsuffering, and in mercy ordering all things,"},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"For if we sin, we are thine, knowing thy power: but we will not sin, knowing that we are counted thine."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"For to know thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"For neither did the mischievous invention of men deceive us, nor an image spotted with divers colours, the painter’s fruitless labour;"},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"The sight whereof enticeth fools to lust after it, and so they desire the form of a dead image, that hath no breath."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"Both they that make them, they that desire them, and they that worship them, are lovers of evil things, and are worthy to have such things to trust upon."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"For the potter, tempering soft earth, fashioneth every vessel with much labour for our service: yea, of the same clay he maketh both the vessels that serve for clean uses, and likewise also all such as serve to the contrary: but what is the use of either sort, the potter himself is the judge."},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"And employing his labours lewdly, he maketh a vain god of the same clay, even he which a little before was made of earth himself, and within a little while after returneth to the same, out when his life which was lent him shall be demanded."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"Notwithstanding his care is, not that he shall have much labour, nor that his life is short: but striveth to excel goldsmiths and silversmiths, and endeavoureth to do like the workers in brass, and counteth it his glory to make counterfeit things."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"His heart is ashes, his hope is more vile than earth, and his life of less value than clay:"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"Forasmuch as he knew not his Maker, and him that inspired into him an active soul, and breathed in a living spirit."},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"But they counted our life a pastime, and our time here a market for gain: for, say they, we must be getting every way, though it be by evil means."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"For this man, that of earthly matter maketh brittle vessels and graven images, knoweth himself to offend above all others."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"And all the enemies of thy people, that hold them in subjection, are most foolish, and are more miserable than very babes."},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"For they counted all the idols of the heathen to be gods: which neither have the use of eyes to see, nor noses to draw breath, nor ears to hear, nor fingers of hands to handle; and as for their feet, they are slow to go."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"For man made them, and he that borrowed his own spirit fashioned them: but no man can make a god like unto himself."},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"For being mortal, he worketh a dead thing with wicked hands: for he himself is better than the things which he worshippeth: whereas he lived once, but they never."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"Yea, they worshipped those beasts also that are most hateful: for being compared together, some are worse than others."},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"Neither are they beautiful, so much as to be desired in respect of beasts: but they went without the praise of God and his blessing."},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"Therefore by the like were they punished worthily, and by the multitude of beasts tormented."},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Instead of which punishment, dealing graciously with thine own people, thou preparedst for them meat of a strange taste, even quails to stir up their appetite:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"To the end that they, desiring food, might for the ugly sight of the beasts sent among them lothe even that, which they must needs desire; but these, suffering penury for a short space, might be made partakers of a strange taste."},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"For it was requisite, that upon them exercising tyranny should come penury, which they could not avoid: but to these it should only be shewed how their enemies were tormented."},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"For when the horrible fierceness of beasts came upon these, and they perished with the stings of crooked serpents, thy wrath endured not for ever:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"But they were troubled for a small season, that they might be admonished, having a sign of salvation, to put them in remembrance of the commandment of thy law."},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"For he that turned himself toward it was not saved by the thing that he saw, but by thee, that art the Saviour of all."},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"And in this thou madest thine enemies confess, that it is thou who deliverest from all evil:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"For them the bitings of grasshoppers and flies killed, neither was there found any remedy for their life: for they were worthy to be punished by such."},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"But thy sons not the very teeth of venomous dragons overcame: for thy mercy was ever by them, and healed them."},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"For they were pricked, that they should remember thy words; and were quickly saved, that not falling into deep forgetfulness, they might be continually mindful of thy goodness."},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"For it was neither herb, nor mollifying plaister, that restored them to health: but thy word, O Lord, which healeth all things."},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"For thou hast power of life and death: thou leadest to the gates of hell, and bringest up again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"A man indeed killeth through his malice: and the spirit, when it is gone forth, returneth not; neither the soul received up cometh again."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"But it is not possible to escape thine hand."},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"For the ungodly, that denied to know thee, were scourged by the strength of thine arm: with strange rains, hails, and showers, were they persecuted, that they could not avoid, and through fire were they consumed."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"For, which is most to be wondered at, the fire had more force in the water, that quencheth all things: for the world fighteth for the righteous."},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"For sometime the flame was mitigated, that it might not burn up the beasts that were sent against the ungodly; but themselves might see and perceive that they were persecuted with the judgment of God."},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"And at another time it burneth even in the midst of water above the power of fire, that it might destroy the fruits of an unjust land."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"Instead whereof thou feddest thine own people with angels’ food, and didst send them from heaven bread prepared without their labour, able to content every man’s delight, and agreeing to every taste."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"For thy sustenance declared thy sweetness unto thy children, and serving to the appetite of the eater, tempered itself to every man’s liking."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"But snow and ice endured the fire, and melted not, that they might know that fire burning in the hail, and sparkling in the rain, did destroy the fruits of the enemies."},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"But this again did even forget his own strength, that the righteous might be nourished."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"For the creature that serveth thee, who art the Maker increaseth his strength against the unrighteous for their punishment, and abateth his strength for the benefit of such as put their trust in thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"Therefore even then was it altered into all fashions, and was obedient to thy grace, that nourisheth all things, according to the desire of them that had need:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"That thy children, O Lord, whom thou lovest, might know, that it is not the growing of fruits that nourisheth man: but that it is thy word, which preserveth them that put their trust in thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"For that which was not destroyed of the fire, being warmed with a little sunbeam, soon melted away:"},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"That it might be known, that we must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the dayspring pray unto thee."},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"For the hope of the unthankful shall melt away as the winter’s hoar frost, and shall run away as unprofitable water."},{"chapter":17,"verse":1,"text":"For great are thy judgments, and cannot be expressed: therefore unnurtured souls have erred."},{"chapter":17,"verse":2,"text":"For when unrighteous men thought to oppress the holy nation; they being shut up in their houses, the prisoners of darkness, and fettered with the bonds of a long night, lay [there] exiled from the eternal providence."},{"chapter":17,"verse":3,"text":"For while they supposed to lie hid in their secret sins, they were scattered under a dark veil of forgetfulness, being horribly astonished, and troubled with [strange] apparitions."},{"chapter":17,"verse":4,"text":"For neither might the corner that held them keep them from fear: but noises [as of waters] falling down sounded about them, and sad visions appeared unto them with heavy countenances."},{"chapter":17,"verse":5,"text":"No power of the fire might give them light: neither could the bright flames of the stars endure to lighten that horrible night."},{"chapter":17,"verse":6,"text":"Only there appeared unto them a fire kindled of itself, very dreadful: for being much terrified, they thought the things which they saw to be worse than the sight they saw not."},{"chapter":17,"verse":7,"text":"As for the illusions of art magick, they were put down, and their vaunting in wisdom was reproved with disgrace."},{"chapter":17,"verse":8,"text":"For they, that promised to drive away terrors and troubles from a sick soul, were sick themselves of fear, worthy to be laughed at."},{"chapter":17,"verse":9,"text":"For though no terrible thing did fear them; yet being scared with beasts that passed by, and hissing of serpents,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":10,"text":"They died for fear, denying that they saw the air, which could of no side be avoided."},{"chapter":17,"verse":11,"text":"For wickedness, condemned by her own witness, is very timorous, and being pressed with conscience, always forecasteth grievous things."},{"chapter":17,"verse":12,"text":"For fear is nothing else but a betraying of the succours which reason offereth."},{"chapter":17,"verse":13,"text":"And the expectation from within, being less, counteth the ignorance more than the cause which bringeth the torment."},{"chapter":17,"verse":14,"text":"But they sleeping the same sleep that night, which was indeed intolerable, and which came upon them out of the bottoms of inevitable hell,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":15,"text":"Were partly vexed with monstrous apparitions, and partly fainted, their heart failing them: for a sudden fear, and not looked for, came upon them."},{"chapter":17,"verse":16,"text":"So then whosoever there fell down was straitly kept, shut up in a prison without iron bars,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":17,"text":"For whether he were husbandman, or shepherd, or a labourer in the field, he was overtaken, and endured that necessity, which could not be avoided: for they were all bound with one chain of darkness."},{"chapter":17,"verse":18,"text":"Whether it were a whistling wind, or a melodious noise of birds among the spreading branches, or a pleasing fall of water running violently,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":19,"text":"Or a terrible sound of stones cast down, or a running that could not be seen of skipping beasts, or a roaring voice of most savage wild beasts, or a rebounding echo from the hollow mountains; these things made them to swoon for fear."},{"chapter":17,"verse":20,"text":"For the whole world shined with clear light, and none were hindered in their labour:"},{"chapter":17,"verse":21,"text":"Over them only was spread an heavy night, an image of that darkness which should afterward receive them: but yet were they unto themselves more grievous than the darkness."},{"chapter":18,"verse":1,"text":"Nevertheless thy saints had a very great light, whose voice they hearing, and not seeing their shape, because they also had not suffered the same things, they counted them happy."},{"chapter":18,"verse":2,"text":"But for that they did not hurt them now, of whom they had been wronged before, they thanked them, and besought them pardon for that they had been enemies."},{"chapter":18,"verse":3,"text":"Instead whereof thou gavest them a burning pillar of fire, both to be a guide of the unknown journey, and an harmless sun to entertain them honourably."},{"chapter":18,"verse":4,"text":"For they were worthy to be deprived of light and imprisoned in darkness, who had kept thy sons shut up, by whom the uncorrupt light of the law was to be given unto the world."},{"chapter":18,"verse":5,"text":"And when they had determined to slay the babes of the saints, one child being cast forth, and saved, to reprove them, thou tookest away the multitude of their children, and destroyedst them altogether in a mighty water."},{"chapter":18,"verse":6,"text":"Of that night were our fathers certified afore, that assuredly knowing unto what oaths they had given credence, they might afterwards be of good cheer."},{"chapter":18,"verse":7,"text":"So of thy people was accepted both the salvation of the righteous, and destruction of the enemies."},{"chapter":18,"verse":8,"text":"For wherewith thou didst punish our adversaries, by the same thou didst glorify us, whom thou hadst called."},{"chapter":18,"verse":9,"text":"For the righteous children of good men did sacrifice secretly, and with one consent made a holy law, that the saints should be like partakers of the same good and evil, the fathers now singing out the songs of praise."},{"chapter":18,"verse":10,"text":"But on the other side there sounded an ill according cry of the enemies, and a lamentable noise was carried abroad for children that were bewailed."},{"chapter":18,"verse":11,"text":"The master and the servant were punished after one manner; and like as the king, so suffered the common person."},{"chapter":18,"verse":12,"text":"So they all together had innumerable dead with one kind of death; neither were the living sufficient to bury them: for in one moment the noblest offspring of them was destroyed."},{"chapter":18,"verse":13,"text":"For whereas they would not believe any thing by reason of the enchantments; upon the destruction of the firstborn, they acknowledged this people to be the sons of God."},{"chapter":18,"verse":14,"text":"For while all things were in quiet silence, and that night was in the midst of her swift course,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":15,"text":"Thine Almighty word leaped down from heaven out of thy royal throne, as a fierce man of war into the midst of a land of destruction,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":16,"text":"And brought thine unfeigned commandment as a sharp sword, and standing up filled all things with death; and it touched the heaven, but it stood upon the earth."},{"chapter":18,"verse":17,"text":"Then suddenly visions of horrible dreams troubled them sore, and terrors came upon them unlooked for."},{"chapter":18,"verse":18,"text":"And one thrown here, and another there, half dead, shewed the cause of his death."},{"chapter":18,"verse":19,"text":"For the dreams that troubled them did foreshew this, lest they should perish, and not know why they were afflicted."},{"chapter":18,"verse":20,"text":"Yea, the tasting of death touched the righteous also, and there was a destruction of the multitude in the wilderness: but the wrath endured not long."},{"chapter":18,"verse":21,"text":"For then the blameless man made haste, and stood forth to defend them; and bringing the shield of his proper ministry, even prayer, and the propitiation of incense, set himself against the wrath, and so brought the calamity to an end, declaring that he was thy servant."},{"chapter":18,"verse":22,"text":"So he overcame the destroyer, not with strength of body, nor force of arms, but with a word subdued him that punished, alleging the oaths and covenants made with the fathers."},{"chapter":18,"verse":23,"text":"For when the dead were now fallen down by heaps one upon another, standing between, he stayed the wrath, and parted the way to the living."},{"chapter":18,"verse":24,"text":"For in the long garment was the whole world, and in the four rows of the stones was the glory of the fathers graven, and thy Majesty upon the diadem of his head."},{"chapter":18,"verse":25,"text":"Unto these the destroyer gave place, and was afraid of them: for it was enough that they only tasted of the wrath."},{"chapter":19,"verse":1,"text":"As for the ungodly, wrath came upon them without mercy unto the end: for he knew before what they would do;"},{"chapter":19,"verse":2,"text":"How that having given them leave to depart, and sent them hastily away, they would repent and pursue them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":3,"text":"For whilst they were yet mourning and making lamentation at the graves of the dead, they added another foolish device, and pursued them as fugitives, whom they had intreated to be gone."},{"chapter":19,"verse":4,"text":"For the destiny, whereof they were worthy, drew them unto this end, and made them forget the things that had already happened, that they might fulfil the punishment which was wanting to their torments:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":5,"text":"And that thy people might pass a wonderful way: but they might find a strange death."},{"chapter":19,"verse":6,"text":"For the whole creature in his proper kind was fashioned again anew, serving the peculiar commandments that were given unto them, that thy children might be kept without hurt:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":7,"text":"As namely, a cloud shadowing the camp; and where water stood before, dry land appeared; and out of the Red sea a way without impediment; and out of the violent stream a green field:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":8,"text":"Wherethrough all the people went that were defended with thy hand, seeing thy marvellous strange wonders."},{"chapter":19,"verse":9,"text":"For they went at large like horses, and leaped like lambs, praising thee, O Lord, who hadst delivered them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":10,"text":"For they were yet mindful of the things that were done while they sojourned in the strange land, how the ground brought forth flies instead of cattle, and how the river cast up a multitude of frogs instead of fishes."},{"chapter":19,"verse":11,"text":"But afterwards they saw a new generation of fowls, when, being led with their appetite, they asked delicate meats."},{"chapter":19,"verse":12,"text":"For quails came up unto them from the sea for their contentment."},{"chapter":19,"verse":13,"text":"And punishments came upon the sinners not without former signs by the force of thunders: for they suffered justly according to their own wickedness, insomuch as they used a more hard and hateful behaviour toward strangers."},{"chapter":19,"verse":14,"text":"For the Sodomites did not receive those, whom they knew not when they came: but these brought friends into bondage, that had well deserved of them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":15,"text":"And not only so, but peradventure some respect shall be had of those, because they used strangers not friendly:"},{"chapter":19,"verse":16,"text":"But these very grievously afflicted them, whom they had received with feastings, and were already made partakers of the same laws with them."},{"chapter":19,"verse":17,"text":"Therefore even with blindness were these stricken, as those were at the doors of the righteous man: when, being compassed about with horrible great darkness, every one sought the passage of his own doors."},{"chapter":19,"verse":18,"text":"For the elements were changed in themselves by a kind of harmony, like as in a psaltery notes change the name of the tune, and yet are always sounds; which may well be perceived by the sight of the things that have been done."},{"chapter":19,"verse":19,"text":"For earthly things were turned into watery, and the things, that before swam in the water, now went upon the ground."},{"chapter":19,"verse":20,"text":"The fire had power in the water, forgetting his own virtue: and the water forgat his own quenching nature."},{"chapter":19,"verse":21,"text":"On the other side, the flames wasted not the flesh of the corruptible living things, though they walked therein; neither melted they the icy kind of heavenly meat that was of nature apt to melt."},{"chapter":19,"verse":22,"text":"For in all things, O Lord, thou didst magnify thy people, and glorify them, neither didst thou lightly regard them: but didst assist them in every time and place."}]},{"code":"LXX","name":"Septuagint (Greek)","language":"grc","source":"Greek Septuagint as printed by Brenton (1851), public domain. Text from eBible.org","verses":[{"chapter":1,"verse":1,"text":"ἈΓΑΠΗΣΑΤΕ δικαιοσύνην οἱ κρίνοντες τὴν γῆν, φρονήσατε περὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἐν ἀγαθότητι, καὶ ἐν ἁπλότητι καρδίας ζητήσατε αὐτόν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":2,"text":"Ὅτι εὑρίσκεται τοῖς μὴ πειράζουσιν αὐτὸν, ἐμφανίζεται δὲ τοῖς μὴ ἀπιστοῦσιν αὐτῷ."},{"chapter":1,"verse":3,"text":"Σκολιοὶ γὰρ λογισμοὶ χωρίζουσιν ἀπὸ Θεοῦ, δοκιμαζομένη τε ἡ δύναμις ἐλέγχει τοὺς ἄφρονας."},{"chapter":1,"verse":4,"text":"Ὅτι εἰς κακότεχνον ψυχὴν οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται σοφία, οὐδὲ κατοικήσει ἐν σώματι κατάχρεῳ ἁμαρτίας."},{"chapter":1,"verse":5,"text":"Ἅγιον γὰρ πνεῦμα παιδείας φεύξεται δόλον, καὶ ἀπαναστήσεται ἀπὸ λογισμῶν ἀσυνέτων, καὶ ἐλεγχθήσεται ἐπελθούσης ἀδικίας."},{"chapter":1,"verse":6,"text":"Φιλάνθρωπον γὰρ πνεῦμα σοφία, καὶ οὐκ ἀθῳώσει βλάσφημον ἀπὸ χειλέων αὐτοῦ, ὅτι τῶν νεφρῶν αὐτοῦ μάρτυς ὁ Θεὸς, καὶ τῆς καρδίας αὐτοῦ ἐπίσκοπος ἀληθὴς, καὶ τῆς γλώσσης ἀκουστής·"},{"chapter":1,"verse":7,"text":"ὅτι πνεῦμα Κυρίου πεπλήρωκε τὴν οἰκουμένην, καὶ τὸ συνέχον τὰ πάντα γνῶσιν ἔχει φωνῆς."},{"chapter":1,"verse":8,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο φθεγγόμενος ἄδικα οὐδεὶς μὴ λάθῃ, οὐδὲ μὴν παροδεύσῃ αὐτὸν ἐλέγχουσα ἡ δίκη."},{"chapter":1,"verse":9,"text":"Ἐν γὰρ διαβουλίοις ἀσεβοῦς ἐξέτασις ἔσται, λόγων δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀκοὴ πρὸς Κύριον ἥξει εἰς ἔλεγχον ἀνομημάτων αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":1,"verse":10,"text":"Ὅτι οὖς ζηλώσεως ἀκροᾶται τὰ πάντα, καὶ θροῦς γογγυσμῶν οὐκ ἀποκρύπτεται."},{"chapter":1,"verse":11,"text":"Φυλάξασθε τοίνυν γογγυσμὸν ἀνωφελῆ, καὶ ἀπὸ καταλαλιᾶς φείσασθε γλώσσης· ὅτι φθέγμα λαθραῖον κενὸν οὐ πορεύσεται, στόμα δὲ καταψευδόμενον ἀναιρεῖ ψυχήν."},{"chapter":1,"verse":12,"text":"Μὴ ζηλοῦτε θάνατον ἐν πλάνῃ ζωῆς ὑμῶν, μηδὲ ἐπισπᾶσθε ὄλεθρον ἔργοις χειρῶν ὑμῶν·"},{"chapter":1,"verse":13,"text":"ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς θάνατον οὐκ ἐποίησεν, οὐδὲ τέρπεται ἐπʼ ἀπωλείᾳ ζώντων."},{"chapter":1,"verse":14,"text":"Ἔκτισε γὰρ εἰς τὸ εἶναι τὰ πάντα, καὶ σωτήριοι αἱ γενέσεις τοῦ κόσμου, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐταῖς φάρμακον ὀλέθρου, οὔτε ᾅδου βασίλειον ἐπὶ γῆς."},{"chapter":1,"verse":15,"text":"Δικαιοσύνη γὰρ ἀθάνατός ἐστιν·"},{"chapter":1,"verse":16,"text":"ἀσεβεῖς δὲ ταῖς χερσὶ καὶ τοῖς λόγοις προσεκαλέσαντο αὐτὸν, φίλον ἡγησάμεμοι αὐτὸν ἐτάκησαν, καὶ συνθήκην ἔθεντο πρὸς αὐτὸν, ὅτι ἄξιοί εἰσι τῆς ἐκείνου μερίδος εἶναι."},{"chapter":2,"verse":1,"text":"Εἶπον γὰρ ἑαυτοῖς λογισάμενοι οὐκ ὀρθῶς, ὀλίγος ἐστὶ καὶ λυπηρὸς ὁ βίος ἡμῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἴασις ἐν τελευτῇ ἀνθρώπου, καὶ οὐκ ἐγνώσθη ὁ ἀναλύσας ἐξ ᾅδου."},{"chapter":2,"verse":2,"text":"Ὅτι αὐτοσχεδίως ἐγεννήθημεν, καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο ἐσόμεθα ὡς οὐχ ὑπάρξαντες, ὅτι καπνὸς ἡ πνοὴ ἐν ῥισὶν ἡμῶν, καὶ ὁ λόγος σπινθὴρ ἐν κινήσει καρδίας ἡμῶν,"},{"chapter":2,"verse":3,"text":"οὗ σβεσθέντος τέφρα ἀποβήσεται τὸ σῶμα, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα διαχυθήσεται ὡς χαῦνος ἀήρ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":4,"text":"Καὶ τὸ ὄνομα ἡμῶν ἐπιλησθήσεται ἐν χρόνῳ, καὶ οὐθεὶς μνημονεύσει τῶν ἔργων ἡμῶν· καὶ παρελεύσεται ὁ βίος ἡμῶν ὡς ἴχνη νεφέλης, καὶ ὡς ὁμίχλη διασκεδασθήσεται διωχθεῖσα ὑπὸ ἀκτίνων ἡλίου, καὶ ὑπὸ θερμότητος αὐτοῦ βαρυνθεῖσα."},{"chapter":2,"verse":5,"text":"Σκιᾶς γὰρ πάροδος ὁ βίος ἡμῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἀναποδισμὸς τῆς τελευτῆς ἡμῶν, ὅτι κατεσφραγίσθη, καὶ οὐδεὶς ἀναστρέφει."},{"chapter":2,"verse":6,"text":"Δεῦτε οὖν καὶ ἀπολαύσωμεν τῶν ὄντων ἀγαθῶν, καὶ χρησώμεθα τῇ κτίσει ὡς νεότητι σπουδαίως."},{"chapter":2,"verse":7,"text":"Οἴνου πολυτελοῦς καὶ μύρων πλησθῶμεν, καὶ μὴ παροδευσάτω ἡμᾶς ἄνθος ἀέρος."},{"chapter":2,"verse":8,"text":"Στεψώμεθα ῥόδων κάλυξι πρινὴ μαρανθῆναι."},{"chapter":2,"verse":9,"text":"Μηδεὶς ἡμῶν ἄμοιρος ἔστω τῆς ἡμετέρας ἀγερωχίας, πανταχῆ καταλίπωμεν σύμβολα τῆς εὐφροσύνης, ὅτι αὕτη ἡ μερὶς ἡμῶν καὶ ὁ κλῆρος οὗτος."},{"chapter":2,"verse":10,"text":"Καταδυναστεύσωμεν πένητα δίκαιον, μὴ φεισώμεθα χήρας, μηδὲ πρεσβύτου ἐντραπῶμεν πολιὰς πολυχρονίους."},{"chapter":2,"verse":11,"text":"Ἔστω δὲ ἡμῶν ἡ ἰσχὺς νόμος τῆς δικαιοσύνης, τὸ γὰρ ἀσθενὲς ἄχρηστον ἐλέγχεται."},{"chapter":2,"verse":12,"text":"Ἐνεδρεύσωμεν δὲ τὸν δίκαιον, ὅτι δύσχρηστος ἡμῖν ἐστι καὶ ἐναντιοῦται τοῖς ἔργοις ἡμῶν, καὶ ὀνειδίζει ἡμῖν ἁμαρτήματα νόμου, καὶ ἐπιφημίζει ἡμῖν ἁμαρτήματα παιδείας ἡμῶν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":13,"text":"Ἐπαγγέλλεται γνῶσιν ἔχειν Θεοῦ, καὶ παῖδα Κυρίου ἑαυτὸν ὀνομάζει."},{"chapter":2,"verse":14,"text":"Ἐγένετο ἡμῖν εἰς ἔλεγχον ἐννοιῶν ἡμῶν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":15,"text":"Βαρύς ἐστιν ἡμῖν καὶ βλεπόμενος, ὅτι ἀνόμοιος τοῖς ἄλλοις ὁ βίος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξηλλαγμέναι αἱ τρίβοι αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":16,"text":"Εἰς κίβδηλον ἐλογίσθημεν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀπέχεται τῶν ὁδῶν ἡμῶν ὡς ἀπὸ ἀκαθαρσιῶν· μακαρίζει ἔσχατα δικαίων, καὶ ἀλαζονεύεται πατέρα Θεόν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":17,"text":"Ἴδωμεν εἰ οἱ λόγοι αὐτοῦ ἀληθεῖς, καὶ πειράσωμεν τὰ ἐν ἐκβάσει αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":18,"text":"Εἰ γάρ ἐστιν ὁ δίκαιος υἱὸς Θεοῦ, ἀντιλήμψεται αὐτοῦ, καὶ ῥύσεται αὐτὸν ἐκ χειρὸς ἀνθεστηκότων."},{"chapter":2,"verse":19,"text":"Ὕβρει καὶ βασάνῳ ἐτάσωμεν αὐτόν, ἵνα γνῶμεν τὴν ἐπιείκειαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ δοκιμάσωμεν τὴν ἀνεξικακίαν αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":20,"text":"Θανάτῳ ἀσχήμονι καταδικάσωμεν αὐτόν· ἔσται γὰρ αὐτοῦ ἐπισκοπὴ ἐκ λόγων αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":2,"verse":21,"text":"Ταῦτα ἐλογίσαντο, καὶ ἐπλανήθησαν· ἀπετύφλωσε γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἡ κακία αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἔγνωσαν μυστήρια"},{"chapter":2,"verse":22,"text":"Θεοῦ, οὐδὲ μισθὸν ἤλπισαν ὁσιότητος, οὐδὲ ἔκριναν γέρας ψυχῶν ἀμώμων."},{"chapter":2,"verse":23,"text":"Ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἔκτισε τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐπ ἀφθαρσίᾳ, καὶ εἰκόνα τῆς ἰδίας ἰδιότητος ἐποίησεν ἀτόν."},{"chapter":2,"verse":24,"text":"Φθόνῳ δὲ διαβόλου θάνατος εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν κόσμον· πειράζουσι δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ τῆς ἐκείνου μερίδος ὄντες."},{"chapter":3,"verse":1,"text":"Δίκαιων δὲ ψυχαὶ ἐν χειρὶ Θεοῦ, καὶ οὐ μὴ ἅψηται αὐτῶν βάσανος."},{"chapter":3,"verse":2,"text":"Ἔδοξαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ἀφρόνων τεθνάναι,"},{"chapter":3,"verse":3,"text":"καὶ ἐλογίσθη κάκωσις ἡ ἔξοδος αὐτῶν, καὶ ἡ ἀφʼ ἡμῶν πορεία σύντριμμα· οἱ δὲ εἰσιν ἐν εἰρήνῃ·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":4,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ ἐν ὄψει ἀνθρώπων ἐὰν κολασθῶσιν, ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτῶν ἀθανασίας πλήρης."},{"chapter":3,"verse":5,"text":"Καὶ ὀλίγα παιδευθέντες μεγάλα εὐεργετηθήσονται, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἐπείρασεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ εὗρεν αὐτοὺς ἀξίους ἑαυτοῦ."},{"chapter":3,"verse":6,"text":"Ὡς χρυσὸν ἐν χωνευτηρίῳ ἐδοκίμασεν αὐτούς, καὶ ὡς ὁλοκάρπωμα θυσίας προσεδέξατο αὐτούς."},{"chapter":3,"verse":7,"text":"Καὶ ἐν καιρῷ ἐπισκοπῆς αὐτῶν ἀναλάμψουσι, καὶ ὡς σπινθῆρες ἐν καλάμῃ διαδραμοῦνται."},{"chapter":3,"verse":8,"text":"Κρινοῦσιν ἔθνη καὶ κρατήσουσι λαῶν, καὶ βασιλεύσει αὐτῶν Κύριος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας."},{"chapter":3,"verse":9,"text":"Οἱ πεποιθότες ἐπʼ αὐτῷ συνήσουσιν ἀλήθειαν, καὶ οἱ πιστοὶ ἐν ἀγάπῃ προσμενοῦσιν αὐτῷ, ὅτι χάρις καὶ ἔλεος τοῖς ἐκλεκτοῖς αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":3,"verse":10,"text":"Οἱ δὲ ἀσεβεῖς καθὰ ἐλογίσαντο ἕξουσιν ἐπιτιμίαν, οἱ ἀμελήσαντες τοῦ δικαίου καὶ τοῦ Κυρίου ἀποστάντες."},{"chapter":3,"verse":11,"text":"Σοφίαν γὰρ καὶ παιδείαν ὁ ἐξουθενῶν ταλαίπωρος, καὶ κενὴ ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτῶν, καὶ οἱ κόποι ἀνόνητοι, καὶ ἄχρηστα τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":12,"text":"Αἱ γυναῖκες αὐτῶν ἄφρονες, καὶ πονηρὰ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":13,"text":"Ἐπικατάρατος ἡ γένεσις αὐτῶν, ὅτι μακαρία στεῖρα ἡ ἀμίαντος, ἥτις οὐκ ἔγνω κοίτης ἐν παραπτώματι, ἕξει καρπὸν ἐν ἐπισκοπῇ ψυχῶν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":14,"text":"Καὶ εὐνοῦχος ὁ μὴ ἐργασάμενος ἐν χειρὶ ἀνόμημα, μηδὲ ἐνθυμηθεὶς κατὰ τοῦ Κυρίου πονηρά· δοθήσεται γὰρ αὐτῷ τῆς πίστεως χάρις ἐκλεκτὴ, καὶ κλῆρος ἐν ναῷ Κυρίου θυμηρέστερος·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":15,"text":"Ἀγαθῶν γὰρ πόνων καρπὸς εὐκλεὴς, καὶ ἀδιάπτωτος ἡ ῥίζα τῆς φρονήσεως."},{"chapter":3,"verse":16,"text":"Τέκνα δὲ μοιχῶν ἀτέλεστα ἔσται, καὶ ἐκ παρανόμου κοίτης σπέρμα ἀφανισθήσεται."},{"chapter":3,"verse":17,"text":"Ἐάν τε γὰρ μακρόβιοι γένωνται, εἰς οὐθὲν λογισθήσονται, καὶ ἄτιμον ἐπʼ ἐσχάτον τὸ γῆρας αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":3,"verse":18,"text":"Ἐάν τε ὀξέως τελευτήσωσιν, οὐχ ἕχουσιν ἐλπίδα, οὐδὲ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ διαγνώσεως παραμύθιον·"},{"chapter":3,"verse":19,"text":"γενεᾶς γὰρ ἀδίκου χαλεπὰ τὰ τέλη."},{"chapter":4,"verse":1,"text":"Κρείσσων ἀτεκνία μετὰ ἀρετῆς, ἀθανασία γάρ ἐστιν ἐν μνήμῃ αὐτῆς, ὅτι καὶ παρὰ Θεῷ γινώσκεται καὶ παρὰ ἀνθρώποις·"},{"chapter":4,"verse":2,"text":"παροῦσάν τε μιμοῦνται αὐτὴν, καὶ ποθοῦσιν ἀπελθοῦσαν καὶ ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι στεφανηφοροῦσα πομπεύει, τὸν τῶν ἀμιάντων ἄθλων ἀγῶνα νικήσασα."},{"chapter":4,"verse":3,"text":"Πολύγονον δὲ ἀσεβῶν πλῆθος οὐ χρησιμεύσει, καὶ ἐκ νόθων μοσχευμάτων οὐ δώσει ῥίζαν εἰς βάθος, οὐδὲ ἀσφαλῆ βάσιν ἑδράσει."},{"chapter":4,"verse":4,"text":"Κᾂν γὰρ ἐν κλάδοις πρὸς καιρὸν ἀναθάλῃ, ἐπισφαλῶς βεβηκότα ὑπὸ ἀνέμου σαλευθήσεται, καὶ ὑπὸ βίας ἀνέμων ἐκριζωθήσεται."},{"chapter":4,"verse":5,"text":"Περικλασθήσονται κλῶνες ἀτέλεστοι, καὶ ὁ καρπὸς αὐτῶν ἄχρηστος, ἄωρος εἰς βρῶσιν, καὶ εἰς οὐθὲν ἐπιτήδειος."},{"chapter":4,"verse":6,"text":"Ἐκ γὰρ ἀνόμων ὕπνων τέκνα γεννώμενα μάρτυρές εἰσι πονηρίας κατὰ γονέων ἐν ἐξετασμῷ αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":4,"verse":7,"text":"Δίκαιος δὲ ἐὰν φθάσῃ τελευτῆσαι, ἐν ἀναπαύσει ἔσται."},{"chapter":4,"verse":8,"text":"Γῆρας γὰρ τίμιον οὐ τὸ πολυχρόνιον, οὐδὲ ἀριθμῷ ἐτῶν μεμέτρηται."},{"chapter":4,"verse":9,"text":"Πολιὰ δέ ἐστιν φρόνησις ἀνθρώποις, καὶ ἡλικία γήρως βίος ἀκηλίδωτος."},{"chapter":4,"verse":10,"text":"Εὐάρεστος τῷ Θεῷ γενόμενος ἠγαπήθη, καὶ ζῶν μεταξὺ ἁμαρτωλῶν μετετέθη."},{"chapter":4,"verse":11,"text":"Ἡρπάγη μὴ κακία ἀλλάξῃ σύνεσιν αὐτοῦ, ἢ δόλος ἀπατήσῃ ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":4,"verse":12,"text":"Βασκανία γὰρ φαυλότητος ἀμαυροῖ τὰ καλὰ, καὶ ῥεμβασμὸς ἐπιθυμίας μεταλλεύει νοῦν ἄκακον."},{"chapter":4,"verse":13,"text":"Τελειωθεὶς ἐν ὀλίγῳ ἐπλήρωσε χρόνους μακρούς."},{"chapter":4,"verse":14,"text":"Ἀρεστὴ γὰρ ἦν Κυρίῳ ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ· διὰ τοῦτο ἔσπευσεν ἐκ μέσου πονηρίας."},{"chapter":4,"verse":15,"text":"Οἱ δὲ λαοὶ ἰδόντες καὶ μὴ νοήσαντες, μηδὲ θέντες ἐπὶ διανοίᾳ τὸ τοιοῦτο, ὅτι χάρις καὶ ἔλεος ἐν τοῖς ἐκλεκτοῖς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπισκοπὴ ἐν τοῖς ὁσίοις αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":4,"verse":16,"text":"Κατακρινεῖ δὲ δίκαιος καμὼν τοῦς ζῶντας ἀσεβεῖς, καὶ νεότης τελεσθεῖσα ταχέως πολυετὲς γῆρας ἀδίκου."},{"chapter":4,"verse":17,"text":"Ὄψονται γὰρ τελευτὴν σοφοῦ, καὶ οὐ νοήσουσι τί ἐβουλεύσατο περὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἰς τί ἠσφαλίσατο αὐτὸν ὁ Κύριος."},{"chapter":4,"verse":18,"text":"Ὄψονται καὶ ἐξουθενήσουσιν, αὐτοὺς δὲ ὁ Κύριος ἐκγελάσεται· καὶ ἔσονται μετὰ τοῦτο εἰς πτῶμα ἄτιμον, καὶ εἰς ὕβριν ἐν νεκροῖς διʼ αἰῶνος."},{"chapter":4,"verse":19,"text":"Ὅτι ῥήξει αὐτοὺς ἀφώνους πρηνεῖς, καὶ σαλεύσει αὐτοὺς ἐκ θεμελίων, καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτου χερσωθήσονται, καὶ ἔσονται ἐν ὀδύνῃ, καὶ ἡ μνήμη αὐτῶν ἀπολεῖται."},{"chapter":4,"verse":20,"text":"Ἐλεύσονται ἐν συλλογισμῷ ἁμαρτημάτων αὐτῶν δειλοὶ, καὶ ἐλέγξει αὐτοὺς ἐξεναντίας τὰ ἀνομήματα αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":1,"text":"Τότε στήσεται ἐν παῤῥησίᾳ πολλῇ ὁ δίκαιος κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν θλιψάντων αὐτὸν, καὶ τῶν ἀθετούντων τοὺς πόνους αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":5,"verse":2,"text":"Ἰδόντες ταραχθήσονται φόβῳ δεινῷ καὶ ἐκστήσονται ἐπὶ τῷ παραδόξῳ τῆς σωτηρίας."},{"chapter":5,"verse":3,"text":"Ἐροῦσιν ἑαυτοῖς μετανοοῦντες, καὶ διὰ στενοχωρίαν πνεύματος στενάζοντες, Οὗτος ἦν ὃν ἔσχομέν ποτε εἰς γέλωτα καὶ εἰς παραβολὴν ὀνειδισμοῦ."},{"chapter":5,"verse":4,"text":"Οἱ ἄφρονες τὸν βίον αὐτοῦ ἐλογισάμεθα μανίαν, καὶ τὴν τελευτὴν αὐτοῦ ἄτιμον."},{"chapter":5,"verse":5,"text":"Πῶς κατελογίσθη ἐν υἱοῖς Θεοῦ, καὶ ἐν ἁγίοις ὁ κλῆρος αὐτοῦ ἐστιν;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":6,"text":"Ἄρα ἐπλανήθημεν ἀπὸ ὁδοῦ ἀληθείας, καὶ τὸ τῆς δικαιοσύνης φῶς οὐκ ἔλαμψεν ἡμῖν, καὶ ὁ ἥλιος οὐκ ἀνέτειλεν ἡμῖν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":7,"text":"Ἀνομίας ἐνεπλήσθημεν τρίβοις καὶ ἀπωλείας, καὶ διωδεύσαμεν ἐρήμους ἀβάτους, τὴν δὲ ὁδὸν Κυρίου οὐκ ἔγνωμεν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":8,"text":"Τί ὠφέλησεν ἡμᾶς ἡ ὑπερηφανία; καὶ τὶ πλοῦτος μετὰ ἀλαζονείας συμβέβληται ἡμῖν;"},{"chapter":5,"verse":9,"text":"Παρῆλθεν ἐκεῖνα πάντα ὡς σκιὰ, καὶ ὡς ἀγγελία παρατρέχουσα·"},{"chapter":5,"verse":10,"text":"ὡς ναῦς δειρχομενη κυμαινόμενον ὕδωρ, ἧς διαβάσης οὐκ ἔστιν ἴχνος εὑρεῖν, οὐδὲ ἀτραπὸν τρόπιος αὐτῆς ἐν κύμασιν·"},{"chapter":5,"verse":11,"text":"ἢ ὡς ὀρνέου διϊπτάντος ἀέρα, οὐθὲν εὑρίσκεται τεκμήριον πορείας, πληγῇ δὲ ταρσῶν μαστιζόμενον πνεῦμα κοῦφον καὶ σχιζόμενον βίᾳ ῥοιζου, κινουμένων πτερύγων διωδεύθη, καὶ μετὰ τοῦτο οὐχ εὑρέθη σημεῖον ἐπιβάσεως ἐν αὐτῷ·"},{"chapter":5,"verse":12,"text":"ἢ ὡς βέλους βληθέντος ἐπὶ σκοπὸν, τμηθεὶς ὁ ἀὴρ εὐθέως εἰς ἑαυτὸν ἀνελύθη, ὡς ἀγνοῆσαι τὴν δίοδον αὐτοῦ·"},{"chapter":5,"verse":13,"text":"οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς γεννηθέντες ἐξελίπομεν· καὶ ἀρετῆς μὲν σημεῖον οὐδὲν ἔσχομεν δεῖξαι, ἐν δὲ τῇ κακίᾳ ἡμῶν κατεδαπανήθημεν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":14,"text":"Ὅτι ἐλπὶς ἀσεβοῦς ὡς φερόμενος χοῦς ὑπὸ ἀνέμου, καὶ ὡς πάχνη ὑπὸ λαίλαπος διωχθεῖσα λεπτὴ, καὶ ὡς καπνὸς ὑπὸ ἀνέμου διεχύθη, καὶ ὡς μνεία καταλύτου μονοημέρου παρώδευσε."},{"chapter":5,"verse":15,"text":"Δίκαιοι δὲ εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ζῶσι, καὶ ἐν Κυρίῳ ὁ μισθὸς αὐτῶν, καὶ ἡ φροντὶς αὐτῶν παρὰ ὑψίστῳ."},{"chapter":5,"verse":16,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο λήψονται τὸ βασίλειον τῆς εὐπρεπείας, καὶ τὸ διάδημα τοῦ κάλλους ἐκ χειρὸς Κυρίου, ὅτι τῇ δεξιᾷ σκεπάσει αὐτούς, καὶ τῷ βραχίονι ὑπερασπιεῖ αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":17,"text":"Λήψεται πανοπλίαν τὸν ζῆλον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ὁπλοποιήσει τὴν κτίσιν εἰς ἄμυναν ἐχθρῶν."},{"chapter":5,"verse":18,"text":"Ἐνδύσεται θώρακα δικαιοσύνην, καὶ περιθήσεται κόρυθα κρίσιν ἀνυπόκριτον."},{"chapter":5,"verse":19,"text":"Λήψεται ἀσπίδα ἀκαταμάχητον ὁσιότητα,"},{"chapter":5,"verse":20,"text":"ὀξυνεῖ δὲ ἀπότομον ὀργὴν εἰς ῥομφαίαν, συνεκπολεμήσει δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ κόσμος ἐπὶ τοὺς παράφρονας."},{"chapter":5,"verse":21,"text":"Πορεύσονται εὔστοχοι βολίδες ἀστραπῶν, καὶ ὡς ἀπὸ εὐκύκλου τόξου τῶν νεφῶν ἐπὶ σκοπὸν ἁλοῦνται."},{"chapter":5,"verse":22,"text":"Καὶ ἐκ πετροβόλου θυμοῦ πλήρεις ῥιφήσονται χάλαζαι· ἀγανακτήσει κατʼ αὐτῶν ὕδωρ θαλάσσης, ποταμοὶ δὲ συγκλύσουσιν ἀποτόμως."},{"chapter":5,"verse":23,"text":"Ἀντιστήσεται αὐτοῖς πνεῦμα δυνάμεως, καὶ ὡς λαίλαψ ἐκλικμήσει αὐτούς· καὶ ἐρημώσει πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἀνομία, καὶ ἡ κακοπραγία περιτρέψει θρόνους δυναστῶν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":1,"text":"Ἀκούσατε οὖν βασιλεῖς καὶ σύνετε, μάθετε δικασταὶ περάτων γῆς."},{"chapter":6,"verse":2,"text":"Ἐνωτίσασθε οἱ κρατοῦντες πλήθους, καὶ γεγαυρομένοι ἐπὶ ὄχλοις ἐθνῶν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":3,"text":"Ὅτι ἐδόθη παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡ κράτησις ὑμῖν, καὶ ἡ δυναστεία παρὰ ὑψίστου, ὃς ἐξετάσει ὑμῶν τὰ ἔργα, καὶ τὰς βουλὰς διερευνήσει."},{"chapter":6,"verse":4,"text":"Ὅτι ὑπηρέται ὄντες τῆς αὐτοῦ βασιλείας οὐκ ἐκρίνατε ὀρθῶς, οὐδὲ ἐφυλάξατε νόμον, οὐδὲ κατὰ τὴν βουλὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπορεύθητε·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":5,"text":"φρικτῶς καὶ ταχέως ἐπιστήσεται ὑμῖν, ὅτι κρίσις ἀπότομος ἐν τοῖς ὑπερέχουσιν γίνεται."},{"chapter":6,"verse":6,"text":"Ὁ γὰρ ἐλάχιστος συγγνωστός ἐστιν ἐλέους, δυνατοὶ δὲ δυνατῶς ἐτασθήσονται·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":7,"text":"οὐ γὰρ ὑποστελεῖται πρόσωπον ὁ πάντων δεσπότης, οὐδὲ ἐντραπήσεται μέγεθος· ὅτι μικρὸν καὶ μέγαν αὐτὸς ἐποίησεν, ὁμοίως τε προνοεῖ περὶ πάντων."},{"chapter":6,"verse":8,"text":"Τοῖς δὲ κραταιοῖς ἰσχυρὰ ἐφίσταται ἔρευνα."},{"chapter":6,"verse":9,"text":"Πρὸς ὑμᾶς οὖν ὦ τύραννοι οἱ λόγοι μου, ἵνα μάθητε σοφίαν καὶ μὴ παραπέσητε."},{"chapter":6,"verse":10,"text":"Οἱ γὰρ φυλάξαντες ὁσίως τὰ ὅσια ὁσιωθήσονται, καὶ οἱ διδαχθέντες αὐτὰ εὑρήσουσιν ἀπολογίαν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":11,"text":"Ἐπιθυμήσατε οὖν τῶν λόγων μου, ποθήσατε καὶ παιδευθήσεσθε."},{"chapter":6,"verse":12,"text":"Λαμπρὰ καὶ ἀμάραντός ἐστιν ἡ σοφία, καὶ εὐχερῶς θεωρεῖται ὑπὸ τῶν ἀγαπώντων αὐτήν, καὶ εὑρίσκεται ὑπὸ τῶν ζητούντων αὐτήν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":13,"text":"Φθάνει τοὺς ἐπιθυμοῦντας προγνωσθῆναι."},{"chapter":6,"verse":14,"text":"Ὁ ὀρθρίσας ἐπʼ αὐτὴν οὐ κοπιάσει, πάρεδρον γὰρ εὑρήσει τῶν πυλῶν αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":15,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ ἐνθυμηθῆναι περὶ αὐτῆς φρονήσεως τελειότης, καὶ ὁ ἀγρυπνήσας διʼ αὐτὴν ταχέως ἀμέριμνος ἔσται."},{"chapter":6,"verse":16,"text":"Ὅτι τοὺς ἀξίους αὐτῆς αὕτη περιέρχεται ζητοῦσα, καὶ ἐν ταῖς τρίβοις φαντάζεται αὐτοῖς εὐμενῶς, καὶ ἐν πάσῃ ἐπινοίᾳ ὑπαντᾷ αὐτοῖς."},{"chapter":6,"verse":17,"text":"Ἀρχὴ γὰρ αὐτῆς ἡ ἀληθεστάτη παιδείας ἐπιθυμία, φροντὶς δὲ παιδείας ἀγάπη,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":18,"text":"ἀγάπη δὲ τήρησις νόμων αὐτῆς, προσοχὴ δὲ νόμων βεβαίωσις ἀφθαρσίας,"},{"chapter":6,"verse":19,"text":"ἀφθαρσία δὲ ἐγγὺς εἶναι ποιεῖ Θεοῦ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":20,"text":"Ἐπιθυμία ἄρα σοφίας ἀνάγει ἐπὶ βασιλείαν."},{"chapter":6,"verse":21,"text":"Εἰ οὖν ἥδεσθε ἐπὶ θρόνοις καὶ σκήπτροις τύραννοι λαῶν, τιμήσατε σοφίαν, ἵνα εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα βασιλεύσητε·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":22,"text":"Τί δέ ἐστι σοφία καὶ πῶς ἐγένετο, ἀπαγγελῶ, καὶ οὐκ ἀποκρύψω ὑμῖν μυστήρια, ἀλλʼ ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς γενέσεως ἐξιχνιάσω, καὶ θήσω εἰς τὸ ἐμφανὲς τὴν γνῶσιν αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐ μὴ παροδεύσω τὴν ἀλήθειαν·"},{"chapter":6,"verse":23,"text":"οὔτε μὴν φθόνῳ τετηκότι συνοδεύσω, ὅτι οὗτος οὐ κοινωνήσει σοφίᾳ."},{"chapter":6,"verse":24,"text":"Πλῆθος δὲ σοφῶν σωτηρία κόσμου, καὶ βασιλεὺς φρόνιμος εὐστάθεια δήμου."},{"chapter":6,"verse":25,"text":"Ὥστε παιδεύεσθε τοῖς ῥήμασί μου, καὶ ὠφεληθήσεσθε."},{"chapter":7,"verse":1,"text":"Εἰμι μὲν κᾀγὼ θνητὸς ἄνθρωπος, ἶσος ἅπασι, καὶ γηγενοῦς ἀπόγονος πρωτοπλάστου."},{"chapter":7,"verse":2,"text":"Καὶ ἐν κοιλίᾳ μητρὸς ἐγλύφην σὰρξ δεκαμηνιαίῳ χρόνῳ, παγεὶς ἐν αἵματι ἐκ σπέρματος ἀνδρὸς καὶ ἡδονῆς ὕπνῳ συνελθούσης."},{"chapter":7,"verse":3,"text":"Καὶ ἐγὼ δὲ γενόμενος ἔσπασα τὸν κοινὸν ἀέρα, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ὁμοιοπαθῆ κατέπεσον γῆν, πρώτην φωνὴν τὴν ὁμοίαν πᾶσιν ἶσα κλαίων."},{"chapter":7,"verse":4,"text":"Ἐν σπαργάνοις ἀνετράφην, καὶ ἐν φροντίσιν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":5,"text":"Οὐδεὶς γὰρ βασιλεὺς ἑτέραν ἔσχε γενέσεως ἀρχήν."},{"chapter":7,"verse":6,"text":"Μία δὲ πάντων εἴσοδος εἰς τὸν βίον, ἔξοδός τε ἴση."},{"chapter":7,"verse":7,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο ηὐξάμην, καὶ φρόνησις ἐδόθη μοι, ἐπεκαλεσάμην, καὶ ἦλθέ μοι πνεῦμα σοφίας."},{"chapter":7,"verse":8,"text":"Προέκρινα αὐτὴν σκήπτρων καὶ θρόνων, καὶ πλοῦτον οὐδὲν ἡγησάμην ἐν συγκρίσει αὐτῆς."},{"chapter":7,"verse":9,"text":"Οὐδὲ ὁμοίωσα αὐτῇ λίθον ἀτίμητον, ὅτι ὁ πᾶς χρυσὸς ἐν ὄψει αὐτῆς ψάμμος ὀλίγη, καὶ ὡς πηλὸς λογισθήσεται ἄργυρος ἐναντίον αὐτῆς."},{"chapter":7,"verse":10,"text":"Ὑπὲρ ὑγίειαν καὶ εὐμορφίαν ἠγάπησα αὐτὴν, καὶ προειλόμην αὐτὴν ἀντὶ φωτὸς ἔχειν, ὅτι ἀκοίμητον τὸ ἐκ ταύτης φέγγος."},{"chapter":7,"verse":11,"text":"Ἦλθε δέ μοι τὰ ἀγαθὰ ὁμοῦ πάντα μετʼ αὐτῆς, καὶ ἀναρίθμητος πλοῦτος ἐν χερσὶν αὐτῆς."},{"chapter":7,"verse":12,"text":"Εὐφράνθην δὲ ἐπὶ πάντων, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἡγεῖται σοφία, ἠγνόουν δὲ αὐτὴν γενέτιν εἶναι τούτων."},{"chapter":7,"verse":13,"text":"Ἀδόλως τε ἔμαθον, ἀφθόνως τε μεταδίδωμι, τὸν πλοῦτον αὐτῆς οὐκ ἀποκρύπτομαι."},{"chapter":7,"verse":14,"text":"Ἀνεκλιπὴς γὰρ θησαυρός ἐστιν ἀνθρώποις, ὃν οἱ χρησάμενοι πρὸς Θεὸν ἐστείλαντο φιλίαν, διὰ τὰς ἐκ παιδείας δωρεὰς συσταθέντες."},{"chapter":7,"verse":15,"text":"Ἐμοὶ δὲ δῴη ὁ Θεὸς εἰπεῖν κατὰ γνώμην, καὶ ἐνθυμηθῆναι ἀξίως τῶν δεδομένων, ὅτι αὐτὸς καὶ τῆς σοφίας ὁδηγός ἐστι, καὶ τῶν σοφῶν διορθωτής."},{"chapter":7,"verse":16,"text":"Ἐν γὰρ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡμεῖς καὶ οἱ λόγοι ἡμῶν, πᾶσά τε φρόνησις καὶ ἐργατειῶν ἐπιστήμη."},{"chapter":7,"verse":17,"text":"Αὐτὸς γάρ μοι ἔδωκε τῶν ὄντων γνῶσιν ἀψευδῆ, εἰδέναι σύστασιν κόσμου καὶ ἐνέργειαν στοιχείων,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":18,"text":"ἀρχὴν καὶ τέλος καὶ μεσότητα χρόνων, τροπῶν ἀλλαγὰς καὶ μεταβολὰς καιρῶν,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":19,"text":"ἐνιαυτῶν κύκλους καὶ ἀστέρων θέσεις,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":20,"text":"φύσεις ζώων καὶ θυμοὺς θηρίων, πνευμάτων βίας καὶ διαλογισμοὺς ἀνθρώπων, διαφορὰς φυτῶν καὶ δυνάμεις ῥιζῶν,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":21,"text":"ὅσα τέ ἐστι κρυπτὰ καὶ ἐμφανῆ ἔγνων."},{"chapter":7,"verse":22,"text":"Ἡ γὰρ πάντων τεχνίτις ἐδίδαξέ με σοφία· ἔστι γὰρ ἐν αὐτῇ πνεῦμα νοερὸν, ἅγιον, μονογενὲς, πολυμερὲς, λεπτὸν, εὐκίνητον, τρανὸν, ἀμόλυντον, σαφὲς, ἀπήμαντον, φιλάγαθον, ὀξὺ, ἀκώλυτον, εὐεργετικὸν,"},{"chapter":7,"verse":23,"text":"φιλάνθρωπον, βέβαιον, ἀσφαλὲς, ἀμέριμνον, παντοδύναμον, πανεπίσκοπον, καὶ διὰ πάντων χωροῦν πνευμάτων νοερῶν, καθαρῶν, λεπτοτάτων."},{"chapter":7,"verse":24,"text":"Πάσης γὰρ κινήσεως κινητικώτερον σοφία, διήκει δὲ καὶ χωρεῖ διὰ πάντων διὰ τὴν καθαρότητα."},{"chapter":7,"verse":25,"text":"Ἀτμὶς γάρ ἐστι τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ δυνάμεως. καὶ ἀπόῤῥοια τῆς τοῦ παντοκράτορος δόξης εἰλικρινής· διὰ τοῦτο οὐδὲν μεμιαμμένον εἰς αὐτὴν παρεμπίπτει."},{"chapter":7,"verse":26,"text":"Ἀπαύγασμα γάρ ἐστι φωτὸς ἀϊδίου, καὶ ἔσοπτρον ἀκηλίδωτον τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐνεργείας, καὶ εἰκὼν τῆς ἀγαθότητος αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":7,"verse":27,"text":"Μία δὲ οὖσα πάντα δύναται, καὶ μένουσα ἐν αὑτῇ τὰ πάντα καινίζει, καὶ κατὰ γενεὰς εἰς ψυχὰς ὁσίας μεταβαίνουσα, φίλους Θεοῦ καὶ προφήτας κατασκευάζει."},{"chapter":7,"verse":28,"text":"Οὐθὲν γὰρ ἀγαπᾷ ὁ Θεὸς, εἰ μὴ τὸν σοφίᾳ συνοικοῦντα."},{"chapter":7,"verse":29,"text":"Ἔστι γὰρ αὕτη εὐπρεπεστέρα ἡλίου, καὶ ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν ἄστρων θέσιν, φωτὶ συγκρινομένη εὑρίσκεται προτέρα."},{"chapter":7,"verse":30,"text":"Τοῦτο μὲν γὰρ διαδέχεται νὺξ, σοφίας δὲ οὐκ ἀντισχύει κακία."},{"chapter":8,"verse":1,"text":"Διατείνει δὲ ἀπὸ πέρατος εἰς πέρας εὐρώστως, καὶ διοικεῖ τὰ πάντα χρηστῶς."},{"chapter":8,"verse":2,"text":"Ταύτην ἐφίλησα καὶ ἐξεζήτησα ἐκ νεότητός μου, καὶ ἐζήτησα νύμφην ἀγαγέσθαι ἐμαυτῷ, καὶ ἐραστὴς ἐγενόμην τοῦ κάλλους αὐτῆς."},{"chapter":8,"verse":3,"text":"Εὐγένειαν δοξάζει συμβίωσιν Θεοῦ ἔχουσα, καὶ ὁ πάντων δεσπότης ἠγάπησεν αὐτήν."},{"chapter":8,"verse":4,"text":"Μύστις γάρ ἐστι τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπιστήμης, καὶ αἱρετὶς τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":8,"verse":5,"text":"Εἰ δὲ πλοῦτός ἐστιν ἐπιθυμητὸν κτῆμα ἐν βίῳ, τί σοφίας πλουσιώτερον τῆς τὰ πάντα ἐργαζομένης;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":6,"text":"Εἰ δὲ φρόνησις ἐργάζεται, τίς αὐτῆς τῶν ὄντων μᾶλλόν ἐστι τεχνίτης;"},{"chapter":8,"verse":7,"text":"Καὶ εἰ δικαιοσύνην ἀγαπᾷ τις, οἱ πόνοι ταύτης εἰσὶν ἀρεταί· σωφροσύνην γὰρ καὶ φρόνησιν ἐκδιδάσκει, δικαιοσύνην καὶ ἀνδρίαν, ὧν χρησιμώτερον οὐδέν ἐστιν ἐν βίῳ ἀνθρώποις."},{"chapter":8,"verse":8,"text":"Εἰ δὲ καὶ πολυπειρίαν ποθεῖ τις, οἶδε τὰ ἀρχαῖα καὶ τὰ μέλλοντα εἰκάζειν, ἐπίσταται στροφὰς λόγων καὶ λύσεις αἰνιγμάτων, σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα προγινώσκει, καὶ ἐκβάσεις καιρῶν καὶ χρόνων."},{"chapter":8,"verse":9,"text":"Ἔκρινα τοίνυν ταύτην ἀγαγέσθαι πρὸς συμβίωσιν, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἔσται μοι σύμβουλος ἀγαθῶν, καὶ παραίνεσις φροντίδων καὶ λύπης."},{"chapter":8,"verse":10,"text":"Ἕξω διʼ αὐτὴν δόξαν ἐν ὄχλοις, καὶ τιμὴν παρὰ πρεσβυτέροις ὁ νέος."},{"chapter":8,"verse":11,"text":"Ὀξὺς εὑρεθήσομαι ἐν κρίσει, καὶ ἐν ὄψει δυναστῶν θαυμασθήσομαι."},{"chapter":8,"verse":12,"text":"Σιγῶντά με περιμενοῦσι, καὶ φθεγγομένῳ προσέξουσι, καὶ λαλοῦντος ἐπιπλεῖον, χεῖρα ἐπιθήσουσιν ἐπὶ στόμα αὐτῶν."},{"chapter":8,"verse":13,"text":"Ἕξω διʼ αὐτὴν ἀθανασίαν, καὶ μνήμην αἰώνιον τοῖς μετ ἐμὲ ἀπολείψω."},{"chapter":8,"verse":14,"text":"Διοικήσω λαοὺς, καὶ ἔθνη ὑποταγήσεταί μοι."},{"chapter":8,"verse":15,"text":"Φοβηθήσονταί με ἀκούσαντες τύραννοι φρικτοὶ, ἐν πλήθει φανοῦμαι ἀγαθὸς, καὶ ἐν πολέμῳ ἀνδρεῖος."},{"chapter":8,"verse":16,"text":"Εἰσελθὼν εἰς τὸν οἶκόν μου προσαναπαύσομαι αὐτῇ· οὐ γὰρ ἔχει πικρίαν ἡ συναναστροφὴ αὐτῆς, οὐδὲ ὀδύνην ἡ συμβίωσις αὐτῆς, ἀλλὰ εὐφροσύνην καὶ χαράν."},{"chapter":8,"verse":17,"text":"Ταῦτα λογισάμενος ἐν ἐμαυτῷ, καὶ φροντίσας ἐν καρδίᾳ μου, ὅτι ἐστὶν ἀθανασία ἐν συγγενείᾳ σοφίας,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":18,"text":"καὶ ἐν φιλίᾳ αὐτῆς τέρψις ἀγαθὴ, καὶ ἐν πόνοις χειρῶν αὐτῆς πλοῦτος ἀνεκλιπὴς, καὶ ἐν συγγυμνασίᾳ ὁμιλίας αὐτῆς φρόνησις, καὶ εὔκλεια ἐν κοινωνίᾳ λόγων αὐτῆς, περιῄειν ζητῶν ὅπως λάβω αὐτὴν εἰς ἐμαυτόν."},{"chapter":8,"verse":19,"text":"Παῖς δὲ ἤμην εὐφυὴς, ψυχῆς τε ἔλαχον ἀγαθῆς,"},{"chapter":8,"verse":20,"text":"μᾶλλον δὲ ἀγαθὸς ὢν ἦλθον εἰς σῶμα ἀμίαντον."},{"chapter":8,"verse":21,"text":"Γνοὺς δὲ ὅτι οὐκ ἄλλως ἔσομαι ἐγκρατὴς, ἐὰν μὴ ὁ Θεὸς δῷ, καὶ τοῦτο δʼ ἦν φρονήσεως τὸ εἰδέναι τίνος ἡ χάρις, ἐνέτυχον τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐδεήθην αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπον ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας μου,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":1,"text":"Θεὲ πατέρων καὶ Κύριε τοῦ ἐλέους σου, ὁ ποιήσας τὰ πάντα ἐν λόγῳ σου,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":2,"text":"καὶ τῇ σοφίᾳ σου κατεσκεύασας ἄνθρωπον, ἵνα δεσπόζῃ τῶν ὑπὸ σοῦ γενομένων κτισμάτων,"},{"chapter":9,"verse":3,"text":"καὶ διέπῃ τὸν κόσμον ἐν ὁσιότητι καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ, καὶ ἐν εὐθύτητι ψυχῆς κρίσιν κρίνῃ·"},{"chapter":9,"verse":4,"text":"δός μοι τὴν τῶν σῶν θρόνων πάρεδρον σοφίαν, καὶ μή με ἀποδοκιμάσῃς ἐκ παίδων σου."},{"chapter":9,"verse":5,"text":"Ὅτι ἐγὼ δοῦλος σὸς καὶ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης σου, ἄνθρωπος ἀσθενὴς καὶ ὀλιγοχρόνιος καὶ ἐλάσσων ἐν συνέσει κρίσεως καὶ νόμων."},{"chapter":9,"verse":6,"text":"Κᾂν γάρ τις ᾖ τέλειος ἐν υἱοῖς ἀνθρώπων, τῆς ἀπὸ σοῦ σοφίας ἀπούσης, εἰς οὐδὲν λογισθήσεται."},{"chapter":9,"verse":7,"text":"Σύ με προείλω βασιλέα λαοῦ σου, καὶ δικαστὴν υἱῶν σου καὶ θυγατέρων."},{"chapter":9,"verse":8,"text":"Εἶπας οἰκοδομῆσαι ναὸν ἐν ὄρει ἁγίῳ σου, καὶ ἐν πόλει κατασκηνώσεώς σου θυσιαστήριον, μίμημα σκηνῆς ἁγίας ἣν προητοίμασας ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς."},{"chapter":9,"verse":9,"text":"Καὶ μετὰ σοῦ ἡ σοφία ἡ εἰδυῖα τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ παροῦσα ὅτε ἐποίεις τὸν κόσμον, καὶ ἐπισταμένη τί ἀρεστὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, καὶ τί εὐθὲς ἐν ἐντολαῖς σου."},{"chapter":9,"verse":10,"text":"Ἐξαπόστειλον αὐτὴν ἐξ ἁγίων οὐρανῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ θρόνου δόξης σου πέμψον αὐτὴν, ἵνα συμπαροῦσά μοι κοπιάσῃ, καὶ γνῷ τί εὐάρεστόν ἐστι παρὰ σοί."},{"chapter":9,"verse":11,"text":"Οἶδε γὰρ ἐκείνη πάντα καὶ συνιεῖ, καὶ ὁδηγήσει με ἐν ταῖς πράξεσί μου σωφρόνως, καὶ φυλάξει με ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτῆς."},{"chapter":9,"verse":12,"text":"Καὶ ἔσται προσδεκτὰ τὰ ἔργα μου, καὶ διακρινῶ τὸν λαόν σου δικαίως, καὶ ἔσομαι ἄξιος θρόνων πατρός μου."},{"chapter":9,"verse":13,"text":"Τίς γὰρ ἄνθρωπος γνώσεται βουλὴν Θεοῦ; ἢ τίς ἐνθυμηθήσεται τί θέλει ὁ Κύριος;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":14,"text":"Λογισμοὶ γὰρ θνητῶν δειλοὶ, καὶ ἐπισφαλεῖς αἱ ἐπίνοιαι ἡμῶν."},{"chapter":9,"verse":15,"text":"Φθαρτὸν γὰρ σῶμα βαρύνει ψυχὴν, καὶ βρίθει τὸ γεῶδες σκῆνος νοῦν πολυφροντίδα."},{"chapter":9,"verse":16,"text":"Καὶ μόλις εἰκάζομεν τὰ ἐπὶ γῆς, καὶ τὰ ἐν χερσὶν εὑρίσκομεν μετὰ πόνου· τὰ δὲ ἐν οὐρανοῖς τίς ἐξιχνίασε;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":17,"text":"Βουλὴν δέ σου τίς ἔγνω, εἰ μὴ σὺ ἔδωκας σοφίαν, καὶ ἔπεμψας τὸ ἅγιόν σου πνεῦμα ἀπὸ ὑψίστων;"},{"chapter":9,"verse":18,"text":"Καὶ οὕτως διωρθώθησαν αἱ τρίβοι τῶν ἐπὶ γῆς, καὶ τὰ ἀρεστά σου ἐδιδάχθησαν ἄνθρωποι, καὶ τῇ σοφίᾳ ἐσώθησαν."},{"chapter":10,"verse":1,"text":"Αὕτη πρωτόπλαστον πατέρα κόσμου μόνον κτισθέντα διεφύλαξε, καὶ ἐξείλατο αὐτὸν ἐκ παραπτώματος ἰδίου,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":2,"text":"ἔδωκέ τε αὐτῷ ἰσχὺν κρατῆσαι ἁπάντων."},{"chapter":10,"verse":3,"text":"Ἀποστὰς δὲ ἀπʼ αὐτῆς ἄδικος ἐν ὀργῇ αὐτοῦ, ἀδελφοκτόνοις συναπώλετο θυμοῖς,"},{"chapter":10,"verse":4,"text":"διʼ ὃν κατακλυζομένην γῆν πάλιν διέσωσε σοφία, διʼ εὐτελοῦς ξύλου τὸν δίκαιον κυβερνήσασα."},{"chapter":10,"verse":5,"text":"Αὕτη καὶ ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ πονηρίας ἐθνῶν συγχυθέντων εὗρε τὸν δίκαιον, καὶ ἐτήρησεν αὐτὸν ἄμεμπτον Θεῷ, καὶ ἐπὶ τέκνου σπλάγχνοις ἰσχυρὸν ἐφύλαξεν."},{"chapter":10,"verse":6,"text":"Αὕτη δίκαιον, ἐξαπολλυμένων ἀσεβῶν, ἐῤῥύσατο φυγόντα πῦρ καταβάσιον Πενταπόλεως·"},{"chapter":10,"verse":7,"text":"οἷς ἐτὶ μαρτύριον τῆς πονηρίας καπνιζομένη καθέστηκε χέρσος, καὶ ἀτελέσιν ὥραις καρποφοροῦντα φυτά· ἀπιστοῦσης ψυχῆς μνημεῖον ἑστηκυῖα στήλη ἁλός."},{"chapter":10,"verse":8,"text":"Σοφίαν γὰρ παροδεύσαντες οὐ μόνον ἐβλάβησαν τοῦ μὴ γνῶναι τὰ καλὰ, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀφροσύνης ἀπέλιπον τῷ βίῳ μνημόσυνον, ἵνα ἐν οἷς ἐσφάλησαν μηδὲ λαθεῖν δυνηθῶσι."},{"chapter":10,"verse":9,"text":"Σοφία δὲ τοὺς θεραπεύσαντας αὐτὴν ἐκ πόνων ἐῤῥύσατο."},{"chapter":10,"verse":10,"text":"Αὕτη φυγάδα ὀργῆς ἀδελφοῦ δίκαιον ὡδήγησεν ἐν τρίβοις εὐθείαις, ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ βασιλείαν Θεοῦ, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ γνῶσιν ἁγίων, εὐπόρησεν αὐτὸν ἐν μόχθοις, καὶ ἐπλήθυνε τοὺς πόνους αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":10,"verse":11,"text":"Ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ κατισχύοντων αὐτὸν παρέστη, καὶ ἐπλούτισεν αὐτόν."},{"chapter":10,"verse":12,"text":"Διεφύλαξεν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ ἐχθρῶν, καὶ ἀπὸ ἐνεδρευόντων ἠσφαλίσατο, καὶ ἀγῶνα ἰσχυρὸν ἐβράβευσεν αὐτῷ, ἵνα γνῷ, ὅτι παντὸς δυνατωτέρα ἐστὶν εὐσέβεια."},{"chapter":10,"verse":13,"text":"Αὕτη πραθέντα δίκαιον οὐκ ἐγκατέλιπεν, ἀλλὰ ἐξ ἁμαρτίας ἐῤῥύσατο αὐτόν·"},{"chapter":10,"verse":14,"text":"συγκατέβη αὐτῷ εἰς λάκκον, καὶ ἐν δεσμοῖς οὐκ ἀφῆκεν αὐτὸν, ἕως ἤνεγκεν αὐτῷ σκῆπτρα βασιλείας καὶ ἐξουσίαν τυραννούντων αὐτοῦ· ψευδεῖς τε ἔδειξε τοὺς μωμησαμένους αὐτὸν, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ δόξαν αἰώνιον."},{"chapter":10,"verse":15,"text":"Αὕτη λαὸν ὅσιον καὶ σπέρμα ἄμεμπτον ἐῤῥύσατο ἐξ ἔθνους θλιβόντων."},{"chapter":10,"verse":16,"text":"Εἰσῆλθεν εἰς ψυχὴν θεράποντος Κυρίου, καὶ ἀντέστη βασιλεῦσι φοβεροῖς ἐν τέρασι καὶ σημείοις."},{"chapter":10,"verse":17,"text":"Ἀπέδωκεν ὁσίοις μισθὸν κόπων αὐτῶν, ὡδήγησεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ὁδῷ θαυμαστῇ, καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτοῖς εἰς σκέπην ἡμέρας, καὶ εἰς φλόγα ἄστρων τὴν νύκτα."},{"chapter":10,"verse":18,"text":"Διεβίβασεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσαν ἐρυθρὰν, καὶ διήγαγεν αὐτοὺς διʼ ὕδατος πολλοῦ."},{"chapter":10,"verse":19,"text":"Τοὺς δὲ ἐχθροὺς αὐτῶν κατέκλυσε, καὶ ἐκ βάθους ἀβύσσου ἀνέβρασεν αὐτούς."},{"chapter":10,"verse":20,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο δίκαιοι ἐσκύλευσαν ἀσεβεῖς, καὶ ὕμνησαν Κύριε τὸ ὄνομα τὸ ἅγιόν σου, τήν τε ὑπέρμαχόν σου χεῖρα ᾔνεσαν ὁμοθυμαδόν."},{"chapter":10,"verse":21,"text":"Ὅτι ἡ σοφία ἤνοιξε στόμα κωφῶν, καὶ γλώσσας νηπίων ἔθηκε τρανάς."},{"chapter":11,"verse":1,"text":"Εὐωδώσε τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν ἐν χειρὶ προφήτου ἁγίου."},{"chapter":11,"verse":2,"text":"Διώδευσαν ἔρημον ἀοίκητον, καὶ ἐν ἀβάτοις ἔπηξαν σκηνάς."},{"chapter":11,"verse":3,"text":"Ἀντέστησαν πολεμίοις, καὶ ἠμύναντο ἐχθρούς."},{"chapter":11,"verse":4,"text":"Ἐδίψησαν καὶ ἐπεκαλέσαντό σε, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς ἐκ πέτρας ἀκροτόμου ὕδωρ, καὶ ἴαμα δίψης ἐκ λίθου σκληροῦ."},{"chapter":11,"verse":5,"text":"Διʼ ὧν γὰρ ἐκολάσθησαν οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν, διὰ τούτων αὐτοὶ ἀποροῦντες εὐεργετήθησαν."},{"chapter":11,"verse":6,"text":"Ἀντὶ μὲν πηγῆς ἀεννάου ποταμοῦ αἵματι λυθρώδει ταραχθέντες"},{"chapter":11,"verse":7,"text":"εἰς ἔλεγχον νηπιοκτόνου διατάγματος, ἔδωκας αὐτοῖς δαψιλὲς ὕδωρ ἀνελπίστως·"},{"chapter":11,"verse":8,"text":"δείξας διὰ τοῦ τότε δίψους πῶς τοὺς ὑπεναντίους ἐκόλασας."},{"chapter":11,"verse":9,"text":"Ὅτε γὰρ ἐπειράσθησαν, καίπερ ἐν ἐλέει παιδευόμενοι, ἔγνωσαν πῶς ἐν ὀργῇ κρινόμενοι ἀσεβεῖς ἐβασανίζοντο."},{"chapter":11,"verse":10,"text":"Τούτους μὲν γὰρ ὡς πατὴρ νουθεντῶν ἐδοκίμασας, ἐκείνους δὲ ὡς ἀπότομος βασιλεὺς καταδικάζων ἐξήτασας."},{"chapter":11,"verse":11,"text":"Καὶ ἀπόντες δὲ καὶ παρόντες ὁμοίως ἐτρύχοντο."},{"chapter":11,"verse":12,"text":"Διπλῆ γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἔλαβε λύπη, καὶ στεναγμὸς μνημῶν τῶν παρελθουσῶν."},{"chapter":11,"verse":13,"text":"Ὅτε γὰρ ἤκουσαν διὰ τῶν ἰδίων κολάσεων εὐεργετουμένους αὐτοὺς, ᾔσθοντο τοῦ Κυρίου."},{"chapter":11,"verse":14,"text":"Τὸν γὰρ ἐν ἐκθέσει πάλαι ῥιφέντα ἀπεῖπον χλευάζοντες, ἐπὶ τέλει τῶν ἐκβάσεων ἐθαύμασαν, οὐχ ὅμοια δικαίοις διψήσαντες."},{"chapter":11,"verse":15,"text":"Ἀντὶ δὲ λογισμῶν ἀσυνέτων ἀδικίας αὐτῶν, ἐν οἷς πλανηθέντες ἐθρήσκευον ἄλογα ἑρπετὰ καὶ κνώδαλα εὐτελῆ, ἐπαπέστειλας αὐτοῖς πλῆθος ἀλόγων ζώων εἰς ἐκδίκησιν,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":16,"text":"ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι διʼ ὧν τις ἁμαρτάνει, διὰ τούτων κολάζεται."},{"chapter":11,"verse":17,"text":"Οὐ γὰρ ἠπόρει ἡ παντοδύναμός σου χεὶρ κτίσασα τὸν κόσμον ἐξ ἀμόρφου ὕλης, ἐπιπέμψαι αὐτοῖς πλῆθος ἄρκων, ἢ θρασεῖς λέοντας,"},{"chapter":11,"verse":18,"text":"ἢ νεοκτίστους θυμοῦ πλήρεις θῆρας ἀγνώστους, ἤτοι πυρπνόον φυσῶντας ἆσθμα, ἢ βρόμους λικμωμένους καπνοῦ, ἢ δεινοὺς ἀπʼ ὀμμάτων σπινθῆρας ἀστράπτοντας·"},{"chapter":11,"verse":19,"text":"ὧν οὐ μόνον ἡ βλάβη ἠδύνατο συνεκτρίψαι αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἡ ὄψις ἐκφοβήσασα διολέσαι."},{"chapter":11,"verse":20,"text":"Καὶ χωρὶς δὲ τούτων, ἑνὶ πνεύματι πεσεῖν ἐδύναντο ὑπὸ τῆς δίκης διωχθέντες, καὶ λικμηθέντες ὑπὸ πνεύματος δυνάμεώς σου· ἀλλὰ πάντα μέτρῳ καὶ ἀριθμῷ καὶ σταθμῷ διέταξας."},{"chapter":11,"verse":21,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ μεγάλως ἰσχύειν πάρεστί σοι πάντοτε, καὶ κράτει βραχίονός σου τις ἀντιστήσεται;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":22,"text":"Ὅτι ὡς ῥοπὴ ἐκ πλαστίγγων ὅλος ὁ κόσμος ἐναντίον σου, καὶ ὡς ῥανὶς δρόσον ὀρθρινὴ κατελθοῦσα ἐπὶ γῆν."},{"chapter":11,"verse":23,"text":"Ἐλεεῖς δὲ πάντας, ὅτι πάντα δύνασαι, καὶ παρορᾷς ἁμαρτήματα ἀνθρώπων εἰς μετάνοιαν."},{"chapter":11,"verse":24,"text":"Ἀγαπᾷς γὰρ τὰ ὄντα πάντα, καὶ οὐδὲν βδελύσσῃ ὧν ἐποίησας, οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν μισῶν τι κατεσκεύασας."},{"chapter":11,"verse":25,"text":"Πῶς δὲ ἔμεινεν ἄν τι εἰ μὴ σὺ ἐθέλησας; ἢ τὸ μὴ κληθὲν ὑπὸ σοῦ διετηρήθη;"},{"chapter":11,"verse":26,"text":"Φείδῃ δὲ πάντων, ὅτι σά ἐστι, δέσποτα φιλόψυχε."},{"chapter":12,"verse":1,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ ἄφθαρτόν σου πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἐν πᾶσι."},{"chapter":12,"verse":2,"text":"Διὸ τοὺς παραπίπτοντας κατʼ ὀλίγον ἐλέγχεις, καὶ ἐν οἷς ἁμαρτάνουσιν ὑπομιμνήσκων νουθετεῖς, ἵνα ἀπαλλαγέντες τῆς κακίας πιστεύσωσιν ἐπὶ σὲ Κύριε."},{"chapter":12,"verse":3,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ τοὺς παλαιοὺς οἰκήτορας τῆς ἁγίας σου γῆς"},{"chapter":12,"verse":4,"text":"μισήσας, ἐπὶ τῷ ἔχθιστα πράσσειν ἔργα φαρμακειῶν, καὶ τελετὰς ἀνοσίους,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":5,"text":"τέκνων τε φονέας ἀνελεήμονας, καὶ σπλαγχνοφάγων ἀνθρωπίνων σαρκῶν θοῖναν,"},{"chapter":12,"verse":6,"text":"καὶ αἴματος ἐκ μέσου μυσταθείας σου, καὶ αὐθέντας γονεῖς ψυχῶν ἀβοηθήτων, ἐβουλήθης ἀπολέσαι διὰ χειρῶν πατέρων ἡμῶν·"},{"chapter":12,"verse":7,"text":"ἵνα ἀξίαν ἀποικίαν δέξηται Θεοῦ παίδων ἡ παρὰ σοὶ πασῶν τιμιωτάτη γῆ."},{"chapter":12,"verse":8,"text":"Ἀλλὰ καὶ τούτων ὡς ἀνθρώπων ἐφείσω, ἀπέστειλάς τε προδρόμους τοῦ στρατοπέδου σου σφῆκας, ἵνα αὐτοὺς καταβραχὺ ἐξολοθρεύσωσιν."},{"chapter":12,"verse":9,"text":"Οὐκ ἀδυνατῶν ἐν παρατάξει ἀσεβεῖς δικαίοις ὑποχειρίους δοῦναι, ἢ θηρίοις δεινοῖς, ἢ λόγῳ ἀποτόμῳ ὑφʼ ἓν ἐκτρίψαι·"},{"chapter":12,"verse":10,"text":"κρίνων δὲ καταβραχὺ ἐδίδους τόπον μετανοίας, οὐκ ἀγνοῶν, ὅτι πονηρὰ ἡ γένεσις αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔμφυτος ἡ κακία αὐτῶν, καὶ ὅτι οὐ μὴ ἀλλαγῇ ὁ λογισμὸς αὐτῶν εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα·"},{"chapter":12,"verse":11,"text":"σπέρμα γὰρ ἦν κατηραμένον ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς· οὐδὲ εὐλαβούμενός τινα, ἐφʼ οἷς ἡμάρτανον ἄδειαν ἐδίδους."},{"chapter":12,"verse":12,"text":"Τίς γὰρ ἐρεῖ, τί ἐποίησας; ἢ τίς ἀντιστήσεται τῷ κρίματί σου; τίς δὲ ἐγκαλέσει σοι κατὰ ἐθνῶν ἀπολωλότων, ἃ σὺ ἐποίησας; ἢ τίς εἰς κατάστασίν σοι ἐλεύσεται ἔκδικος κατὰ ἀδίκων ἀνθρώπων;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":13,"text":"Οὔτε γὰρ Θεός ἐστι πλὴν σοῦ, ᾧ μέλει περὶ πάντων, ἵνα δείξῃς ὅτι οὐκ ἀδίκως ἔκρινας."},{"chapter":12,"verse":14,"text":"Οὔτε βασιλεὺς ἢ τύραννος ἀντοφθαλμῆσαι δυνήσεταί σοι περὶ ὧν ἀπώλεσας."},{"chapter":12,"verse":15,"text":"Δίκαιος δὲ ὢν δικαίως τὰ πάντα διέπεις, αὐτὸν τὸν μὴ ὀφείλοντα κολασθῆναι καταδικάσαι ἀλλότριαν ἡγούμενος τῆς σῆς δυνάμεως."},{"chapter":12,"verse":16,"text":"Ἡ γὰρ ἰσχύς σου δικαιοσύνης ἀρχὴ, καὶ τὸ πάντων σε δεσπόζειν, πάντων φείδεσθαι ποιεῖ."},{"chapter":12,"verse":17,"text":"Ἰσχὺν γὰρ ἐνδείκνυσαι ἀπιστούμενος ἐπὶ δυνάμεως τελειότητι, καὶ ἐν τοῖς εἰδόσι τὸ θράσος ἐξελέγχεις."},{"chapter":12,"verse":18,"text":"Σὺ δὲ δεσπόζεν ἰσχύος ἐν ἐπιεικείᾳ κρίνεις καὶ μετὰ πολλῆς φειδοῦς διοικεῖς ἡμᾶς· πάρεστι γάρ σοι ὅταν θέλῃς τὸ δύνασθαι."},{"chapter":12,"verse":19,"text":"Ἐδίδαξας δέ σου τὸν λαὸν διὰ τῶν τοιούτων ἔργων, ὅτι δεῖ τὸν δίκαιον εἶναι φιλάνθρωπον· καὶ εὐέλπιδας ἐποίησας τοὺς υἱούς σου, ὅτι δίδως ἑπὶ ἁμαρτήμασι μετάνοιαν."},{"chapter":12,"verse":20,"text":"Εἰ γὰρ ἐχθροὺς παίδων σου καὶ ὀφειλομένους θανάτῳ μετὰ τοσαύτης ἐτιμώρησας προσοχῆς καὶ δεήσεως, δοὺς χρόνους καὶ τόπον διʼ ὧν ἀπαλλαγῶσι τῆς κακίας·"},{"chapter":12,"verse":21,"text":"μετὰ πόσης ἀκριβείας ἔκρινας τοὺς υἱούς σου ὧν τοῖς πατράσιν ὅρκους καὶ συνθήκας ἔδωκας ἀγαθῶν ὑποσχέσεων;"},{"chapter":12,"verse":22,"text":"Ἡμᾶς οὖν παιδεύων, τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν ἐν μυριότητι μαστιγοῖς, ἵνα σου τὴν ἀγαθότητα μεριμνῶμεν κρίνοντες, κρινόμενοι δὲ προσδοκῶμει ἔλεος."},{"chapter":12,"verse":23,"text":"Ὅθεν καὶ τοὺς ἐν ἀφροσύνῃ ζωῆς βιώσαντας ἀδίκους, διὰ τῶν ἰδίων ἐβασάνισας βδελυγμάτων."},{"chapter":12,"verse":24,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ τῶν πλάνης ὁδῶν μακρότερον ἐπλανήθησαν, θεοὺς ὑπολαμβάνοντες τὰ καὶ ἐν ζώοις τῶν ἐχθρῶν ἄτιμα, νηπίων δίκην ἀφρόνων ψευσθέντες."},{"chapter":12,"verse":25,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο ὡς παισὶν ἀλογίστοις τὴν κρίσιν εἰς ἐμπαιγμὸν ἔπεμψας."},{"chapter":12,"verse":26,"text":"Οἱ δὲ παιγνίοις ἐπιτιμήσεως μὴ νουθετηθέντες, ἀξίαν Θεοῦ κρίσιν πειράσουσιν."},{"chapter":12,"verse":27,"text":"Ἐφʼ οἷς γὰρ αὐτοὶ πάσχοντες ἠγανάκτουν, ἐπὶ τούτοις οὓς ἐδόκουν θεοὺς, ἐν αὐτοῖς κολαζόμενοι, ἰδόντες ὃν πάλαι ἠρνοῦντο εἰδέναι, Θεὸν ἐπέγνωσαν ἀληθῆ· διὸ καὶ τὸ τέρμα τῆς καταδίκης ἐπʼ αὐτοὺς ἐπῆλθε."},{"chapter":13,"verse":1,"text":"Μάταιοι μὲν γὰρ πάντες ἄνθρωποι φύσει, οἷς παρῆν Θεοῦ ἀγνωσία, καὶ ἐκ τῶν ὁρομένων ἀγαθῶν οὐκ ἴσχυσαν εἰδέναι τὸν ὄντα, οὔτε τοῖς ἔργοις προσχόντες ἐπέγνωσαν τὸν τεχνίτην."},{"chapter":13,"verse":2,"text":"Ἀλλʼ ἢ πῦρ, ἢ πνεῦμα, ἢ ταχινὸν ἀέρα, ἢ κύκλον ἄστρων, ἢ βίαιον ὕδωρ, ἢ φωστῆρας οὐρανοῦ, πρυτάνεις κόσμου θεοὺς ἐνόμισαν."},{"chapter":13,"verse":3,"text":"Ὧν εἰ μὲν τῇ καλλονῇ τερπόμενοι, θεοὺς ὑπελάμβανον, γνώτωσαν πόσῳ τούτων ὁ δεσπότης ἐστὶ βελτίων· ὁ γὰρ τοῦ κάλλους γενεσιάρχης ἔκτισεν αὐτά."},{"chapter":13,"verse":4,"text":"Εἰ δὲ δύναμιν καὶ ἐνέργειαν ἐκπλαγέντες, νοησάτωσαν ἀπʼ αὐτῶν πόσῳ ὁ κατασκευάσας αὐτὰ δυνατώτερός ἐστιν."},{"chapter":13,"verse":5,"text":"Ἐκ γὰρ μεγέθους καλλονῆς κτισμάτων ἀναλόγως ὁ γενεσιουργὸς αὐτῶν θεωρεῖται."},{"chapter":13,"verse":6,"text":"Ἀλλʼ ὅμως ἐπὶ τούτοις ἐστὶ μέμψις ὀλίγη, καὶ γὰρ αὐτοὶ τάχα πλανῶνται Θεὸν ζητοῦντες, καὶ θέλοντες εὑρεῖν."},{"chapter":13,"verse":7,"text":"Ἐν γὰρ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ ἀναστρεφόμενοι διερευνῶσι, καὶ πείθονται τῇ ὄψει, ὅτι καλὰ τὰ βλεπόμενα."},{"chapter":13,"verse":8,"text":"Πάλιν δὲ οὐδʼ αὐτοὶ συγγνωστοί."},{"chapter":13,"verse":9,"text":"Εἰ γὰρ τοσοῦτον ἴσχυσαν εἰδέναι, ἵνα δύνωνται στοχάσασθαι τὸν αἰῶνα, τὸν τούτων δεσπότην πῶς τάχιον οὐχ εὗρον;"},{"chapter":13,"verse":10,"text":"Ταλαίπωροι δὲ καὶ ἐν νεκροῖς αἱ ἐλπίδες αὐτων, οἵτινες ἐκάλεσαν θεοὺς ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων, χρυσὸν καὶ ἄργυρον τέχνης ἐμμελέτημα, καὶ ἀπεικάσματα ζώων, ἢ λίθον ἄχρηστον χειρὸς ἔργον ἀρχαίας."},{"chapter":13,"verse":11,"text":"Εἰ δὲ καί τις ὑλοτῦμος τέκτων εὐκίνητον φυτὸν ἐκπρίσας, περιέξυσεν εὐμαθῶς πάντα τὸν φλοιὸν αὐτοῦ, καὶ τεχνησέμενος εὐπρεπῶς κατεσκεύασε χρήσιμον σκεῦος εἰς ὑπηρεσίαν ζωῆς,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":12,"text":"τὰ δὲ ἀποβλήματα τῆς ἐργασίας εἰς ἑτοιμασίαν τροφῆς ἀναλώσας ἐνεπλήσθη,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":13,"text":"τὸ δὲ ἐξ αὐτῶν ἀπόβλημα εἰς οὐθὲν εὔχρηστον, ξύλον σκολιὸν, καὶ ὄζοις συμπεφυκὸς, λαβὼν ἔγλυψεν ἐν ἐπιμελείᾳ ἀργίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐμπειρίᾳ συνέσεως ἐτύπωσεν αὐτὸ, ἀπείκασεν αὐτὸ εἰκόνι ἀνθρώπου,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":14,"text":"ἢ ζώῳ τινὶ εὐτελεῖ ὡμοίωσεν αὐτὸ, καταχρίσας μίλτῳ, καὶ φύκει ἐρυθῄνας χρόαν αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶσαν κηλίδα τὴν ἐν αὐτῷ καταχρίσας."},{"chapter":13,"verse":15,"text":"Καὶ ποιήσας αὐτῷ αὐτοῦ ἄξιον οἴκημα, ἐν τοίχῳ ἔθηκεν αὐτὸ ἀσφαλισάμενος σιδήρῳ·"},{"chapter":13,"verse":16,"text":"ἵνα μὲν οὖν μὴ καταπέσῃ, προενόησεν αὐτοῦ, εἰδὼς ὅτι ἀδυνατεῖ ἑαυτῷ βοηθῆσαι, καὶ γάρ ἐστιν εἰκὼν, καὶ χρείαν ἔχει βοηθείας."},{"chapter":13,"verse":17,"text":"Περὶ δὲ κτημάτων καὶ γάμων αὐτοῦ καὶ τέκνων προσευχόμενος, οὐκ αἰσχύνεται τῷ ἀψύχῳ προσλαλῶν."},{"chapter":13,"verse":18,"text":"Καὶ περὶ μὲν ὑγείας τὸ ἀσθενὲς ἐπικαλεῖται, περὶ δὲ ζωῆς τὸν νεκρὸν ἀξιοῖ, περὶ δὲ ἐπικουρίας τὸν ἀπειρότατον ἱκετεύει, περὶ δὲ ὁδοιπορίας τὸ μηδὲ βάσει χρῆσθαι δυνάμενον,"},{"chapter":13,"verse":19,"text":"περὶ δὲ πορισμοῦ καὶ ἐργασίας καὶ χειρῶν ἐπιτυχίας τὸ ἀδρανέστατον ταῖς χερσὶν εὐδράνειαν αἰτεῖται."},{"chapter":14,"verse":1,"text":"Πλοῦν τις πάλιν στελλόμενος, καὶ ἄγρια μέλλων διοδεύειν κύματα, τοῦ φέροντος αὐτὸν πλοίου σαθρότερον ξύλον ἐπιβοᾶται."},{"chapter":14,"verse":2,"text":"Ἐκεῖνο μὲν γὰρ ὄρεξις πορισμῶν ἐπενόησε, τεχνίτης δὲ σοφίᾳ κατεσκεύασεν·"},{"chapter":14,"verse":3,"text":"ἡ δὲ σὴ, Πάτερ, διακυβερνᾷ πρόνοια, ὅτι ἔδωκας καὶ ἐν θαλάσσῃ ὁδὸν καὶ ἐν κύμασι τρίβον ἀσφαλῆ·"},{"chapter":14,"verse":4,"text":"δεικνὺς ὅτι δύνασαι ἐκ παντὸς σώζειν, ἵνα κᾂν ἄνευ τέχνης τις ἐπιβῇ."},{"chapter":14,"verse":5,"text":"Θέλεις δὲ μὴ ἀργὰ εἶναι τὰ τῆς σοφίας σου ἔργα, διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐλαχίστῳ ξύλῳ πιστεύουσιν ἄνθρωποι ψυχὰς, καὶ διελθόντες κλύδωνα σχεδίᾳ διεσώθησαν."},{"chapter":14,"verse":6,"text":"Καὶ ἀρχῆς γὰρ ἀπολλυμένων ὑπερηφάνων γιγάντων, ἡ ἐλπὶς τοῦ κόσμου ἐπὶ σχεδίας καταφυγοῦσα, ἀπέλιπεν αἰῶνι σπέρμα γενέσεως τῇ σῇ κυβερνηθεῖσα χειρί."},{"chapter":14,"verse":7,"text":"Εὐλόγηται γὰρ ξύλον διʼ οὗ γίνεται δικαιοσύνη."},{"chapter":14,"verse":8,"text":"Τὸ χειροποίητον δέ ἐπικατάρατον αὐτὸ, καὶ ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸ, ὅτι ὁ μὲν εἰργάζετο, τὸ δὲ φθαρτὸν θεὸς ὠνομάσθη."},{"chapter":14,"verse":9,"text":"Ἐν ἴσῳ γὰρ μισητὰ Θεῷ καὶ ὁ ἀσεβῶν καὶ ἡ ἀσέβεια αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":14,"verse":10,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ τὸ πραχθὲν σὺν τῷ δράσαντι κολασθησεται."},{"chapter":14,"verse":11,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ ἐν εἰδώλοις ἐθνῶν ἐπισκοπὴ ἔσται, ὅτι ἐν κτίσματι Θεοῦ εἰς βδέλυγμα ἐγενήθησαν, καὶ εἰς σκάνδαλα ψυχαῖς ἀνθρώπων, καὶ εἰς παγίδα ποσὶνἀφρόνων."},{"chapter":14,"verse":12,"text":"Ἀρχὴ γὰρ πορνείας ἐπίνοια εἰδώλων, εὕρεσις δὲ αὐτῶν φθορὰ ζωῆς."},{"chapter":14,"verse":13,"text":"Οὔτε γὰρ ἦν ἀπʼ ἀρχῆς, οὔτε εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἔσται."},{"chapter":14,"verse":14,"text":"Κενοδοξίᾳ γὰρ ἀνθρώπων εἰσῆλθεν εἰς κόσμον, καὶ διὰ τοῦτο σύντομον αὐτῶν τέλος ἐπενοήθη."},{"chapter":14,"verse":15,"text":"Ἀώρῳ γὰρ πένθει τρυχόμενος πατὴρ, τοῦ ταχέως ἀφαιρεθέντος τέκνου εἰκόνα ποιήσας, τὸν τότε νεκρὸν ἄνθρωπον, νῦν ὡς θεὸν ἐτίμησεν, καὶ παρέδωκε τοῖς ὑποχειρίοις μυστήρια καὶ τελετάς."},{"chapter":14,"verse":16,"text":"Εἶτα ἐν χρόνῳ κρατυνθὲν τὸ ἀσεβὲς ἔθος ὡς νόμος ἐφυλάχθη,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":17,"text":"καὶ τυράννων ἐπιταγαῖς ἐθρησκεύετο τὰ γλυπτά· οὓς ἐν ὄψει μὴ δυνάμενοι τιμᾷν ἄνθρωποι διὰ τὸ μακρὰν οἰκεῖν, τὴν πόῤῥωθεν ὄψιν ἀνατυπωσάμενοι, ἐμφανῆ εἰκόνα τοῦ τιμωμένου βασιλέως ἐποίησαν, ἵνα τὸν ἀπόντα ὡς παρόντα κολακεύωσι διὰ τῆς σπουδῆς."},{"chapter":14,"verse":18,"text":"Εἰς ἐπίτασιν δὲ θρησκείας καὶ τοὺς ἀγνοοῦντας ἡ τοῦ τεχνίτου προετρέψατο φιλοτιμία."},{"chapter":14,"verse":19,"text":"Ὁ μὲν γὰρ τάχα τῷ κρατοῦντι βουλόμενος ἀρέσαι, ἐξεβιάσατο τῇ τέχνῃ τὴν ὁμοιότητα ἐπὶ τὸ κάλλιον."},{"chapter":14,"verse":20,"text":"Τὸ δὲ πλῆθος ἐφελκόμενον διὰ τὸ εὔχαρι τῆς ἐργασίας, τὸν πρὸ ὀλίγου τιμηθέντα ἄνθρωπον, νῦν σέβασμα ἐλογίσαντο."},{"chapter":14,"verse":21,"text":"Καὶ τοῦτο ἐγένετο τῷ βίῳ εἰς ἔνεδρον, ὅτι ἢ συμφορᾷ ἢ τυραννίδι δουλεύσαντες ἄνθρωποι, τὸ ἀκοινώνητον ὄνομα λίθοις καὶ ξύλοις περιέθεσαν."},{"chapter":14,"verse":22,"text":"Εἶτʼ οὐκ ἤρκεσε τὸ πλανᾶσθαι περὶ τὴν τοῦ Θεοῦ γνῶσιν, ἀλλὰ καὶ μεγάλῳ ζῶντες ἀγνοίας πολέμῳ, τὰ τοσαῦτα κακὰ εἰρήνην προσαγορεύουσιν."},{"chapter":14,"verse":23,"text":"Ἢ γὰρ τεκνοφόνους τελετὰς, ἢ κρύφια μυστήρια, ἢ ἐμμανεῖς ἐξ ἄλλων θεσμῶν κώμους ἄγοντες,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":24,"text":"οὔτε βίους οὔτε γάμους καθαροὺς ἔτι φυλάσσουσιν, ἕτερος δʼ ἕτερον ἢ λοχῶν ἀναιρεῖ, ἢ νοθεύων ὀδυνᾷ."},{"chapter":14,"verse":25,"text":"Πάντα δʼ ἐπιμὶξ ἔχει αἷμα καὶ φόνος, κλοπὴ καὶ δόλος, φθορὰ, ἀπιστία, ταραχὴ, ἐπιορκία,"},{"chapter":14,"verse":26,"text":"θόρυβος ἀγαθῶν, χάριτος ἀμνησία, ψυχῶν μιασμὸς, γενέσεως ἐναλλαγὴ, γάμων ἀταξία, μοιχεία, καὶ ἀσέλγεια."},{"chapter":14,"verse":27,"text":"Ἡ γὰρ τῶν ἀνωνύμων εἰδώλων θρησκεία παντὸς ἀρχὴ κακοῦ καὶ αἰτία καὶ πέρας ἐστίν."},{"chapter":14,"verse":28,"text":"Ἢ γὰρ εὐφραινόμενοι μεμῄνασιν, ἢ προφητεύουσι ψευδῆ, ἢ ζῶσιν ἀδίκως, ἢ ἐπιορκοῦσι ταχέως."},{"chapter":14,"verse":29,"text":"Ἀψύχοις γὰρ πεποιθότες εἰδώλοις, κακῶς ὀμόσαντες, ἀδικηθῆναι οὐ προσδέχονται."},{"chapter":14,"verse":30,"text":"Ἀμφότερα δὲ αὐτοὺς μετελεύσεται τὰ δίκαια, ὅτι κακῶς ἐφρόνησαν περὶ Θεοῦ προσχόντες εἰδώλοις, καὶ ἀδίκως ὤμοσαν ἐν δόλῳ καταφρονήσαντες ὁσιότητος."},{"chapter":14,"verse":31,"text":"Οὐ γὰρ ἡ τῶν ὀμνυομένων δύναμις, ἀλλʼ ἡ τῶν ἁμαρτανόντων δίκη ἐπεξέρχεται ἀεὶ τὴν τῶν ἀδίκων παράβασιν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":1,"text":"Σὺ δὲ ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν χρηστὸς καὶ ἀληθὴς, μακρόθυμος καὶ ἐν ἐλέει διοικῶν τὰ πάντα."},{"chapter":15,"verse":2,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ ἐὰν ἁμάρτωμεν, σοί ἐσμεν, εἰδότες σου τὸ κράτος· οὐχ ἁμαρτησόμεθα δὲ, εἰδότες ὅτι σοὶ λελογίσμεθα."},{"chapter":15,"verse":3,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ ἐπίστασθαί σε ὁλόκληρος δικαιοσύνη, καὶ εἰδέναι τὸ κράτος σου ῥίζα ἀθανασίας."},{"chapter":15,"verse":4,"text":"Οὔτε γὰρ ἐπλάνησεν ἡμᾶς ἀνθρώπων κακότεχνος ἐπίνοια, οὐδὲ σκιαγράφων πόνος ἄκαρπος, εἶδος σπιλωθὲν χρώμασι διηλλαγμένοις."},{"chapter":15,"verse":5,"text":"ὧν ὄψις ἄφροσιν εἰς ὄνειδος ἔρχεται, ποθεῖ, τε νεκρᾶς εἰκόνος εἶδος ἄπνουν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":6,"text":"Κακῶν ἐρασταὶ ἄξιοί τε τοιούτων ἐλπίδων, καὶ οἱ δρῶντες, καὶ οἱ ποθοῦντες, καὶ οἱ σεβόμενοι."},{"chapter":15,"verse":7,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ κεραμεὺς ἁπαλὴν γῆν θλίβων ἐπίμοχθον, πλάσσει πρὸς ὑπηρεσίαν ἡμῶν ἕκαστον. ἀλλʼ ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πηλοῦ ἀνεπλάσατο τά τε τῶν καθαρῶν ἔργων δοῦλα σκεύη, τά τε ἐναντία, πάνθʼ ὁμοίως· τούτων δὲ ἑκατέρου τίς ἑκάστου ἐστὶν ἡ χρῆσις, κριτὴς ὁ πηλουργός."},{"chapter":15,"verse":8,"text":"Καὶ κακόμοχθος θεὸν μάταιον ἐκ τοῦ αὐτοῦ πλάσσει πηλοῦ, ὃς πρὸ μικροῦ ἐκ γῆς γεννηθεὶς μετʼ ὀλίγον πορεύεται ἐξ ἧς ἐλήφθη, τὸ τῆς ψυχῆς ἀπαιτηθεὶς χρέος."},{"chapter":15,"verse":9,"text":"Ἀλλʼ ἔστιν αὐτῷ φροντὶς οὐχ ὅτι μέλλει κάμνειν, οὐδʼ ὅτι βραχυτελῆ βίον ἔχει, ἀλλʼ ἀντερείδεται μὲν χρυσουργοῖς καὶ ἀργυροχόοις, χαλκοπλάστας τε μιμεῖται, καὶ δόξαν ἡγεῖται ὅτι κίβδηλα πλάσσει."},{"chapter":15,"verse":10,"text":"Σποδὸς ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ, καὶ γῆς εὐτελεστέρα ἡ ἐλπὶς αὐτοῦ, πηδοῦ τε ἀτιμότερος ὁ βίος αὐτον·"},{"chapter":15,"verse":11,"text":"ὅτι ἠγνόησε τὸν πλάσαντα αὐτὸν, καὶ τὸν ἐμπνεύσαντα αὐτῷ ψυχὴν ἐνεργοῦσαν, καὶ ἐμφυσήσαντα πνεῦμα ζωτίκον."},{"chapter":15,"verse":12,"text":"Ἀλλʼ ἐλογίσαντο παίγνιον εἶναι τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν, καὶ τὸν βίον πανεγυρισμὸν ἐπικερδῆ· δεῖν γάρ φησιν ὅθεν δὴ κᾂν ἐκ κακοῦ πορίζειν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":13,"text":"Οὗτος γὰρ παρὰ πάντας οἶδεν ὅτι ἁμαρτάνει, ὕλης γεώδους εὔθραυστα σκεύη καὶ γλυπτὰ δημιουργῶν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":14,"text":"Πάντες δʼ ἀφρονέστατοι καὶ τάλανες ὑπὲρ ψυχὴν νηπίου, οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ λαοῦ σου καταδυναστεύσαντες αὐτόν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":15,"text":"Ὅτι καὶ πάντα εἴδωλα τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐλογίσαντο θεοὺς, οἷς οὔτε ὁμμάτων χρῆσις εἰς ὅρασιν, οὔτε ῥῖνες εἰς συνολκὴν ἀέρος, οὔτε ὦτα ἀκούειν, οὔτε δάκτυλοι χειρῶν εἰς ψηλάφησιν, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτῶν ἀργοὶ πρὸς ἐπίβασιν."},{"chapter":15,"verse":16,"text":"Ἄνθρωπος γὰρ ἐποίησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ τὸ πνεῦμα δεδανεισμένος ἔπλασεν αὐτούς· οὐδεὶς γὰρ αὐτῷ ὅμοιον ἄνθρωπος ἰσχύει πλάσαι θεόν·"},{"chapter":15,"verse":17,"text":"θνητὸς δὲ ὢν νεκρὸν ἐργάζεται χερσὶν ἀνόμοις· κρείττων γάρ ἐστι τῶν σεβασμάτων αὐτοῦ, ὧν αὐτὸς μὲν ἔζησεν, ἐκεῖνα δὲ οὐδέποτε."},{"chapter":15,"verse":18,"text":"Καὶ τὰ ζῶα δὲ τὰ ἔχθιστα σέβονται, ἄνοια γὰρ συγκρινόμενα τῶν ἄλλων ἐστὶ χείρονα."},{"chapter":15,"verse":19,"text":"Οὐδʼ ὅσον ἐπιποθῆσαι ὡς ἐν ζώων ὄψει καλὰ τυγχάνει, ἐκπέφευγε δὲ καὶ τὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔπαινον καὶ τὴν εὐλογίαν αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":16,"verse":1,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο διʼ ὁμοίων ἐκολάσθησαν ἀξίως, καὶ διὰ πλήθους κνωδάλον ἐβασανίσθησαν."},{"chapter":16,"verse":2,"text":"Ἀνθʼ ἧς κολάσεως εὐεργετήσας τὸν λαόν σου, εἰς ἐπιθυμίαν ὀρέξεως ξένην γεῦσιν, τροφὴν ἡτοίμασας ὀρτυγομήτραν,"},{"chapter":16,"verse":3,"text":"ἵνα ἐκεῖνοι μὲν ἐπιθυμοῦντες τροφὴν, διὰ τὴν εἰδέχθειαν τῶν ἐπαπεσταλμένων καὶ τὴν ἀναγκαίαν ὄρεξιν ἀποστρέφωνται, αὐτοὶ δὲ ἐπʼ ὀλίγον ἐνδεεῖς γενόμενοι καὶ ξένης μετάσχωσι γεύσεως."},{"chapter":16,"verse":4,"text":"Ἔδει γὰρ ἐκείνοις μὲν ἀπαραίτητον ἔνδειαν ἐπελθεῖν τυραννοῦσι, τούτοις δὲ μόνον δειχθῆναι πῶς οἱ ἐχθροὶ αὐτῶν ἐβασανίζοντο."},{"chapter":16,"verse":5,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ ὅτε αὐτοῖς δεινὸς ἐπῆλθε θηρίων θυμὸς, δήγμασί τε σκολιῶν διεφθείροντο ὄφεων, οὐ μέχρι τέλους ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή σου."},{"chapter":16,"verse":6,"text":"Εἰς νουθεσίαν δὲ πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐταράχθησαν, σύμβολον ἔχοντες σωτηρίας, εἰς ἀνάμνησιν ἐντολῆς νόμου σου."},{"chapter":16,"verse":7,"text":"Ὁ γὰρ ἐπιστραφεὶς οὐ διὰ τὸ θεωρούμενον ἐσώζετο, ἀλλὰ διὰ σὲ τὸν πάντων σωτῆρα."},{"chapter":16,"verse":8,"text":"Καὶ ἐν τούτῳ δὲ ἔπεισας τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ἡμῶν, ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ ῥυόμενος ἐκ παντὸς κακοῦ."},{"chapter":16,"verse":9,"text":"Οὓς μὲν γὰρ ἀκρίδων καὶ μυιῶν ἀπέκτεινε δήγματα, καὶ οὐχ εὑρέθη ἴαμα τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἄξιοι ησαν ὑπὸ τοιούτων κολασθῆναι."},{"chapter":16,"verse":10,"text":"Τοὺς δὲ υἱούς σου οὐδὲ ἰοβόλων δρακόντων ἐνίκησαν ὀδόντες, τὸ ἔλεος γάρ σου ἀντιπαρῆλθε καὶ ἰάσατο αὐτούς."},{"chapter":16,"verse":11,"text":"Εἰς γὰρ ὑπόμνησιν τῶν λογίων σου ἐνεκεντρίζοντο, καὶ ὀξέως διεσώζοντο, ἵνα μὴ εἰς βαθεῖαν ἐμπεσόντες λήθην, ἀπερίσπαστοι γένωνται τῆς σῆς εὐεργεσίας."},{"chapter":16,"verse":12,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ οὔτε βοτάνη οὔτε μάλαγμα ἐθεράπευσεν αὐτοὺς, ἀλλὰ ὁ σός Κύριε λόγος ὁ πάντα ἰώμενος."},{"chapter":16,"verse":13,"text":"Σὺ γὰρ ζωῆς καὶ θανάτου ἐξουσίαν ἔχεις, καὶ κατάγεις εἰς πύλας ᾅδου καὶ ἀνάγεις."},{"chapter":16,"verse":14,"text":"Ἄνθρωπος δὲ ἀποκτέννει μὲν τῇ κακίᾳ αὐτοῦ, ἐξελθὸν δὲ πνεῦμα οὐκ ἀναστρέφει, οὐδὲ ἀναλύει ψυχὴν παραληφθεῖσαν."},{"chapter":16,"verse":15,"text":"Τὴν δὲ σὴν χεῖρα φυγεῖν ἀδύνατόν ἐστιν."},{"chapter":16,"verse":16,"text":"Ἀρνούμενοι γάρ σε εἰδέναι ἀσεβεῖς, ἐν ἰσχύϊ βραχίονός σου ἐμαστιγώθησαν, ξένοις ὑετοῖς καὶ χαλάζαις καὶ ὄμβροις διωκόμενοι ἀπαραιτήτοις, καὶ πυρὶ καταναλισκόμενοι."},{"chapter":16,"verse":17,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ παραδοξότατον, ἐν τῷ πάντα σβεννῦντι ὕδατι πλεῖον ἐνήργει τὸ πῦρ· ὑπέρμαχος γὰρ ὁ κόσμος ἐστὶ δικαίων."},{"chapter":16,"verse":18,"text":"Ποτὲ μὲν γὰρ ἡμεροῦτο φλὸξ, ἵνα μὴ καταφλέξῃ τὰ ἐπʼ ἀσεβεῖς ἀπεσταλμένα ζῶα, ἀλλʼ αὐτοὶ βλέποντες ἴδωσιν, ὅτι Θεοῦ κρίσει ἐλαύνονται."},{"chapter":16,"verse":19,"text":"Ποτὲ δὲ καὶ μεταξὺ ὕδατος ὑπὲρ τὴν πυρὸς δυναμιν φλέγει, ἵνα ἀδίκου γῆς γεννήματα διαφθείρῃ."},{"chapter":16,"verse":20,"text":"Ἀνθʼ ὧν ἀγγέλων τροφὴν ἐψώμισας τὸ λαόν σου, καὶ ἕτοιμον ἄρτον αὐτοῖς ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ ἔπεμψας ἀκοπιάτως, πᾶσαν ἡδονὴν ἰσχύοντα καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν ἁρμόνιον γεῦσιν."},{"chapter":16,"verse":21,"text":"Ἡ μὲν γὰρ ὑπόστασίς σου τὴν σὴν γλυκύτητα πρὸς τέκνα ἐνεφάνισε, τῇ δὲ τοῦ προσφερομένου ἐπιθυμίᾳ ὑπηρετῶν, πρὸς ὅ τις ἐβούλετο μετεκιρνᾶτο."},{"chapter":16,"verse":22,"text":"Χιὼν δὲ καὶ κρύσταλλος ὑπέμεινε πῦρ, καὶ οὐκ ἐτήκετο, ἵνα γνῶσιν ὅτι τοὺς τῶν ἐχθρῶν καρποὺς κατέφθειρε πῦρ φλεγομένον, ἐν τῇ χαλάζῃ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ὑετοῖς διαστράπτον."},{"chapter":16,"verse":23,"text":"Τοῦτο πάλιν δʼ ἵνα τραφῶσι δίκαιοι, καὶ τῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλελῆσθαι δυνάμεως."},{"chapter":16,"verse":24,"text":"Ἡ γὰρ κτίσις σοι τῷ ποιήσαντι ὑπηρετοῦσα, ἐπιτείνεται εἰς κόλασιν κατὰ τῶν ἀδίκων, καὶ ἀνίεται εἰς εὐεργεσίαν ὑπὲρ τῶν εἰς σὲ πεποιθότων."},{"chapter":16,"verse":25,"text":"Διὰ τοῦτο καὶ τότε εἰς πάντα μεταλλευομένη, τῇ παντοτρόφῳ σου δωρεᾷ ὑπηρετεῖ, πρὸς τὴν τῶν δεομένων θέλησιν·"},{"chapter":16,"verse":26,"text":"ἵνα μάθωσιν οἱ υἱοί σου, οὓς ἠγάπησας, Κύριε, ὅτι οὐχ αἱ γενέσεις τῶν καρπῶν τρέφουσιν ἄνθρωπον, ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου τούς σοι πιστεύοντας διατηρεῖ."},{"chapter":16,"verse":27,"text":"Τὸ γὰρ ὑπὸ πυρὸς μὴ φθειρόμενον, ἁπλῶς ὑπὸ βραχείας ἀκτῖνος ἡλίου θερμαινόμενον ἐτήκετο·"},{"chapter":16,"verse":28,"text":"ὅπως γνωστὸν ᾖ, ὅτι δεῖ φθάνειν τὸν ἥλιον ἐπʼ εὐχαριστίαν σου, καὶ πρὸς ἀνατολὴν φωτὸς ἐντυγχάνειν σοι."},{"chapter":16,"verse":29,"text":"Ἀχαρίστου γὰρ ἐλπὶς ὡς χειμέριος πάχνη τακήσεται, καὶ ῥυήσεται ὡς ὕδωρ ἄχρηστον."},{"chapter":17,"verse":1,"text":"Μεγάλαι γάρ σου αἱ κρίσεις καὶ δυσδιήγητοι· διὰ τοῦτο ἀπαίδευτοι ψυχαὶ ἐπλανήθησαν."},{"chapter":17,"verse":2,"text":"Ὑπειληφότες γὰρ καταδυναστεύειν ἔθνος ἅγιον ἄνομοι, δέσμιοι σκότους καὶ μακρᾶς πεδῆται νυκτὸς, κατακλεισθέντες ὀρόφοις, φυγάδες τῆς αἰωνίου προνοίας ἔκειντο."},{"chapter":17,"verse":3,"text":"Λανθάνειν γὰρ νομίζοντες ἐπὶ κρυφαίοις ἁμαρτήμασιν, ἀφεγγεῖ λήθης παρακαλύμματι ἐσκορπίσθησαν, θαμβούμενοι δεινῶς καὶ ἰνδάλμασιν ἐκταρασσόμενοι."},{"chapter":17,"verse":4,"text":"Οὐδὲ γὰρ ὁ κατέχων αὐτοὺς μυχὸς ἀφόβως διεφύλασσεν, ἦχοι δὲ καταράσσοντες αὐτοὺς περιεκόμπουν, και φάσματα ἀμειδήτοις κατηφῆ προσώποις ἐνεφανίζετο."},{"chapter":17,"verse":5,"text":"Καὶ πυρὸς μὲν οὐδεμία βία κατίσχυε φωτίζειν, οὔτε ἄστρων ἔκλαμπροι φλόγες καταυγάζειν ὑπέμενον τὴν στυγνὴν ἐκείνην νύκτα."},{"chapter":17,"verse":6,"text":"Διεφαίνετο δʼ αὐτοῖς μόνον αὐτομάτη πυρὰ φόβου πλήρης, ἐκδειματούμενοι δὲ τῆς μὴ θεωρουμένης ἐκείνης ὄψεως, ἡγοῦντο χείρω τὰ βλεπόμενα."},{"chapter":17,"verse":7,"text":"Μαγικῆς δὲ ἐμπαίγματα κατέκειτο τέχνης, καὶ τῆς ἐπὶ φρονήσει ἀλαζονείας ἔλεγχος ἐφύβριστος."},{"chapter":17,"verse":8,"text":"Οἱ γὰρ ὑπισχνούμενοι δείματα καὶ ταραχὰς ἀπελαύνειν ψυχῆς νοσούσης, οὗτοι καταγέλαστον εὐλάβειαν ἐνόσουν."},{"chapter":17,"verse":9,"text":"Καὶ γὰρ εἰ μηδὲν αὐτοὺς ταραχῶδες ἐφόβει, κνωδάλων παρόδοις καὶ ἑρπετῶν συριγμοῖς ἐκσεσοβημένοι,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":10,"text":"διώλλυντο ἔντρομοι καὶ τὸν μηδαμόθεν φευκτὸν ἀέρα προσιδεῖν ἀρνούμενοι."},{"chapter":17,"verse":11,"text":"Δειλὸν γὰρ ἰδίως πονηρία μαρτυρεῖ καταδικαζομένη, ἀεὶ δὲ προσείληφε τὰ χαλεπὰ συνεχομένη τῇ συνειδήσει."},{"chapter":17,"verse":12,"text":"Οὐθὲν γάρ ἐστι φόβος, εἰ μὴ προδοσία τῶν ἀπὸ λογισμοῦ βοηθημάτων."},{"chapter":17,"verse":13,"text":"Ἔνδοθεν δὲ οὖσα ἥττων ἡ προσδοκία, πλείονα λογίζεται τὴν ἄγνοιαν τῆς παρεχούσης τὴν βάσανον αἰτίας."},{"chapter":17,"verse":14,"text":"Οἱ δὲ τὴν ἀδύνατον ὄντως νύκτα καὶ ἐξ ἀδυνάτου ᾅδου μυχῶν ἐπελθοῦσαν, τὸν αὐτὸν ὕπνον κοιμώμενοι,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":15,"text":"τὰ μὲν τέρασιν ἠλαύνοντο φαντασμάτων, τὰ δὲ τῆς ψυχῆς παρελύοντο προδοσίᾳ· αἰφνίδιος γὰρ αὐτοῖς καὶ ἀπροσδόκητος φόβος ἐπῆλθεν."},{"chapter":17,"verse":16,"text":"Εἶθʼ οὕτως, ὃς δήποτʼ οὖν ἦν ἐκεῖ καταπίπτων, ἐφρουρεῖτο εἰς τὴν ἀσίδηρον εἱρκτὴν κατακλεισθείς."},{"chapter":17,"verse":17,"text":"Εἴτε γὰρ γεωργὸς ἦν τις, ἢ ποιμὴν, ἢ τῶν κατʼ ἐρημίαν ἐργάτης μόχθων, προληφθεὶς τὴν δυσάλυκτον ἔμενεν ἀνάγκην· μιᾷ γὰρ ἁλύσει σκότους πάντες ἐδέθησαν."},{"chapter":17,"verse":18,"text":"Εἴτε πνεῦμα συρίζον, ἢ περὶ ἀμφιλαφεῖς κλάδους ὀρνέων ἦχος εὐμελὴς, ἢ ῥυθμὸς ὕδατος πορευομένου βίᾳ, ἢ κτύπος ἀπηνῆς καταῤῥιπτομένων πετρῶν,"},{"chapter":17,"verse":19,"text":"ἢ σκιρτώντων ζώων δρόμος ἀθεώρητος, ἢ ὠρυομένων ἀπηνεστάτων θηρίων φωνὴ, ἢ ἀντανακλωμένη ἐκ κοιλοτάτων ὀρέων ἠχὼ, παρέλυσεν αὐτοὺς ἐκφοβοῦντα."},{"chapter":17,"verse":20,"text":"Ὅλος γὰρ ὁ κόσμος λαμπρῷ κατελάμπετο φωτὶ, καὶ ἀνεμποδίστοις συνείχετο ἔργοις."},{"chapter":17,"verse":21,"text":"Μόνοις δὲ ἐκείνοις ἐπετέτατο βαρεῖα νὺξ, εἰκὼν τοῦ μέλλοντος αὐτοὺς διαδέχεσθαι σκότους, ἑαυτοῖς δὲ ἦσαν βαρύτεροι σκότους."},{"chapter":18,"verse":1,"text":"Τοῖς δὲ ὁσίοις σου μέγιστον ἦν φῶς, ὧν φωνὴν μὲν ἀκούοντες, μορφὴν δὲ οὐχ ὁρῶντες, ὅτι μὲν οὖν κᾀκεῖνοι ἐπεπόνθεισαν, ἐμακάριζον,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":2,"text":"ὅτι δὲ οὐ βλάπτουσι προηδικημένοι, εὐχαριστοῦσι, καὶ τοῦ διενεχθῆναι χάριν ἐδέοντο."},{"chapter":18,"verse":3,"text":"Ἀνθʼ ὧν πυριφλεγῆ στύλον, ὁδηγὸν μὲν ἀγνώστου ὁδοιπορίας, ἥλιον δὲ ἀβλαβῆ φιλοτίμου ξενιτείας παρέσχες."},{"chapter":18,"verse":4,"text":"Ἄξιοι μὲν γὰρ ἐκεῖνοι στερηθῆναι φωτὸς, καὶ φυλακισθῆναι ἐν σκότει, οἱ κατακλείστους φυλάξαντες τοὺς υἱούς σου, διʼ ὧν ἤμελλε τὸ ἄφθαρτον νόμου φῶς τῷ αἰῶνι δίδοσθαι."},{"chapter":18,"verse":5,"text":"Βουλευσαμένους δʼ αὐτοὺς τὰ τῶν ὁσιῶν ἀποκτεῖναι νήπια, καὶ ἑνὸς ἐκτεθέντος τέκνου, καὶ σωθέντος, εἰς ἔλεγχον τὸ αὐτῶν ἀφείλω πλῆθος τέκνων, καὶ ὁμοθυμαδὸν ἀπώλεσας ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ."},{"chapter":18,"verse":6,"text":"Ἐκείνη ἡ νὺξ προεγνώσθη πατράσιν ἡμῶν, ἵνα ἀσφαλῶς εἰδότες οἷς ἐπίστευσαν ὅρκοις, ἐπευθυμήσωσι."},{"chapter":18,"verse":7,"text":"Προσεδέχθη δὲ ὑπὸ λαοῦ σου σωτηρία μὲν δικαίων, ἐχθρῶν δὲ ἀπώλεια."},{"chapter":18,"verse":8,"text":"Ὧς γὰρ ἐτιμωρήσω τοὺς ὑπεναντίους, τούτῳ ἡμᾶς προσκαλεσάμενος ἐδόξασας."},{"chapter":18,"verse":9,"text":"Κρυφῇ γὰρ ἐθυσιαζον ὅσιοι παῖδες ἀγαθῶν, καὶ τὸν τῆς θειότητος νόμον ἐν ὁμονοίᾳ διέθεντο, τῶν αὐτῶν ὁμοίως καὶ ἀγαθῶν καὶ κινδύνων μεταλήψεσθαι τοὺς ἁγίους, πατέρων ἤδη προαναμελπόντων αἴνους."},{"chapter":18,"verse":10,"text":"Ἀντήχει δʼ ἀσύμφωνος ἐχθρῶν βοὴ, καὶ οἰκτρὰ διεφέρετο θρηνουμένων παίδων."},{"chapter":18,"verse":11,"text":"Ὁμοίᾳ δὲ δίκῃ δοῦλος ἅμα δεσπότῃ κολασθεὶς, καὶ δημότης βασιλεῖ τὰ αὐτὰ πάσχων."},{"chapter":18,"verse":12,"text":"Ὁμοθυμαδὸν δὲ πάντες ἐν ἑνὶ ὀνόματι θανάτου νεκροὺς εἶχον ἀναριθμήτους, οὐδὲ γὰρ πρὸς τὸ θάψαι οἱ ζῶντες ἦσαν ἱκανοὶ, ἐπεὶ πρὸς μίαν ῥοπὴν ἡ ἐντιμοτέρα γένεσις αὐτῶν διεφθάρη."},{"chapter":18,"verse":13,"text":"Πάντα γὰρ ἀπιστοῦντες διὰ τὰς φαρμακίας, ἐπὶ τῷ τῶν πρωτοτόκων ὀλέθρῳ, ὡμολόγησαν Θεοῦ υἱὸν λαὸν εἶναι."},{"chapter":18,"verse":14,"text":"Ἡσύχου γὰρ σιγῆς περιεχούσης τὰ πάντα, καὶ νυκτὸς ἐν ἰδίῳ τάχει μεσαζούσης,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":15,"text":"ὁ παντοδύναμός σου λόγος ἀπʼ οὐρανῶν ἐκ θρόνων βασιλειῶν, ἀπότομος πολεμιστὴς, εἰς μέσον τῆς ὀλεθρίας ἥλατο γῆς, ξίφος ὀξὺ τὴν ἀνυπόκριτον ἐπιταγήν σον φέρων,"},{"chapter":18,"verse":16,"text":"καὶ στὰς ἐπλήρωσε τὰ πάντα θανάτου· καὶ οὐρανοῦ μὲν ἥπτετο, βεβήκει δʼ ἐπὶ γῆς."},{"chapter":18,"verse":17,"text":"Τότε παραχρῆμα φαντασίαι μὲν ὀνείρων δεινῶς ἐξετάραξαν αὐτοὺς, φόβοι δὲ ἐπέστησαν ἀδόκητοι"},{"chapter":18,"verse":18,"text":"καὶ ἄλλος ἀλλαχῇ ῥιφεὶς ἡμίθνητος, διʼ ἣν ἔθνησκεν αἰτίαν ἐνεφάνιζεν."},{"chapter":18,"verse":19,"text":"Οἱ γὰρ ὄνειροι θορυβήσαντες αὐτοὺς, τοῦτο προεμήνυσαν, ἵνα μὴ ἀγνοοῦντες διʼ ὃ κακῶς πάσχουσιν, ἀπόλωνται."},{"chapter":18,"verse":20,"text":"Ἥψατο δὲ καὶ δικαίων πεῖρα θανάτου, καὶ θραῦσις ἐν ἐρήμῳ ἐγένετο πλήθους· ἀλλʼ οὐκ ἐπὶ πολὺ ἔμεινεν ἡ ὀργή."},{"chapter":18,"verse":21,"text":"Σπεύσας γὰρ ἀνὴρ ἄμεμπτος προεμάχησε· τὸ τῆς ἰδίας λειτουργίας ὅπλον, προσευχὴν καὶ θυμιάματος ἐξιλασμὸν κομίσας, ἀντέστη τῷ θυμῷ, καὶ πέρας ἐπέθηκε τῇ συμφορᾷ, δεικνὺς ὅτι σός ἐστι θεράπων."},{"chapter":18,"verse":22,"text":"Ἐνίκησε δὲ τὸν ὄχλον οὐκ ἰσχύϊ τοῦ σώματος, οὐχ ὅπλων ἐνεργείᾳ, ἀλλὰ λόγῳ τὸν κολάζοντα ὑπέταξεν, ὅρκους πατέρων καὶ διαθήκας ὑπομνήσας."},{"chapter":18,"verse":23,"text":"Σωρηδὸν γὰρ ἤδη πεπτωκότων ἐπʼ ἀλλήλων νεκρῶν, μεταξὺ στὰς, ἀνέκοψε τὴν ὀργὴν, καὶ διέσχισε τὴν πρὸς τοὺς ζῶντας ὁδόν."},{"chapter":18,"verse":24,"text":"Ἐπὶ γὰρ ποδήρους ἐνδύματος ἦν ὅλος ὁ κόσμος, καὶ πατέρων δόξαι ἐπὶ τετραστίχου λίθου γλυφῆς, καὶ μεγαλωσύνη σου ἐπὶ διαδήματος κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ."},{"chapter":18,"verse":25,"text":"Τούτοις εἶξεν ὁ ὀλοθρεύων, ταῦτα δὲ ἐφοβήθησαν· ἦν γὰρ μόνη ἡ πεῖρα τῆς ὀργῆς ἱκανή."},{"chapter":19,"verse":1,"text":"Τοῖς δὲ ἀσεβέσι μέχρι τέλους ἀνελεήμων θυμὸς ἐπέστη· προῄδει γὰρ αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ μέλλοντα,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":2,"text":"ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἐπιστρέψαντες τοῦ ἀπεῖναι, καὶ μετὰ σπουδῆς προπέμψαντες αὐτοὺς, διώξουσι μεταμεληθέντες."},{"chapter":19,"verse":3,"text":"Ἔτι γὰρ ἐν χερσὶν ἔχοντες τὰ πὲνθη, καὶ προσοδυρόμενοι τάφοις νεκρῶν, ἕτερον ἐπεσπάσαντο λογισμὸν ἀνοίας, καὶ οὓς ἱκετεύοντες ἐξέβαλον, τούτους ὡς φυγάδας ἐδίωκον."},{"chapter":19,"verse":4,"text":"Εἷλκε γὰρ αὐτοὺς ἡ ἀξία ἐπὶ τοῦτο τὸ πέρας ἀνάγκη, καὶ τῶν συμβεβηκότων ἀμνηστίαν ἐνέβαλεν, ἵνα τὴν λείπουσαν ταῖς βασάνοις προαναπληρώσωσιν κόλασιν·"},{"chapter":19,"verse":5,"text":"καὶ ὁ μὲν λαός σου παράδοξον ὁδοιπορίαν περάσῃ, ἐκεῖνοι δὲ ξένον εὕρωσι θάνατον."},{"chapter":19,"verse":6,"text":"Ὅλη γὰρ ἡ κτίσις ἐν ἰδίῳ γένει πάλιν ἄνωθεν διετυποῦτο, ὑπηρετοῦσα ταῖς ἰδίαις ἐπιταγαῖς, ἵνα οἱ σοὶ παῖδες φυλαχθῶσιν ἀβλαβεῖς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":7,"text":"Ἡ τὴν παρεμβολὴν σκιάζουσα νεφέλη, ἐκ δὲ προϋφεστῶτος ὕδατος ξηρᾶς ἀνάδυσις γῆς ἐθεωρήθη, ἐξ ἐρυθρᾶς θαλάσσης ὁδὸς ἀνεμπόδιστος, καὶ χλοηφόρον πεδίον ἐκ κλύδωνος βιαίου,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":8,"text":"διʼ οὗ πανεθνὶ διῆλθον οἱ τῇ σῇ σκεπαζόμενοι χειρί, θεωρήσαντες θαυμαστὰ τέρατα."},{"chapter":19,"verse":9,"text":"Ὡς γὰρ ἵπποι ἐνεμήθησαν, καὶ ὡς ἀμνοὶ διεσκίρτησαν, αἰνοῦντές σε, Κύριε, τὸν ῥυόμενον αὐτούς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":10,"text":"Ἐμέμνηντο γὰρ ἔτι τῶν ἐν τῇ παροικίᾳ αὐτῶν, πῶς ἀντὶ μὲν γενέσεως ζώων ἐξήγαγεν ἡ γῆ σκνῖπα, ἀντὶ δὲ ἐνύδρων ἐξηρεύξατο ὁ ποταμὸς πλῆθος βατράχων."},{"chapter":19,"verse":11,"text":"Ἐφʼ ὑστέρῳ δὲ εἶδον καὶ νέαν γένεσιν ὀρνέων, ὅτι ἐπιθυμίᾳ προαχθέντες ᾐτήσαντο ἐδέσματα τρυφῆς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":12,"text":"Εἰς γὰρ παραμυθίαν ἀνέβη αὐτοῖς ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ὀρτυγομήτρα,"},{"chapter":19,"verse":13,"text":"καὶ αἱ τιμωρίαι τοῖς ἁμαρτωλοῖς ἐπῆλθον, οὐκ ἄνευ τῶν γεγονότων τεκμήριων τῇ βίᾳ τῶν κεραυνῶν· δικαίως γὰρ ἔπασχον ταῖς ἰδίαις αὐτῶν πονηρίαις· καὶ γὰρ χαλεπωτέραν μισοξενίαν ἐπετήδευσαν."},{"chapter":19,"verse":14,"text":"Οἱ μὲν γὰρ τοὺς ἀγνοοῦντας οὐκ ἐδέχοντο παρόντας, οὗτοι δὲ εὐεργέτας ξένους ἐδουλοῦντο."},{"chapter":19,"verse":15,"text":"Καὶ οὐ μόνον, ἀλλʼ ἥτις ἐπισκοπὴ ἔσται αὐτῶν, ἐπεὶ ἀπεχθῶς προσεδέχοντο τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους·"},{"chapter":19,"verse":16,"text":"οἱ δὲ μετὰ ἑορτασμάτων εἰσδεξάμενοι τοὺς ἤδη τῶν αὐτῶν μετεσχηκότας δικαίων δεινοῖς ἐκάκωσαν πόνοις."},{"chapter":19,"verse":17,"text":"Ἐπλήγησαν δὲ καὶ ἀορασίᾳ, ὥσπερ ἐκεῖνοι ἐπὶ ταῖς τοῦ δικαίου θύραις, ὅτε ἀχανεῖ περιβληθέντες σκότει, ἕκαστος τῶν αὐτοῦ θυρῶν τὴν δίοδον ἐζήτει."},{"chapter":19,"verse":18,"text":"Διʼ ἑαυτῶν γὰρ τὰ στοιχεῖα μεθαρμοζόμενα, ὥσπερ ἐν ψαλτηρίῳ φθόγγοι τοῦ ῥυθμοῦ τὸ ὄνομα διαλλάσσουσι, πάντοτε μένοντα ἤχῳ, ὅπερ ἐστὶν εἰκάσαι ἐκ τῆς τῶν γεγονότων ὄψεως ἀκριβῶς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":19,"text":"Χερσαῖα γὰρ εἰς ἔνυδρα μετεβάλλετο, καὶ νηκτὰ μετέβαινεν ἐπὶ γῆς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":20,"text":"Πῦρ ἴσχυσεν ἐν ὕδατι τῆς ἰδίας δυνάμεως, καὶ ὕδωρ τῆς σβεστικῆς δυνάμεως ἐπελανθάνετο."},{"chapter":19,"verse":21,"text":"Φλόγες ἀνάπαλιν εὐφθάρτων ζώων οὐκ ἐμάραναν σάρκας ἐμπεριπατούντων, οὐδὲ τηκτὸν εὔτηκτον κρυσταλλοειδὲς γένος ἀμβροσίας τροφῆς."},{"chapter":19,"verse":22,"text":"Κατὰ πάντα γὰρ, Κύριε, ἐμεγάλυνας τὸν λαόν σου, καὶ ἐδόξασας, καὶ οὐχ ὑπερεῖδες, ἐν παντὶ καιρῷ καὶ τόπῳ παριστάμενος."}]}]}