The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocryphal books,

PROVERBS.

[Prologue on the book of Proverbs [This prologue is from M.] .]

IN these Prouerbis of Salomon is contened myche prudence and vndurstonding, ȝouen to Salomon bi the Spirit of God, and acordinge in many places with the gospel of Crist. And as Crist techith in his gospel goostli wisdom oonli, so Salomon techith worldli warnesse, how a man owith to gouerne him prudentli in the world, and to be war of perels and mescheues, and to fle nedynesse, and to schewe bi his gouernaunce, that the prudence of God is with him, which is arettid as liȝt, and folie is arettid as derknesse.

[Here bigynnen the Prouerbis of Sa|lomon [From EM. Here bygynnen the Prouerbis. G. Heere bigynnith the book of Prouerbis. I. Here biginnith the Prouerbis of Salomon. Pç. No initial rubric in the other Mss.] .] CAP. I.

[verse 1] The parablis of Salomon, the sone of [verse 2] Dauid, king of Israel; to kunne wisdom [verse 3] and kunnyng; to vndurstonde the wordis of prudence; and to take the lernyng of teching; to take riȝtfulnesse, and dom, and [verse 4] equyte; that felnesse [felnesse, or warnesse V.] [felnesse; to eschewe yuelis. Lire here C.] be ȝouun to litle children [children; that is, symple men. Lire here. C et alii.] , and kunnyng, and vndurstond|ing to a ȝong wexynge man. [verse 5] A wise man heringe schal be wisere [the wisere I.] ; and a man vn|durstondinge schal holde gouernails. [verse 6] He schal perseyue a parable, and expown|yng [the expownyng I.] [expownyng; that is, in se|inge the veri vndurstonding thereof. Lire here. C.] ; the wordis of wise men, and the derk figuratif spechis of hem. [verse 7] The [Om. I.] drede of the Lord is the bigynning of wisdom; foolis dispisen wisdom and teching. [verse 8] My sone, here thou the teching of thi fadir [fadir; that is, God. and thi modir; that is, of hooli chirche. Lire here. C.] , and forsake thou not the lawe of thi [verse 9] modir; that grace be addid, ethir en|creessid [encreesse W.] , to thin heed, and a bie [and a bie, etc.; bi eld tyme wise men weren wont to haue a goldun bie, in signe of wis|dom. Lire here. C.] to thi necke. [verse 10] Mi sone, if synneris flateren thee, assente thou not to hem. [verse 11] If thei seien, Come thou with vs, sette we aspies to blood [schede blood I.] , hide we snaris of disseitis aȝens [verse 12] an innocent without cause; swolowe we him, as helle swolowith a man lyuynge; and al hool, as goynge doun in to a lake;

[verse 13] we schulen fynde al preciouse catel, we schulen fille oure housis with spuylis [robries I.] [spuylis; that is, richessis rauyschid fro the innocentis hows. Lire here. C.] ; [verse 14] sende [putte I.] thou lot with vs, o purs be [be ther I.] of vs [verse 15] alle; my sone, go thou not with hem; forbede thi foot fro the pathis of hem. [verse 16] For the feet of hem rennen to yuel; and thei hasten to schede out blood. [verse 17] But a net [net; bi the net is signefied disseit of wick|id men, and this is set forth in veyn to wise men, that han iȝen to se yuel suynge, and ben wyngid bi vertu to eschewe it. Lire here. C.] is leid in veyn [in veyn; ben disseitis or dis|seyuable wordis putte bifore vertuouse wise men. Ka.] bifore the iȝen [bifor the iȝen; that is, bifor briddis seinge scharpeli the peril, and eschewinge bi fliȝt. C.] of briddis, that han wengis. [verse 18] Also `thilke wickid disseyueris setten [thei setten I. that setten S.] aspies aȝens her owne blood; and maken redi fraudis [fraudis, or gijles I.] aȝens her soulis. [verse 19] So the pathis of ech auerouse man rauyschen [rauyschen or taken awey I.] [rauyschen, etc.; that is, alien thing to helle. Lire here. CNa.] the soulis of hem that welden [that is, wisdam K marg.] . [verse 20] Wisdom [Wisdom; that is, God, wisdom with out bigyn|nyng. prech|ith; bi profetis and techeris. in stretis; for thei that han hoolsum doc|tryn, techen in comyn places, as aȝenward thei that han yuel doctryn and suspect, techen in priuy places; for he that doith yuele, hatith liȝt, and he cometh not to the liȝt, lest hise werkis ben repreued, but he that doith truthe, cometh to the liȝt, that hise werkis be schewid, for tho ben doon in God, as Crist seith, in iij. co. of Joon. Lire here. C.] prechith with outforth; in stretis it ȝyueth his vois. [verse 21] It crieth ofte in the heed of cumpenyes; in the leeues of ȝatis of the citee it [verse 22] bringith forth hise wordis, and seith, Hou long, ȝe [Om. I.] litle men in wit, louen [louen ȝe I.] ȝong childhod [childhod; that is, wan|tonnesse. Lire here. CNVa.] , and foolis schulen coueyte tho thingis, that ben harmful to hem silf, and [and hou longe I.] vnprudent men schulen hate kun|nyng? [verse 23] Be ȝe conuertid at my repreu|yng; lo, Y schal profre [brynge ceteri.] forth to ȝou my spirit, and Y schal schewe my wordis. [verse 24] For Y clepide [Y clepide; that is, bi wise men and pro|fetis. noon was, etc.; that is, fewe bihelden, in comparisoun of the multitude. Lire here. C.] , and ȝe forsoken; Y helde forth myn hond, and noon was [ther was I.] that bi|helde. [verse 25] Ȝe dispisiden [haue dispisid I.] al my councel; and chargiden not my blamyngis. [verse 26] And Y schal leiȝe in ȝoure perisching; and Y schal scorne [bymowe NY.] ȝou, whanne that, that ȝe dreden, cometh to ȝou. [verse 27] Whanne sodeyne wretch|idnesse fallith in, and perisching [spillyng I.] bifallith as tempest; whanne tribulacioun and an|gwisch cometh [comen I.] on ȝou. [verse 28] Thanne thei schulen clepe me, and Y schal not here [schal nothere; for the tyme of merit is passid, as to deed men, ether for thei that synnen repenten not verily, that is, for the loue of good, but onely for drede, and hidousnesse of peyne. Lire here. C.] ; thei schulen rise eerli, and thei schulen not fynde me. [verse 29] For [For cause that I.] thei hatiden [hadden I.] teching [teching in hate I.] , and [and for I.] thei token not the [Om. I.] drede of the [verse 30] Lord, nether [nether thei I.] assentiden to my councel, and [and thei I.] depraueden al myn amendyng. [verse 31] Ther|for thei schulen ete the fruytis [ete the fruytis, etc.; that is, schulen be pu|nyschid bi her yuele werkis. Lire here. CV.] of her weie; and thei schulen be fillid with her

counseils. [verse 32] The turnyng awei of litle men in wit schal sle hem; and the prosperite of foolis schal leese [fordo I.] hem. [verse 33] But he that herith [wel herith I.] me [he that her|ith me; that is, obeyeth to Goddis heestis. abundaunce; of goostli goodis, and of the hiȝeste good in blis. Lire here. C.] , schal reste with outen drede; and he schal vse abundaunce, whanne the drede of yuels is takun awei.

CAP. II.

[verse 1] Mi sone, if thou resseyuest my wordis, [verse 2] and hidist myn heestis [and hidist myn heestis; not in hidinge tho fro othere men, for siche owen to be comyned to neiȝboris, but in kepinge tho as a preciouse thing. thyn eere; that is, the eere of bodi and of soule. wisdom; is propirly knowing of dy|uyn thingis. and prudence; is knowing of manus thingis worthi to be doon. kunnyng; is of thingis to be biholdun in wit. Lire here. C.] anentis thee; that thin eere here wisdom, bowe thin herte to knowe prudence. [verse 3] For if thou inwardli clepist wisdom, and bowist thin herte [ere I.] to [verse 4] prudence; if thou sekist it as money [as money; that is, with so greet enforsing, as an auarouse man sekith money, and as a mynour sek|ith gold hid. Lire here. C.] , [verse 5] and diggist it out as tresours; thanne thou schalt vndirstonde the drede of the Lord, and schalt fynde the kunnyng of God. [verse 6] For the Lord ȝyueth wisdom [ȝyueth wisdom; to hem that desiren it. C.] ; and prudence and kunnyng is of his mouth. [verse 7] He schal kepe the heelthe of riȝt|ful men, and he schal defende hem that goen sympli. [verse 8] And he schal kepe the pathis of riȝtfulnesse [riȝtwisnesse I.] , and he schal kepe the weies of hooli men. [verse 9] Thanne thou schalt vndirstonde riȝtfulnesse, and dom, and equytee, and ech good path [ech good path; that is, hiȝ ver|tu, that ledith schortly to blis. Lire here. C.] . [verse 10] If wysdom entrith in to thin herte, and kun|nyng [verse 11] plesith thi soule, good councel schal kepe thee, and prudence schal kepe thee; [verse 12] that thou be delyuered fro an yuel weie [yuel wey; that is, idola|trie. C.] , and fro a man that spekith weiward thingis. [verse 13] Whiche [The whiche I.] forsaken a riȝtful weie, [verse 14] and goen bi derk weies; whiche [the whiche I.] ben glad, whanne thei han do yuel, and maken [verse 15] ful out ioye in worste thingis; whose weies ben weywerd, and her goyingis ben of yuel fame. [verse 16] That thou be delyuered fro an alien womman [an alien womman; that is, fro idolatrie, that makith alien fro God, ether fro a womman auou|tresse, as to the synne of fleisch. Lire here. C. that is, fro any womman that is leecherous, aȝenus the bid|ding of Goddis lawe. Lire here. K.] , and fro a straunge womman, that makith soft hir wordis; [verse 17] and forsakith the duyk [duyk, or ledere I.] of hir tyme of [verse 18] mariage, and hath forȝete the couenaunt of hir God. For the hous of hir is bowid to deeth, and hir pathis to helle. [verse 19] Alle that entren to hir [Alle that en|tren to hir, etc.; that is, for we schulen turne aȝen to veri feith and onour of God. Lire here. C.] , schulen not turne aȝen,

nether [nether thei I.] schulen catche the pathis of lijf. [verse 20] That thou go in [in to A.] a good weie, and kepe the pathis of iust men. [verse 21] Forsothe thei that ben riȝtful, schulen dwelle in the lond; and symple men schulen perfitli dwelle ther ynne. [verse 22] But vnfeithful men schulen be lost fro the loond; and thei that doen wickidli, schulen be takun awey fro it.

CAP. III.

[verse 1] Mi sone, forȝete thou not my lawe; and thyn herte kepe my comaundementis. [verse 2] For tho [thei I.] schulen sette to thee the lengthe of daies, and the ȝeeris of lijf, and pees. [verse 3] Merci and treuthe forsake thee not [forsake thee not; that is, be not forsakun of thee, for whi vertues for|saken not a man, no but for he forsakith tho. good tech|ing; ether tem|peraunce and oneste in vtir|mere conuersa|cioun. Lire here. C.] ; bynde thou tho to thi throte, and write [write hem I.] in the tablis of thin herte. [verse 4] And thou schalt fynde grace, and good teching bi|fore God and men. [verse 5] Haue thou trist in the Lord, of al thin herte; and triste [lene I.] thou not to thi prudence. [verse 6] In alle thi weies thenke thou [Om. I.] on hym, and he schal dresse thi goyngis. [verse 7] Be thou not wijs anentis thi silf [in thijn owne reputacioun. K.] ; drede thou God, and go awei fro yuel. [verse 8] For whi helthe schal be in thi nawle [in thi nawle; this is a figura|tif speche, for bi the helthe of the nawle, is vndurstondun good disposi|cioun of the soule in pro|sperites; and bi moisture of boonys, is vn|durstondun stidefastnesse in aduersites. Lire here. C.] , and moisting of thi boonys. [verse 9] Onoure thou the Lord of thi catel, and of the beste of alle thi fruytis ȝyue thou [verse 10] to pore men; and thi bernes schulen be fillid with abundaunce, and pressours [thi pressours I.] schulen flowe with wiyn. [verse 11] My sone, caste thou not awei the teching of the Lord; and faile thou not, whanne thou art chas|tisid of him. [verse 12] For the Lord chastisith hym, whom he loueth; and as a fadir in the sone he plesith hym. [verse 13] Blessid is the man that fyndith wisdom, and which [that I.] flowith with prudence. [verse 14] The geting therof is betere than the marchaundie of gold and of siluer; the fruytis therof ben the firste and clenneste [the clenneste I.] . [verse 15] It is preciousere [more precious I.] than alle richessis; and alle thingis that ben desirid, moun not be comparisound to this. [verse 16] Lengthe of daies is in the riȝthalf therof, and richessis and glorie ben in the

lifthalf therof. [verse 17] The weies therof ben feire weies, and alle the pathis therof ben pesible. [verse 18] It is a tre of lijf [It is a tre of liyf; as liyf was contynnued, bi the tre of liyf, and as man, dwellinge in the staat of in|nocence, schulde haue passid fro the liyf of kynde to the liyf of glorie, without deth goynge bitwixe, so wisdom and prudence leden a man fro the liyf of grace to the liyf of glo|rie, without deth of dedly synne goynge bitwixe, so that a man contynue in tho; therfor it sueth, and he that holdith it, is blessid; for certeynly he schal be led to blis. schal not snapere; in fallinge in to dedly synne. the Lord schal be at thi side; that if he nyle kepe thee fro temporal peyne, this schal be to thi good, that is to excercise of pacience, and to merit of glorie. Lire here. C.] to hem that taken it; and he that holdith it, is blessid. [verse 19] The Lord foundide the erthe bi wisdom; he stablischide heuenes bi pru|dence. [verse 20] The depthis of watris braken out bi his wisdom; and cloudis wexen togi|dere bi [with I.] dewe. [verse 21] My sone, these thingis flete not awey fro thin iȝen; kepe thou [verse 22] my lawe, and my counsel; and lijf schal be to thi soule, and grace `schal be [Om. I.] to thi chekis. [verse 23] Thanne thou schalt go tristili in thi weie; and thi foot schal not snapere. [verse 24] If thou schalt slepe, thou schalt not drede; thou schalt reste, and thi sleep schal be soft. [verse 25] Drede thou not bi [of I.] sudeyne feer, and the powers of wickid men fallynge in on thee. [verse 26] For the Lord schal be at thi side; and he schal kepe thi foot, that thou be not takun. [verse 27] Nil thou forbede to do wel him that mai; if thou maist, and [also I.] do thou wel. [verse 28] Seie thou not to thi frend, Go [And go thou N.] , and turne thou [Om. N.] aȝen, and to morewe Y schal ȝyue to thee; whanne thou maist ȝyue anoon. [verse 29] Ymagyne thou not yuel to thi freend, whanne he hath trist in thee. [verse 30] Stryue thou not aȝens a man with out cause, whanne he doith noon yuel to thee. [verse 31] Sue thou not an vniust man, sue thou not hise weies. [verse 32] For ech disseyuer [disseyuere; that bihetith good with the mouth, that thenkith yuel in the herte. Lire here. C.] is abhomynacioun of [to I.] the Lord; and his speking is with simple men. [verse 33] Nedinesse is sent of the Lord in the hous of a wickid man; but the dwelling places of iust men schulen be blessid [be blessid; that is, schulen be multiplied in temporal goodis and goostli. Lire here. C.] . [verse 34] He schal scorne scorneris; and he schal ȝyue grace to mylde men. [verse 35] Wise men schulen haue glorie; enhaunsing of foolis is schen|schipe [Many Latyn bokis han thus, the ful out ioi|ynge of foolis is schenschipe, that is, ful of sclaundre ethir of schenschipe, for thei ben glad, whanne thei han do yuele, and maken ful out ioye in worste thingis; nethe|les in Ebrew it is, enhaunsing of foolis is schenschipe; for thanne the filthe of her foli aperith more, as the filthe of the hyndrere partis of an ape aperith more, whanne he stieth an hiȝ; and oure Latyn translacioun semeth corupt bi writeris, for the licnesse of wordis. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. IV.

[verse 1] Sones, here ȝe the teching of the [ȝoure I.] fadir [of the fadir; this may be vndurstondun of Dauyth, the fadir of Sala|mon; and of God, cheef fa|dir of alle; and this lettre may be vndurstond|un bothe of Salamon and of Crist. Lire here. C.] ; and perseiue ȝe, that ȝe kunne prudence. [verse 2] Y schal ȝyue to ȝou a good ȝifte; forsake ȝe not my lawe. [verse 3] For whi and Y was [was also I.] the

sone of my fadir, a tendir sone, and oon `gendride bifore [bigotun tofore I.] my modir. [verse 4] And my fadir tauȝte me, and seide, Thin herte resseyue my wordis; kepe thou myn heestis, and thou schalt lyue. [verse 5] Welde thou wisdom, welde thou prudence; forȝete thou not, ne|thir bowe thou awey fro the wordis of my mouth. [verse 6] Forsake thou not it, and it schal kepe thee; loue thou it, and it schal kepe [warishe I.] thee. [verse 7] The bigynnyng of wisdom [The bigyn|nyng of wis|dom; that is, to gete wisdom. welde thou wis|dom; that is, at the maner of possessioun cleue thou stidefastly to a wiys techere. welde thou wis|dom; that is, possessioun of wisdom in this liyf, is the bi|gynnyng to haue wisdom in heuenli cun|trey, which stondith in the cleer siȝt and knowing of God. and in al thi possessioun; that is, bifor al thing that may be getun in to thi possessioun. take thou it; that is, haaste thou to gete it. In Ebreu thus, the bigynnyng of wisdom, bie thou wisdom; that is, the bi|gynnyng to gete wisdom, is to bie to thee bi priys ether seruyce a wiys techere, which is seid here wisdom. and in al thi biyng, gete thou prudence; that is, bifor alle thingis that moun be bouȝt, ether moun be had of eny man in eny maner. Lire here. C.] , welde thou wisdom; and in al thi possessioun gete thou prudence. [verse 8] Take thou it, and it schal enhaunse thee; thou schalt be glori|fied [be glorified; that is, thou schalt be onour|id bifor many men for it. Lire here. C.] of it, whanne thou hast biclippid it. [verse 9] It schal ȝyue encresyngis of graces to thin heed; and a noble coroun schal defende thee. [verse 10] Mi sone, here thou, and take my wordis; that the ȝeris of lijf be multiplied to thee. [verse 11] Y schal schewe to thee the weie of wisdom; and Y schal lede thee bi the pathis of equyte. [verse 12] In to whiche [the whiche I.] whanne thou hast entrid, thi goyngis schulen not be maad streit; and thou schalt rennen, and schalt not haue hirtyng. [verse 13] Holde thou teching [disciplyne or teching I.] , and forsake it not; kepe thou it, for it is thi lijf. [verse 14] Delite thou not in the pathis of wyckid men; and the weie of yuele men plese not thee. [verse 15] Fle thou fro it, and passe thou not therbi; bowe thou awei, and forsake it. [verse 16] For thei slepen not, `no but [but if I.] thei han do yuele; and [neither A sec. m.] sleep is rauyschid [take awey I.] fro hem, no [Om. A sec. m.] but thei [if thei I.] han dis|seyued [disseyued; symple men. Lire here. CKN.] . [verse 17] Thei eten the breed of vnpite, and [and thei I.] drinken the wyn of wickidnesse [of wickid|nesse; that is, getun bi wick|idnesse. Lire here. C.] . [verse 18] But the path of iust men goith forth as liȝt schynynge, and encreessith [and encreess|ith, etc.; in go|ynge forth fro vertu in to vertu, til God be seyen in Syon. tho ben liyf; that is, ben cause of liyf of grace, and maken good disposicioun of bodi to hem that kepen tho. Lire here. C.] til to per|fit dai. [verse 19] The weie of wickid men is derk; thei witen not where thei schulen falle. [verse 20] Mi sone, herkene thou my wordis; and bowe doun thin eeris to my spechis. [verse 21] Go not tho [thei I.] awei fro thyn iȝen; kepe thou hem [tho CVW. Om. FHU.] in the myddil of thin herte. [verse 22] For tho [tho wordis I.] ben lijf to men fyndynge thoo [hem I.] , and [and thei ben I.] heelthe `of al fleisch [to ech man I.] . [verse 23] With al kep|ing [warde I.] kepe thin herte, for lijf cometh forth

of it. [verse 24] Remoue thou [Om. I.] a schrewid mouth fro thee; and backbitynge lippis be fer fro thee. [verse 25] Thin iȝen se riȝtful thingis; and thin iȝeliddis go bifore thi steppis. [verse 26] Dresse thou pathis to thi feet [to thi feet; that is, to thyn affecciouns. Lire here. CK Na.] , and alle thi weies schu|len be stablischid. [verse 27] Bowe thou not to the riȝtside [Bowe thou not to the riȝt side, etc.; that is, be thou not drawun fro the weye of riȝtful|nesse [riȝtwis|nesse K] bi prosperites, nether [or faire K] biheestis, nether be thou brokun bi ad|uersites, nether manaasis. Lire here. CK.] , nether to the leftside; turne awei thi foot fro yuel. For the Lord [For the Lord, etc.; al this til to the ende of the chapitre, is not of the text, for it is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] knowith the weies that ben at the riȝt|side; but the weies ben weiward, that ben at the leftside. Forsothe he schal make thi goyngis riȝtful; and thi weies schulen be brouȝt forth in pees.

CAP. V.

[verse 1] Mi sone, perseyue thou my wisdom, and bowe doun thin eere to my prudence; [verse 2] that thou kepe thi thouȝtis, and thi lippis kepe teching. Ȝyue thou not tent to the [verse 3] falsnesse of a womman; for the lippis of an hoore [of an hoore; summe Ebreys, as Rabi Sala|mon, expownen this of idolatrie, signefied bi an hoore. Lire here. C.] ben an hony coomb droppinge, [verse 4] and hir throte is clerere than oile; but the last thingis ben bittir as wormod, and hir tunge is scharp as a swerd keruynge on ech side. [verse 5] Hir feet gon doun in to deeth; and hir steppis persen to hellis. [verse 6] Tho goon not bi the path of lijf; hir steppis ben vn|certeyn, and moun not be souȝt out. [verse 7] Now therfor, my sone, here thou me, and go [go thou I.] not awei fro the wordis of my mouth. [verse 8] Make fer thi weie fro hir, and neiȝe thou not to the doris of hir hous. [verse 9] Ȝyue thou not thin onour to aliens [that is, to ribaudis and enemyes of Goddis lawe. K.] , and thi ȝeeris [verse 10] to the cruel; lest perauenture straungeris be fillid with thi strengthis, and lest thi [verse 11] trauels be in an alien [aliens AI.] hous; and thou biweile [withouten fruyȝt, as dampned men doon aftir deeth. Sap. v^to. K.] in the laste daies, whanne thou hast wastid thi fleschis [fleish I.] , and thi bodi; and [verse 12] thou [Om. I.] seie, Whi [Thanne whi I.] wlatide Y teching, and myn herte assentide not to blamyngis; [verse 13] nether Y herde the voys of men techinge me, and Y bowide not doun myn eere to maistris? [verse 14] Almest Y was in al yuel, in the myddis of the chirche, and of the syna|goge. [verse 15] Drinke thou watir [Drynke thou water; that is, if thou maist not, ether nylt lyue chast, vse thi wiyf. Lire here. C. vse thou with drede thin owne wijf, kepe hire fro othere, bring|inge forth chil|dren in ver|tuous loue. K.] of thi cisterne [bi water of cisterne; is sig|nefied the watir of helthe and of wisdom, that cometh forth of hooly scripture. A man owith to departe this wisdom in stretis, that is comyn places; also he alone owith to haue this watir of wisdom, not excludinge othere feithful men and good dissiplis, but scorneris and vnfeithful men. C.] , and the floodis of thi pit. [verse 16] Thi wellis be

stremed forth [thi wellis be stremed forth; that is, children be gendrid of thee in matry|monye. Lire here. C. and departe thi watris, etc.; that is, ȝyue thou to mariage thi children comun to age. Lire here. C.] ; and departe thi watris in stretis. [verse 17] Haue thou aloone `tho watris [hem I.] ; and aliens be not thi parceneris [aliens be not thi parceneris; that is, kepe so thi wiyf, that children borun of hir be thyne, and that aliens be not parce|neris in thi wiyf, nether in children. Lire here. C.] . [verse 18] Thi veyne [thi veyne; that is, the children borun of veri matry|monye. C.] be blessid; and be thou glad with the womman of thi ȝong [Om. I.] wexynge age [with a wom|man of thi ȝong wexinge age; that is, with Goddis lawe ȝouun to the puple of Israel in the ȝouthe therof. C.] . [verse 19] An hynde moost dereworthe [an hynde most dere|worthe; is Goddis lawe. an hert calf most accepta|ble; is a studi|ous dissiple in Goddis lawe; ether bi an hynde is vndur|stonde a feith|ful spousesse. an hert calf; that is, a feith|ful spouse, ether hosebonde. Lire here. C.] ; and an hert calf moost acceptable. Hir teetis fille thee in al tyme; and delite thou contynueli in the loue of hir [in the loue of hir; that is, in hir felouschipe in ȝongthe and eelde. Lire here. C.] . [verse 20] Mi sone, whi art thou disseyued of an alien womman; and art fostrid in the bosum of an othere? [verse 21] The Lord seeth the weie of a man; and [and he I.] bi|holdith alle hise steppis. [verse 22] The wickid|nessis of a wyckid man taken hym; and he is boundun with the roopis of hise synnes. [verse 23] He schal die, for he hadde not lernyng [lernyng ether chastising CEFGKMNPQRSUVYaç. discipline or chas|tising I.] ; and he schal be disseyued in the mychilnesse of his fooli.

CAP. VI.

[verse 1] Mi sone, if thou hast bihiȝt for thi freend; thou hast fastned thin hoond at a straunger. [verse 2] Thou art boundun bi the wordis of thi mouth; and thou art takun with thin owne wordis [spechis I.] . [verse 3] Therfor, my sone, do thou that that Y seie, and delyuere thi silf; for thou hast fallun [feld CHNUV.] in to the hond of thi neiȝbore. Renne thou aboute, haste [verse 4] thou, reise thi freend; ȝyue thou not sleep to thin iȝen, nether thin iȝeliddis nappe. [verse 5] Be thou rauyschid [Be thou ra|uyschid; that is, swiftli; fro the hond of him, to whom thou hast bounde thee. Lire here. C.] as a doo fro the hond; and as a bridde fro [for R.] aspiyngis [spiyngis Mç.] of the foulere. [verse 6] O [A plures.] ! thou slowe man, go to the `amte, ether pissemyre [amte, ethir spisse|mire NQUW. amte H. amte, ether the spissemire S. pismire, ether ampte Y.] ; and biholde thou hise weies, and lerne thou wisdom. [verse 7] Which [The which emte I.] whanne [thouȝ I.] he hath [haue I.] no duyk, nethir co|maundour, [verse 8] nether [ne I.] prince; makith redi in somer mete to hym silf, and gaderith togidere in heruest that, that he schal ete. [verse 9] Hou long schalt thou, slow man, slepe? whanne schalt thou rise fro thi sleep? [verse 10] A litil thou schalt slepe, a litil thou schalt nappe; a litil thou schalt ioyne

togidere thin hondis, that thou slepe. [verse 11] And [And thanne I.] nedynesse, as a weigoere [as a wei|goere; that is, sone and su|deynli; armed so that thou maist not de|fende thee aȝens it. Lire here. C.] , schal come to thee; and pouert, as an armed man. For|sothe if thou art not slow, thi ripe corn schal come as a welle; and nedynesse schal fle fer fro thee. [verse 12] A man apostata [apostata; that is, brekere of religioun, is maad a man vnprofitable, etc. CKNW.] , a [is a I.] man vnprofitable, he goith with a weiward [verse 13] mouth; he bekeneth with iȝen [bekeneth with iȝen; schew|inge to wym|men signes of leccherie. C.] , he tramp|ith with the foot, he spekith with the [verse 14] fyngur [with the fyn|gur; that is, with pride. Lire here. CKN.] , bi [with I.] schrewid herte he ymagyneth yuel, and in al tyme he sowith dissen|ciouns. [verse 15] His perdicioun schal come to hym anoon, and he schal be brokun sodeynli; and he schal no more haue medecyn [no more haue medicyn; for aftir deth is no place to fruyt|ful penaunce. Lire here. C.] . [verse 16] Sixe thingis ben [ther ben I.] , whyche the Lord hatith; and hise soule cursith the seuenthe thing. [verse 17] Hiȝe iȝen [hiȝe iȝen; that is, opyn signes of pride. Lire here. CKN.] , a tunge liere [a tunge liere; that is, customable to dedly leesing. Lire here. C.] , hondis sched|inge [verse 18] out innocent blood, an herte ymagyn|ynge worste [ful wickid I.] thouȝtis, feet swifte to renne [verse 19] in to yuel, a man bringynge forth lesingis, a fals witnesse; and him that sowith dis|cordis [discord I.] among britheren. [verse 20] Mi sone, kepe the comaundementis of thi fadir [of thi fadir; that is God. modir; that is, hooli scrip|ture, ethir hooli chirche. to thi throte; that is, in hold|inge tho in mynde stide|fastli, and in spekinge of tho. whanne thou slepist, etc.; for in slepinge in the mynde of tho, thou slepist in the Lord, and in his proteccioun. weie of liyf; that is, to hem that synnen bi ignoraunce ether freelte. a straunge womman; that is, a uoutresse, that makith hir straunge fro hir hosebonde. Lire here. C.] ; and for|sake not the lawe of thi modir. [verse 21] Bynde thou tho continueli in thin herte; and cum|passe `to thi throte [with hem I.] . [verse 22] Whanne thou goist, go tho [thei I.] with thee; whanne thou slepist, kepe tho [thei I.] thee; and thou wakynge speke with tho [hem I.] . [verse 23] For the comaundement of God is a lanterne, and the lawe is liȝt, and the blamyng of techyng [disciplyne I.] is the weie of lijf; [verse 24] `that the comaundementis [that thei I. that, that is, the comaundmentis. Lire here. N sec. m.] kepe thee fro an yuel womman, and fro a flaterynge tunge of a straunge womman. [verse 25] Thin herte coueite not the fairnesse of hir; nether be thou takun bi the signes [beckis I.] of hir. [verse 26] For the prijs of an hoore is vnnethe of [the value of I.] o loof [o loof; in Ebreu it is, is vnnethe a gobet of breed. preciouse soule; the soule of man is seid preciouse, for it is maad to the ymage of God, and is or|deyned to blis aboue kynde; but a womman as a sustir of the deuel tak|ith it to auou|trie and damp|nacioun. Lire here. C.] ; but [forsothe I.] a womman takith [takith awey I.] the preciouse soule of a man. [verse 27] Whether [Wher ceteri passim.] a man mai hide fier in his bosum, that hise clothis [verse 28] brenne not; ethir go on colis, and hise feet be not brent? [verse 29] So [Riȝt so I.] he that entrith to the wijf of his neiȝbore; schal not be cleene, whanne he hath touchid hir. [verse 30] It [And it A.] is not [no FS pr. m.]

greet synne [not greet synne, etc.; that is, thefte in comparisoun of auoutrie. Lire here. CK. sec. m.] , whanne a man stelith; for he stelith to fille an hungri soule. [verse 31] And he takun schal ȝelde the seuenthe fold; and he schal ȝyue al the catel of his hous, and schal delyuere hym silf. [verse 32] But he that is avouter; schal leese his soule, for the [Om. I.] po|uert of herte [pouert of herte; that is, [wanting K] of resoun. CK.] . [verse 33] He gaderith filthe, and sclaundrith [sclaundre Wç.] to [Om. C.] hym silf; and his schen|schip schal not be don awei [schal not be doon awey; for the peyne of helle is with|outen ende. Lire here. C.] . [verse 34] For the feruent loue and strong veniaunce of the man [the man; that is, God. C et alii. that is, Crist. I.] schal not spare in the dai of ven|iaunce, [verse 35] nether schal assente to the preieris of ony; nether schal [he schal I.] take ful [Om. I.] many ȝiftis for raunsum.

CAP. VII.

[verse 1] Mi sone, kepe thou my wordis [my wordis; in fillinge tho bi werk, and kepinge as a preciousere tre|sour. Lire here. C.] ; and kepe [gadre in tresour I.] myn heestis to thee. Sone, onoure [Sone, onoure, etc.; this vers is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] thou the Lord, and thou schalt be `myȝti; but outakun hym drede thou not an alien [myche worth, and drede thou noon oother but him I.] . [verse 2] Kepe thou myn heestis, and thou schalt lyue; and [and kepe I.] my lawe as the appil of thin iȝen [iȝe I.] . [verse 3] Bynde thou it in thi fyngris [in thi fyn|gris; that is, fille it in werk. Lire here. CKN.] ; write thou it in the tablis of thin herte. [verse 4] Seie thou to wisdom, Thou art my sistir; and clepe thou prudence thi frendesse [leef I.] . [verse 5] That it kepe thee fro a straunge wom|man [a straunge womman; that is, auoutresse. Lire here. C.] ; and fro an alien womman, that makith hir wordis swete. [verse 6] For whi fro the wyndow [fro the wyn|dow, etc.; that is, priuyte of consience. Lire here. C.] of myn hous bi the latijs Y bihelde; and Y se litle children [litle children; that is, foolis that han litil wit. Lire here. C.] . [verse 7] I bi|holde [verse 8] a ȝong man coward, that passith bi the stretis, bisidis [biside I.] the [a I.] corner; and he [verse 9] goith niȝ the weie of hir hous in derk tyme, whanne the dai drawith to niȝt, in the derknessis [derk|nesse C.] and myst of [in C.] the nyȝt. [verse 10] And lo! a womman, maad redi with our|nement of an hoore to disseyue soulis, meetith hym, and sche is a ianglere, and [verse 11] goynge [a goer I.] about, and vnpacient of reste, and mai not stonde in the hous with hir [verse 12] feet; and now without forth, now in stretis, now bisidis corneris sche `aspieth [spieth C.] . [verse 13] And sche takith, and kissith the ȝong man; and flaterith with wowynge cheer [with wowing cheer; that is, vnresteful, and with out schame. Lire here. C.] , and

[verse 14] seith, Y ouȝte sacrifices [sacrifice A.] [Y ouȝte sacrifice; thus it is in bokis amendid, but summe bokis han, Y auow|ide. Lire here. C.] for heelthe; to dai Y haue ȝolde my vowis. [verse 15] Therfor Y ȝede [wente I.] out in to thi meetyng, and Y desiride to se thee; and Y haue founde thee. [verse 16] Y haue maad my bed with coordis, Y haue [verse 17] arayed [araied it K.] with tapetis peyntid of Egipt; Y haue bispreynt my bed with myrre, and aloes, and canel. [verse 18] Come thou, be we fillid with tetis [with tetis; that is, with toching of tetis. Lire here. C.] , and vse we collyngis that ben [Om. ceteri.] coueitid; til the dai bigynne to be cleer. [verse 19] For myn hosebonde is not in his hows; he is goon a ful long weie. [verse 20] He took with hym a bagge of money; he schal turne aȝen in to his hous in the dai of ful moone. [verse 21] Sche boonde hym [Sche boond him; that is, withhelde and wlappide him in coueytise of fleisch, as in a net. Lire here. C.] with many wordis; and sche drow forth hym with flateryngis of lippis. [verse 22] Anoon he as an oxe led to slayn sacrifice sueth hir, and as a ioli lomb and vnkunnynge [vnknowynge I.] ; and the fool woot not, that he is drawun to [verse 23] bondys [to boondis; of synne and of peyne. Lire here. C.] , til an arowe perse [perishe I.] his mawe. As if a brid hastith [a brid hast|ith; as a brid is takun in a snare, for the coueytise of a litil meete, so he that is vn|contynent, ether a lecchour, ren|neth in to the snare of synne, and in to the deth of helle, for couetise of desiring of a woman. Lire here. C.] to the snare; and woot not, that it is don of the perel of his lijf. [verse 24] Now therfor, my sone, here thou me; and perseyue the wordis of my mouth. [verse 25] Lest thi soule be drawun awei in the weies of hir; nether be thou disseyued in the pathis of hir. [verse 26] For sche castide [hath cast I.] doun [sche castide doun; fro the staat of grace; many woundid men, bi the wounde of fleischli couey|tise. Lire here. C.] many woundid men; and alle strongeste men weren slayn of hir [strongeste men weren slayen of hir; as it is opyn of Adam, the moste man, for he was in the staat of inno|cence, and was ful of kunnyng and vertu, and of Sampson, the strongeste man, and of Dauyth, the holieste man, and of Salamon, the wiseste man, and of many mo in the Elde and Newe Tes|tament. C.] . [verse 27] The weies of helle is hir hous; and persen in to [to the I.] ynnere thingis of deeth.

CAP. VIII.

[verse 1] Whether wisdom crieth not ofte; and prudence ȝyueth his [hir I.] vois? [verse 2] In souereyn|este [souereyne A sec. m. moost souereyne I.] [in souereyn|este; that is, in profetis and holi doctouris. Lire here. C.] and hiȝ coppis, aboue the weie, in the [verse 3] myddis of pathis, and it stondith bisidis the ȝate of the citee, in thilke closyngis, [verse 4] and spekith, and seith, A! ȝe men, Y crie ofte to ȝou; and my vois is to the sones of men. [verse 5] Litle children [litil chil|dren; that is, litil of wit. Lire here. C.] , vndirstonde ȝe wis|dom; and ȝe vnwise men, `perseyue wis|dom [perseyueth in herte I. perseyue wisdam. Lire here. N text.] . [verse 6] Here ȝe, for Y schal speke of grete thingis; and my lippis schulen be openyd,

to preche riȝtful thingis. [verse 7] My throte schal bithenke treuthe; and my lippis schulen curse a wickid man. [verse 8] My wordis ben iust; no schrewid thing, nether weiward is [ther is I.] in tho [hem I.] . [verse 9] `My wordis [Thei I.] ben riȝtful to hem that vndurstonden; and ben [thei ben I.] euene to hem that fynden kunnyng. [verse 10] Take ȝe my chastisyng, and not money; chese ȝe teching more than tresour. [verse 11] For wisdom is betere than alle richessis moost preciouse; and al de|sirable thing mai not be comparisound therto. [verse 12] Y, wisdom, dwelle in counsel [wisdom dwelle in councel; for hoolsum coun|cel is ȝouun bi wisdom, and wise thouȝtis comen forth of wisdom and encreessen it. Lire here. C.] ; and Y am among lernyd thouȝtis. [verse 13] The drede of the Lord hatith yuel; Y curse boost, and pride, and a schrewid weie, and a double tungid mouth. [verse 14] Counseil is myn, and equyte `is myn [Om. I.] ; prudence is myn, and strengthe `is myn [Om. I.] . [verse 15] Kyngis regnen bi me; and the [Om. I.] makeris of lawis demen iust thingis bi me. [verse 16] Princis comaunden bi me; and myȝti men demen riȝtfulnesse bi me. [verse 17] I loue hem that louen me; and thei that waken eerli to me, schulen fynde me. [verse 18] With me ben rychessis, and glorie; souereyn richessis, and riȝtfulnesse. [verse 19] My fruyt is betere than gold, and precyouse stoon; and my seedis ben betere than chosun siluer. [verse 20] Y go in the weies of riȝtfulnesse, [verse 21] in the myddis of pathis [the pathis I.] of doom; that Y make riche hem that louen me, and that Y fille her tresouris. [verse 22] The Lord weld|ide [the Lord weldide, etc.; here Salamon spekith of wis|dom vnmaad, that is, of the secunde per|soone in Tri|nyte, which is the kyndly Sone of God, with oute bi|gynnyng and ende. of hise weyes; that is, of his werkis. conseyued; for as a word in vs, is the conseit of soule, so and in dyuyn thingis the word is the conseit, ether the sone gen|drid of the fadir. the herris; that is, the princy|pal partis of the world, that ben the eest and west, south and north. Lire here. C.] me in the bigynnyng of hise weies; bifore that he made ony thing, at the bigynnyng. [verse 23] Fro with out bigynnyng Y was ordeined; and fro elde tymes, bifor that the erthe was maad. [verse 24] Depthis of wa|tris weren not ȝit; and Y was conseyued thanne. The wellis of watris hadden not [verse 25] brokun out ȝit, and hillis stoden not to|gidere ȝit bi sad heuynesse; bifor litil hillis Y was born. [verse 26] Ȝit he hadde not maad erthe; and floodis, and the [Om. CI.] herris [erthis a.] of the world. [verse 27] Whanne he made redi heuenes, Y was present; whanne he cumpasside the depthis of watris bi certeyn lawe and cumpas. [verse 28] Whanne he made stidfast the eir

aboue; and weiede the wellis of watris. [verse 29] Whanne he cumpasside to the see his marke; and settide lawe to watris, that tho [thei I.] schulden not passe her coostis. Whanne he peiside the foundementis of [verse 30] erthe; Y was making alle thingis with him. And Y delitide bi alle daies, and [verse 31] pleiede bifore hym in al tyme, and Y pleiede in the world; and my delices ben to be with the sones of men. [verse 32] Now ther|for, sones, here ȝe me; blessid ben thei that kepen my weies. [verse 33] Here ȝe teching, and be ȝe wise men; and nile ȝe caste it awei. [verse 34] Blessid is the man that herith me, and that wakith at my ȝatis al dai; and kepith at the postis of my dore. [verse 35] He that fyndith me, schal fynde lijf; and schal [he schal I.] drawe helthe of the Lord. [verse 36] But he that synneth aȝens me, schal hurte his soule; alle that haten me, louen deeth.

CAP. IX.

[verse 1] Wisdom [Wisdom, etc.; that is, Goddis Sone, vnmaad, with out bigyn|nyng and ende. an hous; that is, holy chirche, which he bild|ide bi word and ensaumple in manhed takun. vii. pileris; that is, vii. ȝiftis of the Hooly Goost, ether ordeynede vii. sacramentis, bi whiche al the chirche is borun up. slayn sacri|fices; that is, himsilf in the cros, which is seid sacrifices, for it conteyn|eth the vertu of ech other sacrifice; and the memorial of this sacrifice, is the sacra|ment of the auter. medlid wyn; that is, ȝaf to vs his blood which is sacrid in wyn med|dlid with water. handmaydis; that is, apostlis and othere meke dissiplis. to the wallis, etc.; that is, to the feith of Crist, and to tho thingis that ben annexid to the articlis of the feith. litil; that is, meke. my breed; that is, my bodi ȝouun vndur the licnesse of breed. and wyn; that is, my blood vndur the spice of wyn, wher|ynne water is medlid; bi eld tyme cristen men comyn|eden in euer either spice, but it is ordeyned for perel of scheding out of the blood, that it is ȝouun to lewid men vndur the spice of breed onely. ȝong childhed; that is, vnpro|fitable and veyn thingis. lyue ȝe, in grace. of pru|dence; that is, of comaunde|mentis and councelis of God. Lire here. C.] bildide an hous to him silf; [verse 2] he hewide out seuene pileris, he offride his slayn sacrifices, he medlide wijn, and settide forth his table. [verse 3] He sente hise hand|maides [handmaidens I.] , that thei schulden clepe to the tour; and to the wallis of the citee. [verse 4] If ony man is litil [litil, that is, meek. Lire here. KNa.] ; come he to me. And wisdom [verse 5] spak to vnwise men, Come ȝe, ete ȝe my breed; and drynke ȝe [Om. I.] the wiyn, which [that I.] Y haue medlid to ȝou. [verse 6] Forsake ȝe ȝong childhed, and lyue ȝe; and go ȝe bi the weyes [wey I.] of prudence. [verse 7] He that techith a scornere [a scornere, etc.; for he stirith the scornere to do wrong to him. Lire here. C.] , doith wrong to him silf; and he that vndirnymmeth a wickid man, gen|drith a wem to him silf. [verse 8] Nile thou vndir|nyme a scornere; lest he hate thee. Vndir|nyme thou a wise man; and he schal loue thee. [verse 9] Ȝyue thou occasioun to a wise man; and wisdom schal be encreessid to hym. Teche thou a iust man; and he schal haste to take [take it I.] . [verse 10] The bigynnyng of wisdom is the [Om. I.] dreed of the Lord; and prudence is the kunnyng of seyntis. [verse 11] For [Forsothe I.] thi daies

schulen be multiplied bi me; and ȝeeris of lijf schulen be encreessid to thee. [verse 12] If thou art wijs; thou schalt be [be wijs I.] to thi silf [to thisilf; that is, to do good to thi silf principaly, and aftirward to othere men. a fonnyd wom|man; that is, fals and veyn teching. ful of cry; for it hath not no but wordis. vnleueful lustis; for not onely it graunt|ith, but also bringith to siche lustis. kan no thing; for so litil of truthe is there, that it is aret|tid as nouȝt. in the doris, and so forth; for siche doc|tryne is tauȝt sumtyme bi autorite. bi the weye; that is, bi the brode weye of vicis. in her iourney; that is, suyng the fersnesse of her coueitise. a coward; that is, to him that sueth lustis. of thefte; that is, fals doctryn. breed hid, etc.; the herere of fals doctryne. geauntis, that is, of endis. in the depthis of helle; that is, they that ben tauȝt and fillid bi sich doctryne goen doun to the peyne of helle, with fendis that disseyuen hem. Lire here. C.] , and to thi neiȝboris. Forsothe if thou art a scornere; thou [forsothe thou I.] aloone schalt bere yuel. [verse 13] A fonned womman, and ful of cry, and ful of vnleueful lustis, and that kan no [verse 14] thing outirli, sittith in the doris of hir hous, on a seete, in [on CX.] an hiȝ place of the [verse 15] cite; to clepe men passinge bi the weie, and men goynge in her iournei. [verse 16] Who is a litil man `of wit [in wit I. of wit. Lire here. N text.] ; bowe he to me. And [verse 17] sche spak to a coward, Watris of thefte ben swettere, and breed hid is swettere [esier to ete I.] . [verse 18] And wiste [I wiste; I, the heerere of fals doctrin wiste. Lire here. N text.] not that giauntis ben there; and the gestis [gistis A. felawis I.] `of hir [therof plures.] ben in the depthis of helle. Sotheli he that schal be applied, ether fastned, to hir [it plures.] ; schal go doun to hellis. For whi he that goith awei fro hir [it plures.] ; schal be saued.

CAP. X.

The parablis of Salomon. [verse 1] A wijs sone makith glad the [his I.] fadir; but a fonned sone is the sorewe of his modir. [verse 2] Tresouris of wickidnesse [tresouris of wickidnesse; that is, yuele getun. Lire here. CKN. schulen not profite; for tho ben occasioun of synne and of deth of helle if penaunce sueth not, and ofte of temporal deth. Lire here. C.] schulen not profite; but riȝt|fulnesse schal delyuere fro deth. [verse 3] The Lord schal not turmente the soule [lijf I.] of a iust man with hungur; and he schal distrie the tresouns of vnpitouse men. [verse 4] A slow hond hath wrouȝt nedynesse; but the hond of stronge men makith redi rich|essis. Forsothe he that enforsith to gete `ony thing [auȝt I. ony thing. Lire here. N text.] bi [with I.] leesyngis, fedith the [Om. I.] wyndis [fedith the wyndis; is, seeth his trauel. that slepith in somer; that is, he that is idil in tyme of worching, is worthi to haue confusioun. Lire here. C.] ; sotheli the same man sueth briddis fleynge. [verse 5] He that gaderith togi|dere in heruest, is a wijs sone; but he that slepith in sommer, is a sone of con|fusioun. [verse 6] The blessing of God is ouer [Om. CIN.] the heed of a iust man; but wickidnesse hilith the mouth of wickid men. [verse 7] The mynde of a iust man schal be with preisingis; and the name of wickid men schal wexe rotun. [verse 8] A wijs man schal resseyue comaunde|mentis with herte [herte; that is, in obeying to hem. Lire here. KN.] ; a fool is betun with

lippis [a fool is betun with lippis; for he arettith betingis, the wordis of his blamyng. Lire here. C.] . [verse 9] He that goith simpli, goith tristili; but he that makith schrewid hise weies, schal be opyn. [verse 10] He that bekeneth with the iȝe, schal ȝyue sorewe; a fool schal be betun with lippis. [verse 11] The veyne of lijf is the mouth of a iust man; but the mouth of wickid men hilith wickidnesse. [verse 12] Ha|trede reisith [reisith up I.] chidingis; and charite hilith alle synnes. [verse 13] Wisdom is foundun in the lippis of a wise man; and a ȝerd in [is founde in I.] the bak of him that is nedi of herte. [verse 14] Wise men hiden [hiden; that is, fro scorn|eris. Lire here. CKN.] kunnyng; but the mouth of a fool is nexte to confusioun. [verse 15] The catel of a riche man is the citee of his strengthe; the drede of pore men is the nedynesse of hem. [verse 16] The werk of a iust man is to lijf; but the fruyt of a wickid man is to synne. [verse 17] The weie of lijf is to him that kepith chastising [chastisyngis E.] ; but he that forsakith blam|yngis, errith. [verse 18] False lippis hiden hatrede; he that bringith forth dispisinge is vn|wijs. [verse 19] Synne schal not faile in myche spekyng; but he that mesurith hise lippis, is moost prudent. [verse 20] Chosun siluer is the tunge of a iust man; the herte of wickid men is for nouȝt [for nouȝt; that is, of no valu. Lire here. C.] . [verse 21] The lippis of a iust man techen ful manye men; but thei that ben vnlerned, schulen die in nedinesse of herte. [verse 22] The blessing of the Lord makith riche [riche, etc.; in goostly richessis, that han not tur|ment anexid as bodili rich|essis han. Lire here. C.] men; and turment schal not be fe|lowschipid to hem. [verse 23] A fool worchith wick|idnesse as bi leiȝyng; but `wisdom is pru|dence to a [prudence is to a wijs I.] man. [verse 24] That that a wickid man dredith, schal come on hym; the desire of iust men schalbe ȝouun to hem. [verse 25] As a tempeste passynge, a wickid man schal not be; but a iust man schal be as an euer|lastynge foundement. [verse 26] As vynegre noieth the teeth, and smoke noieth [Om. I.] the iȝen; so a slow man noieth hem that senten hym in the weie. [verse 27] The drede of the Lord en|creesith daies; and the ȝeeris of wickid men schulen be maad schort. [verse 28] Abiding of iust men is gladnesse; but the hope of wickid men schal perische. [verse 29] The strengthe of a symple man is the weie of the Lord;

and drede to hem that worchen yuel. [verse 30] A iust man schal not be moued [not be mouyd; that is, fro the stablenesse of vertu. CKN.] with outen ende; but wickid men schulen not dwelle on the erthe [not dwelle on the erthe; that is, on the erthe of hem that lyuen in blis. plesaunt thing|is, etc.; that is, to God and to goode men. weyward thing|is, etc.; that is, blasfemyes aȝenus God, and wrongis aȝenus the neiȝbore. Lire here. C.] . [verse 31] The mouth of a iust man schal bringe forth wisdom; the tunge of schrewis schal perische. [verse 32] The lippis of a iust man biholden pleasaunt thingis; and the mouth of wickid men byholdith wei|ward thingis [thing I.] .

CAP. XI.

[verse 1] A gileful balaunce is abhominacioun anentis God; and an euene weiȝte is his wille. [verse 2] Where pride is, there also dispis|ing schal be; but where meeknesse is, there also is wisdom. [verse 3] The simplenesse of iust men schal dresse hem; and the dis|seyuyng of weiward men schal destrie hem. [verse 4] Richessis schulen not profite in the dai of veniaunce; but riȝtfulnesse schal delyuere fro deth. [verse 5] The riȝtfulnesse of a simple man schal dresse his weie; and a wickid man schal falle in his wickidnesse. [verse 6] The riȝtfulnesse of riȝtful men schal dely|uere hem; and wickid men schulen be takun in her aspiyngis. [verse 7] Whanne a wickid man is deed, noon hope schal be fer|ther [ferther of him I.] ; and abidyng of bisy men [men in euel A sec. m.] [of bisi men, etc.; that is, of hem that serueden bisily a wickid man, and hopiden to be auaunsid of him. Lire here. C. that is, blamed in the gospel. K.] schal perische. [verse 8] A iust man is delyuered from angwisch; and a wickid man schal be ȝouun for hym. [verse 9] A feynere bi mouth dis|seyueth his freend; but iust men schulen be deliuered bi kunnyng. [verse 10] A citee schal be enhaunsid in the goodis of iust men; and preysyng schal be in the perdicioun of wickid men. [verse 11] A citee schal be enhaunsid bi blessing of iust men; and it schal be distried bi the mouth of wickid men. [verse 12] He that dispisith his freend, is nedi in herte; but a prudent man schal be stille. [verse 13] He that goith gilefuli, schewith priuetees; but he that is feithful, helith the priuetee of a freend. [verse 14] Where a gouernour is [ther is I.] not, the puple schal falle; but helthe `of the pu|ple [Om. I.] is [is. Lire here. N text.] , where ben many counsels [many coun|sels; bi whiche bothe yuels ben eschewid, and goodis ben getun. C.] . [verse 15] He that makith feith [makith feith, etc.; that is, obligacioun. CKN.] for a straunger, schal

be turmentid with yuel; but he that eschewith snaris, schal be sikur. [verse 16] A gra|ciouse womman [a graciouse womman; that is, onest and schamefast. C.] schal fynde glorie; and stronge men schulen haue richessis. [verse 17] A merciful man doith wel to his soule; but he that is cruel, castith awei, ȝhe, kynnes|men. [verse 18] A wickid man makith vnstable werk; but feithful mede is to hym, that sowith riȝtfulnesse. [verse 19] Merci schal make redi lijf; and the suyng of yuels [yuel I.] `schal make redi [Om. I.] deth. [verse 20] A schrewid herte is abhomynable to the Lord; and his wille is in hem, that goen symply. [verse 21] Thouȝ hond be [is A pr. m. C et plures.] in the [Om. A sec. m. F sec. m. I.] hond, an yuel man [thouȝ he worcheth no thing, but hold|eth the too hond in the tothir, thinketh yuel. K.] schal not be innocent; but the seed of iust men schal be sauyd. [verse 22] A goldun `sercle, ether [Om. I.] ryng, in the `nose thrillis [nostris CN. nese thorlis E. nose thirllis F et alii.] of a sowe, a womman fair and fool. [verse 23] The desir of iust men is al good; abiding of wickid men is woodnesse. [verse 24] Sum men departen her owne thingis, and ben maad richere; other men rauyschen thingis, that ben not hern, and ben [thei ben I.] euere in nedynesse. [verse 25] A soule that blessith, schal be maad fat [bi fatnesse of grace. K.] ; and he that fillith [fullith A.] [his neiȝbore with good tech|ing. K.] , schal be fillid also. [verse 26] He that hidith wheete `in tyme [Om. A pr. m. CU pr. m.] , schal be cursid among the puplis; but blessyng schal come on the heed of silleris. [verse 27] Wel he risith eerli, that sekith good thingis; but he that is a serchere of yuels, schal be oppressid of tho. [verse 28] He that tristith in hise richessis, schal falle; but iust men schulen buriowne as a greene leef. [verse 29] He that disturblith his hows, schal haue wyndis [of wraththe and tempta|cioun. K.] in possessioun; and he that is a fool, schal serue a wijs man. [verse 30] The fruyt of a riȝtful man is the tre of lijf [the tre of lijf; that is, Crist in blisful siȝt; for the werk of a iust man bringith herto. C.] ; and he that takith soulis [takith soulis; that is, the cure of soulis. CK.] , is a wijs man [is a wiys man; that is, owith to be a wiys man; for as Greg. seith in his Pastorals, the craft of craftis is the gouernail of soulis. C.] . [verse 31] If a iust man receyueth in erthe [erthe; that is, turmentis of God. Lire here. KN.] , how miche more an vnfeithful man, and synnere [a synnere I.] .

CAP. XII.

[verse 1] He that loueth chastisyng, loueth kun|nyng; but he that hatith blamyngis, is vnwijs [is vnwiys; for he is liyk a wood man, that eschewith heelful medi|cyn. Lire here. C.] . [verse 2] He that is good, schal drawe to hym silf grace of the Lord; but he that

tristith in hise thouȝtis, doith wickidli. [verse 3] A man schal not be maad strong by wyckidnesse; and the root of iust men schal not be moued. [verse 4] A diligent womman is a coroun to hir hosebond; and rot is in the boonys of that womman, that doith thingis worthi of confusioun. [verse 5] The thouȝtis of iust men ben domes; and the counselis of wickid men ben gileful. [verse 6] The wordis of wickid men setten tresoun to blood; the mouth of iust men schal delyuere hem. [verse 7] Turne thou [that is, to goodnesse. K.] wickid men, and thei schu|len not be [wickid, or dampned. K.] ; but the housis of iust men schulen dwelle perfitli. [verse 8] A man schal be knowun bi his teching; but he that is veyn and hertles, schal be open to dispis|ing. [verse 9] Betere is a pore man, and sufficient to him silf, than a gloriouse man, and nedi of breed. [verse 10] A iust man knowith the [Om. C.] soulis [lijues I.] of hise werk beestis [werk beestis; that is, of his seruauntis. Lire here. CKN.] ; but the [Om. A pr. m.] entrailis of wickid men ben cruel. [verse 11] He that worchith his lond, schal be fillid with looues; but he that sueth idilnesse, is moost fool. He that is swete [softe or esy I. swete, that is, mylde KNa.] , lyueth in temperaunces; and in hise monestyngis he forsakith dis|pisyngis. [verse 12] The desir of a wickid man is the memorial of worste thingis; but the roote of iust men schal encreesse. [verse 13] For the synnes of lippis `falling doun [ruyne or myschef I.] neiȝeth to an yuel man; but a iust man schal scape fro angwisch. [verse 14] Of the fruyt of his mouth ech man schal be fillid with goodis; and bi [aftir I.] the werkis of hise hondis it schal be ȝoldun to him. [verse 15] The weie of a fool is riȝt|ful in hise iȝen; but he that is wijs, herith counsels. [verse 16] A fool schewith anoon his ire; but he that dissymelith wrongis, is wijs. [verse 17] He that spekith that, that he knowith, is a iuge of riȝtfulnesse; but he that lieth, is a gileful witnesse. [verse 18] A man is that bi|hetith [bihetith; and payeth not. Lire here. CNa.] , and he is prickid as with the swerd of conscience; but the tunge of wise men is helthe. [verse 19] The lippe of treuthe schal be stidfast with outen ende; but he that is a sudeyn witnesse, makith redi the tunge of leesyng. [verse 20] Gile is in the herte of hem

that thenken yuels; but ioye sueth hem, that maken counsels of pees. [verse 21] What euere bifallith to a iust man, it schal not make hym sori; but wickid men schulen be fillid with yuel. [verse 22] False lippis is abhominacioun to the Lord; but thei that don feithfuli, plesen him. [verse 23] A fel [fool A sec. m.] man hilith kunnyng; and the herte of vnwise men stirith foli. [verse 24] The hond of stronge men schal haue lord|schip; but the hond that is slow, schal serue to tributis. [verse 25] Morenynge in the herte of a iust man schal make hym meke; and he schal be maad glad bi a good word. [verse 26] He that dispisith harm [dispisith harm; that is, chargith not temporal harm for the helping of a frend. Lire here. C.] for a frend, is a iust man; but the weie of wickid men schal disseyue hem. [verse 27] A gileful man schal not fynde wynnyng; and the substaunce [the sub|staunce; that is, liyf. Lire here. CKNa.] of man schal be the prijs of gold [the priys of gold; that is, presiousere than gold. Lire here. C.] . [verse 28] Lijf is in the path of riȝtfulnesse [riȝtwisnesse I.] ; but the wrong weie leedith to deeth.

CAP. XIII.

[verse 1] A wijs sone is the teching of the fadir; but he that is a scornere, herith not, whanne he is repreuyd. [verse 2] A man schal be fillid with goodis of the fruit of his mouth; but the soule of vnpitouse men is wickid. [verse 3] He that kepith his mouth, kepith his soule; but he that is vnwar to speke, schal feel yuels. [verse 4] A slow man wole, and wole not [wole and wole not; for he wole haue good profitable, ether worschip|ful, but he nyle suffre the tra|uel which is axid herto, and so he nyle spedily; therfor he is liyk the cat that wolde ete fisch, ne|theles he es|chewith to putte hise feet in to the water. Lire here. C. that is, wole haue prosperite in this world and ioie in heuen, but he wole not tra|uele vertuousli therfore. K.] ; but the soule of hem that worchen schal be maad fat. [verse 5] A iust man schal wlate a fals word; but a wickid man schendith, and schal be schent. [verse 6] Riȝtfulnesse kepith the weie of an innocent man; but wickidnesse dis|seyueth a synnere. [verse 7] A man is as riche [a man is as riche; whanne that litil thing that he hath, which is aret|tid as nouȝt, suffisith to him silf. Lire here. C.] , whanne he hath no thing [that is, but fode and hiling, and desireth noo more. K.] ; and a man is as pore [as pore, etc.; this is an aua|rouse man, to whom no thing suffisith. Lire here. C. and kannot holde him paied, but euere crieth, Bryng, Bring. K.] , whanne he is in many richessis. [verse 8] Redempcioun of the soule of man is hise richessis; but he that is pore, suffrith not blamyng. [verse 9] The liȝt of iust [the liȝt of iust men; that is, her prosperite. Lire here. CKNa. makith glad; the peple, for thei vsen wel her prosperite. Lire here. C.] men makith glad; but the lan|terne of wickid men schal be quenchid.

[verse 10] Stryues ben euere a mong proude men; but thei that don alle thingis with coun|sel, ben gouerned bi wisdom. [verse 11] Hastid [catel hastid; that is, getun hastly, as bi raueyn ether bi vsure. with hond; that is, getun bi iust maner. Lire here. C.] catel schal be maad lesse; but that that is gaderid litil and litil with hond, schal be multiplied. [verse 12] Hope which [that I. the which a.] is dilaied, turmentith the soule; a tre of lijf is desir comyng. [verse 13] He that bacbitith ony thing, byndith hym silf in to tyme to comynge; but he that dredith [dredith, etc.; that is, the breking of Goddis heestis. Lire here. C.] the comaundement, schal lyue in pees. [verse 14] The lawe of a wise man is a welle of lijf; that he bowe awei fro the falling of deth [of deeth; that is, of synne and of helle. Lire here. C.] . [verse 15] Good teching schal ȝyue grace; a swolowe is in the weie of dispiseris [dispiseris; of good teching, for thei fallen fro synne into synne. Lire here. C.] . [verse 16] A fel man doith alle thingis with counsel; but he that is a fool, schal opene foli. [verse 17] The messanger of a wickid man schal falle in to yuel; a feithful messanger is helthe. [verse 18] Nedynesse and schenschip is to him that forsakith techyng; but he that assentith [assentith, etc.; in amend|inge him silf mekely. Lire here. C.] to a blamere, schal be glorified. [verse 19] Desir, if it is fillid, delitith the soule; foolis wlaten hem that fleen yuels. [verse 20] He that goith with wijs men [with wise men; in con|formynge him silf to hem. Lire here. C.] , schal be wijs; the freend of foolis schal be maad lijk hem. [verse 21] Yuel pursueth synneris; and goodis schulen be ȝoldun [ȝoue I.] to iust men. [verse 22] A good man schal leeue aftir him eiris, sones, and the sones of sones; and the catel of a synnere is kept to a iust man. [verse 23] Many meetis ben in the new tilid feeldis of fadris; and ben gaderid to othere men with out doom [doom; that is, with out her trauel. Lire here. C.] . [verse 24] He that sparith the ȝerde, hatith his sone; but he that loueth him, techith bisili. [verse 25] A iust man etith, and fillith his soule; but the wombe of wickid men is vnable to be fillid [to be fillid; for tho thingis that ben set forth suffisen not to hem, but euere more thei seken delicat thingis. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. XIV.

[verse 1] A wijs womman bildith hir hous; and an unwijs womman schal distrie with hondis [with hondis; that is, with hir yuele werkis. Lire here. CK.] an hous bildid. [verse 2] A man goynge in riȝtful weie, and dredinge God, is dis|pisid

of hym, that goith in a [the C.] weie of yuel fame. [verse 3] The ȝerde of pride [that is, ma|nas and proud correccion. K.] is in the mouth of a fool; the lippis of wijs men kepen hem. [verse 4] Where oxis [oxen I.] ben not [oxis ben not; that is, where defaute of techeris is, ther ben fewe feith|ful men. Lire here. CK.] , the cratche is void; but where ful many cornes apperen, there the strengthe of oxe [oxen A. the oxe R.] is opyn. [verse 5] A feithful witnesse schal not lie; a gileful witnesse bringith forth a leesing. [verse 6] A scornere [a scornere; he is seid a scornere, that dispisith to se the seiyngis of elde men, and bileueth to fynde wisdom bi his wit, but he fyndith not, for pride blynd|ith him. Lire here. C.] sekith wisdom, and he fyndith [fyndith it I.] not; the teching of prudent men is esy. [verse 7] Go thou aȝens a man a fool; and he schal not knowe the lippis of pru|dence [that is, he shal not resceyue heuenli wisdom. K.] . [verse 8] The wisdom of a fel man is to vndirstonde his weie; and the vnwarnesse of foolis errith. [verse 9] A fool scorneth synne [scornyth synne; that is, hath for nouȝt to do synne. Lire here. C.] ; grace schal dwelle among iust men. [verse 10] The herte that knowith the bittirnesse [bitternesse; that is, for contricioun of synne passid. a straunger; that is, alien fro veri penaunce. in the ioie ther|of; that is, of remyssioun of synne, and of hope of glorie. leden forth to deeth; that is, the weye of synnes that semeth iust to a synnere, ledith to deth of synne and of helle. an innocent man; that is, an vnkunnyng man, that kan not deme bi twixe a good councel and yuel. Lire here. C.] of his soule; a straunger schal not be meddlid in the ioie therof. [verse 11] The hous of wickid men schal be don awei; the tabernaclis of iust men schulen buriowne. [verse 12] Sotheli a weie is, that semeth iust to a man; but the laste thingis therof leden forth to deth. [verse 13] Leiȝ|yng schal be medlid with sorewe; and morenyng ocupieth the laste thingis of ioye. [verse 14] A fool schal be fillid with hise weies; and a good man schal be aboue hym. [verse 15] An innocent man bileueth to eche word; a felle man biholdith hise goyngis. [verse 16] A wijs man dredith, and bowith awei fro yuel; a fool skippith [a fool skip|peth; rennyng liȝtly fro synne in to synne. and tristith; to gete forȝeue|nesse bi be|nygnete, which he mysusith. Lire here. C.] ouer, and tristith. [verse 17] A man vnpacient schal worche foli; and a gileful man is odiouse. [verse 18] Litle men of wit schulen holde foli; and felle men schulen abide kunnyng. [verse 19] Yuel men schulen ligge bifor goode men; and vnpitouse men bifor the ȝatis of iust men. [verse 20] A pore man schal be hateful, ȝhe, to his neiȝ|bore; but many men ben frendis of riche men. [verse 21] He that dispisith his neiȝbore, doith synne; but he that doith merci to a pore man, schal be blessid. He that bileueth [verse 22] in the Lord, loueth merci; thei erren that worchen yuel. Merci and treuthe [verse 23] maken redi goodis; abundaunce `schal be [Om. C.] in ech [eueri Y.] good werk. Sotheli where ful

many wordis ben, there nedynesse is ofte. [verse 24] The coroun of wise men is the richessis [richessis; that is, kunnyng and vertue. vnwarnesse; that is, herfor thei ben foolis, for thei bifor|seen not thingis to comynge. Lire here. C.] of hem; the fooli of foolis is vnwarnesse. [verse 25] A feithful witnesse delyuereth soulis; and a fals man bringith forth leesyngis. [verse 26] In the drede of the Lord is triste of strengthe; and hope schal be to the sones of it [him I.] . [verse 27] The drede of the Lord is a welle of lijf; that it bowe awei fro the fallyng of deth. [verse 28] The dignite of the king is in the multitude of puple; and the schenschipe of a [Om. CN.] prince is in the fewnesse of puple. [verse 29] He that is pacient, is gouerned bi [with I.] myche wisdom; but he that is vnpacient, enhaunsith his foli. [verse 30] Helthe of herte is the lijf of fleischis [fleish I.] ; enuye is rot of boonys [boonys; that is, vertues ben corrupt bi enuye comyng on tho. Lire here. C.] . [verse 31] He that falsli chalengith a nedi man, dispisith his maker; but he that hath merci on a pore man, onourith that [his I.] makere. [verse 32] A wickid man is put out for his malice; but a iust man hopith in his deth. [verse 33] Wisdom restith in the herte of a wijs man; and he schal teche alle vnlerned men. [verse 34] Riȝt|fulnesse reisith a folc; synne makith pu|plis wretchis. [verse 35] A mynystre [seruaunt I.] vndurstond|ynge [vndurstond|inge; that is, a good prelat is acceptable to the king Jhesu Crist, and an yuel prelat schal be punyschid of him scharply. Lire here. C.] is acceptable to a kyng; a myn|ystre [seruaunt I.] vnprofitable schal suffre the wrath|fulnesse of him.

CAP. XV.

[verse 1] A soft answere brekith ire; an hard word reisith woodnesse. [verse 2] The tunge of wise men ourneth [onourneth A pr. m. honourith I. onourith U.] kunnyng [ourneth kun|nyng; that is, it bringith forth kunnyng in tyme and place acceptable. buylith out; that is, bringith forth feruently and fersly. C.] ; the mouth of foolis buylith out foli. [verse 3] In ech place the iȝen of the Lord biholden good men, and yuel men. [verse 4] A plesaunt tunge [a plesaunt tunge; that is, of swete speche to the neiȝbore, and ententif to preyer anentis God, to plese him. is a tre of liyf; for as bodily liyf is contynn|ed bi the tre of liyf, so goostly liyf is contynn|ed bi sich a tunge. vnmesurable; to speke. schal defoule the spirit; for synne schal not faile in myche speche. Lire here. C.] is the tre of lijf; but the tunge which [that I.] is vn|mesurable, schal defoule the spirit. [verse 5] A fool scorneth the techyng of his fadir; but he that kepith blamyngis [that kepith blamyngis; in amending him silf. wisere; in eschewinge yuelis to com|ynge. in plesaunt riȝtfulnesse; that is, in kep|ing of Cristis councels. strengthe; for the Lord schal defende it. Lire here. C.] , schal be maad wisere. Moost vertu schal be in plenteuouse riȝtfulnesse; but the thouȝtis of wickid men schulen be drawun vp bi the roote. [verse 6] The hous of a iust man is moost [ful gret I.] strengthe; and disturbling is in the fruitis of a wickid man. [verse 7] The lippis

of wise men schulen sowe abrood kun|nyng; the herte of foolis schal be vnlijc. The sacrifices of wickyd men ben abho|mynable [verse 8] to the Lord; avowis [the avowis I.] of iust men ben plesaunt. [verse 9] The lijf of the [an I.] vnpitouse [vnpitouse, etc.; for it is propirte of God, to spare and haue mersy, and so to be pitouse; and therfor he hath abhomy|nacioun of an vnpitouse man. schal die; that is, bi deth of synne, and ofte bi temporal deth. Lire here. C.] man is abhomynacioun to the Lord; he that sueth riȝtfulnesse, schal be loued of the Lord. [verse 10] Yuel teching is of men for|sakinge [that forsaken I.] the weie of lijf; he that hatith blamyngis, schal die. [verse 11] Helle and perdi|cioun ben open bifor the Lord; hou myche more [more rather I.] the hertis of sones of men. [verse 12] A man ful of pestilence loueth not hym that repreueth him; and he goith not to wyse men. [verse 13] A ioiful herte makith glad the face; the spirit is cast doun in the [Om. I.] morenyng of soule. [verse 14] The herte of a wijs man sekith techyng; and the mouth of foolis is fed [fed; that is, delitith in spek|inge fonned thingis. ben yuele; bi yuele of peyne, for pouert is de|faute of thingis nedeful to sus|tenaunce. and vnfillable; that is, for tho fillen not the nedynesse, but more encreesen it. the weye of slowe; for a slow man dred|ith euere to fynde lettingis in the weye. Lire here. C.] with vnkunnyng. [verse 15] Alle the daies of a pore man ben yuele [disesy I.] ; a sikir soule is a [as a A sec. m.] contynuel feeste. [verse 16] Betere is a litil with the [Om. I.] drede of the Lord, than many tresouris and vnfillable [vnprofitable I.] . [verse 17] It is betere to be clepid to wortis with charite, than with hatrede to a calf maad fat. [verse 18] A wrath|ful man reisith chidyngis; he that is pacient, swagith chidyngis reisid [that weren reisid I.] . [verse 19] The weie of slow men is an [as an A sec. m.] hegge of thornes; the weie of iust men is with out hirtyng. [verse 20] A wise sone makith glad the [his I.] fadir; and a fonned man dispisith his modir. [verse 21] Foli is ioye to a fool; and [but I.] a prudent man schal dresse hise steppis. [verse 22] Thouȝtis ben distried, where [there I.] no counsel is; but where many counseleris [councelours; feithful and goode, thouȝtis ben brouȝt to effect. Lire here. C.] ben [ther ben I.] , tho [thei I.] ben confermyd. [verse 23] A man is glad in the sentence of his mouth [of his mouth; that is, whanne it is appreued of othere goode men and wise. Lire here. C.] ; and a couenable word is best. [verse 24] The path of lijf is on a lernyd man; that he bowe awei fro the laste helle. [verse 25] The Lord schal distrie the hows [housis I.] of proude men; and he schal make stidefast the coostis of a wi|dewe. [verse 26] Iuele thouȝtis is abhomynacioun of the Lord; and a cleene word moost fair schal be maad stidfast of hym. [verse 27] He that sueth aueryce, disturblith his hous;

but he that hatith ȝiftis schal lyue. Synnes ben purgid bi merci and feith; ech man bowith awei fro yuel bi the drede of the Lord. [verse 28] The soule of a iust man bithenkith obedience; the mouth of wickid men is ful of yuelis. [verse 29] The Lord is fer fro wickid men; and he schal here the preyers of iust men. [verse 30] The liȝt of iȝen makith glad the soule; good fame makith fat [fat; that is, encreesith ver|tues, wherynne the strengthe of soule stondith, for vertu preisid encreesith. Lire here. C. that is, encres|eth his vertues, that ben the substaunce of the soule. K.] the boonys. [verse 31] The eere that herith the blamyngis of lijf, schal dwelle in the myddis of wise men. [verse 32] He that castith awei chastisyng, dispisith his soule; but he that assentith to blamyngis, is [is a I.] pesible holdere of the herte. [verse 33] The drede of the Lord is teching of wisdom; and mekenesse goith bifore glorie.

CAP. XVI.

[verse 1] It perteyneth to man to make redi the soule; and it perteyneth to the Lord to gouerne the tunge. [verse 2] Alle the weies of men ben opyn to the iȝen of God; the Lord is a weiere of spiritis [that is, of willis, ȝelding to man aftir his desseruingis. K.] . [verse 3] Schewe thi werkys to the Lord; and thi thouȝtis schulen be dressid [dressid, into good issu. Lire here. N text.] . [verse 4] The Lord wrouȝte alle thingis for hym silf; and he made redi a wickid man to the yuel dai. [verse 5] Abho|mynacioun of the Lord is ech proude man; ȝhe, thouȝ the hond is [be I.] to the hond, he schal not be innocent. The bigynnyng of good weie is to do riȝtwisnesse [riȝtfulnesse plures.] ; for|sothe it is more acceptable at [anentis I.] God, than to offre sacrifices. [verse 6] Wickidnesse is aȝen bouȝt bi merci and treuthe; and me bow|ith awei fro yuel bi the [Om. I.] drede of the Lord. [verse 7] Whanne the weyes of man plesen the Lord, he schal conuerte, ȝhe, hise ene|myes to pees. [verse 8] Betere is a litil with riȝt|fulnesse, than many fruytis with wickid|nesse. [verse 9] The herte of a man schal dispose his weie; but it perteyneth to the Lord to dresse hise steppis. [verse 10] Dyuynyng [Dyuynyng; that is, reding in hooli scrip|ture, therfor in xvii. c^o of Deut. the king schal rede in the book of Goddis lawe, in alle daies of his liyf, that he lerne for to drede God. CK. not erre in doom; that is, he schal not ȝyue an yuel sentence, if he studieth in hooli scripture, and dredith God. C. weiȝte and a balaunce; that is, Goddis domes ben iust. iust lippis; that is, iust lippis in iugis ben the wille of iust kingis. as a reyn; for as reyn com|ynge late is good and swete to the fruytis of erthe, so the mercy of the king is good to hem that han nede to remys|sioun. Lire here. C.] is in the lippis of a king; his mouth schal not

erre in doom. [verse 11] The domes of the Lord ben weiȝte and a balaunce; and hise werkis ben alle the stoonys of the world. [verse 12] Thei that don wickidli ben abhomynable to the king; for the trone of the rewme is maad stidfast bi riȝtfulnesse. [verse 13] The wille of kyngis is iust lippis; he that spekith riȝt|ful thingis, schal be dressid [dressid, of God into an end. Lire here. KN.] . [verse 14] Indigna|cioun of the kyng is messangeris of deth; and a wijs man schal plese him. [verse 15] Lijf is in the [Om. I.] gladnesse of the `cheer of the king [kingis chere I.] ; and his merci is as a [Om. I.] reyn com|ynge late. [verse 16] Welde thou wisdom, for it is betere than gold; and gete thou prudence, for it is [is more I.] precyousere than siluer. [verse 17] The path of iust men bowith awei yuelis; the kepere of his soule kepith his weie. [verse 18] Pride goith bifore sorewe; and the spirit schal be enhaunsid byfor fallyng. [verse 19] It is betere to be maad meke with mylde men, than to departe spuylis with proude men. [verse 20] A lerned man in word schal fynde goodis; and he that hopith in the Lord is blessid. [verse 21] He that is wijs in herte, schal be clepid prudent; and he that is swete in speche, schal fynde grettere thingis. [verse 22] The welle of lijf is the lernyng of him that weld|ith [wisdam and wille to teche Goddis ple|saunce. K.] ; the techyng of foolis is foli. [verse 23] The herte of a wijs man schal teche his mouth; and schal encreesse grace to hise lippis. [verse 24] Wordis wel set togidere is a coomb of hony; helthe of boonys [that is, sad|nesse of feith and othere ver|tues. K.] is the swetnesse of soule. [verse 25] A weye is [ther is I.] that semeth riȝtful to a man; and the laste thingis therof leden to deth. [verse 26] The soule of a man [euere mo|kering in the erthe bi couet|ise. K.] tra|uelinge trauelith to hym silf [principali for his owne profitt. K.] ; for his mouth [for al goith in to the mouth of gloterouse laborers. K.] compellide hym. [verse 27] An vnwijs man diggith [diggith yuel; that is, sekith it with dili|gence. fier brenneth; of wrathfulnesse and of pride. Lire here. C.] yuel [that is, worchith vn|wiseli and out of tyme. K.] ; and fier [of wraththe and distemper|aunce. K.] brenneth in hise lippis. [verse 28] A weiward man reisith stryues; and a man ful of wordis departith princis. [verse 29] A wickid man flaterith his frend; and ledith hym bi a weie not good. [verse 30] He that thenkith schrewid thingis with iȝen astonyed, bitith hise lippis, and parform|eth yuel [parformeth yuel; that is, ymagyneth to parforme. Lire here. C.] . [verse 31] A coroun of dignyte is eelde, that schal be foundun in the weies of

riȝtfulnesse. [verse 32] A pacient man is betere than a stronge man; and he that `is lord [hath power I.] of his [his owne I.] soule [lord of his soule; bi re|freynyng of coueitisis, is betere. Lire here. CKNa.] , is betere than an ouercomere of citees. [verse 33] Lottis [that is, vpon hid thingis. K.] ben sent into the bosum; but tho [thei I.] ben temperid of the Lord [whanne God chesith which he wole. K. .] .

CAP. XVII.

[verse 1] Betere is a drie mussel with ioye, than an hous ful of sacrifices with chidyng. [verse 2] A wijs seruaunt schal be lord of fonned sones; and he schal departe eritage among britheren. [verse 3] As siluer is preued bi fier, and gold is preued bi a chymnei, so the Lord preueth hertis. [verse 4] An yuel man obei|eth to a wickid tunge [wickid tunge; that is, to a tyraunt comaunding wickid thing. Lire here. C.] ; and [Om. I.] a fals man obeieth to false lippis. [verse 5] He that dispisith a pore man, repreueth his maker; and he that is glad in the fallyng of another man, schal not be vnpunyschid. [verse 6] The coroun of elde men is the sones of sones; and the glorie of sones is the fadris of hem. [verse 7] Wordis wel set togidere bisemen not a fool; and a liynge lippe bicometh not a prince. [verse 8] A preciouse stoon [A preciouse stoon; that is, the thing abe|dun of a de|sirere, is a pre|cious stoon in hise iȝen, and ech werk he doith prudently, that he be not defraudid of his desire. Lire here. C. that is, lijf euerlasting, for the wich a wijs marchaunt solde al that he hadde, and bouȝte it. Mt. xiiij. K.] moost accept|able is the abiding [of ech ver|tuous man, that Poul clepeth a crowne of lijf. K.] of hym that sekith; whidur euere he turneth hym silf, he vn|durstondith prudentli. [verse 9] He that helith trespas, sekith frenschipis; he that re|hersith [that rehers|ith, etc.; that is, pupplischith with out iust cause. Lire here. C.] bi an hiȝ word, departith hem, that ben knyt togidere in pees. [verse 10] A blam|yng profitith more at a prudent man, than an hundryd woundis at a fool. [verse 11] Euere an yuel man sekith stryues; forsothe a cruel aungel schal be sent aȝens hym. [verse 12] It sped|ith more to meete a femal bere, whanne the [her I.] whelpis ben rauyschid [take awey I.] , than a fool tristynge to hym silf in his foli. [verse 13] Yuel schal not go a wei fro the hous of hym, that ȝeldith yuels for goodis. [verse 14] He that leeueth [leeueth, or lat go I. letteth Ka.] watir [leeueth wa|tir; that is, drynkith ouer strong wyn. of stryues; that risen of drunkenesse. he forsakith doom; in hirt|ing his neiȝbore with out cause. Lire here. C.] , is heed [the heed a.] of stryues [that is, he that letteth wa|ter renne forth, and he that bi|gynneth strifes, doon lijk thingis. K.] ; and bifor that he suffrith wrong, he forsakith dom. [verse 15] Bothe he that iustifieth a wickid man, and he that condempneth a iust man, euer ethir is abhomynable at [to C.] God. [verse 16] What profitith [What profit|ith it, etc.; as if he seie, no thing; for he vsith not tho to good but to yuel, and may not gete wis|dom bi tho. Lire here. C.] it to a fool to haue

richessis, sithen [sith I passim.] he mai not bie wisdom? He that makith his hous [of yuel geten good. K.] hiȝ, sekith falling [disserueth falling to helle. K.] ; and he that eschewith [ethchewith I passim.] to lerne, schal falle in to yuels. [verse 17] He that is a frend, loueth in al tyme; and a brother is preuyd in angwischis. [verse 18] A fonned man schal make ioie with hondis, whanne he hath bihiȝt for his frend. [verse 19] He that bi|thenkith discordis, loueth chidingis; and [Om. A pr. m. M.] he that enhaunsith [in boosting and other curs|ed speche. K.] his mouth, sekith fallyng. [verse 20] He that is of weiward herte, schal not fynde good; and he that turn|eth the tunge [that turneth the tunge; that is, flaterith in presence, and deffameth in absence of a man. Lire here. C.] , schal falle in to yuel. [verse 21] A fool is borun in his schenschipe; but ne|ther the fadir schal be glad in a fool. [verse 22] A ioiful soule makith likinge age; a sorew|ful spirit makith drie boonys. [verse 23] A wickid man takith ȝiftis fro the bosum, to mys turne the pathis of doom. [verse 24] Wisdom schyn|eth in the face of a prudent man; the iȝen of foolis ben in the endis of erthe. [verse 25] A fonned sone is the ire of the fadir, and the sorewe of the modir that gendride [baar I.] hym. [verse 26] It is not good to brynge in harm to a iust man; nether to smyte the prince that demeth riȝtfuli. [verse 27] He that mesurith his wordis, is wijs and prudent; and a lerud man is of preciouse spirit. [verse 28] Also a foole, if he is stille, schal be gessid a wijs man; and, if he pressith togidre hise lippis, he `schal be [is I.] gessid an vndurstondynge man.

CAP. XVIII.

[verse 1] He that wole go a wei fro a frend, sekith occasiouns [sekith occa|siouns; that is, feyneth causis. Lire here. CN.] ; in al tyme he schal be dispisable. [verse 2] A fool resseyueth not the wordis of prudence; `no but [but if I.] thou seie tho thingis, that ben turned in his herte. [verse 3] A wickid man, whanne he cometh in to depthe of synnes, dispisith [hoolsum loore and amaundement. Ka.] ; but sclaun|dre and schenschipe sueth hym. [verse 4] Deep watir [deep watir; that is, the wordis of a man perfit in kun|nyng and vertu, conteynen deep sentence, to which not ech man may liȝtly ateyne, as ne|thir to the botme of deep watir. CK. a stronde flow|inge ouer; in to othere men bi good teching. is the welle of wisdom, in the soule of a wise man, fro whiche welle the watir of wisdom is brouȝt out to othere men. chidingis; of othere men chidinge to gidere. double tunge; that flaterith in pre|sence, and bac|bitith in ab|sence. of the wombe; that is, til to the herte. drede; this vers til thidur he that is neische, is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] is the wordis of the mouth of a man; and a stronde fletinge ouer [into other men bi good teching. K.] is the welle of wisdom. [verse 5] It is not good to take the persoone of a wickid man in doom, that thou bowe awei fro the treuthe of

dom. [verse 6] The lippis of a fool medlen hem silf with chidyngis; and his mouth ex|citith [stirith I.] stryues. [verse 7] The mouth of a fool is defoulyng of hym; and hise lippis ben the fallynge of his soule. [verse 8] The wordis of a double tungid man ben as symple; and tho [thei I.] comen `til to [vnto I.] the ynnere thingis of the wombe [that is, to the herte. K.] . Drede castith doun a slowe man [castith out a slow man; that is, the drede of trauel castith him doun fro bigynnyng of good werk. to wymmens condicioun; that is, men that ben neische as wymmen to worche good. the catel of a riche man, etc.; that is, he trist|ith in hise richessis, as in a wallid citee, thouȝ he is ofte disseyued in this. C.] ; forsothe the soulis of men turned in to wymmens condicioun schulen haue hungur. [verse 9] He that is neisch, and vnstid|fast [dissolute, ether vnstidfast CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXYaç.] in his werk, is the brother of a man distriynge hise werkis. [verse 10] A strongeste [ful strong I.] tour is the name of the Lord; a iust man renneth to hym, and schal be enhaunsid. [verse 11] The catel of a riche man is the citee of his strengthe; and as a stronge wal cum|passinge hym. [verse 12] The herte of man [a man I.] is en|haunsid, bifor that it be brokun; and it is maad meke, bifore that it be glorified. [verse 13] He that answerith bifore that he herith, shewith hym silf to be a fool; and worthi of schenschipe. [verse 14] The spirit of a man sus|teyneth his feblenesse; but who may sus|teyne a spirit liȝt to be wrooth? [verse 15] The herte of a prudent man schal holde stid|fastli kunnyng; and the eere of wise men sekith techyng. [verse 16] The ȝift of a man alarg|ith his weie; and makith space to hym bifore princes. [verse 17] A iust man is the first accusere [to God and to a true frend. K.] of hym silf; his frend cometh, and schal serche hym [ordeynyng the weie of his delyueraunce. K.] . [verse 18] Lot ceessith aȝen|seiyngis; and demeth also among miȝti men. [verse 19] A brother that is helpid [holpun I.] of a brothir, is as a stidfast citee; and domes ben as the barris of citees. [verse 20] A mannus [a mannus wombe; that is, the kunnyng of vertuouse man schal be en|creessid bi his trewe teching. deth and liyf; that is, deth of synne is in the mysvsing of the tunge, and the liyf of grace is in the goode vsing therof. Lire here. C.] wombe [that is, his mynde, or his desire, shal be fulfilled for his vertuous word|is; of thi word|is thou shalt be iustified. Mt. xii. K.] schal be fillid of the fruit of his mouth; and the seedis of hise lippis schulen fille hym. [verse 21] Deth and lijf ben in the werkis of tunge; thei that louen it, schulen ete the fruytis therof. [verse 22] He that fyndith a good womman, fyndith a good thing; and of the Lord he schal drawe vp myrthe. He that puttith a wey a good womman, puttith awei a good thing; but he that holdith auowtresse, is a fool and

vnwijs. [verse 23] A pore man schal speke with bisechingis; and a riche man schal speke sterneli. [verse 24] A man freendli to felouschipe schal more be a frend, than a brothir.

CAP. XIX.

[verse 1] Betere is a pore man, that goith in his simplenesse, than a riche man bitynge hise lippis, and vnwijs. [verse 2] Where is not kunnyng of the soule, is [ther is I.] not good; and he that is hasti [that is, doith heedli hise werkis. K.] , in feet hirtith. [verse 3] The foli of a man disseyueth hise steppis; and he brenneth in his soule aȝens God [aȝens God; that is, bi vn|pacience he brekith out in to the blasfemye of God. Lire here. CK.] . [verse 4] Richessis encreessen ful many freendis; forsothe also thei ben departid fro a pore man, whiche he hadde. [verse 5] A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesingis, schal not ascape [not ascape; Goddis doom, in whiche he must ȝelde re|soun of ech idil word, and myche more of a leesing. C.] . [verse 6] Many men onouren the persoone of a myȝti man; and ben [thei ben I.] frendis of hym that deelith ȝiftis. [verse 7] The britheren of a pore man haten hym; ferthermore and the freendis ȝeden awei fer [Om. C.] fro hym. He that sueth [sowith a.] wordis [verse 8] oonli [wordis oneli; that is, a dissiple that loueth more the fairnesse of wordis than the good sentence, reportith no thing of truthe of the techere, ethir so litil, that it is worthi to be rekenyd as for nouȝt; ethir thus, a techere that hath onely wordis and no goode dedis, schal gete no mede of God. goodis; of grace in present tyme, and of glorie in tyme to com|ynge. Lire here. C.] , schal haue no thing; but he that holdith stabli the mynde [mynde bi Goddis vertue. Lire here. KNa.] , loueth his soule, and the kepere of prudence schal fynde goodis. [verse 9] A fals witnesse schal not be vnpunyschid; and he that spekith leesyngis, schal perische. [verse 10] Delices bicomen not a fool; nether `it bicometh [Om. I.] a seruaunt to be lord of princes. [verse 11] The teching of a man is knowun bi pacience [knowun bi pacience; that is, the teching of apostlis and of othere tech|eris, in the bigynnyng of the chirche, was knowun bi this, that they dred|den not to die for it. to passe ouer wickid thingis; that is, to do not wickid thingis, but more to suffre peyne. Lire here. C.] ; and his glorie is to passe ouere wickid thingis. [verse 12] As the gnasting of a lioun, so and the ire of the [a I.] king; and as deewe on eerbe, so and the gladnesse of the kyng. [verse 13] The so|rewe of the fadir is a fonned sone; and roofes droppynge contynueli is a womman ful of chiding. [verse 14] Housis and richessis ben ȝouun of fadir and modir; but a prudent wijf is ȝouun propirli of the Lord. [verse 15] Slouth bringith [sendith CEFHNPUY.] in sleep; and a negligent soule schal haue hungur [hungur; in suffringe de|faute of goostly goodis, and ofte of bodily goodis. his weye; that is, the kepinge of Goddis heestis. schal be slayn; bi deth of synne and of helle. Lire here. C.] . [verse 16] He that kepith the comaundement of God, kepith his soule; but he that chargith not his weie, schal be slayn. [verse 17] He that hath mercy on a pore

man, leeneth to the Lord; and he schal ȝelde his while to hym. [verse 18] Teche thi sone [the drede of the Lord and his lawe. K.] , and dispeire thou not [dispeire thou not; of his lernyng, thouȝ he takith litil ether nouȝt in the bigynnyng, for ofte siche children ben wel lerned in the ende. C. thouȝ he lerne not at the bi|gynnyng; but contynue in techinge, and he shal lerne. K marg.] ; but sette thou not [in withdraw|ing of teching. K.] thi soule to the sleyng of hym. [verse 19] For|sothe he that is vnpacient, schal suffre harm; and whanne he hath rauyschid, he schal leie to anothir thing. [verse 20] Here thou counsel, and take thou doctryn; that thou be wijs in thi laste thingis. [verse 21] Many thouȝtis ben [ther ben I.] in the herte of a man; but the wille of the Lord schal dwelle. [verse 22] A nedi man is merciful; and betere is a pore iust man, than a [a riche I.] man liere [a man liere; that is, than a myȝti man that bowith awey fro riȝtfulnesse, bi leesingis. plente; of blis, of the worste; deuel, which in no maner may neiȝe thidur. wisere; that is, lesse fool, for[it] schal amende him in sum thing. Lire here. C.] . [verse 23] The [Om. I.] drede of the Lord ledith to lijf [the lijf a.] `of blis [Om. I. of blis. Lire here. N text.] ; and he `that dredith God [Om. I.] schal dwelle in plentee, with outen visityng [ful yuel visityng I.] `of the worste [Om. I.] . [verse 24] A slow man hidith his hond vndur the [his I.] armpit; and putteth [dressith I.] it not to his mouth. [verse 25] Whanne a man ful of pestilence is betun, a fool schal be [be the I.] wisere. If thou blamist a wijs man, he schal vndurstonde techyng. [verse 26] He that turmentith the [his I.] fadir, and fleeth fro the [his I.] modir, schal be ful of yuel fame, and schal be cursid. [verse 27] Sone, ceesse thou not to here techyng; and knowe thou the wordis of kunnyng. [verse 28] A wickid witnesse scorneth doom; and the mouth of vnpitouse men deuourith [deuourith; that is, swo|lewith gredily. Lire here. C.] wickidnesse. [verse 29] Domes ben maad redi to scorneris; and hameris smytynge ben maad redi to the bodies of foolis [foolis; that is, brekeris of Goddis lawe. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. XX.

[verse 1] Wiyn is a letcherouse thing [wyn is le|cherouse thing; that is, makith lecherie; wher|for Jerom seith, a wombe brennynge of wyn, spueth out soone in to leccherie. Wherfor Loth, bi the drynk|ing of wyn, dide leccherie with hise douȝ|tris, in xix. c^o. of Gen. delitith in these; that is, drunknesse and leccherie. wiys; for euer either deuour|ith resoun, and causith dul|nesse. C.] , and drunkenesse is ful of noise; who euere delitith in these, schal not be wijs. [verse 2] As the roryng of a lioun, so and the drede of the [a I.] kyng; he that territh hym to ire, synneth aȝens his owne lijf [soule I.] . [verse 3] It is onour to a man that departith hym silf fro stryuyngis; but fonned men ben medlid with dispisyngis. [verse 4] A slow man nolde [wolde not I.] ere for coold; therfor he schal begge in somer, and me schal not ȝyue to hym. [verse 5] As deep watir, so counsel is in the herte

of a man; but a wijs man [a wise man; that is, a dili|gent disciple. schal drawe it out; in axinge of him dili|gently and warly. Lire here. C.] schal drawe it out. [verse 6] Many men ben clepid merciful; but who schal fynde a feithful man? [verse 7] Forsothe a iust man that goith in his simplenesse, schal leeue blessid sones aftir hym. [verse 8] A king that sittith in the seete of doom, distrieth al yuel bi his lokyng. [verse 9] Who may seie, Myn herte is clene; Y am clene of synne? [verse 10] A weiȝte [a weiȝte; grettere in bi|ynge, and a weiȝte lesse in silling; and so of a mesure. abhomynable; for it is thefte, colourid by the colour of riȝt|fulnesse; wher|for Jerom seith feyned hooly|nesse ether equyte, is double wickid|nesse. sleep; vnmesurable bi slouthe. opene thyn iȝen; that is, be thou wakir, and diligent in thi werkis. C.] and a weiȝte, a me|sure and a mesure, euer eithir is abhomy|nable at God. [verse 11] A child is vndurstondun bi hise studies, yf his werkis ben riȝtful and cleene. [verse 12] An eere heringe, and an iȝe se|ynge, God made euere eithir. [verse 13] Nyle thou loue sleep, lest nedynesse oppresse thee; opene thin iȝen, and be thou fillid with looues. [verse 14] Ech biere seith, It is yuel, it is yuel; and whanne he hath go awey, thanne he schal haue glorie. [verse 15] Gold, and the multitude of iemmes, and a preciouse vessel, ben the lippis of kunnyng. [verse 16] Take thou awei the cloth of hym, that was borewe of an othere man; and for straun|geris take thou awei a wed fro hym. [verse 17] The breed of a leesing [the breed of leesing; that is, getun bi a leesing. to a man; liere. with rikenyng; bi bittirnesse of penaunce, for he seeth that he dide yuel. bi gouernayls; that is, pru|dence, coun|cel, and expe|rience, and not oneli bi bodily strengthe; therfor at Ro|mayns, that maden al the world soiet to hem silf bi batels, a knyȝt, were he neuere so strong, if he hadde not wis|dom, he was seid a knyȝt with outen iȝen. Lire here. C.] is sweet to a man; and aftirward his mouth schal be fillid with rikenyng. [verse 18] Thouȝtis ben maad strong bi counselis; and bateils schulen be tretid bi gouernals. [verse 19] Be thou not medlid with him that schewith pryuetees [schewith priuytees; that is, coun|cels bitakun to his feithful|nesse. gilefully; schewinge fren|schipe, whanne he is an enemy priueli. alargith hise lippis; that is, bihetith grete thingis, and fillith litle ethir nouȝt. hastith; bi coueitise to gete it vnduly. wante bless|ing; for the grettere schal suffre peyne aftir deth, and comynly his eir schal not re|ioysche it at the ende. Lire here. C.] , and goith gylefulli, and alargith hise lippis. [verse 20] The liȝt of hym that cursith his fadir and mo|dir, schal be quenchid in the myddis of derknessis. [verse 21] Eritage to which me haastith in the bigynnyng, schal wante blessing in the laste tyme. [verse 22] Seie thou not, Y schal ȝelde yuel for yuel; abide thou the Lord, and he schal delyuere thee. [verse 23] Abhomyna|cioun at [anentis I.] God is weiȝte and weiȝte; a gile|ful balaunce is not good. [verse 24] The steppis of man [a man I.] ben dressid of the Lord; who for|sothe of men mai vndurstonde his weie? [verse 25] Falling of man is to make auow to seyntis, and aftirward to withdrawe the [tho C.] vowis. [verse 26] A wijs kyng scaterith wickid men; and

bowith a bouwe of victorie [a victorie a.] [that is, a stoon bouwe. K.] ouer hem. [verse 27] The lanterne [The lanterne; for kindly liȝt of resoun is sum preenting of Goddis liȝt. of the wombe; that is, herte. Lire here. C.] of the Lord is the spirit of man, that sekith out alle the priuetees of the wombe. [verse 28] Merci and treuthe [Mercy and treuthe; for merci without riȝtfulnesse, is cowardise, and riȝtfulnesse with out merci, is cruelte, for tho distrien a king and rewme. Lire here. C.] kepen a kyng; and his trone is maad strong bi mekenesse. [verse 29] The ful out ioiyng of ȝonge men is the strengthe of hem; and the dignyte of elde men is hoornesse [horenesse; that is, the eld|nesse and sad|nesse of wittis, with hoornesse of the heed. The wannesse of wounde; causith distri|yng of rych|essis in yuele werkis. Lire here. C.] . [verse 30] The wannesse of wounde schal wipe aweie yuels, and woundis in the priuyere thingis of the wombe.

CAP. XXI.

[verse 1] As departyngis of watris, so the herte of the kyng is in the power of the Lord; whidur euer he wole, he schal bowe it. [verse 2] Ech weye of a man semeth riȝtful to hym silf; but the Lord peisith the hertis. To do merci and doom [mercy and doom; that is, the werkis of merci doon to nedi men, and the werkis of riȝtfulnesse doon to men oppressid, plese more God than doen sacrefices; for Crist in his membris hath nede to these werkis, as he seith in XXV. c^o. of Math. is synne; that is, thei kunnen dresse her vn|derstonding to synne, and not to good, as Jeremye seith in iiii. c^o. strong man; that is, bi strengthe of soule and of bodi. Lire here. C.] , plesith more the [verse 3] Lord, than sacrifices doen [Om. I.] . [verse 4] Enhaunsyng of iȝen is alargyng of the herte; the lan|terne of wickid men is synne. [verse 5] The thouȝtis of a stronge man ben euere in abundaunce; but ech slow man is euere in nedynesse. [verse 6] He that gaderith tresours bi the tunge of a leesing [leesing makere I.] [tunge of leesing; as flatereris of riche men and false avocatis doen. veyn; that is, voide of vertu. and with outen herte; for he suffrith defaute of good herte. to the snaris of deth; of synne, and of helle. hem doun; to helle. nolden do doom; that is, lyue iustli with the neiȝbore. Lire here. C.] , is veyne, and with outen herte; and he schal be hurtlid [hurlid I.] to the snaris of deth. [verse 7] The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden [wolden not I.] do doom. [verse 8] The weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but the werk of hym that is cleene [cleene of synne C sec. m.] , is riȝtful. [verse 9] It is betere to sitte in the corner of an hous with oute roof, than with a womman ful of chydyng, and in a comyn hous. [verse 10] The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiȝbore. [verse 11] Whanne a man ful of pestilence is punyschid, a litil man of wit schal be the wisere; and if he sueth a wijs man, he schal take kunnyng. [verse 12] A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel. [verse 13] He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, and [and he I.] schal not be herd. [verse 14] A ȝift hid quenchith

chidyngis; and a ȝift in bosum quenchith the [Om. I.] moost indignacioun. [verse 15] It is ioye to a iust man to make doom [iust doom I.] [to make doom; that is, to parforme riȝtfulnesse. drede; for thei dreden euere to be takun ther|ynne, therfor ben dredeful comynly. of doctryn; that is, good doctryn. Lire here. C.] ; and it is drede to hem that worchen wickidnesse. [verse 16] A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis [giauntis; that is, of men yuele rulid, ether of fendis. C.] . [verse 17] He that loueth metis [metis; that is, vnmesurably. Lire here. CKNa.] , schal be in nedynesse; he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, schal not be maad riche. [verse 18] An vnpitouse man schal be ȝouun for [to I.] a iust man [for a iust man; that is, for the yuel of peyne doon to a iust man, an vnpitouse man, that dide that yuel, schal be ȝouun to grettere peyne. Lire here. C.] ; and a wickid man schal be ȝouun for a riȝtful man. [verse 19] It is betere to dwelle in a desert lond, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and wrathful. [verse 20] Desirable [Desiderable Ca.] tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places [place A sec. m. I.] of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it. [verse 21] He that sueth riȝtfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie. [verse 22] A wijs man stiede `in to [vnto I.] the citee of stronge men, and di|striede the strengthe of trist therof. [verse 23] He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis. [verse 24] A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire. [verse 25] Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden [wolden not I.] worche ony thing. [verse 26] Al dai he coueitith and de|sirith; but he that is a iust man, schal ȝyue, and [and he I.] schal not ceesse. [verse 27] The offringis of wickid men, that ben offrid of greet trespas [of greet tres|passe; that is, of raueyn, ether of thefte. Lire here. C.] , ben abhomynable. [verse 28] A fals wit|nesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie [victorie; for he makith the lowere myȝtis soiet to resoun, and this is the moste victorie. amendith his weye; that is, of litle defautis whiche he doith in this liyf, thouȝ he be ful iust. Lire here. C.] . [verse 29] A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riȝtful, amendith his weie. [verse 30] No wis|dom is [ther is I.] , no prudence is [ther is I.] , no counsel is [ther is I.] aȝens the Lord. [verse 31] An hors is maad redi to the dai of batel; but the Lord schal ȝyue helthe.

CAP. XXII.

[verse 1] Betere is a good name, than many richessis; for good grace is aboue siluer and gold. [verse 2] A riche man [A riche man, etc.; God mak|ith a pore man, that he haue merit of pa|cience, and he makith a riche man, that he haue merit of mersy, in help|inge a pore man. Lire here. C.] and a pore man metten hem silf; the Lord is worchere of euer eithir. [verse 3] A felle man seeth yuel, and hidith him silf; and an innocent man

passid [passid, bi a perelous place. Lire here. N text.] , and he was turmentid bi [with I.] harm. [verse 4] The ende of temperaunce is the drede of the Lord; richessis, and glorye, and lijf [richessis, glorie, and liyf; that is, euer|lastinge rich|essis, glorie of seyntis, and euerlastinge liyf. Armuris and swerdis; that is, the mys|vsyng of tho. fro tho; that is, fro mysvsing of tho. a prouerbe; that is, a word seid comynly. Lire here. C.] . [verse 5] Armuris and swerdis ben in the weie of a weiward man; but the kepere of his soule goith awey fer fro tho. [verse 6] It is a prouerbe, A ȝong wexynge man bisidis [aftir A sec. m. marg. I text.] his weie, and whanne he hath wexe [woxen I.] elde, he schal not go a wei fro it. [verse 7] A riche man co|maundith to pore men; and he that takith borewyng, is the [Om. I.] seruaunt of the leenere. [verse 8] He that sowith wickidnes [sowith wick|idnesse; that is, yuel tech|ing, dissen|cioun, and hatrede. yuels; of synne and of peyne. ȝerde of his ire; that is, the power bi which he dide yuele. Lire here. C.] , schal repe yuels; and the ȝerde of his yre schal be endid. [verse 9] He that is redi [enclinaunt, ether redi CEGHKMNPQRSUXYa. enclynaunt, or bowith I.] to merci, schal be blessid; for of his looues he ȝaf to a pore man. He that ȝyueth ȝiftis [He that ȝyueth ȝiftis; this vers, til thidur, Caste thou out, etc., is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] , schal gete victorie and onour; forsothe he takith awei the soule of the takeris. [verse 10] Caste thou out a scornere, and strijf schal go out with hym; and causis and dispisyngis schulen ceesse. [verse 11] He that loueth the clen|nesse of herte, schal haue the kyng a freend, for [fro a.] the [Om. C.] grace of hise lippis. [verse 12] The iȝen of the Lord kepen kunnyng [kepen kun|nyng; that is, a man hauyng very kunnyng, which is of the helthe of soule. Lire here. C.] ; and the wordis of a wickid man ben disseyued. [verse 13] A slow man schal seie, A lioun is without|forth; Y schal be slayn in the myddis of the stretis. [verse 14] The mouth of an alien [The mouth of an alien; that is, of fals doc|tryn, for it ledith to the depthe of helle. wrooth; for bi ire aȝenus a man, he with drawith fro him his grace, and so he fall|ith fro synne in to synne, and ofte in to fals doctryn and eresie. Lire here. C.] wom|man is a [the C.] deep diche; he to whom the Lord is wrooth, schal falle in to it. [verse 15] Foli is boundun togidere in the herte of a child; and a ȝerde of chastisyng schal dryue it awey. [verse 16] He that falsli chalengith a pore man, to encreesse hise owne rich|essis, schal ȝyue to a richere man, and [and he I.] schal be nedi. [verse 17] My sone, bowe doun thin eere, and here thou the wordis of wise men; but sette thou the [Om. A sec. m.] herte to my techyng. [verse 18] That schal be fair to thee, whanne thou hast kept it in thin herte, and it schal flowe aȝen in thi lippis. [verse 19] That thi trist be in the Lord; wherfor and Y haue schewid it to thee to dai. [verse 20] Lo! Y haue discryued it in thre maneres [in thre ma|neris; that is, in thre partis of the Elde Testament, that ben the lawe, hooly stories, and profetis; and herbi Salamon spekith in the persoone of God, ether he spekith this in his owne per|soone of his thre bokis, Prouerbis, Ec|clesiastes, and Songis, that techen what is trewe and fals, what is good and yuel, and what is leueful and vnleueful. that senten thee; in Ebreu it is, to men axinge thee, and thus the sentence is pleyn. C.] , in thouȝtis [verse 21] and kunnyng, that Y schulde schewe to

thee the sadnesse and spechis of trewthe; to answere of these thingis to hem, that senten thee. [verse 22] Do thou not violence to a pore man, for he is pore; nethir defoule thou a nedi man in the ȝate. [verse 23] For the Lord schal deme his cause, and he schal tur|mente hem, that turmentiden his soule. [verse 24] Nyle thou be freend to a wrathful man, [verse 25] nether go thou with a wood man; lest perauenture thou lerne hise weies, and take sclaundir to thi soule. [verse 26] Nyle thou be with hem that oblischen [fastnen, ether oblischen CEFGHKMNPQRSUXYa. fastnen, or bynden I.] her hondis, and that proferen hem silf [silf to be I.] borewis for dettis; [verse 27] for if he hath not wherof he schal restore, what of cause is [ther is I.] , that thou take awei hilyng [the hilyng I.] fro [of I.] thi bed? [verse 28] Go thou not ouer the elde markis [termes, ether markis CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXYa.] , whiche thi faders han set. [verse 29] Thou hast seyn a man smert in his werk; he schal stonde bifore kyngis, and he schal not be bifor vnnoble men.

CAP. XXIII.

[verse 1] Whanne thou sittist, to ete with the prince, perseyue thou diligentli what [verse 2] thingis ben set bifore thi face, and sette thou a withholding [cultre, or a withholding I.] in thi throte. If ne|theles [verse 3] thou hast power on thi soule, desire thou not of his metis, in whom is the breed of `a leesing [liynge I.] [breed of a leesing; that is, getun bi a leesing. riche; ouer dwe mesure. mesure; of iust resoun. to thi pru|dence; that is, sutilte ether felnesse in geting. Lire here. C.] . [verse 4] Nyle thou trauele to be maad riche, but sette thou mesure to thi prudence. [verse 5] Reise [Reise thou I.] not thin iȝen to richessis, whiche thou maist not haue; for tho schulen make to hem silf pennes, as of an egle, and tho [thei I.] schulen flee in to heuene. [verse 6] Ete thou not with an enuyouse [verse 7] man, and desire thou not hise metis; for at the licnesse of a fals dyuynour and of a coniectere [coniectere; that is, ex|pownere of dremes. Lire here. CN.] , he gessith that, that he knowith not. He schal seie to thee, Ete thou and drinke; and his soule is not with thee [with thee; that is, he sekith not thi profiyt. Lire here. C.] . [verse 8] Thou schalt brake [spue CEGHKMNPQRSUXYa. caste F pr. m. I.] out the metis [mete P.] , whiche thou hast ete; and thou schalt leese thi faire wordis. [verse 9] Speke thou not in the eeris of vnwise men; for thei schulen dispise the teching of thi speche.

[verse 10] Touche thou not the termes of litle chil|dren; and entre thou not in to the feeld of fadirles and modirles children. [verse 11] For the neiȝbore of hem is strong, and he schal deme her cause aȝens thee. [verse 12] Thin herte entre to techyng, and thin eeris `be redi [Om. I.] to the wordis of kunnyng. [verse 13] Nile thou withdrawe chastisyng fro a child; for thouȝ thou smyte [smytist CFGKMNQRUXY.] hym with a ȝerde, he schal not die. [verse 14] Thou schalt smyte hym with a ȝerde, and thou schalt delyuere his soule fro helle. [verse 15] Mi sone, if thi soule is wijs, myn herte schal haue ioye with thee; [verse 16] and my reynes [mi reynes; that is, my body. Lire here. C.] schulen make ful out ioye, whanne thi lippis speken riȝtful thing. [verse 17] Thin herte sue not synneris; but be thou in the [Om. I.] drede of the Lord al dai. [verse 18] For [And thanne I.] thou schalt haue hope at the laste, and thin abidyng schal not be don awei. [verse 19] Mi sone, here thou, and be thou [Om. I.] wijs, and dresse thi soule in the weie. [verse 20] Nyle thou be in the feestis of drinkeris, nether in the ofte etyngis of hem, that bryngen togidere fleischis to ete. [verse 21] For men ȝyuynge tent to drinkis, and ȝyuyng mussels togi|dere, schulen be waastid [wastid; as to outermere goodis, that ben spendid in suche thingis, and as to goodis of kynde, that ben peirid and corrupt in siche thingis. with clothis; that is, with vile clothis; therfor in E|breu it is, with clothis to-rent; as if he seye, no thing schal dwelle to thee wherynne thou schalt slepe, no but vile clothis and to-rent. Bie thou truthe; bi the trauel of studie. nyle thou sille wis|dom and tech|ing; for it owith to be ȝouun frely, and for it passith al priys of money, ne|theles a techere of wisdom may take liyflode and clothing for his trauel, ȝhe, it is due to him of the comynalte, for the prestis of Egipt, that studieden in filosofie, weren susteyned of the comun goodis. Lire here. C.] , and napping schal be clothid with clothis. [verse 22] Here thi fadir, that gendride [gaat I.] thee; and dispise not thi modir, whanne sche is eld. [verse 23] Bie thou treuthe, and nyle thou sille wisdom, and [ne I.] doctryn, and [ne I.] vndurstonding. [verse 24] The fadir of a iust man ioieth ful out with ioie; he that gendride [gaat I.] a wijs man, schal be glad in hym. [verse 25] Thi fadir and thi modir haue ioye, and he that gendride [gaat I.] thee, make ful out ioye. [verse 26] My sone, ȝyue thin herte [thyn herte; to thenke on my teching. mi weyes; in suynge my werkis. an hoore; that is, fals doctryn. a streit pit; for of hard a man may go out therof. vnwar; that kunnen not deme bitwixe hoolsum doc|tryn and yuel doctryn. schal sle; bi deth of synne and of helle; in Ebreu it is, schal adde dispiseris in men; that is, schal multiplie dispiseris of God among men. Also this lettre mai be expowned of a bodili hoore, which is seid a deep dich, for many ȝonge men and elde fallen in to it; also sche is seid a streit pit; for a man goith not out of the synne of leccherie, no but with hardnesse. And sche settith aspies, in drawinge vnchast men bi flatteringis and cossis. C.] to me, and thin iȝen kepe my weyes. [verse 27] For an hoore is a deep diche, and an alien wom|man is a streit pit. [verse 28] Sche settith aspie in the weie, as a theef; and sche schal sle hem, whiche sche schal se vnwar. [verse 29] To whom is wo [is wo; that is, cursing and myshap. dichis; that is, prisouns vndur the erthe. without cause; that is, not maad bi swerd, but bi her owne falling. putting out; that is, febling and derking of the iȝen. Lire here. C.] ? to whos fadir is wo?

to whom ben chidingis? to whom ben dichis? to whom ben woundis with out cause? to whom is puttyng out of iȝen? [verse 30] Whether not to hem, that dwellen in wyn [in wyn; drunkun ouere myche. as an addre, etc.; for it wastith tem|poral goodis, and goodis of kynde, and goodis of grace, for it indusith to vices, and most of lecche|rie. as a man slepinge; for the couetise of lecherie bynd|ith the resoun and wit. of the see; that is, of this world, for it is hurlid with the watris of temptaciouns and of vices. a gouernour aslepid; the bodi is the schip, the soule is the gouern|our; the soule is seid aslepid, whanne it is boundun with sleep ether with lust of lecche|rie. Lire here. C.] , and studien to drynke al of cuppis? [verse 31] Biholde thou not wyn, whanne it spar|clith, whanne the colour therof schyneth in a ver. [verse 32] It entrith swetli, but at the laste it schal bite as an eddre doith [Om. I.] , and as a cocatrice it schal schede abrood venyms. [verse 33] Thin iȝen schulen se straunge wymmen [straunge wymmen; that is, hooris and auoutressis. Lire here. C.] , and thi herte schal speke weiwerd thingis. [verse 34] And thou schalt be as a man slepinge in the myddis of the see, and as a gouernour aslepid, whanne the steere [steere [steerne N], ether [the EPY] instrument of gouernail CEFGHKMNPQRSUXYa. steere of gouernail I.] [the steere; is riȝtful doom of resoun. schalt seie; whanne the sleep ether lust is passid. thei beeten me, etc.; for as a man oppressid bi sleep for ouer greet drunkenesse, perseiueth not thanne, thouȝ he is smytun ether drawun, so he that is holdun with greet lust of leccherie, per|seyueth not thanne the yuels of synne and of peyne, in to whiche he renneth. schal Y wake, etc.; as he that is customable to drunkenesse, goith aȝen to drynking soone aftir waking, and is enclyned herto bi yuel custom, so he that is customable to leccherie, thouȝ he wakith sumtyme, turneth aȝen to his spuyng, for the yuel custom ether corrupcioun of fleisch hurlinge him therto. Lire here. C.] is lost. [verse 35] And thou schalt seie, Thei beeten me, but Y hadde not sorewe; thei drowen me, and Y feelide not; whanne schal Y wake out, and [and whanne I.] Y schal fynde wynes eft?

CAP. XXIV.

[verse 1] Sue thou not yuele men, desire thou not to be with hem. [verse 2] For the soule of hem bi|thenkith raueyns, and her lippis speken fraudis. [verse 3] An hous schal be bildid bi wis|dom, and [and it I.] schal be maad strong bi pru|dence [prudence; that is, good gouernayl. Celeris; that is, the hertis of hereris. ful fair; for goostly richessis ben euer preciouse, and ful faire, but bodily richessis han sumtyme filthe knyt to tho. hiȝ to a fool; for he mai not ateyne therto. Lire here. C.] . [verse 4] Celeris schulen be fillid in tech|ing, al [with al I.] riches preciouse and ful fair. [verse 5] A wijs man is strong, and a lerned man is stalworth and miȝti. [verse 6] For whi batel is bi|gunnun with ordenaunce, and helthe schal be, where many counsels ben. [verse 7] Wisdom is hiȝ to a fool; in the ȝate he schal not opene his mouth. [verse 8] He that thenkith to do yuels, schal be clepid a fool. [verse 9] The thouȝte of a fool is synne; and a bacbitere is abhomynacioun of men. [verse 10] If thou that [Om. omnes præter C.] hast slide [yslide I.] , dispeirist [and dispeirist KX.] [dispeirist; of ascaping of perel. Lire here. C.] in the dai of angwisch, thi strengthe schal be maad lesse. [verse 11] Dely|uere thou hem, that ben led to deth; and ceesse thou not to delyuere hem, that ben drawun to deth [to deth; vniustly. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] If thou seist, Strengthis

suffisen not; he that is biholdere of the herte, vndirstondith, and no thing dis|seyueth the kepere of thi soule, and he schal ȝelde to a man bi [aftir I.] hise werkis. [verse 13] Mi sone, ete thou hony, for it is good; and an [the I.] honycomb ful [for it is ful I.] swete to thi throte. [verse 14] `So and [Riȝt so I.] the techyng of wisdom is good to thi soule; and whanne thou hast founde [founde; that is, in thenk|ing, and in fill|inge in werk. laste thingis; in goodis of the world to com|ynge. wickid|nesse; that is, occasioun to defame him, for he tres|passide in sum thing. seuene sithis; that is, ofte, for pre|sent liyf may not be led with out synne by comyn cours. falle in to yuel; without amend|inge. ire fro him; and turne it on thee, for the yuel stiring of thi soule. Stryue thou not; that is, with vncor|rigible men bi word of blam|yng, but a iuge owith stryue with siche men bi peynes, that thei be refreyn|ed fro yuel, and other men be maad aferd. to wise men; that is, to iugis, and to men stond|ing nyȝ hem. Lire here. C.] it, thou schalt haue hope in the laste thingis, and thin hope schal not perische. [verse 15] Aspie thou not, and seke [seke thou a.] not wickidnesse in the hous of a iust man, nether waste thou his reste. [verse 16] For a iust man schal falle seuene sithis in the dai, and schal rise aȝen; but wickid men schulen falle in to yuele. [verse 17] Whanne thin enemye fallith, haue thou not ioye; and thin herte haue not [verse 18] ful out ioiyng in his fal; lest perauenture the Lord se, and it displese hym, and he take awei his ire fro hym. [verse 19] Stryue thou not with `the worste [ful wickid I.] men, nether sue thou wickid men. [verse 20] For whi yuele men han not hope of thingis to comynge [come I.] , and the lanterne of wickid men schal be quenchid. [verse 21] My sone, drede thou God, and the kyng; and be thou not medlid with bacbiteris. [verse 22] For her perdicioun schal rise togidere sudenli, and who knowith the fal of euer either? [verse 23] Also these thingis that suen ben to wise men. It is not good to knowe [to knowe a persoone in doom; that is, to fauore him more than is riȝtful, for ony famyliarite. kisse lippis; that is, schal reforme pees, whos signe is kissing to gi|dere. Make redi thi werk; that is, first purueye to thee of feeldis, and vyneris, and othere ne|cessaries to liyf. bilde thyn hows; that is, take a wiyf, and gendre children; ether thus, first stu|die thou hooly writ, and se the glosis of trewe doctouris, and aftirward make to thee dissi|plis bi hool|sum teching. Lire here. C.] a persoone in doom. [verse 24] Puplis schulen curse hem, that seien to a wickid man, Thou art iust; and lynagis schulen holde hem abhomynable. [verse 25] Thei that repreuen iustli synners [syn|ners. Lire here. N text.] , schulen be preisid; and blessing schal come on hem. [verse 26] He that answerith riȝtful wordis, schal kisse lippis. [verse 27] Make redi thi werk with outforth, and worche thi feelde dilygentli, that thou bilde thin hous aftirward. [verse 28] Be thou not a witnesse with out resonable cause aȝens thi neiȝ|bore; nether flatere thou ony man with thi lippis. [verse 29] Seie thou not, As he dide to me, so Y schal do to him, and Y schal ȝelde to ech man aftir his werk. [verse 30] I passide bi the feeld of a slow man, and bi the

[verse 31] vyner of a fonned man; and, lo! nettlis hadden fillid al, thornes hadden hilid the hiȝere part therof, and the wal of stoonys with out morter was distried. [verse 32] And whanne Y hadde seyn this thing, Y settide in myn herte, and bi ensaumple Y lernyde tech|yng [teching; wise men seynge the necligence of slowe men, and of foolis, ben more bisi to kepe and tile her posses|siouns; ether bi the feeld and vyner, is vn|durstondun the consience of a man, which whanne it is not kept bisily, is fillid with dyuerse vices; and wise men that biholden this, ben bisiere to purge her owne con|sience. Lire here. C.] . [verse 33] Hou longe slepist thou, slow man? whanne schalt thou ryse fro sleep? Sotheli thou schalt slepe a litil, thou schalt nappe a litil, thou schalt ioyne togidere the [verse 34] hondis a litil, to take reste; and [and thanne I.] thi nedynesse as a currour schal come to thee, and thi beggerie as an armed man.

CAP. XXV.

[verse 1] Also these ben the Parablis of Salomon, whiche the men of Ezechie, kyng of Juda, translatiden. [verse 2] The glorie of God is to hele a word [The glorie of God is to hele a word; that is, the priuyte of hooly scripture. The bigyn|nyngis of Ge|nesis and of Esechiel ben ȝouun priuely, ether bi heling, that vnfeithful men be scorned, and Cristen men ful of stu|die be ocupied, and wondre on the depthe of Goddis wisdom. seke out a word; that is, the sen|tence of Goddis word, tauȝt priuely. Lire here. C.] ; and the glorie of kyngis is to seke out a word. [verse 3] Heuene aboue, and the erthe bynethe, and the herte of kyngis is vnserchable. [verse 4] Do thou a wei rust fro sil|uer, and a ful cleene vessel schal [ther shal I.] go out. [verse 5] Do thou awei vnpite fro the cheer of the kyng, and his trone schal be maad stidfast bi riȝtfulnesse. [verse 6] Appere thou not glori|ouse [gloriouse, etc.; in press|ynge forth thee ouere dwe me|sure, lest thi schame sue. Lire here. C.] bifore the kyng, and stonde thou not in the place of grete men. [verse 7] For it is betere, that it be seid to thee, Stie thou hidur, than that thou be maad low bifore the prince. [verse 8] Brynge thou not forth soone tho thingis in strijf, whiche thin iȝen sien [sawȝen I.] ; lest aftirward thou maist not amende, whanne thou hast maad thi frend vnhonest [vnhonest; that is, telle thou not soone to othere men the pryuy yuels of thi neiȝbore, lest thou maist not ȝelde good fame to thi neiȝbore, which fame thou hast hirt. Lire here. C.] . [verse 9] Trete thi cause with thi frend, and schewe thou not priuyte to a [verse 10] straunge man; lest perauenture he haue ioye of thi fal, whanne he hath herde, and ceesse not to do schenschipe to thee. Grace [Grace; this vers til thidur, a goldun pomel, etc., is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] and frenschip delyueren, whiche [the whiche I.] kepe thou to thee, that thou be not maad repreuable. [verse 11] A goldun pomel in beddis of siluer is he, that spekith a word in his time. [verse 12] A goldun eere ryng, and a [Om. C.] schin|ynge peerle is he, that repreueth a wijs man, and an eere obeiynge. [verse 13] As the coold of snow [the coold of snow; that is, wynd kelinge reperis, at the maner of coold of snow. Lire here. C.] in the [Om. I.] dai of heruest, so a

feithful messanger to hym that sente `thilke messanger [him I.] , makith his soule to haue reste. [verse 14] A cloude and wind, and reyn not suynge, is a gloriouse man, and not fillynge biheestis. [verse 15] A prince schal be maad soft bi pacience; and a soft tunge schal breke hardnesse. [verse 16] Thou hast founde hony, ete thou that that suffisith to thee; lest perauenture thou be fillid, and brake [spue CEF pr. m. GHIKMNPQRSUXYa.] it out. [verse 17] Withdrawe thi foot fro the hous of thi neiȝbore; lest sum tyme he be fillid [full therof I.] [be fillid; that is, anoyed. Lire here. C.] , and hate thee. [verse 18] A dart, and a swerd, and a scharp arowe, a man that spekith fals witnessing aȝens his neiȝbore. [verse 19] A rotun tooth, and a feynt foot is he, that hopith on an vnfeithful man in the dai of an|gwisch, [verse 20] and leesith his mentil in the dai of coold. Vynegre in a vessel [Vynegre in a vessel; this vessel is a spice of salt, and brekith and frothith, whanne vyne|gre is put on it. songis; that is, the seiyngis of the lawe and of profetis. to the worste herte; that is, to a man ob|stynat in synne, for he is not amended, but more is wroth, and is stirid to dispysingis. Lire here. C.] of salt is he, that singith songis to the worste herte. As a mouȝte noieth a cloth, and a worm noieth [Om. I.] a tree, so the sorewe of a man noieth the herte. [verse 21] If thin enemy hungrith, feede thou him [fede thou him; that is, helpe thi neiȝ|bore set in nede. colis. etc.; that is, thou schalt induce him to do re|pentaunce of the yuel which he dide to thee, ether asayede to do. schal ȝelde to thee; that is, meede for the charite of the neiȝbore; in Ebreu thus, and the Lord schal make him pesible to thee. Lire here. C.] ; if he thirstith, ȝyue thou watir to hym to drinke; for [for so I.] thou [verse 22] schalt gadere togidere coolis on his heed; and the Lord schal ȝelde to thee. [verse 23] The north wind scatereth [scaterith abrod I.] reynes; and a sorew|ful face distrieth a tunge bacbitinge. [verse 24] It is betere to sitte in the corner of an hous without roof, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and in a comyn hous. [verse 25] Coold watir to a thirsti man; and a good mes|sanger fro a fer lond. [verse 26] A welle [A welle; tro|blid leesith fair|nesse bi a litil mouyng, a brokun veyne is signe of deth. so is a iust man fallinge; that is, doinge synne bifor a wickid man, for he de|fameth him myche for a litil fal, and of a festu he mak|ith a beem. Lire here. C.] dis|turblid with foot, and a veyne brokun, a iust man fallinge bifore a wickid man. [verse 27] As it is not good to hym that etith myche hony; so he that is a serchere of maieste [a serchere of maieste; that is, wole mesure dyuyn thingis bi his owne wit. schal be op|pressid of glo|rie; that is, schal falle in to errour. as a citee opyn, etc.; that is, as the ynnere thingis of sich a citee ben opyn to hem that wolen entre, so the priuytes of sich a man ben opyn to othere men. Lire here. C.] , schal be put doun fro glorie. [verse 28] As a citee opyn, and with out cumpas of wallis; so is a man that mai not refreyne his spirit in speking.

CAP. XXVI.

[verse 1] As snow [as snow; is vnsemely. in somer; for it is aȝenus the kynde of the tyme. in heruist; for it peirith the ripe corn, and disposith to corrupcioun. glorie; that is, onour, to be ȝouun in opyn place. This word forwhi is not in Ebreu, but it sueth thus, as a brid, etc. so cursing brouȝt forth with out resonable cause schal not come; that is, on him in to whom it is brouȝt forth, as a bird vnstable of abiding, that fleeth ouer to a certeyn place, turneth not aȝen. Lire here. C.] in somer, and reyn in her|uest; so glorie is vnsemeli to a fool. [verse 2] For

whi as a brid fliynge ouer to hiȝ thingis, and [and as I.] a sparowe goynge in to vncerteyn; so cursing brouȝt forth with out resonable cause schal come aboue in to sum man. [verse 3] Beting [Beting ben I.] to an hors, and a bernacle to an asse; and a ȝerde in [to I.] the bak of vnpru|dent men. [verse 4] Answere thou not [Answere thou not; that is, foly, as he spak folily. answere thou a fool, etc.; in declaringe resonably. Lire here. C.] to a fool bi [aftir I.] his foli, lest thou be maad lijk hym [to him Ka.] . [verse 5] Answere thou a fool bi [aftir I.] his fooli, lest he seme to him silf to be wijs. [verse 6] An haltinge man in feet, and drinkinge wickidnesse [drynkinge wickidnesse; that is, drynk noyful to him silf. Lire here. C.] , he that sendith wordis by a fonned mes|sanger. [verse 7] As an haltinge man hath faire leggis in veyn; so a parable [so a para|ble; that is, teching, for foolis techen vnsemely. Lire here. C.] is vnsemeli in the mouth of foolis. [verse 8] As he that cast|eth [sendith CEFHNPUY.] a stoon in to an heep of mercurie [sendith a stoon in to the heep of mer|curie; that is, to bielde a tem|ple in the onour of this idol. onour to an vn|wise man; for euer either onour is lost; in Ebreu thus, He that sendith a stoon in to the brood place of the slynge, etc.; that is, a stoon is leid there, to be sent an hiȝ aȝenus the kinde of the stoon; so onour ȝouun to an vnwise man, is aȝenus resoun, sithen it owith to be ȝouun to a wiys man onely. a thorn; as a drunkun man hauynge a thorn in his hond, prickith him silf and othere men, so doith a fool techinge ethir prechinge. Lire here. C.] ; so he that ȝyueth onour to an vnwijs man. [verse 9] As if a thorn growith in the hond of a drunkun man; so [so is I.] a parable in the mouth of foolis. [verse 10] Doom determyneth causis [causis; that is, plees. Lire here.] ; and he that settith silence to a fool, swag|ith iris [wraththis I.] . [verse 11] As a dogge that turneth aȝen to his spuyng; so is an vnprudent man, that rehersith his fooli [his foly; that is, greet foly, ether ma|lice, that mak|ith him abho|mynable to God and men. an vnkunnyng man; that is, knowinge his ignoraunce. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] Thou hast seyn a man seme wijs to hym silf; an vnkun|nyng man schal haue hope more than he. [verse 13] A slow man seith, A lioun is in the weie, a liounnesse is in the foot pathis. [verse 14] As a dore is turned in his [the R.] hengis [herre, ether heengis CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXYa.] ; so a slow man in his bed. [verse 15] A slow man hidith hise hondis vndur his armpit; and he trauelith, if he turneth tho [hem up I.] to his mouth. [verse 16] A slow man semeth wysere [semeth wisere; in sekinge the reste of his fleisch, than excelent wise men. Lire here. C.] to hym silf, than seuene men spekynge sentensis. [verse 17] As he that takith a dogge bi the eeris; so he that passith, and is vnpacient, and is med|dlid with the chiding of anothir man [chiding of anothir man; that is, he that suf|rith no wrong of an othir man, excitith him with whom he chidith with out cause, to bite him bi word ether dede. Y dide pleynge; whanne he may not excuse the opyn malice of dede, he denyeth the malice of entent which is hid. to the ynneste thingis of the herte; that is, he feyneth him to speke for the loue of riȝtfulnesse, ether for the good of him to whom he spekith, ether of whom he spekith; but he purposith to anoye til to the herte. with foul siluer; that is, with the dros of siluer, as it is in Ebreu. bolnynge lippis; that is, spekinge with bolnyng of pride. for vii. wickidnessis ben in his herte; that is, the vnyuersite of malice, ethir of wickidnesse. a dich delueth; that is, makith redy falling to another man. slidur mouth; that kepith not priuyte. wor|chith fallingis; in openynge councel to ad|uersaries. Lire here. C.] . [verse 18] As he is gilti, that sendith speris and [verse 19] arowis in to deth; so a man that anoi|eth gilefuli his frend, and whanne he is takun, he schal seie, Y dide pleiynge.

[verse 20] Whanne trees failen, the fier schal be quenchid; and whanne a priuy bacbitere is withdrawun, stryues resten. [verse 21] As deed coolis at quic coolis, and trees at the fier; so a wrathful man reisith chidyngis. [verse 22] The wordis of a pryuei bacbitere ben as sym|ple; and tho comen til [Om. a.] to the ynneste [ynnere M. innerest PY.] thingis of the herte. [verse 23] As if thou wolt [woldist I.] ourne [onouren PY. honoure a.] a vessel of erthe with foul siluer; so ben bolnynge lippis felouschipid with `the werste [a ful wickid I.] herte. [verse 24] An enemy is vndir|stondun bi hise lippis, whanne he tretith giles in the [his I.] herte. [verse 25] Whanne he `makith low [sendith doun, ether makith low CEFGHIKMNPQRSUXYa.] his vois, bileue thou not to hym; for seuene wickidnessis ben in his herte. [verse 26] The malice of hym that hilith hatrede gilefuli, schal be schewid in a counsel. [verse 27] He that delueth a diche, schal falle in to it; and if a man walewith a stoon, it schal turne aȝen to hym. [verse 28] A fals tunge loueth not treuth; and a slidir [sliper M.] mouth worchith fallyngis.

CAP. XXVII.

[verse 1] Haue thou not glorie on [of I.] the morewe [Haue thou not glorie on the morewe; that is, dilaye thou not a good werk, vndur hope of tyme to comynge more able. stirid; bi ire, ethir wood|nesse; no man may suffre this, no but ful wiys and pacient. Lire here. C.] , `not knowynge [that knowist not I.] what thing the dai to [Om. CGI.] comynge schal bringe forth. [verse 2] Another man, and not thi mouth preise thee; a straunger, and not thi lippis `preise thee [Om. I.] . [verse 3] A stoon is heuy, and grauel is chariouse; but the ire of a fool is heuyere than euer eithir. [verse 4] Ire hath no merci, and [ne I.] wood|nesse brekynge out `hath no merci [Om. I.] ; and who mai suffre the fersnesse of a spirit stirid [yuel stirid I.] ? [verse 5] Betere is opyn repreuyng [opyn repreu|yng; bi which repreuyng good cometh to him that is re|preuyed. than loue hid; that is, not schewid in werk, for no good cometh therof to him that is loued. woundis of the louyere; that ben doon to amending of him that is loued. gileful cossis; than ben maad to disseyuing of him that is kissed. forsak|ith his place; that is, hows, and meynee, and chargith not of the cure of hem; and bi this is vndur|stondun the malice of a pre|lat, dispisynge the cure ether helthe of soulis, for bisynessis and offices of erthely thingis. Lire here. C.] , than loue hid. [verse 6] Betere ben the woundis of hym that loueth, than the gileful cossis of hym that hatith. [verse 7] A man fillid schal dispise an hony coomb; but an hungri man schal take, ȝhe, bittir thing for swete. [verse 8] As a brid passinge ouer fro his nest, so is a man that forsakith his place. [verse 9] The herte delitith in oynement, and dyuerse odours; and a soule is maad swete bi the good

counsels of a frend. [verse 10] Forsake thou not thi frend, and the frend of thi fadir; and entre thou not in to the hous of thi bro|thir, in the dai of thi turment. Betere is a neiȝbore nyȝ, than a brothir afer. [verse 11] Mi sone, studie thou a boute wisdom, and make thou glad myn herte; that thou maist answere a word to a dispisere [answere a word to a dis|pisere; that is, to him that dis|pisith truthe, in conuyctinge ether ouercom|ynge him re|sonably. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] A fel man seynge yuel was hid; litle men of wit passinge forth suffriden harmes. [verse 13] Take thou awei his clooth, that bihiȝte for a straunger; and take thou awei a [the I.] wed fro hym for an alien man. [verse 14] He that blessith his [that blessith his, etc.; that is, flaterith him opynli. and risith bi nyȝt; that is, doith this bisili. Lire here. C.] neiȝbore with greet vois; and risith bi niȝt, schal be lijk hym that cursith. [verse 15] Roouys droppynge in the dai of coold, and a womman ful of chidyng ben comparisond [likned to gidre I.] . [verse 16] He that withholdith [with holdith; that is, enfors|ith to with|holde fro her nysete. holdith wynd; and this is inpossible, ether ful hard. the oile of his riȝthond; for oile holdun in the riȝt hond, be it streyned neuere so harde, goith out; so a nyse womman, how myche euer sche be re|streyned, fynd|ith weyes to do yuele. Lire here. C.] hir, as if he holdith [holde I.] wynd; and auoidith the oile of his riȝt hond. [verse 17] Yrun is whettid bi [with I.] irun; and a man whettith the face of his frend. [verse 18] He that kepith a fige tre, schal ete the fruytis therof; and he that is a kepere of his lord, schal be glorified. [verse 19] As the cheris of men biholdinge schynen in watris; so the hertis of men ben opyn to prudent men. [verse 20] Helle and perdicioun schulen not be fillid; so and the iȝen of men [so and the iȝen of men, etc.; coueyt|ouse men moun not be fillid; for whi coueyt|ise is not de|creessid, but encreesid bi thingis getun. bi the mouth of preiseris; for herbi it apper|ith, wher he is verili vertuouse, ether nay, if he is not enhauns|id, ether proud, bi the preissing in ony maner, but is maad betere, the truthe of the vertu apperith, which preisid, encreesith; if he is enhaunsid, the falsnesse aperith. Lire here. C.] moun not be fillid. [verse 21] As siluer is preuyd in a wellyng place, and gold `is preued [Om. I.] in a furneys; so a man is preued bi the mouth of preyseris. The herte [the herte; this vers is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] of a wickid man sekith out yuels; but a riȝtful herte sekith out kunnyng. [verse 22] Thouȝ thou beetist [beestist A. pownedist I.] a fool [thouȝ thou betist a fool, etc.; that is, he schal not be amendid, bi what euer chastising ethir beting moun. Lire here. C.] in a morter, as with a pestel smytynge aboue dried barli; his foli schal not be don awei fro him. [verse 23] Knowe thou diligentli the cheere of thi beeste [the cheer of thi beeste; this is expowned of prelatis that han cure of soulis thus. knowe thou diligently the cheer of thi beeste; that is, the liyf and condiciouns of men suget to thee. for thou schalt not haue power to amende hem contynuely; that is, aftir deth. but a coroun, of glorie, schal be ȝouun to thee, if thou vsist well the power bitakun to thee. Lire here. C.] ; and biholde thou thi flockis. [verse 24] For thou schalt not haue power contynueli; but a coroun schal be ȝouun to thee in generacioun and in to generacioun. [verse 25] Mede|wis ben openyd, and greene eerbis apper|iden; and hey is gaderid fro hillis.

[verse 26] Lambren be to [in to I.] thi clothing; and kidis be to the [Om. M.] prijs of [of the INQ pr. m. of thi KX.] feeld [and kidis to the prys of the feeld; that is, that thou bie feeldis bi the priys of tho, ethir that thou tile feeldis now had; and bi lambren and kidis ben vn|durstondun here, also othere beestis nedeful to liyflode. Lire here. C.] . [verse 27] The mylke of geete suffice to thee for thi [Om. S.] meetis; in to the necessarie thingis of thin hous, and to lijflode to [of I.] thin handmaidis [hond maidens IKSa.] [liyflode to thyn hand|maydis; that is, if thou hast in thyn hows beestis that suf|fisen to thi liyflode, and of thyn hows, be thou not bisi to seke othere thingis more delicat. Lire here. C.] .

CAP. XXVIII.

[verse 1] A wickid man fleeth, whanne no man pursueth; but a iust man as a lioun tristynge [as a lioun tristing; in the Lord. Lire here. C.] schal be with out ferdfulnesse. [verse 2] For the synnes of the lond ben [there ben I.] many princis therof [of it I.] ; and for the wisdom of a man, and for the kunnyng of these thingis [for the kun|nyng of these thingis; that is, of mannus thingis worthi to be doon. Lire here. C.] that ben seid, the lijf of the duyk schal be lengere [the lengere I.] . [verse 3] A pore man falsli calengynge pore men, is lijk a grete reyn, wherynne hungur is maad redi. [verse 4] Thei that forsaken the lawe, preisen a [the I.] wickid man; thei that kepen `the lawe [it I.] , ben kyndlid [teendid or stirid I.] [ben kyndlid; that is, ben moued bi fer|uent loue of the lawe, and of riȝtfulnesse. Lire here. C.] aȝens hym. [verse 5] Wickid men thenken not [not on I.] doom; but thei that seken the Lord, perseyuen alle thingis [perseyuen alle thingis; that ben nede|ful to execu|sioun, ethir parformyng of riȝtfulnesse. Lire here. C.] . [verse 6] Betere is a pore man goynge in his sym|pilnesse, than a riche man in schrewid weies. [verse 7] He that kepith the lawe, is a wijs sone; but he that fedith [that fedith; in spending his catel therynne. Lire here. C.] glotouns, schendith his fadir. [verse 8] He that gaderith togidere richessis bi vsuris, and fre en|crees [and fre en|crees; in res|seyuynge ouer the stok, ether ouer hool dette, netheles with|out couenaunt. Lire here. C.] , gaderith tho [Om. I.] togidere aȝens pore men. [verse 9] His preyer schal be maad cursid, that bowith awei his eere [that bowith awey his eere; that so he do the contrarie of lawe more leue|fully, and with out remors ether biting of con|sience; for it cometh of greet lust to do synne, that a man nyle kunne the lawe, lest bi kunnyng therof he be lettid of synne, ether withdrawun therfro. in an yuel weye; that is, drawith hem to yuel, bi his councel. perisching; of dedly synne, and of helle. Lire here. C.] ; that he here not the lawe. [verse 10] He that disseyueth iust men in an yuel weye, schal falle in his perisching; and iuste men schulen welde hise goodis. [verse 11] A ryche man semeth wijs to him silf; but a pore man prudent schal serche him [schal serche him; that is, schal knowe his councel. Lire here. C.] . [verse 12] In enhaunsing of iust men is miche glorie; whanne wickid men regnen, fallyngis [myscheues I.] of men ben [ther ben I.] . [verse 13] He that hidith hise grete trespassis [that hidith his grete trespassis; in the doom of consience, that is confessioun. Lire here. C.] , schal not be maad riȝtful; but he that knoulechith and forsakith tho [hem I.] , schal gete merci. [verse 14] Blessid

is the man, which is euere dredeful [euere dred|ful; lest he offende God in ony thing. Lire here. C.] ; but he that is `harde of soule [of hard herte I.] , schal falle [of hard soule, schal falle, etc.; that is, he that chargith not of trespas aȝenus Goddis lawe, schal falle in to yuel of synne and of peyne. C.] in to yuel. [verse 15] A rorynge lioun [A roring lioun, etc.; as a lioun deuour|ith beestis, so a wickid king spulith hise sugetis of her goodis, that moun not aȝen stonde him. Lire here. C.] , and an hungry bere, is a wickid prince on a pore puple. [verse 16] A duyk nedi of prudence schal oppresse [schal op|presse, etc.; for he hath wickid mynys|tris indusinge him to this ma|lice, and he kan not perseyue. Lire here. C.] many men bi fals chalenge; but the daies of hym that hatith aueryce, schulen be maad longe. [verse 17] No man sus|teyneth [susteyne I.] a man that falsly chalengith the blood [the blood; that is, sekith vniustli the deth of a man. Lire here. C.] of a man, if he fleeth `til to [vn to I.] the lake. [verse 18] He that goith simpli [sympli; that is, innocentli. Lire here. CN.] , schal be saaf; he that goith bi weiward weies, schal falle doun onys [schal falle doun onys; that is, with out rising aȝen to good. Lire here. C.] . [verse 19] He that worch|ith his lond, schal be fillid with looues; he that sueth ydelnesse, schal be fillid with nedynesse. [verse 20] A feithful man schal be preisid myche; but he that hastith [that hastith, etc.; coueytinge ouer myche her|to. Lire here. C.] to be maad riche, schal not be innocent [giltlees I.] . [verse 21] He that knowith a face in doom [a face in doom; that is, fauerith a man for singuler fa|myliarite, more than is riȝtful. Lire here. C.] , doith not wel; this man forsakith treuthe, ȝhe, for a mussel of breed. [verse 22] A man that hast|ith to be maad riche, and hath enuye to othere men; woot not that nedinesse schal come on hym. [verse 23] He that repreueth a man, schal fynde grace aftirward at [anentis I.] hym; more than he that disseyueth bi flateryngis of tunge. [verse 24] He that withdrawith ony thing fro his fadir and fro his modir, and seith that this is no synne, is parcener of a manquellere. [verse 25] He that auauntith [avauntith; in magnefiynge ouer mesure hise seiyngis ether dedis. Lire here. C.] hym silf, and alargith, reisith [reisith up I.] stryues; but he that hopith in the Lord, schal be sauyd. [verse 26] He that tristith in his herte [tristith in his herte; that is, ouer myche in his owne wit. is a fool; for he is presump|tuouse and proud, and pride makith blynd the vn|durstonding. Lire here. C.] , is a fool; [verse 27] but he that goith wiseli, schal be preysid. He that ȝyueth to a pore man, schal not be nedi; he that dispisith `a pore man [him I.] bi|sechynge, schal suffre nedynesse. [verse 28] Whanne vnpitouse men risen, men schulen be hid; whanne [and whanne I.] tho [thei I. the S.] `vnpitouse men [Om. I.] han perisch|id, iust men schulen be multiplied.

CAP. XXIX.

[verse 1] Sodeyn perischyng [Sudeyn pe|rischyng; of body and of soule. with hard nol; that is, an obstynat soule. helthe schal not sue him; for his synne is vncurable, for it is a spice of synne aȝenus the Hooly Goost, which synne is seid vnable to be forȝouun, that is, is not able to be forȝouun eseli, ethir of ful hard to be forȝouun. Lire here. C.] schal come on that man, that with hard nol dispisith a

blamere; and helth schal not sue hym. [verse 2] The comynalte schal be glad in the multi|pliyng of iust men; whanne wickid men han take prinshod, the puple schal weyle. [verse 3] A man that loueth wisdom, makith glad his fadir; but he that nurschith `an hoore [a strumpett I.] , schal leese catel [his catel I.] . [verse 4] A iust king reisith the lond; an auerouse man schal distrie it. [verse 5] A man that spekith bi flater|ynge and feyned wordis to his frend; spredith abrood a net [a net, etc.; for he lettith his going forth in hise werkis, in withdraw|inge fro him the biheest in which he tristide. A snare; of many fold synne and of helle. A iust man knowith; that is, enfors|ith to knowe, that he may helpe. kun|nyng; to do wel, for wickid men kunnen not do wel. Lire here. C.] to hise steppis. [verse 6] A snare schal wlappe a wickid man do|ynge synne; and a iust man schal preise, and schal [Om. I.] make ioye. [verse 7] A iust man know|ith the cause of pore men; an [and an CS. as Q.] vnpitouse man knowith not kunnyng. [verse 8] Men ful of pestilence distryen a citee; but wise men turnen awei woodnesse. [verse 9] If a wijs man stryueth with a fool [If a wise man stryueth with a fool; that is, trauel|ith to amende the fool. wher he; that is, the wise man. is wrooth; in repreuynge scharply the fool. leiȝith; in monestinge him swetely. reste; that is, amend|ing of the fool. Menquelleris; ether men of bloodis, that is, schederis out of myche blood. haten a symple man; that is, goynge with out doublenesse of gile. seken his soule; that is, to saue his liyf. alle mynystris vnfeithful; for they seken to plese him, and sue him of siche wordis of flater|yng and of bac|biting; as it is opyn of kyng Saul, that pur|suede Dauyth, for the flater|yngis of Doech, and othere men liyk him. Lire here. C.] ; whether [wher CEGHMNPQRUXY.] he be [is not CEGH KMNPQRSUX pr. m. Ya. is X sec. m.] wrooth, `ether he leiȝith [wher he leiȝith CEGHIKMNPQRUXY. or leiȝe I. whether he leiȝ|ith sa.] , he schal not fynde reste. [verse 10] Menquelleris haten a simple man; but iust men seken his soule. [verse 11] A fool bringith forth al his spirit; a wise man dilaieth, and reserueth in to tyme comynge afterward. [verse 12] A prince that herith wilfuli the wordis of a [Om. I.] leesyng [of leesing; that is, of flater|ing and of bac|biting. Lire here. C.] ; schal haue alle mynystris [his seruauntis I.] vnfeithful [vnpitous X sec. m. marg.] . [verse 13] A pore man and a leenere metten hem silf; the Lord is liȝtnere [the Lord is liȝtnere, etc.; for he enspirith wille to the riche man, to releeue the pore man; and wille to the pore man, to preye for the riche man. Lire here. C.] of euer ethir. [verse 14] If a kyng demeth pore men in treuthe; his trone schal be maad stidfast with outen ende. [verse 15] A ȝerde and chastisyng schal ȝyue wisdom; but a child, which [that I.] is left to his wille [owen wille I.] , schendith his modir. [verse 16] Grete tres|passis schulen be multiplied in the mul|tipliyng of wickid men; and iust men schulen se the fallyngis of hem. [verse 17] Teche thi sone, and he schal coumforte thee; and he schal ȝyue delicis to thi soule. [verse 18] Whanne prophesie faylith, the puple schal be distried; but he that kepith the lawe, is blessid. [verse 19] A seruaunt [A seruaunt; vnbuxum and rebel. Lire here. C.] mai not be tauȝt bi wordis; for he vndirstondith that that thou seist, and [and he I.] dispisith for [Om. I.] to answere.

[verse 20] Thou hast seyn a man swift to speke; foli schal be hopid more than his amendyng. [verse 21] He that nurschith his seruaunt delicatli fro childhod; schal fynde hym rebel aftir|ward. [verse 22] A wrathful man territh chidingis; and he that is liȝt to haue indignacioun, schal be more enclynaunt to synnes. [verse 23] Low|nesse sueth a proude man; and glorie schal vp take a meke man of spirit. [verse 24] He that takith part with a theef [He that tak|ith part with a theef, etc.; in ix. maneris is maad part tak|ing ether con|sent of thefte; firste whanne a man comaund|ith his seruaunt ether suget to do thefte; the ii. in councel|inge a straun|gere to do thefte; iii. in consent|inge, where it schulde not be don with out his consent; iiii. in flater|ynge ether preisinge a theef, ether a raueynour; v. in ressettinge a theef, ether his thefte; vi. in beynge stille, whanne he seeth thefte doon, which he myȝte lette bi speking, ether cry; vii. in not putting forth him silf and lettinge not thefte, whanne he is holdun herto, as a iuge, ether kepere of the lond; viii. whanne, aftir thefte don, en|quering is maad therof, that it be foundun, and he knowith sum thing therof, and schewith not; the ix. in takinge part of the thefte. Lire here. C.] , hatith his soule; he herith a man chargynge [charginge; that is, enquer|ing thefte, vn|dur the peyne of curs, ether in other maner. Lire here. C.] greetli, and schewith not. [verse 25] He that dred|ith a man, schal falle soon [soone fro riȝtfulnesse N.] ; he that hopith in the Lord, shal be reisid. [verse 26] Many men seken the face of the prince; and the doom of alle men schal go forth of the Lord. [verse 27] Iust men han abhomynacioun of a wickid man; and wickid men han abho|mynacioun of hem, that ben in a riȝtful weye. A sone kepynge [a sone kep|ing, etc.; this vers is not in Ebreu. Lire here. C.] a word, schal be out of perdicioun.

CAP. XXX.

[verse 1] The wordis of hym that gaderith [that gader|ith, etc.; Salo|mon is seid a sone gaderinge and spuynge, to signefie the greetnesse of wisdom gaderid in him, and the excelence of his teching. Lire here. C.] , of the sone spuynge. The prophesie [visioun ether profecie CEFGHKMNPQRSUXYa. visioun I.] which [that I.] a man spak, with whom God was, and [the I.] which man [a man A pr. m. Y.] was [Om. I.] coumfortid bi God [verse 2] dwellyng with hym, and [Om. I.] seide, Y am the moost fool [Y am the moste fool; Salomon bi the Hooly Goost bifor siȝ, that simple men not lettrid schulden be liȝtned of God in thingis that perteynen to helthe of soulis; and this in the tyme of Crist; and of sich a symple man seith Salomon, Y am the moste fool of men, that is, vnlettrid and symple. and the wisdom of men; that is, wisdom of temporal gouernail of mennus thingis, is not with me. Y lernede not wisdom; that is, kunnyng of filosofie. and Y knew not the kunnyng of seyntis; that disposith to euerlastinge helthe. Who stiede in to heuene and cam doun; that is, it is God that gouerneth heuenly thingis and erthli thingis, and God the Fadir, and God his Sone, ben with out bigynnyng and ende. And a filosofore may not knowe this bi worldly wisdom, but this is knowun oneli by Goddis wisdom. Lire here. C.] of men; and the wisdom of men is not with me. [verse 3] Y lernede not wisdom; and Y knew not the kunnyng of hooli men. [verse 4] Who stiede in to heuene, and cam doun? Who helde togidere the spirit in hise hondis? who bonde togidere wa|tris as in a cloth? Who reiside alle the endis of erthe? What is name [the name I.] of hym? and what is the name of his sone, if thou knowist? [verse 5] Ech word of God is a scheld set a fiere, to alle that hopen in hym.

[verse 6] Adde thou not [Adde thou not, etc.; con|trarie, netheles tho thingis that declaren Goddis word, moun be addid wel and meedefuly. Lire here. C.] ony thing to the wordis of hym, and [and so I.] thou [Om. I.] be repreued, and be foundun a liere. [verse 7] I preiede [preie EPY.] thee twei thingis; denye not thou [thou hem I.] to me, bifor that Y die. [verse 8] Make thou fer fro me vanyte and wordis of leesyng; ȝyue thou not to me beggery [beggyng I.] [beggeri; he spekith this in the persoone of a siyk man, that kan not wel vse prospe|rites with out pride, nether aduersite with out grucching. Lire here. C.] and richessis; ȝyue [but ȝyue I.] thou [verse 9] oneli necessaries to my lijflode; lest per|auenture Y be fillid [fulfillid I.] , and be drawun to denye, and [and Y C.] seie, Who is the Lord? and lest Y [Y be I.] compellid bi nedynesse, stele [and stele I.] , and forswere the name of my God. [verse 10] Accuse thou not [Accuse thou not, etc.; that is, no but for a iust cause. Lire here. C.] a seruaunt to his lord, lest per|auenture he curse thee, and thou falle doun. [verse 11] A generacioun that cursith his fadir, and that blessith not his modir. [verse 12] A generacioun that semeth cleene to it silf, and netheles is not waischun fro hise filthis. [verse 13] A generacioun whose iȝen ben hiȝ [iȝen ben hiȝ, etc.; that is, whos pride of herte apperith opinli with out forth, in the iȝen and lippis. Lire here. C.] , and the iȝe liddis therof ben reisid in to hiȝ thingis. [verse 14] A generacioun that hath swerdis for teeth, and etith with hise wank teeth; that it ete nedi men of erthe, and the porails of men. [verse 15] The watir leche hath twei [two I passim.] douȝtris [twei douȝtris, etc.; that is, auarice and leccherie, that ben neuere fill|id. Lire here. C. that is, auerice and couetise. K.] , seiynge, Brynge, bringe. Thre thingis ben vnable to be fillid, and the fourthe, that seith neuere, [verse 16] It suffisith; helle [helle, etc.; that is, the de|uel, that euere enforsith more and more to drawe synneris to himsilf. of the wombe; that is, of a leccherouse womman. Lire here. C.] , and the mouth of the wombe, and the erthe which [that I.] is neuere fillid with water; but fier seith neuere, It suffisith. [verse 17] Crowis of the stronde picke out thilke iȝe, that scorneth the fadir, and that dispisith the child beryng of his modir; and the briddis of an egle ete that iȝe. [verse 18] Thre thingis ben hard to me, and outirli Y knowe not the fourthe [verse 19] thing; the weye of an egle [weye of an egle; that is, of Crist, in his assencion. weye of a serpent; that is, of Crist, in his rising aȝen. of a schip in the myddis of the see; that is, of Crist, in his conuersacioun in the world. of a man; that is, of Crist, per|fit man in kun|nyng and ver|tues. in a ȝong wexinge wom|man; that is, in the blessid Virgyn. Lire here. C.] in heuene, the weie of a serpent on a stoon, the weie of a schip in the myddil of the see, and the weie of a man in ȝong wexynge age. [verse 20] Siche is the weie of a womman auow|tresse, which [that I.] etith, and wipith hir mouth, and seith, Y wrouȝte not yuel. [verse 21] The erthe is moued bi thre thingis, and [and bi I.] the fourthe [verse 22] thing, which it may not susteyne; bi a

seruaunt, whanne he regneth; bi a fool, [verse 23] whanne he is fillid with mete; bi an hateful womman, whanne sche is takun in matrymonye; and bi an handmaide, whanne sche is eir of hir ladi. [verse 24] Foure ben the leeste thingis of erthe, and tho ben [verse 25] wisere than wise men; amtis, a feble puple, that maken redi mete in heruest to [verse 26] hem silf; a [an I.] hare, a puple vnmyȝti, that [verse 27] settith his bed in a stoon; a locust hath no kyng, and al goith out bi cumpanyes; [verse 28] an euete enforsith with hondis, and dwell|ith in the housis of kingis. [verse 29] Thre thingis ben [ther ben I.] , that goon wel, and the fourthe thing, that goith richeli [richeli, ether bi prosperite CEFGHKMNPQRSUXYa. richeli, or welsumly I.] . [verse 30] A lioun, strongeste of beestis [A lioun strongeste of beestis; that is, the rewme of Babiloyne. a cok gird the leendis; that is, the rewme of Perseys, ne|theles cok is not in Ebreu. a ram; that is, Alisaundre the Grete, ether the rewme of Grekis. and a king aȝenus whom no man schal reise the hond; thus it is in Ebreu, that is, aȝenus whom no man schal moun aȝenstonde; and this signe|fieth the rewme of Romayns, that was strongere than the rewmes bi|forgoinge. ap|perith a fool; foli apperith more in a fool, whanne he is set in an hiȝ staat; and if he hadde wist this, he hadde be stille vnauauns|id. Lire here. C.] , schal not drede at the meetyng [verse 31] of ony man; a cok gird the leendis, and a ram, and noon is [ther is I.] that schal aȝenstonde him. [verse 32] He [He; thouȝ Latyn bookis han here and he, in Ebreu is not and; for the sentence of this vers is not couplid to that, that goith bi|fore. Lire here. C.] that apperith a fool, aftir that he is reisid an hiȝ; for if he hadde vn|durstonde, he hadde sett hond on his mouth. [verse 33] Forsothe he that thristith strongli teetis, to drawe out mylk, thristith out botere [botere; that is, mater sad|dere than mylk, that schulde not be thristid out. Lire here. C.] ; and he that smytith greetli, drawith out blood; and he that stirith iris, bringith forth discordis.

CAP. XXXI.

[verse 1] The wordis of Lamuel, the king [Lamuel, the king; that is, Salomon. La|muel is in|terpretid, with whom God is, for God was with Salomon in the bigyn|nyng of his rewme. Lire here. C.] ; the visioun [the visoun; that is, teching ether blamyng. Lire here. C.] bi which his modir tauȝte hym. [verse 2] What my derlyng? what the derlyng of my wombe? what the derlyng of my desiris? [verse 3] Ȝyue thou not thi catel to wym|men, and thi richessis to do awei kyngis [do awey kyngis; Ebreys seyen, to make fatte kingis; and this acordith betere to the lettre suynge. Lire here. C.] . [verse 4] A! Lamuel, nyle thou ȝiue wyn [wyn, etc.; that is, to drynke ouer mesure. Lire here. C.] to kingis; for no pryuete is [ther is I.] , where drunke|nesse regneth. [verse 5] Lest perauenture thei drynke, and forȝete domes, and chaunge the cause of the sones of a pore man. [verse 6] Ȝyue ȝe sidur [ȝyue ȝe sidur; that is, drynk able to make drunkun. Lire here. C.] to hem that morenen, and wyn to hem that ben of bitter soule. [verse 7] Drinke thei, and forȝete thei her nedi|nesse; and thenke thei no more on her

sorewe. [verse 8] Opene thi mouth [Opene thi mouth, etc.; that is, alegge thou riȝtful|nesse, for him that kan not plete in his cause. Lire here. C.] for a doumb [verse 9] man, and opene thi mouth for the causes of alle sones that passen forth [that passen forth; that is, of straungeris goinge thorou the lond. Lire here. C.] . Deme thou that that is iust, and deme thou a nedi man [deme thou a nedi man, etc.; that is, do thou execucioun of riȝtfulnesse, for nedi men and pore, that han a iust cause. Lire here. C.] and a pore man. [verse 10] Who schal fynde a stronge womman [a strong womman; Cris|ten doctours expownen co|mynly this let|tre, til to the ende, of hooly chirche, which bi figuratif speche, is seid a strong wom|man; hir hose|bonde is Crist, hir sones and douȝtris ben Cristen men and wymmen; and this is the literal vndur|stonding, as thei seyen; and this exposicioun is resonable, and set opinly in the comyn glos. But Rabi Salomon seith, that bi a strong womman is vn|durstondun hooli Scripture; the hosebonde of this wom|man, is a stu|diouse techere in hooly Scrip|ture, bothe men and wymmen; for in Jeroms tyme summe wymmen weren ful studiouse in hooly Scripture. Lire here. C.] ? the prijs of her is fer, and fro the laste endis. [verse 11] The herte of hir hosebond tristith in hir; and sche [he I.] schal not haue nede to spuylis [robries I.] . [verse 12] Sche schal ȝelde to hym good, and not yuel, in alle the daies of hir lijf. [verse 13] Sche souȝte wolle and flex; and wrouȝte bi the coun|sel of hir hondis. [verse 14] Sche is maad as the schip of a marchaunt, that berith his breed fro fer. [verse 15] And sche roos bi nyȝt, and ȝaf prey [ȝaf prey, etc.; in Ebreu it is, liyflode. Lire here. C.] to hir meyneals, and metis to hir handmaidis [handmaidens I.] . [verse 16] Sche bihelde a feeld, and bouȝte it; of the fruyt of hir hondis sche plauntide a vyner. [verse 17] Sche girde [girdide I.] hir leendis with strengthe, and made strong hir arm. [verse 18] Sche taastide, and siȝ [sauȝ I passim.] , that hir marchaundie was good; hir lanterne schal not be quenchid in the niȝt. [verse 19] Sche putte hir hondis to stronge thingis [to stronge thingis; in Ebreu it is, to the wherne; and the lettre suynge acord|ith wel herto. Lire here. C.] , and hir fyngris token the spyndil. [verse 20] Sche openyde hir hond to a [the I.] nedi man, and stretchide forth hir hondis to a pore man. [verse 21] Sche schal not drede for hir hous of the cooldis of snow; for alle hir meyneals ben clothid with double clothis. [verse 22] Sche made to hir a ray cloth; bijs [bijs, ether whiyt silk CEFGHKMNPQRUXYa.] and purpur is the cloth of hir. [verse 23] Hir hosebonde is noble in the ȝatis, whanne he sittith with the senatours of erthe. [verse 24] Sche made lynnun [a lynun C.] cloth, and selde [solde it I.] ; and ȝaf a girdil to a Chananei [to a Cananey; Ebreys seyen, to a marchaunt; and this acordith more to the lettre biforgoinge. Lire here. C.] . [verse 25] Strengthe and fairnesse is the [in the E.] clothing of hir; and sche schal leiȝe in the laste dai. [verse 26] Sche openyde hir mouth to wisdom; and the lawe of merci is in hir tunge. [verse 27] Sche bihelde the pathis of hir hous; and sche eet not breed idili. [verse 28] Hir sones risiden [risen E. resen up I.] , and prechiden hir moost blessid; hir [verse 29] hosebonde roos, and preiside hir. Many douȝtris gaderiden richessis; thou pass|idist

[hast ouer passid I.] alle. [verse 30] Fairnesse is disseiuable grace, and veyn; thilke womman, that dredith the Lord, schal be preisid. [verse 31] Ȝyue ȝe to hir of the fruyt [frutis E.] of hir hondis; and hir werkis preise hir in the ȝatis.

Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and here biginneth Ecclesiastes [From CHNSX. Here enden Prouerbis, and here bygynneth Ecclesiastes. F. Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and bigynneth a prolog on Ecclesiastes. G. Heere endith the book of Prouerbis, and biginnith Ecclesiastes. IQ. Here eendeth the booc of Prouerbis; se now the prolog in the booc of Ecclesiastes, that is to seie, booc of talkere to the puple, or togidere calle[re]. K. Here endith the book of Prouerbis, and here bigynneth the book of Ecclesiastes, that tretith also of wisdom and prudence, and nedith noon other prologe. M. Here endith the Prouerbis, and here bigynneth Ecclesiastes. U. Here eendith the Parablis, and bigynneth the prolog on Ecclesiastes. a. No final rubric in AEPRY.] .